The Couch Sessions

Audiences have traditionally watched cartoons through familiar platforms such as cable television and film. However, in today's tech-savvy world, low-cost distribution platforms such as mobile apps and the Internet are transforming the animation industry.

Similar to what is occurring in journalism, content is increasingly provided by freelancers and amateur creators. Webtoons are culled by popularity. Viewers choose what cartoons they want to watch, and the best content -- comics that resonate with the audience -- rise to the top.

NAVER, Korea's most popular search engine, is expanding its innovative webtoons to the U.S. and other global markets. Currently, a total of 189 books, videos and games in various genres have been produced, or are in the process of being made.

The company, founded in 1999 by ex-Samsung employees, pioneered distribution and consumption of webtoons in 2004. Today, its Internet cartoons bring in 17 million monthly visitors, with plans to increase views through mobile platforms and by acquiring new audiences. Over the past decade, more than 140,000 amateur artists have provided innovative content. Check it out below.

Breaking Barriers

In the U.S., the power of cable television has kept young viewers watching cartoons on Nickelodeon, the Disney Channel, and Cartoon Network. In the past decade, comic books' success in television has parleyed into high budget productions in Hollywood, where Marvel Comics and DC Comics have generated billions of dollars in revenue through blockbuster films and merchandise.

NAVER is betting that innovations in technology will shift some of the cartoon audience's allegiance, as mobile and Web viewing represents a big potential in new revenue streams.

In 2013, mobile payment transaction volume grew to over $230 billion, and that figure is expected to more than triple to $721 billion by 2017, according to Statista.com. In 2013, there were 245 million users who made payments via mobile. By 2017, that number is expected to rise to 450 million people worldwide.

Monetizing Cartoons

The webtoon service represents new ways of monetizing Internet-based comics. In Korea, NAVER introduced a "Page Profit Share" (PPS) program which shares a portion of the money with content providers. Like YouTube, artists can place advertisements at the end of the cartoon.

Webtoons can also be converted to a paid service, or the comics and characters can earn royalty through licensing deals. For example, artists can monetize through books, videos, and games. In particular, special ads for mobile games represent a promising revenue stream.

Growing Audience

Since 2004, NAVER's cartoons have accumulated nearly 30 billion views, and the viral success is attracting publishing deals around the world. Within the past year, publishing houses from Thailand and Indonesia to publish some of the more popular webtoons.

The company is in talks with 30 different online platform companies from Europe, Asia, and Africa