WEBTOON’s Visionaries Lead the Charge in Digital Storytelling: Junkoo Kim and David Lee Honored Among Gold House’s 2025 A100 Leaders

WEBTOON Entertainment’s rise as a global entertainment powerhouse has been nothing short of meteoric, and its leadership duo—Founder & CEO Junkoo Kim and CFO/COO David Lee—have been at the helm of this transformation. Their inclusion in Gold House’s 2025 A100 List, which honors Asian Pacific leaders redefining industries and culture, underscores their pivotal role in shaping the future of digital storytelling.

Why Kim and Lee Deserve the Spotlight

The Gold House A100 List prioritizes leaders who drive industry impact, cultural transformation, and technological innovation—criteria Kim and Lee have met with distinction.

1. Industry Impact: The IPO That Redefined Global Entertainment

In 2024, Kim and Lee spearheaded WEBTOON’s landmark initial public offering (IPO), which raised $1.3 billion and positioned the company as a NASDAQ-listed titan (WBTN). This move solidified WEBTOON’s status as a creator-centric entertainment giant, with a $1.347 billion revenue in 2024—a 13% year-over-year increase despite foreign exchange headwinds.

The IPO unlocked resources to expand its IP library, fuel global partnerships, and invest in AI-driven tools. Today, WEBTOON’s platforms (WEBTOON, Wattpad, LINE Manga) attract 170 million monthly active users, with 60% outside Asia—a testament to its cross-cultural appeal.

2. Cultural Influence: From Webcomics to Global Pop Culture

WEBTOON’s content adaptations, such as Sweet Home (Netflix), Tower of God (Crunchyroll), and Through My Window (Netflix), have become cultural phenomena. Kim’s vision for a “global flywheel”—where user-generated content fuels hit adaptations—has turned the company into a storytelling powerhouse.

The 2024 Emmy win for Beef—a milestone for Asian American representation—mirrors WEBTOON’s broader mission to amplify underrepresented voices. Lee’s financial strategy has enabled partnerships with brands like HYBE (BTS’s management), DC Comics, and Ubisoft, further embedding WEBTOON’s IP into mainstream culture.

3. Technological Innovation: AI as a Creator’s Best Friend

WEBTOON’s leadership in AI and blockchain positions it as a tech pioneer. Innovations like the AI Painter (streamlining illustration) and Toon Radar (anti-piracy) reduce creator drudgery while protecting intellectual property. In 2024, the company also partnered with Dot Inc. to launch tactile braille webcomics, making content accessible to visually impaired users—a first in global publishing.

The payoff is clear: Adjusted EBITDA surged to $67.9 million in 2024, a 685% jump from $8.7 million in 2023, reflecting operational efficiency and scalable tech.

The Future: A Creator-Driven Empire

Kim and Lee’s vision extends beyond today’s hits. With plans to refine AI tools (e.g., personalized content curation) and expand NFT-driven monetization via Flickrz, they aim to deepen creator engagement while unlocking new revenue streams.

The duo’s focus on global inclusivity—from braille webcomics to partnerships with Gen Z platforms like Discord—aligns with Gold House’s emphasis on breaking barriers and cross-cultural resonance.

Conclusion: A Story of Vision and Execution

Junkoo Kim and David Lee’s inclusion in the A100 List is no accident. They have turned WEBTOON into a cultural and economic juggernaut, blending storytelling, technology, and finance to redefine entertainment. With $572 million in cash reserves, a 170M MAU base, and a pipeline of adaptations (including Trauma Code: Heroes on Call on Netflix), their trajectory mirrors the criteria that made them A100 honorees:

• Industry Impact: The IPO and revenue growth ($1.347B in 2024) solidify their leadership.
• Cultural Influence: Global adaptations and accessibility initiatives (e.g., braille comics) expand storytelling’s reach.
• Technological Innovation: AI tools and blockchain partnerships drive scalability and creator empowerment.

As WEBTOON continues to bridge cultures and technologies, Kim and Lee’s legacy is clear: they’re not just adapting stories—they’re rewriting the rules of pop culture. For investors, their vision is a bet on a future where creators, audiences, and technology converge to shape the next generation of entertainment.

Data sources: WEBTOON 2024 financial reports, Gold House A100 criteria, and company press releases.