by Ollie Kaplan and Heidi MacDonald
After a year of heavy investment in high-profile brand partnerships and IP acquisitions, WEBTOON has announced a slate of new programs today all aimed at helping creators get more resources and more opportunities. With programs for both indie creators who self-publish on CANVAS and established WEBTOON Originals storytellers, the initiative is described as “a major investment designed to support Creators at every stage, from emerging talent on CANVAS to established global storytellers.”
Among the new programs: expanded monetization opportunities, new convention and event support, and new educational programming for career development.
The new programs kick off with a Creator Residency program that launches in Q1 2026.
“Creators are the heart of WEBTOON, and everything we do begins with their passion, their stories, and their trust,” reads Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Global WEBTOON at WEBTOON Entertainment, Yongsoo Kim, in an official statement. “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 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.”
The new programs include several in person opportunities, including the residencey program.To be held twice a year at the company’s LA HQ, the new WEBTOON Creator Residency Program is a two-week, immersive program that offers skill-expanding workshops, “dedicated story-building sessions” with WEBTOON editors, and the opportunity to dedicat time to refine their craft with up to nine Original Creators from the “English-language service.”
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.
WEBTOON will also bring more of their creators to major US conventions, and even fan events in select international markets outside the US, Korea, and Japan, including Creator meet-ups and portfolio reviews.
Also announced is a redesigned Creator Resource Hub with video testimonials from some of WEBTOON’S most accomplished creators about their own success stories, practical tips for creators, and inspiration,” educational programming to help creators level up their craft, and digital Open Houses, held by WEBTOON’s Creator Care and Editorial teams, so that “creators who are new to the platform” and can “discuss their goals” so that they can “make the most of their WEBTOON journey.”
The pilot program includes 23 creators, including renowned WEBTOON creators Junepurrr (SubZero), instantmiso (Siren’s Lament, Fae Trapped), Ucheomaaa (Vibe Check!), SLEEPACROSS (Hand Jumper), and several 2025 Webcomic Legends Contest winners. Creators will get dedicated 1:1 time with their editors, small-group workshops about writing and sustainable workflows, and physical therapy to support physical well-being.
“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, creator of Siren’s Lament in a statement. “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.”
Alongside the Creator Residency program, WEBTOON announced the “VIP creator recognition program” that invites select creators to “Korea to experience the home of webcomics, visit WEBTOON’s Korean office, meet industry leaders, and connect with global talent.”
While all of the educational and promotional opportunities for creators are of obvious value – especially for young cartoonists just getting started on their careers – few details were offered about the “expanded monetization opportunities” also promised in the program. According to WEBTOON, these will include new and improved monetization for CANVAS Creators and a new dashboard that offers more transparency about performance. Details on these and other programs will be released early next year.
