Abstract
Over the past decade, South Korea’s content industry has achieved remarkable global success. Following the establishment of the Korea Manhwa Contents Agency (KOMACON), the industry moved away from the traditional page-based comic format to cater to the mobile reading habits of the MZ Generation. This shift gave rise to the innovative webtoon format known as vertical scrolling comics, as well as new business models such as “Wait or Pay”, along with a redefined readership base.
Backed by advanced data-driven platforms, the industry enables precise feedback loops across editing, operations, marketing, and design. Within the production ecosystem, a highly specialized division of labor—spanning planning, scripting, drawing, and coloring—has significantly optimized output capacity. Once webtoon IPs are adapted into visual media, they not only boost platform visibility and traffic but also generate reciprocal value for production companies and original creators.
In the face of the emerging knowledge economy, Web 3.0, blockchain, and the metaverse have become key paradigms. Content and data have now become the most crucial production resources. The South Korean government has formulated a policy framework that encourages private sector-led innovation with public sector support, aiming to build a creative economy driven by innovation.
This paper adopts a legal and policy-based perspective to analyze the industrial application model of Korean webtoons, offering insights and comparative reflections for Taiwan’s future development of its content industry.