Naver Webtoon said on the 3rd that the "2026 Lee Hyun-se cartoon creation camp," hosted by cartoonist Lee Hyun-se, wrapped up its 10 nights and 11 days schedule from on the 22nd to July 2.
The "Lee Hyun-se cartoon creation camp" is a program in which aspiring creators complete a short-form comic through intensive creative training. It began in 2001 under the lead of honorary professor Lee Du-ho of Sejong University, and since 2014 it has expanded into a nationwide creator training program with Naver Webtoon participating as the official sponsor. Several webtoon creators, including Im Rina of "Killer Badro," Cho Hyun-a of "A letter from Yeon," and Yu Gi of "Lethal to those without real estate," previously took part in the cartoon creation camp.
This year's camp drew a total of 126 participants, including 91 people such as college students and those on leave across the country, Best Challenge serial creators, and webtoon academy students, as well as mentor artists and staff. During the camp, participants each completed a short work and gained practical experience across the creative process by sharing their works with fellow creators.
Naver Webtoon provided mentoring by active creators, feedback on works, and opportunities for exchange among participants during the camp. It also said it supported aspiring creators in the early stages of creation so they could flesh out their stories and gain hands-on experience completing actual works.
At the camp, webtoon creators such as Lee Hyun-se and cartoonist Lee Du-ho, along with Im Rina of "Killer Badro," currently serialized on Naver Webtoon, and Ye Hwan of "I reincarnated and became a new employee," took part as mentors and provided feedback on elements from continuity composition to drawing and deadlines. On the final day of the camp, a session was held to share participants' works, and outstanding pieces are slated to be presented to readers through serialization in Naver Webtoon's short-story selection.
Cartoonist Lee Hyun-se said, "Opportunities for young creators to immerse themselves fully in creation and to grow by directly engaging with active creators are essential for the next generation of Korean comics," adding, "The fact that outstanding works completed at the camp will be introduced through Naver Webtoon and can meet actual readers will be, above all, a significant experience and motivation for aspiring creators."
Lee Jeong-geun, Korea content leader at Naver Webtoon, said, "A healthy creative ecosystem is the most important foundation on which Naver Webtoon has grown together with creators," and added, "We will continue to expand diverse touchpoints where creators can grow—such as contests, education, welfare, and support for global expansion, including the Lee Hyun-se cartoon creation camp—so that young creators can present their works on a bigger stage."