K-Dramas Inspired by Webtoons - Some of the Best!

In recent years, K-dramas—Korean TV series—have been gaining popularity not only in Asia but around the world. One reason for this success is that many of these K-dramas are adaptations of webtoons and manhwas, the popular digital and print comics from South Korea.

These adaptations combine the charm of stories already written in comics with the classic drama and emotion of Korean television, creating engaging and visually stunning stories. Today, we’ll explore some of the best K-dramas that have sprung from these incredible narratives and have won fans around the world.

To create this list, we took into account ratings from sites like MyDramaList and IMDb, ensuring that only the highest-rated and most-loved K-dramas were selected.

Furthermore, this time we sought to highlight the fidelity of the adaptations in relation to the original material, since fans of webtoons and manhwas often expect their characters to be close to the stories they have already read!

True Beauty (2020)

Synopsis: Adapted from the popular webtoon of the same name, True Beauty follows the story of Lim Ju-Kyung, an insecure young woman who transforms herself with the help of makeup and becomes the "goddess" of the school. However, she tries to keep her true face without makeup a secret.

The plot mixes romantic comedy with deeper themes, such as the pressure of beauty and self-acceptance. True Beauty is one of the most popular k-dramas and stood out for capturing the essence of the webtoon well, in addition to having a charismatic cast.

PS: The costumes in this k-drama are wonderful.

Itaewon Class (2020)

Synopsis: Based on the webtoon of the same name, Itaewon Class follows the story of Park Sae-ro-yi, a young man who dreams of opening his own restaurant in the bustling Itaewon neighborhood of Seoul. After a series of personal and professional tragedies, he decides to fight against a powerful company that controls the food market.

With strong characters, a plot about perseverance and justice, and discussions about themes such as diversity and acceptance, Itaewon Class became a hit both in Korea and internationally.

What's Wrong With Secretary Kim? (2018)

Synopsis: Adapted from the webtoon of the same name, What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim is a romantic comedy that follows the story of the narcissistic vice president of a large company, Lee Young-joon, and his talented secretary, Kim Mi-so. When Kim decides it's time to resign after years of dedication, Lee Young-joon begins to question his feelings and tries in every way to make her stay. The K-drama is light and fun, as well as having emotional moments that captivate viewers.

Sweet Home (2020)

Synopsis: Based on one of the most popular horror webtoons, Sweet Home tells the story of Cha Hyun-soo, a young man who moves into an apartment after losing his family. However, he soon finds himself in the middle of an apocalypse, where monsters begin to emerge in frightening ways. The K-drama mixes horror and action with deeper themes, such as loneliness and survival.

The adaptation was praised for its visual effects and dark atmosphere, becoming one of Netflix's most-watched productions in Korea.

Love Alarm (2019)

Synopsis: Love Alarm is based on a futuristic webtoon in which a mobile phone app alerts you if someone nearby has romantic feelings for you. The protagonist, Kim Jo-jo, finds herself at the center of a love triangle while dealing with the complications brought about by this revolutionary app. With an interesting and modern premise, Love Alarm explores themes such as love, privacy and the consequences of technology on human relationships.

The Uncanny Counter (2020)

Synopsis: The Uncanny Counter is a K-drama based on a webtoon called Amazing Rumor. It follows the story of a group of "counters," people with supernatural abilities who hunt evil spirits. The series mixes action, mystery, and a supernatural twist, with intense fight scenes and an engaging narrative. The K-drama has been well-received by both fans of the webtoon and new viewers alike, thanks to its balance of action and emotional drama.

Cheese in the Trap (2016)

Synopsis: Cheese in the Trap is an adaptation of a popular webtoon that follows the life of Hong Seol, a college student who begins to distrust Yoo Jung, a seemingly perfect classmate. As she grows closer to him, she realizes that there is something dark and manipulative about his behavior. The series explores complex human relationships, power, and manipulation, and was one of the most talked-about k-dramas at the time of its release, especially due to its controversial ending.

The interesting thing about webtoon adaptations for k-dramas is that many of these digital comics were created with a visual experience in mind, which makes the transition to the screen much easier. Faithfulness to the source material is a crucial point for success, and many k-dramas unfortunately fail to capture the essence of their stories, leaving their fans dissatisfied with the adaptation.

That's why we made this selection, looking for works that are faithful to their material.

For those who read the article's description, you should know that this list, despite taking into account the scores on the websites, is highly influenced by my personal taste (and I accept that responsibility). That said, k-dramas adapted from webtoons and manhwas have proven to be a great success, with stories that attract and captivate the audience.

If you're looking for a new series to binge-watch and are a fan of emotional stories, romantic comedies or even horror, I hope this list has something for you.

Now it's your turn, recommend me a K-drama that's not on the list, maybe it'll be on the next one? We're always looking for new works to watch!