Why Korean-to-English Web Novel Translations Are in High Demand

Key Takeaways:

• As of 2024, the Korean web novel market has a revenue of 1.39 trillion won, or 947 million dollars.
• Demand for new content, expanding the hallyu, and cultural exchange are a few reasons why web novel translations to English are important.
• Know the current challenges in Korean-to-English web translations and how to overcome them.
• CCC International can help you find the right services for your Korean-to-English web novel translations.

Table of Contents:

• Korean Content Influence on the Global Pop Culture
• Why Translate Korean Web Novels into English
• Challenges in Web Novel Translation
• Globalization with Webtoon Translation Services

Jinjja? Saranghae? Oppa? Nowadays, we may have already heard of several Korean buzzwords used on the internet and among peers. That is all thanks to the widespread circulation of K-dramas and Webtoons and the huge fanbase it incurred. Whether we like it or not, Korean pop culture has made notable contributions to the global pop scene. From notable K-dramas like Crash Landing on You to webtoons and manhwas like True Beauty, the Korean fever is not far from us.

That said, how does Korean content influence global pop culture? Let’s start with the market! Without demand, the market is nonexistent. Initially, the manhwas, the Korean manga equivalent, were generally marketed locally. However, with the release of the online platform NAVER in 2013, webtoons and web novels began gaining international attention. 

Now pause. What are web novels? Web novels are stories published similarly to paperback novels sans physical copies. Think of them as internet novels or novels published online. When certain titles gain traction, they are usually adapted to webtoons. This then begins a chain of adaptations to either anime, live action, or both. Some consumers, either fans of the novel before its webtoon release or new fans, still prefer novels. As such, new and old titles are continuously being marketed and adapted into other forms of media.

As of 2024, the Korean web novel market reached a revenue of 1.39 trillion won, or 947 million USD. The global market for webtoons has also grown significantly over the years, with 8.28 billion dollars in revenue. The Korean media’s entrance into the global pop scene has paved the way for new consumer bases and products to market. With the skyrocketing market also comes the demand to bridge gaps between the Korean culture and other foreign cultures. This is where web novel translations and webtoon translation services come into play.

There are several reasons why Korean web novel translations to English are important. Meeting your consumers’ demands is highly necessary for a continuously growing market. Remember, fan bases often do not have the energy to learn a new language for popular media. As such, you have to meet them halfway. 

Before elaborating on that aspect, here are some reasons why Korean-to-English web novel translations are important:

With the digital revolution making waves in today’s technology, companies have found new ways to entertain consumers. Aside from webtoons, manhwa, and anime, web novels are among the most popular. As such, new and aspiring creators often venture onto several platforms, like Naver, Kakao, and others, to market their works.

However, despite the sheer volume of newly-released titles, the creator-to-consumer ratio is usually disproportional. In most instances, Korean web novels are not given the visibility they deserve. Other stories sometimes go unnoticed simply because they are not available in the language of the most targeted consumers.

Korean-to-English web novel translations can help expand your consumer base beyond the local sphere. Knowing your target audience’s needs ensures that you will readily meet their demands. With the demand for new content and the volume of untranslated web novels, the potential for market growth is limitless.

The Hallyu, or the Korean wave, is a movement to educate other cultures about the Korean culture through media and entertainment. The demand to expand the Hallyu grows yearly, thanks to the rising popularity of K-dramas, webtoons, and web novels. 

Aside from the cultural significance of web novel translations, Korean media offers fresh content for the global scene. What was otherwise dominated by Western film and pop culture became diverse with new content. Foreign fans can now peek into Korean traditions, norms, and culture without language barriers. Not to mention, most foreign fans easily pick up Korean words to mix into casual conversation and inside jokes.

Who will meet your consumers’ demands if it weren’t for the rising writers and artists? Writers and artists always have their fingers on the pulse of the newest and most popular trends. In return, growing fan bases give them the visibility they deserve, giving them a platform big enough to introduce more titles.

However, despite the release of new titles, most are locked behind language barriers. This understandably deters fans from appreciating and consuming their work. Web novel translations ensure that both consumers and creators benefit from this relationship. Consumers eager to learn more about the Korean culture constantly have new titles to parse through. Meanwhile, creators are given ample opportunities to grow and expand beyond their first few works. Think of it as a win-win situation!

Web novel translations may seem daunting. However, you don’t have to worry; web novel translators are here to help! They ensure that your works are translated carefully and localized without altering your work’s cultural nuances. Still, despite the translators’ hard work, challenges may arise from Korean-to-English translations. 

Translation is challenging because of several factors: sentence structure, context, humor, and proper nouns. Web novel translators, among other Korean translators, study Korean culture first and foremost before starting the translations. This ensures the translator can find appropriate substitutions for untranslatable or culturally sensitive words.

Korean-to-English translations do not end with a literal translation. Considering the differences between the two cultures, translators must remain faithful to the Korean culture while ensuring the English-speaking audience understands it. For example, Koreans address their family members with gendered honorifics. Male speakers address slightly older males “hyung” while they address slightly older females “noona.” These honorifics do not have an English counterpart. As such, most translators omit the honorific or retain their romanized versions (i.e., hyung, noona, oppa, unnie, etc).

Lastly, one of the major challenges of translating is maintaining the author’s voice. This means preserving humor, inside jokes, and the overall thematic expression of the content. In most instances, translated work loses its former authorial voice, thus altering the content and unintentionally removing the author’s style.

Hana, dul, and everything is set! Building bridges between several cultures is the new trend today. As such, knowing what you need to nurture that connection will give you the edge to be at the top of your game. With Korean-to-English web novel translations, international fans will stay updated with what’s new before it comes out as webtoons.

With CCC International, you do not have to worry about finding the right Korean web novel translator for your works. Whether you’re looking for localization, webtoon translation, or manga translation, our company will ensure all your needs are met before you meet others’. 

Bring your webtoons and web novels closer to the hearts of fan bases from all around the world. Not sure where to start? Contact us, and we will help you get there.