Webtoon is a digital comic book format developed in South Korea, it is published and read online on specific platforms for webtoons. Unlike traditional comics that are printed on paper, webtoons are designed and adapted specifically to be read on electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets and computers.
They are characterized by having a vertical reading structure, with episodes published in an infinite scroll format that facilitates reading on mobile devices and can include animated and interactive elements. Country of origin and history.
The story behind the Webtoon starts in the mid-2000s, when the internet became popular in South Korea and people started accessing online content more often. At this time, traditional comics were still very popular in the country, but the comic book publishing industry was facing financial and distribution challenges.
With that came the first Webtoons, which became a cheaper and more convenient alternative for readers.
The first webtoon-style stories were short black-and-white stories published on online comics websites and forums at the time. Over time, Webtoons evolved, both in terms of quality and popularity, incorporating new elements such as colors, animation and interactivity to make the reading experience more attractive for readers.
From 2010, webtoons began to expand to other markets, such as Japan, China and the United States, and to gain more and more international recognition. Today they are a popular form of entertainment in many countries around the world, and many artists and writers see the format as an accessible and flexible way to tell stories and connect with a global audience.
The structure of a webtoon story can vary depending on the artist and the type of story being told. However, there are some characteristics common to webtoons that help differentiate them from other comic book formats.
Some are:
• Vertical reading – Most webtoons are designed to be read vertically, as you scroll down the page the story continues.
• Use of Color - Webtoons use vibrant, intense colors to grab the reader's attention and create an engaging visual environment.
• Short Episodes - Many webtoons are published in short episodes, which makes it easier for the reader to follow the story and for the artist to publish regularly.
• Animated Scenes - Some webtoons have animated scenes or GIFs to make the reading experience more interactive.
• Public Comments: Some webtoon platforms allow readers to leave comments and interact with the artist, creating a community around the work.