Library Journal has a short article about manwha synergy. Three Korean companies, Sigongsa, Seoul Cultural Publishers and Haksan, are joining together to form Studio ICE, which will market Korean titles in the U.S. beginning in October. Titles will be in the shoujo and yaoi categories. I haven’t seen a lot of manwha, but increased diversity on the manga shelves would certainly be welcome.
Manwha differs from manga mostly in the content.
There’s MUCH more fantasy manwha than fantasy manga. Actually, of the manwha titles I’ve purchased, I don’t think even one has not had a fantasty oriented plot. In appearance the art style tends to be heavier, both in inking and tonework, with very few of the feminine ‘bishonen’ to be found. (i.e. Men usually look, emphatically, like men, almost to the extent of an American superhero comic in some cases.)
It’s different, but not so different as to be a shock to the market in any way. I suspect it may attract more of the American comic audience due to some similarities in character design and story flow.