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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Culture & Society

Webtoon Adaptations Drive Global K-Drama Success

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • South Korean webtoons are a rich source for drama production, with many digital comics becoming globally successful series.
  • Adaptations like 'Lovely Runner' and 'Marry My Husband' have resonated deeply with audiences, sometimes even surpassing the emotional impact of their original web novel or webtoon counterparts.
  • The article lists popular webtoon-adapted K-dramas, highlighting their genres, streaming platforms, and the reasons for their success, including strong chemistry and compelling character development.

South Korea's vibrant webtoon industry continues to fuel the global success of its drama productions. Many digital comics have transformed into phenomenal, world-renowned series, attracting new fans who may not have read the original works.

'Lovely Runner,' a 2024 sensation, exemplifies this trend. Based on a web novel that was later adapted into a webtoon, the drama follows Im Sol as she travels back in time to save her idol, Ryu Sun-jae, from a tragic fate. The series masterfully balances romance, comedy, and time-travel mystery, with the chemistry between leads Kim Hye-yoon and Byeon Woo-seok being a significant draw. Viewers have been so captivated that many sought out the original webtoon after falling for the drama.

Another hit, 'Marry My Husband' (2024), offers a compelling revenge fantasy. The story centers on Kang Ji-won, who returns to the past after being murdered by her husband and best friend. She aims to rewrite her destiny and ensure her betrayers face consequences. While the revenge plot is satisfying, the drama's true strength lies in Ji-won's journey of self-discovery and healing, providing viewers with both conflict and emotional catharsis. Minor adjustments in the drama's adaptation reportedly enhanced the emotional depth of the conflict.

The article also previews upcoming adaptations like 'Study Group' (2025), an action-packed school drama about Yoon Ga-min, a seemingly studious student with exceptional fighting skills. This series promises a blend of intense schoolyard action and fresh humor, further showcasing the diverse storytelling potential drawn from the webtoon medium.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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