The Reality Behind Your Favorite Scrolling Comics
While readers binge through episodes of Solo Leveling, Tower of God, and Lore Olympus in minutes, few realize that a single episode can take creators anywhere from 20 to 60 hours to complete. We sat down with five breakthrough webtoon artists who've dominated platforms like LINE Webtoon, Tapas, and Manta to uncover the unglamorous truth behind the vertical scroll revolution.
From 300 Rejections to 3 Million Subscribers
"I pitched my concept 47 times before anyone said yes," admits one creator whose fantasy series now ranks in Webtoon's top 10. "Every 'no' felt personal, but looking back, each rejection forced me to refine my storytelling." This sentiment echoes across all five interviews—persistence isn't just encouraged, it's essential.
The Burnout Nobody Talks About
Unlike traditional manga with quarterly chapters, webtoon creators face relentless weekly deadlines. "I was hospitalized twice during my first year of serialization," shares another artist. "The algorithm rewards consistency, but your body doesn't care about upload schedules."
- Average work week: 70-80 hours during serialization
- Most time-consuming phase: Coloring and shading (40% of production time)
- Mental health breaks: All five creators have taken at least one hiatus
What Western Creators Get Wrong
"American creators often underestimate the importance of the first three episodes," explains a veteran artist who's worked with both Korean and Western platforms. "Korean webtoons hook you immediately—there's no slow burn." Their advice? Study pacing in hits like True Beauty, Omniscient Reader, and The Beginning After the End.
Advice for Aspiring Creators
Every artist emphasized one thing: finish your stories. "Your portfolio of completed short webtoons matters more than one perfect first chapter," says a creator who now mentors emerging talent on Webtoon Canvas. Other key takeaways include mastering vertical scrolling composition, building community through Discord and social media, and accepting that your art style will evolve dramatically during serialization.
The webtoon industry is booming—but success demands more than talent. It requires resilience, adaptability, and the willingness to create even when inspiration runs dry.