Top 10 Manhwa Adaptations: From Webtoon to Live-Action

Discover the top manhwa adaptations from webtoon to screen! Korean manhwa (digital webtoons) have become a global phenomenon, inspiring hit TV shows, films, and anime. From heart-fluttering romances to gritty horrors, these adaptations bring 2D stories to life while navigating challenges like mature content, audience expectations, and creative liberties. Below, we break down the top manhwa adaptations of all time, analyzing their success, pitfalls, and how they balance source material with screen magic.

1. Itaewon Class: Underdog Revenge Goes Global

Based on: Itaewon Class webtoon by Kwang Jin
Adaptation Type: Live-Action K-Drama (2020)
Key Changes:

Condensed plot points for pacing.
Tackled social issues like racism and LGBTQ+ acceptance.
TV-14 rating toned down violence but retained grit.

Why It Worked:
This K-drama adaptation shattered records, earning a spot on Time’s “Best Netflix K-Dramas” list. Its empowering themes and diverse cast proved webtoon adaptations can resonate worldwide or top 10 Manhwa Adaptations: From Webtoon to Live-Action.

2. Sweet Home: Apocalyptic Horror Unleashed on Netflix

Based on: Sweet Home by Kim Carnby & Hwang Young-chan
Adaptation Type: Live-Action Series (2020–Present)
Key Changes:

Streamlined monster battles for character depth.
Budget-friendly CGI retained grotesque creature designs.

Reception:
A global hit despite mixed reviews, Sweet Home balanced gore with emotional stakes, paving the way for mature webtoon adaptations on mainstream platforms.

3. All of Us Are Dead: Zombie Mayhem Goes Viral

Based on: Now at Our School by Joo Dong-geun
Adaptation Type: Netflix Series (2022)
Key Changes:

Added virus origin story and moral themes.
Altered character fates for a lighter resolution.

Impact:
Topped Netflix charts in 91 countries and boosted the webtoon’s readership by 80x. Critics praised its relentless action but noted clichéd melodrama to the top 10 Manhwa Adaptations: From Webtoon to Live-Action.

4. Hellbound: Dark Fantasy Burns Bright

Based on: Hellbound by Yeon Sang-ho & Choi Kyu-seok
Adaptation Type: Netflix Series (2021)
Key Changes:

Softened sexual violence; kept philosophical depth.
Introduced a new ending due to the ongoing comic.

Success:
Dethroned Squid Game as Netflix’s #1 show, praised for its grim tone and thought-provoking themes. A benchmark for adult webtoon adaptations.

5. Cheese in the Trap: When Adaptations Stumble

Based on: Cheese in the Trap by Soonkki
Adaptation Type: K-Drama (2016)
Key Changes:

Diverged into a love triangle, sidelining the male lead.
Director apologized for straying from the source material.

Lesson Learned:
Fan backlash over storytelling shifts highlights the risks of ignoring webtoon loyalists.

6. Backstreet Rookie: From R-Rated to Family-Friendly

Based on: Freezer (19+ webtoon)
Adaptation Type: Rom-Com K-Drama (2020)
Key Changes:

Sanitized raunchy humor for prime-time TV.
Sparked controversy with residual mature themes.

Reception:
7,000+ complaints led to a tonal shift, proving adult manhwa adaptations require careful handling.

7. Nevertheless: Steamy Romance, Softened Edges

Based on: I Know But by Jung Seo
Adaptation Type: Netflix/K-Drama (2021)
Key Changes:

Softened the male lead’s toxicity.
Replaced the webtoon’s realistic ending with a clichéd finale.

Audience Split:
New viewers loved the chemistry; webtoon fans mourned lost depth. A case study in balancing grit and mainstream appeal to the top 10 Manhwa Adaptations: From Webtoon to Live-Action.

8. Tower of God: Anime Elevates a Webtoon Epic

Based on: Tower of God by SIU
Adaptation Type: Anime (2020)
Key Changes:

Condensed lore but kept major plot points intact.
Vibrant animation amplified action and world-building.

Legacy:
Paved the way for manhwa-to-anime adaptations like The God of High School, proving cross-media potential.

9. Priest: Hollywood’s Misstep

Based on: Priest by Hyung Min-woo
Adaptation Type: Film (2011)
Key Changes:

Replaced demons with vampires; diluted Catholic themes.
PG-13 rating stripped the horror edge.

Verdict:
A box-office flop criticized for generic storytelling. A cautionary tale for cross-cultural adaptations.

10. Hellbound & Beyond: The Future of Manhwa Adaptations

Trends to Watch:

Netflix’s investment in Korean content (Sweet Home S2, Gyeongseong Creature).
Rising demand for adult-themed webtoons in global markets.

Key Takeaways for Successful Adaptations

Respect the Source: Faithfulness to characters and themes earns fan loyalty.
Handle Mature Content Strategically: Balance grit with accessibility (e.g., Hellbound’s implied violence).
Leverage Global Platforms: Netflix and Crunchyroll amplify reach for K-drama and anime adaptations.

Where to Read the Original Webtoons

Explore these manhwa on official platforms:

Webtoon (English translations)
Naver Webtoon (Korean originals)
Lezhin Comics (for 18+ titles)