Comics and graphic novels have enjoyed increasing popularity in recent years. But this demand isn’t just due to the pervasive presence of superhero properties in TV and film. There’s more to comics than the Marvel Cinematic Universe, after all. Case in point: the domination of North American bestseller lists by manga from Japan and online enthusiasm for Korean webtoons.

A Brief History of Korean Webtoons

Manhwa, or Korean comics, were first published in the 1940s. They covered a wide range of topics, including a fair amount of political commentary. Depending on the decade, this meant published manhwa sometimes needed to go underground to avoid repercussions.

In the present day, however, manhwa is rarely printed and has largely been replaced by digital webtoons. The electronic format promised global availability, but Korean webtoons were largely inaccessible to English-language audiences as recently as a decade ago. The only way non-Korean readers could enjoy these series were via less-than-legal fan translations. Thankfully, those days are behind us. Today, many platforms make webtoons available in English—some even for free.

Types of Korean Webtoons

Like other comics, Korean webtoons span many different genres.

Fantasy: Do you believe only superheroes can have superhuman powers? Think again. Mind-blowing abilities and immortal beings are rampant in fantasy webtoons. Some well-known fantasy series include “Noblesse” and “Tower of God“—in no small part thanks to the animated adaptations streaming on the popular platform, Crunchyroll.

Romance: If you’re a devoted K-drama fan, there’s a good chance you’ve watched an adaptation of a romance webtoon at some point. Ugly ducklings who become beautiful swans, roommates who discover they have more in common than previously thought, enemies-turned-lovers—every romance trope has been represented by at least one romance webtoon. Some examples of romance webtoons include “1 Plus 1,” “The Lady and Her Butler,” and “True Beauty,” which will soon be adapted to live action.

Supernatural and Horror: While webtoons that fall into these categories can overlap with those found in the fantasy genre—such as in the case of “Noblesse,” which prominently features vampires—the focus here are on the supernatural elements and risks associated with them. A prime example? “Devil Number 4,” which is about an unlucky student who can have everything she wants but only if she willingly gives up her soul to a demon.

Thriller: True crime fans, rejoice! If you like murder and mayhem, there are webtoons for you. Look at “Bastard,” a short series about a son who realizes his father is a serial killer.

BL: BL, or boys love, webtoons feature romances between men, typically written for a female audience. Some examples of this genre include “Oh My Assistant” and “Heesin in Class 2.”

Why Are Korean Webtoons So Popular?

You might be asking yourself, “This is all well and good, but what are the reasons for webtoons’ booming popularity among international comics fans?” There are a few explanations, many of which are tied to the webtoon format. As previously mentioned, webtoons have largely replaced printed manhwa and in the process, altered the familiar format of printed comics. Rather than carefully arranged panels, webtoons are optimized for digital reading on mobile devices such as cell phones.

So what does this mean in practice? Webtoons are now vertical. Instead of “turning” pages on a mobile phone, readers scroll. Mobile optimization has also led to webtoons making use of negative space. Gone are the intricate backgrounds and details of printed manhwa. Instead, webtoons feature simple panels that are easy on the eyes and easy to read.

These characteristics have made webtoons ideal for reading on the go. Most people are attached to their cell phones, which means they can pick up webtoons anywhere and at any time. Because new installments are quick to read by virtue of their vertical scrolling format, people can consume them while commuting or during lunch breaks. As a result, Korean webtoons are perfect for today’s busy world.

In today’s global market, international comics will continue to make an impact. Voracious readers are constantly seeking out new and unique stories. And because of their digitally optimized formats and increasingly accessible platforms, Korean webtoons are sure to make up a good portion of the marketplace.