Born as Webtoons, Crowned on Netflix: 4 K-Dramas You Need to Binge

Some of the biggest Netflix hits from Korea started life as webtoons, the digital comics Koreans read on their phones. A strong story, vivid characters and a built-in fanbase make them a perfect source for dramas. Here are four webtoon adaptations that found a huge audience on Netflix, spanning four very different genres.

Quick comparison

1. Itaewon Class (2020): the underdog story that inspired millions

The setup: After losing his father, a determined young man named Park Sae-ro-yi opens a small bar in Seoul’s Itaewon neighborhood. His goal is to take on the powerful food corporation tied to his past and build something of his own. Park Seo-joon and Kim Da-mi lead the cast.

Why it’s a must-watch: It is widely considered one of the most successful webtoon adaptations on Netflix. The original webtoon author, Gwang-jin, wrote the drama’s script himself, so the adaptation stays true to the source.

What makes it fun:

• It is a satisfying “never give up” story, and you will find yourself rooting for the team.
• The bar and restaurant scenes are a tasty peek at Korean food culture.
• Each character has a clear backstory, so watching the group come together is rewarding.

Who it’s for: Viewers who love inspiring, character-driven stories. If you like Kim Da-mi here, see her in The Great Flood.

2. Sweet Home (2020–2024): the horror that put K-creatures on the map

The setup: A strange outbreak turns people’s deepest desires into monsters. The residents of an old apartment building find themselves trapped, and they must decide whether to cooperate or turn on each other. The cast includes Song Kang, Lee Jin-wook, Lee Si-young and Go Min-si.

Why it’s a must-watch: It arrived on Netflix before Squid Game, and it reportedly hit No. 1 in around a dozen countries and entered the US top 10 soon after release. The webtoon behind it has racked up more than 2 billion views. The series ran for three seasons.

What makes it fun:

• Each monster reflects a human desire, which makes the creature designs unusual and memorable.
• The story is as much about people as it is about monsters. Every choice carries real tension.
• The first season, set mostly inside one apartment complex, is tight and easy to get hooked on.

Who it’s for: Fans of suspense and survival stories, especially if you loved the human drama in Squid Game. A heads-up: it is rated for mature audiences, and viewers felt the later seasons were less consistent, so starting with season 1 is a great way in.

3. Business Proposal (2022): the rom-com that charmed the world

The setup: A food researcher named Shin Ha-ri attends a blind date in place of her friend. Unfortunately, her date turns out to be the CEO of the company where she works, Kang Tae-moo. A comedy of mistaken identities and growing feelings follows. Kim Se-jeong and Ahn Hyo-seop lead.

Why it’s a must-watch: It reportedly reached No. 2 on Netflix’s global TV chart during its run and topped the non-English TV chart for two weeks in a row. Many viewers said the show’s love of classic romance clichés was exactly what made it so enjoyable.

What makes it fun:

• It embraces rom-com tropes like fake identities and awkward coincidences, and plays them with a wink.
• The supporting couple is just as charming as the leads.
• It is light, funny and easy to watch in one sitting.

Who it’s for: Anyone who wants a feel-good romantic comedy, or who is watching their very first K-drama.

4. Agent Kim Reactivated (2026): the dad with a secret past

The setup: Kim Bu-jang is an ordinary department head at a small savings bank and a loving father. When his daughter disappears, he has to bring back skills from a hidden past as a special agent to find her. So Ji-sub leads the cast, joined by Choi Dae-hoon, Yoon Kyung-ho, Joo Sang-wook and Son Na-eun. (Check the official English title before publishing; see notes.)

Why it’s a must-watch: It is one of the biggest webtoon-based Netflix hits of 2026, and it was reported to have held the No. 1 spot on Netflix’s non-English TV chart for three consecutive weeks. It marks So Ji-sub’s return to a broadcast network drama after a long break.

What makes it fun:

• The mild-mannered office worker hiding elite skills is a classic “hidden hero” setup, and it delivers.
• The father-daughter bond gives the action real emotional weight.
• The pacing is quick, so you will want to keep watching.

Who it’s for: Fans of action and revenge thrillers, or anyone who wants to see what is trending in K-drama right now. We covered a scene from the series in our Kim Bu-jang post.

Which one should you start with?

• Want to be inspired? Start with Itaewon Class.
• Want chills? Try Sweet Home, season 1.
• Want to smile? Pick Business Proposal.
• Want action? Press play on Agent Kim Reactivated

Where to watch

All four are available on Netflix, although catalogs can differ by country. If you cannot find a title in your region, search for it on WatchKorean to see where it is streaming near you.

Find any K-drama’s streaming home

Not sure where your next drama is streaming? Search it on WatchKorean and see which services carry it in your country.