They're all eyeing the potential of the Korean online comic strip format known as “webtoons.”
In the case of Delitoon, Korean webtoons account for more than 90 percent of the comic strips it publishes. This is partly because online cartoons are still an unfamiliar sector in France. Another reason, however, is because Delitoon was created using Korea’s online cartoon industry as a benchmark. Didier Borg, an editor at the French publishing house Casterman, launched Delitoon in January this year, backed by investment from Korean tech firm Dauh Tech and with funds for venture startups from the northern French city of Lille. Delitoon provides online comic strips to its paid customers, just as Korean webtoon platforms do. All the Korean comic strips it publishes have been translated into French.
French webtoon platform Delitoon currently publishes about 30 online comics. Above, you can see the top 12 online comic strips as selected by readers.
France 24, an international TV news channel based in France, is also tuning in to the value of Korean online comics.
France 24 broadcast a report about Korean food and Korean webtoons on June 1 and 2, focusing on the tremendous potential for webtoons, potentially leading to a new phase of the Korean Wave.
The French channel broadcast an interview with Korean cartoonist Oh Se-hyung, who moved into webtoons from traditional comics. Oh emphasized the possibility of webtoons, saying, “Webtoons achieved success in Korea, as anyone can watch them on their smartphones or using the internet anywhere in the country.”
France 24 also touched on one of Korea’s leading web portals, Naver, which provides Korean webtoons in four languages: English, simplified Chinese, Thai and Indonesian.
France 24 focuses on Korean online comic strips and cuisine on June 1 and 2. It took a close look at Korean webtoons, calling online comics a new sector that could lead to a new phase of the ongoing Korean Wave.
Finally, earlier this year the 43rd Angoulême International Comics Festival took place from Jan. 28 to 31, and it, too, focused on webtoons. It held a special exhibit, Webtoon Playground, that received favorable responses from European comic lovers. Webtoon makers Lee Jong-beom, who created “Doctor Frost,” and Nam Joon-seok, who wrote “Ho,” showcased some of their drawings in the exhibit, impressing the audience. The festival committee also set Jan. 29 as the Day of the Korean Webtoon. On that day, a seminar and various other events took place.
Attendees included the chief of the festival committee, Frank Bondoux, General Secretary of Hong Kong Comics & Animation Kwong Chi Tak, and Delitoon administrator Didier Borg.
By Yoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
arete@korea.kr
The special Webtoon Playground exhibit is held at this year’s Angoulême International Comics Festival from Jan. 28 to 31.
Nam Joon-seok, creator of the online comic 'Ho,' shows off his drawing process at the 43rd Angoulême International Comics Festival in France in January.
Delitoon administrator Didier Borg (left) participates in a seminar about digital animation, part of the 43rd Angoulême International Comics Festival on Jan. 29 in France.
