'Killer Police' Captivates Japanese Male Readers [K-Content Japan]

Boosting Production Efficiency with AI Assistants...
Building Trust Among Japanese Partners
Expanding into Secondary Businesses Such as Video Adaptations, Games, and Publishing

The Japanese webtoon market is experiencing a diversification of genres. Leading this trend is Busan-based studio Monster Riot, which targets male readers with its signature action and fast-paced storytelling.

Still cut from the webtoon "Killer Police."

Jaeyok Lee, Head of Monster Riot Japan, shared the company's strategy for entering the Japanese market during an interview with The Asia Business Daily at the "Korea-Japan Content Co-Production Week" hosted by the Korea Creative Content Agency in Tokyo on September 30. He stated, "'Killer Police' reaching the top spot among male readers on Line Manga during its launch week was not the result of chasing a particular trend," explaining, "It was achieved by localizing a well-defined genre structure of revenge and crime, along with the intense direction unique to Korean webtoons, to suit the preferences of Japanese readers."

The studio's content competitiveness has led to the establishment of production infrastructure. Monster Riot, supported by public technology programs such as Scaling Up TIPS, has developed its own webtoon AI assistant solution.

Lee emphasized, "AI is limited to assisting with repetitive tasks such as coloring and backgrounds rather than being the main creator." He explained, "This approach has fostered trust among our Japanese content industry partners, who are sensitive to copyright and the rights of creators."

Jaeyok Lee, Head of Monster Riot Japan Branch / Korea Creative Content Agency Tokyo Business Center.

Monster Riot has established a local base in Japan to go beyond distribution and expand into secondary businesses such as video adaptations, games, and publishing. To address the differences in contract structures from Korea, the company is focusing on effective communication with local partners and allocating rights appropriately.

Lee explained, "Unlike North America, where the focus is on the webtoon format itself, Japan's well-established manga consumption ecosystem allows us to build reader data through platform distribution and expand our IP in partnership with local companies."

The ultimate goal is to be recognized as a leading content company in Japan. Lee added, "Rather than blindly following the conventions of Japanese manga, we aim to break through real market barriers by maintaining the dynamic pace and genre appeal of Korean webtoons and persuading local readers." He continued, "Through the Korea-Japan Content Co-Production Week, we plan to establish long-term partnerships with Japanese companies and build a structure in which Korean IPs become content brands in Japan and expand globally."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.