Some of the most promising K-dramas based on webtoons to original stories.

23 The Bequeathed (Premiered On January 19, 2024)

Director Min Hong-nam

A college teacher who just found out her husband is cheating on her learns that an uncle she did not know existed has died. As the only known relative of this uncle, Seo-ha inherits his mysterious property, which is tied to a sinister mystery and a dangerous conspiracy. The Bequeathed includes drama, mystery, and bits of horror in a thrilling story told in six parts. The show stars Kim Hyun-joo, Park Hee-soon, Park Byung-eun, and Ryu Kyung-soo. This miniseries premiered on January 19 as the first major Netflix K-drama release of 2024.

22 Captivating the King (Premiered On January 21, 2024)

Director Cho Nam-guk

A woman looking for revenge pretends to be a man to infiltrate the king’s court in Captivating the King, a Captivating the King will have 16 episodes in total. It sars Cho Jung-seok and Shin Sae-kyeong as King Lee In and Kang Hee-soo, respectively. This tale of revenge, trauma, and war also includes a love story as Hee-soo’s plan to become close to the soon-to-be king evolves into something else.

21 Badland Hunters (Premiered On January 26, 2024)

Director Heo Myeong-haeng

A sequel to Concrete Utopia, Badland Hunters is set in a post-apocalyptic world a few years after an earthquake collapsed society as people knew it. The movie stars Don Lee as a hunter who lost his daughter at the beginning of the apocalypse and now uses his skills to help his community. Badland Hunters has been streaming on Netflix since January 26, and other cast include Lee Hee-jun, Lee Jun-young, Roh Jeong-eui, and An Ji-hye. Despite taking place in the same world as Concrete Utopia, Badland Hunters works as a standalone story and can be watched on its own.

20 Doctor Slump (Premiered On January 28, 2024)

Director Oh Hyeon-jong

Two promising young doctors who went to high school together are now facing the worst moment of their careers. Once rivals in high schools, Nam Ha-neul and Yeo Jeong-woo reunite thanks to fate and will have to learn how to live together as they try to rebuild their lives. Doctor Slump is a medical K-drama with an enemies-to-lovers story that takes place in two timelines – when the protagonists were in school and the present day. The cast of Doctor Slump is led by Park Hyung-sik and Park Shin-hye, and the show releases new episodes every week until March.

19 A Killer Paradox (February 9, 2024)

Director Lee Chang-hee

One of the most anticipated K-dramas based on a webtoon, A Killer Paradox follows the story of Lee Tang, a young man who learns he can tell whether someone is a dangerous criminal after accidentally killing a murderer. Lee Tang then starts to use his powers to hunt down and kill other criminals, thus becoming a serial killer himself and catching the attention of a skillful detective. All episodes of A Killer Paradox will be released on February 9 on Netflix, and the show stars Choi Woo-shik, Son Suk-ku, and Lee Hee-jun.

18 My Name is Loh Kiwan (March 1, 2024)

Director Kim Hee-jin

A North Korean defector ends up in Belgium, where he will try to rebuild his life with no money or connections. My Name is Loh Kiwan stars Song Joong-ki as the titular character, who is trying to receive official refugee status. The show also stars Choi Sung-eun as Marie, who was born in Belgium and is trying to rebuild her life as well. Two different people from different worlds, Kiwan and Maria will grow closer as they navigate the challenges of life together. The series is based on a novel by Hae-jin.

17 Queen of Tears (Q1 2024)

Directors Jang Young-woo & Kim Hee-won

One of the most anticipated K-dramas of 2024, Queen of Tears stars Kim Soo-hyun, Kim Ji-won, Park Sung-hoon, Kwak Dong-yeon, and Lee Joobeen. Hong Hae-in is the heir of a major department store company, whereas Baek Hyeon-u’s family dominates the supermarket scene. They have been married for three years, but their relationship is in crisis. However, they will have a chance at a new beginning. Queen of Tears will have 16 episodes and is expected to follow a weekly release format on Netflix.

16 Chicken Nugget (Q1 2024)

Director Lee Byeong-heon

A woman becomes a chicken nugget after entering a machine, and now her father and best friend will try to bring her back. This absurd premise is the story of Chicken Nugget, an Korean comedy series starring Ryu Seung-ryong, Ahn Jae-hong, and Kim You-jung. Chicken Nugget is based on a webtoon of the same name, and it promises to deliver humor and mystery.

15 The 8 Show (Q2 2024)

Director Han Jae-rim

Based on the Money Game and Pie Game webtoon by Bae Jin-soo, The 8 Show follows eight people who enter a TV game show for which they will be trapped inside an 8-store building. What seemed like a regular TV competition, however, turns into something more sinister as the game goes on. The participants win more money as they continue to advance the game, and The 8 Show’s titular game is expected to be a social experiment for its characters. It stars Ryu Jun-yeol, Chun Woo-hee, Park Jeong-min, Lee Yul-eum, Park Hae-joon, Lee Zoo-young, Moon Jeong-hee, and Bae Seong-woo.

14 Parasyte: The Grey (Q2 2024)

Director Yeon Sang-ho

Hitoshi Iwaaki’s Parasyte manga, which was turned into an anime series in 2015 and also received two live-action Japanese movies, will now be adapted into a Korean show. Director Yeong Sang-ho, known for JUNG_E and Hellbound, will bring the world and the concepts of the Parasyte manga into Parasyte: The Grey, which is set to follow new characters and not the ones from the original story. Parasyte: The Grey’s cast includes Jeon So-nee, Koo Kyo-hwan, Lee Jung-hyun, Kwon Hae-hyo, and Kim In-kwon. The Korean series is already one of the most exciting manga adaptations in years.