Webtoon Entertainment, the U.S. headquarters of Naver Webtoon, will integrate into one the "Canvas" platform that serves as a gateway for amateur webtoon creators around the world.
Webtoon Entertainment said on the 27th that in the first half of this year it will begin work to integrate Canvas, which is currently operated separately in seven languages (English, Spanish, French, German, Indonesian, Thai, and traditional Chinese), into a single global platform. Through this, creators will be able to meet more global readers, and users will be able to enjoy richer content.
Canvas is a user-generated content (UGC) platform operated by Webtoon Entertainment. Many of the popular webtoons offered on Naver Webtoon's overseas services are titles discovered on Canvas, and it plays a key role in discovering original content.
With this overhaul, Webtoon Enter will introduce a "selective translation program" that allows works to be posted in multiple languages on Canvas, a "dashboard" that lets users grasp performance at a glance, and a "personalized recommendation feature" that helps more users discover Canvas works that match their tastes.
The selective translation program enables Canvas works to be expanded and posted in up to seven languages. It covers all languages offered on Canvas, excluding Korea's separate amateur platform "Challenge Comics" and Japan's "Indies."
When a Canvas creator selects whether to translate each work and the desired languages, artificial intelligence (AI) technology automatically translates it so it can be enjoyed immediately in other languages. Individual amateur creators can expose their works to Canvas readers worldwide without investing separate time and expense, expand their scope of activity, and build a global fandom.
In the first half of this year, Webtoon Enter plans to begin a pilot program for some English Canvas works and gradually expand it to other language services within the year. It will operate in a "selective" format where creators decide whether to translate and which languages they want, and they can withdraw if they wish.
A dashboard that shows work performance at a glance, including views and subscribers, will also be provided. Based on this data, authors can engage in strategic creative activities, and with features that allow them to view and manage comments in multiple languages at a glance, they can manage their fandoms efficiently.
The personalized recommendation feature helps Canvas works from multiple language regions consolidation with readers across regions and languages. Users will be able to more easily discover and experience Canvas works that match their personal tastes.
Kim Yong-su, president of Webtoon Entertainment, said, "Canvas is more than a platform; it is the starting point of a career where someone's idea becomes a great story and leads to a massive fandom," adding, "Webtoon Entertainment will be a reliable partner that helps creators fully showcase their talents on the global stage."