Naver Ventures Invests in Baobab Studios, Sets WEBTOON Collaboration
Oscar-nominated filmmaker Erick Oh and webtoon creator Madeleine Rosca are creating the fantasy adventure SHINE.
Naver Ventures announced a strategic investment in 10-time Emmy winner Baobab Studios. The partnership also brings Baobab and WEBTOON together on SHINE, with a print graphic novel planned through First Second Books.
Naver Ventures announced Wednesday that it has made a strategic investment in Baobab Studios, a transmedia animation studio with 10 Emmy wins. The U.S.-based investment arm belongs to NAVER, WEBTOON Entertainment’s parent company.
The partnership also brings Baobab and WEBTOON together to develop SHINE, a working title, as an original fantasy adventure webcomic. Its creators are Oscar-nominated filmmaker Erick Oh, whose works include Opera and Namoo, and webtoon creator Madeleine Rosca, known for Rise From Ashes.
Baobab is developing the webtoon with WEBTOON alongside a print graphic novel from First Second Books, a Macmillan Publishers imprint. Baobab will keep the property’s film, television, streaming and gaming rights as it expands across multiple formats.
SHINE takes place in a futuristic Korea after the balance between the human and spirit worlds breaks down. A half-human girl must bridge the divide between those worlds to save Korea.
Baobab Studios’ works include:
- Namoo
- Crow: The Legend
- The Witchverse
Sources: PR Newswire via ANN
