KaKao

[Seoul, South Korea – April 14, 2015] Daum Kakao (co-CEOs Saehoon Choi and Sirgoo Lee) will begin offering Daum Webtoon content on four major Chinese platforms with the goal of expanding the online comic service globally.

The initial launch will be completed by April and will feature over 40 works from proven artists like “Kang Full” and “Hun” as well as promising newcomers. The lineup offers an assortment of Daum Webtoon’s best titles, showcasing the immersive storytelling unique to Korean comics. It also includes several titles that have produced blockbuster movie and TV adaptations. “Secretly, Greatly”, which was recently adapted into a movie starring actor Kim Soo-hyun, is expected to generate significant reader interest due to Kim’s large fan base in China.

Daum Webtoon titles will be available on four platforms: Tencent’s QQ.com portal, online comic site U17.com, China Mobile’s Mobile Reading Base platform and the Miram Manhua comic app. The different platforms cover both web and mobile, providing readers with easy access to Daum Webtoon titles at all times.

Starting with China, Daum Kakao plans to partner with popular platforms in individual markets to expand Daum Webtoon globally. Wide availability on these platforms is expected to raise the overall profile of Daum Webtoon artists and create additional profit sources including localized movie, animation and game adaptations.

Jung-Seo Park, Head of Daum Webtoon, said, “As the popularity of various movie and TV adaptations show, Daum Webtoon titles offer engaging storylines and fully formed characters that should appeal to comic fans worldwide.” Park added, “With the launch in China, we hope to jumpstart another Korean Wave by expanding our global offerings and making Daum Webtoon available on a wide variety of channels.”

Daum Webtoon will also actively pursue the US and Japan markets in 2015. Daum Webtoon entered the US market last May by offering titles on Tapas Media's Tapastic.com, and additional partnerships with US content providers are expected. Entry into the Japanese will begin in the second quarter as Daum Webtoon continues its efforts to connect Korean artists and worldwide comic readers.