Kakao Entertainment Corp., an industry-leading South Korean entertainment content provider, revealed that it would be rebranding Daum Webtoon as Kakao Webtoon to strengthen its leadership in the fast-growing global webtoon and web novel market.
Following its update, Kakao Webtoon would take existing content from Daum Webtoon, combining them with new works from Kakao Page. Since its launch in 2003, Daum Webtoon has published more than 1,300 original works.
Besides launching new content, Kakao Webtoon would present new features and services in its mobile app. For instance, it would introduce an AI-backed program that recommends readers webtoon titles they would likely enjoy. Kakao Webtoon also vowed to begin its journey with creators and readers by equipping its storytelling platform with the finest technologies.
Promoting Content Diversity
Earlier, Kakao Entertainment acquired Radish Fiction and Tapas Media, two US-based online storytelling platforms. Accordingly, Kakao Webtoon would adopt their content in addition to the selections from Daum, Kakao Page, and Piccoma.
Furthermore, Kakao Webtoon CEO Park Jeong-Seo, shared that the reinvented unit would actively promote content diversity. According to Park, the company aims to offer the best possible webtoon platform amid the flat-screen display era.
Moreover, Kakao Webtoon would showcase Kakao Entertainment’s premium intellectual property (IP) content library and extensive IT know-how. Kakao Entertainment also designed Kakao Webtoon with global expansion in mind, supporting various languages and network environments across different countries.
Presenting New UI and UX
What’s more, Kakao Entertainment gave a sneak peek inside the upcoming platform, introducing a new display design. In particular, Kakao Webtoon would upgrade the traditional square-shaped thumbnail with animations, enhancing user interface (UI) and user experience (UX).
The updated thumbnails would notably feature moving images, piquing users’ interest better and conveying content more vividly. Meanwhile, the most popular webtoons and web novels would include 10-second video teasers.
“We have boldly escaped from the traditional method of displaying small and big thumbnail images to arrange stories,” said Kakao Entertainment CEO Lee Jin-Soo in a video message. CEO Lee also shared that the update aims to bring readers closer to new webtoon adaptation potentials, including dramas, films, games, and music.
Kakao Entertainment would initially release Kakao Webtoon to Thai and Taiwanese markets in August. Then, the company would officially launch the platform in South Korea during this year’s second half. Kakao Entertainment also plans to expand Kakao Webtoon’s language proficiency, enabling it to support English, French, German, and Spanish.
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