“Webtoon” is a compound word derived from “web” and “cartoon.” It refers to comics viewed on the
web. Webtoons have several characteristics. First, anyone can freely draw and upload them on his or her
personal blog or homepage. Second, anyone can use webtoons for free unless the writer or portal
site requires the readers or users to pay. Third, there is active communication between the
writers and readers through the comments, so the readers can take part in the writers’ work
and give suggestions to them. The Cartoon industry in South Korea has
been expanding rapidly due to the rising popularity of webtoons. Webtoons account for a
considerable proportion of South Korea’s comics industry, which was dull in the early
2000s. According to a research conducted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and the Korea Creative Contents Agency (KCCC), the Korean webtoon industry is estimated to be worth 171.9 billion won. This is a really
large amount because the cartoon industry was worth about 436.2 billion won 10 years ago. It seems that the massive adoption of smartphones or other portable electric devices is behind the
phenomenal growth of the market. Recently, many webtoons were made into dramas and movies. For
instance, Mi-saeng, a hit tvN drama depicting a fictional office life at a trading company that swept the nation last year, is based on Yoon Tae-ho’s webtoon. The 20-episode cable drama became a huge
success in 2014, getting an about 10% viewer share, a rare achievement for a cable drama. Also, certain movies that became box office hits, like Secretly, Greatly, Moss, 26 Years and The Neighbors
were based on webtoon series. More webtoons are making their way out of the monitor to small or
big screens. A total of 74 webtoons concluded copyright contracts with TV and movie producers last year alone. Webtoons are a unique platform for comics developed in South Korea and have potential for
international success.