Naver Webtoon has announced a historic partnership with the Paris Opera, France's most prestigious opera and ballet company, to create an original webtoon series focused on ballet called "Secret d'une Etoile" (known in English as "Secret of a Ballerina"). This collaboration represents the first Korea-France coproduction of its kind in the webtoon industry, bringing together Korean storytelling expertise with French artistic tradition.
The ambitious project features a unique creative team that bridges both cultures. Korean webtoon artist Honey B is responsible for crafting the story, while French artist StillUnderworld handles the visual artwork. This international collaboration showcases how digital storytelling can transcend borders and unite artists from different backgrounds to create compelling content.
The webtoon will make its debut in French on November 28, with Korean readers having to wait until next year when it launches on the Naver Webtoon platform. The series spans 30 episodes and follows an intriguing time-travel narrative centered around a Korean dancer working at the Paris Opera. While preparing for an important audition, the protagonist accidentally touches a magical tiara that transports her consciousness into the body of a prima ballerina performing at the Paris Opera during the 1950s.
"Collaborating with a world-renowned ballet company was a rare opportunity and a very special project for me as a creator," Honey B said in a statement released on Friday. The Korean artist praised Naver Webtoon's role in making the collaboration possible, noting that the company's cooperation helped facilitate the entire creative process from concept to execution.
Kim Yongsoo, chief strategy officer of Webtoon Entertainment, emphasized the broader significance of this partnership beyond just entertainment. "This partnership is a meaningful endeavor demonstrating how the webtoon storytelling format can intersect with performing arts to create new synergies," Kim explained. He expressed excitement about introducing the Paris Opera's rich artistic heritage to a global audience, stating, "We are thrilled to introduce the Paris Opera's long-standing traditions and artistic legacy to global readers beyond France through Naver Webtoon's international platform."
The Paris Opera brings more than three centuries of artistic excellence to this collaboration, with a remarkable history spanning over 350 years. The institution presents over 400 performances each season, encompassing ballet, opera, and concerts across multiple disciplines. The company operates two world-famous main theaters in Paris: the historic Palais Garnier and the modern Opéra Bastille, both of which serve as iconic venues for world-class performances and cultural events.
