# Digital Media Concepts/Webtoon Adaptations
## Overview:

Webtoon is a global digital comic platform founded in South Korea by JunKoo Kim. It can be accessed on both phones and computers by scrolling down vertically. The platform features thousands of stories across 23 genres, with notable categories including romance, action, and fantasy. The app is free to download via the Apple App store and Google Play Store, but it also offers paid content. Some episodes are behind a paywall, accessible through a “Fast Pass”, which costs less than a dollar per episode. For completed series, episodes can be unlocked with a “Daily Pass” that renews for free every 24 hours, though users can also pay less than a dollar per episode to read ahead.

## Adaptations:

In 2014, Webtoon launched its service in the United States. One of the first popular titles was Misaeng: Incomplete Life by Yoon Tae-ho. The story follows an office intern navigating the corporate world with only a General Education Development (GED) certificate and strategies from the Chinese board game Go. It was later adapted into a 20-episode Netflix series, which received multiple awards, including the Baeksang Arts Award. The series holds a rating of 8.5 out of 10 stars from 2.8 thousand reviews.

### Development of Adaptations

With growing popularity, more webtoons have been adapted into Korean dramas and animes. These adaptations bring narratives that are less familiar to general American audiences, increasing exposure to the original webtoons. These webtoons are known for their compelling storytelling, diverse genres, and contemporary themes that resonate with readers.
List of Some Webtoon Adaptations:
| Year | Title | Platform |
| 2022 | All of Us are Dead | Netflix |
| 2014 | Dr. Frost | Not Available |
| 2022 | Lookism | Netflix |
| 2018 | My ID is Gangnam Beauty! | Viki |
| 2021 | Nevertheless | Netflix |
| 2023 | See You in My 19th Life | Netflix |
| 2024 | Sweet Home | Netflix |
| 2023 | The Girl Downstairs/Doona! | Netflix |
| 2020 | Tower of God | Crunchyroll |
| 2024 | True Beauty | Crunchyroll |

### Adaptation Process:

Producers and production companies look for webtoons with captivating plots and complex characters. Not every webtoon is suitable for a K-Drama adaptation, as factors like censorship must be considered to accommodate cultural sensitivities. The screenplay also has to be tailored to fit the K-Drama format, which may require condensing episodes, adjusting pacing, and modifying parts of the plot for screen time. Visual effects are often used to recreate the otherworldly elements commonly found in webtoons. Casting is done meticulously to portray the characters according to the director’s vision, which may include choosing well-known actors.

## Impact of Social Media:

Social media has played a significant role in promoting the adaptation of webtoons. The search bar accommodates keywords such as “webtoon merchandise,” “new webtoon,” and “romance webtoon,” adjusting a user’s algorithm based on their niches. New creators can showcase their work on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, as well as present merchandise related to their webtoons. Official merchandise can be purchased online from various retailers, such as Crunchyroll and Harumio, while unofficial merchandise is available on sites like eBay, Mercari, and Etsy. Fans have also shown their appreciation for webtoons by creating fanbases. One such website is Reddit, where fans discuss specific episodes, make predictions about future episodes, and summarize key points of various episodes.

## References:

* ↑ "WEBTOON Entertainment". about.webtoon.com. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
* ↑ https://webtoon.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/13727523223572-What-are-the-different-types-of-Daily-Pass-and-Fast-Pass
* ↑ "A brief history of webtoons – accessible version · V&A". Victoria and Albert Museum. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
* ↑ https://www.netflix.com/title/80165295
* ↑ Misaeng, Si-Wan Yim, Lee Sung-min, Kang So-ra, tvN, 2014-10-17, retrieved 2024-10-25{{citation}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
* ↑ "The Rise of Korean Webtoons: Digital Comics Taking the World by Storm - The Korean in Me". 2024-09-11. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
* ↑ "Anime, K-Dramas, Movies... Read before y". www.webtoons.com. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
* ↑ https://www.netflix.com/title/81237994
* ↑ Doctor Frost, Song Chang-ui, Jung Eun-chae, Sung Ji-ru, 2014-11-23, retrieved 2024-10-25{{citation}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
* ↑ https://www.netflix.com/title/81177634
* ↑ My ID Is Gangnam Beauty | Watch with English Subtitles & More | Viki, retrieved 2024-10-25
* ↑ https://www.netflix.com/title/81435649
* ↑ https://www.netflix.com/title/81671426
* ↑ https://www.netflix.com/title/81061734
* ↑ https://www.netflix.com/title/81595046
* ↑ https://www.crunchyroll.com/series/G6J0G49DR/tower-of-god?srsltid=AfmBOoqrg8oMSRiHvonG_PFLyctt0hak9E1h8NoRHQqdD1NaSNh7k1qS
* ↑ https://www.crunchyroll.com/series/GMEHME741/true-beauty?srsltid=AfmBOoq3VqOJCU9u_nKN-0L_KkYxESUH_YZe3hwoExdABOIXGp_G5tEW
* ↑ "K-Drama vs. K-Webtoon: Exploring the Adaptation Process". Seoulbox. 2023-10-20. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
* ↑ https://thekoreaninme.com/blogs/learn-korean/the-rise-of-korean-webtoons-digital-comics-taking-the-world-by-storm/#:~:text=Webtoons%20have%20also%20inspired%20adaptations,interest%20in%20the%20original%20webtoons.
* ↑ https://sso.crunchyroll.com/login?return_url=%2Fauthorize%3Fclient_id%3Dltccxd10yl6cqcn1acx1%26redirect_uri%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fstore.crunchyroll.com%2Fon%2Fdemandware.store%2FSites-CrunchyrollUS-Site%2Fen_US%2FLogin-OAuthReentry%26response_type%3Dcookie%26scope%3Doffline_access+account%3Aread%26state%3D1425216677
* ↑ https://www.harum.io/collections/manhwa
* ↑ https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p4432023.m570.l1313&_nkw=webtoon&_sacat=0
* ↑ https://www.mercari.com/search/?keyword=webtoon
* ↑ https://www.etsy.com/search?q=webtoon&ref=search_bar
* ↑ https://www.reddit.com/r/webtoons/