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The Power of the K-Webtoon Branches Beyond TV Drama and Into Netflix and Webdrama

Korean webtoons (K-Webtoons) are being visualized through various platforms and are being reevaluated. From a steady stream of TV dramas to Netflix's production that is definitely increasing, webdramas based on webtoons are increasing. The recent news of the production of the original webtoon drama proves this interest.

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A series of TV dramas based on popular webtoons of the same name are set to make their debut. "Dinner Mate" and "Mystic Pop-Up Bar" will air as MBC and jTBC broadcast dramas, respectively. "Mystic Pop-Up Bar", which drew attention as Hwang Jung-eum's return to drama, is a fantasy counseling drama in which a tough "Aunt" of a mysterious street pub and a young part-timer enter into the dreams of customers and relieve their resentment. Starring Song Seung-heon and Seo Ji-hye, "Dinner Mate" is a romance that takes place as two men and women who have deteriorated love feelings share dinner. SBS's "Backstreet Rookie", starring Ji Chang-wook and Kim You-jung, is also based on a webtoon. It is a pleasant romantic comedy played by a four-dimensional part-timer and a clumsy handsome store manager at a convenience store.

There are also many webtoons that draw attention only with news of their production. Singers Cha Eun-woo and Park Jihoon proved their interest by dominating the portal site's real-time search terms with their visual synchronizing rates, respectively, as they are on the casting list for "True Beauty" and "Love Revolution". Rookie Song Kang is discussing his appearance as Chae-rok, the main character of the webtoon original drama "Navillera" which is based on ballet. Actor Park Hae-jin has been cast as the main character Han Seung-min in "Crime Puzzle", a drama of the same title based on the original thriller webtoon.

Overseas market interest in Korean webtoons is also hot. The strength of the solid stories and various characters is gaining a huge fan base in global markets such as the U.S. and Japan beyond Korea Since last year. Production of seasonal dramas has been actively carried out around Internet video services (OTT) such as Netflix, and Korean webtoons have been spotlighted not only overseas, but also in Korea. Netflix's "Kingdom" series, which is popular overseas, is also based on the webtoon "The Kingdom of God". Netflix is drawing keen attention, as it is preparing to air various webtoon original dramas in the future.

Star directors are working together with Netflix to produce thriller dramas. Lee Eung-bok, director of "Mr. Sunshine" and "Guardian: The Lonely and Great God", will make his debut in the original Netflix series with a drama of the same title based on the thriller webtoon "Sweet Home", which is being serialized on Naver Webtoon. "Sweet Home" is about reclusive high school student Hyeon-soo going through mysterious happenings in the new apartment where he moved to after he lost his family. It's starring Lee Jin-uk and Lee Si-young. Director Yeon Sang-ho of the film "Train to Busan" will dramatize the webtoon "Hell", which is being serialized by Choi Kyu-sok, the author of "Awl" into Netflix's seasonal drama "Hellbound". It depicts a supernatural phenomenon in which people who face the lions of hell are suddenly sentenced to hell.

Webtoon "Our School Now" will also be reborn as the original Netflix series "All of Us Are Dead". It depicts the story of those isolated and those who want to save them in a high school where a zombie virus has spread. Amid growing global market interest in Korean zombies with the "Kingdom" series, attention is already being paid to whether "All of Us Are Dead" will continue its rise. It will be directed by Lee Jae-gyoo, director of the drama "Beethoven Virus", "Damo" and the film "Intimate Strangers". Netflix's new film "D.P" also outlined its casting lineup. "D.P" is a drama about the worries of young people who are driven out of the military into desertion, based on the popular webtoon of the same name by author Kim Bo-tong. Directed by Han Jun-hee of "Coin Locker Girl" and "Hit-and-Run Squad", Son Sukku, Jung Hae-in and Kim Sung-kyun are considering appearing. Kim So-hyun, Jung Ga-ram and Song Kang's Netflix Korean original series "Love Alarm - Season 2" has also been confirmed to be produced.

Webdramas targeting people in their 10s and 20s are also turning to webtoons. Webdrama production company Playlist is scheduled to air the Naver Webtoon "Pop Out Boy!" in June. "Pop Out Boy!" is a story about the romance between a high school girl, Han Seon-nyeo, and Cheon Nam-wook, a male protagonist who exists from a romance comic book that is more than a decade old. Kim Min-kyu-V and Kim Doyeon confirmed their lead roles. tvN D Web drama "The World of My 17" based on Naver Webtoon "Odd Girl Out", is also currently airing. "The World of My 17" is a growth story of 17-year-old friends, with young stars such as Oh My Girl Arin, Hwang Bo-reum-byeol, Fanatics Kim Doah, Ryeoun and Kwon Hyun-bin all appearing.

A production company official said, "The reason why webtoons are widely used for dramas is because they have a low probability of box office failure and a low risk of new attempts, making it easier to find new artists. Another strength of webtoon-based drama production is that it can attract 10s to 20s generations who are familiar with webtoons", he explained. Another official said, "Korean webtoons, which defy material or genre, are gaining interest from overseas beyond Korea. Dramas based on webtoons are expected to be produced in more diverse platforms in the future", he said.

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