웹툰이 한국 청소년 문화에 미치는 영향

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of webtoons, an innovative medium in the era of digital innovation, on youth culture. It particularly focuses on how webtoons’ visual appeal, the accessibility of diverse genres and themes, interactive elements, and globalization influence the formation of youth identity, social interaction, and creative expression. The study integrates analysis of various real-life examples related to content specialized for youth culture, technology-converged webtoons, webtoon communities, and the globalization of webtoons. It draws implications on the cultural impact of youth’s webtoon consumption patterns. Findings suggest that elements such as content specialized for youth culture, technology-converged webtoons, and webtoon communities enhance emotional engagement in youth, serving as vital tools for self-exploration and self-expression. Furthermore, webtoons contribute to new forms of cultural exchange and empathy among global youth, potentially impacting global youth culture as significantly as K-pop and K-dramas, positively influencing Korean youths’ experiences of diverse cultural backgrounds. This study provides significant insights for understanding the specific impacts of webtoons on youth culture and exploring how webtoons can contribute to the future of digital culture.