Studio N CEO says Western industry is still adapting to webcomic intellectual property growth

Studio N, the Korean production arm of Webtoon Entertainment, is continuing to expand its presence across global streaming platforms while advocating for the value of webcomic intellectual property in Western markets.

Speaking at the Series Mania festival in Lille, France, Mikyung (Michelle) Kwon, CEO of Studio N, said that although the company has delivered successful projects on platforms such as Netflix, Disney+ and Crunchyroll, parts of the Western entertainment industry are still becoming familiar with the format.

“Webcomics are still relatively new to many people in Western markets,” Kwon said. “When we’re working with international development execs and distributors, we’re still educating them about the power of this format and the global fandoms underpinning our IP. Every time we have a hit project, our job gets easier.”

Webtoon Entertainment’s platform reportedly has around 160 million monthly active users, providing Studio N with access to established audiences before projects are adapted for screen.

Kwon noted that mobile, vertical comics have become a standard format for a new generation of creators and consumers, often spanning multiple seasons and story arcs.

Studio N’s recent output reflects this adaptation strategy. Its Netflix series “Chicken Nugget” received an Emmy nomination in the comedy category at the 2025 International Emmy Awards.

Meanwhile, the 2025 film “My Daughter Is a Zombie,” based on a webcomic with more than 500 million global views, became the highest-grossing Korean film of that year.

Other titles include “True Beauty” on Crunchyroll and “Vigilante” on Disney+, alongside Netflix series such as “Sweet Home” and “The 8 Show”. “Bloodhounds” is scheduled to return for a second season on April 3.