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.

Figuring out what to watch once you've finished your current K-Drama or Korean web drama can be a daunting task. You might be worried that the next drama you pick doesn't live up to the one you've just watched. You might not even know where to start with choosing a new one.

Don't worry, though! Kpopmap has got your back with an inclusive guide to the hottest upcoming Korean web dramas being released each month.

A 'web drama' refers to original series dramas that are professionally produced and released primarily through online platforms (OTT platforms).

We are here to help you make your selection of web dramas to add to your watchlist this December.

Let's take an in-depth look at the Korean web dramas streaming and being released this month.

Note: This list only includes web dramas. The K-Drama selection can be found in this article.

 

1. "Island"

Release date: From December

Platform/Where to watch: TVING, Amazon Prime

Number of episodes: 12

Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Action, Exorcism

Summary: Monsters of Jeju Island have been looking for opportunities to get rid of the human world for a long time and have started to target a chaebol heiress who arrived on the island. Daehan Group's Won MiHo is the only daughter of the company's chairman. Her selfish and arrogant attitude led to her father's decision to send her to Jeju Island. There, she was assigned to teach ethics at a high school, where evil was roaming free without her knowing it. Together with the other individuals on the island, she starts to form a new community to survive.

Director: Park BaeJong

Director Park BaeJong directed the drama "Goodbye My Love"(1999) and wrote and directed the film "Fabricated City" (2017) starring Ji ChangWook.

Cast: Kim NamGil, Lee DaHee, ASTRO's Cha EunWoo, Sung Jun

Kim NamGil will play the role of Van. He is an emotionless immortal with a rugged charm who chases down and kills monsters. You might recognize him from his hit roles in the K-Dramas "Through the Darkness" (2022), "Live Up to Your Name" (2017), and more.

Lee DaHee will play the role of Won MiHo. MiHo is the only daughter of the chairman of Daehan Group. She is targeted by the monsters on Jeju Island. You might know her from her recent role in the drama "Love Is for Suckers" (2022) and hit roles in dramas such as "The Beauty Inside"(2018).

ASTRO's Cha EunWoo will play the role of YoHan/John Skelp (Kang ChanHyuk). He is a hip exorcist and priest at a cathedral in the USA. He grew up in the States but hasn't forgotten the language thanks to K-Dramas. Despite his cheerful exterior, he has a dark past, too. Cha EunWoo is not only a talented idol but also one of the most sought-after idol actors in the Korean industry. He is famous for his roles in the popular dramas "True Beauty" (2020), "My ID is Gangnam Beauty" (2018), and more.

Sung Jun will play the role of Kung Tan. Kung Tan works with Van to defeat the monsters. However, there is a twist in the works for his character. Sung Jun is a model-turned-actor well-known for his role in dramas like "High Society" (2015), "I Need Romance 3" (2014), and more.

Why you should look forward to it: The drama is based on a manhwa/webtoon of the same name by Yoon InWan and Yang KyungIl. Many fans are especially excited to see Kim NamGil and Lee DaHee on screen together as their character dynamic is guaranteed to be entertaining.

Not only that but many fans of Sung Jun are excited to see him on screen again. Although the drama is not necessarily a comeback drama for him, many have missed seeing him on the screen regularly.

We can't forget to mention the huge anticipation surrounding ASTRO Cha EunWoo's casting in this drama. Not only is the drama very different from his usual roles, but AROHA (ASTRO's fandom) and other K-Drama fans are excited to see him pull off a dark concept in this twisted but thrilling story.

Read more about the drama here:

 

2. "Recipe For Farewell"

Release date: From December 1

Platform/Where to watch: Watcha

Number of episodes: 12

Genre: Slice-of-life, Drama

Summary: It is a slice-of-life drama about a husband's kitchen diary. He prepares meals for his ex-wife who was diagnosed with colon cancer.

Director: Lee HoJae

Lee HoJae is not only the screenwriter and director of this drama but also of the films "SORI: Voice from the Heart" (2016) and "The Scam" (2016).

Cast: Han SeokKyu, Kim SeoHyung, Jin HoEun, Yang KyungWon

Han SeokKyu will play the role of Kang ChangRae. He works in humanities and ends up cooking for his ill ex-wife everyday, despite his limited cooking skills. Han SeokKyu is an esteemed actor who has starred in several productions such as "Secret Door" (2014) and the "Dr. Romantic" franchise.

Kim SeoHyung will play the role of DaJung. She is diagnosed with colon cancer and develops digestive problems which leads to asking her ex-husband to cook for her. Kim SeoHyung is also an esteemed actress who has made a bold impression in dramas like "Mine" (2021) and "SKY Castle" (2018).

Jin HoEun will play the role of Kang JaeHo. Kang JaeHo is Kang ChangRae's son in the story. Jin HoEun is a rising actor who has acted in many popular dramas such as "All of Us Are Dead" (2022), "Sh**ting Stars" (2022), and more.

Yang KyungWon will play the role of Yang SooWon. Yang KyungWon is another rising actor who has been in several hit dramas such as "Crash Landing on You" (2019), "Vincenzo" (2021), and more.

Why you should look forward to it: This drama is based on a true story, noted in a non-fiction book written by the real-life Kang ChangRae, making for an intriguing look into a piece of someone's history. It tells the personal story of Korean writer Kang ChangRae whose life fascinates many. You might have to grab some tissues while watching, but the drama promises to be deeply touching.

On a lighter note, this drama should also inspire those who know little about cooking to learn more about the sincerity of cooking and take on a new hobby.

 

3. "Oh! My Assistant"

Release date: From December 1

Platform/Where to watch: GagaOOLala

Number of episodes: 8

Genre: BL, Romance

Summary: This drama tells the story of a mature webtoon graphic artist (SeonHo) and his assistant (MuYeong) who work together resulting in romance.

Cast: Song SeungHyun (ex-FTISLAND), Ko ChanBin, Lee DoHa

Song SeungHyun will play the role of SeonHo. SeonHo is an adult webtoon artist who is struggling with his own personal issues in that regard. He is a straightforward person. Song SeungHyun is a former member of the idol rock band FTISLAND. He left the group to focus on his career as an actor and has "Detective Alice 2" (2016) and "Perhaps Love?" (2019) as dramas in his filmography.

Ko ChanBin will play the role of MuYeong. MuYeong is a wealthy and talented person who gets hired as SeonHo's assistant. Ko ChanBin is a rookie actor who has acted in the web drama "Love Revolution" (2020).

Lee DoHa will play the role of JunSeok. JunSeok always seems to be on standby in this story. Lee DoHa is another rookie actor who has had support and guest roles in dramas like "Let Me Be Your Knight" (2021), "18 Again" (2020), and more.

Why you should look forward to it: This webtoon-based drama, originally written by Mila and Angrymonster, is well-known for the explosive chemistry between the characters. If the web drama is anything like the webtoon, it will definitely be a must-watch filled with heart-fluttering moments.

There is a mystery element as to why a character like MuYeong would want to work under SeonHo but it will all make for an interesting twist in their dynamic when his motive is revealed.

With the visuals of this cast, it will also be hard to decide which handsome actor you allow your heart to flutter for.

 

4. "Work Later, Drink Now 2"

Release date: From December 9

Platform/Where to watch: TVING

Number of episodes: 10

Genre: Comedy, Slice-of-life, Drama

Summary: "It is a relatable and heartwarming drama about longtime friends and drinking buddies with quirky chemistry." (TVING)

Director: Kim JungShik

Kim JungShik is the director behind the comedic hit drama "So Not Worth It" (2021) and the first season of "Work Later, Drink Now" (2021). He is also the director of the much-anticipated "Strong Woman Kang Nam Soon"(2023).

Cast: Lee SunBin, Han SunHwa, Apink's Jeong EunJi, Super Junior's Choi SiWon

Lee SunBin will play the role of Ahn SoHee, a broadcast writer. You might recognize this actress from her roles in the dramas "Sketch" (2018), "Criminal Minds" (2017), and more.

Han SunHwa will play the role of Han JiYeon, a yoga instructor. Han SunHwa has had impressive roles in dramas such as "Undercover" (2021) and "Backstreet Rookie" (2020).

Apink's Jeong EunJi will play the role of Kang JiGu, an origami YouTuber. Other than her idol persona, you might recognize Jeong EunJi from "Blind" (2022), "Sassy Go Go" (2015), and more.

Super Junior's Choi SiWon will play the role of Kang BukGu, an entertainment show producer. He is another idol actor who you might be familiar with on stage but also know from K-Dramas like "Revolutionary Love" (2017), "She Was Pretty" (2015), and more.

Why you should look forward to it: After the success of the first season, fans are highly anticipating the return of these characters to their screens. Not to mention that fans will finally be able to get their answers to the cliffhanger at the end of season one.

This drama promises to have you grabbing your sides with laughter in some moments but also nodding your head in relatable agreement in other moments.

 

5. "The King of Desert"

Release date: From December 16

Platform/Where to watch: Watcha

Number of episodes: 6

Genre: Drama, Thriller

Summary: Tells the story of five regular people whose lives get turned upside down. Some of them believe that money is everything and others don't.

Screenwriter: Kim BoTong

Kim BoTong is the same writer behind the hit webtoon-based drama "D.P.". This drama is a special collaboration with Watcha.

Cast: Jin Goo, Yang DongGeun, Jang DongYoon, Jung YiSeo

Jin Goo will play the role of a president. Jin Goo is well-known for his roles in dramas such as "Descendants of the Sun" (2016), "A Superior Day" (2022), and more.

Yang DongGeun will play the role of Dong Hyun. You might recognize this actor from his roles in the dramas "Cheer Up" (2022), "Lost" (2021), and more.

Jang DongYoon will play the role of Cheon Woong. Jang DongYoon is another well-known actor, especially for his roles in dramas like "The Tale of Nokdu" (2019), "Search" (2020), and more.

Jung YiSeo will play the role of Ki Joo. Jung YiSeo is a rising actress who has had roles in the popular K-Dramas "All of Us Are Dead" (2022) and "Snowdrop" (2021).

Why you should look forward to it: Not only is this drama highly-anticipated because of the talented screenwriter behind the script, but many fans are especially looking forward to this actor combination.

Fans are especially awaiting to see Jang DongYoon's appearance because he is sporting short hair, different from his usual look.

Another of this drama's drawing points is the intriguing tangled relationship between the characters in unpredictable situations. The choices the characters make will provide an immersive viewing experience for the audience.

 

6. "Fantasy Spot"

Release date: From December 16

Platform/Where to watch: Coupang Play

Number of episodes: 10

Genre: Romance, Drama

Summary: The story of women in their 20s who want to discover their sexuality and love.

Cast: Ahn HeeYeon (EXID's HaNi), Dal Shabet's WooHee, Park SunHo, Choi KwangRok, Hong SeokCheon

Ahn HeeYeon will play the role of HeeJae. HeeJae wants to get to know herself properly. She is a friendly office worker with a bustling social life. She undergoes a huge mindset change thanks to a podcast that she takes on. Other than her idol activities, Ahn HeeYeon has acted in multiple dramas including titles such as "IDOL: The Coup" (2021) and "You Raise Me Up" (2021).

Dal Shabet's Bae WooHee will play the role of MiNa. Bae WooHee has acted in numerous drama titles including "Two Universes" (2022), "Business Proposal" (2022), and more.

Park SunHo will play the role of InChan. You might recognize Park SunHo from his time on the survival show "Produce X 101" and from his roles in dramas like "Rugal" (2020). This will be his comeback drama after being discharged from the military earlier this year.

Choi KwangRok will play the role of WooJae. Choi KwangRok is a model-turned-actor who you might know from the drama "Green Mother's Club" (2022).

Hong SeokCheon will play the role of  Mr Shim. Hong SeokCheon is a famous entertainment personality who you might have spotted in numerous support and guest roles of popular K-Dramas such as "Jinxed At First" (2022) and "Dali and the Cocky Prince" (2021).

Why you should look forward to it: This drama will take on mature subject matter that open's a new perspective for K-Drama fans. If you enjoyed the Netflix film "Love and Leashes" (2022), you will definitely enjoy this drama.

Fans are also especially excited for idol actress Ahn HeeYeon to show a transformed side of herself through this drama as an actress.

 

7. "The New Employee"

Release date: From December 21

Platform/Where to watch: Watcha, Viki (select regions)

Number of episodes: 8

Genre: BL, Romance

Summary: This drama depicts the office romance between the boss (JongChan) and the new recruit (SeungHyun) at an advertising company.

Director: Kim Jo KwangSoo

Kim Jo KwangSoo has directed short films such as "Just Friends?" (2009) starring Lee JeHoon and is also known as an openly queer director. Many fans are excited to see how well he tells this story in a genre that he fully understands.

Cast: Moon JiYong, Kwon Hyuk, Choi SiHun

Moon JiYong will be playing the role of Woo SeungHyun. He is a late bloomer and this internship means the world to him as he has dreamed of being in this position for a long time. Moon JiYong acted in the BL drama "Once Again" (2022) and the drama "Miracle" (2022), to name a couple of his works.

Kwon Hyuk will be playing the role of Kim JongChan. JongChan is a workaholic who is handsome yet cold. Kwon Hyuk is also a rookie actor who has acted in "A Good Supper" (2021) and in "Graceful Friends" (2020), to name a couple of dramas.

Choi SiHun will be playing the role of Na YooSeong. He will be acting as SeungHyun's first love. Choi SiHun is a rookie actor who has starred in the dramas "Romanced" (2021) and "Cafe Kilimanjaro" (2020), to name a couple. You might even recognize him from his appearance on one of the hottest dating shows in Korea, "Single's Inferno" (2021). He is also a member of the boy group TRIPLEME.

Why you should look forward to it: This Watcha Exclusive is based on the 2016 web novel-turned-webtoon "The New Employee" (신입사원 in Korean) written by Moscareto. It is one of the most popular webtoons on Ridi, which has many fans anticipating the web drama. The drama is said to be focused on even the littlest details from the webtoon.

Other than its guarantee to provide an entertaining story, everybody loves a good office romance, especially when the cast is as handsome as this one. The actors are said to boast perfect synchronization and chemistry that will make your heart flutter. The drama promises to be filled with fresh fun.

Read more about the drama here:

Which web drama will you be adding to your watchlist this December? Let us know and share your web drama recommendations with other readers in the comments!

 

The webtoon-based fantasy romance, "A Good Day To Be A Dog" has finally concluded and the weeks ahead won't be the same without it. Starring ASTRO's Cha EunWoo and Park GyuYoung as its main leads, the drama provided the perfect balance of heartfelt romance and quirky comedy that had viewers coming back week after week. Despite only releasing one episode a week, audiences were excited to follow the journey of Jin SeoWon (Cha EunWoo) and Han HaeNa (Park GyuYoung) as their relationship bloomed into one of beauty.

However, like most good things, "A Good Day To Be A Dog" had to come to an end, but not without leaving a sizeable impact on fans of the show. And while there are numerous incredible K-Dramas currently on air, what might be desired is a drama with a similar vibe. So in the oncoming weeks filled with the absence of the MBC series, fill it with these dramas instead.

Here are 5 K-Dramas to watch if you enjoyed "A Good Day To Be A Dog".

 

1. "Once Upon A Small Town"

Cast: Red Velvet's Joy, Choo YoungWoo, Baek SungChul, and more

Summary: Working as a veterinarian based in Seoul, Han JiYul receives a sudden call from his grandfather and goes down to the rural village, Heedong-ri. He must take over his grandfather's animal clinic and while there, runs into local police officer Ahn JaYoung.

Reasons To Watch: The same coziness that could be felt all throughout "A Good Day To Be A Dog" can be found in "Once Upon A Small Town". The drama takes viewers away from the bustling city streets and instead drops them off in a simple country town. Combined with the inclusion of joy-inducing fur friends and you'll find yourself snuggled up in bed, binge-watching "Once Upon A Small Town" all day long.

 

2. "Because This Is My First Life"

Cast: Lee MinKi, Jung SoMin, and others

Summary: Yoon JiHo is a single woman who dreams of becoming the main scriptwriter for a hit drama. Nam SeHee is a single, IT-worker who owns a house but owes a large mortgage. In order to alleviate the costs, he rents out a room and unknowingly agrees to sign on Yoon JiHo as a tenant. After various happenings and pressures from outside sources, they decide to enter into a contract marriage.

Reasons To Watch: Similarly to "A Good Day To Be A Dog", the main leads' relationship starts off awkward and a bit distant from one another. But after various events, the distance between the two shortens and they become a pillar of support for one another. It slowly transforms from comradery to that of love and romance. There will not be a cold bone in your body as "Because This Is My First Life" will provide an all encompassing warmth that you can carry well into the night.

 

3. "My Roommate Is A Gumiho"

Cast: Jang KiYong, Girl's Day's HyeRi, and more

Summary: Shin WooYeo poses as a humanities writer, but is actually a 999-year-old gumiho. Just as he's about to become a human, he meets university student Lee Dam. Their lives become connected as she accidentally swallows WooYeo's fox bead and they must find a way to take it out of her.

Reasons To Watch: There's bits of fantasy, romance, and quirky comedy all mixed into one. "My Roommate Is A Gumiho" begs the question of what makes someone, or in this case, a gumiho, truly human. While self-discovery is part of the main leads journey, they are also led down a path of unmistakable romance that will have every cell in your body tingling with happiness. And although they experience a few rough patches, Shin WooYeo and Lee Dam's love story will have you smiling from ear to ear by the very end.

 

4. "See You In My 19th Life"

Cast: Shin HaeSun, Ahn BoHyun, and more

Summary: Depicts a story of the reckless yet sincere romance of Ban JiEum, a woman who lives with the memories of all of her past lives, and Moon SeoHa, the son of a chaebol family.

Reasons To Watch: Both "A Good Day To Be A Dog" and "See You In My 19th Life" were written by the same author, Lee Hey. Although they differ in concept and story, the essence of Lee Hey's storytelling remains and what you find is a drama that will leave a tender imprint on your soul. Seeing the evolution of Ban JiEum and Moon SeoHa's relationship will make you believe in the power of love and the monumental healing it brings.

 

5. "The Story Of Park's Marriage Contract"

Cast: Lee SeYoung, Bae InHyuk, and more

Summary: After the death of her husband, Joseon woman Park YeonWoo finds herself in the modern world. There, she meets Kang TaeHa, who has the spitting image, right down to the name, of her deceased husband. In desperate need for a wife, they enter into a contract marriage, and the two begin their life together, eventually leading to true love.

Reasons To Watch: If you enjoyed the mix of modern and historical, then "The Story Of Park's Marriage Contract" is the drama for you. The drama creates a masterful blend of the two times and with the inclusion of a contract marriage, there is no dull moment in sight. It's extremely fun to watch Park YeonWoo and Kang TaeHa go against their fate in order to live out a life they can truly call their own. Filled with heartwarming moments and hilarious antics, don't be surprised if you find yourself binging "The Story Of Park's Marriage Contract" until the next morning.

Which K-Drama will you be watching after "A Good Day To Be A Dog"?