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.

K-Dramas always amaze us with perfect casts and breathtaking actors and actresses. But we cannot help but imagine a "Dream Cast" before the final cast is revealed. Creating a "Dream Cast" is simply imagining which actor or actress we think would suit best a role or a specific drama. Often we choose it based on the original characters from the webtoon the drama is adapted from, or if it's a remake, which other actor or actress we would want to see playing a certain character.

Even if all actors and actresses cast for K-Dramas are good, some are especially outstanding in some roles or story genres. Also, we can't help but think of some people when we first discover or hear about some dramas. And now is your time to also choose your dream cast by voting for each of those K-Dramas' dream cast suggestions.

We've made plenty of potential "Dream Cast" on Kpopmap, you can now take a look at all of them, and participate in the votes!

 

1. "Bastard" Dream Cast

Webtoon Summary: SeonWoo Jin, is a young boy who inadvertently becomes an accomplice to a serial murderer, who also happens to be his father. However, when his father makes his girlfriend, Yoon Kyun, his next target, Jin is determined to fight back.

Some dream cast contestants: Um KiJoon, Park HaeJoon, Jung JiSo, Park JiHu...

 

2. "Do You Remember Me?" Dream Cast

Webtoon Summary: A young woman named Lee JiHyun, once dreamed of becoming a fashion columnist, but life had other plans. Presently, she works at a celebrity gossip website in the big city. She's overworked and barely has any time for herself, so much so that she ties her hair with a bulldog clip. As she turns 30, her world is turned upside down when she finds out about her favorite celebrity HaNeul's new relationship with a motorsports model, Choo AhRa.

Some dream cast contestants: Go Ara, Chae SooBin, NCT's JaeHyun, INFINITE's L...

 

3. "Dear Actresses" Dream Cast

Webtoon Summary: A young college student Han ChoWon is heartbroken over her ex-boyfriend So WooJoo, and is having a difficult time navigating her feelings. She is suddenly possessed by the soul of the beloved actress Cha Eugene, known as the "Nation's Goddess", who is in a coma from an accident that she has no memory of. To find out the truth about her accident, Eugene directs ChoWon towards acting, where she is perceived as a copycat of Cha Eugene and looked down upon by Gong YeonJun, an actor with national prestige. Even though she is embarrassed in front of So WooJoo, who is also an actor, through ups and downs, trials and tribulations, Han ChoWon discovers her own knack for acting, develops her unique style, and becomes a lovely actress in her own right. At the same time, with ChoWon's help, Eugene gets closer to finding out the reason why she is in a coma.

Some dream cast contestants: Jin KiJoo, Go MinSi, Yoo InNa, Shin HaeSun, Park JiHoon, WEi's YoHan...

 

4. "A Good Day To Be A Dog" Dream Cast

Drama Summary: “A Good Day To Be A Dog” is an unpredictable fantasy romance drama about a woman who is cursed to turn into a dog when she is kissed and a man who can break the curse but is afraid of dogs.

Some dream cast contestants: Kim HyeYoon, Kim SeJeong, Lee SungKyoung, Park BoGum, Park HyungSik...

 

5. "A Compendium Of Ghosts" Dream Cast

Webtoon Summary: A young girl, SeJin, who has the ability to see supernatural entities, and her friend, Sang, a rather cowardly huntsman, ends up being followed by one. SeJin and Sang have a black cat x golden retriever dynamic.

Some dream cast contestants:  Kim SoHyun, Han SoHee, Chae JongHyeop, Lee DoHyun...

 

6. "Alice In Borderland" Korean Remake Dream Cast

Drama Summary: Japanese drama that follows a group of players as they face death in numerous "games" where they must either participate or die by default. Japan, as we know it, has been transformed into an arena, and life has been turned upside down. Amidst this chaos, a few resilient players fight for survival, making terrible sacrifices and experiencing heartbreaking loss in the process.

Some dream cast contestants: GOT7's JinYoung, Han SoHee, Park JiHoon...

 

7. "Time Share House" Dream Cast

Webtoon Summary: A lovely young woman Yoon DoAh, has just landed her dream job as a writer at a broadcasting company and is more than elated to begin a new chapter of her life. Little did she know, her parents are also looking forward to a new beginning because they are getting divorced. Upon finding out that both of her parents have lovers of their own, DoAh decides to find a new place to live. Luckily, she stumbles upon an affordable share house but there's something off about the place.

Some dream cast contestants: Kim YouJung, Song Kang, Kim MinGue, Seo JiHoon...

 

8. "Is It A Coincidence?" Dream Cast

Webtoon Summary: Back in middle school, HongJu was HooYoung's first love but she would pass on love notes to him from her friends with not the slightest clue about his feelings. 10 years later, they meet on a blind date where HongJu introduces herself, and HooYoung recognizes her at once. As it turns out, both HongJu and HooYoung had come for a blind date, but they had their respective partners mixed up. The two resume their separate dates, but the encounter leaves HooYoung wondering whether it was just a coincidence that he met HongJu after such a long time.

Some dream cast contestants: Ahn HyoSeop, 2PM's TaecYeon, SF9's RoWoon...

 

9. "The 26th Murder" Dream Cast

Webtoon Summary: An arrogant serial killer who is caught and sentenced to the death penalty but suddenly loses his memory to a concussion a day before his execution. The narrative thus explores the moral dilemmas of crime and punishment and the judicial structures governing the same through the lens of a suspense mystery as we grapple with the possibility of a murderer lying about his amnesia to get out of death row or alternatively, him genuinely having forgotten all his sins. If the latter is true, does that absolve him from his crimes, and if not, will a psychopath roam free?

Some dream cast contestants: Choi WooShik, UP10TION's Kim WooSeok...

 

10. "House Of The Dragon" Dream Cast

Series Summary: "House of the Dragon" is the newly famous show by HBO, the prequel of the worldwide known "Game of Thrones". "House of the Dragon" tells the story of House Targaryen, ruler of Westeros and dragon rider. The plot takes place 172 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen, who will be one of the central characters of the series "Game of Thrones".

Some dream cast contestants: Seo YeaJi, Kim HyeSoo, Song KangHo...

 

11. "Back To You" Dream Cast

Webtoon Summary: HaYoung, is an unassuming young girl who strongly believes that the boy who keeps appearing in her dreams is the one she is destined to be with. This boy is JaeHyun, a popular classmate and neighbor who seems to notice everyone but her. To JaeHyun, HaYoung is not a friend or a lover but rather just a girl he knows, and that apparent indifference is enough to deter HaYoung from approaching him. Nevertheless, JaeHyun is HaYoung's first love, and her heart remains unchanged.

Some dream cast contestants: Park EunBin, Kang Daniel, WOODZ...

 

12. "Now I'm Taking A Break From Dating" Dream Cast

Webtoon Summary: Two young individuals who used to be schoolmates, each going through rough patches in their lives in terms of love, bumping into each other, and unlearning their trauma through getting to know each other's sincere feelings.

Some dream cast contestants: Moon GaYoung, Kim SaeRon, BTS's V, Lee JaeWook...

 

13. "Gorae Byul - The Gyeongseong Mermaid" Dream Cast

Webtoon Summary: "Gorae Byul - The Gyeongseong Mermaid" is set in the independent movements during the Japanese colonial era. The lead character SuA is a servant in a pro-Japanese household. At the beach, she met EuiHyeon who had jumped into the sea after being shot by the Japanese police.

Some dream cast contestants: Kim HyangGi, Kim TaeRi, Lee JongSuk, Yoo SeungHo, Woo DoHwan, Na InWoo...

 

14. "The Remarried Empress" Dream Cast

Webtoon Summary: "The Remarried Empress" tells the romance of the perfect empress of the Eastern Empire named Navier. The Emperor was not planning to keep her as an Empress anymore so she decides to choose to divorce him and to be an Empress elsewhere.

Some dream cast contestants: Seo YeaJi, Ju JiHoon, Seo KangJoon, Lee YuBi...

 

15. "Seasons Of Blossom" Dream Cast

Drama Summary: “Seasons Of Blossom” is a youth drama that follows the story of 18-year-olds with their own secrets and the sweet two-tone romances they create.

Some dream cast contestants: Kim HyeYoon, Park JiHoon, ASTRO's MoonBin...

 

16. "True Beauty" Dream Cast

Drama Summary: It tells the romantic comedy story of JuGyeong who has a complex about her appearance and who turns into a goddess thanks to makeup and of SuHo who keeps hidden scars. The two met and by sharing their secrets they grow and restore their self-esteem.

Some dream cast contestants: Chae SooBin, Kwon HyunBin, Min DoHee...

 

17. "Weak Hero" Dream Cast

Drama Summary: “Weak Hero Class 1” is a story about Yeon SiEun, a seemingly fragile top 1% model student, who fights violence inside and outside the school with his natural smarts and analysis skills.

Some dream cast contestants: Stray Kids' I.N, ATEEZ's SeongHwa, Kwon HyunBin, Hwang InYoup...

 

18. "The Girl Downstairs" Dream Cast

Drama Summary: “The Girl Downstairs,” tells the story of Idol Lee DooNa, who suddenly chooses to retire, and Lee WonJoon, a freshman in college, living in the same share house.

Some dream cast contestants: Song Kang, BTS's JungKook...

 

19. "Delusion" Dream Cast

Webtoon Summary: The story is based in 1935 in Gyeongseong where a struggling artist Yun Iho has just received a strange commission from the strange and reclusive Madam Song JeongHwa. No one has seen her face to face but it is assumed that she is an elderly woman from the aging portraits she has displayed of her. In order to have her portrait painted, Madam Song allows Iho to look at her but much to his surprise, it is a young woman who hasn't aged a day over her twenties.

Some dream cast contestants: Lee DongWook, Lee JaeWook, Seo YeaJi, Krystal Jung...

 

20. "The Moon That Rises In The Day" Dream Cast

Webtoon Summary: It is a story about a man whose time has stopped and a woman whose time flows. It is not a simple love story but a ‘romance thriller’. It will show the conflict between the past and the present.

Some dream cast contestants: Chae SooBin, Lee JoonGi, Yoo SeungHo...

 

21. "See You In My 19th Life" Dream Cast

Drama Summary: “See You In My 19th Life” is a drama that follows a reckless romance of a woman who remembers her past lives and is living her 19th life.

Some dream cast contestants: Seo KangJoon, Ji ChangWook...

 

22. "There Must Be Happy Endings" Dream Cast

Webtoon Summary: This webtoon combines the complexities of contract marriage with the even more intense and interesting topic of time travel and reincarnation. The leading characters are YeoNu and SeonJae. These two characters enter into a contract marriage out of certain obligations but as most contract marriages go, neither of them seems to be happy in this made-up relationship. YeoNu painfully endures the pressures from SeonJae's family and quietly suffers each day until one day, she decides to divorce him.

Some dream cast contestants: Im SooHyang, SHINee's MinHo, Seo KangJoon, BLACKPINK's JiSoo...

 

23. "Hash's Shinru" Dream Cast

Webtoon Summary: "Hash's Shinru" is a historical drama that tells the story of a mysterious woman Hae Roo, who can see the future. After being rescued by an old man from a life of starvation and bullying, she is raised by him until she reaches adulthood. However, she is forced to become a fugitive by circumstances and finds herself hiding away. One day, while she is being chased by government officials, she comes across a mysterious scholar Lee Hyang who believes that the most difficult battles are won by brains and not brawn. He is an extremely clever and learned genius who has a passion for astronomy. He makes her sign a contract in return for hiding her, declaring once and for all that Hae Roo is "his". Upon this encounter, the wheel of Hae Roo's fortune begins to turn again as her fate becomes intertwined with Lee Hyang.

Some dream cast contestants: IU, Jung SoMin...

 

24. "Borrowed Body" Dream Cast

Drama Summary: “The Borrowed Body” is a fantasy mystery academy drama depicting the commotion that occurs as the bodies change between Lee SangYoo, who is framed and is hated by all students, and insider, Gi DaRim, a popular student who is good at studying and exercising.

Some dream cast contestants: Kim YouJung, Lee YuBi, NCT's JaeHyun, TREASURE's JiHoon...

 

25. "Tomorrow" Dream Cast

Drama Summary: A drama about jobseeker, Choi JunWoong, who fell into a coma and ended up as a member of the Special Crisis Management Team of the underworld.

Some dream cast contestants:SF9's Chani, Hwang InYoup, Song Kang...

 

26. "Yumi's Cells" Dream Cast

Drama Summary: It tells the relatable story of YuMi an ordinary office worker in her 30s from the perspective of the cells of her head.

Some dream cast contestants:Lee DongWook, Nam JooHyuk...

 

27. "Itaewon Class" Dream Cast

Drama Summary: In an irrational world, the "hip" revolt of young people, who are united in stubbornness and courage, starts. Itaewon seems to have condensed all the world. In this little street, they are looking for their own freedom based on their values. "Itaewon Class" is their foundation legend. They open a food-related business.

Some dream cast contestants: Yoo AhIn, Jang KiYong...

 

28. "Lookism" Dream Cast

Webtoon Summary: It tells the story of an unattractive guy who by miracle started to have 2 different bodies, a handsome one and an unattractive one.

Some dream cast contestants: Park BoGum, Nam JooHyuk, Jay Park, Lee JongSuk...

 

29. "Princess Hours" Remake Dream Cast

Drama Summary: "Princess Hours" tells the romance between the crown prince and a commoner woman who got into an arranged marriage in an alternate universe where Korea is a constitutional monarchy.

Some dream cast contestants: Kim HyeYoon, Lee JaeWook, Hwang InYeop, Kim WooSeok...

 

30. "My Roommate Is A Gumiho" Dream Cast

Webtoon Summary: It is about a gumiho (Korean nine-tailed fox) and a girl that got linked to each other by accident. The girl got the gumiho's fox orb (an orb at the origin of his power) in her body, they have to live together because he has to protect the orb.

Some dream cast contestants: Kim JiWon, Lee DongWook, Seo KangJoon...

 

31. "She Would Never Know" Dream Cast

Webtoon Summary: The story is taking place in a Korean leading fashion company. HyunSeung (RoWoon) is a new recruit of 7 months and a straightforward guy. SongAh (the lead actress) is his lovely sunbae and she is 1 year older than him. JaeShin (another male actor) is a team manager in the same company.HyunSeung has a one-sided love for SongAh. He got to see her kissing the team manager JaeShin. However, HyunSeung knows that JaeShin has a girlfriend and realizes that he is a cheater. To protect the girl he likes, HyunSeung decides to tell her about it and also confesses his feelings. She asks HyunSeung to pretend to date her to take revenge on JaeShin.

Some dream cast contestants: Lee SungKyoung, Shin SeKyung...

 

32. "Tale Of The Nine Tailed" Dream Cast

Drama Summary: It is the action fantasy story of a nine-tailed fox (Gumiho) who settled down in the city and of the producer who chases after him.

Some dream cast contestants: Park ShinHye, Lee SungKyoung...

 

33. "Sweet Home" Dream Cast

Webtoon Summary: It tells the story of a loner high school student who lost his family and the bizarre and shocking things that happened to him in his new flat.

Some dream cast contestants: Yang SeJong, Woo DoHwan, Nam DaReum...

 

34. "Favorite Part" Dream Cast

Webtoon Summary: It tells the struggling romance of a woman name So WooJoo who has special tastes in men. So WooJo -the main female character- easily falls in love with handsome men. She understands that she has special taste in men when she enters university. She likes only flower boys and doesn't care about their personalities. Because of this, she has been in several dramatic relationships to the point of ruining her life where the guy was using her for money or others. She started to mature with these experiences. So WooJo has low self-esteem and a gloomy personality.

Some dream cast contestants: Kim TaeRi, Nam JiHyun...

 

35. "Harry Potter" Dream Cast

Movie Summary: On his eleventh birthday, Harry Potter, a young boy, receives the revelation that he is the child of two mighty sorcerers who have passed away, and he possesses extraordinary magical abilities. Suddenly plucked from his unwelcome existence, he is beckoned to join Hogwarts, a prestigious British wizarding school. In this enchanting place, he encounters a group of companions who become his dearest confidants and aid him in uncovering the enigmatic circumstances surrounding his parents' demise.

Some dream cast contestants: Nam DaReum, Kim DaMi...

 

36. "Time And reason" Dream Cast

Webtoon Summary: BanJi is a cold and indifferent young girl, perceived as rude and snobby by her peers. Hong BaekYeong is a loner who exists quietly, sleeping during class and whiling away his time in school. When the two get partnered up for a lesson, they inevitably butt heads until they cross each other's lines. What starts off as a verbal argument turns into a physical altercation, all stemming from the fear of having their secrets revealed.

Some dream cast contestants: Kim HyeYoon, SF9's DaWon...

 

37. "I Thought My Time Was Up" Dream Cast

Webtoon Summary: Set in the year 732, in the fictional Harushan Empire "I Thought My Time Was Up" tells the story of a promising young woman named Lariette Blanche, who is diagnosed with a terminal illness. Despite being born with extraordinary magical talent and a destiny that could shape an entire century, she has spent her life in the shadow of her jealous younger brother and indifferent parents, who granted her no education or support. Now, she faces an arranged marriage to an elderly but wealthy marquess, who not only objectifies her but treats her like a return on an investment. However, with only three months to live, she embarks on a journey to fulfill her bucket list and finally live life on her own terms.

Some dream cast contestants: Kim SeJeong, Hwang MinHyun...

 

38. "Drishyam" Dream Cast

Movie Summary: The blissfully uneventful life of an ordinary family is turned upside down when they find themselves involved in a heinous crime. "Drishyam" follows Georgekutty (played by Mohanlal), a local cable TV operator whose life is dedicated to his family and films. He lives with his wife, Rani (played by Meena), and two daughters - Anju (played by Ansiba Hassan) and Anu (played by Esther Anil). When his oldest daughter Anju becomes a victim of a hidden camera crime, and the perpetrator Varun (played by Roshan Basheer), son of Inspector General Geetha Prabhakar (played by Asha Sharath), proceeds to blackmail her and her mother to coerce them into sexual favors, the two women accidentally end up killing him to defend themselves. When this gruesome act is brought to Georgekutty’s knowledge, he puts his expertise in thriller films to use and sketches out the perfect plan to get away with murder.

Some dream cast contestants: Park HaeSoo, Lee SunKyun...

 

39. "Go Ahead" Dream Cast

Drama Summary: Ling Xiao, He Ziqiu and Li Jianjian grow up in seperate family, which all had their own issues. They go through a lot together, and prove to each other that family is not just about bloodline. Unfortunately, they loose sight of each other during their high school years. Years later, the three of them reunite, but they'll have to face the scars of their past in order to move on..

Some dream cast contestants: Golden Child's Choi BoMin, Infinite's L...

 

40. "Guns And Talks" Dream Cast

Movie Summary: "Guns And Talks" tells the story of a group of four hitmen - all of whom are highly skilled at their jobs but not too bright. They are not motivated by some grand evil or noble purpose but instead simply run a private business where anyone can place an order, including students who even get a discount!

Some dream cast contestants: Lee MinHo, Ahn BoHyun, Hwang InYoup, ASTRO's Cha EunWoo...

 

41. "Vampire Chef" Dream Cast

Webtoon Summary: A charming vampire named Hong KiJoon owns a successful, yet shady, restaurant in Itaewon and he is the resident Masterchef at the same time. He is also the only employee at the restaurant, no matter how big the crowd gets. KiJoon has been in this business for quite a while and has built up quite the reputation for himself. In addition, he offers preferential treatment for 30-year-old women in particular and is evidently, quite the flirt! However, his worldly success doesn't change the fact that he is as bloodthirsty as ever, especially for a certain someone.

Some dream cast contestants: Seo InGuk, MONSTA X's HyungWon...

 

42. "My Man Is Cupid" Dream Cast

Drama Summary: The drama tells the tale of a fairy who gets shot by his own arrow and ends up falling in love. A woman gets caught up in this situation and consequently loses her soulmate.

Some dream cast contestants: Kim YooJung, Moon GaYoung...

 

43. "When Flowers Bloom I Think Of The Moon" Dream Cast

Drama Summary: "When Flowers Bloom I Think Of The Moon" tells the story of three people who can ruin each other's lives because they keep on bumping into each other in front of the secret liquor warehouse during the prohibition law in Joseon: an inspector who came to Seoul to achieve fame and prestige to restore his family's name, a poor noblewoman who started to brew alcohol to pay back her debt and the crown prince who keeps on going over the wall to have a drink.

Some dream cast contestants: Lee TaeRi, Kim Bum...

 

44. "Now We Are Breaking Up" Dream Cast

Drama Summary: A story of love and break ups in the romantic world. It illustrates the present scenario in the context of fashion industry. Ha Yeong-eun (Song Hye-kyo) is a trendy team leader of design department of a fashion company called 'The One'. Yoon Jae-gook (Jang Ki-yong) is a successful freelance photographer.

Some dream cast contestants: Kim JaeWook, Park HaeJin...

 

45. "River Where The Moon Rises" Dream Cast

Drama Summary: The drama will be recreating the famous Goguryeo traditional story of PyeongGang and OnDal. It tells the love story of PyeongGang who uses OnDal's feelings to become an empress and of OnDal who made foolish sacrifices.

Some dream cast contestants: Seo KangJoon, Kim DongHee...

 

46. "Hong ChunGi" Dream Cast

Novel Summary:"Hong ChunGi" tells the story of the only female painter of the Joseon Dynasty.

Some dream cast contestants: IU, Seol InA...

 

47. "Love Revolution" Dream Cast

Drama Summary: "Love Revolution" tells the love story of the couple Gong JuYoung and Wang JaRim while depicting realistically the teen's lives with their love, friendship, study, and dream.

Some dream cast contestants: Kim BoRa, Shin YeEun...

 

47. "Born Again" Dream Cast

Drama Summary: It tells the love of a detective, the detective's lover, and a serial killer who likes the detective's lover. The story has two timelines. The three characters first met in 1986 and met terrible misfortune. 32 years later, they are reincarnated and get to meet again in 2020. Their death was not the end of the story but a new door. In 2020, this is round 2 of their persistent links and ill-fated relationship.

Some dream cast contestants: Shin HyeSun, Lee SungKyung...

 

 

Which is your favorite Dream Cast on this list? Let us know in the comments!

Korean cultural exports, such as K-Pop, K-Dramas, and K-Films, have taken center stage in the global entertainment industry. Joining this prestigious lineup are Korean webtoons, or manhwa, steadily gaining international acclaim. While Korean webtoons have enjoyed considerable popularity for quite a while now, most impressively in the last half-decade, their appeal has reached a far more diverse audience in the present Hallyu landscape, thanks to the growing adaptation of webtoons into K-Dramas. With the constant crossover of fans from one media to another, it is common for fans of either to anticipate K-Drama adaptations of their favorite webtoons. One such webtoon that has fans imagining a dream cast for a potential live-action K-Drama is the fantasy romance webtoon "I Thought My Time Was Up!". Keep reading to know more about this webtoon, and vote for your dream cast! 

Minor Spoilers Ahead!

 

"I Thought My Time Was Up!" Webtoon Introduction

A Classic Rom-Com With A Touch Of Magic Perfect For The Hopeless Romantic

"I Thought My Time Was Up!" is a fantasy romance webtoon by Essie and Hyeyong, adapted from the original web novel by Ari Choi. It started serialization on Naver Webtoon in October of 2022 and is currently ongoing, with new episodes released every Tuesday. A total of 57 (including 5 Fast Pass) episodes have been released so far, 52 of which you can read for free on Naver Webtoon in Korean. You can also read the webtoon in English here. At the time of writing, 31 chapters (+12 Fast Pass) have been officially translated, and new episodes are released every Saturday.

Note: Webtoon "I Thought My Time Was Up!" is also available in Japanese, Traditional Chinese, French, Simplified Chinese, Bahasa Indonesia, and Thai.

The webtoon "I Thought My Time Was Up!" is set in the year 732 in the fictional Harushan Empire. It tells the story of a promising young woman named Lariette Blanche, who is diagnosed with a terminal illness. Despite being born with extraordinary magical talent and a destiny that could shape an entire century, she has spent her life in the shadow of her jealous younger brother and indifferent parents, who granted her no education or support. Now, she faces an arranged marriage to an elderly but wealthy marquess, who not only objectifies her but treats her like a return on an investment. However, with only three months to live, she embarks on a journey to fulfill her bucket list and finally live life on her own terms.

This bucket list ranges from buying cake for her family maid Anne to breaking off her engagement, becoming financially independent, casually dating a handsome man, albeit only for three months, and traveling to the West. The first three are managed at once, and the possibility of the fourth comes knocking at her door when she happens upon Asrahan Kandel - a Duke of the highest status, the Empire's Sharpest Blade, the War Lord. However, the Duke bears a curse that has instilled fear throughout the nation. His curse manifests through his skin, which continually breaks and decays, and his presence is shrouded in the pervasive scent of death. What catches Lariette's eye, however, is his godly visuals - from his towering physique to his dazzling ocean eyes and even the low tone of his voice.

As Fate would have it, Asrahan is searching for a purification mage to lift his curse, and our heroine is happy to be at his service. Despite being rejected as a potential love interest at first glance, Lariette is determined to steal his heart, starting with an employer-employee contract this time around.

One of the key strengths of "I Thought My Time Was Up!" is that it skillfully utilizes its medieval backdrop to immerse readers in a world infused with magic, royalty, priests, curses, and other mystical elements, offering an expertly crafted exploration of these fantastical aspects. The writing seamlessly blends a modern sensibility with its historical setting, creating a relatable and enduring tale. Similarly, the author's unique sense of humor, though finely attuned to the universe she creates, manages to strike a delightful balance, such that it feels both of its time and surprisingly contemporary. Moreover, thanks to the way the narrative is structured, it is thoroughly enjoyable to shift between perspectives and be privy to our character's feelings in real time rather than having to wait for belated gratification.

The pacing does an excellent job of quick exposition, allowing enough time for romance to bloom gently between Lariette and Asrahan. At the same time, new plot points are steadily introduced, such as our ethereal yet mysterious second male lead, DoHa, to keep readers on their toes and stir up our protagonists' lives, unraveling new shades of their characters.

Most importantly, the very first panel of the webtoon makes the unexpected revelation that Lariette was misdiagnosed and, hence, is not dying, which leaves her accountable for the decisions she made in reckless abandon. The webtoon then recalls Lariette's journey as she fulfills her bucket list until her abrupt departure leaves Asrahan irrevocably in love and hopelessly hurt.

If the writing is the heart of the story, the art is the soul. The art style of the "I Thought My Time Was Up!" webtoon, which is a defining merit of the work, captivates with its stunning beauty, featuring striking character designs and impeccable fashion in each chapter. As a matter of fact, fans of the original web novel were overjoyed that the artist in charge of illustration, Essie, was also going to work on the webtoon.

Owing to such unique factors, the webtoon draws you into its world in no time, inviting you to explore it along with our protagonist, and before you know it, you will have spent the night binge-reading the chapters.

 

"I Thought My Time Was Up!" Webtoon Characters & K-Drama Dream Cast

At the time of writing, "I Thought My Time Was Up!" is not set for a K-Drama adaptation. However, Kpopmap is predicting that it would certainly make for a fantastic K-Drama, which many fans are hoping for, given its huge international and domestic popularity. "I Thought My Time Was Up!" is highly rated for both the Korean and English versions (9.97 and 9.71 out of 10, respectively), which proves its appeal to a global audience. It is only a matter of time before it is hopefully picked up for production.

Until then, Kpopmap has created a virtual dream cast for a K-Drama adaptation of "I Thought My Time Was Up!". We took into consideration the significant traits of each character - both physical and otherwise - to create this dream cast. You will find a poll after each character's description, where you can vote for the actor who you think would best suit the character. So, have fun with the polls, and let us know your thoughts!

 

Lariette Blanche

Lariette Blanche is a powerful and talented witch who can wield her powers deftly, even without proper education. She grows up in a borderline abusive household, with her parents wanting to sell her off and her brother downright loathing her very existence out of jealousy. Nevertheless, she is a charming and spirited young woman, best compared with a ray of sunshine. She is optimistic, even in the face of a terrifying diagnosis, and is determined to live her life as she pleases.

When Lariette meets the sculpted and dreamy Asrahan, she is all of us at once, swooning over his otherworldly beauty. Assuming that this divine handsomeness would naturally translate to ample dating experience, she decides to date him for three months, hoping they won't get too attached.

However, Lariette's charisma, kindness, and genuine sincerity are disarming and help Asrahan lift the mental and emotional burden of his curse while she does her best to purify it physically. In other words, it is Lariette's compassion and warmth that heal Asrahan's inner wounds while her magic heals his curse.

Lariette is affectionate and shows it through all the love languages possible. From physical touch and quality time, which adorably fluster Asrahan, to words of affirmation and acts of service that encourage him to be his true self and prioritize his own needs, Lariette has a whole lot of love to give, and she doesn't hesitate to express it.

In terms of appearance, Lariette has long pink hair and purple eyes. She is 22 years old.

Before we unveil our dream cast, we had some fun with AI to envision what Lariette Blanche might look like in real life. Please note that this is purely for entertainment and does not represent Kpopmap's official interpretation of these characters, nor does it affect our dream cast. Check it out below!

What do you think of this version of Lariette Blanche? Tell us in the comments section down below!

As for our dream cast for a K-Drama adaptation of "I Thought My Time Was Up!", we think Chae SooBin, Mun KaYoung, Kim SeJeong, and Go YounJung would be incredibly well-suited for this role. Vote for your pick in the poll below! 

 

 

Asrahan Kandel

Asrahan is one of the most powerful Dukes in the Harushan Empire. He is an invincible warrior who brought victory in a war that was almost lost. However, he is called a monster and treated with contempt, fear, and disgust because of his curse. This leads Asrahan to isolate himself and hide away from people. He is perceived as a violent beast who doesn't hesitate to slay anyone who stands in his way. He radiates a dark and intimidating aura.

When Asrahan first met Lariette, and she asked him out, he was visibly taken aback at her bright and vibrant energy, especially when faced with him. Rather than being afraid, she was interested in getting to know him better and even dating him! Not being used to such an advance, he shrugged it off as a joke, but their interaction clearly affected him.

When they met again, and Lariette remained unchanged, he couldn't help but be drawn to her. Despite first holding on to her because of her powerful purification magic, he inevitably falls in love with her. She accepts him as he is and gives him the adoration and love that he hasn't felt since he was a child. It is no wonder that he would give up his life for her.

As the two spend more time together, Asrahan's endearingly playful, shy, and possessive side comes to light. In fact, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that blushing Asrahan has fandom of its own! Over the course of the webtoon, we see that Asrahan is willing to move heaven and earth for Lariette and doesn't hold back from proving it to her. No one dares touch his Lariette.

As for Asrahan's appearance, he has the most gorgeous blue eyes, is tall, has a sharp facial structure, and is well-built. He is 27 years old.

Check out how AI envisioned a live-action version of Asrahan below!

Now, for a virtual casting of Asrahan Kandel in a K-Drama adaptation of "I Thought Time Was Up!", we think Byeon WooSeok, Jang KiYong, Hwang MinHyun, and RoWoon would be amazing choices. Vote for your pick in the poll below!

 

 

DoHa

The second male lead and one of the most popular characters in the "I Thought My Time Was Up!" webtoon is DoHa. He disguises himself as a lowly priest when he visits Duke Kandel's mansion to heal Lariette, but it is soon revealed that he is actually Reverend Mikhail Dohaverion, the High Priest of the Temple of Alteon, set to be the next Pope. He moved up the ranks faster than others because of his exceptional divine power.

When DoHa meets Lariette for the first time, she notices the scar on his forehead at once and proceeds to heal it, unwittingly revealing that she has the same amount of mana as him. After all, his scar cannot be healed by anyone with less mana than him, which means that Lariette has to be quite a powerful mage. So, he intends to seduce her and make her his exclusive healer mage.

DoHa is known to be cold and indifferent. However, his curiosity and fondness for Lariette only grow with time. As Lariette steadily yet unknowingly makes a place for herself in his heart, he comes to want her more and more. DoHa is mysterious and elusive but possessive over Lariette. He doesn't hesitate to get competitive with Asrahan, either. Needless to say, this one is going to be a hard 2nd lead syndrome for new readers.

DoHa has long white hair that is either let loose or tied up in a ponytail. He has beautiful golden eyes.

Check out how AI envisioned a live-action version of DoHa below!

We think Song Kang, Jang DongYoon, SHINee's MinHo, and Ren (Choi MinGi) would be excellent candidates for playing the otherworldly DoHa in a K-Drama adaptation of "I Thought My Time Was Up!". Vote for your pick in the poll below!

 

 

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.

If you are interested in other drama adaptations of webtoon and their dream cast, you can check out our previous articles: "The Remaried Empress", "Gorae Byul - The Gyeongseong Mermaid", "There Must Be Happy Endings", "Now I'm Taking A Break From Dating", "Weak Hero Season 2", "Delusion", "Back To You", "The 26th Murder", "Time Share House", "A Compendium Of Ghosts", "Is It A Coincidence?", "Dear Actresses", and more.

What did you think of our dream cast for an imaginary K-Drama adaptation of the webtoon "I Thought My Time Was Up!"? Tell us in the comments section down below!