The inaugural World Webtoon Festival was held in the Seongsu-dong area this year. (Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)

The inaugural World Webtoon Festival, held in Seoul’s Seongsu-dong from September 26 to 29, 2024, marked a significant moment for webtoon enthusiasts worldwide. Hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the Korea Creative Content Agency and the Seoul Business Agency, the event celebrated the growing popularity of webtoons and their expansion into such media formats as dramas, films and computer games.

Unlike traditional conventions, the festival spread across the streets of Seongsu-dong, transforming the area into a vibrant celebration of webtoon culture. Numerous pop-up stores operated by webtoon companies offered merchandise and interactive experiences, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the creative world of webtoons. The main hub at SFactory, along with three specialized areas in nearby buildings, hosted daily events from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., providing a diverse range of activities for attendees.

Visitors observing caricatures generated by AI in real-time. (Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)

Visitors enjoyed a variety of interactive experiences that brought the world of webtoons to life. These included creating AI-generated caricatures, making augmented reality (AR) photo cards and exploring “Photoism,” a space showcasing webtoon intellectual property through unique photography experiences. Special “talk concerts” with renowned webtoon artists offered fans insights into the creative process and industry trends. “Live Drawing Shows” captivated audiences by dramatizing the artistic journey of webtoon creation, allowing spectators to witness the birth of characters and scenes in real-time.

The 2024 World Webtoon Festival featured various attractions and interactive booths. (Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)

The 2024 World Webtoon Awards, held on the third floor of SFactory on opening day, was a festival highlight that added prestige to the event. The awards ceremony followed a month-long international competition that began in June and attracted 104 webtoon submissions from around the world. A distinguished panel of judges carefully evaluated the entries and selected 10 webtoons for the main awards and three for special recognition. Among these, "Solo Leveling," which recorded 14.3 billion views worldwide, was selected for the Grand Prize. Additionally, "The Great" was chosen for the Jury Prize. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism explained that they selected works that showed outstanding achievements in terms of quality and contribution to industry development among those published worldwide.

A view of the pop-up store and booth for "Solo Leveling," the Grand Prize winner at the 2024 World Webtoon Awards. (Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)

This global platform not only celebrated webtoons but also provided visitors an immersive experience that helped them appreciate the diversity and creative processes behind this evolving art form. The World Webtoon Festival successfully brought together creators and fans, showcased the growing influence of webtoons on contemporary culture and provided a vibrant space for the community to connect and engage with this dynamic medium.

The World Webtoon Festival’s innovative approach of integrating events into the urban landscape of Seongsu-dong created a dynamic atmosphere and set a new standard for the celebration of digital comics. As the first of its kind, the festival highlighted the current state of the webtoon industry and its future potential, demonstrating the growing international appeal of webtoons and their ability to bridge cultural gaps. By fostering creativity, promoting artists and building a stronger global community, the event played a crucial role in advancing the importance of webtoons in the global entertainment landscape.