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Webcomics are now evolving from a passive viewing experience on smartphone screens into a full-fledged fandom business, where fans can touch and experience them firsthand.

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First, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency launched the “Stories Read Vertically: 2026 K-Webtoon Exhibition” in Tokyo, Japan, starting January 30th.

The exhibition drew attention by prominently showcasing the unique vertical layout of K-webcomics, which contrasts with Japan's traditional horizontal reading style. This exhibition continued through February, showcasing over 20 major K-webcomic series including the 11 award-winning titles from the recent World Webtoon Awards 2025, such as Hellbound, Yumi's Cells and Maru is a Puppy.

Also on the opening day, a talk show was held with creator Choi Gyuseok, renowned for his work Hellbound, and local audiences were given the opportunity to view an exhibition space depicting the creative process behind Hellbound, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of the work.

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“Stories Read Vertically: 2026 K-Webtoon Exhibition” source: MCST, KCCA

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In addition to overseas exhibitions, a pop-up store for the popular action series Special Civil Servant opened at Yongsan I’Park Mall in Korea, targeting the Lunar New Year holiday.

The store sold new merchandises and collectible books for its fans. Limited-edition merchandise sets available only at the pop-up were sold on a first-come, first-served basis, further boosting their collectible value for fans. The store also featured autographs by the creators and a mini photo spot, drawing huge crowds.

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The expansion of offline experiences is viewed positively as it not only entertains readers but also extends the lifespan of IPs and provides creators with additional revenue streams, and is expected to generate more business opportunities.