Why Gen Z Loves Korean Webtoons More Than Netflix in 2025
In 2025, Korean webtoons are outpacing Netflix among Gen Z, thanks to addictive storytelling, TikTok virality, and global adaptations. Here's why this digital format dominates youth culture.
Global Webtoon Boom: Bigger Than Ever
In 2025, Korean webtoons have become a mainstream global phenomenon. Platforms like Naver Webtoon and Kakao Webtoon have expanded their English, Japanese, and Spanish catalogs, making top series like "Omniscient Reader," "Operation: True Love," and "Get Schooled" internationally recognized. Gen Z readers from the U.S. to Latin America are now following webtoons like they once followed Netflix series.
From Panels to Screens: The Drama Adaptation Pipeline
The pipeline from webtoon to K-drama is now faster and more streamlined. In 2025, more than 30 Korean dramas on Netflix, TVING, and Coupang Play are based on webtoons. Titles like Mask Girl Season 2 and Sweet Home 3 continue the trend. Global audiences often read the original webtoon before the drama release, creating cross-platform anticipation.
TikTok & Reels: How Gen Z Engages With Webtoons
TikTok and Instagram Reels have become unexpected marketing channels for Korean webtoons. Users edit panels into emotional reels or create voice-over videos with plot summaries. Hashtags like #webtoonedit and #koreanwebtoon trend weekly, and some creators gain millions of views summarizing one episode in 30 seconds.
Why Webtoons Beat Netflix for Daily Consumption
Unlike 60-minute dramas, webtoons offer quick 5-minute reads—perfect for commuting or study breaks. Their vertical-scroll format is mobile-native, which aligns with how Gen Z consumes media. Webtoons also offer weekly updates, interactive comment sections, and genre diversity—from fantasy and horror to school romance and slice of life.
Dr. Beau's Note
Korean webtoons in 2025 are not just comics—they are cultural touchpoints. From drama adaptations to short-form social content, they offer Gen Z an immersive and highly personalized entertainment experience. Their global influence will only grow as platforms localize more titles and creators gain international fame.
