Major Korean television hits are increasingly being transformed into digital comics. This shift sees successful Netflix series expanding their narratives through illustrated formats rather than just using webtoons as a starting point.
The Reversal of the Webtoon-to-Drama Pipeline
The traditional relationship between digital comics and Korean television is undergoing a fundamental shift. Historically, the industry followed a linear path where established webtoon plots provided a safe,pre-tested foundation for television producers. However, as the report notes, the relationship is now moving in the opposite direction.
Studios and streaming services are increasingly turning popular, original K-dramas into webtoons or manhwa. This strategy allows creators to leverage the massive, existing fanbases of successful series to launch new content.. By providing prequels , expanded storylines, or illustrated retellings, producers can offer "extra material" and "new perspectives" to viewers who have already invested emotionally in the original characters.
Expanding the Universes of *Our Beloved Summer* and *King the Land*
Successful romantic dramas are leading this charge by using illustrated formats to explore character backstories. For example, the television romance Our Beloved Summer, starring Choi Woo-sik and Kim Da-mi, was expanded through a 20-chapter webtoon. Illustrated by Han Kyoung Chal, this compact prequel focuses on the couple's high school years, providing context for the relationship seen in the main drama.
Similarly, the Netflix hit King the Land has utilized a prequel manhwa available on Tapas to deepen its narrative. While the original series focused on the chemistry between characters Sa-rang and Gu-won, the manhwa—featuring artwork by SPOON—uses their childhood connection as a central plot point.. This addition provides a softer dimension to the romance that the television series did not explore in depth.
The 70-chapter journey of *Romance Is a Bonus Book*
The manhwa adaptation of Romance Is a Bonus Book demonstrates how these expansions can serve as long-form companions to a series. Following the 2019 Netflix story of Kang Dan-i and Cha Eun-ho ,the adaptation was written by Nana and illustrated by Mino. The project debuted in 2021 and eventually became available through Tappytoon.
Unlike a brief prequel, this 70-chapter manhwa generally follows the television storyline. It offers fans an alternative way to experience the relationship between the central characters within the distinctive setting of the publishing industry, proving that even completed series can find new life in a different medium.
Will the May 2026 *Bon Appétit, Your Majesty* release signal a permnaent shift?
The fantasy series Bon Appétit, Your Majesty highlights how the webtoon format can accommodate complex, genre-bending narratives. The story follows Yeon Ji-yeong, a modern chef transported to the Joseon era, and her relationship with the ruler Lee Heon. According to the source, the webtoon adaptation, handled by ONU and illustrated by JEO, became available on Webtoon on May 23,2026.
This specific adaptation draws from the original web novel that inspired the drama, allowiing for a version of the story that may include material never seen on screen. However, it remains an open question whether this "reverse adaptation" is a sustainable long-term business model or a niche tactic used only for high-performing Netflix titles. It is also unclear if these releases are intended to drive viewers back to the original shows or if they are being positioned as standalone products for the manhwa market.
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