The web comic is an increasingly popular source of material for k-dramas and after seeing the drama it can be fun to read the original comics.
Several recent k-drama hits were inspired by comics. "Girl Who Sees Smells," starring Park Yoo Chun and Shin Se Kyung, and "The Scholar Who Walks The Night," starring Lee Jun Ki and Kim So Eun, were both popular web comic-based dramas.
And some comic-inspired dramas also win praise. The workplace drama "Misaeng" based on a webtoon by Yoon Tae Ho, won a few awards and unprecedented cable program ratings.
There are a few dramas viewers may not know were inspired by comics.
"Last," which starred Yoon Kye Sang and Lee Bum Soo, was based on the comic Last In this drama Yoon Kye Sang's character becomes the victim in a seemingly fool-proof deal. Hounded by loan sharks, he travels underground to find a society of homeless people.
"Mary Stayed Out All Night," which starred Jang Geun Suk and Moon Geun Young was originally a web comic. In this story a girl named Ue Ma Ri starts a relationship with a musician only to find out she is engaged to another man. He's perfect but he's not the man she loves.
In the comic Sucker for Love, sweet naive Kang Ho Gu, played by Choi Woo Sik is taken advantage of by girls. "Fool's Love" is the drama that was based on the comic. Kang Ho Gu's life changes when he runs into his old high school classmate, played by Uee. He can't believe she is interested in him. But there's a complication. She might be pregnant by another classmate of theirs.
"Hyde, Jekyll and I," starring Hyun Bin and Han Ji Min, was based on the webtoon "Dr. Jekyll Is Mr. Hyde," which was based on the novel "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." In this drama Hyun Bin played a man with two distinct personalities, one of them cruel and the other kind.
'Full House," starring Rain and Song Hye Kyo also had its beginnings as a comic. In this drama, a girl's friends sell her family home, named Full House, without letting her know, and she winds up as the tenant of the new owner, a popular actor. "Full House" was based on the manhwa by Won Soo Yeon.
The trend shows no sign of slowing down with more web-comic-inspired dramas in the works.
The upcoming drama "Cheese in the Trap," starring Park Hae Jin and Kim Go Eun, was so popular that fans closely followed every step of the casting process.
Yoo Seung Ho chose "Imaginary Cat," as his comeback drama. It's the story of a man whose relationship with his cat helps improve his relationships with other humans.
A drama version of the food-focused romantic comic Shall We Have Dinner Tonight? is also in the works.
Some links to Spottoon.com have been provided so you can check out the original comics. The site will soon add the comics that inspired "Mary Stayed Out All Night, "Full Love," "Hyde, Jekyll and I" and "Imaginary Cat."
