WEBTOON Entertainment Inc.
For the period ended Mar 31, 2026. Filed May 11, 2026.
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Mar 31, 2026 · Filed May 11, 2026
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Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1. Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Organization and Description of Business
WEBTOON Entertainment Inc. (the "Parent"), together with its subsidiaries, (the "Company", "we", “us” or “our”), is a majority-owned subsidiary of NAVER Corporation (“NAVER”), who is a leading online and web-comic platform service company. We provide hosting services for web-comics through both web and mobile applications and offer thousands of titles with episodes that are updated on a daily basis. We offer extensive and diverse genres of content, including fantasy, romance, and science fiction, on our platform. Platform refers to the various offerings through which we engage with users across diverse geographical markets including Korea, the United States, Japan, Southeast Asia, and Europe.
Basis of Presentation
The unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for fair statement of the results of the interim period. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in the annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2025, included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on March 5, 2026. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results for a full year.
Reclassifications
Certain amounts reported for prior years have been reclassified to conform to the current year's presentation. None of these reclassifications impacted reported operating or net loss for any presented period.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Cash and cash equivalents, receivables and loan receivables are potentially subject to concentration of credit risk. Cash and cash equivalents are placed with several financial institutions that management believes are of high credit quality. The Company’s receivables include amounts concentrated with three payment gateway companies representing 53.6% and 55.3% of the total receivables balance as of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025, respectively. Three borrowers represent 88.7% and 88.9% of the total loan receivables balance as of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025, respectively.
Performance Stock Units
During the three months ended March 31, 2026, the Company granted awards in the form of "Performance Stock Units" ("PSUs"), which provide recipients with the right to receive shares of the Company's common stock upon vesting, subject to the achievement of a market condition based on the Company's total shareholder return ("TSR") relative to a custom peer group over the performance period, and the recipient's continued service with the Company.
Compensation expense for PSU awards is recognized ratably over the requisite service period based on the grant-date fair value, regardless of whether the market condition is ultimately achieved. The grant-date fair value of PSU awards is estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation model and is not subsequently remeasured. All of the outstanding PSU awards at March 31, 2026, are classified as equity awards in accordance with ASC 718, given that these awards will be settled in shares of the Company's common stock upon vesting. See Note 9. Stock-Based Compensation for more information on the Company's PSU awards.
Goodwill and Impairment of Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price and related costs over the fair value of the net identified tangible and intangible assets and liabilities assumed in a business combination. In accordance with ASC Topic 350, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other,” goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment annually, or more frequently if circumstances indicate a possible impairment may exist. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, the Company recorded a significant impairment charge to write down the carrying value of goodwill to its estimated fair value, reflecting adjusted expectations for future cash flows and market valuations. While no additional impairment was recognized during the current interim period, the Company estimates the fair value of its reporting units using a discounted cash flow methodology, which represents a Level 3 fair value measurement under ASC 820. This process involves significant management assumptions and judgments, including projected sales growth, gross margins, and the selection of an appropriate discount rate. There can be no assurance that the estimates and assumptions used in these tests will prove to be accurate predictions of the future, and further material impairment charges may be required in the near term.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
On January 1, 2026, the Company adopted ASU 2025-05 and elected the practical expedient for measuring expected credit losses on a prospective basis. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Except for ASU 2025-05 adopted on January 1, 2026, there have been no significant changes to our accounting policies as described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025.
Note 2. Revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue
The following table shows revenues disaggregated by revenue stream for the three months ended March 31, 2026, and March 31, 2025, respectively:
| Three Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2026 | March 31, 2025 | |
| (in thousands of USD) | ||
| Paid Content | $261,438 | $260,226 |
| Advertising | 39,682 | 39,898 |
| IP Adaptations | 19,752 | 25,583 |
| Total | $320,872 | $325,707 |
The revenue stream disaggregation above takes into consideration how the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors.
Paid content revenue is generated from the provision of platform services that enable users to access content. Paid content revenue also includes $2.4 million and $2.6 million of physical book sales through the platform for the three months ended March 31, 2026, and 2025, respectively.
Advertising revenue represents amounts earned for the display of advertisements on our offerings or product placement within content.
IP Adaptations revenue originates from the internal development of film, streaming series, or other rich media format adaptations commissioned by third party studios or streaming platforms. The composition of this revenue stream was primarily as follows for the three month periods ended March 31, 2026, and 2025:
Licensing fees (from sublicensing content to third parties): $3.0 million and $3.1 million, respectively.
Merchandise sales (from external platforms, IP royalties, and pop-up stores): $1.4 million and $1.1 million, respectively.
The following table shows disaggregation of revenue by geography for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025:
| Three Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2026 | March 31, 2025 | |
| (in thousands of USD) | ||
| Korea | $120,421 | $117,741 |
| Japan | 154,291 | 164,258 |
| Rest of World | 46,160 | 43,708 |
| Total | $320,872 | $325,707 |
Contract Liabilities
Contract liabilities primarily include payments received for virtual currency prior to the Company satisfying its performance obligation to deliver content to the customer.
We recognized revenues of $76.4 million and $71.8 million during the three months ended March 31, 2026, and 2025, respectively, that were included within Contract liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of the beginning of the respective period.
Our remaining performance obligations were $94.6 million and $90.0 million as of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025, respectively, and we expect to recognize the entire amounts withinone year of the respective dates.
Note 3. Loss per share
Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed using the weighted-average number of outstanding shares of common stock during the period, including vested restricted stock units ("RSUs"). Diluted earnings (loss) per share is computed using the weighted average number of outstanding shares of common stock and potentially dilutive common shares outstanding during the period. Potentially dilutive common shares consist of incremental shares issuable upon the assumed exercise of stock options and vesting of unvested RSUs and PSUs. For the three months ended March 31, 2026, and 2025, the Company's Korean subsidiaries and equity method investees each had outstanding stock options that will be settled in each respective subsidiary or equity method investee's common shares. The numerator of the Company's earnings (loss) per share include the Parent's proportionate share of the diluted earnings or loss per share impact of outstanding subsidiaries and equity method investees' stock options.
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share for the three months ended March 31, 2026, and 2025, respectively, (in thousands of USD, except share and per share amounts):
| Three Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2026 | March 31, 2025 | |
| Basic earnings (loss) per share: | ||
| Net income (loss) attributable to WEBTOON Entertainment Inc. | $(9,455) | $(22,389) |
| Add: allocation to subsidiary / equity method investee participating security 1 | (107) | (87) |
| Net income (loss) attributable to WEBTOON Entertainment Inc. | $(9,562) | $(22,476) |
| Shares used in computation: | ||
| Weighted-average common shares outstanding | 133,618,587 | 129,598,942 |
| Basic earnings (loss) per share: | $(0.07) | $(0.17) |
| Diluted earnings (loss) per share: | ||
| Net income (loss) attributable to WEBTOON Entertainment Inc. | $(9,562) | $(22,476) |
| Add: dilutive impact of subsidiary / equity method investee stock options | — | (3) |
| Diluted net income (loss) attributable to WEBTOON Entertainment Inc. | $(9,562) | $(22,479) |
| Shares used in computation: | ||
| Weighted-average common shares outstanding | 133,618,587 | 129,598,942 |
| Dilutive effect of stock options and unvested RSUs | — | — |
| Dilutive effect of unvested PSUs | — | — |
| Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding | 133,618,587 | 129,598,942 |
| Diluted earnings (loss) per share | $(0.07) | $(0.17) |
- Represents net income/(loss) allocable to Jakga Company Inc. ("Jakga") redeemable convertible preferred stock which is a participating security per ASC 260.
The following potentially dilutive outstanding securities were excluded from the computation of diluted net earnings (loss) per share because their effect would have been anti-dilutive for the periods presented, or issuance of such shares is contingent upon the satisfaction of certain conditions which were not satisfied by the end of the period:
| Three Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2026 | March 31, 2025 | |
| Stock options | 10,470,017 | 10,824,760 |
| Unvested RSUs | 4,270,897 | 3,759,834 |
| Unvested PSUs | 267,720 | — |
| Subsidiary / equity method investee stock options | 443,657 | 332,597 |
| Total | 15,452,291 | 14,917,191 |
Note 4. Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets, net
Other Current Assets, net
| As of | ||
|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2026 | December 31, 2025 | |
| (in thousands of USD) | ||
| Advance payments, net | $40,530 | $38,138 |
| Prepaid expenses | 13,856 | 14,635 |
| Term deposits | 11,137 | 10,774 |
| Other current assets, net | 7,846 | 9,100 |
| Total other current assets, net | $73,369 | $72,647 |
Advance payments are primarily comprised of the advance payments for production of film contents and the payment of minimum guarantees to creators or publishers for their provision of content, such as web-comics, on the Company’s platform.
The advance payments for production of film contents are directly related to the contract that will be used to satisfy a future performance obligation and are expected to be recovered. These costs are amortized on a systematic basis consistent with the transfer of services to the customer to which the asset relates. The Company recorded amortization expense of $6.4 million and $11.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2026, and 2025, respectively. The Company's balance of advance payments, net due to film production contracts was $31.9 million and $29.0 million as of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025, respectively.
The advance payments for minimum guarantees are amortized as associated commission expenses payable to creators or publishers are incurred. When the Company determines the estimated future commission expenses payable are less than the carrying amount of such advance payments, the remaining portion of that advance payment is charged to expense in the period in which such determination is made.
As of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025, $8.5 million and $8.7 million, respectively, of the term deposit balance was pledged to Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation as a compensating balance deposit on contract liabilities of the Company’s subsidiary in accordance with the Payment Services Act in Japan.
Other Non-Current Assets, net
| As of | ||
|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2026 | December 31, 2025 | |
| (in thousands of USD) | ||
| Advance payments, net | $27,753 | $25,486 |
| Long-term loans, net | 29,292 | 30,890 |
| Other non-current assets, net | 8,636 | 8,818 |
| Total other non-current assets, net | $65,681 | $65,194 |
Long-term advance payments represent the portion of advance payments expected to remain on the balance sheet beyond one year. When the Company determines the estimated future commission expenses payable are less than the carrying amount of the long-term advance payments, the remaining portion of that long-term advance payment is charged to expense in the period in which such determination is made. The Company's balance of advance payments, net due to film production contracts was $9.8 million and $7.3 million as of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025, respectively.
Note 5. Goodwill, net
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the three months ended March 31, 2026, are as follows:
| (in thousands of USD) | |
|---|---|
| Goodwill, net at December 31, 2025 | $336,825 |
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | (5,993) |
| Goodwill, net at March 31, 2026 | $330,832 |
Note 6. Property and Equipment, net
Property and equipment, net consists of the following:
| As of | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated Useful Lives | March 31, 2026 | December 31, 2025 | |
| (in years) · (in thousands of USD) | |||
| Land | Indefinite | $105 | $110 |
| Buildings | 40 | 165 | 174 |
| Equipment | 3-5 | 13,654 | 13,775 |
| Leasehold improvements | Lesser of lease term or useful life | 3,191 | 3,280 |
| Construction in progress | 3,029 | 295 | |
| Property and equipment | $20,144 | $17,634 | |
| Less: Accumulated depreciation | (9,550) | (9,295) | |
| Property and equipment, net | $10,594 | $8,339 | |
Note 7. Leases
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information related to operating leases is as follows for the three months ended March 31, 2026, and 2025, respectively:
| Three Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2026 | March 31, 2025 | |
| (in thousands of USD) | ||
| Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities | $2,767 | $1,240 |
| Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities | $4 | $12,007 |
In March 2025, LINE Digital Frontier entered intotwo lease agreements for office space. The leases commenced in March 2025, and expire in February 2030, with monthly payments of $0.1 million each, at a discount rate of 2.9%. Upon commencement, each of thetwo leases was recognized as a right-of-use asset in the amounts of $6.0 million and $6.0 million, respectively.
The Company subleases a portion of its operating lease right-of-use assets for buildings. Sublease income was $0.1 million and $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026, and 2025, respectively, and is included within Other income (loss), net on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.
As of March 31, 2026, the Company has executed a lease agreement, which commences April 1, 2026, for the Company’s new headquarters. Costs incurred prior to the commencement date, including leasehold improvements and the security deposit, are recorded within Property and equipment, net and other current assets, net respectively.
Note 8. Commitments and Contingencies
Contingencies
The Company records a loss contingency, consistent with ASC 450, when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company also discloses material contingencies when it believes a loss is not probable but reasonably possible. Accounting for contingencies requires us to use judgment related to both the likelihood of a loss and the estimate of the amount or range of loss.
Legal Proceedings
The Company is involved in a number of claims pending with various courts, or otherwise unresolved as of March 31, 2026. Adverse results in these claims may include awards of damages and may also result in, or even compel a change in the Company’s business practices, which could materially impact the Company’s future financial results. The Company cannot determine the potential loss or a range of possible losses for cases in their initial stages or where there is an unclear and inconsistent interpretation of laws related to the industry-specific grievances across various jurisdictions. Though the outcome of pending lawsuits and claims cannot be anticipated with certainty, the Company does not expect adverse results from its pending lawsuits and claims, as of March 31, 2026. The timing and outcome of ongoing legal proceedings are uncertain by nature. Therefore, while management deems the chance of a significant loss for all pending claims, whether asserted or unasserted, to be remote, the resolution of one or more of these legal matters against the Company during the same reporting period in excess of management’s projections could negatively impact the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for that reporting period.
Securities Litigation
On September 5, 2024, a purported stockholder filed a putative class action lawsuit against the Company, its directors, and the underwriters of the Company’s initial public offering completed on June 28, 2024 (the “IPO”) in the federal court for the Central District of California, purportedly on behalf of all purchasers of shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant or traceable to the IPO Prospectus and the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-279863) relating to our IPO (the “Registration Statement”). The complaint alleges that the Registration Statement was materially false and misleading in violation of Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933. On October 10, 2024, the court ordered that the defendants are not required to answer or otherwise respond to the complaint, deferring any response until after the court rules on any motion by a purported class member to serve as lead plaintiff. On December 12, 2024, the court appointed a lead plaintiff and lead counsel. On February 3, 2025, the lead plaintiff filed an amended complaint, and on March 4, 2025, the Company, its directors, and the underwriters of the IPO moved to dismiss the amended complaint. On March 11, 2025, the lead plaintiff filed an opposition to this motion to dismiss, and on March 18, 2025, the Company, its directors, and the underwriters filed a reply in support of the motion to dismiss. On November 14, 2025, the court issued an order granting in part and denying in part the motion to dismiss. On December 2, 2025, the court issued an amended order granting in part and denying in part the motion to dismiss. On January 9, 2026, the WEBTOON defendants and underwriter defendants filed answers to the operative complaint. Fact discovery is ongoing. The Company intends to defend this case vigorously. At this early stage of the proceedings, the Company can neither predict the ultimate outcome of the litigation nor estimate any range of possible losses.
On November 15, 2024, a purported stockholder filed a shareholder derivative lawsuit against the Company’s directors, naming the Company as a nominal defendant, in the federal court for the Central District of California. The complaint focuses on the same allegations as the putative securities class action described above, including that the Company’s Registration Statement was materially false or misleading. The complaint includes claims for violations of Section 14 (a) of the Exchange Act, breach of fiduciary duties, and unjust enrichment, abuse of control, gross mismanagement, waste of corporate assets, and contribution under Section 11(f) of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 31D of the Exchange Act of 1934. On January 13, 2025, by stipulation of the parties, the court ordered the shareholder derivative lawsuit stayed pending resolution of the Company’s motion to dismiss in the putative securities class action. On April 24, 2026, by stipulation of the parties, the court ordered the shareholder derivative lawsuit stayed until the end of the fact discovery period in the securities class action (currently scheduled for November 30, 2026). At this early stage of the proceedings, the Company can neither predict the ultimate outcome of the litigation nor estimate any range of possible losses.
On May 5, 2026, a purported shareholder filed a shareholder derivative lawsuit against the Company’s directors, naming the Company as a nominal defendant, in the federal court for the Central District of California. The complaint focuses on similar allegations as the putative securities class action described above, including that the Company’s Registration Statement was materially false or misleading. The complaint includes claims for breach of fiduciary duties, aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duties, unjust enrichment, waste of corporate assets, and contribution under Section
11(f) of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 31D of the Exchange Act of 1934. At this early stage of the proceedings, the Company can neither predict the ultimate outcome of the litigation nor estimate any range of possible losses.
Note 9. Stock-Based Compensation
Restricted Stock Units
The table below summarizes the Company’s RSU activity for the three months ended March 31, 2026:
| Number of RSUs | Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Balance as of December 31, 2025 | 3,298,513 | $13.69 |
| Granted | 2,279,353 | $9.02 |
| Forfeited | (71,174) | $13.98 |
| Vested | (1,235,795) | $9.48 |
| Balance as of March 31, 2026 | 4,270,897 | $12.41 |
As of March 31, 2026, the total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested RSUs was $39.8 million and is expected to be recognized over the remaining weighted-average service period of 1.6 years using the straight-line method and graded-vesting methods, as appropriate, net of estimated forfeitures.
Performance Stock Units
On March 26, 2026, the Company granted Performance Stock Units ("PSUs") to certain employees under the 2024 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The vesting of PSUs is subject to a market condition based on the Company's total shareholder return ("TSR") relative to a custom peer group over the performance period from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2028, and the recipient's continued service with the Company.
The PSUs are eligible to be earned and vest from 0% to 200% of the target number of shares granted, depending on the Company's relative TSR percentile ranking among the peer group at the end of the performance period. The grant-date fair value of the PSU awards was estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation model, resulting in a weighted-average grant-date fair value of $13.27 per target share. The simulation was performed using an expected volatility of 69.8%, a risk-free interest rate of 3.9%, and an expected dividend yield of 0%.
The table below summarizes the Company’s PSU activity for the three months ended March 31, 2026:
| Number of PSUs | Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Balance as of December 31, 2025 | — | $— |
| Granted | 267,720 | $13.27 |
| Forfeited | — | $— |
| Vested | — | $— |
| Balance as of March 31, 2026 | 267,720 | $13.27 |
As of March 31, 2026, total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested PSU awards was $3.3 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average remaining service period of approximately 2.94 years using the straight-line method.
The following table summarizes the Company's Phantom Unit activity for the three months ended March 31, 2026:
| Number of Phantom Units | Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Balance as of December 31, 2025 | 328,748 | $9.04 |
| Granted | — | $— |
| Forfeited | (3,152) | $9.04 |
| Vested | (198,941) | $9.04 |
| Balance as of March 31, 2026 | 126,655 | $9.04 |
The following table summarizes the effects of all stock-based compensation in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the periods presented:
| Three Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2026 | March 31, 2025 | |
| (in thousands of USD) | ||
| Cost of revenue | $1,543 | $4,780 |
| Marketing | 212 | 836 |
| General and administrative expenses | 5,870 | 12,637 |
| Total | $7,625 | $18,253 |
Note 10. Stockholders' Equity
On January 8, 2026, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company (“Disney”), pursuant to which Disney purchased 2,666,757 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Shares”), representing an approximately 2% equity interest in the Company, for an aggregate purchase price of $32.8 million. The Shares were issued in a private placement in reliance on the exemption provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, as a transaction not involving a public offering.
In connection with the Purchase Agreement, the Company has provided Disney with certain rights related to its investment in the Shares, including the ability to approve certain corporate actions that would adversely affect Disney or its affiliates and the ability to sell or otherwise transfer the Shares for the same consideration, on the same terms and subject to the same conditions as a sale or transfer made by NAVER Corporation or LY Corporation.
Note 11. Income Taxes
The Company’s income tax provision for the three months ended March 31, 2026, is determined using an estimate of the Company’s annual effective tax rate, adjusted for any discrete items reflected in the relevant period. Income tax expense was $2.7 million and $2.5 million, with effective tax rates of (43.6)% and (13.1)%, during the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively. This includes a discrete tax benefit of $1.8 million and a discrete tax expense of $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively, due to the return-to-provision true-up adjustments in Korea and Japan tax return filings.
The change in effective tax rate is primarily driven by the change in jurisdictional profits and losses. The provision for income taxes differs from the U.S. statutory federal tax rate of 21% primarily due to state income taxes, foreign income taxes, and the non-recognition of deferred tax assets due to a full valuation allowance against deferred tax assets in the U.S. and taxable loss generating subsidiaries in Korea, Canada, and Japan.
In evaluating the realizability of these deferred tax assets, we consider on a jurisdictional basis, the period of sustained taxable losses, the existence of taxable temporary differences, and available sources of future taxable income. As of March 31, 2026, we cannot objectively assert that these deferred tax assets are more likely than not to be realized and therefore we have maintained a valuation allowance. We intend to continue maintaining a valuation allowance on these deferred tax assets until there is sufficient positive evidence to support the reversal of all or some portion of these allowances. It is reasonably possible that within the next 12 months, we may have enough positive evidence to release part or all of the remaining valuation allowance in Japan. This release would reduce our income tax expense for the period, significantly impacting our net earnings. The timing and amount of the release depend on the Company’s actual profitability.
Note 12. Retirement Benefits
Defined severance benefits
The following table provides the components of net periodic benefit costs (income):
| Three Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2026 | March 31, 2025 | |
| (in thousands of USD) | ||
| Current service costs | $1,272 | $1,190 |
| Interest expense | 339 | 268 |
| Actuarial gain | (49) | (884) |
| Net periodic benefit costs (income) | $1,562 | $574 |
Defined severance contribution
Defined severance expense was $0.7 million and $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026, and 2025, respectively.
Note 13. Segment and Geographic Information
Segment Information
The Company operates asone reportable segment, which derives its revenue from paid content, advertising, and IP adaptations revenue streams. Our chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) is the Chief Executive Officer. The CODM reviews financial information presented on a consolidated basis for the purposes of allocating resources and evaluating financial performance. The CODM manages the Company as a consolidated ecosystem because the revenue streams are interrelated, and resources are shared.
The CODM uses net income (loss) as reported in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss to assess performance and allocate resources such as employees and capital expenditures. Additionally, the net income (loss) is used to monitor trends in year-over-year or quarter-over-quarter performance comparisons and to compare actual results to forecasts.
The CODM receives and reviews expenses included in segment operating performance regularly. However, the CODM reviews general and administrative expenses on a more disaggregated basis to ensure the resources are in line with its business and operating needs.
The measure of segment revenue and assets are reported on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss as total sales and the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as total assets, respectively.
All intercompany and intra-entity transactions and balances have been eliminated.
The following table presents reportable segment profit and loss, including significant expense categories, attributable to the Company's reportable segment for the periods presented:
| Three Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2026 | March 31, 2025 | |
| (in thousands of USD) | ||
| Revenue | $320,872 | $325,707 |
| Cost of revenue | 237,824 | 254,096 |
| Marketing | 30,520 | 31,543 |
| General and administrative expenses - labor related | 26,514 | 23,373 |
| General and administrative expenses - non-labor related | 34,045 | 43,329 |
| Interest income | (4,374) | (5,113) |
| Interest expense | 17 | 2 |
| Loss(income) on equity method investment, net | 446 | 569 |
| Other loss (income), net | 2,005 | (2,670) |
| Income tax expense (benefit) | 2,672 | 2,547 |
| Net Income (Loss) | $(8,797) | $(21,969) |
| The following non-cash expense items are also included in the measure of segment profit or loss reviewed by the CODM: | ||
| Stock-based compensation1 | $7,603 | $18,253 |
| Depreciation and amortization | $7,998 | $8,437 |
1 The measure of stock-based compensation excludes expenses related to Phantom Units.
Geographic Information
Refer to Note 2. Revenuefor revenues by location. The Company’s long-lived tangible assets as well as the Company’s operating lease right-of-use assets recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025, were located as follows:
| As of | ||
|---|---|---|
| March 31,2026 | December 31,2025 | |
| (in thousands of USD) | ||
| Korea | $12,097 | $14,131 |
| Japan | 14,366 | 15,620 |
| Rest of World | 4,641 | 2,294 |
| Total long-lived tangible assets and operating lease right-of-use assets | $31,104 | $32,045 |
Note 14. Fair Value Measurements
A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
The table below presents the valuation techniques and the nature of significant inputs generally used in determining the fair value of Level 3 Instruments.
| Level 3 Instruments | Valuation Techniques and Significant Inputs |
| Debt and Equity Securities | |
| Recent third-party investments or pending transactions areconsidered to be the best evidence for any change in fair value.When these are not available, the following valuation methodologiesare used, as appropriate and available (i) Transactions in similar instruments;(ii) discounted cash flow techniques; (iii) third party appraisals; (iv) binomialoption pricing models; and (v) industry multiples and public comparables. | |
| Evidence of value in investees includes recent or pendingreorganizations (for example, merger proposals, tender offers and debtrestructurings) and significant changes in financial metrics, including(i) current financial performance as compared to projected performance;(ii) capitalization rates and multiples; and (iii) market yields implied bytransactions of similar or related assets. |
The tables below present the ranges of significant unobservable inputs used to value the Company’s Level 3 assets as of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025. These ranges do not represent a range of values for any single instrument. For example, the lowest discount rate for a particular redeemable convertible preferred stock investment may be appropriate for valuing that specific debt security but may not be appropriate for valuing any other debt securities in this asset class. Accordingly, the ranges of inputs presented below do not represent uncertainty in, or possible ranges of, fair value measurements of the Company’s Level 3 assets.
| Level 3 Instruments · Amount · Valuation Techniques · Significant Unobservable Inputs · Range ofSignificantUnobservable Inputs | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debt Securities | ||||||
| Redeemable convertible preferred stock | $41,180 | Option pricing model | Discount rate | 8.64%-27.20% | ||
| Volatility | 42.65%-51.46% | |||||
| Total | $41,180 | |||||
| Equity Securities | ||||||
| Redeemable convertible preferred stock | $15,000 | Measurement alternative | ||||
| Contribution to investment fund | 609 | Measurement alternative | ||||
| Private equity securities | 697 | Measurement alternative | ||||
| Convertible preferred stock | 5,862 | Option pricing model | Discount rate | 3.14%-5.81% | ||
| Volatility | 42.65%-42.65% | |||||
| Simple Agreement For Future Equity (SAFE) | 1,000 | Measurement alternative | ||||
| Total | $23,168 | |||||
| Debt Securities | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redeemable convertible preferred stock | $46,024 | Option pricing model | Discount rate | 8.25%-21.68% | ||
| Volatility | 39.98%-51.46% | |||||
| Total | $46,024 | |||||
| Equity Securities | ||||||
| Redeemable convertible preferred stock | $15,000 | Measurement alternative | ||||
| Contribution to investment fund | 642 | Measurement alternative | ||||
| Private equity securities | 735 | Measurement alternative | ||||
| Convertible preferred stock | 6,268 | Option pricing model | Discount rate | 2.35%-2.94% | ||
| Volatility | 51.46%-51.46% | |||||
| Simple Agreement For Future Equity (SAFE) | 1,000 | Measurement alternative | ||||
| Total | $23,645 | |||||
As noted above, either the binomial optional pricing model or market approach were used in the determination of fair value of Level 3 assets as of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025. The significant unobservable inputs used in the binomial option pricing model are the discount rate or market yield used to discount the estimated future cash flows expected to be received from the underlying investment, which include both future principal and interest payments. An increase in the discount rate or market yield would result in a decrease in the fair value. Included in the consideration and selection of discount rates or market yields is risk of default, rating of the investment, call provisions and comparable company investments.
The significant unobservable inputs used in the market approach are based on market comparable transactions and market multiples of publicly traded comparable companies. Increases or decreases in market comparable transactions or market multiples would result in an increase or decrease in the fair value.
The below tables present a summary of changes in fair value of Level 1 and Level 3 assets, included within Debt and equity securities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, by investment type (in thousands of USD):
| Level 1 · Level 3 · Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EquitySecurities · EquitySecurities · DebtSecurities · Debt &EquitySecurities | |||||||
| Beginning balance, January 1 | $ | - | $23,645 | $46,024 | $69,669 | ||
| Net unrealized gain (loss) | - | (83) | (2,544) | (2,627) | |||
| Currency translation differences | - | (394) | (2,300) | (2,694) | |||
| Ending balance, March 31 | $ | - | $23,168 | $41,180 | $64,348 | ||
| Level 1 · Level 3 · Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EquitySecurities | EquitySecurities | DebtSecurities | Debt &EquitySecurities | |
| Beginning balance, January 1 | $3 | $22,034 | $48,142 | $70,179 |
| Purchases | - | - | 3,790 | 3,790 |
| Net unrealized gain (loss) | - | 225 | (1,169) | (944) |
| Currency translation differences | - | 12 | 87 | 99 |
| Ending balance, March 31 | $3 | $22,271 | $50,850 | $73,124 |
The Level 1 equity securities relate to investments in public equity securities that have readily determinable fair values.
The Level 3 debt securities relate to the Company's investments in privately held companies through the purchase of redeemable convertible preferred stock that meet the definition of a debt security.
The Level 3 equity securities relate to the Company's investments in privately held companies through the purchase of convertible preferred stock, private equity securities, Simple Agreement For Future Equity (SAFE), contribution to investment fund and redeemable convertible preferred stock. For these equity securities, the Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence on the investee, and therefore accounts for them as equity securities under ASC Topic 321, Investments in Equity Securities. These equity securities include non-marketable equity investments without readily determinable fair values. The company has elected to account for these investments using the measurement alternative, under which the carrying value is measured at cost, less any impairment, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for identical or similar investments of the same issuer. For the three months ended March 31, 2026, there were no upward or downward adjustments resulting from observable price changes, and no impairment losses were identified or recognized for these investments.
The following table presents a summary of the changes in the carrying value of our equity securities measured using the measurement alternative for the three months ended March 31, 2026:
| (in thousands of USD) | |
|---|---|
| Beginning balance, December 31, 2025 | $17,377 |
| Currency translation differences | (71) |
| Ending balance, March 31, 2026 | $17,306 |
For the three months ended March 31, 2026, and 2025, the Company didnot recognize any realized gain or loss on its Level 3 equity or debt securities.
Note 15. Related Party Transactions
The Company’s Related Parties
NAVER and LY Corporation ("LY", formerly named Z Holdings Corporation) are the primary shareholders of the Parent. Related parties include NAVER's controlled affiliates, Company's management, Company directors, and stakeholders that hold significant influence over the Company. During the three months ended March 31, 2026, and 2025, the Company provided advertising services to NAVER group companies and LY giving rise to related party receivables as of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025. Additionally, during the three months ended March 31, 2026, and 2025, the Company received brand-usage and outsourcing services from NAVER and LY, which resulted in the Company recognizing related party payables as of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025.
In addition to the transactions mentioned above, the Company has a history of renting facilities from its parent, NAVER. Related party operating lease expenses were $1.3 million and $0.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2026, and 2025, respectively, with related lease obligations of $8.9 million and $10.6 million as of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025, respectively (Refer to Note 7. Leases for additional information). The Company also subleases part of its office space to other related parties and the total other income generated from subleases was $0.1 million and $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026, and 2025, respectively.
Related Party Transactions and Balances
The Company entered into the following significant related party transactions during the periods presented:
| Three Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2026 | March 31, 2025 | |
| (in thousands of USD) | ||
| Revenue generated | $18,243 | $17,713 |
| Cost of revenue incurred | 27,071 | 28,131 |
| Marketing expenses incurred (cost reimbursed) | (1,729) | (2,581) |
| General and administrative expenses incurred | 7,817 | 6,913 |
| Other income, net | 408 | 411 |
*all expenses are net amounts including reimbursement from its related parties
The Company had the following significant balances due from and due to related parties as of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025:
| As of | ||
|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2026 | December 31, 2025 | |
| (in thousands of USD) | ||
| Due from related parties | ||
| Receivables | $54,303 | $55,156 |
| Other current assets | $4,053 | $4,730 |
| Other non-current assets | $6,784 | $5,496 |
| Loan receivables | $27,002 | $28,417 |
| Due to related parties | ||
| Current portion of operating lease liabilities | $4,953 | $5,221 |
| Operating lease liabilities | $3,933 | $5,371 |
| Accounts payable | $24,207 | $18,765 |
| Accrued expenses | $6,048 | $6,849 |
Note 16. Equity Method Investments
The Company accounts for investments using the equity method when the Company can exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies, but does not hold a controlling interest in the investee.
| (in thousands of USD) | |
|---|---|
| Balance as of December 31, 2025 | $80,440 |
| Share of net income (loss) | (446) |
| Share of other comprehensive income (loss) | (15) |
| Dividends | (280) |
| Currency translation differences | (3,487) |
| Balance as of March 31, 2026 | $76,212 |
There were no equity method acquisitions or disposals during the three months ended March 31, 2026.
Note 17. Redeemable Non-Controlling Interest in Subsidiary
The following table summarizes the activity related to the redeemable non-controlling interest in the subsidiary for the periods indicated below (in thousands of USD):
| 2026 | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
| Balance as of January 1, | $24,540 | $36,580 |
| Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interest | (204) | 204 |
| Balance as of March 31, | $24,336 | $36,784 |
Note 18. Non-Controlling Interest in Subsidiaries
The Company has non-controlling interests in several of its subsidiaries. The balances of non-controlling interests as of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025, are as follows (in thousands of USD):
| As of | ||
|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2026 | December 31, 2025 | |
| Munpia 1 | $32,909 | $33,160 |
| Bootcamp 2 | 114 | 120 |
| Total | $33,023 | $33,280 |
The Munpia non-controlling interest balance excludes redeemable non-controlling interest (See Note 17. Redeemable Non-Controlling Interest in Subsidiary for detail).
The portion of net assets in Bootcamp attributable to the LP represents a non-controlling interest.
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.