Contents First

Contents First, Inc., established in 2013, operates as a venture-backed media and entertainment firm, strategically positioned within the burgeoning digital comics market. The company was co-founded by Sun Bang, who serves as CEO, and Ernest Woo, the Chief Product Officer and Chief Strategy Officer. Their joint vision identified a significant market gap and burgeoning fan interest in professionally translated Korean webtoons for a global audience, which was then largely serviced by unofficial fan translations.

The company's flagship product is Tappytoon, a digital-first comics and webnovel platform launched in 2016 after a year and a half of development. Tappytoon has cultivated a substantial user base, reaching over 8 million readers across more than 190 countries. The platform's success is demonstrated by its consistent ranking as a top-five grossing comics app in major markets like the US, UK, and Canada. Initially focusing on English translations, the service has since expanded to include French and German to cater to a wider Western audience.

The business model is a hybrid, incorporating freemium access, micropayments, and subscriptions. Users can read a selection of chapters for free, with subsequent chapters unlocked by purchasing points or earning them through activities like watching ads. This 'freemium' approach allows readers to sample series before committing financially. For avid users, the Tappytoon Club Membership offers a subscription-based service providing monthly perks and easier access to content. Revenue is generated through these direct-to-consumer sales of points and subscriptions, with a revenue-sharing agreement in place to compensate the original artists and publishers.

Tappytoon's content library is extensive, featuring licensed hits such as *Solo Leveling* and *What's Wrong with Secretary Kim* from major Korean publishers like Kakao and Mr Blue. Beyond licensing, Contents First is actively involved in content creation. The company produces original comics through its Tappytoon Studio and has made strategic acquisitions of production companies like C&C Revolution and Maru Comics in 2022 to bolster its original IP pipeline. These original works, along with licensed content, are also positioned for transmedia opportunities, including print publishing partnerships, and film and TV adaptations.

Keywords: Contents First, Tappytoon, webtoon, manhwa, digital comics, webnovel, Korean comics, Sun Bang, Ernest Woo, digital publishing, subscription service, freemium model, micropayments, mobile comics, content licensing, transmedia, Solo Leveling, K-content, digital entertainment, comic platform