Planting a "Vertical Revolution" in the Home of Manga... Major K-Webtoon Exhibition Opens in Tokyo

K-Webtoon Exhibition Opens at Korean Cultural Center in Tokyo on January 30
Twenty Works Including "Hellbound" and "Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint" on Display
Author Choi Gyuseok to Share Webtoon Creative Philosophy

In the heart of Tokyo, Japan-the so-called "Kingdom of Manga"-K-Webtoons are meeting local readers with a new narrative style: vertical scrolling. From "Hellbound," which became a global hit after being adapted into a Netflix series, to "Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint," known for its strong fan base, the essence of K-Webtoons is now targeting the Japanese market.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency announced on January 20 that they will hold the "Stories Read Vertically: 2026 K-Webtoon Exhibition" at the Korean Cultural Center in Tokyo from January 30 to February 28.

This exhibition is designed to spotlight the unique production techniques and creativity of Korean webtoons for Japanese webtoon readers and industry professionals. The main objective is to introduce the Korean "vertical narrative" to the Japanese market, which is more accustomed to horizontal storytelling.

To this end, the Korea Creative Content Agency has curated a lineup of twenty select works. Leading the exhibition are internationally recognized titles such as "Hellbound," "Yumi's Cells," and "Debut or Die," along with eleven additional works, including "Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint," "Maru is a Puppy," and "The Antique Shop of the Future," which won at the World Webtoon Awards 2025 last year.

The exhibition goes beyond simply showcasing works; it also aims to convey the artistic value and messages of Korean webtoons. On the opening day, Choi Gyu-seok-known for delivering sharp social commentary through works like "Awl" and "Hellbound"-will participate in a "Meet the Author" session. He will share insights into his creative process and webtoon philosophy with Japanese readers and industry figures, underscoring that K-Webtoons are not just entertainment but also offer profound narratives and realism.

Special efforts have been made to accommodate traditional Japanese manga readers who may be unfamiliar with the scrolling format of webtoons. The exhibition will feature interview videos with creators and character illustrations to visually explain the production process, as well as interactive programs such as character postcard coloring and instant photo booths to lower the entry barrier.

Um Yoonsang, Head of Content Export at the Korea Creative Content Agency, stated, "This is a strategic opportunity to introduce the story structure and production methods of Korean webtoons directly to the Japanese market," adding, "We will expand industry exchanges and support for market entry in Japan to further strengthen the global competitiveness of K-Webtoons."