Comics are no longer confined to dusty back issues or the panels of a Sunday newspaper.
If you’ve spent time online, you’ve likely seen colorful, vertical stories that seem to go on forever. This has left new readers asking, what is Webtoon, what are webtoons, and why are they suddenly everywhere?
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In this guide, we explain how webtoons work, where they come from, and how you can start reading today without spending a dime.
What are webtoons? Origin, history, format
Webtoon is a blend of the words “web” and “cartoon.” The term originated in South Korea to describe digital manhwa and has evolved into a global formatting standard for digital comics.
Unlike traditional manga or Western comics designed for paper, webtoons are built specifically for smartphones. They have shifted the industry from a page-turning experience to an infinite-scroll one, making comics more accessible to a mobile-first generation.
The most striking feature of the webtoon format is its vertical layout. Traditional comics are designed for a horizontal sheet, requiring complex paneling that fills every inch of the page.
In contrast, webtoons arrange panels in a continuous vertical strip. This allows creators to use negative space (large gaps of white or black between panels) to control the reader’s speed.
Because they are hosted on apps rather than printed on paper, webtoons break the boundaries of static art. Many platforms now allow creators to embed atmospheric background music, sound effects, or small animations (like falling snow or a blinking eye) directly into the panels.
Is webtoon manhwa?
One of the most frequent questions for newcomers coming to the platform is “Is webtoon manhwa?”
To put it simply, yes. The two terms are linked, and in many modern contexts, they are used to describe the same thing.
While manhwa is the general Korean word for comics (much like manga is for Japanese comics), the webtoon is the modern, digital evolution of that medium. In South Korea, almost all manhwa are created and consumed as webtoons, making the distinction between the two nearly invisible to the average reader.
The transition from paper to screen happened out of necessity during a collapse in the Korean print comic market during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
This forced creators to look for a new home, which they found in the rising popularity of the internet and personal computers. By moving their work online, Korean artists bypassed the costs of printing and distribution, rebranding manhwa into the webtoon we recognize today.
What is Webtoon?
While the term webtoon describes a style of comic, Naver Corporation’s Webtoon (often stylized as WEBTOON) is the specific digital platform that pioneered and popularized the format.
Launched in South Korea in 2004 before expanding globally, it has grown into the world’s largest digital comics community. It functions as both a publisher and a social ecosystem, hosting thousands of creator-owned stories across every conceivable genre.
Webtoon features Originals, which are series managed by in-house editors, and Canvas, an open-publishing section where anyone can upload their own work. Many popular shows on streaming services like Netflix, such as All of Us Are Dead and Sweet Home, actually started as humble digital drawings on the Webtoon platform before being scouted for television and film.
Is Webtoon free?
Is Webtoon free? The short answer is yes. The platform is built on a freemium model that lets you download the app and access thousands of series without spending a dime.
Most Original series release chapters on a weekly schedule, and as long as you are willing to wait for the official release date, you can read the entire story for free.
If you are the type of reader who can’t handle a cliffhanger, there are optional paid features. The Fast Pass system allows you to use coins (purchased with real money) to unlock upcoming chapters weeks before they are released to the general public.
Ultimately, while there are plenty of ways to spend money to support your favorite artists or skip the wait, the core experience remains free. You can finish almost any story on the app just by being patient.
| FEATURE | WEBTOONS |
| Country of origin | Global (started in Korea) |
| Reading direction | Vertical (scroll down) |
| Primary medium | Digital (mobile apps) |
| Color | Full color |
| Panel layout | Spaced out, vertical |
| Popular titles | unOrdinary The Remarried Empress Tower of God 7Fates Chakho Sweet Home |
