▲ The Poster of K-story & Comics in America ⓒ KOCCAThe annual "K-story & Comics in America" event, aimed at promoting Korean content abroad, will debut its first public interactive event in the United States this month.

Organized by the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, this year's event marks a significant expansion into business-to-consumer engagement, inviting the public to participate and enjoy Korean comics and storytelling.

The business-to-business (B2B) segment will kick off at the AC Hotel in Los Angeles from July 24 to July 26. Fourteen leading companies in comics, webtoons, and storytelling industries, including Kakao Entertainment and DCCENT, will showcase their latest works to industry professionals and buyers.

Eight of these companies, including DCCENT and Kakao Entertainment, will pitch their flagship works to over 80 buyers and officials from publishing, broadcasting, animation, and gaming sectors.

The B2C event will take place from July 26 to July 28 at the LA Convention Center, coinciding with the KCON event, a popular K-pop festival organized by CJ ENM. The event will feature an interactive exhibition area divided into four zones.

At the central "K-Story & Comics" booth, visitors can explore a digital library showcasing over 40 Korean comics and webtoons, and participate in various interactive activities. Additionally, three separate IP zones will highlight content from beloved webtoons such as "The Remarried Empress," "Solo Leveling," and "Lookism."

Attendees can engage in activities like character photo opportunities, gaming experiences, and animation screenings. Artists from KCON are expected to participate in the B2C event, although specific names have not been disclosed.

KOCCA expressed intentions to expand the B2C events of "K-story & Comics" beyond the US, targeting key markets like Japan, Southeast Asia, and potentially Europe. The initiative aims to bolster the global presence of Korean comics and webtoons through strategic participation in major international content markets.

Sayart / Jason Yim, yimjongho1969@gmail.com