Watch some of your favorite book characters come to life! Here's a list of dramas based on novels!

Based on Novels

Im Sol (Kim Hye Yoon) is devastated by the sudden and tragic death of her favorite star, Ryu Sun Jae (Byun Woo Seok), a former swimmer turned K-pop idol. But in the midst of her anguish, she magically time slips back to 2008 – when Sun Jae is still only 19 years old! Delighted that she has a chance to help him avert his unhappy future fate, Sol makes it her mission to change the future... and maybe find love along the way. Will her efforts to divert the course of the past prove successful – or could they have unexpected consequences? This 2024 South Korean drama was adapted from a web novel named “The Best of Tomorrow” by Kim Bbang and was directed by Kim Tae Yeop and Yoon Jong Ho.

Lovely Runner

✨ The Marvellous ✨ team

Born blind, Hong Cheon Gi (Kim Yoo Jung) is a gifted painter who miraculously regains her sight and earns an unprecedented position at the prestigious royal art school during the Dan dynasty. In contrast, astrologer Ha Ram (Ahn Hyo Seop), despite his ability to see the future, lost his sight in a childhood accident. Fate brings Cheon Gi and Ha Ram together, and they quickly fall in love. However, their budding romance is threatened by political machinations of the royal court. Is their love fated to last or was it doomed from the start? Adapted from the novel of the same name by Jung Eun Gwol, this 2021 South Korean fantasy romance series was directed by Jang Tae Yoo.

Lovers of the Red Sky

For Your Eyes Only 👁‿👁  

Tencent Video

Zhou Fei (Zhao Li Ying), granddaughter of a national hero, lives in a secret bandit fort protecting the world from otherworldly warriors. Restless and yearning to escape, her life transforms when she meets Xie Yun (Wang Yi Bo), a free-spirited martial arts expert who saves her from drowning. Together, they form an unlikely friendship and begin honing their fighting skills, just as malevolent forces threaten their world. As they embark on an adventure, they gradually uncover hidden secrets, including the mysterious truth about Xie Yun's true identity. Adapted from the novel "Bandits" by Priest, this is a 2020 Chinese drama series directed by Ng Gam Yuen.

Legend of Fei

The Flying Legend Team

In a small city near Seoul, Josée (Han Ji Min), a unique young woman who lives by her own rules, has spent most of her life alone in a rundown house surrounded by rescued books. When Young Seok (Nam Joo Hyuk), a university student nearing graduation, helps her after she falls from her wheelchair, their lives begin to intertwine. Intrigued by Josée's incredible imagination and unique worldview, Young Seok starts visiting her more frequently, hoping to help her connect her rich inner world with reality. As they grow closer, their hearts begin to entwine, challenging their individual perspectives on life and love. Will their unexpected connection survive the challenges that lie ahead? This is a 2020 South Korean romantic film directed by Kim Jong Kwan, based on the short story "Josee, the Tiger and the Fish" by Seiko Tanabe.

Josee

💕 With You, Always 💕

Tencent

Shi Yi Niang (Tan Song Yun) is the strong-minded, ambitious daughter of a concubine, with dreams of becoming an embroiderer and living a life of freedom. But her hopes appear to be cut short when her family arranges for her to marry the powerful general and Duke Xu Ling Yi (Wallace Chung). Ling Yi’s family initially treats Yi Niang with disdain, but she is undeterred by this sudden marriage and her subsequent change of circumstances. However, the challenges have just begun for both Yi Niang and her new husband: the Xu family faces impending ruin! Together, Ling Yi and Yi Niang realize that they must pool their wits together if they are to avoid an unhappy fate. Will they save the family – and find love along the way? This 2021 Chinese drama series was based on the novel “The Concubine-born Daughter’s Strategies” by Zhi Zhi and was directed by Wen De Guang.

The Sword and the Brocade

⚔ Jin Xin Si Yu ✾ Team

Oh Yoon Seo (Yoo In Na), a glamorous actress with a tarnished career, is given a chance at redemption with a new lead part. To prepare for it, she must work as a secretary for icy lawyer Kwon Jung Rok (Lee Dong Wook) for several months. As she struggles to adapt to her new role and prove her acting skills, tensions rise between the two – his cold demeanor constantly clashes with her determination. Amidst professional challenges and personal conflicts, Yoon Seo must navigate this tumultuous journey to restore her reputation and find her true self. Will this unexpected opportunity be her path to success or lead to more setbacks? This 2019 Korean drama series was directed by Park Joon Hwa.

Touch Your Heart

Sincerely, Yours Team

KBS2

During the Joseon Dynasty, Kim Yoon Hee (Park Min Young) disguises herself as a boy to support her struggling family by taking entrance exams for other students at Sungkyunkwan University. When the principled Lee Sun Joon (Park Yoo Chun) discovers her scheme, he unexpectedly helps her take the exam under her brother's identity and enter the university herself. They become roommates and classmates, with Yoon Hee befriending the playboy Goo Yong Ha (Song Joong Ki) and rebellious Moon Jae Shin (Yoo Ah In), while simultaneously developing feelings for Sun Joon. As she struggles to maintain her secret identity, Yoon Hee must navigate the challenges of university life and her growing emotions. This is a 2010 South Korean historical drama series based on a bestselling novel and directed by Kim Won Suk and Hwang In Hyuk.

Sungkyunkwan Scandal

Wang Xuan (Zhang Zi Yi), a 15-year-old noblewoman, becomes a political pawn when the power struggle between the royal family and their extended relatives intensifies, leading to her arranged marriage with low-born general Xiao Qi (Zhou Yi Wei). Thrust into a web of court intrigue, they form a powerful alliance, navigating fierce succession battles, palace conspiracies, and shifting loyalties. But as tensions rise, can they overcome the kingdom's political turmoil and safeguard their legacy from the shadows? Directed by Hou Yong and Cheng Yuan Hai, this 2021 Chinese drama series is adapted from the popular novel "Emperor's Conquest" by Mei Yu Zhe.

The Rebel Princess

The Emperor’s Conquests

After losing her mother and finding out that her college funds were stolen by her cruel stepmother, Eun Ha Won (Park So Dam) is in desperate need of a job. After a chance encounter with an incredibly wealthy old man who admires her straightforward personality, Ha Won becomes a housekeeper for the man’s three grandsons. Living with the brooding Kang Ji Woon (Jung Il Woo), the charming Kang Hyeon Min (Ahn Jae Hyun), and the affable Kang Seo Woo (Lee Jung Shin), Ha Won faces unexpected challenges and even more unexpected romantic tension. As her relationship with the cousins deepens, she must navigate her new life and determine where her heart truly lies. This 2016 South Korean romance drama was directed by Kwon Hyuk Chan and Lee Min Woo, based on the web novel of the same name by Lee Min Young.

Cinderella and Four Knights

✨ Cinderella's Knights ✨

JTBC

After several unhappy events at work, Seoul-based cellist Mok Hae Won (Park Min Young) has grown tired of big-city life. She decides to take a break from the hustle and bustle and returns to the small village of Bukhyeon, where she lived for a short time during her high school years, hoping to take some time and unwind. However, she didn’t bank on reuniting with her former classmate and neighbor Im Eun Seop (Seo Kang Joon), who now owns a small, unassuming independent bookstore. Hae Won is drawn to Eun Seop, who lives his life at a slower pace than the people she used to hang out with in the capital. Over time, they begin to feel the pull of attraction. But Eun Seop, too, has deep secret scars. Can they overcome the obstacles they find in their way – and begin a lasting romance? This 2020 South Korean drama, based on the novel of the same name by Lee Do Woo, was directed by Han Ji Seung.

I'll Go to You When the Weather is Nice

The warm-hearted team

JSTV

Jin Mi (Yang Zi), a frost flower fairy born to the Flower Deity and Water Immortal, is raised in isolation in the Flower Realm, protected by a magical pill that suppresses her emotions and prevents love. Her quiet life changes when she rescues Xu Feng (Deng Lun), the Fire Immortal, who takes her to the Heavenly Realm at her request. There, she becomes entangled in celestial politics and the growing rivalry between Xu Feng and his half-brother, Run Yu (Luo Yun Xi), the Night Immortal. As Jin Mi's suppressed emotions awaken and her bond with Xu Feng deepens, she finds herself caught in a dangerous love triangle that will shape the fate of the realms. This 2018 Chinese fantasy romance, directed by Chu Rui Bin, is based on the novel Heavy Sweetness, Ash-like Frost by Dian Xian.

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