The Growing Popularity of Web Novels

The world has read comic books, novels, short stories, manga, webtoons, and more. There’s just something captivating about stories and characters that keep us wanting more! If you haven’t heard about it yet, there’s one more genre of literature to explore: web novels. They’re the next big thing in storytelling, and their popularity is soaring because of web novel translation!

CCC International has already explored the wonders of manga and anime translation. Now, we’re also seeing a rise in demand for web novel services, and we’re ready to help you become a part of this trend. Let’s learn about the growing popularity of this genre and how our translation services can help you get the most out of your creative works.

Key Takeaways:

• Web novels are serialized novels published online. It’s similar to light novels, which originated in Japan. Both genres are popular in the Asian market and have seen a surge in popularity in other parts of the world.
• Light novel translation made light novels accessible to more people and readers worldwide, sparking a growing interest in the genre.
• Web novel translation contributed to the popularity of web novel stories because it allowed readers from different parts of the world to appreciate these works in their own language.
• South Korean and Chinese web novels in English have become increasingly popular, with many titles adapted into dramas, games, and films.

Table of Content:

• What Are Web Novels?
• The Rise of Web Novels
• K-Dramas Based on Web Novels
• Popular Web Novels
• How Did Web Novels Become So Popular?
• CCCI – Professional Web Novel Translation Services

Web novels are exactly what they sound like: novels published on the web. Usually, web novels are serialized, meaning the authors publish them in installments. They may release one chapter every week, depending on their schedule.

We can trace the roots of web novels to a web fiction site called Joara in 2000. During that time, it had 1.1 million members who consumed novels of different genres, with I am a Noble Man by Siltan as one of its most-viewed stories. Another South Korean web portal that also catered to readers of web fiction is Naver, which now has millions of active readers. It popularized the term “web novel,” and Yun I-su’s Love in the Moonlight is one of its best-read works.

Besides South Korea, China has long been known for reading fiction digitally. In fact, their love for digital novels started with the emergence of the internet! Forbes India described web novels as a genre that breaks free from the traditional narrative patterns, meeting the readers’ demands better than paper books.

“Here, the psychology of the characters takes precedence over the development and even the coherence of the plot. That’s why most web novels belong to genres that are mainstream, and popular with young readers, such as romance, fantasy, young adult, and science fiction.”

People often mistake web novels for light novels. They have similar titles, with some authors writing both genres. The main difference is that light novels are Japanese-style, published online, and compiled into paperback. Illustrations for light novels use the Japanese manga style and usually focus on fantasy.

Note: Light novel translation has contributed to the popularity of this genre. Some popular titles include The Legend of the Galactic Heroes, A Sister’s All You Need, and The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. Many light novels have been adapted into manga, anime, and video games!

Web novels are already prominent in the Asian market. What’s more surprising is the increasing demand for Korean and Chinese web novels in English for readers who want to experience a different kind of storytelling.

Webnovel.com, one of the largest web novels communities in the world, has most of its audiences from the US, UK, and Brazil. Most of its visitors are 18 to 24 years old, with more male readers than females. Moreover, E. Ardincaple shared in “What’s a Web Novel and Why Are They Exciting for Writers?”:

“In South Korea, the domestic web novel industry is worth over 400 million USD and the market grew by 4000% between 2013 and 2019. In 2021, South Korean tech giant Kakao purchased Radish and Tapas for a combined $950 million, with its competitor Naver acquiring Wattpad for an estimated $600 million.”

Many platforms also allow writers to interact directly with their readers, and readers can comment on the new chapters or leave suggestions. This back-and-forth interaction between readers and authors often results in more engaging conversations, something that paper books can’t provide.

Another factor contributing to the rise of web novels is the popularity of K-dramas based on them. Many Korean TV dramas are inspired by web novels, such as the following:

Love In the Moonlight is a coming-of-age story and youth romance set during the 19th-century Joseon Dynasty. It was based on the web novel Moonlight Drawn by Clouds, first serialized on Naver in 2013. It was awarded the Best Drama Series at the 22nd Asian Television Awards!

Park Yoo-chun, Park Min-young, Song Joong-ki, and Yoo Ah-in starred in the 2010 South Korean drama Sungkyunkwan Scandal. It was based on the 2007 bestselling web novel by Jung Eun-gwol, The Lives of Sungkyunkwan Confucian Scholars.

In 2007, Coffee Prince or The First Shop of Coffee Prince aired on MBC, telling an unlikely romance between a boyish woman and a young food empire mogul. It was based on Lee Sun-mi’s web novel of the same title.

Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo was based on the Chinese novel Bu Bu Jing Xin. The South Korean television series aired in 2016 with 20 episodes plus two special episodes. It was a big success, earning seven awards at the SBS Drama Awards!

We know by now that web novels have been around for quite some time. Some of the most popular web novels that enthusiasts always recommend to each other are the following:

• Solo Leveling by Chugong
• A Record of a Mortal’s Journey to Immortality by Wang Yu
• Omniscient Reader by Sing Shong
• Heaven Official’s Blessing by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu
• The Second Coming Of Gluttony by Ro Yu Jin
• Iris: The Lady and Her Smartphone by Yooswan
• The Regressed Demon Lord Is Kind by Hungry Panda
• Daddy, I Don’t Want To Marry by Hong Heesu
• The Reason Why Raeliana Ended Up At the Duke’s Mansion by Milcha
• A Villainess For the Tyrant by Yoo Iran

Many South Korean and Chinese web novels have been adapted into dramas, movies, and even video games; some even achieved global recognition! Web novels are no longer a niche genre but part of mainstream literature and entertainment.

Pro Tip: When getting into web novels, access official websites to read the original, translated stories. Many fan translations online could be good enough for casual readers, but it’s always best to trust official translations for excellent quality and accuracy.

Unsurprisingly, web novels have captivated many readers, considering the art, storyline, and characters all come together to create an immersive, unique experience. The accessibility of web novels also plays a significant role in their popularity. It’s easier for readers to access stories from their phones, tablets, or computers.

The presence of social media and the internet has also made it possible for readers to connect and share their love for web novels. Readers can join forums, participate in fandoms and discuss their favorite stories with people worldwide!

The rise of web novels has also opened up opportunities for people to write their own stories and share them with the world. And in addition to a wide selection of genres, readers also have a wide selection of languages because of translation.

It was web novel translation and media localization that made web novels shine beyond their existing audience. Translating content into different languages helped it reach more readers on an international level, further increasing its popularity. Readers worldwide have discovered the charm of web novels when they read stories in their own language.

Now, if you have web novels you’re ready to share with the world, why not start the process with CCCI?

All in all, web novels have come a long way since their inception. We have romance web novels, fantasy, and all the other well-loved genres. At CCCI, we offer professional web novel translation services to help you reach a wider audience. Our experienced translators are experts in the field, ready to contribute to the popularity of web novel stories.

CCCI also offers audio clips and web novels localization services. We can help you translate and localize web novels for foreign countries, allowing them to experience your stories in their own language. Like you, our goal is to spread the joy and love of web novels, so contact us today and let us share that web novel magic with the world!