Seoul’s Bookpal brings webtoon-style storytelling to children’s education

Bookpal, based in Seoul, is the latest example of how startups in Korea is maturing. The move puts the company in a strong position in its segment.

Teachers can assign comics that match the school curriculum and track reading time from a simple dashboard.

Why it matters

Investors across Asia have become more selective since 2023, backing companies that can show paying customers and a clear path to profit. Founders in Korea told ASN that the bar for a new round now includes at least a year of steady revenue growth.

We built for the customer who was already paying, not the one we hoped would show up.

The company said it will use the next year to deepen its existing markets before expanding further.

The numbers

• Market: Korea
• Headquarters: Seoul
• Sector: Startups

What comes next

Competitors are watching closely, and at least two rivals are said to be in talks to raise fresh capital. ASN will keep tracking Bookpal and the wider startups market in Korea.

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