Naver Webtoon’s complicity in allegedly tolerating misogynistic content has sparked controversy, leading to a strong backlash from readers with membership withdrawals and refund demands.
According to the webtoon industry on the 22nd, a boycott is emerging online due to criticisms that Naver Webtoon has tolerated misogynistic content. Posts certifying the refund of Naver Webtoon cookies (digital currency for webtoon access) and membership withdrawals are appearing on internet communities.
This controversy began late last month when an amateur webtoon titled “Otherworldly Pong Pong Man” passed the first screening of Naver Webtoon’s 2024 Grand Contest. The webtoon revolves around a 39-year-old man who decides to divorce after witnessing his wife’s infidelity but ends up being deprived of his property and transported to another world.
The title “Pong Pong Man” may appear as a self-deprecating term used by married men to mock naive and financially stable men married to women with much dating experience. However, it is indeed a hateful neologism with stereotypes and sexual implications suggesting that women exploit men for financial gain.
Because of this, the fact that “Otherworldly Pong Pong Man” was serialized on the challenge comics platform and passed the first contest screening drew criticism, especially from female-centric communities.
In the midst of this, criticism also arose due to Naver Webtoon’s inappropriate marketing, which worsened public sentiment. On October 16th, Naver Webtoon promoted the webtoon “Childhood Friend Complex” on its official X (formerly Twitter) account with a meme phrase saying, “Boycotting Childhood Friend Complex. Buying it like wildfire, buying it as hot as fire.” Some interpreted this as a mockery of the recent boycott movement.
Naver Webtoon explained that the aforementioned post was produced and published on September 10th before the boycott due to “Otherworldly Pong Pong Man” began, and that it was automatically republished due to low exposure. In an official apology, they stated, “It was a mistake in the advertising campaign operation,” and sincerely apologized to the author of the work and everyone who felt uncomfortable due to this incident. They also deleted the marketing content that was misunderstood as mocking the boycott and promised to prevent recurrence.
Despite the intense controversy, Naver Webtoon finds it difficult to make “Otherworldly Pong Pong Man” private. The webtoon legitimately passed the first screening, and issues related to freedom of expression must be considered. However, it is unlikely that this webtoon will pass the second screening, to be announced on November 22nd, as it will consider reader responses in addition to criteria such as artwork, volume, and storyline.
A Naver Webtoon representative stated, “We are aware of the various opinions on the work,” and added, “The evaluation process will proceed as announced, and the results will be published.”