10 Webtoon Based K-Dramas You Need to Watch in 2022

Over a while, webtoons have become one of the largest consumed online content in South Korea, and are trending worldwide. A huge number of webtoons have been adapted to both film and television and with more new releases every week, the number of adaptations being released is larger than ever. 2021 has had back-to-back webtoon-based releases which became immensely popular and left the viewers craving for more–the award-winning True Beauty being a prime example– and now, 2022 is all set to have its turn. Here are some of the significant stories we’re looking forward to.

Dr. Park’s Clinic

Scheduled to release on January 14th, Dr. Park’s Clinic is written by Jang Bongsoo. It is based on a well-known webcomic titled Internal Medicine Dr. Park. As per Yonhap News Agency, this is ‘Tving’s original series and will be the first show to continue the webtoon -TV collaborations.’ Lee Sojin will play Dr. Park–a man who initially wants to be a fair altruistic doctor, but when faced with debt and groaning under the burden of loan, decides to take a darker path to save himself from bankruptcy.

All Of Us Are Dead

This upcoming television series based on the Naver webtoon Now At Our School is penned by Joo Donggeun. Slated to release by the end of this month (January 28th,) it will be starring Yoon Chanyoung, Park Jihoo, Cho Yihyun, Park Solomon, and Yoo Insoo in prominent roles. The story revolves around a zombie apocalypse where students get trapped within their high school. They must either fight to escape, or contract the virus. Happiness, released in November 2021 starring Park Hyungsik and Han Hyojoo, followed a similar plot where the residents of a new high-rise building in the city get trapped due to a zombie outbreak– it’s now time for high schoolers to deal with the deadly virus.  

Tomorrow

After My King’s Affection, SF9’s Rowoon is appearing in fantasy K-drama titled Tomorrow, set for a January 2022 release. The show is based on a webtoon of the same name by RaMa and is about Choi Joongwong, an unemployed young who attempts committing suicide to be free of his miserable life. When he is on the verge of jumping from a bridge, he sees another person doing the same thing and convinces him not to. Unfortunately, both men end up falling off the bridge. Joonwong goes into a coma during which his soul bags a job in the special crisis management team of the underworld, helping those who are at high risk of committing suicide. Besides Rowoon, the other lead actors are Kim Heesun and Lee Soohyuk.

A Business Proposal

A Business Proposal, based on web novel Sanae Matsun or The Office Blind Date by Hae Hwa, will feature idol-actress Kim Sejeong of The Uncanny Encounter fame, in the role of an office worker Shin Ha Ri opposite Ahn Hyoseop (Doctor Romantic 2.)The story is about Shin Ha Ri disguised as her rich friend Jin Youngseo who goes on a blind date with Kang Taemu– the CEO of her company– without knowing that the latter is her boss. On the other hand, Kang Taemu is a workaholic and fed up with his grandfather’s habit of setting him up on continuous blind dates. To end this ordeal, he decides to marry the next woman he meets who turns out to be the unsuspecting Shin Ha Ri, introducing herself as Jin Youngseo.

Island

Scheduled to be released in the first half of 2022 under the banner of OCN, Island— based on the webcomic of the same name– is a fantasy action series chronicling the fables of Jeju island. The cast includes Lee Dahee alongside Kim Namgil, Cha Eunwoo, and Sung Joon. Kim Namgil will be seen as ‘Pan’, the protector, born and trained to save the world from evil. He acts as a weapon to fight evil and kills the possessed. Lee Daehee will be ‘Won MiHo,’ a ‘third-generation chaebol’ who lands on the island to become a teacher. Cha Eunwoo is ‘John,’ an exorcist and Catholic priest, the nobleman who is dedicated to redeeming the fallen man. Last but not the least, Sung Joon will play ‘Goong Tan,’ raised to be with Pan on the same mission but now his rival. The story is full of suspense, thrill, and action.

Superior Day

Jin Goo, Ha Dokwon, and Lee Wongeun will be seen in this thriller based on the webtoon Superior Day. The story is about an ordinary man caught in an extraordinary situation; Jin Goo will be seen as ‘Lee HoChul’, a firefighter who must save his kidnapped daughter. Ha, Dokwon will play ‘Bae Taejin’, a professional hitman who is chasing a serial killer and Lee Wongeun will play the role of ‘Kwon Siwoo’, a serial killer who believes himself to be above everyone else in the world. Superior Day will tentatively release in the first half of this year.

Moving

This Disney+ original K-drama is an action-hero thriller. It has a star-studded cast with Jo Insung, Han Hyojoo, Cha Taehyun and Ryu Seungryong in main roles and is directed by Park Injae. The story is based on a webtoon by Kang Full. It is a story of three teenagers who come to terms with their supernatural abilities and their families who keep this truth under wraps. Together, they fight against evil forces that threaten people across various time periods. Jo Insung plays the character of a secret agent who has the ability to fly. In an interview with The Korea Times, he stated, “I enjoyed reading Kang’s original story, and the unique universe is beautiful. I think the whole world can relate to the story. I hope viewers enjoy it.” Han Hyojoo will play ‘Min Hyun’ who has extraordinary superhuman powers. Cha will be seen as ‘Kye Do’ and Kim Sungkyun as ‘Jae-man’ who all have different superhuman abilities. The series will be available on Disney+ in the second half of this year.

The Sound Of Magic

The webtoon Annarasumanara by Ha Ilkwon will be adapted into the Netflix drama The Sound of Magic. ‘Yun Ai,’ who wanted to be a wizard, has given up on her dreams and is living in dire circumstances. However, she meets a mysterious magician and slowly restarts thinking of pursuing magic once again and fulfilling her biggest dream. Kim Sungyoon will be directing the adaptation. Ji Changwook, Hwang Inyeop, and Choi Sungeun will play the lead protagonists.

Bloodhounds

Written by Jung Chan, Bloodhounds is an adaptation of his webtoon Hunting Dogs. It’s a story of three young people who, while working for a moneylender, get entangled with each other in a criminal organization. This drama will reportedly be directed by Kim Joohwan for Netflix. Actors like Woo Dohwan, Lee Sangyi, Park Sungwoong and Kim Saeron are said to be in talks for playing the main characters in this ‘action-noir’ series. Bloodhounds will be produced by Studio N, which has been associated with popular webtoon-based dramas and series, like Nevertheless, Strangers From Hell, and Sweet Home. While there is no concrete date yet, Bloodhounds is slated to air this year.

Delivery Knight

After a long patient wait, Kim Woobin is back to star in the Netflix drama Delivery Night, based on Lee Yungyun’s webtoon of the same same. He will be seen opposite Esom. The premise of the story is set in the future and showcases a time when excessive air pollution have forced to live completely indoors and life becomes fully dependent on delivery services. The release date is yet to be announced.