The global appetite for Korean entertainment continues to surge, and Studio N, the production arm of Webtoon Entertainment, is working to convince the Western entertainment industry that the next substantial source of compelling stories lies within the world of webcomics. Although the studio has already notched successes with series like “Sweet Home” on Netflix and the 2025 box office hit “My Daughter Is a Zombie,” its CEO, Mikyung (Michelle) Kwon, says a fundamental education process is still underway.
“Webcomics are still relatively new to many people in Western markets,” Kwon told Variety. “When we’re working with international development execs and distributors, we’re still educating them about the power of this format and the global fandoms underpinning our IP. Every time we have a hit project, our job gets easier.” This push comes as Studio N makes its debut at Series Mania, a leading television festival, in Lille, France, this week.
Studio N’s presence at Series Mania isn’t merely a showcase; it’s a strategic move to demonstrate the potential of webcomic intellectual property (IP) to a key audience. The studio is premiering “The Legend of Kitchen Soldier,” the only Korean series selected for screening at the festival, and Kwon is participating in a panel discussion celebrating Korea as the inaugural Country of Honor at the Series Mania Forum. The festival runs from March 20–27, with the Korea-focused session scheduled for March 25 at the Louis Pasteur Auditorium.
From Beauty Trends to Billion-View Comics: Korea’s Expanding Cultural Influence
Kwon believes that Korea has established itself as a global trendsetter in areas like beauty, fashion, technology, and music, and that webcomics represent the next wave of cultural export with significant entertainment industry impact. This isn’t simply about adapting stories; it’s about leveraging a pre-built audience and a unique storytelling format. The success of K-pop at the Oscars, with “KPop Demon Hunters” making history, underscores this momentum, Kwon noted.
The structural advantage Studio N possesses lies in Webtoon Entertainment’s massive platform. With approximately 160 million monthly active users, the platform provides a direct pipeline to IP with demonstrable fan bases. This differs significantly from traditional development, where gauging audience interest is often a more speculative process. “Mobile, vertical comics are now the default comic format for a new generation of fans and creators,” Kwon explained. “These are visual stories, many have multiple seasons and arcs on our platform, and they approach with existing fandoms. This is the perfect mix for franchise potential.”
Building a Franchise Factory: Hits on Netflix, Disney+, and Beyond
That franchise potential is already being realized. Studio N’s Netflix series “Chicken Nugget” earned Webtoon Entertainment its first International Emmy Award nomination in the comedy category in 2025. The 2025 film adaptation of “My Daughter Is a Zombie,” based on a webcomic with over 500 million global views, topped the Korean box office and ranked as the third highest-grossing film overall in the country that year. Other successful adaptations include “True Beauty” on Crunchyroll, “Vigilante” on Disney+, and Netflix series like “The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call,” “Sweet Home,” and “The 8 Show.” “Bloodhounds” is set to return for a second season on Netflix on April 3.
“The Legend of Kitchen Soldier,” co-produced with CJ ENM’s Studio Dragon and adapted from a webcomic boasting over 650 million global views, serves as a key example of this strategy. Starring Park Ji-hoon (“Weak Hero”), the series blends military drama with a fantastical quest element, following a recruit whose life takes an unexpected turn. It will stream on TVING as an original series in the first half of 2026.
The ‘Next’ Factor: Creative Risk and Data-Driven Decisions
The “N” in Studio N, Kwon revealed, stands for “Next,” reflecting the studio’s ambition to push creative boundaries. “People have seen a million different military films,” she said. “But they haven’t seen one about a cook and his virtual quest. Just like our Emmy-nominated series ‘Chicken Nugget’ about someone turning into a chicken nugget. These are the kinds of fantastic, creative, and unexpected storytelling we’re thrilled to bring to the global entertainment market.”
However, this creative freedom isn’t arbitrary. Kwon emphasized a balanced approach, combining platform data with fundamental storytelling principles. “Strong storytelling is always at the heart of what informs our decisions on a story’s adaptation potential,” she explained. “We’re adapting someone’s narrative universe, so both the webcomic creator and existing fans want to see something that does justice to the original webcomic.”
Looking Ahead: Building Momentum and Expanding Global Reach
Studio N is closely monitoring the broader cultural landscape, recognizing the increasing global prominence of K-content. Kwon believes that continued success will ultimately lead to greater acceptance and investment from Western partners. “We start with a base of fan awareness from our platforms, and that helps make our projects hits with audiences around the world.”
The studio’s next steps involve continuing to develop and adapt compelling webcomic IP, leveraging its existing fanbase, and demonstrating the commercial viability of this unique storytelling format. The performance of “The Legend of Kitchen Soldier” on TVING will be a key indicator of its success in the Korean market and its potential for international distribution. Studio N will also be closely watching the reception of “Bloodhounds” season two on Netflix, further solidifying its position as a leading producer of webcomic-based content.
The conversation around webcomic adaptation is ongoing, and Studio N is actively shaping that narrative. What remains to be seen is how quickly the Western entertainment industry will fully embrace the potential of this burgeoning source of IP.
What are your thoughts on the rise of webcomic adaptations? Share your opinions in the comments below and join the discussion.
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