Outstanding K-Drama Anime Adaptations: The Ultimate 5

There are numerous anime live action adaptations available, ranging from iconic classics like Gokusen to Netflix's successful adaptation of One Piece. However, what about K-dramas?

If you're an anime fan, you're likely familiar with the incredibly dramatic world of K-dramas. But did you know that some popular series have equally beloved anime versions?

After the success of Squid Game, K-dramas are gaining popularity in the western market, thanks to their shared themes and tropes with anime. Here are five K-dramas that have been adapted from popular anime series, ranging from upcoming Netflix releases to timeless classics.

Top 5 best K-drama anime adaptations

The western audience's fascination with Korean Dramas is on the rise, thanks to streaming services such as Netflix. Whether it's heartwarming romantic comedies or intense action thrillers, here are five K-dramas that have been adapted from anime.

5. Parasyte: The Grey

Yeon Sang-ho, an imaginative director, brings Parasyte: The Grey to life, based on Hitoshi Iwaaki's popular science-fiction manga. This series marks the latest addition to the screen adaptation of the hit manga.

Set in a world where small alien creatures known as Parasites can infiltrate the brains of their hosts through their ears or noses, Parasyte follows the story of 17-year-old high school student Shinichi Izumi. When a Parasite takes over his arm, Izumi's brain remains untouched, and he must fend off frequent attacks from the creatures throughout the series.

The Netflix adaptation shares the same premise: mysterious alien parasites invade earth and transform humans into their hosts. But when protagonist Jung Soo-In's brain resists being overtaken by a parasite, she joins others in the fight to stop these invaders from taking over the world.

Originally a manga from the late 1980s, Madhouse created an anime adaptation of the series, titled Parasyte: The Maxim, in 2014. Two live-action films followed. The story is now slated to be adapted into a K-drama, with Netflix set to exclusively stream the series in 2024.

Available to watch on: Netflix

4. Playful Kiss

The Itazura na Kiss manga series, originally created by Kaoru Tada in 1990, has inspired various TV and film adaptations. This includes a 2008 anime and a popular 2010 K-drama called Playful Kiss.

This romantic comedy has a story that works well in both movies and television shows. It follows Kotoko Aihara (Oh Ha-Ni in the K-drama), an unpopular and not very bright high school student who gathers the courage to confess her love to a boy named Naoki (Baek Seung-Jo). However, he rejects her right away.

But things start looking up for Kotoko when an earthquake destroys her family's home, and she ends up living with her father's best friend from childhood, whose son turns out to be none other than Naoki (Baek Seung-Jo). As the series progresses, we see their love story unfold, and Kotoko (Oh Ha-Ni) eventually wins over her guy.

Available to watch on: Hulu (anime) and Viki TV (K-drama)

3. Nodame Cantabile/Naeil’s Cantabile

Nodame Cantabile, also known as Cantabile Tomorrow, has been the subject of multiple screen adaptations, including a 2006 Japanese live-action version, a 2007-10 anime series, several movies, and a 2014 K-drama. This romantic comedy has a rich history on screen, making it a delightful watch for fans of the genre.

The series follows the journey of two aspiring classical musicians: Shinichi Chiaki, a perfectionistic aspiring conductor, and Megumi Noda, a quirky pianist. Their chance encounter leads to a blossoming romance as they pursue their dreams together, making for a heartwarming coming-of-age story perfect for a cozy night in.

Available to watch on: Crunchyroll (anime) and Apple TV (K-drama)

2. City Hunter

The famous manga series, City Hunter, originally appeared in Weekly Shonen Jump in the late 1980s. It has since spawned a vast media franchise with multiple adaptations across various countries. This includes a 1987 anime, a Hong Kong live-action film featuring Jackie Chan, and a K-drama also titled City Hunter.

The anime and the K-drama both derive from the same source material, the City Hunter universe, but diverge significantly. This offers you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the City Hunter universe through both animated and live-action formats.

In the anime, the basic premise follows James Bond-esque private detective and "sweeper" Ryo Saeba, who embraces danger and pursues beautiful girls around Tokyo. His partner, Hideyuki Makimura, accompanies him on high-stakes missions. However, when Hideyuki is murdered, Kaori, the younger sister of Ryo's fallen partner, steps into her brother's role, leading to a blossoming romance between her and Ryo.

The K-drama follows Lee Yung-seong, a young man seeking vengeance for his father's death at the hands of North Korean Agents. Despite his initial reluctance, he finds himself falling in love with his partner, Kim Na Na, as they carry out their mission. Watch it on Crunchyroll (anime) and Netflix, Viki, and Amazon Prime Video (K-drama).

1. Boys Over Flowers

The manga and anime Hana Yori Dango has been adapted into the highly popular K-drama, Boys Over Flowers. Fans of both mediums are probably already familiar with the story, but for those who are not, here’s a brief summary of the plot. Set in the prestigious Eitoku Academy (Shin Hwa High in the K-Drama), the series follows the classic rom-com theme of a poor girl crossing paths with wealthy boys who have tough exteriors but kind hearts. The story raises the question of whom she will ultimately choose.

There are several versions of Hana Yori Dango worldwide, such as Taiwan's Meteor Garden and Thailand's F4 Thailand: Boys Over Flowers. However, nothing beats the original anime, J-Drama, or K-Dramas. You can watch them on Crunchyroll (anime) and Viki and Netflix (K-drama).

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Connect to a US location with Express VPN, which offers 24 different spots from New Jersey to Santa Monica. Go to Crunchyroll online to start streaming your favorite anime and discover new ones.

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Editor's P/S

As an anime fan, I am always excited to see my favorite series adapted into live-action K-dramas. K-dramas have a unique flair that can bring a fresh perspective to anime stories, and the two mediums often complement each other well.

One of my favorite K-drama adaptations is "Boys Over Flowers," based on the popular anime and manga series of the same name. This romantic comedy follows the story of Geum Jan-di, a poor girl who attends an elite high school and falls in love with the leader of the popular F4 group, Gu Jun-pyo. The series is full of the classic K-drama tropes that fans love, such as the rich boy/poor girl romance, the love triangle, and the high school setting. The K-drama adaptation also features a strong female lead who is not afraid to stand up for herself, which is a refreshing change from some anime series.

Another K-drama adaptation that I enjoyed is "The Heirs," based on the anime and manga series "Hana Yori Dango." This series follows the story of Kim Tan, a wealthy heir who returns to Korea after being exiled to the United States. He meets Cha Eun-sang, a poor girl who works at his family's hotel. The two of them fall in love, but their relationship is complicated by the fact that Kim Tan is engaged to another girl. "The Heirs" is a classic K-drama that has all the elements that fans love, such as the forbidden love story, the rich boy/poor girl romance, and the high school setting.