K-Content News

 

How S. Korean webtoons are integrating
AI for tech-savvy global audiences

  On the cultural front,
Korea's webtoon industry is incorporating artificial intelligence as part of efforts to enhance the overall entertainment experience for its fans.
Our Moon Hye-ryeon shows us off.

Since their emergence some two decades ago, South Korean webtoons have rapidly evolved over the years.
As the name suggests, webtoons are digital comics that can be scrolled through in the palm of the reader's hand on a smartphone device.
Easy accessibility and the wide scope of content have drawn in younger generations around the world.
"I think that's definitely how webtoons have become so popular here in the West, and how people just started to become more open to different kinds of platforms and different kinds of storytelling."

Now, South Korean webtoon companies have been tasked with integrating the latest technology boom into the scene for the tech-savvy audience: artificial intelligence.
Naver's WEBTOON introduced a "Toon Filter" last year, turning user photos into webtoon-style art, generating over 90 million images globally.
Recently, it added AI-driven features like "Character Chat" and "Webtoon Caricature" to its mobile app for even more personalized experiences.

"By integrating AI technology with IP, we hope that fans will be able to immerse themselves in webtoons beyond just reading – they can become participants in the story."

"Character Chat" enables users to converse with their favorite webtoon characters through representative AI chatbots, and a month since its debut, more than a million users have accessed the service.
"Webtoon Caricature" is an elevated version of the former "Toon Filter" service that kicked off in July.


"Anyone can become a webtoon character with this latest AI service. Just snap a selfie, and wait for the image to load."

Currently, these services are provided only on the domestic platform, but Naver could be expanding to its global audience due to the popularity of its immersive AI services.
Kakao Webtoon, on the other hand, is using AI algorithms through its "Helix Curation" service to recommend users to other webtoons after analyzing their purchase and reading history.
But with the increasing usage of AI in the webtoon industry, creators say that there is a need for more concrete guidelines and laws.


"If regulations and guidelines for generative AI are more firmly established as legal regulations, I think authors can use AI more actively and integrate it into their work."

The use of generative AI is fast becoming a global issue across many media forms.
How South Korean webtoons will continue to draw in readers and adapt to the changing AI landscape remains to be seen.
Moon Hye-ryeon, Arirang News.