Webtoon Entertainment paid 4.15 trillion won to creators; targets North American platform with Disney.
Naver Webtoon’s parent company, Webtoon Entertainment, announced that it has paid creators a total of 4.15 trillion won over the past five years, a figure the company says demonstrates the scale of its creator economy. The claim was shared by Kim Yong-su, newly appointed president of Webtoon Entertainment, during a media briefing at Naver Square in Yeoksam-dong, Seoul.
Kim outlined a vision to turn Webtoon Entertainment from a publisher into a “storytelling tech platform,” with a goal of expanding the ecosystem’s flywheel by developing IP that can be extended into animation, games, and films. He pointed to examples of successful IP expansion, including Zombie Daughter, which was optioned for a film, and Severe Trauma Center, which streamed on Netflix. He said these adaptations have driven substantial increases in the original work’s viewership, illustrating the value of cross-format IP.
The company laid out a global roadmap, including the planned launch of a new comics platform in North America by year-end that will feature Disney and Marvel content to broaden the reach among older male readers. It also aims to grow video formats through a short-form animation service called Cuts and a North American “Video Episodes” feature, with a focus on engaging Gen Z audiences. Enhancing user engagement will also hinge on an AI-based character chat feature, “Character Chat,” and more advanced social features.
Technology is presented as a core growth engine. Webtoon Entertainment has developed ToonRadar, an anti-piracy technology that has cut leaks on the latest episodes by about 80%. The company also runs a simultaneous serialization system that releases new chapters globally at the same time, helping to lift payments for top titles by as much as 200% or more. President Kim said AI will not replace creation, but personalized recommendations and data analysis can support creators and users alike.
Kim addressed recent stock and earnings sensitivity by stressing the importance of long-term growth over short-term results. He emphasized that profitability can be managed with leverage if needed, while prioritizing aggressive investment and global expansion in the near term. He also touted the U.S. market, noting that webtoons are perceived as a cool, accessible cultural entry point for young audiences and promising a bolder push to make webtoons a mainstream global industry.
The briefing also marked Kim Yong-su’s first public appearance as Webtoon Entertainment president and outside director since his appointment on the 5th of the month. Born in 1986, he is a Yonsei University graduate who previously worked at McKinsey & Company, Tesla, and private equity firm KKR. He joined Naver Webtoon in 2022, led efforts to achieve financial health and a Nasdaq listing, and subsequently expanded partnerships with major players such as Disney. In the leadership shift, CEO Kim Jun-gu will focus on content strategy, while Kim Yong-su will steer operations and global execution.