Webtoons, with their already beloved stories and appealing characters, hold high potential for success when adapted into K-dramas. The unique settings and narratives of webtoons, reimagined in drama form, are attracting a broader audience.
These adaptations offer familiarity to fans of the original works and introduce new entertainment for first-time viewers of the story. So, what are some successful webtoon-based dramas?
Jeong Nyeon
“Jeong Nyeon” (also known as “Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born”) is based on a Naver webtoon of the same name. The original webtoon, spanning 138 episodes, tells the story of a girl named Jeong-nyeon from Mokpo, who joins a women’s theatrical troupe and grows through her experiences.
The drama highlights Jeong-nyeon’s struggles and growth after joining the troupe. Actress Kim Tae-ri, who played Jeong-nyeon, drew attention for her resemblance in appearance and personality to the webtoon character. Her portrayal of the character’s emotional depth brought Jeong-nyeon’s challenges and growth to life naturally.
Shin Ye-eun portrayed Jeong-nyeon’s rival, Heo Young-seo, a character with a cold “ice princess” demeanor. Coming from a privileged and cultured family, Young-seo seeks recognition and encouragement from her mother while displaying strong rivalry toward Jeong-nyeon.
The drama faithfully reflected the world of the original webtoon while incorporating necessary changes for television, enriching the story. Starting with a 4.8% rating for its first episode, “Jeong Nyeon” grew in popularity, culminating in a series-high 16.5% for its finale. The drama topped both ratings and buzz rankings, proving its widespread appeal.
Itaewon Class
“Itaewon Class”, also based on a webtoon, portrays the journey of a group of young people driven by their unique values as they challenge societal injustices and pursue freedom through starting their own business.
Starring Park Seo-joon, Kim Da-mi, Kwon Nara, Kim Dong-hee, and Ahn Bo-hyun, the drama follows protagonist Park Sae-ro-yi, who becomes a convicted criminal after attacking his father’s killer. Despite his tarnished reputation, Sae-ro-yi is drawn to Itaewon, where he decides to open a business amidst its vibrant and diverse atmosphere.
Kim Da-mi played Jo Yi-seo, a multi-talented genius who abandons her goal of attending a prestigious university after being inspired by Sae-ro-yi’s passion and joins his pub Danbam as a manager.
The drama explored themes of youth, identity, and societal conflict while addressing issues such as race and culture. It achieved a peak rating of 16.5% and dominated both viewership and buzz rankings. Additionally, the drama’s OST topped music charts, further cementing its success as a webtoon adaptation.
Cheese in the Trap
“Cheese in the Trap” combines romance and mystery, making it a unique and highly popular drama. The story revolves around Hong Seol, a university student who encounters various incidents after meeting her enigmatic senior, Yoo Jung.
The drama delves into the complexities of human emotions and relationships, influenced by external circumstances, blending intricate emotional dynamics with mystery.
Starring Park Hae-jin, Kim Go-eun, Seo Kang-joon, and Lee Sung-kyung, Cheese in the Trap achieved a peak rating of 7.1%, ranking as the 9th highest-rated Monday-Tuesday drama on tvN at the time. Its widespread popularity led to “Cheese” becoming a buzzword.
The drama showcased how webtoon adaptations can captivate mainstream audiences, successfully drawing the webtoon’s fanbase into the television medium.
Conclusion
Overall, these K-dramas have proven that webtoons are far from being “just childish comics.” With their nationwide success, they demonstrate the significant impact of webtoon adaptations on the K-content industry, raising anticipation for the future of webtoons in the global market.
Source: Wikitree
