Webtoon Entertainment officially announced a comprehensive expansion of its Creator Programs for 2026, promising a suite of new tools, financial incentives, and global networking opportunities designed to turn passion projects into sustainable careers.
The initiative follows a year of “listening and piloting” in 2025, aimed at addressing the evolving needs of digital storytellers worldwide. Here are the major updates:
Webtoon Originals Creator Residency Program
The crown jewel of the 2026 rollout is the Creator Residency program, launching in the first quarter. Twice a year, select “Originals” creators from the English-language service will be flown to Webtoon’s Los Angeles headquarters for a two-week immersive workshop.
These residencies aim to provide high-level development for selected creators, featuring 1:1 story-building sessions with top-tier editors, workshops on sustainable production workflows and creative craft, and unique perks, such as physical therapy sessions to combat the physical toll of long-term illustrating.
Applications for the first 2026 session will open on December 18th, 2025 via the Webtoon Creator Portal.
Taking the Show on the Road
Webtoon is going global. While Webtoon has a long-standing presence at major U.S. conventions, 2026 will see an expanded footprint in Europe and Southeast Asia. Fans outside the U.S., Korea, and Japan can expect more international creator meet-and-greets.
Emerging artists in these regions will also have the chance to get professional feedback from Webtoon staff on-site. On top of that, a new recognition program will send select creators to South Korea to tour the Seoul offices and connect with industry pioneers.
Webtoon Canvas & Creator Resource Hub Improvements
Webtoon is also showing major love to its Canvas community, the independent creators who form the backbone of the platform. In 2026, the company will debut improved monetization models and a streamlined analytics dashboard. These updates aim to provide clearer insights into series performance and more ways for independent artists to get paid for their hits.
For those just starting out, Webtoon’s Creator Care team is launching Digital Open Houses. These virtual sessions are designed to welcome new artists and help them navigate the platform’s ecosystem. Additionally, a revamped Creator Resource Hub will debut, featuring a video series of success stories and practical tips from established stars like Junepurrr (SubZero) and Arechan (Señorita Cometa).
“Our goal is simple,” said Yongsoo Kim, Chief Strategy Officer at Webtoon Entertainment. “To give creators the support, tools, and opportunities they need to build the careers they dream of.”
