Global leader WEBTOON and Michel Lafon Publishing forge a distinctive partnership in France
Today, WEBTOON and Michel Lafon Publishing announce a unique partnership in France, uniting the leading webcomics application with a prominent independent French publisher. This collaboration aims to harness the collective expertise of both companies, delivering captivating stories to French readers of all backgrounds.
In just a few years, the popularity of South Korean pop culture has exploded: from the multi-award-winning Parasite to Bong Joon-ho to the success of the Squid Game series, via the effervescence of K-pop, the Korean wave, called “Hallyu”, conquered France. WEBTOON, the application dedicated to digital comics created for the smartphone format, now has more than 2 million French readers. Some webcomics have been adapted as series on Netflix, such as Hellbound and All of Us Are Dead, or as anime, such as Tower of God and The God of High School on Crunchyroll .
On June 14, 2023, WEBTOON launched a major poster campaign for the first time to promote its flagship series in the Paris metro and on the facade of Fnac Saint-Lazare: High School Mercenary, Return of the Blossoming Blade and Hero Ticket. Series soon available in bookstores.
Two pioneering companies in their sector
WEBTOON is the leader and pioneer of webcomics around the world since its launch in South Korea in 2004. WEBTOON has revolutionized the comics industry for both readers and creators.
Michel Lafon Publishing is one of the largest independent French publishers. The publishing house has distinguished itself by its successful adaptations of digital content into books. Michel Lafon was the first publisher to publish books from digital content such as VDM (500,000 copies sold), Icônne, by Natoo (300,000 copies sold), or even the best-selling French manga, Ki & Hi, by Kevin Tran (1.3 million copies sold).
The two partners are now combining their expertise to address a young readership with very specific tastes!
The collection of the most popular WEBTOON series in print on the platform is intended to occupy a dedicated section in bookstores. The two partners are entering the publishing of webcomics in France with a strong argument: a lower retail price of €12.95 per volume instead of the usual market price of €14.95.
Émilie Coudrat, head of development for WEBTOON France commented, "WEBTOON's DNA has always been to be accessible to everyone and absolutely everywhere. This collaboration allows us to make the most anticipated WEBTOON series available to our readers in print format at more affordable prices and to bring our stories to everyone who has not yet discovered the application."
Acclaimed series offered to a new readership
From the fall of 2023, two successful titles will inaugurate this partnership: the first two volumes of Marry My Husband and High School Mercenary, then a volume will come out every three months. No less than six new series will be launched in 2024! The next launches will take place in February, April and June 2024.
"Michel Lafon Publishing have always accompanied authors from new media in an intelligent adaptation of their content in paper books," adds Elsa Lafon, general manager of Michel Lafon Publishing. "Reading habits are changing and we are committed to offering new formats in line with readers. The webcomic is a format halfway between manga and comics that offers creativity and universes inspired by the Korean imagination, surprising and exciting for French readers."
More information on the two globally successful series inaugurating this partnership:
● Marry My Husband
This is the most popular title on the WEBTOON platform (33 million views in France) to be released on October 19, 2023.
Killed under the blows of her husband, Jiwon comes back to life ten years earlier, and intends to take revenge...
● High School Mercenary
The #1 action series on the WEBTOON platform (45 million views in France) to be released on November 9, 2023.
Raised for ten years by a troop of elite mercenaries, Ijin finally lays down his arms and reunites with his family. But when his little sister is bullied, he decides to protect her and turns into a vigilante...