South Korea is one of the few countries in the world where Google doesn’t dominate. Instead, Naver remains the primary search engine used by Korean netizens. Like Google (or, more accurately, Alphabet), the Naver Corporation isn’t simply a search engine, but is a conglomerate with many companies under its umbrella. This includes Webtoon, the most successful comics publisher in the world.

Webtoon is a mobile-driven platform for web-based comics that is free to download on iOS and Android, and it has only been growing since its launch in 2014. It utilizes a vertical structure that allows readers to scroll down in a continuous single page, and it is a very pleasing way to read comic stories. It’s also extremely mobile-friendly, which is good news for companies looking to expand into mobile-first international markets and to attract younger readers.

Earlier today, Naver announced (via Variety) that Webtoon has reached an agreement with DC Entertainment that will see DC Comics characters appearing in several upcoming webcomic series via Webtoon. At tonight’s Naver Meetup press event, the company gave further into into what they’re calling their “Super Casting” project, announcing that the storytelling initiative will also include artists from HYBE, the parent company for BTS’ Big Hit Entertainment. Let’s discuss what this might mean…

Possible BTS Webtoons

Web comics is a growing market, and Webtoon is looking to bring their platform to a more global audience. Webtoon CEO Kim Jun-koo used popular Netflix series Sweet Home and Kingdom, both of which are based on Korean web comics, as specific examples of just how influential the format is becoming on the international stage. The “Super Casting” project, which includes both DC Comics and HYBE, is on example of Webtoon’s ambition when it comes to growing their global footprint. While HYBE is a South Korean company, their reach is global—not only through BTS, currently one of the biggest groups in the world—but also through its expansion in both Japan and America. In April, HYBE officially merged with Scooter Braun’s Ithaca Holdings, which includes artists like Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, and Demi Levato.

So what might Webtoon’s HYBE-affiliated comics might cover? Well, there’s the BTS of it all, of course. Though Webtoon did not mention BTS specifically in their announcement, the K-pop band is HYBE’s most popular artist and BTS has demonstrated a willingness to appear in web comic form in the past. In addition to 2014’s We On: Be the Shield, which saw the members as superheroes fighting monsters, Naver Webtoon actually released a webtoon set in the BTS Universe in 2019. Save Me was a collaboration between Big Hit and Webtoon subsidiary LICO, and saw the character based on Jin stuck in a time loop from which he can’t escape until he saves his six best friends. The webtoon consisted of 16 volumes, and amassed more than 50 million views by its ending.

Of course, HYBE isn’t just BTS, and the company is looking to diversify its profit portfolio across artists. Other popular artists that fall under the HYBE umbrella include Seventeen, GFriend, Zico, and Enhyphen.

Original DC Comics Webtoons

As for the agreement with DC, Webtoon announced the intention for the comics to operate as standalones that “will appeal to all fans, without the need to know or read any previous stories.” During the Naver Meetup, CEO Kim Jun-koo emphasized the original elements of the DC-Webtoon collaborations, noting that the projects will be completely different from what has come before.

That’s not to say we won’t be seeing any familiar DC Superheros. In an official statement, DC Comics SVP and GM Daniel Cherry III said of the deal: “DC is excited to introduce our iconic characters to a new generation of fans worldwide,” adding that DC has been “working closely with the Webtoon writers and artists to adapt our characters and stories to Webtoon’s mobile format. Our shared goal is to create fun and compelling DC stories that all readers will enjoy.”

The partnership announcement comes several months following reports from the Korean media (via Koreaboo) that Warner Bros. Entertainment (like DC Comics, a subsidiary of WarnerMedia), may be investing almost $450 million into HYBE. The reports led to speculation that HBO Max could become a platform for the distribution of BTS content, such as concerts or documentaries. The “Super Casting” announcement certainly suggests there might be something to these reports.

Presumably, Webtoon’s “Super Casting” project will include other global power players moving forward. When asked if Naver Webtoon had spoken with Marvel Comics about the possibility of teaming up for future webcomics, Webtoon CEO Kim Jun-koo said the company is in the “process of discussion with other ‘super’ players,’ but they have no other partnerships to announce at this time.

The post Webtoon’s New Project Will Include DC Superheroes & K-Pop Artists Like BTS appeared first on Den of Geek.