Over the past decade, the Korean entertainment industry has seen an explosive rise in dramas adapted from webtoons and web novels. Instead of relying solely on original scripts, the filmmakers have cleverly transformed static illustrations and digital stories into vivid and emotional on-screen narratives.
From the sweet charm of Business Proposal and What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim, to the bittersweet emotions of Doona!, and the thrilling revenge arcs of Marrying My Husband, these adaptations have captivated audiences around the world. Many of them have not only preserved the spirit of their original works, but also elevated the stories through charismatic acting, compelling scripts, and visually stunning production.
Here are 10 of the most remarkable Korean romance adaptations of the past decade: series that have left a lasting impact on global audiences and, in some cases, even surpassed the source material.
True beauty
With billions of global views, True Beauty has established itself as a monumental success in the high school romance genre. Adapted from a hugely popular webtoon that has surpassed four billion reads, the drama immediately attracted widespread attention upon its announcement.
The story follows a girl who transforms from someone insecure about her appearance into a “goddess” through makeup. At the center of the narrative is a dramatic love triangle between three students, played by Cha Eun Woo, Moon Ga Young and Hwang In Yeop.
In an era where the entertainment market was saturated with dark themes like zombies or heavy social issues, True Beauty captivated viewers with its sweet plot, heartfelt emotions, and a meaningful message about overcoming self-doubt. Its simple yet relatable charm resonated with audiences of all ages and rekindled the innocent emotions of youth.
Marry my husband
Marry My Husband tells the story of Kang Ji Won, a woman who suffers the ultimate betrayal when her husband and his best friend have an affair. To make matters worse, she is diagnosed with a terminal illness and is eventually killed by them.
However, fate gives her a miraculous second chance when she travels ten years back in time. Determined to change her destiny, Ji Won begins a carefully planned journey of revenge and redemption.
With its intense plot and fast-paced narration, the drama keeps viewers glued to the screen. Many fans have praised the series for its engaging narrative, with comments such as: “The pacing is addictive and never drags” and “I couldn’t wait for the next episode, so I went straight to read the original webtoon.”
Commercial proposal
Among the most successful adaptations of recent years, Business Proposal proved to be a surprising success during its broadcast season.
Adapted from a web novel with over 320 million reads and a popular webtoon version, the drama features a young and talented cast including Ahn Hyo Seop, Kim Se Jeong, Kim Min Kyu and Seol In Ah.
The story begins when Shin Ha Ri agrees to go on a blind date in place of her best friend with the intention of sabotaging it. Unexpectedly, the man sitting in front of her turns out to be the new CEO of the company she works for. What follows is a delightful office romance filled with hilarious misunderstandings and emotional moments.
The drama stood out for its lighthearted “healing” plot and vibrant performances, successfully capturing the spirit of the original webtoon while offering compelling chemistry between the lead couple.
My roommate is a Gumiho
Adapted from a beloved webtoon that earned a staggering 99.7% rating in Korea, My Roommate Is a Gumiho immediately attracted huge attention when it was announced.
Starring Jang Ki Yong, Hyeri, Kang Han Na, and Kim Do Wan, this fantasy novel brought the magical elements of the original story to life with colorful imagery and memorable scenes.
The drama remained faithful to the source material while highlighting the sweet and charming romance between its protagonists. The result was a delightful mix of fantasy and romance that cemented its place as one of the funniest supernatural love stories in recent K-drama history.
Want!
Adapted from the popular webtoon The Girl Downstairs, Doona! portrays a complex love story between ordinary college student Lee Won Jun and former K-pop idol Lee Doona, who lives a secluded life after leaving the spotlight.
Their relationship begins with a misunderstanding when Doona mistakes Won Jun for an obsessive fan from their shared apartment complex. Over time, however, their interactions evolve into mutual understanding and emotional connection.
One of the main differences between the drama and the original webtoon lies in the ending. While the TV series opts for an open ending, the webtoon presents a harsher reality where Doona ultimately chooses her career and leaves Won Jun behind.
This bittersweet narrative left viewers deeply emotional, with many commenting that the story remained in their minds long after finishing the series.
What’s wrong with Secretary Kim
Upon its release, What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim sparked a cultural phenomenon, influencing everything from fashion trends to viral memes.
Widely regarded as one of the most faithful webtoon adaptations, the drama carefully recreated the appearance, hairstyles, and makeup of the characters from the original work.
The story centers on Lee Young Joon, the narcissistic vice president of the Yumyung Group, and his skilled secretary Kim Mi So. Their relationship takes a dramatic turn when Mi So suddenly announces her resignation, prompting Young Joon to court her romantically.
The explosive chemistry between Park Seo Joon and Park Min Young captivated audiences, while Mi So’s refined office style – blouses paired with pencil skirts and sleek ponytails – sparked a major fashion trend among viewers.
Daily dose of sun
Set in the psychiatric department of Myungshin Hospital, Daily Dose of Sunshine offers a heartfelt exploration of mental health through the interactions between doctors, nurses and patients.
The series blends real psychological therapy methods with medical knowledge, depicting both patients’ emotional difficulties and the invisible pressures faced by healthcare professionals.
Park Bo Young gave a powerful performance as Nurse Da Eun, supported by a strong ensemble cast. Despite tackling heavy topics, the drama maintains a hopeful tone with warm images, gentle humor and a touch of romance.
With an IMDb rating of 8.3/10, the series is widely praised as an emotionally resonant and healing drama.
Yumi’s cells
Yumi’s Cells stands out as one of the most innovative Korean dramas in recent years, fusing live action with 3D animation.
The story explores the inner world of employee Yumi through animated “cells” that represent her emotions and thoughts. Personifying elements such as love, reason and fashion, the series offers a creative and entertaining look at human psychology.
Over the course of two seasons, the drama follows Yumi’s romantic journey, from her relationship with Goo Woong to Yoo Babi, exploring themes of personal growth and self-discovery.
Although its initial ratings were modest, the show has built a devoted fan base across Asia thanks to its unique storytelling and emotional authenticity.
Lovely runner
Adapted from the web novel Tomorrow’s Best, Lovely Runner quickly became one of the most talked about dramas thanks to its thrilling time travel plot.
The series follows Im Sol (Kim Hye Yoon), a young woman who loses the will to live after being paralyzed in an accident. His life changes when he finds solace in idol Ryu Sun Jae’s (Byeon Woo Seok) radio broadcasts.
After Sun Jae’s sudden death, Im Sol mysteriously returns to 2008 and decides to change the future to save him.
The drama won widespread praise for the chemistry between its leads and its mix of humor, romance, and emotional storytelling. Its nostalgic musical references, such as Girls’ Generation’s Yuri appearing alongside the song “Genie”, also contributed to its emotional impact.
Based on the webtoon July Found by Chance, Extraordinary You brought a refreshing twist to the high school romance genre.
The story follows Eun Dan Oh, a student who suddenly realizes that she is merely a supporting character in a comic called Secret. Refusing to accept the predetermined plot – in which he suffers from a congenital heart disease and unrequited love – he decides to rewrite his own destiny.
Together with Haru, a mysterious background character who doesn’t even have a name in the original plot, Dan Oh embarks on a courageous journey to change their destinies.
With its imaginative concept and emotional narrative, Extraordinary You raises a fascinating question: Can people really control their own lives, even in a world where everything seems predetermined?
Sources: kenh14
