"Vertical Reading" Captivates the Land of Manga... 20 K-Webtoons Unveiled in Tokyo

Exhibition at the Korean Cultural Center in Japan Until the 28th
Many Visitors Discover Webtoons After Novels or Video Adaptations
Notable Guests Include 'Hellbound' Artist Choi Gyuseok

The unique Korean 'vertical scroll' format has found a home in the heart of Tokyo, Japan, the birthplace of manga. On February 3, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency announced that they have been hosting the 'Stories Read Vertically: 2026 K-Webtoon Exhibition' at Gallery MI of the Korean Cultural Center in Japan since January 30.

The exhibition, which runs until February 28, features twenty popular webtoons, including eleven winners of the 'World Webtoon Awards 2025.' Prominently displayed are works that have been adapted into video content or have strong fan bases, such as 'Yumi's Cells,' 'Hellbound,' and 'Debut or Die.'

The key theme that ran through the event was the virtuous cycle of intellectual property (IP). A clear trend has emerged in which local fans who first encountered these works as films or novels are now seeking out the original webtoons, creating a reverse influx. In fact, a fan of 'Debut or Die' who brought a character plushie commented, "I became a webtoon fan after discovering the story as a web novel," and took a commemorative photo in front of the booth. At the 'Hellbound' exhibit, visitors who had watched the Netflix series of the same name carefully examined the original artwork, discovering charms distinct from the video adaptation.

On the opening day, January 30, Choi Gyuseok, the artist who built the world of 'Hellbound' together with director Yeon Sangho, visited the venue. During a talk show, he shared, "As someone who grew up reading Japanese manga, exhibiting in Tokyo is especially meaningful," adding, "I created this work by imagining how modern people perceive transcendent beings."

On February 21, Lee Donggeon, creator of 'Yumi's Cells,' which has accumulated 3.4 billion global views, will visit Tokyo. He plans to share his secrets for depicting the delicate emotions of everyday life through comic panels and to engage with Japanese readers.

Lee Hyeeun, Director of the KOCCA Tokyo Business Center, stated, "Given the high level of local interest, we will continue to support efforts to solidify the recognition of K-Webtoons and expand exchanges."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.