Webtoon announced today a planned expansion of its Creator Programs in 2026 with the goal of offering more tools, support, and new opportunities to build a career on WEBTOON. The new creator support initiatives include additional opportunities for monetization (with details on that monetization to be released in 2026), convention and event support (i.e. bringing more creators to major conventions), and new educational programming for career development. WEBTOON’s new creator initiatives will kick-off with a Creator Residency program, officially launching in Q1 2026.
The to-be-detailed monetization will allow CANVAS creators to experience improved opportunities to earn money from their work and the launch will include a new dashboard that makes it easier for creators to understand their series performance. Currently, CANVAS creators can monetize through the Super Like Program, the Ad Revenue Sharing Program, and Patreon integration. Both of the first two programs have a required threshold (a certain number of monthly page views, subscribers, etc). This is in contrast to the contracts that Originals creators have with WEBTOON which can yield a set amount of money per released episode.
WEBTOON is additionally increasing its investment in creators writ large at conventions and key industry events and for new creators. On the heels of a much increased presence at US conventions this year, the company will bring more creators to major US conventions to interact with fans and will also expand its on-the-ground presence at fan conventions in select international markets outside the US, Korea, and Japan. During these expanded convention appearances, WEBTOON will host creator meet-ups and offering portfolio reviews for international creators in Europe and Southeast Asia. For new creators, WEBTOON’s Creator Care teams will hold digital Open Houses where creators can discuss their goals and WEBTOON-based aspirations. WEBTOON will also launch a redesigned Creator Resource Hub, where a new video series will highlight creator experiences, tips, and success stories.
“Creators are the heart of WEBTOON, and everything we do begins with their passion, their stories, and their trust,” said Yongsoo Kim, Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Global WEBTOON at WEBTOON Entertainment. “As we look ahead to 2026, we’re expanding our investment in creators at every phase of their journey, from emerging talent to established voices. We’ve spent 2025 listening to creators all over the world, piloting new programs that can help creators achieve their goals, and we’re thrilled to expand these initiatives in 2026. Our goal is simple: to give creators the support, tools, and opportunities they need to build the careers they dream of on WEBTOON.”
Finally, WEBTOON is creating Creator Residency and VIP recognition programs. Held twice a year, the Creator Residency Program will invite groups of up to nine Original creators from the English-language service to a two-week in-person workshop at the company’s LA headquarters for an immersive development experience. Residency participants will work closely with WEBTOON editors in dedicated story-building sessions, attend skill-expanding workshops, and meet with teams across the company. WEBTOON will hold two Creator Residencies in 2026, with applications for the first session open on December 18, 2026. Creators can apply via the Creator Portal. The VIP recognition program will invite select creators to Korea to visit WEBTOON’s Korean office, meet industry leaders, and connect with global talent.
The Creator Residency formal launch follows a year-long pilot program which hosted 23 creators this year in 2025, including creators Junepurrr (SubZero), instantmiso (Siren’s Lament, Fae Trapped), Ucheomaaa (Vibe Check!), SLEEPACROSS (Hand Jumper), and others, along with several winners from the 2025 Webcomic Legends Contest. The pilot program featured one on one time with editors, small-group workshops on writing and production, and complimentary physical therapy sessions.
“I’ve been with WEBTOON for a really long time, and like everyone who works behind the scenes, you can feel how passionate they are about helping creators tell their stories,” said instantmiso. “The Creator Residency Program has been such a validating experience – coming to LA with other creators, talking about our favorite parts of being WEBTOON creators, hearing their processes, how similar they are, how different they are. Just feeling inspired by the work happening at WEBTOON. It’s been incredibly enriching.”
“Even if you’ve been working in comics for years, there’s always something new to learn. There’s always someone with a different point of view who approaches things differently, and the Creator Residency Program was an opportunity for exactly that,” said Arechan, creator of Señorita Cometa. “It was a really nice way to learn more, prepare for a new series, grow as an artist, and grow together as a community with other creators.”
More information about the Creator Residency Program and other new creator support initiatives will be shared in the coming months.
Source: Press Release
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