There is a consistent trend that K-Drama fans have noticed for a long time, but we can never get bored with.
We see many K-Dramas adapted from webtoons, aka comic strips. Webtoons are immensely popular, especially in Korea, and this collaboration assures a certain level of confirmed viewership. Webtoon fans look forward to seeing how their favourite characters may look in real life. Korea heavily uses webtoons as source material for their dramas, and these often come out as a hit like Itaewon Class, True Beauty, Sweet Home, Business Proposal, and so many more.
With such webtoons already popular, the fans compare how well the K-Dramas have adapted them by analysing the story change, character portrayal, and tone of the drama, creating a Webtoon vs K-Drama search.
However, it is not only the K-Dramas that are on the benefiting end, but these adaptations also open a window for webtoons to be recognised by an international audience or by those who initially did not read them. After watching and loving the character, some fans often turn to the webtoon to learn more about them. And as these comics are lengthier, fans turn to them to continue their link with their favourite story and characters.
This trend is so popular that a webtoon, The Villainess is a Marionette, made just a teaser of the comic starring Cha Eun-woo, Han So-hee, and Lee So-hyuk, and these clips instantly went viral with many wishing that it turns out to be a drama. Nonetheless, it also introduced and attracted the fans of the stars to read the webtoon.
Just like every year, the coming year, 2026, also has many upcoming adaptations that are highly anticipated. NewKdramas has compiled 4 upcoming adaptations, but we suggest you read the webtoon first! If you are curious to know the names, keep scrolling!
1. The Remarried Empress
The Remarried Empress is a fantasy/ romance story that takes place in a fictional setting. An imaginary place which is ruled by the emperors and the empress, the world is simply divided into two powerful empires, the Eastern and the Western Empires; besides them belong smaller states that survive through allegiance to these empires.
The webtoon, despite being fictional, holds the look of a Western Empire in the 18th or 19th century. The story of The Remarried Empress follows Navier Ellie Trovie, the Empress of the Eastern Empire. She is capable and loved by her people; however, her perfect life falls apart when her husband, Emperor Soveishu, comes home with a mistress and asks for a divorce.
Rather than crumbling with betrayal, Navier boldly accepts the divorce, but on the condition that she will marry Prince Heinrey, the next Emperor of the Western Kingdom. With themes like betrayal, romance, self-empowerment, and politics, the webtoon is an exciting read, and the beautiful art is just praise-worthy.
Cast of the Upcoming K-Drama:
Shin Min-ah, Lee Jong-suk, Ju Ji-hoon, Lee Se-young
Why Is It Highly Anticipated?
The cast itself is enough the raise excitement for this drama. The huge stars will portray the characters of some immensely popular webtoons. The Remarried Empress also has many international fans who have their eyes on the drama's release.
Why Read The Webtoon First:
Since webtoons are lengthier and adaptation squeezes the story into limited episodes, some aspects are often left out, and a deeper understanding of character arcs and planning can be dismissed. The Remarried Empress involves a complex political structure, the psychology of the characters, and a slow-burning power shift behind Navier's second marriage, which might be simplified in the drama.
2. Portraits Of Delusion
Synopsis:
The mystery/horror webtoon is famous for its unique gothic elements and horrifying genre. The webtoon is set in 1935, Gyeong Seong, where a painter, Yun I-ho, is commissioned to paint a mysterious and enigmatic woman, Song Jeong-hwa. She has been away from the public eye for fifty years; however, when he meets her, she looks far younger than she is supposed to be.
Now in her eerie mansion, the painter begins to unfold many mysteries and discovers that no artist has ever left this mansion alive or sane.
Cast Of the Upcoming Drama:
Bae Suzy, Kim Seon-ho, Choi Hyun-wook
Again, the main cast itself is a major pull. Both the main actors have been immensely popular for their projects; moreover, this drama also marks their reunion after Start Up, where fans loved Seon-ho and Bae Suzy's chemistry. The K-Drama also stars other fan favourite actors like Choi Hyun-wook, Huh Joon-hoo, and Shin Su-hyun.
Furthermore, the haunting and mysterious story itself speaks volumes. With many webtoon fans wondering if the K-Drama will be able to pull off the same eerie vibes that send chills down the spine!
Why Read The Webtoon First:&nbs
The webtoon’s haunting atmosphere, visual symbolism, and psychological tension are key to the story, offering deeper suspense and ambiguity than what a time-limited drama can fully explore.
3. All Of Us Are Dead Season 2
A group of high-school students from Hyosan High get trapped in their school after a sudden zombie outbreak. As they fight against the undead and each other, interpersonal drama, loyalty, and survival intersect in a tense apocalypse narrative.
While we saw it in the first season. Season 2 of this drama is still based on the webtoon, now showing an extension of what happens years after the outbreak. On-jo is now a university student in Seoul who is still struggling with the traumatic events of the past. Things go downhill when a new virus has an outbreak in Seoul, and many new and old allies join to fight for survival.
Cast Of The Upcoming Drama:
Lee Min-jae, Kim Si-eun, Park Ji-u, Yoon Chan-young, Lomon, Choi Yi-hyun
The first season, released in 2021, was a mega hit on Netflix. Ever since, fans have been eagerly waiting for the second season. The first season ended with some unresolved threads and growing mythology around a new variant of zombies or the hybrids. There have also been speculations about the existence of the immune system. All these mysteries make season 2 highly anticipated.
In July 2025, Netflix announced that season 2's production had begun with cast table reads and filming underway. However, no official release date has been announced, but season 2 is expected to be on screens in 2026.
Why Read The Webtoon First:
The webtoon gives a rawer look at the survival of these characters as it looks more deeply into the moral dilemma, the characters ' deaths, and social commentary on how the virus turns the city upside down, along with how the authorities react to it.
Play A Fun K-Drama Quiz- Which 2025 Male Character Are You?4. Positively Yours
Synopsis:
Positively Yours is a romantic comedy webtoon that tells the story between a chaebol and a woman with a successful career. Both adults are committed to never getting married; however, life challenges them after they get involved in a one-night stand that results in an unexpected pregnancy. The situation forces them to face their fears and change their views on relationships, commitments, and love.
Cast Of The Upcoming Drama:
Choi Jin-hyuk, Oh Yeon-seo, Hong Jong-hyun
Positively Yours is among the most popular adult reads on Naver Webtoon. It has a strong fandom that loves the heartfelt romance, realistic emotional portrayals, and humorous situations. With such an enjoyable comic to become a K-Drama, one can only wonder how entertaining it will be. Furthermore, for those who have not read the webtoon. The story is a bit different from usual K-dramas, which start with slow-burning love that refrains from excessive skinship. However, this drama starts right off with a one-night stand, and the story follows its consequences.
Why You Should Read The Webtoon First:
The webtoon offers richer emotional buildup and character introspection, helping readers better appreciate the mature romance and relationship choices portrayed in the drama.
Reading the webtoons behind upcoming adaptations gives audiences a deeper understanding of the original tone, character motivations, and story arcs before they are reshaped for television. It also allows readers to appreciate the creators’ original vision and better recognise changes in the adaptation.
For fans, reading ahead builds emotional investment and context, making the drama experience richer, more informed, and far more engaging when it finally airs. Which drama are you excited for? Let us know, and for more updates, visit us often!
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