South Korea’s largest webtoon platform, Naver Webtoon, has announced the upcoming launch of an English version of its AI art generator called Toon Filter. Since its pilot launch on May 12, Toon Filter has already generated over 20 million converted images in just one week.
The technology allows users to transform their uploaded photos into webtoon-style images, using character styles from popular webtoons such as Yumi’s Cells, Shape of the Nightmare, Lookism, Maru Is a Puppy, and Hurricane Princess.
The Toon Filter utilizes artificial intelligence to recreate users’ selected photos in the artistic style of renowned webtoon artists. Its English version will provide users with the opportunity to apply various art styles from 10 top webtoon artists which includes Lee Dong-geon, Pak Tae-jun, Oh Sung-dae and more.
The AI art generator offers the flexibility to transform various types of photos into webtoon-style adaptations, including pictures of friends, family, food, and pets. Users can unleash their creativity and explore the artistic possibilities of this technology by applying it to a wide range of subjects.
Despite initially being available only in Korean, Toon Filter has garnered significant international attention. Surprisingly, over 80 percent of its users come from overseas countries, indicating the global appeal and popularity of webtoon-style artwork. The demand for this AI image maker surpasses language barriers, resonating with users worldwide who appreciate webtoon art’s unique charm and creative expression.
Webtoon Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Naver Corp., serves as the parent company of Naver Webtoon and oversees its global digital comics business. The success of Webtoon Entertainment, which holds an impressive market share of over 60 percent, serves as a remarkable example of how a company can seize new market opportunities and thrive in the digital transformation era.
“Naver Webtoon’s market expansion is a prime example of the Blue Ocean Strategy,” commented Koo. He further explained, “The company has established an innovative business model that not only showcases the limitless potential of content intellectual property but also creates new demand in the era of digital transformation. It serves as an interesting teaching material, providing valuable insights into value innovation for current and future business leaders.”
Indonesia, South Korea, Russia, the Philippines, and Malaysia topped the list among the countries with the highest number of Toon Filter users. Users from the United States, Japan, Thailand, France, Italy, and 30 other countries have also embraced Toon Filter since its launch.
Although the exact release date for the English version is yet to be determined, Naver Webtoon is determined to introduce the global version as soon as possible.
The company spokesperson explained, “As we had previously collaborated with the 10 webtoon artists for the Korean version of Toon Filter, we will need to engage in further discussions with the creators and seek their cooperation for the English version. This may result in the participation of more or fewer webtoon artists in the upcoming AI art generator.”
By expanding the availability of this AI image maker, Naver Webtoon aims to offer a unique and engaging experience for users who wish to transform their photos into captivating webtoon-style artworks.
