I've mainly been lurking, but decided to join in on the discussion a bit.
Contrary to the whole webtoon isn't promoting larger comics because they want to keep their 'winner' at the top, I think it's more so an opportunity to give smaller creators with potential a chance. When you look at all the entries, the most popular ones are reuploads or comics made by creators that already have an establishing fan base, in this case the big sharks of Discover. Smaller creators who barely started or otherwise haven't had the luck of getting bigger, the smaller fish in the sea, doesn't stand much a chance against the big sharks, considering 40% is engagement. (though really 40% is too much)
As was previously discussed, a lot of people believed that webtoon should not promote contest entries, or at the very least if they choose to do so have a section simply for promoting with a more frequent rotation, which they are now implementing. The rotation are more frequent now, not so comics won't 'beat' the large sharks, but so other comics have a chance to be promoted too (though the amount of promoted comics are a lot less than ideal) The promoted comics are more likely handpicked and thus would avoid those that do not meet the panel count or those with simply stock photos. Many joined this contest in hopes of getting more exposure, myself included, and truthfully you are not going to get much more attention compared to discover, unless you are promoted. So yes, I think the new way of promotion is more so of a chance for smaller creators than it is to keep the 'winner' at the top.
Of course they should have just done this from the beginning rather than had a few comics promoted for weeks longer (the more usual rotation) than those promoted afterward. But webtoon is managed by people and news flash people make mistakes and doesn't always get everything right from the get go. Regardless, pleasing everyone is simply impossible considering some would prefer promotion and others would prefer no promotions at all. Although the prize money may be good incentive, participating simply for the prize can be draining. If money is the biggest factor to you regarding comic making, then you should consider your career choices as this industry is very competitive while not highly rewarding in materialistic goods like money.
As my physics teacher always said regarding group work, always assume good intention or at least have the mindset that your teammates wants to help you and not drag you down with their criticism, rather than take everything as a personal attack (which isn't exactly the same case, but applicable here). Overall, chances are, not everyone in the world is actively working to plot against you. I doubt webtoon staff sits in their office and rub their hands together with an evil grin, thinking about how to make creators' life more difficult. It's actually more likely they want to improve conditions for creators as Webtoon wants to succeed and to do that they would need creators. But with the amount of comics hosted on Webtoon, it is simply impossible for them to promote and help each and every creator, same ordeal as a popular creator of over 200k subs being unable to respond to every comment they get. The staff is consisted of individuals and the number of staff members compared to contenders is not nearly enough.
Now I'm not saying that you are wrong to speak out against what you believe is injustice, but nothing is ever black or white. There's a lot of grey areas to explore and I'm simply presenting one of those areas.
Some might think I'm overly naĂŻve and optimistic, to which may be true. But as the circumstances are as is and unlikely to change, I can either continue blaming webtoon for everything and get nowhere while getting myself down, and destroying myself in the process, or choose to look at the circumstances as an opportunity and encourage myself, which I truly believe is the better option. Morale plays a big part of success, as much, if not more than luck and dedication.
Well, that was a bit more than just a bit. Also apologies for the many run-on sentences and bad grammar.