Wind Breaker Webtoon Cancelled After Plagiarism Controversy Shakes Fans
It’s the end of the road for Wind Breaker, and not the way fans hoped. The long-running cycling manhwa by Jo Yong-seok has officially been canceled after allegations of tracing and plagiarism surfaced, leaving the Webtoon community stunned and disappointed.
Naver Corporation, which owns and operates Webtoon, confirmed the news by publishing the final chapter unexpectedly and attaching messages from both the company and the author. The decision didn’t just mark a sudden stop to a 12-year journey — it opened a deeper conversation about deadlines, ethics, and creative pressure in webtoon culture.
What led to the sudden cancellation of Wind Breaker?
The controversy began when fans noticed certain scenes in Wind Breaker that looked strikingly similar to art from other well-known works. What started as whispers quickly gained traction online, with side-by-side comparisons floating through Korean forums and social media.
After looking into the matter, Naver Webtoon released an official statement saying that the Wind Breaker manuscript showed similarities in composition and structure to another work. Following discussions between Jo Yong-seok and his editorial team, they made the difficult decision to terminate the series.
This wasn’t just a slap on the wrist. The cancellation was final. No reworking, no hiatus. Just done.
What did Jo Yong-seok say about the allegations?
In a heartfelt and painful message, Jo Yong-seok took full responsibility.
“I sincerely apologize for the distress caused to many,” he began. He acknowledged that some reference materials he used during his creative process ended up being “very similar to or almost identical” to scenes from other creators. And he didn’t try to dodge it.
“This is clearly my fault,” he admitted.
He explained how the constant pressure of deadlines had worn him down. “I’ve been living a life constantly racing toward deadlines… urgency overrode the standards I should have upheld,” he said. That line hit home for many readers, especially those familiar with the demanding schedules webtoon artists face.
Despite wanting to finish the story properly, Jo said it was no longer possible. He ended his note by thanking readers and apologizing once again. It was quiet, emotional, and deeply human.
What has Naver Webtoon said in response?
Naver Webtoon didn’t hold back either. In their official message, they confirmed the allegations and admitted the similarities were serious enough to warrant cancellation. They also emphasized their stance on protecting copyright and taking content similarity issues seriously.
They apologized for the disappointment and made it clear they’re committed to addressing these concerns as a platform.
Still, no English-language statement has been issued yet. The current updates and letters were translated from Korean by fans, leaving some international readers unsure of what this means for the Line Webtoon English translation.
How long did Wind Breaker run, and what made it popular?
Wind Breaker launched in December 2013, becoming one of Webtoon’s longest-running and most beloved sports manhwa. Over 26 volumes, it followed a rookie cyclist competing in the adrenaline-pumping League of Streets, building a team, facing rivals, and evolving along the way.
The series stood out not just for its action-packed races, but for its mix of youth culture, friendship, and mental grit. For many, it was their go-to read every Monday.
It was also a gateway series for many English-speaking readers exploring the Webtoon platform for the first time.
What happens now for fans of the series?
Fans are left with a bittersweet goodbye. While there won’t be an official continuation, Jo Yong-seok did share the remaining manuscript on his personal blog so that loyal readers could at least see how he intended the story to end. It’s not a polished ending, but for those invested in the characters, it’s something.
As expected, online reactions are mixed. Some feel betrayed, others express sympathy for the toll of weekly deadlines. Discussions on forums like Reddit highlight the complexity of the issue. Was it outright plagiarism? Or an overwhelmed artist crossing lines under pressure?
Regardless, Naver felt the integrity of the work had been compromised — and that was enough.
For now, Wind Breaker joins a rare list of top-tier Webtoons that end not with a bang, but with controversy. A reminder of how high the stakes are when creativity, expectations, and accountability collide.
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