In a recent discussion on Variety's "Strictly Business" podcast, David J. Lee, the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Webtoon Entertainment, shared insights into the explosive growth of webtoons—digital storytelling that has taken the world by storm. “We are a great untold story,” Lee emphasized, as he highlighted how this unique blend of manga and graphic novels, originally emerging from South Korea, has rapidly gained popularity, especially among Gen Z audiences.

Webtoons are presented in a modern, blog-like scroll format, which allows readers to engage with content easily and intuitively on their smartphones. “Once consumers find their favorite stories, they spend between 30 to 60 minutes daily engrossed in web novels or web comics,” Lee stated at the Variety Entertainment Summit during CES in Las Vegas. He elaborated that the digital medium has evolved into a treasure trove of creativity, leading to a staggering $1.3 billion in revenue for Webtoon Entertainment.

With a remarkable global reach, Webtoon boasts about 170 million active users and an impressive community of 24 million creators, contributing over 120,000 new stories daily. Lee remarked, “The experience is not just digital; it’s mobile-centric and transcends genre barriers.” Webtoons cater to all interests, offering a rich tapestry of narratives that captivate today’s youth. Imagine a Gen Z reader scrolling through a captivating story, experiencing a cinematic-like engagement right from the palm of their hand.

Brandon Chen, a prolific webtoon creator known for hits like "Just a Goblin" and "Samurai no Tora," echoed Lee's sentiments in a separate interview. He noted that the webtoon format is “perfectly tailored for mobile consumption,” encouraging an active reading experience. “Webtoons allow for a dynamic interaction, almost like riding a bike while watching still TV. The more you engage, the more immersive the experience becomes,” Chen explained. Each episode typically consists of 50 to 60 colorful panels, a stark contrast to the often black-and-white Japanese manga, reflecting the diverse narratives that webtoons offer across various genres.

As webtoons continue to capture the imagination of millions, they are increasingly making their way to screen adaptations, with popular titles being adapted for platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Tubi. This trend hints at a bright future for the medium, poised to redefine how stories are consumed and appreciated.

The popularity of webtoons shows no signs of slowing down, as both creators and audiences thrive on a digital landscape that fosters creativity and storytelling. With the potential to tell stories in innovative ways, the world of webtoons is a phenomenon that deserves attention—and it is just beginning to reveal its vast potential.