Manhwas are the new buzzword for people who usually read comics. They are a slight variation of manga. Manhwa is the term used for comics produced in South Korea, while comics written in Japan are called manga. Manhwa is to be read vertically by scrolling down. A manga is read horizontally from left to right, opposite to the way a comic is read. Manhwa is often vibrantly colored, contrasting to the often black-and-white manga. Manhwa is also called webtoons as the most popular platform for reading them is Naver Webtoon. A broad genre of manhwa, including romance, comedy, and action, are available. They have also been the source material for several kdramas. Here, a list has been put together of ten manhwa that are adapted into dramas.
1. True Beauty
True Beauty is a manhwa written and illustrated by the South Korean artist Yaongyi. The chapters were released on Naver Webtoon on April 2, 2018. It is also popular among people outside South Korea, with the English translation having millions of views. A drama named True Beauty was produced based on the webtoon and has achieved popularity as one of the most beloved dramas. The story focuses on a high-school girl who becomes a makeup expert and tries to look beautiful but soon gets into trouble.
2. All Of Us Are Dead
All of Us Are Dead is a manhwa written and illustrated by the South Korean artist Joo Dong-Geun. 130 chapters were published from May 13, 2009, to November 2, 2011, on Naver WEBTOON. The story focuses on a group of high-schoolers who try to survive in a zombie apocalypse. Netflix announced an original drama adaptation of it in April 2020, with Lee Jae-Gyu directing it.
3. Nevertheless
Nevertheless is a manhwa written and illustrated by the South Korean artist JeongSeo. It was adapted into a drama and aired on television from June 19 to August 21, 2021. The episodes were later released on Netflix both domestically and internationally. Actors, including Song Kang, Chae Jong-hyeop, and Han So-Hee starred in it. The story follows two people who like each other but don't want to fall in love because of their previous relationships.
4. Sweet Home
Sweet Home, one of the most famous manhwas, was written by Kim Carnby and illustrated by Hwang Young-chan. It is also popular overseas, with its English translation having millions of views. The first chapter was published on Naver Webtoon on October 12, 2017. The story focuses on Cha Hyun-soo, who shifts to a flat where shortly after that, a zombie apocalypse starts. Netflix adapted it into a drama that has become widely popular.
5. Hellbound
Hellbound was developed in 2021 by director Yeon Sang-ho and writer Choi Gyu-Seok. The story focuses on a world where people are condemned as “sinners” and sent to hell after receiving a prophecy. The report was not completed when it was approved by Netflix, so the drama's ending is different from the webtoon. Stars, including Park Jeong-min, Yoo Ah-in, Kim Hyun-Joo, Yang Ik-June, and Won Jin-ah, starred in it.
6. Yumi's Cells
Yumi's Cells is a webtoon written and illustrated by the South Korean artist Lee Dong-gun. It was published on the platform Naver Webtoon on April 1, 2015. A total of 512 chapters were published until November 13, 2020. Its story follows Kim Yumi, a young employee whose brain cells manipulate her thoughts and actions. A drama of the same name was released in South Korea on September 17, 2021.
7. July Found By Chance
The webtoon July Found by Chance was first released on Daum Webtoon in January 2018. The story focuses on a young girl Eun Dan-oh, who discovers that she is living in a fictional world inside a comic. Eun finds out about her fate and is not satisfied with it. She decides to change her destiny by rewriting the comic's story. A drama based on it, Extraordinary You, was released on October 2, 2019.
8. Business Proposal
Business Proposal is a webtoon written by HaeHwa and illustrated by Narak. The story follows Shin Ha-ri, who goes on a blind date instead of her friend. She discovers that the person with her on the date is the CEO of her company. It was adapted into a drama of the same title by director Park Seon-ho. The 12-episode series aired from February 28 to April 5, 2022, on SBS TV.
9. Cheese In The Trap
Cheese in the Trap is a webtoon written and illustrated by the South Korean artist Soonkki. Its first chapter was released in 2010 on Naver WEBTOON. A film of the same name was released on March 14, 2018. It was also adapted as a drama and released on January 4, 2016. The drama starred famous actors, including Kim Go-Eun, Seo Kang-Joon, Lee Sung-Kyung, and Park Hae-jin.
10. Itaewon Class
Itaewon Class is a famous webtoon that was later adapted by Showbox into a drama. The story follows Park Sae-to-Yi, whose father died in an accident. He seeks revenge against the person who did it, Jang Geun-won of Jangga Group, but is unsuccessful and is jailed for it. When he is free, Park Sae-to-Yi seeks revenge against the Jangga Group by opening Danbam in Itaewon. It was aired from January 31 to March 21, 2020, in South Korea. It was also released later globally on Netflix.
