18 Best K-Dramas That Were Adapted From Manhwas And Webtoons

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Anime isn’t the only form of East Asian entertainment that’s become incredibly popular recently, both in Asia and in the West. Korean comics, called “manhwas,” and especially their online versions, “webtoons,” offer captivating stories and beautiful artwork that are easy to find online. With millions of readers discovering these digital comics, TV networks and producers began to recognize their potential.

Webtoons—digital comics designed for smartphones—have completely changed the world of comics. Starting with basic, easy-to-create drawings, they’ve grown into popular series adapted for television and sparked passionate fan communities. Many Korean dramas have successfully brought these stories to life, capturing the same heart and feeling as the original webtoons and delivering truly engaging and insightful experiences for viewers.

With beautiful Korean webtoons and manhwa gaining popularity, we’re seeing more and more successful adaptations into K-dramas. Here’s a look at some of the best K-dramas based on these comics.

‘Spirit Fingers’ (2025)


TVING

Based on the popular webtoon by Han Kyoung Chal, Spirit Fingers tells the story of Song Woo Yeon, a timid teenager who joins her school’s unusual art club, also called “Spirit Fingers,” when they ask her to be their model. Through the club and its vibrant, creative members, Woo-yeon starts to embrace her true self and form genuine friendships.

K-dramas rarely focus on the lives of artists and how creativity can bring comfort and connection. That’s what makes ‘Spirit Fingers,’ released in 2025, so special – it quickly gained a loyal fanbase. The series is a heartfelt coming-of-age story that honestly tackles questions of identity, highlighting the way art can be healing. It’s also subtly funny and visually beautiful.

‘Yumi’s Cells’ (2021)


tvN

Based on the hit webtoon by Lee Dong-geon, Yumi’s Cells is a uniquely creative and charming adaptation. The story centers around Kim Yumi, a young woman navigating relatable modern challenges. What makes it special is that Yumi’s feelings and thoughts are brought to life as animated ‘cells’ which influence her actions and sometimes cause chaos.

Yumi’s Cells is a unique show that creatively combines real-life footage with animation, allowing viewers to truly experience what Yumi is feeling and thinking. Despite its imaginative concept, the series tackles Yumi’s challenges with honesty and realism. It’s one of the most original and captivating K-dramas ever produced, whether you’re familiar with the webtoon it’s based on or not.

‘Weak Hero Class 1’ and ‘2’ (2023,2025)

Based on the popular webtoon Weak Hero by Seopass and Kim Jin-seok, Weak Hero Class transforms the school into a battleground. The story centers on Yeon Si-eun (Park Ji-hoon), a clever student who uses his intelligence to creatively defend himself after becoming a target for bullies. This leads him to make friends and creates growing conflicts between different groups of students. The series is known for its intense action and suspense, and Weak Hero Class 2 will follow Yeon Si-eun as he transfers to a larger school with even more skilled fighters.

Though a bit over-the-top at times, Weak Hero Class has been widely praised for its realistic portrayal of power struggles between high school students. Its intense action, excellent acting, and realistic style have quickly made it a popular K-drama on Netflix.

‘Hell Is Other People’ (2019)


Studio N

The thrilling series Hell is Other People (also known as Strangers from Hell) follows twenty-something Yoon Jong Woo. After starting a new job in Seoul, he moves into a cheap apartment building called Eden Studio. Though he’s immediately uneasy around his neighbors, he decides to stay for six months, and soon begins experiencing unsettling and frightening events.

This drama is captivating thanks to its thrilling and suspenseful storyline. Based on the webtoon of the same name by Kim Yong Ki, Hell is Other People doesn’t shy away from dark themes. What really draws viewers in are the complex and relatable characters who live in the apartment building. However, it’s Im Si Wan’s outstanding and natural performance as Yoon Joog Woo that truly impresses audiences.

‘My Roommate Is a Gumiho’ (2021)


tvN

Shin Woo Yeo appears to be a typical good-looking man, but he’s secretly a 999-year-old Gumiho – a legendary nine-tailed fox from Korean folklore. He longs to become fully human and escape his fox form, but his plans are complicated when a college student named Lee Dam unintentionally swallows a powerful bead that’s crucial to his existence. Now, he must stick close to her and find a solution to their unusual situation.

My Roommate Is A Gumiho is a charming K-drama about a laid-back guy and a very sensitive girl whose connection fuels the story. It builds on the popular webtoon while also offering fresh, funny dialogue and relatable characters. With 16 episodes, this series playfully avoids clichés and creates a thoroughly enjoyable romantic comedy you won’t want to stop watching.

‘Love Alarm (2019)’


Netflix

Love Alarm is a series based on the popular webtoon of the same name. It takes place in a world where an app notifies you if someone within 33 feet has romantic feelings for you. The story centers on Kim Jojo, a high school student who can’t even afford a new phone, and how her life is turned upside down when she meets Hwang Sun Oh and his close friend, Lee Hye Yeong.

Even though it doesn’t focus heavily on deep emotions or fully developed characters, Love Alarm has become incredibly popular. The show cleverly explores what it means to find yourself and connect with others, particularly when we rely so much on technology. Like the original webtoon, at its core, this K-drama is a relatable story about growing up. Its honesty and widespread appeal led to Love Alarm receiving four nominations at the Seoul International Drama Awards.

‘Cheese in the Trap’ (2016)


Rakuten Viki

Cheese in the Trap is a drama that offers more depth than its lighthearted story suggests. It follows Hong Seol, a driven college student, as she returns to school and clashes with Yoo Jung, a handsome and well-liked senior. This encounter dramatically alters her life. While Seol views their connection as a typical senior-junior dynamic, Jung appears to have much stronger feelings and a clear vision for where things are going.

This K-drama is beautifully made, with surprising twists and a lot of fun, witty dialogue between the characters. The actors—Park Hae-jin, Kim Go-eun, and Seo Kang-joon—deliver complex and moving performances as they explore both lighthearted and serious themes. It’s based on the popular webcomic Cheese in the Trap, and the series actually enhances everything that made the original story great.

‘Mystic Pop-Bar’ (2020)


Netflix

In the K-drama Mystic Pop-Up Bar, a fiery bar owner crosses paths with a kind-hearted part-time worker. Based on the webtoon Ssanggabpocha by Bae Hye Soo, the story centers around Weol-ju, an ancient woman who runs a unique street food stall and helps her customers resolve their issues as a way to make amends for her past. She’s assisted by Han Kang-bae, who has a special ability to make people reveal their secrets.

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I was completely blown away by Mystic Pop-Up Bar. It’s rare to see a K-drama handle parallel worlds so seamlessly and keep you hooked the entire time. What really got to me were the storylines and the characters – they were so unique, and they touched on some really raw, emotional truths. As someone who also loved the webtoon it’s based on, I can say this adaptation got everything right, balancing the exciting plot with genuine heart. And the best part? It’s a quick, easy watch with only 12 episodes – I binged it immediately!

‘Aftermath’ (2014)


Naver TV

The five-episode series, Aftermath, centers around Ahn Dae Yong, a shy high school student who gains a peculiar ability after a car accident. He can foresee murders by the color of people’s eyes – red eyes indicate a future victim, while blue eyes mark a killer. Along with his girlfriend and best friend, Dae Yong tries to stop these crimes as they unfold around him. The show boasts a truly original concept.

Many early supernatural thrillers focused on surprising twists, but Aftermath stood out with its well-crafted story and realistic characters. The drama, featuring Kim Dong Jun, Sun Joo Ah, Joo Hee Kyung, and Joo Yeon Woo, skillfully blended the suspenseful mystery with the everyday lives and growth of its high school students. Written by Oh Bo-hyun and Lee Moon, it maintained a constant sense of tension without sacrificing character development.

‘Itaewon Class’ (2020)


Netflix

Park Sae-royi’s life is turned upside down when his father is unfairly targeted in a crime. Driven by a desire for revenge against the powerful person responsible, Sae-royi goes from dropping out of school to becoming a troubled youth. After serving time in prison, he decides to start fresh, opening a unique restaurant in Itaewon with a group of unexpected friends. However, his success attracts the attention of a large corporation, Jangga Group, and Sae-royi must fight to protect his dream against their influence and power.

Critics and viewers alike loved this K-drama for its authentic depiction of underrepresented people and how their efforts create positive change. Beyond its inspiring message of perseverance, Itaewon Class is captivating thanks to its well-made suspense, energetic music, and relatable characters, making it a truly refreshing and addictive series.

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2026-02-13 21:38