Naver Webtoon Tightens Comment Rules After Controversy

Webtoon platform Naver announced on May 29 that it would revamp its content and community guidelines to address hate speech, following a series of backlashes. The new rules will go into effect on June 30 and are one of the strictest measures ever adopted by a webtoon platform.

The decision comes after backlash surrounding the amateur webtoon Otherworldly Pongpong Man, which was accused of misogynistic content and sparked a massive boycott campaign.

Naver Webtoon Tightens Comment Rules After Controversy

The term “Pongpong” is slang in South Korea for detergent, as there is a Korean brand of detergent called Pongpong, so a “Pongpong Man” is typically a term used for a promiscuous woman who ends up with a kind and innocent man.

The idea here is to say that the man “purified” or “cleaned” the woman, like detergent, so many consider this a misogynistic term and that’s what caused the argument in the comments.

The title caused outrage from the beginning, even after passing the first phase of a public competition in October 2024. Public pressure led to the removal of the work. Naver, in turn, said that authors have freedom of expression to create fictional stories about whatever they want.

New rules against hate speech in webtoons

Before this change, Naver Webtoon applied its rules mainly to serial works and amateur webtoons in the “Best Challenge” and “Challenge” sections. Now, all user-generated content — such as comments and posts on creators’ profiles — will also be monitored.

The new guidelines specify what will be considered hate speech or inappropriate content, including:

• Discrimination or incitement to violence based on race, nationality, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion, profession or health condition;
• Use of hate symbols out of context;
• Satirical or complimentary depictions of traumatic events;
• Graphic images of real-life tragedies that have the potential to upset readers.

In addition, accounts that post such content may be suspended. If the content causes financial damage to the platform, those responsible may be required to compensate the company.

Response to the Pongpong Man scandal

Although Naver Webtoon did not directly mention the Otherworldly Pongpong Man case in its statement, the controversy has prompted several actions. The company has received protest wreaths and activist trucks in front of its headquarters, and even set up an external advisory committee in December 2024. It also conducted surveys with 150 creators and 1,000 users before reviewing its policies.

The cover image of this post is merely illustrative and is not the title discussed here.

Do you like our content? Consider supporting the site with a donation via PIX: [email protected] or become a member by clicking here. You help us to continue producing and still browse without ads!