-
Daum Communications launches Daum Café, which later becomes a major platform for webtoon creators.
-
Naver launches its Webtoon service, introducing free serialized comics. The term “webtoon” gains popularity through this platform.
-
2004 – Expansion of Webtoon Platforms
-
Naver starts its Line Webtoon platform, marking the beginning of international webtoon distribution.
-
Tower of God by SIU begins serialization on Naver Webtoon, later becoming one of the most influential webtoons globally.
-
The Breaker: New Waves gains international attention for action manhwa.
-
Naver and Daum optimize their webtoon services for mobile devices, leading to a surge in readership.
-
Noblesse gains global popularity for its stylish art and vampire storylines.
-
Naver launches the global platform LINE Webtoon, allowing English-speaking audiences to access webtoons.
-
The serialized novel version of Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint by Sing Shong begins publishing.
-
The rise of adaptations, like Cheese in the Trap, gains attention on global streaming platforms.
-
Solo Leveling by Chugong begins serialization as a webtoon, illustrated by Jang Sung-rak (DUBU) and published on KakaoPage.
-
Adaptation of Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint into a webtoon launches on Naver Webtoon.
-
Webtoons like Lore Olympus gain massive followings on platforms like WEBTOON.
Korean manhwa adaptations such as The God of High School and Tower of God air on Crunchyroll, marking a new era of anime-webtoon crossovers. -
Naver Webtoon and Kakao Page lead the webtoon industry, with global platforms adapting more series, such as Solo Leveling and Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint.
Mobile apps expand their user base in Latin America, Europe, and Southeast Asia.