If you watch K-Dramas and are also into manga and webtoons, congratulations! You already know today’s assignment. Over the years, adapting mangas into K-Dramas has become increasingly popular. This cross-dimensional exchange has enriched narratives, bringing manga tales to life. Here are 7 popular K-Dramas that originated as manga, offering fans the best of both worlds.
1. Boys Over Flowers (2009)
The legendary K-Drama ‘Boys Over Flowers,’ starring Koo Hye Sun, Lee Min Ho, Kim Hyun Joong, Kim Bum, and Kim Joon, is an adaptation of the Japanese manga ‘Hana Yori Dango’ by Yoko Kamio. The manga is about a group of four influential boys, known as F4, at an elite high school and an ordinary girl. It explores themes of love, social class, and the struggles of adolescence, much like the K-Drama. Are you reminiscing about the drama? This is your sign to re-watch it while reading the manga. You can find the drama on Netflix and Rakuten Viki while the manga is available on WebComics.
2. Love Alarm (2019)
Adapted from the Daum webtoon of the same name by Chon Kye Young, the drama ‘Love Alarm‘ explores a futuristic world where love can be discovered through a mobile application. In the story, the app “Love Alarm” notifies users when someone within a 10-meter radius has romantic feelings for them. The drama focuses on three main characters played by Song Kang, Kim So Hyun, and Jung Ga Ram. The drama is available on Netflix, while manga comes in paperback format on Amazon and Tapas WebComics.
3. True Beauty (2020)
One of the most viral dramas, ‘True Beauty,’ was adapted from the Line webtoon of the same name by Yaongyi. The drama features Cha Eun Woo, Moon Ka Young, Hwang In Youp, and Park Yoo Na. It follows a high school romance and the theme of finding true beauty within. However, the webtoon has a lot more to offer beyond what’s mentioned in the drama. Curious? Check it out today! You can watch the drama on Netflix and the manga is available at Webtoon.
4. My Roommate Is A Gumiho (2021)
Another amazing drama, ‘My Roommate Is a Gumiho,’ is adapted from Na’s webtoon ‘My Roommate Is a Nine-Tailed Fox.’ The story follows a 999-year-old gumiho, played by Jang Ki Yong, who is about to transform into a human. But the event is jeopardized by the female lead, played by Lee Hye Ri, who accidentally swallows his magical marble. To avoid further complications, the protagonists decide to live together until the transformation is complete. Both the manga and drama offer a delightful mix of humor, fantasy, and supernatural elements. The drama is available on Rakuten Viki while you can read the manga on Webtoon.
5. The Story of Park’s Marriage Contract (2023)
Based on the theme of time travel, the Naver webtoon ‘The Story of Park’s Marriage Contract‘ by Angelique and Kim Neo Ul was adapted into a K-Drama in 2023. The drama’s lead cast includes Bae In Hyuk and Lee Se Young. The story revolves around a woman from the Joseon era who time-travels to modern-day Seoul after a tragic incident. She then encounters the male lead, a CEO who looks exactly like her late husband. If you are a fan of themes including romance, cultural clash, and historical-modern love, this manga and drama is a strong recommendation. The drama is available on Rakuten Viki and the manga is available on Naver Webtoon.
6. A Good Day to be a Dog (2023)
Starring Cha Eun Woo and Park Gyu Young, the drama ‘A Good Day to be a Dog‘ is based on the webtoon of the same name by Lee Hye. The story centers on a romantic relationship between two high school teachers. The twist? The female lead is cursed to transform into a dog each time she kisses someone. What’s the solution to get back into human form? Well, for that, you’ll need to read and watch it while experiencing heartfelt moments. You can watch the drama on Netflix and Rakuten Viki and manga is available on Webtoon.
7. Cinderella at 2 AM (2024)
The web novel ‘Cinderella at 2 AM‘ by Aigome is set to be adapted into a K-Drama with the same name. The drama will be released in late August 2024, starring Shin Hyun Been and Moon Sang Min as the lead characters. The story revolves around the female lead who is in a relationship with the youngest son of a wealthy conglomerate family, aka, the male lead. But, the twist is she is yet to discover his real identity. The drama will focus on the tension between personal relationships and wealth, giving it a classic Cinderella tale touch. You can watch the episodes on Coupang Play starting August 24, every Saturday and Sunday at 9 PM KST (5:30 pm IST).
Is there any other adaptation we missed? Comment down below and let us know!
Written By – Anjali Yadav
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