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Several real locations seem to have inspired the setting and background for Lilydusk’s popular webtoon Midnight Poppy Land.
Midnight Poppy Land has captured the hearts of Webtoon readers. Written by Lilydusk, it tells the story of Poppylan Wilkes, a young woman who leaves her small town for the big city and finds herself thrown into the dangerous underworld of Narin City. At her side is heartthrob Tora, a man haunted by his past and trapped by his future. Currently, Midnight Poppy Land is on its second season and enjoys a loyal and ever-growing fanbase.
One piece of information fans have been wondering and theorizing about is where the story could possibly take place. While the Narin City of Midnight Poppy Land is fictional, it seems to draw inspiration from several countries and cultures, refusing to let itself be defined as purely one thing. The background doesn’t only add richness to the story but also gives readers a way to ground themselves in the plot.
For many readers — especially those based in the United States — New York City might be the first place they compare to Narin City. With its towering skyline, Narin does give off a similar big-city energy to the Big Apple. What’s more, Poppy works for a start-up publishing company, and while publishing companies can technically exist anywhere, a lot of the publishing industry is based in New York City. There are also stores and restaurants scattered around the city with American-sounding names, like Chevy’s and the Black Swan Bar and Bistro, while the glitz and glam of the nightlife is reminiscent of the portrayals of New York that Hollywood films like to show off.
Nonetheless, the setting’s Asian influences are also obvious and plentiful. One place readers are often reminded of as they dive into the story is Tokyo. Its skyline is similar to that of New York, and the gangs of Narin resemble yakuza families. Even the name ‘Narin’ sounds as though it could be Japanese, and Tora’s name is the Japanese word for tiger. However, the prominent Balthuman Clan also resembles the quintessential Hollywood mafia family, which brings the story back into the realm of New York City. Moreover, casinos, which are more heavily regulated in places other than the United States, are present in the story — not that the gangs of Narin City follow the law anyway. It may seem like a small detail, but it still hints at the overall operations that go on in Narin City.
However, two additional details work together to support the Tokyo theory. First, drivers in Narin City sit on the right side of their car. Second, there are often “do not enter” signs visible on the streets of Narin that are red with horizontal white stripes and no words, which are commonly seen on Japanese roads. Of course, this doesn’t lock the story into a particular location, but it’s a fun detail to consider.
It seems more accurate to view Narin City as the result of the mixing of cities New York and Tokyo, but there’s no denying the fresh life that Lilydusk has breathed into these places to make Midnight Poppy Land‘s world stand on its own. In short, Narin is an amalgamation of several modern, stylish cities that does not allow itself to be restricted by reality. For those looking for a high-stakes romance filled with distinct and charismatic characters, both seasons of Midnight Poppy Land can be read on Webtoon.
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