User:Noarod4/sandbox/editing Korean Manhwa

Manhwa
Manhwa, the Korean term for comics or graphic novels, first gained popularity outside of Korea during the early 2000s when manhwa first became available on the Internet. The term "manhwa" is derived from the Korean words "manhwa" (만화), which can be translated to "comics" or "cartoons. Manhwa is directly influenced by Japanese Manga comics . It encompasses a wide range of genres and styles, similar to its Japanese counterpart, manga. During the 2010s, the format would undergo a revitalization due to webtoons, which provided the medium with a smartphone-optimized layout and room to skirt South Korea's censorship standards. Modern Manhwa has extended its reach to many other countries. Korean companies like Naver, Kakao, and Lezhin that host webtoons have expanded globally and begun offering their titles in different languages. These comics have branched outside of Korea by access of Webtoons and have created an impact that has resulted in some movie and television show adaptations.

The Korean Manhwa industry has undergone significant changes from 1910 to the present, facing various challenges along the way. In the early years, the impact of Japanese colonial rule and the aftermath of the Korean War led to heavy government intervention from the 1950s to the 1970s. This intervention, driven by concerns for political stability, resulted in censorship and negative societal views, limiting the industry's growth during that period. Fast forward to the 2000s-2010s, a notable shift occurred with the rise of webtoons and educational manhwa. Webtoons, thriving on digitization and online platforms, gained international acclaim. Educational manhwa also played a positive role in children's education, reducing business risks and reshaping the industry.

Globalization and digitization further boosted success, allowing Korean animation series and webtoons to capture diverse audiences worldwide. The need for a business-friendly environment with less government intervention, coupled with a shift in societal perceptions to recognize manhwa as a dynamic and creative industry was the key to this change. Recognizing historical challenges was crucial for crafting effective policies to propel the Korean manhwa industry into a vibrant and globally competitive landscape.

Manhwa vs. Manga in South Korea:
The comparison between Korean manhwa and Japanese manga has been a longstanding topic of discussion within the realm of comics. Historically, Korean manhwa creators often emulated the drawing style, format, and narrative elements of Japanese manga, leading to challenges in differentiating the two art forms. While both Korean manhwa and Japanese manga share an Asian traditional way of drawing, the text emphasizes subtle but culturally significant differences. Mainstream Korean manhwa tends to prioritize drama and narrative, reflecting a cultural emphasis on societal and historical forces, whereas Japanese manga often focuses more on building individual characters and personalities. Despite regulatory efforts, manga continued to dominate the comics market in South Korea. Reasons for this preference included factors such as readability, superior graphics, superhero emphasis, and cost-effectiveness. Resistance efforts by cartoonists and associations aimed at promoting Korean comics, known as manhwa, focused on initiatives like Koreanization, crackdowns on Japanese comics dealers, and government interventions.

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