Dramas based on webtoons

A webtoon is a digital comic designed to be read online or on a smartphone, typically by scrolling vertically. The format took off in Korea and has spread to many countries, with most series published in weekly episodes. Popular webtoons are frequently adapted into dramas, films and animation, and several platforms carry them.

Webtoons are stories with proven reader response, so producers can lower the risk of a flop. Because the scenes are already drawn, planning shots and visuals is easier. Fans of the original also tend to tune in to the drama, giving the adaptation a ready-made audience from day one.

Examples include Misaeng (2014), about office life, Itaewon Class (2020), set in Seoul's Itaewon district, and All of Us Are Dead (2022), a high school zombie series. The genres range from romance to thrillers. Many fans enjoy comparing the original webtoon with the drama to see what changed.

Yes. Dramas compress or change storylines to fit a set number of episodes and broadcast needs, so the ending can differ from the original. Sometimes the drama finishes while the webtoon is still being serialised. Differences in endings are a popular topic of debate among fans of both versions.

Yes. Many dramas are adapted from web novels, sometimes after the story was first turned into a webtoon. Genres popular in web fiction, such as romance fantasy and time-loop or regression stories, are making their way to the screen. Spreading one story across novels, webtoons and dramas is often called one-source multi-use.

Fans of the original care about how closely an actor matches the drawn character, so casting announcements spark strong reactions. Productions sometimes recreate the character's exact hairstyle or outfit. Koreans often describe this resemblance with the word syncro rate, borrowed from synchronisation.

Webtoons are available through apps and websites of several webtoon platforms, and some titles are officially translated into English and other languages. Many series mix free episodes with paid ones. Reading on official platforms supports the creators and keeps translations accurate.

No, adaptations are made so that viewers can follow them without knowing the original. Reading the webtoon first may spoil the ending, so if you want surprises, watch the drama first. Many fans then turn to the webtoon afterwards to enjoy extra details and storylines that the drama left out.

It depends on the project. Some original creators act as advisers or even write the drama script themselves. More often, a professional screenwriter handles the adaptation while the creator is involved through the rights agreement and feedback. The level of involvement varies from drama to drama.

Webtoons can depict anything an artist imagines, so superpowers, monsters and time-regression stories are common. Advances in visual effects have made it easier to bring these stories to the screen. That said, many adaptations come from realistic webtoons about work, romance and everyday life.

Yes. Kingdom, the Joseon-era zombie series, is based on the Korean comic Sinui Nara, planned by Yoon In-wan, written by Kim Eun-hee and drawn by Yang Kyung-il. Other historical dramas have comic or webtoon roots too, and many are fusion dramas that add imaginative elements to a historical setting. A drama's official description usually notes whether it is adapted.

Some webtoons are drawn from real neighbourhoods and streets, and their drama adaptations can make those places known. Many settings are fictional, however, and the drama's filming locations may differ from the webtoon's setting. Check local tourism information before visiting any place you saw on screen.

Many webtoon-based dramas have found large international audiences. Because the original webtoons are often translated into several languages, some had overseas fans before the drama even aired. Success on screen can also bring new readers back to the original webtoon.

Most keep the webtoon's title, but some change it to suit the drama. Overseas, a separate English title may be used, making it look different from the original. If you want to find the source webtoon, searching by the creator's name is often the most reliable approach.

Usually the webtoon is serialised first, gains popularity, and then a drama is made after the rights are acquired. Recently, some webtoons are planned with an adaptation in mind, or both are released around the same time. The gap between the two can be several years depending on the project.

Character details, the order of events and endings are frequently changed. To fit a long webtoon into a limited number of episodes, writers compress storylines or add new characters. This is one reason opinions can split between fans of the original and viewers who only know the drama.

The drama's official website and the opening credits list the original webtoon and its creator. News articles also usually mention it. The platform that carries the webtoon often promotes the drama with banners while it airs, so readers there learn about the adaptation quickly.

Original creators are paid under the rights agreement for the adaptation. Terms vary by project and are usually confidential. When a drama becomes a hit, sales and readership of the original webtoon often rise as well, which benefits the creator and the platform that publishes the series.

Some dramas use original webtoon panels in the opening sequence or scene transitions, or use drawings by the creator as props. It is a nod of respect to the source and a treat for fans. Occasionally the original creator even makes a brief cameo appearance in the drama.

Absolutely. Starting with the webtoon behind a drama you enjoyed makes it easier to get used to the format because you already know the story. Episodes are short and scroll vertically, so they are easy to read on the go. Check the platform to see whether an official translation is available.