The Korean webtoon industry finds itself at a crossroads as companies aggressively pursue artificial intelligence integration to boost efficiency, while creators express significant resistance due to mounting legal and ethical concerns. This creative sector has emerged as one of the first industries to experience the full impact of AI technology, creating a complex dynamic where artists must balance innovation with artistic integrity.

Webtoon creators face a difficult dilemma as they worry that adopting AI technology could compromise their creative originality, yet they also recognize that rejecting these tools entirely might lead to their exclusion from an increasingly competitive marketplace. This fundamental tension has become a defining issue for an industry that relies heavily on individual creativity and artistic expression.

The debate reached a focal point during the 25th annual Manhwa Day ceremony held on November 3, where more than 160 industry professionals gathered to discuss the future direction of Korean comics. The Korea Cartoonist Association hosted this significant event, which featured specialized lectures addressing the challenges surrounding AI integration in the creative process.

Cartoonist Kwak Baek-soo emerged as a strong advocate for AI adoption during the ceremony, arguing that the technology represents a necessary solution for creators struggling to compete in an increasingly demanding market environment. Kwak detailed how major webtoon production studios have transformed the competitive landscape by producing numerous titles in short timeframes through collaborative approaches that employ multiple creators for single projects.

"AI helps with backgrounds, coloring and even story idea conception, allowing a single creator to overcome the limitations of time and resources," Kwak explained during his presentation. His perspective reflects a growing recognition among some industry professionals that AI tools can level the playing field for independent creators competing against large-scale production operations.

Academic support for AI integration comes from Han Chang-wan, a professor at Sejong University's Department of Comics & Animation Technology, who views the adoption of AI tools in cartoon creation as an inevitable industry transformation. Han believes that this technological shift represents more than just an optional enhancement for creators.

"I believe AI is not a choice but a defining shift in the industry," Han told The Korea Times. "AI is the sole method for a solo artist to gain a competitive edge against large, multi-artist webtoon studios. AI tools, which are increasingly personalized, will allow creators to upload three times a week or even daily."

Despite these compelling arguments for efficiency and competitiveness, webtoon artists demonstrate considerable caution regarding AI adoption. The Korea Creative Content Agency's 2024 webtoon industry survey, which gathered responses from 800 webtoon artists, revealed striking disparities in AI acceptance across different segments of the industry.

The survey findings show that only 18.3 percent of artist respondents reported having experience with generative AI technology, while just 36.1 percent expressed intentions to use AI tools in their future work. This conservative approach among creators contrasts dramatically with the business side of the industry, where 63.8 percent of webtoon companies plan to implement AI technology in their operations.

Artist resistance stems primarily from significant ethical and legal concerns that remain unresolved within the industry. According to the survey, 41.3 percent of artists identified their lack of AI experience as a burden related to legal issues, particularly concerning ethics and copyright implications. Additionally, 31.3 percent of respondents expressed worry about potential deterioration of their work's originality through AI assistance.

Han Chang-wan acknowledged that this reluctance among artists often results from fear of potential backlash from audiences and readers. He cited a specific incident involving Naver Webtoon as an example of consumer resistance to AI-generated content.

"Naver Webtoon featured an AI-created work. When it became public, readers staged a subscription boycott," the professor explained, highlighting the real market consequences that creators face when embracing AI technology.

An anonymous official from the local webtoon industry emphasized that social consensus remains incomplete regarding whether AI-assisted creations should be considered authentic independent work by creators. This fundamental question about artistic authenticity continues to complicate the industry's relationship with emerging technology.

"There are diverse opinions among artists and readers regarding the acceptance of AI-produced content with unclear origins," the industry official stated. "Also, social and legal consensus is yet to be fully reached." This ongoing uncertainty reflects broader cultural questions about the role of technology in creative expression and the definition of authentic artistic work in the digital age.