According to a report by Maeil Economy, Pocket Comics—a global webtoon platform operated by NHN—is considering discontinuing its service in France, as the European market proves difficult for Korean competitors.
Story Synopsis
Pocket Comics has ceased releasing new content in France since early 2025 and is evaluating whether to shut down its French service completely. France remains Europe’s largest comics market, with nearly half the population engaging with comics. However, growth in digital webtoons has slowed and Korean platforms, including Pocket Comics, are struggling to compete with entrenched print traditions and local preferences.
NHN previously exited Germany in 2023 and Southeast Asia in 2024. If Pocket Comics withdraws from France, it would mark a full pullout from Europe, leaving Naver Webtoon as the only major Korean player still active in the French market .
Current Development
🛑 Service Suspension in France
Pocket Comics stopped uploading new chapters in France at the start of the year. NHN says it’s evaluating overall operational efficiency before deciding whether to officially terminate services.
Europe’s Digital Webtoon Market Cools
Despite initial success, Pocket Comics ranked top in French app store sales rankings in early 2022, targeting women in their 20s–30s—investment returns have dwindled. Growth in the broader European webtoon market has slowed, making continued operations economically uncertain.
Consolidation Among Korean Platforms
Kakao Piccoma also exited France last year after recording slow domestic sales. Naver Webtoon remains, with a continued strategy that includes presence at events like the Amazing Festival and publishing tie-in books, though its revenue in France remains limited.
Character Summaries (Industry Stakeholders)
Pocket Comics (NHN)
A Korean webtoon platform aiming at overseas markets. Initially strong in France, but has paused new content to assess viability amid limited growth and local competition.
Naver Webtoon
The largest Korean webtoon platform still operating in France. Investing steadily through festival appearances and mixed-media strategies—such as publishing IP-inspired books—to establish long-term presence late in the game.
As Pocket Comics weighs its future in France, the outcome may reshape how Korean webtoon platforms approach Europe—and spotlight Naver Webtoon’s efforts to tap into long-standing comics culture.
