Surpassing cultural and generational boundaries, novel reading has always been a popular pastime for many people all over the world. Readers often form deep emotional connections with characters and stories that lead to a more profound understanding of diverse perspectives on life.
These days, K-Dramas based on novels are enjoying significant popularity. Novels provide a solid foundation with detailed plots and well-developed characters to the storyline, making it easier for screenwriters to craft engaging dramas.
Here are the adaptations that have attracted both fans of the original works and drama viewers to the screen from the literary world:
What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim:
Novel:
What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim
Author: Jung Kyung-yoon.
Plot:
A romantic comedy about a handsome, intelligent, and extremely self-obsessed vice chairman and his highly competent secretary, who one day suddenly plans to resign from her position. Her resignation comes as a shock to Vice Chairman, who cannot imagine his life without his secretary Kim.
Moon Lovers-Scarlet Heart Ryeo:
Novel: Bu Bu Jing Xin (Chinese)
Author: Tong Hua
Plot:
A time-travel romance where a 21st-century woman of age 25, is transported to the Goryeo Dynasty during a total solar eclipse.
She initially falls in love with the gentle and warm-hearted Prince Wang Wook, the 8th prince but later develops a relationship with the fearsome 4th Prince, who hides his face behind a mask. As the story progresses, she gets entangled in the palace’s political intrigues and the rivalry among the princes for the throne.
Love in the Moonlight:
Novel: Moonlight Drawn by Clouds
Author: Yoon Yi-soo
Plot:
A coming-of-age story about a young crown prince who falls in love with a girl disguised as an eunuch to survive. It showcases the struggle of the young girl to keep her true identity a secret while navigating palace life. The story gets interesting with the growing affection between her and the Crown Prince. On the other hand, the powerful ministers of the royal court seek control of the throne, creating trouble for the Crown Prince.
The Moon Embracing the Sun:
Novel: The Moon That Embraces the Sun
Author: Jung Eun-gwol
Plot:
A historical romance revolving around a king and the daughter of a nobleman who is chosen to be the Crown Princess. On the eve of her marriage with the crown prince, she is poisoned but secretly rescued by a shaman who erases her memory and gives her a new name (Wol) to save her life. Eight years later, when the Crown Prince, now the King, is still mourning his princess, Wol is brought to the palace as a shaman to cure the King.
Sungkyunkwan Scandal:
Novel: The Lives of Sungkyunkwan Confucian Scholars
Author: Jung Eun-gwol
Plot:
The novel is set in the Joseon Dynasty and explores the lives of the Confucian Scholars in Sengkyunkwan, but the drama tells the story of a bright and determined young woman who is forced to take on various jobs to support her family. Because of the gender restrictions of the time, she disguises herself as a man and uses her brother’s name to work as a scribe.
Boys over Flowers:
Novel: Hana Yori Dango (Japanese)
Author: Yoko Kamio
Plot:
The series tells the story of a hard-working girl who saves a student bullied by the four wealthiest and most influential students from Shinhwa High School, known as F4, from committing suicide. As a reward, she gets admission into the elite high school and gets entangled with the lives of the four (F4) wealthy young men in her school.
Hotel Del Luna:
Novel: Hotel Del Luna
Authors: Hong Jeong-eun and Hong Mi-ran
Plot:
Hotel Del Luna is situated in downtown Seoul and has a very old appearance. Man Wol the CEO, of the hotel made a big error many years ago, so she has been stuck at Hotel Del Luna.
Entrapped in resentment for betrayal, Man Wol is doomed to spend all of eternity running this odd establishment, catering to the needs of the ghost clientele. Things take an interesting turn when Goo Chan Sung shows up as the assistant manager at work.
When the Weather is Fine:
Novel: When the Weather is Fine
Author: Lee Do-woo
Plot:
The story delves into the life of a cellist who moves back to her hometown, where she lived during her high school days, for a short time. To escape her difficult life in Seoul and heal from emotional wounds, she heads back to the village once again. There she meets her high school friend, a warm-hearted man who runs a small independent bookstore and lives a simple and contented life. It’s a realistic love story that focuses on the importance of healing from past traumas and forgiving oneself and others to move forward.
Romance is a Bonus Book:
Novel: How to Publish Love
Author: Jang Jeong-deok
Plot:
The novel tells the story of Kang Dan-i who was once a successful copywriter but left her job to support her husband and raise their child. But soon her marriage falls apart, and she faces difficulties re-entering the job market due to her career gap. Dan-i applies for a temporary position at a publishing company without revealing her full qualifications and gets the job by pretending to be less experienced. How she faces various challenges and prejudices at work and gradually earns the respect of her colleagues is quite interesting to watch.
Her Private Life:
Novel: Noona Fan Dot Com
Author: Kim Sung-yeon
Plot:
It’s the story of a professional museum curator, Sung Deok-mi, who leads a double life as a curator and devoted fan girl of Cha Shi-an (a member of the boy group White Ocean). She also runs a fan site dedicated to him, called “Shi-an is My Life.” It’s a fun to see how she is careful to keep her fan activities a secret to maintain her professional reputation.
In conclusion, K-dramas based on novels offer a unique blend of literary richness and visual storytelling by creating a memorable and impactful screen experiences.
