Hey Wavies!
Have you ever watched a K-drama that hit you right in the feels, made you laugh, cry, or gasp—and then found out it was actually based on a webtoon? Because same. I don’t know about you, but whenever I fall in love with a drama, I end up googling every behind-the-scenes detail… and more often than not, it all started as a webtoon!
Yup, those scroll-through comics on your phone? They’re the blueprint. They’ve quietly been dominating the drama world, and lately? They’re not even quiet about it anymore. Webtoons are now the place to find K-dramas with fresh plots, complex characters, and the kind of storylines that keep us up till 3 a.m. screaming into our pillows.
So if you’ve ever wondered which of your favorite dramas had their roots in the digital comic world, or if you’re just looking for your next binge obsession—this one’s for you. Let’s go through 9 iconic webtoon-to-drama adaptations that completely took over our screens (and hearts).
1. Itaewon Class
Based on: Itaewon Class by Jo Gwang-jin
Where to Watch: Netflix, JTBC
Let’s kick things off with the ultimate underdog story. Park Sae-ro-yi’s journey from expelled student to bar owner to CEO of a food empire? It’s not just inspiring—it’s iconic. What a lot of people don’t know is that the whole thing started as a webtoon, and the drama stayed super faithful to the source material.
Park Seo-joon brought Sae-ro-yi to life with that intense stare and even more intense morals. Every time he stood up against Jangga Group’s corruption, I was cheering like my own life depended on it. And let’s not forget the OST—V of BTS blessed us with “Sweet Night,” and yes, I still cry every time it plays.
2. True Beauty
Based on: True Beauty (여신강림) by Yaongyi
Where to Watch: Viki, tvN
If you didn’t have a Suho vs. Seojun meltdown, did you even watch True Beauty? This drama was a whole rollercoaster, and it all began with one of the most visually stunning webtoons ever. Ju-kyung’s glow-up, her struggle with insecurity, and her complicated love triangle? ICONIC.
The webtoon digs even deeper into her emotional growth, but the drama gave us a sweet, heartwarming adaptation—with just the right amount of school drama. Moon Ga-young was perfect as Ju-kyung, and Hwang In-yeop’s bad-boy vibes? I’m still not over it. Also, can we talk about how True Beauty lowkey started a whole skincare and makeup trend? This one’s a cultural moment.
3. Yumi’s Cells
Based on: Yumi’s Cells (유미의 세포들) by Lee Dong-geun
Where to Watch: Viki, TVING
Okay, hear me out—this might be one of the most unique concepts ever. Imagine your brain being full of little animated versions of your emotions, all running around and yelling advice at you. That’s Yumi’s Cells, and I was OBSESSED.
Kim Go-eun completely embodied Yumi’s sweetness and quiet strength, while the blend of animation and live-action made the whole thing feel like watching your own internal monologue. Whether it was Love Cell, Hunger Cell, or Writer Cell—these little guys felt so real. It wasn’t just romantic; it was relatable AF.
4. Sweet Home
Based on: Sweet Home (스위트홈)
Where to Watch: Netflix
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Ready for something darker? Sweet Home is not your average monster drama. This is survival horror that hits emotionally and visually. The original webtoon was already gritty, psychological, and packed with tension—and the drama brought all of that and more.
Song Kang plays Cha Hyun-soo, a suicidal teen whose apartment complex becomes ground zero for a terrifying outbreak. But here’s the twist: the monsters are born from people’s deepest desires. So yeah, it gets creepy real fast. The CGI was jaw-dropping, the tension was unbearable (in a good way), and honestly? I haven’t been able to look at my neighbors the same way since.
5. Business Proposal
Based on: The Office Blind Date (사내맞선)
Where to Watch: Netflix, SBS
Let’s lighten the mood a bit! Business Proposal was THE rom-com of 2022, and it all started with a webtoon that gave us the perfect dose of chaos, charm, and swoon. I’m talking fake dating, secret identities, office mishaps—it was pure serotonin.
Kim Se-jeong was an absolute queen as Ha-ri, and Ahn Hyo-seop? Don’t even get me started. Their chemistry was electric. Add in the best friend duo (hello, second lead couple supremacy) and this drama had us giggling, screaming, and rewatching episodes just to feel joy again. I still rewatch the kimchi slap scene, not even kidding.
6. Cheese in the Trap
Based on: Cheese in the Trap (치즈인더트랩)
Where to Watch: Netflix, Viki
If you’re into slow burns and psychological drama, Cheese in the Trap is probably already on your list. Hong Seol and Yoo Jung’s relationship is… complicated, to say the least. The drama kept us constantly questioning: is he sweet or scary?
The webtoon dives even deeper into manipulation, class struggles, and student life politics. It’s not always easy to watch, but it’s so worth it. The tension is real, the vibes are immaculate, and I’m still not sure if I ever fully trusted Yoo Jung.
7. Weak Hero Class 1
Based on: Weak Hero (약한영웅) by Seopass & RaZen
Where to Watch: Wavve, Netflix
Okay, this one hits HARD. Weak Hero Class 1 tells the story of Yeon Si-eun, a quiet student who uses brains instead of brawn to fight back against school violence. Park Ji-hoon delivered a performance that blew me away—this was nothing like his idol image.
The original webtoon launched in 2018 and already had a cult following, but the drama? It leveled up the emotional intensity. Every punch, every betrayal, every friendship felt personal. It’s raw, powerful, and honestly, kind of unforgettable.
8. My ID is Gangnam Beauty
Based on: My ID is Gangnam Beauty (내 ID는 강남미인)
Where to Watch: Netflix, JTBC
Beauty standards in Korea are no joke—and this drama tackled them head-on. Kang Mi-rae undergoes plastic surgery to escape bullying, but instead of finding peace, she faces new challenges about identity, confidence, and judgment.
Cha Eun-woo plays Do Kyung-seok, the emotionally closed-off love interest who slowly opens up, and it’s just so soft. The drama’s sweet, but the webtoon? Even more introspective. You really get into Mi-rae’s head and understand the pressure she’s under. This one’s a tearjerker and a thinker at the same time.
9. The Uncanny Counter
Based on: Amazing Rumor (경이로운 소문)
Where to Watch: Netflix, OCN
Noodle shop by day, demon hunters by night? YES. PLEASE. The Uncanny Counter gave us a mismatched team of counters who track down evil spirits and fight for justice—while also dealing with grief, trauma, and messy pasts.
Jo Byeong-gyu, Yoo Joon-sang, Kim Se-jeong, and Yeom Hye-ran made up the dream team, and I LIVED for their chemistry. Whether they were bickering or battling, they felt like a real found family. The webtoon had the action, but the drama added heart—and Season 2 made things even wilder.
Why Webtoons Work So Well for K-Dramas
Let’s be real—webtoons are the perfect drama fuel. The stories are original, the pacing is tight, and the visuals are already storyboarded. Entertainment companies basically get a script and a mood board in one.
Plus, webtoons already have dedicated fans. That means hype from day one, built-in viewership, and massive buzz. Whether it’s fantasy, rom-com, horror, or slice-of-life—there’s a webtoon for it. And as long as the adaptations keep delivering this level of quality? I’m not complaining.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it—9 incredible webtoon-to-drama crossovers that went from screen to page and stole our hearts. Some were laugh-out-loud funny. Others were dark and emotional. All of them? Unforgettable.
Now I wanna hear from you:
Which ones have you already seen?
Did Sweet Home give you nightmares (but in a good way)?
Are you Team Suho or Team Seojun? (Yes, I’m still asking.)
And most importantly—what webtoon do you wanna see adapted next?
Let’s fangirl and fanboy in the comments
Till then, Wavies, keep exploring~
