Adaptations of Naver Webtoons Make Waves with a Lineup of New Drama Series

"Man and Woman" Courtesy of Channel A

Renowned South Korean webtoons take the spotlight at the beginning of 2024, building on the success of previous webtoon-based dramas available on global streaming platforms.

"Man and Woman," a 10-part drama adaptation of the popular Naver webtoon, premiered on cable TV network Channel A on Dec. 26, running until Feb. 27. Despite its R-rating, the webtoon series, exploring the romance of Korean 20-somethings, secured the seventh spot on Naver Webtoon's Top 10 most-read list. Starring Super Junior's Lee Dong-hae and Lee Seol, the drama portrays love, ennui, separation, and regret through various character relationships. 

▲ "Man and Woman" Courtesy of Channel A

Naver's hit web novel "Marry My Husband," boasting over 40 million downloads and an English web novel translation on Naver Webtoon's overseas service Yonder, has been adapted into a 16-part drama series. Airing on tvN since Jan. 1 and concluding on Feb. 20, the drama centers on Kang Ji-won, who, after being murdered by her husband for discovering his affair, is reborn 10 years in the past and plots to have her best friend marry her former husband. The main cast includes Park Min-young, Na In-woo, Lee Yi-kyung, and Song Ha-yoon.

▲ "Marry My Husband", Courtesy of tvN

KBS' "Love Song For Illusion," a romance fantasy drama based on a Naver Webtoon, premiered on Tuesday, with its final episode scheduled for Feb. 27. Starring Park Ji-hoon and Hong Ye-ji, the drama follows the romance between a king and an assassin as the king grapples with dissociative identity disorder.

▲ "Love Song For Illusion", Courtesy of KBS"A Killer Paradox," a thriller webtoon serialized on Naver Webtoon, will be adapted into an eight-part drama exclusively streamed on Netflix from Feb. 9. The series follows the story of college student Yi Tang, who commits voluntary manslaughter, and detective Jang Nan-gam, determined to pursue him. Directed by Lee Chang-hee, known for the OCN thriller "Hell Is Other People," the cast includes Choi Woo-shik as Yi Tang, Son Suk-ku as Jang Nan-gam, and Lee Hee-joon as ex-police Song Chon.

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