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news

Live-Action The Remarried Empress Adaptation Reveals Main Cast

Adaptation of webtoon with 2.6 billion views to star Min-a Shin, Jong-suk Lee, more ― Studio N, a subsidiary of Naver Webtoon, confirmed the live-action series adaptation of The Remarried Empress webtoon on April 14 along with the main cast. Actress Min-a Shin will play Navier, the dignified empress with a cold demeanor. Jong-suk Lee will portray Prince Heinrey of the Western Kingdom, who falls for ...
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Live-Action Adaptation of Webtoon The First Night with the Duke to Premiere on June 11

Taecyeon, Seohyun star in series ― KBS, the public broadcasting system in Korea, has confirmed that its new series The First Night With the Duke will premiere on June 11. Based on the webtoon and web novel of the same name, the fantasy romance series follows a college student who wakes up and finds she has possessed a minor background character within a romance novel. After unexpectedly spending a n...
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Ize Press Announces English Print Releases of The Merman Trapped in My Lake, I Love Amy

I Love Amy marks Ize Press' 1st girls-love release ― At its industry panel on Friday during Sakura-Con 2025, Ize Press announced that it will publish English print editions of two manhwa: The Merman Trapped in My Lake and I Love Amy (pictured above). The Merman Trapped in My Lake, illustrated by R.PPOBI and based on an original story by Mitchu, follows Servaine Noxirel, the last heir of a fallen nob...
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LINE Manga App Becomes Top-Grossing App in Japan in 1st Quarter 2025

App is celebrating 12th anniversary ― According to mobile analytics firm Sensor Tower, LINE Manga — Naver Webtoon's Japanese-language service — ranked No. 1 in total app market revenue in Japan in the first quarter of 2025. This milestone comes as the platform celebrates its 12th anniversary, having launched in 2013. LINE Manga first overtook Kakao Piccoma's digital manga and novel platform Piccoma ...
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Delusion Webtoon Gets Live-Action Adaptation

Suzy, Sun-ho Kim will lead cast ― According to a report from Korean entertainment outlet OSEN on April 10, actors Suzy and Sun-ho Kim have been cast in a live-action adaptation of the webtoon Delusion. Delusion was created by Hongjacga and originally serialized in Korea from 2019 to 2020, followed by a U.S. release in 2021. Set during the early 20th century under Japanese colonial rule in Korea, the...
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Kakao Ent. Co-CEOs Deny Reports of Company's Sale, Claim Reports are 'Misunderstanding'

Statement follows media reports last week that Kakao plans to sell Kakao Entertainment subsidiary ― Korean business media outlet Hankook Economy reported on April 8 that Kakao, one of the biggest tech companies in Korea, has signaled its intention to sell its subsidiary Kakao Entertainment, stepping away from its long-held plan to take the company public. According to investment banking sources, Kak...
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Manta Launches Romance Webtoon Her Merry Obsession

Manta also offers promotional event ― Manta launched its new romance webtoon Her Merry Obsession on April 10. The series is based on a novel of the same name by MOOMI (Dry Fish Girl), also known for writing the original work behind the Netflix Original Series When the Phone Rings. Artwork for the webtoon is provided by 18.9Studio. Manta describes the story: For two blissful years, Soryung's world re...
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WEBTOON Entertainment to Join NAB Show 2025 Panel on Webcomics

Discussion topics will include the growth of fandoms across genres and the rise in webcomic and webnovel adaptations ― WEBTOON Entertainment announced on April 3 that it will participate in a panel discussion at NAB Show 2025 in Las Vegas, focusing on the role of webcomics in entertainment and IP development. The session, titled “Hollywood's IP Gold Mine: Comics, Fandoms and Creators Building New Wor...
interest

Webtoon-Based Mobile Game Tower of God: New World Collaborates with hololive

Special collaboration event launches on April 9 ― On April 1, Korean game developer and publisher Netmarble released a promotional video for Tower of God: New World, revealing an upcoming collaboration with hololive, the Japanese VTuber group. (The announcement is not an April Fool's Day joke despite the date of announcement, as Netmarble had been teasing the announcement since late March.) The newl...
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Manta's Parent Company Ridi Posts Operating Loss for 2024 But Marks Record-High Revenue

Company attributes reduced deficit, revenue growth to expansion of its global business ― RIDI, the parent company of webtoon platform Manta, announced on April 3 that it posted an operating loss of 12.9 billion KRW (approx. US$8.8 million) on a consolidated basis in 2024, down 56.2% from the previous year. Revenue rose 7.2% year-over-year to a record high of 235.4 billion KRW (approx. US$161 million...
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Inklore to Publish Webtoon How to Hide the Emperor's Child in Print

Series will begin publication in 2026 ― Inklore, an imprint of the Random House Publishing Group, announced on Thursday that it acquired the print publication rights to the webtoon How to Hide the Emperor's Child from C&C Revolution. The webtoon How to Hide the Emperor's Child, which is drawn by SSAL and adapted by 26, is based Yeonseon Lee's web novel of the same name. The webtoon has amassed over ...
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CloverWorks Produces Anime Shorts for 7Fates: Chakho, The Star Seekers Webtoons

HYBE's original webtoon series feature members of BTS, TOMORROW X TOGETHER as characters in story ― Anime studio CloverWorks began streaming two anime shorts on Thursday adapting HYBE's The Star Seekers webtoon and HYBE's 7FATES: CHAKHO webtoon. Each short is around 11 minutes long, and features an original story. Both videos feature hard subtitles in Korean. (Note: CloverWorks has disabled embedding...
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Premiere of Webtoon-Based Live-Action Romance Series Crushology 101 Delayed by 1 Week

Delay comes in response to ruling on S. Korean president's impeachment on Friday ― The premiere of Crushology 101, the live-action Korean romance series based on the webtoon Bunny and Her Oppas, has been postponed by one week. According to SPOTV News on April 2, the series, originally scheduled to air on April 4 in Korea, will now premiere on April 11. The delay comes in response to the Constitution...
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Webtoon-Based Live-Action Series S Line Invited to Cannes International Series Festival

Story centers on incident where mysterious red lines appear connecting those who have had sexual relationship ― The webtoon-based live-action mystery series S Line has been officially invited to the competition section at the Cannes International Series Festival, becoming the only Korean content selected in the category this year. According to the festival's announcement on Tuesday, S Line is one of...
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Netflix Confirms Live-Action Weak Hero Class 2 Series to Premiere on April 25

Series reveals official trailer, poster ― On April 1, Netflix announced that the live-action Weak Hero Class 2 sequel series based on a webtoon will premiere on April 25. Along with the announcement, the platform also released the series' official poster and teaser trailer. Netflix began streaming Weak Hero Class 1 on March 25, and the series quickly gained popularity. According to Netflix's officia...
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Under the Oak Tree Webtoon Concludes Season 4

Series planned to end in Season 5 to finish adapting Book 1 of web novel ― Manta has announced that the fourth season of its webtoon Under the Oak Tree concluded with the release of the final episode on March 22. Based on the webnovel by Su-ji Kim, Under the Oak Tree follows Lady Maximilian, a young noblewoman who is forced into marriage with a knight, Sir Riftan. Shortly after their wedding, Riftan...
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'The Story of Manager Kim, Who Works For a Large Company in Seoul' Webtoon Gets Live-Action Series

Seung-ryong Ryu takes on lead role in upcoming series ― Korean broadcasting studio JTBC confirmed on April 1 that Seung-ryong Ryu will take on the lead role in its upcoming live-action series The Story of Manager Kim, Who Works For a Large Company in Seoul adaptation of the Naver webtoon of the same name. The drama centers around Nam-soo Kim, a straight-laced, middle-aged man who appears to be living...
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Live-Action Korean Web Series Something Went Wrong to Premiere Globally on April 16

Series is spin-off of webtoon "Who Can Define Popularity?" ― The live-action web series Something Went Wrong will make its global debut on April 16, bringing its new take on the popular boys-love universe to international audiences. The series is a spin-off of the webtoon Who Can Define Popularity?, and centers around two supporting characters from the original story — Ba-woo Do (played by Min-ho Ch...
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Yumi's Cells Live-Action Series Based on Webtoon Confirmed for Season 3

Go-eun Kim reviews offer to return for 3rd season ― The webtoon-based romance live-action series Yumi's Cells has officially been confirmed for a third season. Yumi's Cells follows the everyday life and emotional growth of an ordinary woman named Yumi, uniquely told through the perspectives of the tiny cells inside her brain. The series stands out for its imaginative storytelling and relatable slice...
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Korean Gaming Company Com2uS Secures Publishing Rights for Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint Game

Art director of The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross mobile game will work on game ― Com2uS announced on March 31 that it has made a strategic investment in South Korean game developer Offbeat and signed a global publishing agreement for the company's upcoming game based on the hit IP Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint. The original story of Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint follows an ordinary office worker w...
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Studio Lico Releases Mobile Game Mythic Item Obtained Based on Webtoon (Updated)

Webtoon has amassed more than 320 million views ― On March 28, Naver Webtoon announced the official launch of the mobile idle RPG game Mythic Item Obtained, developed by its subsidiary Studio Lico. The game is based on the webtoon Mythic Item Obtained, which is adapted from the web novel of the same name. The webtoon began serialization in 2022 and has accumulated over 320 million views globally. Th...
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Efficient Meeting of Single Men and Women Webtoon Confirmed for Live-Action Adaptation

Sstory follows woman who is torn between 2 very different men ― According to Korean news agency Newsis, a live-action adaptation of the webtoon Efficient Meeting of Single Men and Women has officially entered production. Casting is currently underway, with offers reportedly made to actors Ji-min Han and Sung-hoon Park, who appeared in Squid Game season 2. The story follows 33-year-old office worker ...
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Naver Webtoon Joins Anti-Piracy Coalition ACE

Company is the 1st webtoon company to join coalition ― The Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE) announced on March 25 that NAVER WEBTOON has joined as its newest member. NAVER WEBTOON, part of WEBTOON Entertainment Inc., is the first webcomic and webnovel company, and the first Korea-based company, to become a member of ACE. WEBTOON Entertainment, headquartered in Los Angeles and listed o...
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Production of Webtoon-Based Live-Action Thriller Series Dear X Delayed Due to Injury of Actor Do-hoon Kim

Actor was diagnosed with a 24-week recovery period ― The filming of the live-action series Dear X has been put on hold after actor Do-hoon Kim suffered a serious injury on set. According to Korean entertainment media outlet Sports Chosun, Kim fractured his left forearm while practicing motorcycle riding during a break in filming last week. The accident occurred as he attempted a short ride and lost ...
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Toonimotion Releases Animated Series Based on BL Webtoon Robber X Lover

Webtoon follows unexpected cohabitation story of college student ― Toonimotion released an animated adaptation of the boys-love webtoon Robber X Lover on March 26. Based on the webtoon of same name drawn by PENGKI, the animation premiered on Toonimotion's website with English subtitles. Robber X Lover follows the unexpected cohabitation story of a college student named Jiho. After missing the deadli...
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Korea Fair Trade Commission Uses AI Tools to Make Webtoon for Public Outreach

Government agency uses Stable Diffusion to produce webtoon ― The Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC), the government agency promoting fair and free competition, announced on March 26 that it is actively leveraging generative AI technologies to produce content and enhance the effectiveness of its public outreach. The KFTC is currently publishing a weekly webtoon series titled Fair Diary on its officia...
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Live-Action Japanese True Beauty Films Preview 2nd Film in Video, Poster

2nd film featuring insert song by star Keito Tsuna opens on May 1 ― The staff for Megami Kōrin Before Kōkō Debut-hen / After Proposal-hen (True Beauty Before: High School Debut Arc / After: Proposal Arc), the two-part Japanese live-action film adaptation of Yaongyi's True Beauty webtoon, revealed a poster visual and trailer on Friday for the second film, After Proposal-hen. The video previews both Ke...
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Naver Webtoon Adapts 2 Short Stories by Author Young-ha Kim

Si illustrates "The Origin of Life," "Christmas Carol" stories ― Naver Webtoon launched webtoon adaptations of two short stories by Korean author Young-ha Kim. Young-ha Kim's Short Story Collection premiered on Tuesday. The webtoons are based on "The Origin of Life" and "Christmas Carol," originally published in Kim's short story collections Two People Only and My Brother's Back, respectively. "The O...
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The Kidnapping Day Novel/Live-Action Series Gets Webtoon

Webtoon adaptation launched on March 13 ― The Kidnapping Day novel and live-action series expanded its IP universe with a new webtoon adaptation that launched on March 13 exclusively on RIDI. Unlike the original novel and drama, the webtoon introduces a fresh narrative perspective by focusing on Hye-eun Seo—a character previously portrayed as a villain. The story delves into her childhood, the origin...
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TappyToon to Launch How The Grand Duchess Returns to Her Tower Webtoon on March 31

Story based on 2022 romance fantasy web novel ― TappyToon announced on Tuesday that it will launch the webtoon How the Grand Duchess Returns to Her Tower on March 31. Based on a 2022 web novel of the same name, the webtoon begins when the former master of a magic tower awakens in the body of a grand duchess—betrayed by her own disciple whom she had raised like a younger sibling. As she struggles to r...
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New Spin-off of Webtoon/Web Novel God of Blackfield Launches

New series expands lore with high-stakes clashes between multiple powerful factions ― A new spin-off of the webtoon/web novel God of Blackfield has officially launched. Kakao Entertainment announced on March 24 that it has begun serialization of a new web novel titled The Black – Falcon of Arabia on KakaoPage. The story follows the search for a covert agent from the secret organization The Black, wh...
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Kakao Entertainment Teams Up with Instagram Star Jjonyami for New Webtoon Series

Story follows white cat character sent to Earth on secret mission ― Kakao Entertainment is launching a new webtoon collaboration with Jjonyami, the beloved Instagram character. The webtoon, titled Jjonyami: Mission Earth!, will premiere on April 25 via Kakao Webtoon and KakaoPage. Created by artist Chae-so, the adorable white cat Jjonyami is known for its hearty appetite and playful charm, attractin...
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KOMACON Unveils Support Program for Senior and Physically Challenged Creators

The agency is aiming to broaden the cultural reach. ― The Korea Manhwa Contents Agency (KOMACON) has announced its major support programs for 2025, aimed at advancing the manhwa and webtoon industry and broadening cultural reach. One of the key initiatives this year is the Webtoon Senior Mentoring Program, which will run year-round. The program is designed to strengthen webtoon creation skills among...
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Medical Comedy Webtoon Endurance Doctor Gets Live-Action Adaptation

The series will depict the struggle of a doctor on a remote island. ― Korean entertainment media OSEN revealed that Kim Tae-pung's Endurance Doctor (Jonbuh Doctor) webtoon is getting a live-action adaptation. Actor Jae-wook Lee will take on his first-ever doctor role as the lead, Ji-ui Do, the plastic surgeon struggling to survive island life. Myung-woo Lee (The Fiery Priest) is directing the series,...
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Webtoon Platform Bomtoon Launches Simultaneous Serialization in 8 Languages Including English

Bomtoon to support 8 languages ― Bomtoon announced last Thursday that it will begin simultaneous webtoon serialization in eight languages—Korean, Traditional Chinese, Thai, Japanese, English, Spanish, German, and French—on a monthly basis to support global expansion for webtoon creators. A Bomtoon representative stated, "As the webtoon market rapidly globalizes, it has become increasingly important t...
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Heesu in Class 2 BL Webtoon's Live-Action Adaptation Premieres on March 28

Webtoon boasted 9.7+ rating on Lezhin Comics ― The Korean streaming platform for Boys-Love shows Heavenly announced on Saturday that the live-action adaptation of BL webtoon Heesu in Class 2 will premiere on March 28. Sang-jun Lee (who played a guard on Squid Game season 2) stars as Seung-won Kim, an intense student who hates wasting time and is fully committed to getting into college. While he seems...
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KOCCA Launches 2025 Startup Support Program for Manhwa, Webtoons

KOCCA will provide up to US$75,000 ― Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) announced its “2025 Startup Support Program for the Manhwa and Webtoon Sector,” which aims to help early-stage companies with creative ideas and technology successfully enter the market. The program will run from the date of agreement signing until November 30, 2025, selecting a total of eight projects for funding. Selected st...
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Netflix's Live-Action Webtoon-Based Series Karma Unveils New Trailer, Poster

Heesun Choi drew original series ― Netflix Korea streamed released on March 19 a new official trailer and poster for Kakao Entertainment's upcoming live-action series Karma, based on the webtoon of the same name. In the trailer, 'Loan Shark Man' (Hee-jun Lee) requests a murder after confirming a 500 million won (about US$340,000) insurance policy, 'Joo-yeon' (Min-a Shin) confronts someone who brought...
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Netflix Confirms Cast of Get Schooled Webtoon's Live-Action Adaptation True Lessons

Moo-yul Kim, Sung-min Lee, Ki-yoo Jin, Ji-hoon Pyo star ― Netflix confirmed last Thursday the production of its new original series True Lessons (working title), based on the webtoon Get Schooled, and announced the lead cast lineup. Moo-yul Kim plays Hwa-jin Na, a Teacher Rights Protection Bureau supervisor who resolves school issues with his own methods. Sung-min Lee stars as Kang-seok Choi, the Min...
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Kakao Entertainment Launches 1st Story-Driven Webtoon for Kakao Friends Character

Still, Ryan follows Ryan's hidden past ― Kakao Entertainment has released its latest webtoon, Still, Ryan, featuring the Kakao Friends character Ryan. This marks the first time Ryan's hidden past has been unveiled. The series is available on KakaoPage and KakaoWebtoon, accompanied by various special events to commemorate its launch. Still, Ryan follows the journey of Ryan, a lion born as the heir to ...

AI-Powered Webtoon Platform 'RealToon' Officially Launches

RealToon uses AI technology to streamline creative process ― The new AI-driven webtoon platform RealToon has officially launched. It aims to improve the webtoon creation process by reducing production burdens for creators while delivering personalized content for readers. RealToon seeks to innovate by utilizing AI technology to streamline the creative process. The platform features an AI engine that ...
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Webtoon-Based Live-Action Taxi Driver Series Confirms Season 3

Main cast reunites for series about secretive taxi company that enacts vigilante justice ― The live-action Taxi Driver series is set to return for its third season later this year. Following the success of its previous seasons, Taxi Driver 3 has officially been scheduled for a late 2025 release, bringing back its signature blend of thrilling action and vigilante justice. Based on the webtoon of the ...
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KOMACON Report: Number of Webtoon Titles Dropped by Nearly 7% in 2024

57.7% of registered webtoons were categorized as "18+ content" ― According to the 2024 Comics and Webtoon Distribution Statistics Report published by the Korea Manhwa Contents Agency (KOMACON) on March 12, the total number of webtoon titles registered last year was 18,792, marking a 6.7% decline from the previous year's 20,141. By platform, KakaoPage, a flagship platform of Kakao Entertainment, saw ...
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Webtoon-Based Live-Action Thriller Series Field Mouse Confirms Cast

Jun-yeol Ryu, Kyung-gu Sol to star series ― According to Korean entertainment media outlet TV Report, actors Jun-yeol Ryu and Kyung-gu Sol will team up for the first time in the upcoming live-action series Field Mouse. Originally serialized from 2017 to 2020 by webtoon artist Ludovico, Field Mouse is inspired by the Korean folktale "The Rate That Ate Fingernails," which tells the story of a rat that...
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Webtoon-Based Live-Action My Dearest Nemesis Show Stays at #1 on Rakuten Viki

Series tops charts in 118 countries, territories in 3rd week ― According to the streaming platform Rakuten Viki, the live-action My Dearest Nemesis series ranked No. 1 in viewership across more than 130 countries during its first week of streaming. The series maintained its top position in 118 countries and territories — including the United States, Brazil, Mexico, France, and India — in its third w...
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BTS Singer Jin Hosts Variety Show With Webtoon Artist Kian, Comedian Ye-eun Ji

Series following 3 people as they operate B&B on Ulleungdo island debuts on Netflix on April 8 ― On March 12, Netflix released a minute-long teaser for Kian's Bizarre B&B, an unscripted variety show featuring webtoon artist/entertainer Kian, BTS member Jin, and SNL Korea comedian Ye-eun Ji. The series follows the three as they operate a bed-and-breakfast on Ulleungdo island, navigating the challenge...
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7 Major Webtoon Firms Demand Maximum Penalty for 'OKToon' Pirate Site Operator

Illegal webtoon site caused US$37 million in losses according to companies ― Seven major webtoon companies — Kakao Entertainment, Naver Webtoon, Ridi, Lezhin Entertainment, Kidari Studio, Toptoon, and Toomics — have come together to call for strict legal action against the operator of the illegal webtoon site OKToon. The Webtoon Anti-Piracy Coalition, which represents these companies, submitted a pe...
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Exclusive: Dark Horse Books to Release Purgatory Funeral Cakes Manhwa in Fall

Manhwa following baker, ghost assistant baking funeral cakes ― Dark Horse Books announced on Thursday that it has licensed Sanho's Purgatory Funeral Cakes manhwa. The company will release the first volume in English on November 18 in bookstores and November 19 in comic shops. Danny Lim is the translator, and Michael Heisler is the letterer. The 224-page paperback first volume is available for preorde...
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Secret Relationship Webtoon Sees Surge in Viewership/Revenue Following Live-Action Series Premiere

Viewership in N. America grew by 12 times ― Kakao Entertainment announced on March 10 that the viewership and revenue of its webtoon Secret Relationship has significantly increased following the release of its live-action drama adaptation on February 27. According to Kakao Entertainment, within one week of the drama's premiere, the webtoon's views on Kakao Page and Kakao Webtoon in South Korea increa...
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Get Schooled Webtoon Gets Live-Action Adaptation

Mu-yeol Kim leads series as main actor ― Webtoon company YLAB has confirmed that its Get Schooled webtoon get a Netflix Original series adaptation. The series is slated for release next year, as part of YLAB's strategy to expand its global footprint through Netflix. YLAB Plex and GTist are co-producing the live-action adaptation with actor Mu-yeol Kim as Na Hwa-jin. The cast also includes Ki-joo Jin,...
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Jisoo of Blackpink to Star as Webtoon Producer in New Boyfriend on Demand Netflix Series

Seo In-guk will co-star in series about virtual reality ― Netflix announced last month the production of the tentatively titled Boyfriend on Demand, a new romantic comedy series starring Jisoo of Black Pink and Seo In-guk. The series will stream exclusively on Netflix. Jisoo will star as Mi-rae, an overworked webtoon producer who escapes her exhausting reality through a subscription-based virtual dat...
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K-Pop Boy Band BOYNEXTDOOR to Release Single for Webtoon Odd Girl Out

Odd Girl Out has been serialized since 2015 ― The K-pop boy band BOYNEXTDOOR has collaborated with the webtoon series Odd Girl Out for the single "Never Loved This Way Before." The track is set to be released on March 14 at 6:00 p.m. KST (5:00 a.m. EDT). Odd Girl Out, serialized since 2015, explores the lives of teenage girls navigating the complexities of friendship, love, and personal growth. The ...
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Naver Webtoon Continues Sponsoring 'Hyun-se Lee Cartoon Creation Camp' for Aspiring Creators

Outstanding works may be serialized via Naver Webtoon ― Naver Webtoon announced on March 4 that it will once again officially sponsor the "Hyun-se Lee Cartoon Creation Camp" this year, continuing its support for aspiring webtoon creators. The camp was first launched in 2001 by Doo-ho Lee, a professor at Sejong University at the time, as a so-called "hell camp" designed to immerse students completely...
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Rakuten Viki Announces New K-Drama My Girlfriend is The Man! Based on Webtoon

Members of K-pop idol groups will star in adaptation ― Rakuten Viki announced on Friday My Girlfriend is The Man!, a new K-drama series co-produced with Korean production company Studio N. The series, based on a webtoon with over 379 million views, will debut exclusively on Viki later this year. The announcement comes as Viki celebrates reaching 100 million registered users. The series stars K-pop i...
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Se-young Lee to Star in Live-Action Adaptation of The Remarried Empress Novel/Webtoon

Se-young Lee will portray runaway slave Rashta Isqua ― Korean broadcasting studio JTBC reported on March 6 that Se-young Lee is set to star in the live-action adaptation of the popular web novel/webtoon The Remarried Empress. Regarding the news, Se-young Lee's agency Prain TPC stated that it is “one of the projects she has received.” In the series, Se-young Lee will portray Rashta Isqua, a runaway sl...
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Wattpad Webtoon Studios Hires Mar Vila Barcelo to Lead European Expansion

Studio aims to expand in Spanish-speaking market ― Wattpad Webtoon Studios has appointed Mar Vila Barcelo to lead its European operations. Based in Madrid, Barcelo will oversee the studio's international film and TV projects in the region and report to David Madden, Head of Global Entertainment. Barcelo was previously Development Executive at ITV Studios Iberia, where she managed the development of f...
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Mobile Game Based on +99 Reinforced Wooden Stick Webtoon Debuts at #1 in Korea

Players control 3 main characters in hack-and-slash style combat ― Daeri Soft's new mobile RPG +99 Reinforced Wooden Stick: Growth has taken the top spot on Google Play Store's popularity chart in Korea following its official release on February 5. The game's success was fueled by pre-release promotions and high anticipation among webtoon fans, leading it to top the Google Store's popularity chart j...
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Ridi's Subsidiary Prodifi Launches AI-Powered Webtoon Localization Tool

Prodifi claims tool can reduce time, cost of localization by up to 90% ― Prodifi, a subsidiary of content platform company Ridi, announced on Wednesday the launch of its new AI-powered tool designed to simplify the complex process of webtoon localization. Ridi is the parent company of the webtoon platform Manta. The new tool utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to speed up translation while consider...
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Live-Action Film of Webtoon 'Somebody' to Open in Korea on March 12

K-pop girl group Girls' Generation member Yuri headlines film ― Somebody, the film based on the webtoon of the same name, is set to open in South Korea on March 12. The movie stars Yuri, a member of the K-pop girl group Girls' Generation, as Min, and Sun-young Kwak as Young-eun. Somebody is a psychological thriller that follows the crumbling life of Young-eun, whose days are disrupted by her daughte...
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Netflix to Release Webtoon-Based Revelations Film Produced by Alfonso Cuarón

Hellbound creator Sang-ho Yeon directs film ― Netflix announced on February 24 that it will release Revelations, a new film directed by Sang-ho Yeon, on March 21. Netflix also streamed the film's trailer: The film follows a pastor who believes that punishing the perpetrator of a missing person case is a divine revelation, and a detective haunted by the vision of her dead brother, who was involved in...
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Netflix Confirms Release Date of Webtoon-Based Live-Action Thriller Series Karma

Series will be available on Netflix on April 4 ― On March 4, Netflix confirmed the live-action adaptation of the webtoon Karma will be released globally on April 4. It also unveiled the official poster. Karma is a crime thriller that follows six individuals trapped in a web of fate they cannot escape. The series stars Hae-soo Park, Min-ah Shin, Hee-jun Lee, Sung-kyun Kim, Kwang-soo Lee, and Seung-ye...
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Webtoon Entertainment to Discuss Power of Fandom in SXSW 2025

Panels to explore sustained popularity of Korean entertainment, fandom ― WEBTOON Entertainment Inc. announced on March 4 a series of appearances at SXSW 2025 in Austin, TX, including panels at the SXSW Conference and Fast Company's annual The Grill at SXSW. Executives from WEBTOON Entertainment and Wattpad WEBTOON Studios will participate in discussions about the influence of fandom on global enterta...
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WEBTOON Entertainment Reports Increased Losses in Q4 2024

Company's total revenue increased by 5.1% year-over-year, reaching US$1.35 billion ― WEBTOON Entertainment, the U.S. subsidiary of Naver Webtoon, reported a significant increase in operating losses in 2024 while maintaining steady revenue growth. The company posted an operating loss of US$100.7 million, marking a 177% increase in loss compared to the previous year. Net losses also rose by 5.6% to US$...
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YLAB Launches AI-Based Webtoon Solution 'OZ' to Enhance Digital Content Creation

New app OZ Viewer released in several languages to support webtoon production processes ― South Korean webtoon production company YLAB announced on Thursday the launch of the OZ Development Division to develop AI-powered webtoon solutions. The initiative aims to enhance creative efficiency and strengthen digital asset protection for webtoon creators and publishers. The newly established OZ Developme...
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Webtoon Company YLAB Partners With K-Pop Star Zion.T on Music

Standard Friends will serve as music production house, expanding the narrative of YLAB's works through music. ― The webtoon production company YLAB has signed a partnership agreement with Standard Friends, a creative company led by singer-songwriter Zion.T, to commercialize webtoon intellectual property (IP) in the music industry. This collaboration aims to establish a new business model that integr...
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Manta's Webtoon Betrayal of Dignity Concludes After 81 Episodes

Romance fantasy had been one of Manta's hit webtoons ― The webtoon Betrayal of Dignity officially ended its serialization on February 26 with its 81st episode, bringing the story to a grand conclusion. Illustrated by Surreuk Comics and serialized since 2023, the series has been one of the most well-received titles on the platform Manta. Set in a medieval romance fantasy world, Betrayal of Dignity fo...
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Kakao Entertainment Report States It Blocked 240 Million Cases of Piracy in 2nd Half of 2024

Company expands its piracy monitoring system to include web novels ― Kakao Entertainment, the parent company of webtoon platform Tapas, released its 6th Anti-Piracy White Paper on February 25, marking a significant expansion in its efforts to combat the illegal distribution of intellectual property (IP). The latest white paper introduces the industry's first comprehensive anti-piracy system for web ...
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Korean Web Novel The Siren: Becoming the Villain's Family Gets Stage Musical

Production company ShowNote holds auditions for musical set to premiere in April 2026 ― Musical production company ShowNote has announced auditions for supporting and ensemble roles in the upcoming stage musical The Siren, which is set to premiere in April 2026. The musical is based on Sol Leesu's popular romance-fantasy web novel Siren: I Became a Contract Family with the Villain. Poya also adapted...
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LINE Manga to Produce 20 New Animated Adaptations This Year

Naver Webtoon's Japanese subsidiary expands webtoon IP business ― LINE Digital Frontier CEO Shin-bae Kim announced on February 13 that the company will produce 20 animated adaptations of webtoons this year, significantly expanding its webtoon-based intellectual property (IP) business. LINE Digital Frontier is the operator of LINE Manga, the Japanese subsidiary of Naver Webtoon. Speaking at a press co...
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Bomtoon Rescues Popular Webtoons from Shuttered Platform PeanuToon

Popular webtoons such as Sketch will continue serialization on Bomtoon ― Webtoon and web novel platform Bomtoon has announced that it will take over several popular webtoons from PeanuToon, which recently shut down due to financial struggles. On February 28, Bomtoon confirmed that it would continue the serialization of several hit webtoons from PeanuToon, preventing the sudden halt of these series a...
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Live-Action Show of Webtoon History of Scruffiness Premiered on February 26

Release delayed due to school bullying allegations against lead actors ― The live-action series adaptation of History of Scruffiness is making its way to viewers after three years of delays. The Korean entertainment media source Xports News reported on February 21 that the series would premiere on February 26. The series is currently streaming on Wavve and Watcha, with two episodes released weekly. A...
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Live-Action Secret Relationships Series Based on Boys-Love Webtoon is Now Available on iQIYI in U.S.

Cast includes the member of K-pop group WEi ― Kakao Entertainment, on February 27, confirmed that the live-action Secret Relationships series is available in the United States and other countries on the streaming site iQIYI. Fans in U.S. can watch Secret Relationships now. The series follows the intense romance between Da-on, who has never been able to live an everyday life, and three men who are dr...
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Netflix to Release Weak Hero Class 1 Season on March 25

Weak Hero Class 2 to premiere in Q2 2025 ― The action-packed live-action coming-of-age series Weak Hero Class 1, which follows model student Si-eun Yeon as he stands up against violence alongside his first true friends Soo-ho and Beom-seok, will launch globally on Netflix on March 25. The first season was successful when it premiered exclusively on Wavve, a Korean streaming platform. Following the s...
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Blackpink's LISA to Release Comic Project

56-page limited-edition comic features artwork by Japanese artist MINOMIYABI ― LISA of BLACKPINK is preparing for her solo debut with the release of her album ALTER-EGO on February 28. Earlier this month, she rereleased the single "Born Again," featuring Doja Cat and RAYE, signaling the start of her solo career. Alongside the album, LISA is launching ALTER-EGO: THE OFFICIAL COMIC in collaboration wi...
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Live-Action Adaptation of Webtoon Karma Comes to Netflix on 2nd Quarter of 2025

Webtoon follows 6 individuals trapped in web of fate ― The Kakao Webtoon series Karma is set to be adapted into a Netflix live-action series, scheduled for release in the second quarter of this year. Karma is a crime thriller that follows six individuals trapped in a web of fate they cannot escape. The series stars Hae-soo Park, Min-ah Shin, Hee-jun Lee, Sung-kyun Kim, Kwang-soo Lee, and Seung-yeon ...
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Live-Action Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint Film Confirms July Release in New Video

Trailer previews Ahn Hyo-seop as Dok-ja Kim, Lee Min-ho as Joong-hyuk Yoo ― Lotte Entertainment, a Korean movie distributor, announced on February 15 that the live-action movie of Omniscient Reader will be released in July. The movie is based on the webtoon of the same name, which tells the story of Dok-ja Kim, the sole reader of a fantasy novel that has been serialized for over a decade. When the n...
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Sae-ron Kim's Final Film Based on Webtoon to Release Later This Year

Live-action project based on Every Day We webtoon to include both theatrical film, series ― The late actress Sae-ron Kim's final film, Every Day We, is set for a theatrical release as early as this fall. Director Min-jae Kim confirmed in an interview with Yonhap News Agency (YNA) on Thursday that the film is currently in the editing process and is expected to be released either in the fall or winter...
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Under the Plum Blossom Tree Boys-Love Webtoon Returns with Season 3

Most popular Thursday webtoon on Kakao Webtoon returned in Korean on January 29 ― The webtoon Under the Plum Blossom Tree returned with Season 3 on Kakao Webtoon in Korean on January 29, after a 10-month hiatus. The series, written by Bori and drawn by Baekha, has amassed 320 million views. With Bori's strong historical narrative and Baekha's illustrations, the webtoon has been ranked as the top Thu...
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Tokyopop Reveals 15 New Manga, Webtoon Licenses; 5 New Manga Releases Under LoveLove Imprint

New licenses include Kengo Matsumoto's My New Wife's Fake Smile, Mizoko Tsuno's You Can't Live All on Your Own!, Senmu Sakishita's Cute But Not Cute manga, Haegi's Eternal Covenant webtoon ― Tokyopop announced on Sunday that it has licensed 15 new titles: My New Wife's Fake Smile Author: Kengo Matsumoto New Series Announcement: My New Wife's Fake SmileA samurai is worried about the fact that his wife...
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Live-Action Series Adaptation of Secret Relationships Webtoon to Premiere on February 27

Boys-love webtoon amassed 170 million views ― The upcoming live-action series Secret Relationships, based on a webtoon of the same name, is set to premiere this month. Watcha, a Korean streaming platform, announced on January 31 that the exclusive series will be released on February 27. The series follows the intense romance between Da-on, who has never been able to live an everyday life, and three ...
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WEBTOON Launches Video Contest with US$200,000 in Prizes

1-minute video based on WEBTOON original series can get you US$30,000 ― WEBTOON Entertainment Inc. has launched the WEBTOON Video Contest, inviting fans to create TikToks or YouTube Shorts inspired by WEBTOON Originals for a chance to win cash prizes. The contest offers a total prize pool of up to US$200,000, with a US$30,000 Grand Prize, multiple US$10,000 Diamond prizes, US$5,000 Platinum prizes, a...
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My Troublesome Fiancee Manga Gets Live-Action Series

March series stars Fantastics member Natsuki Hori, Momoko Tanabe ― TV Asahi announced on Tuesday that a live-action series adaptation of Monaka Toyama and Midori Shiino's My Troublesome Fiancee (Kimi wa Mendōna Konyakusha) manga will premiere in March. Fantastics dance and vocal group member Natsuki Hori plays Hajime Tachibana, and Momoko Tanabe (A Flying Princess and a Secret Island, live-action Tur...
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Denma Creator Young-soon Yang Starts New Dalma Gun Webtoon

Yang faces backlash after ending of Denma ― On January 28, Denma creator Young-soon Yang launched his new webtoon Dalma Gun on Naver Webtoon. However, the reception has been overwhelmingly negative, as many fans remain frustrated over the abrupt and unresolved ending of Denma. Yang, who debuted in 1994, has produced multiple works, with Denma becoming his most successful series, amassing 2.6 billion...
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Viz Media to Release Star Wars: Path of the Lightsaber Comic by Team Phoenix Artist, More in Fall 2025

Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple webtoon, box set for Disney Twisted-Wonderland Book of Heartslabyul manga also announced ― Viz Media announced on Friday several new works it will release in fall 2025, in addition to its announcement of long-requested release of Yasuhisa Hara's Kingdom manga. Viz Media will release the first volume of Spanish artist Kenny Ruiz's Star Wars: Path of the Lightsaber co...
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Webtoon Artist Associations Condemn PeanuToon's Sudden Shutdown

Organizations call for adequate compensation for artists ― On February 4, the Korea Cartoonist Association and the Korea Webtoon Artist Association issued a statement denouncing the abrupt shutdown of PeanuToon, emphasizing the negative impact on both creators and readers. The organizations criticized the unilateral decision, arguing that it not only violates creators' rights but also undermines the...
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Webtoon, Web Novel Platform Manta Announces New Subscription Tier

New tier to provide access to 300+ subscribed titles, plus 125 Gems monthly ― Webtoon and web novel platform Manta announced on Tuesday the launch of its Premium subscription plan, set to go live on February 11 at 12:00 a.m. EST. Manta stated new plan aims to expand access to its content library while maintaining flexibility for users who wish to engage with Gem titles. For US$9.99 monthly, subscrib...
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True Beauty Webtoon Gets 2 Live-Action Japanese Films

1st film Megami Kōrin Before premieres in Japan on March 20, 2nd film Megami Kōrin After premieres on May 1 ― The staff for Megami Kōrin Before Kōkō Debut-hen / After Proposal-hen (True Beauty Before: High School Debut Arc / After: Proposal Arc), the two-part Japanese live-action film adaptation of Yaongyi's True Beauty webtoon, revealed the films' poster visual and trailer on Thursday. The video rev...
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Netflix Unveils Sneak Peek of Live-Action Adaptation for Mercy for None Webtoon

Dark noir follows gangster who returns to crime world for revenge of his brother ― Netflix Korea's YouTube channel released on Monday a sneak peek for Mercy for None, the live-action adaptation of the Naver Webtoon, Plaza Wars: Mercy for None. Netflix has stated that the series will premiere sometime in 2025, but it has not specified an exact release date. Ji-sub So stars as Ki-joon, alongside Lee Be...
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Serialized Fiction App Yonder to End Service on July 31

App launched in 2022, features English translations of South Korean web novels ― The YONDER app, which releases serialized fiction titles including English translations of many South Korean web novels, announced on Friday that it will end service on July 31. WEBTOON Entertainment, the home to WEBTOON and Wattpad, launched the YONDER app in late 2022 with a goal "to create a unique space to bring a cu...
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Itaewon Class Webtoon Gets Stage Musical Adaptation in Japan

Tony Award-nominated composer Helen Park composes music for musical ― Kakao Entertainment announced on January 22 that the global hit webtoon Itaewon Class will debut as a stage musical at Brillia Hall in Tokyo, Japan, in June. This marks the first-ever musical adaptation of the series and follows its successful adaptations into live-action in South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. Starring Japanese idol a...
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Seven Seas Licenses Breathless Time Traveler Novel, Werewolves Going Crazy Over Me Webtoon, 4 More Titles

Also licensed: Cupid is Struck by Lightning, Rebel Hero: I Will Use My Skills to Control the Scheming Princess's Heart and Body ― Seven Seas announced the following licenses on Wednesday: Title: Breathless Time Traveler novel Creator(s): Yuyuko Takemiya Release Date: September 2025 (Airship imprint) Summary: Kannami Rara is addicted to social media and idolizes Ariana Grande—in other words, she's you...
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Webtoon Temp Worker in the Underworld to Begin Official Serialization After 10 Years on Amateur Platform

Official serialization will begin in April ― Naver Webtoon announced the official serialization of the webtoon Temp Worker in Underworld on January 15. After almost a decade and over 300 episodes on Naver Webtoon's amateur platform Best Challenge, Temp Worker in Underworld has been officially picked up for serialization. The series follows protagonist Do-Jin Lee, who encounters a grim reaper while s...
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Webtoon Platform PeanuToon Abruptly Shuts Down Next Month

Korean webtoon platform launched in 2015 and will shut down on February 28 ― PeanuToon, a Korean webtoon platform, announced on its website and official X/Twitter account on January 16 that it will terminate its services on February 28. The platform advised users to check its website for details regarding service usage and refunds for its in-app currency. Both readers and creators have expressed sho...
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Kakao Entertainment Confirms Live-Action Adaptation of Solo Leveling

Company is currently developing script ― Kakao Entertainment confirmed on Tuesday that a live-action drama adaptation of writer Chugong and the late artist DUBU's (REDICE Studio) Solo Leveling webcomic is in development. The company's media division is actively involved in the drama's planning, development, and scriptwriting. In October 2023, French news website L'Internaute interviewed D&C Webtoon c...
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Solo Leveling Webtoon Producer Redice Entertainment Enters Int'l Film Sales Business

Company will present Sister, Killing Time films at European Film Market in Berlin ― South Korea's Redice Entertainment, known for producing the webtoon Solo Leveling among many other webtoons, has entered the international film sales market and will present a lineup at the European Film Market (EFM) in Berlin. The company will showcase two new films, Sister and Killing Time, both currently in post-pr...
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Bloodhounds, Live-Action Adaptation of Webtoon, is Coming Back for Season 2 With K-Pop Star Rain

Season 2 features battle to dismantle illegal boxing league ― Netflix has confirmed the production of Bloodhounds Season 2, the series about boxers taking on the criminal underworld. Netflix announced on Thursday that Do-hwan Woo and Sang-yi Lee would reprise their roles as Geon-woo and Woo-jin, respectively. Season 2 will feature a new addition to the cast: singer-turned-actor Ji-hoon Jung (Rain), ...

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