GITNUXREPORT 2026

Korean Webtoon Industry Statistics

Korea's webtoon industry is booming with massive domestic and international growth.

Rajesh Patel

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Key Statistics

Statistic 1

Number of registered creators on major platforms exceeds 100,000 in 2023.

Statistic 2

Average episodes per ongoing webtoon series: 150 as of 2023.

Statistic 3

Top 1% creators earn over KRW 1 billion annually in 2023.

Statistic 4

New webtoon titles launched: 15,000 in Korea in 2023.

Statistic 5

Female creators represent 65% of active webtoon artists.

Statistic 6

Average production time per episode: 20-30 hours for pros.

Statistic 7

Collaboration projects between creators rose 30% in 2023.

Statistic 8

Creator payout ratio: 50-70% of revenue share on platforms.

Statistic 9

Number of serialized series: over 50,000 on Korean platforms.

Statistic 10

Rookie creators debuting annually: 5,000+ in 2023.

Statistic 11

Genre distribution: Romance 40%, Fantasy 25%, Drama 15%.

Statistic 12

AI-assisted creation tools used by 20% of creators in 2023.

Statistic 13

Average series length for completed works: 120 episodes.

Statistic 14

Creator training programs graduated 2,000 artists in 2023.

Statistic 15

Overseas creator collaborations: 500 projects in 2023.

Statistic 16

Hit series threshold: 10 million views per 100 episodes.

Statistic 17

Platforms host 10,000+ daily uploads from creators.

Statistic 18

Royalty disputes resolved for 1,200 creators in 2023.

Statistic 19

Naver Webtoon Canvas has 80,000 amateur creators.

Statistic 20

Romance genre dominates with 12,000 active series in 2023.

Statistic 21

Daily active creators: 15,000 across major platforms.

Statistic 22

Webtoon exports to 100+ countries via platforms.

Statistic 23

LINE Webtoon global MAU: 85 million in 2023.

Statistic 24

English-translated titles: 1,500+ on Webtoon platform.

Statistic 25

Japan market share of Korean webtoons: 30% in 2023.

Statistic 26

US revenue from Korean webtoons: USD 500 million.

Statistic 27

Southeast Asia users: 40 million MAU combined.

Statistic 28

Chinese platforms host 2,000 Korean series officially.

Statistic 29

Drama adaptations abroad: 50+ projects from webtoons.

Statistic 30

Global IP deals signed: 300 in 2023.

Statistic 31

Thai translations exceed 800 titles.

Statistic 32

North America growth rate: 50% YoY in users.

Statistic 33

Europe market entry: 200 titles localized in 2023.

Statistic 34

Merch exports: USD 200 million to global markets.

Statistic 35

Indonesian webtoon revenue: KRW 100 billion from Korean content.

Statistic 36

Global awards won by Korean webtoons: 25 in 2023.

Statistic 37

French market: 10 million readers for top series.

Statistic 38

Hollywood deals: 15 webtoons optioned for film.

Statistic 39

Spanish localizations: 500+ series available.

Statistic 40

Global fan events: 100+ held in 2023.

Statistic 41

Overseas revenue CAGR: 40% from 2020-2023.

Statistic 42

Top global series views: 100 billion cumulative.

Statistic 43

The Korean webtoon industry generated KRW 1.64 trillion in revenue in 2022, marking a 13.3% year-over-year increase.

Statistic 44

Domestic webtoon sales reached KRW 1.1 trillion in 2023, accounting for 67% of the total digital comics market.

Statistic 45

Overseas webtoon revenue hit KRW 752.5 billion in 2022, up 44.4% from the previous year.

Statistic 46

The webtoon market size was valued at USD 4.68 billion in 2023 globally with Korea leading at 45% share.

Statistic 47

Naver Webtoon's global revenue exceeded KRW 500 billion in 2023 from international platforms.

Statistic 48

Kakao Entertainment reported KRW 1.2 trillion in webtoon and webnovel combined revenue for 2023.

Statistic 49

Webtoon ad revenue in Korea grew to KRW 300 billion in 2022, a 25% increase.

Statistic 50

IP adaptation revenue from webtoons reached KRW 400 billion in 2023 including dramas and films.

Statistic 51

The number of paid webtoon subscribers in Korea surpassed 20 million in 2023.

Statistic 52

Average revenue per webtoon title in top platforms was KRW 5.2 billion in 2022.

Statistic 53

Webtoon market projected to reach KRW 2.5 trillion domestically by 2025.

Statistic 54

Merchandising revenue from webtoons hit KRW 150 billion in 2023.

Statistic 55

Total webtoon downloads worldwide exceeded 1 billion in 2023 led by Korean titles.

Statistic 56

Korean webtoon platforms' MAU reached 100 million globally in Q4 2023.

Statistic 57

Revenue from webtoon-to-drama adaptations totaled KRW 250 billion in 2022.

Statistic 58

The industry saw a 15% CAGR from 2018-2023 in revenue terms.

Statistic 59

Overseas IP export value from webtoons was USD 1.2 billion in 2023.

Statistic 60

Domestic platform revenue share: Naver 45%, Kakao 35% in 2023.

Statistic 61

Webtoon event and concert revenue contributed KRW 50 billion in 2023.

Statistic 62

Total investment in webtoon startups reached KRW 300 billion in 2022.

Statistic 63

Naver Webtoon app holds 60% market share in Korea.

Statistic 64

Kakao Webtoon app downloads surpassed 50 million globally.

Statistic 65

Average app rating: 4.7/5 on Google Play for top platforms.

Statistic 66

Vertical scroll format adoption: 100% on mobile platforms.

Statistic 67

Algorithm recommendation accuracy: 85% user satisfaction.

Statistic 68

Live streaming features used by 10 million users monthly.

Statistic 69

Payment gateway integrations: 20+ options including crypto trials.

Statistic 70

Server capacity handles 1 billion page views daily.

Statistic 71

Multi-language support: 10 languages on global platforms.

Statistic 72

AR/VR webtoon experiments reached 500,000 users.

Statistic 73

Ad load time under 2 seconds on 95% of pages.

Statistic 74

Offline download feature used by 40% of users.

Statistic 75

NFT webtoon collectibles sold 100,000 units in 2023.

Statistic 76

Cross-platform sync rate: 98% user data retention.

Statistic 77

Voice-over features piloted for 200 series.

Statistic 78

Bandwidth usage: 500 TB daily for streaming.

Statistic 79

Accessibility features: screen reader compatible 90%.

Statistic 80

Beta testing community: 50,000 active testers.

Statistic 81

Security incidents: zero major breaches in 2023.

Statistic 82

Personalization engine processes 10^9 recommendations daily.

Statistic 83

Korea's webtoon market penetration rate among internet users is 70% in 2023.

Statistic 84

Average age of webtoon users in Korea is 25.4 years as of 2023 survey.

Statistic 85

62% of Korean webtoon users are female according to 2023 data.

Statistic 86

Monthly active users (MAU) on Naver Webtoon in Korea hit 18 million in 2023.

Statistic 87

45% of users aged 18-24 consume webtoons daily in Korea.

Statistic 88

Urban dwellers account for 78% of webtoon readership in Korea 2023.

Statistic 89

Average daily reading time per user is 45 minutes in 2023 surveys.

Statistic 90

35% of Korean high school students read webtoons over 1 hour daily.

Statistic 91

Subscription model users grew to 12 million in Korea by mid-2023.

Statistic 92

Regional distribution: Seoul metro area has 55% of users.

Statistic 93

28% of users are over 30 years old, up 5% from 2022.

Statistic 94

Mobile app engagement: 95% of users access via smartphones.

Statistic 95

Gender split among payers: 55% female, 45% male in 2023.

Statistic 96

Average monthly spend per paying user is KRW 8,000.

Statistic 97

40% of users discovered webtoons via social media recommendations.

Statistic 98

Retention rate for monthly users stands at 75% after first month.

Statistic 99

52% of office workers aged 25-34 are regular readers.

Statistic 100

International Korean diaspora users: 5 million MAU in 2023.

Statistic 101

Peak usage time: 8-10 PM, accounting for 40% of daily sessions.

Sources
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Move over, K-pop and K-dramas, because with a staggering 100 million monthly active users worldwide and industry revenues exploding to KRW 1.64 trillion, the Korean webtoon industry has firmly established itself as the next colossal wave of Hallyu, captivating a global audience one vertical scroll at a time.

Key Takeaways

  • The Korean webtoon industry generated KRW 1.64 trillion in revenue in 2022, marking a 13.3% year-over-year increase.
  • Domestic webtoon sales reached KRW 1.1 trillion in 2023, accounting for 67% of the total digital comics market.
  • Overseas webtoon revenue hit KRW 752.5 billion in 2022, up 44.4% from the previous year.
  • Korea's webtoon market penetration rate among internet users is 70% in 2023.
  • Average age of webtoon users in Korea is 25.4 years as of 2023 survey.
  • 62% of Korean webtoon users are female according to 2023 data.
  • Number of registered creators on major platforms exceeds 100,000 in 2023.
  • Average episodes per ongoing webtoon series: 150 as of 2023.
  • Top 1% creators earn over KRW 1 billion annually in 2023.
  • Naver Webtoon app holds 60% market share in Korea.
  • Kakao Webtoon app downloads surpassed 50 million globally.
  • Average app rating: 4.7/5 on Google Play for top platforms.
  • Webtoon exports to 100+ countries via platforms.
  • LINE Webtoon global MAU: 85 million in 2023.
  • English-translated titles: 1,500+ on Webtoon platform.

Korea's webtoon industry is booming with massive domestic and international growth.

Creator & Production Stats

  • Number of registered creators on major platforms exceeds 100,000 in 2023.
  • Average episodes per ongoing webtoon series: 150 as of 2023.
  • Top 1% creators earn over KRW 1 billion annually in 2023.
  • New webtoon titles launched: 15,000 in Korea in 2023.
  • Female creators represent 65% of active webtoon artists.
  • Average production time per episode: 20-30 hours for pros.
  • Collaboration projects between creators rose 30% in 2023.
  • Creator payout ratio: 50-70% of revenue share on platforms.
  • Number of serialized series: over 50,000 on Korean platforms.
  • Rookie creators debuting annually: 5,000+ in 2023.
  • Genre distribution: Romance 40%, Fantasy 25%, Drama 15%.
  • AI-assisted creation tools used by 20% of creators in 2023.
  • Average series length for completed works: 120 episodes.
  • Creator training programs graduated 2,000 artists in 2023.
  • Overseas creator collaborations: 500 projects in 2023.
  • Hit series threshold: 10 million views per 100 episodes.
  • Platforms host 10,000+ daily uploads from creators.
  • Royalty disputes resolved for 1,200 creators in 2023.
  • Naver Webtoon Canvas has 80,000 amateur creators.
  • Romance genre dominates with 12,000 active series in 2023.
  • Daily active creators: 15,000 across major platforms.

Creator & Production Stats Interpretation

The Korean webtoon scene is a bustling yet brutally competitive arena where over 100,000 creators, mostly women, are churning out stories at a staggering rate, dreaming of hitting the jackpot where the top 1% earn over a billion won while the rest navigate a sea of 15,000 annual new titles.

Global Reach & Exports

  • Webtoon exports to 100+ countries via platforms.
  • LINE Webtoon global MAU: 85 million in 2023.
  • English-translated titles: 1,500+ on Webtoon platform.
  • Japan market share of Korean webtoons: 30% in 2023.
  • US revenue from Korean webtoons: USD 500 million.
  • Southeast Asia users: 40 million MAU combined.
  • Chinese platforms host 2,000 Korean series officially.
  • Drama adaptations abroad: 50+ projects from webtoons.
  • Global IP deals signed: 300 in 2023.
  • Thai translations exceed 800 titles.
  • North America growth rate: 50% YoY in users.
  • Europe market entry: 200 titles localized in 2023.
  • Merch exports: USD 200 million to global markets.
  • Indonesian webtoon revenue: KRW 100 billion from Korean content.
  • Global awards won by Korean webtoons: 25 in 2023.
  • French market: 10 million readers for top series.
  • Hollywood deals: 15 webtoons optioned for film.
  • Spanish localizations: 500+ series available.
  • Global fan events: 100+ held in 2023.
  • Overseas revenue CAGR: 40% from 2020-2023.
  • Top global series views: 100 billion cumulative.

Global Reach & Exports Interpretation

Korean webtoons have successfully swapped their hanboks for Hollywood deals and global fan events, proving that a well-drawn story can conquer the world faster than you can say "next episode."

Market Size & Revenue

  • The Korean webtoon industry generated KRW 1.64 trillion in revenue in 2022, marking a 13.3% year-over-year increase.
  • Domestic webtoon sales reached KRW 1.1 trillion in 2023, accounting for 67% of the total digital comics market.
  • Overseas webtoon revenue hit KRW 752.5 billion in 2022, up 44.4% from the previous year.
  • The webtoon market size was valued at USD 4.68 billion in 2023 globally with Korea leading at 45% share.
  • Naver Webtoon's global revenue exceeded KRW 500 billion in 2023 from international platforms.
  • Kakao Entertainment reported KRW 1.2 trillion in webtoon and webnovel combined revenue for 2023.
  • Webtoon ad revenue in Korea grew to KRW 300 billion in 2022, a 25% increase.
  • IP adaptation revenue from webtoons reached KRW 400 billion in 2023 including dramas and films.
  • The number of paid webtoon subscribers in Korea surpassed 20 million in 2023.
  • Average revenue per webtoon title in top platforms was KRW 5.2 billion in 2022.
  • Webtoon market projected to reach KRW 2.5 trillion domestically by 2025.
  • Merchandising revenue from webtoons hit KRW 150 billion in 2023.
  • Total webtoon downloads worldwide exceeded 1 billion in 2023 led by Korean titles.
  • Korean webtoon platforms' MAU reached 100 million globally in Q4 2023.
  • Revenue from webtoon-to-drama adaptations totaled KRW 250 billion in 2022.
  • The industry saw a 15% CAGR from 2018-2023 in revenue terms.
  • Overseas IP export value from webtoons was USD 1.2 billion in 2023.
  • Domestic platform revenue share: Naver 45%, Kakao 35% in 2023.
  • Webtoon event and concert revenue contributed KRW 50 billion in 2023.
  • Total investment in webtoon startups reached KRW 300 billion in 2022.

Market Size & Revenue Interpretation

The Korean webtoon industry has masterfully transformed digital panels into a global goldmine, proving that compelling stories are not just read but voraciously consumed, adapted, and monetized across every conceivable platform.

Platform & Technology

  • Naver Webtoon app holds 60% market share in Korea.
  • Kakao Webtoon app downloads surpassed 50 million globally.
  • Average app rating: 4.7/5 on Google Play for top platforms.
  • Vertical scroll format adoption: 100% on mobile platforms.
  • Algorithm recommendation accuracy: 85% user satisfaction.
  • Live streaming features used by 10 million users monthly.
  • Payment gateway integrations: 20+ options including crypto trials.
  • Server capacity handles 1 billion page views daily.
  • Multi-language support: 10 languages on global platforms.
  • AR/VR webtoon experiments reached 500,000 users.
  • Ad load time under 2 seconds on 95% of pages.
  • Offline download feature used by 40% of users.
  • NFT webtoon collectibles sold 100,000 units in 2023.
  • Cross-platform sync rate: 98% user data retention.
  • Voice-over features piloted for 200 series.
  • Bandwidth usage: 500 TB daily for streaming.
  • Accessibility features: screen reader compatible 90%.
  • Beta testing community: 50,000 active testers.
  • Security incidents: zero major breaches in 2023.
  • Personalization engine processes 10^9 recommendations daily.

Platform & Technology Interpretation

It's not just a digital comic strip but a meticulously engineered dopamine delivery system, proven by its staggering global reach, ironclad tech, and its creepy-until-it's-convenient ability to know exactly what you want to read next.

User Base & Demographics

  • Korea's webtoon market penetration rate among internet users is 70% in 2023.
  • Average age of webtoon users in Korea is 25.4 years as of 2023 survey.
  • 62% of Korean webtoon users are female according to 2023 data.
  • Monthly active users (MAU) on Naver Webtoon in Korea hit 18 million in 2023.
  • 45% of users aged 18-24 consume webtoons daily in Korea.
  • Urban dwellers account for 78% of webtoon readership in Korea 2023.
  • Average daily reading time per user is 45 minutes in 2023 surveys.
  • 35% of Korean high school students read webtoons over 1 hour daily.
  • Subscription model users grew to 12 million in Korea by mid-2023.
  • Regional distribution: Seoul metro area has 55% of users.
  • 28% of users are over 30 years old, up 5% from 2022.
  • Mobile app engagement: 95% of users access via smartphones.
  • Gender split among payers: 55% female, 45% male in 2023.
  • Average monthly spend per paying user is KRW 8,000.
  • 40% of users discovered webtoons via social media recommendations.
  • Retention rate for monthly users stands at 75% after first month.
  • 52% of office workers aged 25-34 are regular readers.
  • International Korean diaspora users: 5 million MAU in 2023.
  • Peak usage time: 8-10 PM, accounting for 40% of daily sessions.

User Base & Demographics Interpretation

In a nation perpetually thumb-scrolling through life, South Korea's webtoon industry has mastered the art of capturing 70% of the online populace, proving that the country's true national pastime isn't K-pop, but expertly serialized digital comics consumed by 18 million people nightly between 8 and 10 PM.