In late September, news broke that Kakao Webtoon and Tapas were shutting down or possibly transitioning to Kakao Page. Details weren’t released at that time, leaving a lot of questions for readers as well as the creators who use the platform.

Now, in two posts, Tapas has released details for both readers that use the platform and the creators who use it.

Tapas will end its service on March 31, 2027. Users will no longer be able to acquire ink starting October 1, 2026 and any remaining must be used by March 31, 2027.

The FAQ doesn’t have all of the answers, but there is a lot featuring key dates, account access, and information for creators.

There’s no information for easily transitioning from the platform, the platform and its comics will just cease to exist it seems.

The shutdown is another example that highlights the lack of ownership with some digital entertainment and consumers are at the mercy of the corporation and platform.

There’s news swirling that Tapas, the U.S. based webtoon platform will soon be shutting down… or is it being consolidated into a new platform? As reported by Maeil Business, Kakao Entertainment is consolidating its webtoon and web novel platforms under Kakao Page. That would mean that Kakao Webtoon and Tapas would be shut down in their current form, and it’s unclear as to what will be moved over to Kakao Page.

Currently Kakao Entertainment runs Kakao Page, Kakao Webtoon, and Tapas, covering webtoons and web novels. Those platforms would instead be merged into Kakao Page. Kakao Page was launched in 2013 while Kakao Webtoon was launched in 2003 by Daum which was acquired by Kakao in 2014. Kakao acquired Tapas and Radish Media in 2021.

The news says the new platform will “enhance the content, user data, artificial intelligence technology and operational capabilities accumulated by each platform.” It would also centralize 16,000 original stories.

The reaction online from creators is negative with the common theme being they haven’t been informed of the change. The original article said they’d be informed “shortly.” Kakao Entertainment stated it will inform users of specific integration timelines and methods on the 29th.

It’s unclear if the content on Tapas will be moved over to the new platform or completely shutdown and Kakao Entertainment and Tapas haven’t made an official announcement. We’ve asked for more details.

The Kakao Labor Union has criticized the company stating that “explanations regarding the Tapas closure process, financial losses, and measures for employee relocation, voluntary retirement, and user refunds, as well as content and data protection, were insufficiently communicated to employees.”

We’ll have more information when Kakao makes an official statement and releases more detail.