Webtoon

Webtoon is a form of digital comics that originated in South Korea and is designed for vertical scrolling on mobile devices. Rather than a traditional page-by-page layout, webtoons present content as long, continuous strips that users navigate by swiping or scrolling, often with color and typography optimized for small screens.

They are published on dedicated online platforms, with Naver Webtoon and LINE Webtoon among the most prominent. Titles are typically released in episodes on a regular schedule and are usually free to read, supported by advertising or optional microtransactions, with creators receiving royalties that vary by platform and post type. Because many platforms operate internationally, many series are licensed or translated into multiple languages, expanding the audience beyond South Korea.

History and impact: The webtoon format began in the 2000s in Korea and gained global prominence in the 2010s as platforms expanded overseas. The format has influenced storytelling and production, lowering barriers for creators and enabling rapid release cycles. Several popular webtoons have been adapted into television dramas, films, or animations, underscoring its mainstream influence.

Style and content: Webtoons span genres such as romance, fantasy, action, horror, and slice of life. They emphasize readable layouts, pacing appropriate for episodic releases, and strong visual readability for mobile devices. Although many titles are published by professional platforms, a substantial number are created by independent artists who use platform communities for feedback and distribution.