Webtoons become a fast-growing global content industry. In Japan and North America, webtoons are already replacing traditional comics and graphic novels in mobile-first markets. But what’s driving this explosive growth? The answer lies in how Gen Z, the first digitally native generation, consumes and values content. In this post, we explore why Gen Z’s evolving habits are turning webtoon platforms like WBTN (Webtoon Entertainment Inc.) into global powerhouses —and what makes this digital economy worth watching. ➡️ Previous Post in this Series WBTN, Global No.1 Contents Platform 🌟 Gen Z’s Content Priorities: Personalization. Speed. Bingeability. Fandom. Gen Z doesn’t just watch or read—they immerse themselves. Born between 1995 and 2010, these users grew up in an algorithmic world. They gravitate toward content that is: Hyper-personalized to their niche interests Instantly available —they’d rather pay than wait Bingeable in long, continuous formats Community-driven , ...
Webtoons are no longer a niche Korean genre—they’re now a global storytelling format captivating readers across the US, Japan, and Southeast Asia. At the forefront of this movement is Webtoon Entertainment Inc. (WBTN) , a NAVER subsidiary and the world’s largest platform for digital comics. Here’s a concise breakdown of WBTN’s business model, financials, and why top analysts see strong upside potential despite recent losses. 📊 Business Model Breakdown Segment Q1 2025 Revenue Share Highlights Platform Revenue $260M 79.9% User purchases via “Cookies” (KR), “Coins” (JP), “Fast Pass” (EN) Advertising $40M 12.2% Banner, native ads, brand sponsorships IP Business $25M 7.9% Adaptations to film, games, merchandise (OSMU strategy) WBTN’s revenue primarily comes from three sources: platform, advertising, and IP business. About 80% is generated through paid content on the platform, making it highly sensitive to changes in user spending. Meanwhile, ad and IP revenues are s...