W: Two Worlds - Ending Explained

The central twist of "W: Two Worlds" is that the webtoon world of "W" and the real world are parallel dimensions that can intersect. The protagonist of the webtoon, Kang Chul, develops his own consciousness and is able to pull Oh Yeon-joo, the daughter of his creator, into his world. The narrative's true antagonist is not just a simple killer, but a plot device that also gains sentience. This faceless killer was created by Oh Seong-moo without any identity or motive, simply to provide conflict for Kang Chul. This lack of context allows the killer to develop his own will: a desire for an identity, which he achieves by stealing Oh Seong-moo's face and agency.

A major plot turn occurs when Kang Chul, to end the chaos, convinces Yeon-joo to reset his memories, making everything that happened between them a mere dream in the webtoon. This erases their relationship and seemingly puts the story back on track, but the connection between the worlds remains. The second half of the series deals with the fallout of this reset, as Yeon-joo is now a wanted fugitive in a world where her husband doesn't remember her.

The finale reveals the ultimate rule of this universe: the story must have a definitive ending. To save everyone, Oh Seong-moo, who has been battling the villain for control of his body, makes a final sacrifice. Trapped in the webtoon world, he uses the last of his power to draw the villain's death and ensure Kang Chul's survival and freedom. He then fades away, as his role as the story's final antagonist is complete. Kang Chul serves a prison sentence in the webtoon world before the story officially 'ends,' allowing him to cross over permanently to the real world and reunite with Yeon-joo. The 'happy ending' for the couple is thus predicated on the tragic, sacrificial 'sad ending' for Yeon-joo's father.

One popular alternative interpretation views the entire series as a metaphor for the creative process and mental health. Oh Seong-moo, the creator, is an alcoholic suffering from depression and a creative block. In this reading, Kang Chul represents his idealized self, while the faceless villain embodies his self-destructive tendencies and inner demons. The struggle between Kang Chul and the villain is a manifestation of Seong-moo's internal battle. His eventual decision to sacrifice himself can be seen as him finally conquering his demons to allow the best part of himself (symbolized by Kang Chul's happiness with his daughter) to live on.

Another interpretation, rooted in Zen Buddhist philosophy, sees the story as an allegory for achieving enlightenment. The webtoon world is an illusion (maya), and Kang Chul's journey of self-awareness is a path to understanding the illusory nature of his reality. The constant resets and repetitions of his life mirror the cycle of reincarnation (samsara). By breaking free from his predetermined fate and entering the 'real world,' Kang Chul escapes the cycle of suffering created for him, achieving a form of liberation.