Webtoons: Revolutionizing Entertainment for the Digital Generation

Highlights:

• A brief on the origin of webtoons

• Reasons behind the growing popularity of webtoons in entertainment

• Notable acquisitions made by industry players in the sector

Webtoons are the types of digital comics that originated in South Korea and are read vertically by scrolling down on a computer or a smartphone. These comics are designed for online reading, utilizing a vertical scrolling format that enhances the digital experience. 

The evolution of webtoons

Webtoons have gained huge popularity in the last few years owing to  the growing use of the internet and the demand for easily accessible entertainment. The first major platform for webtoons, Naver Webtoon, was launched in 2004, providing creators with a space to publish their work online and reach a wider audience during that time. This transition from traditional print comics to digital formats enables artists to experiment with storytelling techniques and engage readers in new ways.

The vertical scrolling format is one of the defining characteristics of webtoons. Unlike traditional comics that are read page by page, webtoons are presented in long strips that are easily accessible on smartphones and tablets. This format caters to mobile users and allows for innovative storytelling methods, including the integration of animations and sound effects.

How are webtoons reshaping television and film adaptations in the digital world?

In the past few years, webtoons have emerged as a global cultural sensation, particularly resonating with Gen Z and Gen Alpha audiences. Their engaging storytelling, diverse themes, and concise format align seamlessly with today’s fast-paced digital consumption habits. Moreover, their impact extends beyond just mobile devices. Recently, webtoons have begun to spearhead a new wave of adaptations for television and film. Popular titles such as True Beauty, Our Beloved Summer, and Sweet Home illustrate how these digital comics serve as rich sources for captivating visual narratives.

On the other hand, webtoons possess distinct advantages over traditional comics and novels when it comes to adaptations. Their episodic format is also penetrating television dramas, making them particularly well-suited for serialized storytelling. Additionally, webtoons come with an established fan base from platforms like Webtoon and Tapas. These platforms attract millions of active readers who eagerly anticipate weekly updates, creating a built-in audience for any adapted content. For instance, True Beauty, which follows the journey of Jugyeong, a woman who explores societal beauty standards through makeup, garnered a huge following before its successful adaptation into a live-action K-drama. This transition has retained its core audience and attracted new viewers, highlighting how webtoons effectively incorporate digital origins into mainstream entertainment.

Moreover, webtoons are not confined to traditional genres only such as romance and slice-of-life, they have also embraced darker and more action-oriented themes. A prime example is Sweet Home, which delves into the horror-thriller genre, created by Carnby Kim and Youngchan Hwang. It follows a group of apartment residents confronting apocalyptic terrors as they transform into monsters. In addition, the Netflix adaptation, released in 2020, preserved the intense atmosphere and high-stakes drama of the original while enhancing it with impressive special effects. This transformative appeal of the serial highlights the potential of webtoon adaptations to attract international audiences, extending their reach beyond their original fan base.

Today, the webtoon ecosystem thrives with many successful creators. Studios and publishers that once struggled due to the decline of print comics have transformed into content producers, continuously releasing new webtoon episodes instead of relying on monthly print runs. For instance, Kakao Entertainment has invested nearly two billion dollars to support this growth, promoting new roles like webtoon editors, translators, producers, and critics, which enhances the industry and ensures its sustainability.

Soosung Webtoon joined hands with Terapin and Toptoon to expand its global reach

The webtoons market is experiencing remarkable growth due to the active participation of key players in making collaborative approaches to expand webtoon businesses. For example, in December 2024, Soosung Webtoon, a South Korea-based manufacturer of material handling equipment announced its acquisition of Terapin, a renowned webtoon production firm. Through this acquisition, Soosung aims to enhance the work supply capability of Terapin, which holds popular webtoon intellectual property (IP), and expand the webtoon value chain. Terapin has notable webtoon IPs such as “Trash of the Count’s Family” and “The Dragon King’s Bride”. Soosung has also acquired a significant stake in the webtoon company Top Media, which operates the webtoon platform Toptoon. In addition, Terapin already supplies content to about 10 webtoon platforms in Japan, including LINE Manga and Piccoma. Collaborating with Terapin and Toptoon, Soosung envisions strengthening its position in the global webtoon market.

Final words

Webtoons have represented a dynamic evolution in the comic industry, blending traditional storytelling with modern technology. Their unique format, accessibility, and community-driven nature have transformed the way stories are portrayed and consumed in the digital age. The rise of social media platforms and the ongoing diversification strategy of webtoon platforms are expected to create new avenues for the industry in the coming years.

To gain more insights into the futuristic applications of webtoons, feel free to talk to our industry specialists today!

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