JAXX’s planned BL webtoon Song of the Wasteland is no longer moving forward, according to a statement the creator posted on X on June 25.
The artist, known for Under the Greenlight and W.O.W (Walk On Water), shared the announcement in Korean and English, writing that sales for Song of the Wasteland would be discontinued. JAXX said the decision was made voluntarily and that they felt a heavy sense of responsibility over the response to the work.
“To readers, I humbly accept the criticism that several scenes in Episode 1 contained disrespectful depictions of other cultures and people,” JAXX wrote in the English version of the statement.
JAXX added that, even if the intended direction and themes of the story differed from readers’ concerns, the project itself had “fundamental limitations” in its premise. Because of that, the creator said the work would not launch.
The statement continued with JAXX saying the situation revealed a lack of care when handling a specific historical era and setting. The creator also said they had focused too heavily on the characters and failed to recognize that the work was repeating problematic historical contexts and representational tropes from past media.
“I also deeply resonate with the criticism that the characterization in question was not something to be treated lightly within a genre like BL,” JAXX wrote.
Song of the Wasteland, also titled 황야의 노래 in Korean, had been promoted as a new BL webtoon from JAXX. Official promotional material described the series as a historical BL centered on Gerald Dern, the eldest son of the Dern family, who loses his family and fortune during the Civil War. The premise also introduced Ezra, a cowboy whose arrival changes Gerald’s life after he retreats to a ranch.
Manta had promoted Song of the Wasteland for a global release, while RIDI listings and social posts had also pointed readers toward the new title. JAXX had recently shared that the first episode was available for preview ahead of its planned launch.
JAXX is a known name in Korean BL webtoons. RIDI’s author profile lists JAXX’s works including Under the Greenlight, Under the Greenlight: In Dreams, and W.O.W (Walk On Water). RIDI also lists Under the Greenlight as the winner of the 2021 RIDI BL Comic Award webtoon grand prize, while Under the Greenlight: In Dreams won the 2024 RIDI Awards BL manga Best Hard BL award.
JAXX ended the statement by apologizing to readers and saying they would carry the reflection forward in future work.
No separate detailed cancellation notice from Manta or RIDI was found at the time of writing.