Highlights

• Manhwa K-drama adaptations feature rich narratives and cultural differences, providing an entertaining and educational experience for fans around the world.
• K-dramas like Extraordinary You and Perfect Marriage Revenge bring unique twists to the original plots, captivating viewers with deep emotions and strategic alliances.
• From psychological thrillers like Strangers From Hell to heartwarming dramas like Daily Dose Of Sunshine, K-dramas explore a wide range of genres and themes.

Countless captivating Manhwa have successfully debuted in the K-drama world, effortlessly transforming their art panels into real-life canvases. Creations like the heartwarming romance of Extraordinary you for heavy matters Daily dose of sun captured the attention of viewers around the world and left its mark on the market.

These K-drama adaptations may deviate from the original Manhwa storyline to highlight rich narrative and cultural differences, providing an entertaining and educational experience for fans around the world.

Updated May 18, 2024 by Nahda Nabilah: Some adaptations skillfully translate the Manhwa's vibrant pages and well-written narratives to the screen, captivating viewers with diverse characters and inviting Manhwa readers to further explore Korean culture. Each adaptation brings its own unique charm, exciting events, and storyline to the table, offering a fun and unique experience. Fans of K-dramas and Manhwa are equally drawn to the dynamic portrayal of characters and the imaginative worlds behind these creations. Through these adaptations, Manhwa continues to leave an undeniable mark on Korean drama culture.

Some of the following K-dramas may contain triggering and/or sensitive material. Viewer discretion is advised.

10 What's wrong with Secretary Kim?

Based on: Why Secretary Kim by Jung Kyung-Yoon

In What's wrong with Secretary Kim?, Lee Young-Joon is a highly successful young CEO who seems to have it all, from success, wealth, attractiveness, and attention. One day, when his secretary decides to resign for unknown reasons, his life turns upside down and Secretary Kim becomes all he can think about.

Determined to keep her by his side, Young-Joon embarks on a mission to convince her to stay and even offers to marry her. For Young-Joon, Secretary Kim is someone who understands all of his needs, quirks, and individualities. As Young-Joon navigates this journey, he begins to grow closer to Secretary Kim and discover deeper connections between himself and their unique relationship.

9 Itaewon Class

Based on: Itaewon Class by Jo Gwang Jin

Park Saeroyi's life is turned upside down after he loses his dream of becoming a police officer and then tragically loses his father. This happens when he is expelled from school for punching the bully, who happens to be Jang Geun-Won. The bully is well protected by the teachers and the school due to his father's influence and wealth. Saeroyi, driven by a sense of injustice, sadness and loss, attacks Geun-Won and ends up in prison.

After serving his sentence, Saeroyi is determined to fulfill his father’s dream. He opens a pub called “DanBam” in Itaewon as part of his 15-year plan to build success and wealth. Now, he has to face the challenges of achieving success alongside his newly acquired manager and team in Itaewon Class.

8 The strange accountant

Based on: Jang Yi's Amazing Rumor

One day, So Mun mysteriously inherits the power of a Counter and now has to demolish evil spirits alongside Do Ha Na, Ga Mo Tak, Chu Mae Ok and Choi Jang Mool in The strange accountant. The group runs a popular noodle shop and trains daily to capture demons who have returned to Earth in search of eternal life.

Do Ha Na can sense the location of evil spirits no matter how far away they are, Ga Mo Tak possesses incredible strength, Chu Mae Ok is the group's healer, and Choi Jang Mool is the oldest and richest accountant. Together, they must survive and uncover the hidden truth behind the mystical superpowers they have acquired.

7 Tomorrow

Based on: Tomorrow by Llama

After Junwung falls off a bridge while trying to save someone, he falls into a coma. TomorrowUpon awakening, he discovers that only his soul is trapped between the living and dead worlds, and then receives a job offer from the director of Jumadeung to become a Grim Reaper.

This unique opportunity shortens Junwung's coma from three years to six months and ensures his success in a job interview or exam after he wakes up. He later chooses to join the Risk Management Team alongside Goo Ryeon and Lim Ryung-gu, dedicating his time to saving individuals on the brink of suicide and helping them overcome their trauma and fears.

Based on: July Found by Chance by Moo Ryuyee

Eun Dan Oh’s life takes a surreal turn when she realizes that she is merely a supporting character in a Manhwa, with her life scripted and controlled. Determined to break free and survive her lifelong heart condition, she defies the author’s written lines.

She rejects being forced into an engagement born of pity, as she dreams of genuine love. Alongside Haru, a background character with no defined role other than filling in the Manhwa's background, they embark on an unexpected and heartfelt journey as they strive to alter their destinies as extra characters.

5 Perfect Wedding Revenge

Based on: Perfect Marriage Revenge by Lee Beom-Bae

Perfect Wedding Revenge is a revenge drama that conveys Han Yi Joo's feelings of betrayal after she discovers her fiancé's infidelity and faces hostility from her family. A car accident takes her back to the past, encouraging her to rewrite her destiny and escape her toxic home.

During her quest for revenge, Han Yi Joo forms a strategic alliance with Seo Do Guk, her sister's love interest and the grandson of the founder of the Taeja Group. The contractual marriage helps Yi Joo in her quest for revenge, and Do Guk genuinely wants to earn Yi Joo's love and trust.

4 A business proposal

Based on: The Office Blind Date by Haehwa

Shin Ha-Ri and Kang Tae-Moo's fates become intertwined when Ha-Ri pretends to be Tae-Moo's blind date to get him away from her friend's side. As the K-drama progresses, the two protagonists enter into a contractual marriage to fulfill Tae-Moo's grandfather's request and help Ha-Ri financially.

A business proposal is a light-hearted Rom-Com filled with humor that radiates from the main protagonists, supporting characters, and dynamic extras. The perfect K-drama cast benefits the series as they embody their designated roles. The cast’s dynamic and accurate portrayal of the characters ensures a perfect translation of the original Manhwa scenes to the K-drama screen, ensuring viewers enjoyment.

3 Strangers from Hell

Based on: Strangers from Hell by Kim Yong-Ki

Strangers from Hell is a psychological thriller that follows the story of Yoon Jong Woo as he moves from the countryside to Seoul after a job offer. He chooses the Eden Gosiwon Hostel, which is affordable despite its strange environment and residents. Later, strange events begin to unfold as the protagonist investigates the truth behind the strange behavior of his fellow residents and the mysterious sounds that prevent him from sleeping. Each episode is a rollercoaster of plot twists, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats with the unexpected turn of events.

2 We are all dead

Based on: We Are All Dead by Joo Dong-Geun

We are all dead takes place at Hyosan High School, where the students face a deadly zombie virus outbreak. The cause of the apocalypse is science teacher Mr. Lee, whose misguided attempt to protect his outcast son results in unkind events.

A second season is in the works.

The outbreak begins when Hyeon-Ju is bitten by a lab rat and infects the school nurse. This event triggers bites among teachers and students, resulting in the outbreak of the Zombie virus both inside and outside the school grounds. Amidst the chaos, the high school students must band together and face various challenges to survive and find a way to reach the safe zone.

1 Daily dose of sun

Based on: Morning Comes To Psychiatric Wards by Lee Ra-Ha

Daily dose of sun is set in a neuropsychiatry setting, following Jung Da Eun’s growth as a nurse alongside her colleagues. As she learns to navigate her new assigned role, the K-drama offers a moving exploration of the profound influence of mental health and raises awareness about it. The drama delves into various mental health issues, including Bipolar Disorder, Pseudodementia, and Schizophrenia.