This year, Netflix released several remarkable Kdramas that were adapted by a webtoon or manhwa. In this article, we collected the best Kdramas that were actually based on a webtoon.
These shows have truly impressed their viewers that some have been renewed for a succeeding season. Here's our list of the best Kdramas that came from a webtoon.
Mystic Pop-Up Bar (2020)
First on this list is Mystic Pop-Up Bar released in 2020. The Kdrama is based on a webtoon called Ssanggabpocha, which was created by Bae Hye-soo and published in 2016.
The webtoon follows three characters who have intertwined lives. They meet at a rooftop bar that only opens at night and is operated by a mysterious food cart owner. To free herself from her past mistakes, she has to listen and help her customers.
Together with her is the shop manager (who was her past love) and a young man who can get people to tell the truth.
The show starred Hwang Jung-eum, Choi Won-young, and Yook Sung-jae.
True Beauty (2020)
Another Kdrama that came out in 2020 is True Beauty, a webtoon written by Yaongyi. It is a romantic Kdrama that follows Mun Ka-young, a teenage girl who was made fun of for her appearance.
As she switches schools, she also gets a makeover and becomes a popular beauty. She also catches the eye of two former best friends played by Cha Eun-woo and Hwang In-yeop.
Love Alarm (2019)
Love Alarm is a highly acclaimed Kdrama that started as a webtoon written by Chun Gye-young. You may be familiar with this name since she has earned the title of one of the country's most popular graphic novelists.
The original show, Love Alarm, was released on Netflix in 2019. Because of its popularity, a second season was released in 2021.
The webtoon followed a young student who used a love app that notifies you if you are within a 10-meter radius of someone interested in you.
The show starred Kim So-hyun, Jung Ga-ram, Song Kang, and many others.
My ID is Gangnam Beauty (2018)
My ID is Gangnam Beauty is another Kdrama that was adapted from Gi Meng-gi's webtoon called Gangnam Beauty.
Cha Eun-woo stars in the show as a college student who undergoes plastic surgery. After the surgery, however, she receives hurtful comments for being a 'Gangnam beauty.' She realizes that there is no in-between in pleasing critics and that the only way to be happy is to love yourself.
D.P. (2021)
Another Netflix show based on a webtoon is D.P., which was released in 2021. The show followed a team of Korean military personnel tasked to catch deserters.
This is based on Kim Bo-tong's D.P. Dog's Day, which was widely praised for its painfully realistic stories. Because of its success, a second season was released just a few months ago.
The Kdrama starred Jung Hae-in and Koo Kyo-hwan.
RELATED: Is D.P. a True Story?
Business Proposal (2022)
Business Proposal is a romantic comedy based on HaeHwa's webtoon of the same title. The show follows Ha-ri (played by Kim Se-jeong) who goes on a blind date as she pretends to be her best friend.
She meets Tae-moo (played by Ahn Hyo-seop), her company's CEO, who's intent on marrying her.
Hell is Other People (2019)
There are also plenty of webtoon thrillers that were adapted into a Kdrama. Hell is Other People is a thriller Kdrama that was adapted from Kim Yong-ki's Strangers from Hell.
This is a psychological thriller that follows a man in his 20s who moves to a low-end apartment. He starts meeting the other residents, which he becomes fearful of.
The show starred Im Si-wan and Lee Dong-wook.
Taxi Driver (2021)
Taxi Driver is another Kdrama adapted from a webtoon that already gained a second season. The original material, The Deluxe Taxi, was written by Carlos and Lee Jae-jin.
It follows an unconventional taxi driver who does a "revenge-call" service to clients. They work at a secret organization that avenges its clients who were not protected by the law.
The show starred Lee Je-hoon, Esom, Kim Eui-sung, and Pyo Ye-jin.
Tomorrow (2022)
Tomorrow is a supernatural Kdrama that follows a young man who is in a coma. He meets grim reapers who are tasked with preventing suicides.
The webtoon was created by RaMa. Meanwhile, the heartwarming Kdrama starred Rowoon, Kim Hee-sun, Lee Soo-hyuk, and Yoon Ji-on.
RELATED: Has Korean Series Tomorrow Been Renewed for Season 2?
Hellbound (2021)
Another Kdrama adapted from a webtoon, Hellbound, is getting a second season soon. Although there's no update on when Hellbound Season 2 will come out, fans are already looking forward to the return of the supernatural drama.
The fantasy series was based on Yeon Sang-ho's webtoon of the same title. He is also the director of the show.
It follows a mystery around three dark angels who prophesy a person's death. And when that time comes, they return to collect that person's soul and bring him to hell.
The show starred Yoo Ah-in, Kim Hyun-joo, and Park Jeong-min.
Sweet Home (2020)
Without a doubt, Sweet Home is one of the best Kdramas based on a webtoon written by Kim Kan-bi and Hwang Young-chan. It is a post-apocalyptic horror that is slated to return to Netflix for a second season sometime this year.
As a webtoon, Sweet Home ran for three seasons. It followed the story of a building resident who got trapped in the middle of a dystopian age. People who get infected can turn into a monster that echoes their innermost desires.
The show stars Song Kang, Lee Jin-wook, Lee Si-young, Go Min-si, Park Gyu-young, and Lee Do-hyun. The show has also been renewed for a third season.
RELATED: Will Lee Do-Hyun Be Back in Sweet Home Season 2?
The Uncanny Counter (2020)
The Uncanny Counter is another Kdrama based on a webtoon with a second season. Fans are also waiting for the announcement of a third season, which is based on Jang Yi's webtoon, Amazing Rumor.
The show follows a group of Counters (or demon hunters) who are on the hunt for evil spirits. It starred Jo Byeong-kyu, Yoo Jun-sang, Kim Se-jeong, Yeom Hye-ran, Yoo In-soo, and Ahn Suk-hwan.
You can read more about our extensive coverage of The Uncanny Counter here.
All of Us Are Dead (2022)
Last but not least, the zombie horror series on Netflix, All of Us Are Dead, was also adapted from a webtoon created by Joo Dong-geun.
The show follows a group of high schoolers who try to survive as their school and local community get turned into zombies. The scary part is that some become hambies.
All of Us Are Dead Season 2 is also up for a release on Netflix soon. The show starred Park Ji-hu, Yoon Chan-young, Cho Yi-hyun, Lomon, and Yoo In-soo.
RELATED: Who Dies and Who Survives in All of Us Are Dead?
Did your favorite webtoon/Kdrama make this list? Which of these Kdramas have you watched so far?
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