South Korea is known globally for its web series, movies and K-pop, with content including Squid Game and Parasite and groups like BTS and Blackpink becoming household names internationally. But there is another Korean cultural export – webtoons and their associated IP – that is starting to have an impact, not just in Korea, but around the world.
Webtoons are comics that have been designed specifically for mobile phones. Unlike Western comics and Japanese manga, they’re composed of single panels arranged vertically so that they can be easily scrolled through with one hand while you’re using the other to hang off the strap of your local commuter train.
Originating on the platforms of two Korean tech giants, Daum (which was later absorbed into Kakao) and Naver, in the early 2000s, the format is already huge across Asia and has become an invaluable source of IP for the region’s booming streaming industry.
Webtoons are comics that have been designed specifically for mobile phones. Unlike Western comics and Japanese manga, they’re composed of single panels arranged vertically so that they can be easily scrolled through with one hand while you’re using the other to hang off the strap of your local commuter train.
Originating on the platforms of two Korean tech giants, Daum (which was later absorbed into Kakao) and Naver, in the early 2000s, the format is already huge across Asia and has become an invaluable source of IP for the region’s booming streaming industry.
- 7/7/2023
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Wattpad Webtoon Studios has made a number of hires including a global head of television and launched an animation division.
It comes after the company, which was formed by a merger of social storytelling platform Wattpad and digital comic platform Webtoon, hired David Madden as head of global entertainment.
Sera Tabb has joined as Head of Global Television. Tabb was previously SVP, Development at Picture Perfect Federation and has worked on projets such as Oscar-winner Coda. She has also previously worked at Global Road, Skydance Media, Sony Pictures Television and UTA.
She will oversee all aspects of development across the studio’s growing slate of series adaptations from Webtoon’s global IP catalog and Wattpad webnovels.
Separately, the company has launched a new animation division with Taylor Grant set as Head of Global Animation. Grant, who was previously head of Webtoon Studios, will oversee IP development on all animated film and television projects,...
It comes after the company, which was formed by a merger of social storytelling platform Wattpad and digital comic platform Webtoon, hired David Madden as head of global entertainment.
Sera Tabb has joined as Head of Global Television. Tabb was previously SVP, Development at Picture Perfect Federation and has worked on projets such as Oscar-winner Coda. She has also previously worked at Global Road, Skydance Media, Sony Pictures Television and UTA.
She will oversee all aspects of development across the studio’s growing slate of series adaptations from Webtoon’s global IP catalog and Wattpad webnovels.
Separately, the company has launched a new animation division with Taylor Grant set as Head of Global Animation. Grant, who was previously head of Webtoon Studios, will oversee IP development on all animated film and television projects,...
- 8/16/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
In a time of reboots, remakes and sequels, Wattpad Webtoon is aiming to bring more original stories to Hollywood and counter that franchise bloat. As Wattpad Webtoon Studios president Aron Levitz tells Variety, the goal is to show production banners and media platforms that loyal webcomic and series fans will tune in to their TV adaptations of those titles. And so far, it’s working.
The Webtoon-adapted K-drama “Sweet Home” and Wattpad-originated young adult film series “The Kissing Booth,” both on Netflix, has given the company an early boost in making Hollywood inroads. And now, the recent hire of former Fox Entertainment and AMC Entertainment president David Madden as head of global entertainment is another example of the company’s move to further ramp up its entertainment industry presence.
“We’re better and stronger with two massive IP libraries, united with tons of stories and over 166 million people around the world coming to create,...
The Webtoon-adapted K-drama “Sweet Home” and Wattpad-originated young adult film series “The Kissing Booth,” both on Netflix, has given the company an early boost in making Hollywood inroads. And now, the recent hire of former Fox Entertainment and AMC Entertainment president David Madden as head of global entertainment is another example of the company’s move to further ramp up its entertainment industry presence.
“We’re better and stronger with two massive IP libraries, united with tons of stories and over 166 million people around the world coming to create,...
- 8/1/2022
- by Mónica Marie Zorrilla
- Variety Film + TV
Social storytelling platform Wattpad and digital comic platform Webtoon announced a merger of their studio divisions to create Wattpad Webtoon Studios with the parent company of both, Naver, committing $100 million for development and production financing.
Wattpad, based in Toronto, was recently acquired by Naver a South Korean internet conglomerate that owned Webtoon. The new, combined studio will strengthen Naver’s global position in IP, digital comics and web novels.
Wattpad Webtoon Studios will create global fan and data-driven TV shows, films, and books, unlocking the combined companies’ global IP libraries and growing roster of creators and fandoms across genres. It currently has more than 100 projects in development or production.
After launching and building the Wattpad Studios brand since 2017, Aron Levitz will step into the role of president of Wattpad Webtoon Studios. Taylor Grant will lead the Webtoon entertainment portfolio, Eric Lehrman will lead the Wattpad side. Ashleigh Gardner will continue...
Wattpad, based in Toronto, was recently acquired by Naver a South Korean internet conglomerate that owned Webtoon. The new, combined studio will strengthen Naver’s global position in IP, digital comics and web novels.
Wattpad Webtoon Studios will create global fan and data-driven TV shows, films, and books, unlocking the combined companies’ global IP libraries and growing roster of creators and fandoms across genres. It currently has more than 100 projects in development or production.
After launching and building the Wattpad Studios brand since 2017, Aron Levitz will step into the role of president of Wattpad Webtoon Studios. Taylor Grant will lead the Webtoon entertainment portfolio, Eric Lehrman will lead the Wattpad side. Ashleigh Gardner will continue...
- 6/24/2021
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.