It is no secret that many of the best K-dramas are usually based on webtoons and manhwa. Not only do these adaptations give producers a well-developed story and characters to work with, but also a pre-established fan base that's sure to tune in to the series. Naturally, studios and streaming platforms have been steadily pumping out one webtoon K-drama adaptation after another over the last few years.
That said, at the same time, recognizing the overlap between the two mediums and their fanbases, an interesting phenomenon has emerged wherein popular original K-dramas are being adapted into webtoons as well. And, coincidence or not, most of the K-dramas adapted into webtoons over the last few years have been Netflix releases.
Our Beloved Summer
Where to Read: Webtoon
Staying true to its title, Our Beloved Summer is one of the most beloved romance K-dramas among fans of the genre even five whole years after its release. And it seems like the K-drama's producers already foresaw its success as the K-drama's debut was supplemented with the release of a prequel webtoon.
Featuring Choi Woo-sik and Kim Da-mi as its main leads, Our Beloved Summer follows two high school exes who are forced to reunite despite a shared promise to never cross paths again when an old documentary they filmed back in the day goes viral. This reluctant reunion eventually rekindles old feelings, but not without digging up plenty of conflict and misunderstandings first.
That said, Our Beloved Summer's webtoon covers more of the young couple's high school days instead and with only twenty chapters, it might as well be required reading for any fan of the series, especially with its charming artwork by Han Kyoung Chal.
Romance Is A Bonus Book
Where to Read: Tappytoon
Released back in 2019, Romance Is a Bonus Book is still one of Netflix's most underrated, coziest romance K-dramas. Starring Lee Jong-suk and Lee Na-young, the series follows Kang Dan-i, who is left in a tough spot as an unemployed single mother after a messy divorce and as she tries to get back on her feet, she finds much-needed support in an old friend named Cha Eun-ho. The series eventually sees the two old friends reunite and fall in love against the cozy yet intriguing backdrop of the book publishing industry as they come to work and live together.
While Romance Is a Bonus Book didn't take home any major accolades, it was clearly well-loved enough among fans to be adapted into a webtoon. Written by Nana and illustrated by Mino, the manhwa adaptation initially debuted on May 4, 2021, making its way to Tappytoon on April 17, 2022 where it is currently complete with 70 chapters that closely follow the K-drama's story for the most part.
King the Land
Where to Read: Tapas
Three years later, Netflix's King the Land is still one of the most charming romance K-dramas on the platform. The excellent chemistry between Lim Yoona and Lee Junho still has fans wanting more and luckily, the series received an expansion in the form of a prequel manhwa currently available on Tapas.
The romance between Sa-rang and Gu-won in King the Land was all but perfect, but the one thing the series was oddly missing was the common K-drama trope of its main leads having known each other as children. While this trope has admittedly grown cliché over the years, the manner in which King the Land's prequel manhwa explores this connection is far too adorable to hate, especially with its gorgeous artwork by none other than SPOON, the artist of Who Made Me A Princess.
Bon Appétit, Your Majesty
Where to Read: Webtoon
As popular as the isekai trope is in manhwa and webtoons, it's quite rare to see it in K-dramas, but series like Mr. Queen and Bon Appétit, Your Majesty prove this tired trope can still make for some very refreshing stories. Bon Appétit, Your Majesty, in particular, was a major recent hit for Netflix, becoming one of its biggest new fantasy K-dramas after Alchemy of Souls, and it's no surprise the series has now found "new life" as a webtoon.
The series follows a prolific modern chef named Yeon Ji-yeong who is transported into the past, specifically the Joseon Era, during the reign of the tyrant ruler and gourmet, Lee Heon. A series of events leads to Ji-yeong becoming the chief royal cook, and as she brings modern cuisine into the Joseon period, her cooking unwittingly sways the heart of the future tyrant king. Given its premise, the series was clearly made to be a manhwa all along and the adaptation does not disappoint in the slightest.
Adapted by ONU and illustrated by JEO, Bon Appétit, Your Majesty's manhwa made its way to Webtoon on May 23, 2026, and offers a slightly different retelling of the story as it's based on the original web novel that inspired the K-drama, meaning there's also room for plenty more new story content.
Extraordinary Attorney Woo
Where to Read: Webtoon
Of all the legal K-dramas available on Netflix, few are as critically acclaimed and beloved among fans as Extraordinary Attorney Woo, which is just as extraordinary as its title claims. The series stands out for its true and honest portrayal of autism, all while delivering a cozy yet compelling series of legal mysteries.
Even halfway into its release back in 2022, Extraordinary Attorney Woo was evidently being very well received among audiences, seeing as Studio AStory was quick to announce a webtoon. Adapted by Yuil and illustrated by HwaUmJo and LeeYeJi, Extraordinary Attorney Woo's manhwa was released on Naver Webtoon in on July 27, 2022, with the English release hitting Webtoon on December 16, 2022.
The webtoon is presently complete with 65 chapters in all, including spin-offs and story beats that were left out in the drama, whether that's Jun-ho's mystery gift for Young-woo, or the ultimate fate of Attorney Jung Myeong-seok's marriage. Extraordinary Attorney Woo's quirky, expressive cast of characters also seem tailor-made for a webtoon which make the adaptation all the more worth a read.
Spooky in Love
Where to Read: Webtoon
Netflix recently founds its new supernatural romance sensation in Spooky in Love which released on July 18, 2026, with a webtoon adaptation in tow. Starring Park Eun-bin and Yang Se-jeong, Spooky in Love follows Cheon Yeo-ri, a chaebol heiress and CEO of Reina Hotel, who possesses the ability to see and communicate with ghosts after a brush with death a decade prior. As Yeo-ri helps these spirits find peace, she repeatedly crosses paths with Prosecutor Ma Gang-uk, who is drawn towards Yeo-ri and into the world of the supernatural by extension.
Adapted by kkyoung and illustrated by kimu, the official English release of Spooky in Love's manhwa also recently made its way to Webtoon. The webtoon follows the K-drama's story pretty closely for the most part and, while the series is still only about ten chapters in, its charming art makes it worth checking out well in advance.
Be the first to comment on this article!