This image, provided by Kakao Entertainment, an entertainment arm of tech giant Kakao Corp., on July 27, 2021, shows its new webtoon platform.
SEOUL, Oct. 1 (Korea Bizwire) — Controversy has sparked after a South Korean firm entering the Chinese market asked webtoon artists and web novel writers to refrain from using expressions that may ‘frustrate’ China.
Kakao Entertainment, an entertainment arm of tech giant Kakao Corp., reportedly sent out guidelines on ‘inappropriate expressions about China’ to webtoon and web novel producers.
The guidelines restrict all expressions in support of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Tibet’s independence, distortion of historical facts or heroic figures and open dialogue on sensitive issues between South Korea and China.
In response, Kakao Entertainment said that the guidelines were sent out as a “reference material,” to prevent webtoons and novels from being hurt by misunderstandings caused by certain expressions, particularly when China is introducing stricter measures into its content market.
“We firmly deny all claims that we’ve asked a Chinese liaison to censor our content,” Kakao Entertainment said.
“The guidelines have no official link with the Chinese government or the company, and we have absolutely no intent to censor our content.”
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
