[Asia Economy Reporter Buaeri] Naver Webtoon revealed its plan on the 28th to produce video content based on its webtoon and web novel intellectual property (IP). The company aims to continue the popularity of Netflix's "Sweet Home" and tvN's "True Beauty," both adapted from Naver Webtoons, into next year.
"Sweet Home," a Naver Webtoon with a global cumulative view count of 1.2 billion, was reborn as a Netflix original series on the 28th. It has gained popularity, ranking third in Netflix's global popularity charts.
Next year, dramas based on Naver Webtoon and web novel IPs will continue to appear on home screens. Following "Sweet Home," the school zombie webtoon "Now at Our School" and the webtoon "Hellbound" will also be produced as video series.
JTBC's new Monday-Tuesday drama "Sunbae, Don't Put on That Lipstick," scheduled to air in January 2021, is based on a Naver Series web novel. The work depicts a romance between a perfectly straightforward junior and a perfectionist senior, starring actors Won Jin-ah and Rowoon.
tvN's new drama "My Roommate Is a Gumiho," set to air in the first half of 2021, is also based on the webtoon of the same name on Naver. The story follows Shin Woo-yeo, a gumiho who has lived for hundreds of years hoping to become human, and the events that unfold when a university student, Lee Dam, unexpectedly steals her fox bead just as she is close to achieving her goal. Actors Jang Ki-yong and Hyeri have confirmed their appearances.
Naver Webtoons and web novels can also be enjoyed as movies and animations. The web novel "Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint" signed a rights contract last September with Realize Pictures, the production company behind the movie "Along with the Gods," to produce five feature-length theatrical films.
Additionally, through Naver Webtoon's subsidiary Studio N, the webtoons "Yumi's Cells," "Letter from Yeon," and "Nanolist" will be made into animations, while "Brave Citizen" will be produced as a movie.
Other titles such as "Rest in Peace," "Gold Spoon," "Tomorrow," "Masterpiece," "Homework of the Heart," "Money Game," "Vigilante," "Sangjungha," "Nevertheless," "Letter from Yeon," "My Brother Is an Idol," "Yumi's Cells," "The Remarried Empress," "Jeongnyeon," and "An Eye for an Eye" are also scheduled to be produced as dramas.
Kim Shin-bae, Naver Webtoon's business leader, said, "As Naver Webtoon's global entertainment capabilities strengthen, we will continue to actively produce various works into video content to contribute to the growth and expansion of the 'K-content' industry."
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