The global popularity of the Netflix series 'Weak Hero Class 2' continues and has shed renewed light on the original Webtoon. It has been reported that the webtoon is experiencing a massive resurgence of sales, with it soaring twentyfold.

Since the Netflix release of 'Weak Hero Class 2' on April 25, the series has received an explosive global response. According to Netflix’s official Tudum Top 10 site on April 30, the drama garnered 6.1 million views (calculated by dividing total watch hours by the show’s runtime) in just three days, ranking No. 1 in the Global Top 10 Non-English TV Shows category.

The series not only topped Korea’s Netflix Top 10 list immediately after its release but also entered the Top 10 rankings in 63 countries, including Brazil, Mexico, Belgium, France, Morocco, Greece, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and New Caledonia, proving its global appeal. The prequel, Weak Hero Class 1, had also previously ranked in the global Top 10 for five consecutive weeks.

Following the show’s success, the original 'Weak Hero' webtoon on Naver Webtoon has been receiving renewed attention. First serialized in May 2018 and concluding in November 2023, the school-action series has been praised for its high-quality storytelling and consistent top-tier rankings throughout its run.

The webtoon has since expanded into international markets, exported to nine countries including North America, and has been adapted into various secondary content such as print editions, a mobile game, and digital stickers. When the drama first premiered on Wavve in 2022, it also dominated with a 45% channel share, solidifying both its popularity and critical acclaim.

While the drama introduces some new narrative elements through adaptation, the original webtoon focuses on the character Yeon Si Eun, a seemingly ordinary, fragile boy who rises to the top of a delinquent-filled school through intellect and inner strength. This compelling character arc has drawn many new readers to the webtoon post-drama, sparking a "binge-read trend" even for those revisiting it from the start.

Since the release of 'Class 1' and 'Class 2,' the webtoon’s monthly revenue has increased by more than 20 times compared to its post-completion average, and demand for a sequel season is growing rapidly. This highlights an ideal case of a successful IP cycle, where a well-crafted webtoon adaptation drives renewed interest and commercial success for the original work.

'Weak Hero Class 1' and 'Class 2' are available to stream on Netflix. The original 'Weak Hero' webtoon can be read on Naver Webtoon and Naver Series.

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