With all the amazing webtoons-based dramas that have been released in the past couple of years, we have only become more excited about upcoming K-Dramas linked with webtoons.

The webtoon "The Mermaid I Loved" is a special case because the story was first written as a script for a drama production. The drama production is on its way and the webtoon was pre-released. The drama's production company, Group Eight, thought that in releasing it first as a webtoon they could showcase some of the various deep sea adventures of the story and also help garner attention for the drama.

The romance fantasy adventure webtoon “The Mermaid I Loved” ("내가 사랑한 물고기," literal translation, “The Fish I Loved”), written by Cosmic Bom Bom and Bubal (우주봄봄 and 부발), tells the story of a man whose intermittent transformations into a mermaid become increasingly uncontrollable as he experiences the emotion of love and spends time with a woman who he finds himself more and more attracted to. The season 1 of the webtoon ended on March 13th with 31 episodes.

Given the webtoon’s popularity, Group Eight is looking forward the positive effect the webtoon will have on the upcoming drama’s viewership. They have built a solid portfolio with dramas based on webtoons like "Taxi Driver", "My ID is Gangnam Beauty" and "A Good Day To Be A Dog". Among their awaited projects is the reboot of the popular drama "Princess Hours" (2006).

Currently, there are no actors cast for “The Mermaid I Loved”. Fans of the webtoon are waiting for the announcement of the cast. We can already think of actors and actresses who would be perfect for the roles!

We at Kpopmap have thought up a cast of actors who would suit this drama amazingly.

 

1. Sim Kai (심카이), a mermaid and 3rd generation chaebol

Sim Kai is the lead male character. He discovered he was a mermaid 12 years ago and he pretends to be a human.

When he shares physical touch with a woman, his fish scales begin to appear and he transforms back into his mermaid form. Because of this, he avoids all contact with women and has been single his whole life.

But due to his handsome looks, he has a lot of girls chasing after him, so he hired YaNa to pretend to be his girlfriend. However, he can’t help himself from having physical contact with YaNa even if it means he won’t be able breathe.

Kai is the son of the jewelry brand Inoroo, or 3rd generation chaebol, but he is not interested in the family business and instead prefers performing as a mermaid at the aquarium.

The actor must possess features suitable for long hair and a muscular physique to be able to portray a mermaid. He should exude charm and look dazzling in a suit, while also being capable of conveying a mix of cynicism, cuteness, and panic in his expressions. Comfort with underwater filming is also mandatory.

Moon SangMin, WEi's Kim YoHan, Baek SungChul, Kim MyungSoo (INFINITE's L), and Chae JongHyeop could be a good match.

Not only would they look stunning with long hair and looks amazing in suits, but their facial features would perfectly match the character's. Beyond their physical attributes, all five actors possess the talent and ability to convey Kai through the right facial expressions. The genre of fantasy romance suits them impeccably. Each actor would bring their unique colors and charms to the character, making him stand out on screen. Additionally, we can anticipate excellent chemistry with the lead actress.

Vote for your pick in the poll below!

 

2. Jung YaNa (정야나), an easy-going part-time student

Jung YaNa (24 years old) is the lead female character. She is a student who works a part-time job and has an easy-going personality.

She accidentally kisses Kai when she meets him for the first time, and shocked to see him suddenly fall very sick, she calls the ambulance. She ends up more shocked when she sees him put his face into a dirty bucket of water used for cleaning.

The actress should possess a mix of cuteness and strength, capable of expressing a wide range of emotions, and especially comedy. The character experiences rapid and extreme changes in emotions, so the actress should be able to show these transitions convincingly. Additionally, she should look just like a regular student, but be able to become a stunning lady with expensive clothes.

Kang MinAh, WJSN's Bona (Kim JiYeon), Chae SooBin, Girl's Day's HyeRi, and Seor InA could be a good match.

All five actresses have demonstrated their talented acting and are well-suited for a character like YaNa. Each of them possesses the ability to portray the youthful, cute, and fiery vibes of the female lead character. Comedy and expressive acting would not be an issue for any of them, so it would be a smooth portrayal of the character without overdoing it and making viewers laugh. No need to mention that they would all bring great chemistry with the lead actor! Being a romance, it is crucial.

Vote for your pick in the poll below!

 

The webtoon is not available in English officially yet, but you can read it in Korean here.

Let us know who you want to see cast!

Note: The aim of the vote is for Kpopmap readers to share their opinion about their preference for the cast. It is not affecting the cast of the production team.

Wondering what are the most popular programs on Netflix in South Korea right now? Keep reading!

As a Netflix user, you've likely noticed the rich array of Korean dramas and TV shows available on the platform. It's essential to note that Netflix tailors its content to each country, ensuring a unique viewing experience. The dramas, TV shows, and movies accessible to viewers in Korea may differ from those in other countries, and the release schedule can vary too. Stay tuned to explore the most popular programs on Netflix in Korea through this ranking.

Netflix Korea has a top 10 ranking of daily popular content on its platform. These are the most popular programs of the day on Netflix in Korea based on February 26 data (retrieved on February 27, 13:50 PM KST, data of February 26).

1. "A Killer Paradox"

2. "Doctor Slump"

3. "Risqué Business: The Netherlands and Germany"

4. "Avatar: The Last Airbender"

5. "Captivating The King"

6. "Jun HyunMoo's Plan"

7. "Eye Love You"

8. "Korea-Khitan War"

9. "Jjajangmyeon Rhapsody"

10. "Ghost Doctor"

"A Killer Paradox", starring Choi WooShik, Son SukKu, and Lee HeeJun, is once again the #1 most-watched show on Netflix in South Korea. Other popular programs on Netflix Korea include "Doctor Slump", "Risqué Business: The Netherlands and Germany" and "Avatar: The Last Airbender" (live-action).

Ongoing K-Dramas on this list include "Doctor Slump", "Captivating The King" and "Korea-Khitan War".

The J-Drama "Eye Love You" starring Chae JongHyeop in the leading role is also a popular program on Netflix in South Korea. It is gaining love and attention internationally too.

"Ghost Doctor", starring Rain and Kim Beom, which was released in 2022, seems to be regaining popularity once more.

Are you watching any of the shows in the top 10 Netflix Korea ranking?

"Like Flowers In Sand" captivated audiences with mystery and allure, an athlete's passion, and blossoming romance. With Jang DongYoon and Lee JuMyoung as its main leads, the ENA drama helped viewers get over the middle of the week with ease and arrive at the weekend with a smile on their face.

However, like many K-Dramas, "Like Flowers In Sand" must come to an end. It was amazing to follow the journey of Oh YooKyung (Lee JuMyoung) and Kim BaekDoo (Jang DongYoon) in the world of ssireum, while also uncovering the truth of of a crime. There were bouts of laughter, nail-biting mystery, and traces of love woven in between. It will certainly be hard to replace such a drama, however, we will have to try.

So with that, here are a few series you should watch if you enjoyed "Like Flowers In Sand".

 

1. "Love All Play"

Cast: Park JuHyun, Chae JongHyeop, and more

Summary: Diving into the world of professional badminton, it follows Park TaeJoon, an athlete who started losing passion for the sport, and Park TaeYang, a former aspiring Olympian who took time away due to a bribing scandal. Together, they meet on team Yunis, grow as professionals, and fall for one another.

Reasons To Watch: In the same vein as "Like Flowers In Sand", "Love All Play" presents athletes who are struggling with their sport. Despite the obstacles they face, both Park TaeJoon and Park TaeYang, along with the rest of their team, train well into the night to ensure that they are at their best condition. The drama expertly portrays the cutthroat nature of sports, but also the tenacity of the athletes that play it.

 

2. "My Lovely Boxer"

Cast: Kim SoHye, Lee SangYeob, and more

Summary: Lee KwonSook, a once genius boxer makes the decision to run away from the sport. After earning a mountain of debt in place of his friend, Kim TaeYoung looks to bring back Lee KwonSook to the world of boxing. Despite starting off on the wrong foot, the two transform into pillars of support for one another as they chase after their respective goals.

Reasons To Watch: While on the outside it may look like a simple sports drama, you'll find a mountain of depth once unpacked. Throughout the episodes of "My Lovely Boxer" you'll discover many heartwarming moments that speak to the characters' humanness and their desire to be happy. It highlights both the physical and mental struggles athletes face and how some crumble under all the weight. While it does tackle a lot of bad moments, "My Lovely Boxer" offers an undeniable warmth that anyone will love.

 

3. "Hot Stove League"

Cast: NamKoong Min, Park EunBin, Oh JungSe, Cho ByeongKyu, and more

Summary: Dreams is a bottom tier team of major league baseball. Despite this, Lee SeYoung is passionate as the team manager who has shown endless resilience and support for Dreams, despite their struggles. When their newest manager, Baek SeungSoo, arrives, things start to change for the team.

Reasons To Watch: The sports aspect aside, "Hot Stove League" is an inspiring underdog story that resonates on all fronts. Despite a past riddled with failure, it provides an outpouring of hope that success is just on the horizon, providing the encouragement needed to continue moving forward, even if it's one step at a time. Following the journey of Dreams and their amazing transformation will have you cheering for the team well after the drama's conclusion.

 

4. "Weightlifting Fairy Kim BokJoo"

Cast: Lee SungKyoung, Nam JooHyuk, Lee JaeYoon, Kyung SooJin, and more

Summary: Kim BokJoo and Jung JoonHyung are collegiate athletes who work tirelessly to rise to the top of their sport. However, while their lives were once mainly dedicated to training and improving their craft, they develop feelings of love. They embark on a story of romance, all while juggling their obligations of being an athlete.

Reasons To Watch: "Weightlifting Fairy Kim BokJoo" is an iconic series that needs little to no introduction. There's rising passion, youthful romance, and a whole lot of laughter. It's truly a coming of age story that reaches the hearts of individuals of all backgrounds. Even if you've watched it before, you won't regret reliving the utter joy that "Weightlifting Fairy Kim BokJoo" brings.

 

5. "Fight For My Way"

Cast: Park SeoJun, Kim JiWon, Song HaYoon, Ahn JaeHong, and more

Summary: A story of four friends who are all chasing their dreams. Despite the various obstacles that stand before them, they choose to power ahead, forging their own path in their respective fields.

Reasons To Watch: Although released in 2017, "Fight For My Way" remains legendary as it tracks four friends' journey as they pursue their dreams. It's a drama that touches upon the strength of friendship, what makes a relationship work, and the classic trope of friends to lovers. "Fight For My Way" will have you smiling widely from ear to ear, enjoying every quirky and entertaining moment that the four friends create. The innate comedy aside, you'll also find yourself cheering for their success and utmost happiness until the very end.

Which K-Drama are you watching after "Like Flowers In Sand"?