Korean dramas have a long history of borrowing stories from novels, films, manga and webtoons. In recent years, however, K-dramas based on webtoons have become especially popular because they already come with established characters, visual storytelling and dedicated fanbases.
A webtoon gives viewers a version of the story they can read before the drama arrives. That makes the live-action adaptation even more exciting when a familiar scene appears almost exactly as it did on the page. From romantic moments and school confrontations to terrifying monster attacks, some K-drama scenes from webtoons are so faithful that fans can recognize them immediately.
Not every adaptation follows its source material closely. Some dramas change the plot, combine characters or create entirely new scenes. The examples below stand out because they recreate memorable moments from their original webtoons with only minor changes.
1. Orange Marmalade’s Famous Train Kiss
Orange Marmalade combines teenage romance, supernatural fantasy and social prejudice in a world where vampires and humans live together. The story follows Baek Ma-ri, a young vampire who tries to hide her identity while attending high school.
One of the drama’s most recognizable moments happens on a train. Ma-ri falls asleep near Jung Jae-min, the popular class president, and becomes distracted by the sweet smell of his blood. Before she fully understands what she is doing, she leans toward his neck and kisses him.
The scene was not simply inspired by the original webtoon. It was recreated with striking similarity, making it one of the clearest examples of a K-drama scene copied from a webtoon. The moment also captures the unusual tone of Orange Marmalade, where a soft romantic gesture can carry a dangerous supernatural meaning.
2. Itaewon Class Recreates Its Opening School Fight
Itaewon Class became one of the most talked-about Korean dramas of its release period, but its story began as a webtoon. The drama follows Park Sae-ro-yi, a determined young man whose life changes after he confronts a powerful student and becomes entangled with the student’s influential family.
The opening school confrontation is almost identical in both versions. Jang Geun-won humiliates another student by pouring a drink over his head. Sae-ro-yi, unaware of Geun-won’s family connections, challenges him and eventually punches him.
That decision leads to punishment and sets the entire story in motion. The scene works particularly well in live action because Park Seo-joon’s performance gives Sae-ro-yi’s anger a physical intensity, while the webtoon version establishes the same moment as the turning point of his life.
For viewers who enjoy Korean dramas based on webtoons, Itaewon Class is a strong example of how a drama can preserve the emotional purpose and visual structure of its source material.
3. Strangers From Hell Turns a Webtoon Nightmare Into Reality
Also known as Hell Is Other People, Strangers From Hell is one of the darkest titles on this list. The drama follows Yoon Jong-woo, a young man who moves into the inexpensive Eden Studio apartment building after relocating for work. His new neighbors initially seem strange, but their behavior becomes increasingly disturbing.
A memorable scene from the first episode involves Hong Nam-bok, a nervous and unsettling resident who watches Jong-woo from outside his room while holding a knife. The webtoon presents the moment as a quiet but deeply uncomfortable warning that something is wrong inside the building.
The drama recreates the same basic image but adds a small change. Jong-woo confronts Nam-bok rather than simply remaining a passive observer. That adjustment gives the scene more immediate tension while preserving the fear of the original.
This is one of the strongest examples of a webtoon adaptation using a familiar image to establish atmosphere. The horror comes less from a sudden shock than from the feeling that Jong-woo is being watched inside a place that should feel safe.
4. My ID Is Gangnam Beauty Captures a Quiet Romantic Moment
My ID Is Gangnam Beauty is based on a Naver webtoon and focuses on Kang Mi-rae, a university student who has undergone plastic surgery after years of being judged for her appearance. The drama explores beauty standards, bullying and the pressure to fit into a narrow social ideal.
One of the most recognizable scenes takes place during a school trip. Mi-rae and Do Kyung-seok walk together while fireworks light up the sky. Mi-rae is focused on the display, but Kyung-seok is more interested in her.
The scene is gentle rather than dramatic, which is part of its appeal. The webtoon uses the fireworks as a romantic backdrop, while the drama recreates the same emotional contrast between the beautiful scenery and Kyung-seok’s attention toward Mi-rae.
A rival watching them from a distance adds another layer of tension. It is a classic K-drama romance scene, but the visual similarity to the original webtoon makes it especially satisfying for readers of the source material.
5. True Beauty Brings a Webtoon Makeup Moment to Life
True Beauty became one of the most popular modern teen romance dramas, and its connection to the original LINE Webtoon was a major part of its appeal. The story follows Im Ju-kyung, a high school student who uses makeup to hide her insecurities and navigate the pressures of appearance and popularity.
One of the drama’s sweetest moments involves Ju-kyung and Han Seo-jun at a shopping mall. They are choosing a gift for Seo-jun’s sister when Ju-kyung notices a lip tint. Because she cannot test it directly, she applies it to Seo-jun instead.
The moment is awkward, playful and full of romantic tension. Seo-jun becomes visibly flustered, while Ju-kyung remains focused on the makeup. The drama recreates the same basic interaction from the webtoon, including the small gestures that reveal Seo-jun’s growing feelings.
Among the many K-drama scenes from webtoons, this one stands out because it does not rely on a major confession or dramatic kiss. The chemistry comes from a simple everyday moment that becomes meaningful because of the characters’ reactions.
6. Sweet Home Recreates a Monster Attack From the Webtoon
Not all K-dramas based on webtoons are romantic. Sweet Home takes a much darker route, adapting the horror webtoon by Kim Kan-bi and Hwang Young-chan into a story about monsters, isolation and human desperation.
The drama follows Cha Hyun-su, a troubled teenager who moves into the Green Home apartment complex just as people begin transforming into terrifying creatures. The adaptation is known for bringing the webtoon’s disturbing monster designs into live action.
One early scene shows Hyun-su facing a one-eyed monster near his window. The creature appears through the curtain and begins attacking the residents below. Hyun-su uses a makeshift broom as a weapon while trying to stop it.
The scene closely follows the structure of the webtoon. The window, the monster’s appearance and Hyun-su’s improvised weapon all create a familiar image for readers. The live-action version adds sound design, visual effects and physical danger, but the central moment remains recognizable.
This is a good example of how a fantasy K-drama can preserve the visual identity of its source while expanding the scale for television.
7. The Uncanny Counter Recreates So Mun’s First Major Fight
Originally titled Amazing Rumor, The Uncanny Counter follows a group of supernatural demon hunters known as the Counters. The drama combines action, fantasy and school bullying, with So Mun at the center of the story.
Before becoming a Counter, So Mun is still dealing with the effects of an earlier injury and must pretend to be physically weak. When a school bully attacks his best friend in the gym, So Mun receives a message ordering him to meet.
The scene becomes more intense when the bully throws a punch. So Mun catches the fist and gives him a cold, controlled stare. For a brief moment, it seems as if So Mun has finally found the strength to fight back. He is still beaten, however, and the Counters eventually arrive to help him.
The webtoon and drama share the same basic sequence. The live-action version emphasizes the contrast between So Mun’s apparent vulnerability and his growing supernatural power.
It is one of the most memorable K-drama fight scenes because it shows the character’s transformation before he fully understands what he is capable of.
8. Love Alarm Recreates an Early Alleyway Romance
Love Alarm imagines a world where a mobile application alerts users whenever someone nearby has romantic feelings for them. The drama follows Kim Jo-jo as she becomes caught between her feelings for Hwang Sun-oh and Lee Hye-yeong.
One of the earliest romantic moments occurs when Sun-oh follows Jo-jo. She notices him and jokes that his behavior must mean he has a crush on her. The two eventually move into an alley to talk, where their playful exchange leads to an unexpectedly early kiss.
The scene closely resembles its webtoon counterpart. The alley setting, the teasing dialogue and the sudden shift from awkwardness to romance all carry over from the original story.
For fans of romantic Korean dramas, the moment is important because it establishes the chemistry between the characters before the story becomes more complicated. It also demonstrates how a webtoon can use a compact visual sequence to create a memorable romantic turning point.
9. What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim Recreates the Amusement Park Date
Unlike several titles on this list, What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim? began as a novel by Jung Kyung-yoon before becoming a webtoon. The drama follows Lee Young-joon, a self-absorbed company vice chairman, and Kim Mi-so, his secretary who decides to resign after years of working for him.
Young-joon struggles to understand why Mi-so wants to leave, so he attempts to impress her with an extravagant date. He arranges access to an entire amusement park, prepares a private dinner and organizes fireworks.
The sequence is one of the drama’s most romantic set pieces. It also closely follows the webtoon’s presentation of Young-joon’s over-the-top attempt to create the perfect evening.
The appeal comes from the contrast between his confidence and Mi-so’s reaction. Young-joon believes the grand gesture is flawless, while Mi-so is often more amused and surprised than overwhelmed.
For viewers searching for best romantic K-dramas, this scene shows why the series became such a popular example of the office-romance genre.
10. Cheese in the Trap Recreates Baek In-ho’s Rainy Breakdown
Cheese in the Trap is based on a Naver webtoon that ran from 2010 to 2016. The drama centers on Hong Seol and the complicated relationships surrounding her, including the emotionally troubled Baek In-ho.
In one of the series’ most painful scenes, In-ho stands outside a convenience store in the rain while watching a television screen. The program features another young pianist succeeding in the career In-ho once dreamed of pursuing.
The moment is devastating because In-ho’s reaction reveals how much he has lost. He cries while watching the performance, and Hong Seol eventually notices him and runs over to shelter him from the rain.
The scene appears in the webtoon with much of the same emotional structure. The rain, the television screen and In-ho’s silent breakdown create a visual portrait of regret and unresolved ambition.
It is also a strong example of why K-drama characters often feel so emotionally layered. In-ho’s pain is not explained through a long speech. The scene allows the setting and his reaction to communicate what he cannot say.
Why These Webtoon Scenes Work So Well in K-Dramas
The strongest K-drama webtoon adaptations understand that a faithful scene is not necessarily a frame-by-frame copy. A webtoon uses still images, panel composition and visual pacing, while a television drama adds movement, sound, performance and editing.
That means a scene can remain recognizable while still changing slightly for live action. Strangers From Hell adds a confrontation to increase tension. The Uncanny Counter uses performance and choreography to make a fight feel more physical. Sweet Home expands a monster encounter through visual effects.
Romantic scenes benefit from the same process. The lip tint moment in True Beauty works because the actors’ expressions carry the emotional meaning of the original panel. The fireworks scene in My ID Is Gangnam Beauty becomes more intimate through the camera’s focus on Kyung-seok rather than the display itself.
These details explain why fans enjoy comparing K-dramas based on webtoons with their source material. The pleasure is not only in spotting similarities. It is also in seeing how a familiar scene changes when performed by actors and shaped by a television director.
More K-Dramas Based on Webtoons to Watch
If you enjoy these adaptations, Fandomora’s guide to best romantic K-dramas is a useful next stop for romance-focused recommendations. Viewers interested in the wider appeal of Korean television can also explore why Korean dramas are so popular, while readers looking for familiar faces can check out the guide to top Korean actors and actresses.
For audiences who prefer darker or more mature storytelling, the growing category of K-dramas for adults includes series built around complicated relationships, social pressure and difficult emotional choices.
The best webtoon adaptations are not always the most faithful from beginning to end. Often, the most successful ones know which scenes must remain recognizable and which parts need to change for a different medium.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which K-dramas are based on webtoons?
Popular K-dramas based on webtoons include Itaewon Class, True Beauty, Sweet Home, The Uncanny Counter, Love Alarm, My ID Is Gangnam Beauty, Strangers From Hell and Cheese in the Trap.
2. What is the difference between a webtoon and a manhwa?
A webtoon is a digital comic designed primarily for online reading, often through vertical scrolling. Manhwa is the broader Korean term for comics, including both printed and digital formats.
3. Is True Beauty based on a webtoon?
Yes. True Beauty is based on the LINE Webtoon created by Yaongyi. The drama adapts the story of Im Ju-kyung and her experiences with makeup, beauty standards and romance.
4. Is Sweet Home based on a webtoon?
Yes. Sweet Home is based on the horror webtoon created by Kim Kan-bi and Hwang Young-chan. The drama adapts the story of Cha Hyun-su and the monster outbreak at Green Home.
5.Which romantic K-dramas are adapted from webtoons?
Romantic titles adapted from webtoons include True Beauty, Love Alarm, My ID Is Gangnam Beauty, What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim?, Cheese in the Trap and Orange Marmalade.
6. Are webtoon adaptations always faithful to the original?
No. Some dramas recreate important scenes closely but change characters, pacing or storylines. The most effective adaptations usually preserve the emotional core while adjusting the material for live-action television.
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