When Wicked (2024), the epic fantasy musical film directed by Jon M. Chu, brought the story of Elphaba and Glinda to the big screen, audiences were mesmerized by its themes of identity, transformation, and forbidden power. Beneath its bright musical numbers and sweeping visuals lies a deep narrative about embracing one’s true self in a world determined to judge and exclude.

This same spirit of transformation and inner conflict runs through the adult webtoon The Hole is Open. Known in some regions as The Shop of Pleasure or Glory Hole Shop, this provocative Korean manhwa invites readers into a hidden world where desire and shame collide. Just like Elphaba confronts societal prejudice and her own internal fears, the protagonist of The Hole is Open embarks on an intimate journey that forces him to explore the deepest parts of his psyche.

In The Hole is Open, a seemingly ordinary man discovers a mysterious shop that offers anonymous pleasure through a literal hole. What begins as a physical curiosity quickly becomes a psychological voyage, revealing hidden wounds and repressed desires. Each encounter serves as a mirror, forcing him to confront questions of identity, vulnerability, and emotional liberation.

Both Wicked and The Hole is Open challenge the idea of “normal.” They celebrate characters who refuse to conform, who dare to dive into the uncomfortable parts of themselves, and who ultimately transform in ways they never imagined. The green-skinned Elphaba learns to embrace her power and defy gravity, while the protagonist of The Hole is Open confronts his shame and emerges more self-aware, though forever changed.

In 2025, as audiences search for stories that blend raw honesty with fantasy, these two works stand out as powerful explorations of transformation. Wicked enchants us with its soaring music and magical landscapes; The Hole is Open seduces us with its bold eroticism and psychological depth. Together, they remind us that real freedom begins when we dare to face the parts of ourselves we most want to hide.

For readers and viewers looking to explore identity, taboo, and the cathartic release of self-acceptance, The Hole is Open offers a provocative and unforgettable experience—one that echoes the emotional highs and liberating themes of Wicked in the most unexpected ways.