doi.org
The Global Impact of South Korean Women's Narratives: Amplifying Female Voices through Webtoons and Drama Adaptations
The current international influence of female creators in the webtoon industry of South Korea challenges gender barriers within the traditionally male-dominated comic and film sector. Through mixed methodology, this case study combines qualitative content analysis of webtoons created by South Korean women and their K-drama adaptations with quantitative data from media organizations, government, and statistical reports. The study explores the gendered narratives of these webtoon stories, their global reach, and how webtoon applications and streaming platforms have facilitated their access and success in the comic and film industries, reaching a vast international audience. When adapted into K-dramas for popular services, the commercial success of these webtoons not only dispels the myth of niche female stories but also underscores the vast market potential for diverse storytelling. These women narratives from South Korea, a country that low-ranked 105th out of 146 countries in the 2023 Global Gender Gap Report, transcend cultural barriers by embracing their unique experiences, offering innovative perspectives addressing social and gender issues of the intimate and public sphere and profound reflections of human connection and expression, resonating deeply with audiences worldwide.
