Contents Lab. Blue
Contents Lab. Blue is a Seoul-based webtoon production studio founded in 2018 that converts web novel IP into webtoons, localizes content for global audiences through Japan and Thailand subsidiaries, and monetizes via platform revenue-sharing, IP licensing for drama and animation, and the CLB BOOKS publishing imprint.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersSeoul, South Korea
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Contents Lab. Blue does
Contents Lab. Blue is a Seoul-headquartered webtoon production company founded in December 2018 that operates a content studio model: it acquires or develops web novel intellectual property, adapts these into serialized webtoons, and distributes the resulting titles through a multi-platform footprint that spans KakaoPage, Naver Webtoon, RidiBooks, Lezhin Comics and Bomtoon in Korea, plus Piccoma in Japan, Tapas in the US, and Kakao Webtoon in Thailand. The company runs wholly owned production and localization subsidiaries in Tokyo and Bangkok and supports simultaneous multi-language launches, as demonstrated by the four-language (Korean, Japanese, American English, Thai) release of 'Necromancer School's Summoning Genius' in October 2023. Its portfolio exceeds 100 webtoon and web novel works across romance fantasy, action fantasy, and BL genres, with multiple properties holding chart-topping positions on Japanese and Thai platforms and cross-format adaptation deals closed for drama (TV Asahi), animation (JK Film), and physical books (Citie Edition in France, Haksan Cultural Publishing domestically). The acquisition of Merhen Media in January 2021 added upstream web novel IP sourcing and the May 2023 acquisition of Copin Communications Japan added in-region Japanese production capacity.
Contents Lab. Blue firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Contents Lab. Blue
- Legal name
- (주)콘텐츠랩블루 (Contents Lab Blue Co., Ltd.)
- Website
- https://contentslabblue.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Contents Lab. Blue is a Seoul-based webtoon production studio founded in 2018 that converts web novel IP into webtoons, localizes content for global audiences through Japan and Thailand subsidiaries, and monetizes via platform revenue-sharing, IP licensing for drama and animation, and the CLB BOOKS publishing imprint.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Contents Lab. Blue industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Webtoon and Web Novel Production
- NAICS
- Periodical Publishers (513120), Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers (5131), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210)
- SIC
- Miscellaneous Publishing (2741), Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Manhwa Publishing (Korean Comics) (MPAJAGAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Content Syndication, Distribution & Rights Management Platforms (BPAMAJAN)
Keywords
Where Contents Lab. Blue is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Seoul
- HQ country
- South Korea
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
Contents Lab. Blue business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Webtoon Production & Distribution: Producing webtoons adapted from web novels (novel comics) and distributing them through major Korean and international platforms (KakaoPage, Naver Webtoon, Ridi, Lezhin, Piccoma Japan, etc.). Revenue is generated through platform revenue sharing based on views and paid episodes.
- Web Novel IP Development: Developing original IP through web novels, which are then adapted into webtoons. The company also publishes web novels through platforms and its own CLB BOOKS brand.
- Book Publishing (CLB BOOKS): Launched CLB BOOKS imprint in partnership with 'Another Taste' publisher to print web novels as physical books, expanding from purely online content to offline publishing.
- Video IP Licensing: Selling video adaptation rights (drama, film, animation) for webtoon/web novel IPs. Completed contracts for 'Return of the Empress' and 'Harem Contract' drama adaptations, and 'Yeokgwanangnyu: Yokai Scroll' animation adaptation by JK Film.
- Localization Services: Converting existing webtoons into multiple languages with cultural adaptation. This includes both inbound localization of foreign works into Korean and outbound localization of Korean works to Japan, Thailand, US, Europe, and other markets.
- Secondary Copyright Business: Monetizing IP through fan art contests, OST production, merchandise, and interactive story platform adaptations (e.g., 'Harem Contract' on KakaoGames' OaOa interactive platform).
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels6 records
Contents Lab. Blue product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Contents Lab. Blue is a Seoul-based webtoon and web novel production studio that develops original and adapted serialized digital comics from web novel IPs. The company produces, localizes, and distributes content across major Korean and international platforms (KakaoPage, Naver, Ridi, Lezhin, Piccoma, Tapas), operates its own Japan and Thailand subsidiaries for regional distribution, and monetizes IPs through video adaptation licensing, print publishing via the CLB BOOKS imprint, and secondary copyright arrangements.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Webtoon Production & Distribution
- Web Novel IP Development
- CLB BOOKS Print Publishing
- Webtoon Localization Services
- Video IP Adaptation Licensing
- Secondary Copyright Business Monetization of IPs through fan art contests, OST production, merchandise, and interactive story platform adaptations such as 'Harem Contract' on KakaoGames' OaOa interactive platform.
Quantifiable outcome
- 'Can't Approach Lady' reached #1 ranking on Japan Piccoma with record-breaking launch day sales
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Contents Lab. Blue
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Contents Lab. Blue technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Contents Lab. Blue partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Copin Communications JapancoreContents Lab. Blue acquired 100% stake in Japanese webtoon studio Copin Communications Japan in May 2023, strengthening its Japanese webtoon production capabilities.
- TV AsahicoreTV Asahi produced a drama adaptation of 'Knocking on Locked Door' (original novel by Aozaki Yugo, published by Tokuma Shoten), which was adapted into a webtoon by Contents Lab. Blue Tokyo. Drama began airing July 29, 2023.
- JK FilmcoreJK Film (known for 'Haeundae', 'International Market', 'Confidential Assignment' series) partnered for animation production of 'Yeokgwanangnyu: Yokai Scroll', a CLB BOOKS publication. This is the first case of a CLB-produced webtoon novel IP being adapted into animation.
- Drecom (Japan)coreJapanese game company Drecom (known for One Piece Treasure Cruise, Kirara Fantasia, THE IDOLM@STER Shiny Colors) partnered with Contents Lab. Blue Tokyo for joint webtoon development targeting global audiences. Co-producing 'The Last Survivor of the Messiah' with scenario by Amano Seijyu and CLB Tokyo handling illustration and production. Joint investment and development for global Super IP creation.
- Citie Edition (France)minorFrench publisher that partnered with Contents Lab. Blue to publish 'Return to Modern World' as a paperback in France. Sold 1,200 copies in 4 days.
- 유지태 (Actor)minorActor Yoo Ji-tae partnered with Contents Lab. Blue to co-produce long-form webtoon 'Ankkai', writing the screenplay alongside writer Lee Young-jae, with Jipigaru (author of 'Steel Rain' webtoon) as main illustrator.
- Another Taste (타인의 취향)corePartnered with Another Taste publisher to launch CLB BOOKS imprint for physical book publishing, expanding from online-only content to print publications.
- KakaoGames (OaOa platform)minor'Harem Contract' launched on KakaoGames' OaOa interactive story platform, allowing users to participate in story choices and branching narratives.
- Haksan Cultural Publishing (학산문화사)minorCo-publishing partner for Fullmetal Alchemist color webtoon and other works.
- Merhen Media (메르헨미디어)coreAcquired Merhen Media, a web novel publisher specializing in female-oriented web novels, in January 2021 to strengthen novel IP acquisition and development capabilities.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves12 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Contents Lab. Blue competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Strengths4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Contents Lab. Blue social profiles
Digital presenceContents Lab. Blue financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Contents Lab. Blue leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Contents Lab. Blue subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Contents Lab. Blue funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors5 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Contents Lab. Blue M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Contents Lab. Blue
What does Contents Lab. Blue do?
Contents Lab. Blue is a Seoul-based webtoon and web novel production studio that develops original and adapted serialized digital comics from web novel IPs. The company produces, localizes, and distributes content across major Korean and international platforms (KakaoPage, Naver, Ridi, Lezhin, Piccoma, Tapas), operates its own Japan and Thailand subsidiaries for regional distribution, and monetizes IPs through video adaptation licensing, print publishing via the CLB BOOKS imprint, and secondary copyright arrangements.
Is Contents Lab. Blue a public or private company?
Contents Lab. Blue is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Contents Lab. Blue founded?
Contents Lab. Blue was founded in 2018. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Contents Lab. Blue based?
Contents Lab. Blue is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, in the Asia region.
How does Contents Lab. Blue make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Webtoon Production & Distribution is the primary driver. The others are web Novel IP Development, book Publishing (CLB BOOKS), video IP Licensing, localization Services and secondary Copyright Business.
Does Contents Lab. Blue have an API?
No public API is recorded for Contents Lab. Blue.
What industry is Contents Lab. Blue in?
Contents Lab. Blue's product category is Webtoon and Web Novel Production. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJAGAE, Manhwa Publishing (Korean Comics), with a secondary code of BPAMAJAN, Content Syndication, Distribution & Rights Management Platforms. Its NAICS code is 513120 and its SIC code is 2741.