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By Yoorim Jeong, iNews24 — Naver Webtoon’s Webtoon Entertainment unit announced on April 28 that it had signed a strategic partnership with U.S. AI avatar company Genies to develop digital experiences built around webtoon characters.
Webtoon Entertainment said the deal is intended to move fans beyond passive reading by creating immersive experiences where readers can interact with digital characters and inhabit the worlds of their favorite series.
As part of the collaboration, creators who opt in will be able to transform their characters into 3D avatars. For the initial pilot, creators approved three popular series: The Greatest Territory Designer; The Knight Who Lives Only Today; and My In‑Law World Is Obsessed With Me.
With creators’ consent, Genies will apply its AI technology to produce 3D avatars that retain the original art style and character traits. Fans will be able to converse with the avatars, discuss the stories, and access narrative extensions that go beyond each series’ established world using scenarios developed by the creators.
Fans can earn items to customize their avatars through activities such as reading series, purchasing paid episodes, and logging into the app. Webtoon Entertainment plans to introduce premium items later, creating new revenue opportunities for creators. The 3D digital avatar feature will begin a pilot on Naver Webtoon’s English platform, WEBTOON, later this year.
“This partnership will be a turning point that elevates how fans experience webtoons,” said Kim Yong‑su, president of Webtoon Entertainment. “By offering immersive digital interactions that let fans connect more deeply with their favorite characters, we aim to evolve the medium. All steps will proceed only with creators’ consent and within bounds that do not undermine the original work’s value.”
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