Comic Artist Heo Young-man Launches Search for Lost Hat

A social media campaign dubbed the 'Heo Young-man Hat Search Operation' has recently gained traction after renowned comic artist Heo Young-man (78) appealed to netizens for assistance in locating his signature hat. On April 13, Heo shared a photo of himself wearing the hat on his Instagram and Threads accounts, stating, "I have lost this hat." The hat, which he is often seen wearing on TV Chosun's 'Chef Heo Young-man's Dining Journey,' has become a trademark among his fans.

He requested help in finding a similar hat, adding the hashtags 'hat' and 'comic' to his post. In response, many netizens commented with support, expressing their attachment to the hat due to its association with his show. Comments included, "I’ll help look for it since it’s a character from 'Dining Journey'" and "It’s such a trademark; I hope you find it soon!" Some even shared links to stores selling similar designs.

On April 15, Heo revealed to Yonhap News that he lost the hat in Japan. He mentioned, "If a hunting cap is worn incorrectly, it can make one look like a neighborhood uncle, which makes it hard to find one that I like." He expressed his disappointment, stating, "I have searched various places for a similar hat but have had no luck. Now, I’m using a different hat, but I’m not satisfied with it."