Naver Webtoon Launches New Short-Form Video Feature: Cuts

Naver Webtoon is set to introduce an exciting new way to experience webtoons with its upcoming feature, Cuts, launching this September on its app. This innovative addition will allow users to enjoy animated video versions of their favorite stories, similar to popular formats like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts.

What is Cuts?

Cuts will transform existing Webtoon content into short, animated clips, offering a fresh perspective on storytelling. Besides quick summaries of popular webtoons, the feature will also showcase original content created exclusively for Cuts.

Exclusive Series: A Day in the Life of Ae-yong

One of the first original series will focus on Ae-yong, the adorable cat from the webtoon My Daughter is a Zombie. Titled A Day in the Life of Ae-yong Kim, this lighthearted, slice-of-life comedy aims to entertain fans with a new format.

Strategy and Innovation

Inspired by the success of YouTube Shorts and TikTok, NAVER Webtoon aims to make content more accessible and diverse. The platform plans to include a wide range of videos, from professionally produced shorts to experimental animations by amateur creators. Additionally, they are exploring the use of generative AI tools to help creators produce engaging animation content.

Broader Industry Trends

Earlier this year, Naver Webtoon's parent company, Webtoon Entertainment, launched a similar short-form feature called “New & Hot” on its North American platform, focusing on previews and summaries.

Unlike that version, the domestic Cuts service will feature both recap content and entirely new shorts tailored specifically for this format.

This move reflects a larger industry trend where audiences increasingly prefer short-form entertainment. Competitors are also jumping into the scene:

In April, Kakao Entertainment introduced “Helix Shorts”, an AI-generated webtoon trailer feature on Kakao Page.
Meanwhile, Ridibooks launched Kanta, a global short-drama platform in Japan.

Conclusion

The launch of Cuts highlights how the webtoon industry is evolving to meet changing viewer preferences, embracing short, engaging content that can be easily consumed on mobile devices.