10 Must-Watch Korean Dramas That Were Adapted From Popular Webtoons

K-Dramas are even more popular these days thanks to the convenience that streaming sites like Viu provide coupled with our lockdown-induced boredom. Just like the movies, some of our favorite Korean dramas get inspiration from webtoons and other illustrated works because of their compelling story lines and characters. If you’re looking for a new K-drama to watch, don’t worry. Below, we’ve listed down 10 webtoon-inspired K-dramas you can easily binge watch on Viu! 

True Beauty is based on the popular ongoing Naver webtoon by Yaongyi. It tells the story of Im Jukyung—an ordinary 18-year-old high school student—who mastered the art of makeup to deal with her insecurities after experiencing discrimination and bullying. After a glow-up, she rose to fame and turned into a “goddess” in her new school despite constant feelings of self-doubt and fear of being discovered with her bare face. True to any Korean rom-com, she meets two handsome guys who will not only complicate her life but will help her find her true beauty. 

Also known as “Welcome,” this fantasy drama is based on a 2009-2010 webtoon by Goo A-ra. It is an endearing story that revolves around the remarkable, yet offbeat, human-feline relationship—where the cat, Hong Jo, magically takes a human form in order to stay close to his owner, Sol Ah. 

This drama has sugar, spice, and everything nice: handsome oppas, a charming female lead, romance, and of course, cats! If you’re looking for something cute and light-hearted, this underrated drama is definitely a must-watch.

This fantasy webtoon-turned-K-drama is based on the story by Jae Hoo. It centers on a superstar detective, who has the supernatural power of reading people’s memories through touch, and a genius profiler and their quest to unravel secrets from their troubled pasts while pursuing a serial killer. The storyline may lack in the romance department but it is definitely packed with heavy drama, action, and unexpected plot twists you’ll surely love. 

This drama, which also goes by the title “Hell is Other People,” is adapted from a webtoon series by Kim Yong-ki. It tells the story of Yoon Jong Woo, a country boy who moves to Seoul after landing a job in the city. He boards at Eden studio, a goshiwon or a cheap and small room for rent, where he meets mysterious and abnormal strangers seemingly sent straight from hell. 

It’s not your typical K-drama BUT its characters and unique storyline will have you at the edge of your seat! 

Adapted from a Daum webtoon titled “July Found by Chance” by Moo Ryuyee, “Extra-ordinary You” focuses on the life of a 17-year-old high school student who accidentally discovers that the world she’s living in is a fantasy world of comics, or manhwa, and that her life and all her actions are predetermined by the unknown writer who created her. Once she develops an “ego” and realizes this truth, she is determined to change the course of her fate - with the help of other supporting characters and extras of the comic. 

The series blends comedy, romance and fantasy quite well and we don’t doubt you’ll be hooked from the beginning!

The Tale of Nokdu is based on a Naver webtoon written by Hye Jin-hyang. The storyline is set in the Joseon era, where it follows the tale of Jeon Nokdu—a strong, good-looking, and clever man who disguises himself as a woman to enter a women-only village in order to find out the truth of his past; and a young woman, Dong Ju, who is being trained as a gisaeng (a highly trained artist) but has no skills in performing arts. 

The plot of a cross-dressing lead may have already been done before but “The Tale of Nokdu”’s refreshing take - plus Kim So Hyun and Jang Dong Yoon’s riveting portrayal of the leads - make it a must-see!

This K-Drama was adapted from a manhwa, “Noona Fan Dot Com,” by Kim Sung-yeon. Sung Deok-mi (Park Min Young), a talented art gallery curator, lives a double life as an ultimate fangirl. She hides her secret life as a fangirl very well until she meets Ryan Gold, a once-famous painter who becomes the new art director of the gallery she’s working in. 

This drama lets you into the world of extreme fangirls in K-pop culture while supporting it with well-thought-out characters and plots. If you’re looking for a light, romantic K-drama, this is for you! 

Based on a Naver webtoon of the same name, My ID is Gangnam Beauty centers on the life of Kang Mi-rae, a freshman college student whose traumatizing experience of bullying led her to pursue cosmetic surgery in hopes of having a fresh, new start in university.

“My ID is Gangnam Beauty” tackles the complex topic of plastic surgery and how one can be ridiculed and prejudiced for having an “artificial” look. The romance in this webtoon K-drama is slow-paced but it allows for a nurturing and endearing progression of the leads’ relationship: from classmates to friends to lovers. 

“What’s Wrong with Secretary” is an all-time favorite series based on a 2015 KakaoPage webtoon by Jung Kyung-yoon. It’s a classic office romance between Lee Young-joon, a vice chairman of a major corporation, and his secretary of nine years, Kim Mi-so, played by Park Seo Joon and Park Min Young, respectively. The strictly boss-employee relationship started to develop into something deeper when Secretary Kim decided to resign from her position. 

The story is full of classic rom-com cliches but the light storytelling and brilliant acting of the leads make it entertaining and fun to watch. Also, it’s Park Seo-joon - need we say more?

Based on the popular webtoon written by Aengo, Clean With Passion For Now perfectly portrays an “opposites attract” storyline. This drama tells the love story between a germaphobe and a woman who is anything but tidy. It’s a must-see Korean drama if you’re looking for a sweet and light story that follows a no-fail rom-com formula you’ll feel kilig over.