From Lee Min-jin’s best-selling historical novel Pachinko to Kim Young-ha’s crime thriller Diary of a Murderer, many Korean novels have been beautifully adapted for the screen — either as K-dramas or movies.
Leading the list is the New York Times bestseller novel Pachinko by acclaimed South Korean author Lee Min-jin. Named the 15th best book of the 21st century by the New York Times in 2024, it was adapted into an Apple TV+ series of the same name by Soo Hugh. While season one of the show became an instant hit, Pachinko’s season 2 aims to elevate the franchise to greater heights.
Talking about maintaining the authenticity of Lee’s Korean novel in a 2024 Forbes interview, Hugh said, “When you take on that kind of material, even in fiction form, you feel this weight of responsibility. And even though we did feel that in season one, it felt bigger in season two.”
Meanwhile, the critically acclaimed Korean movie Silenced (2011) is an adaptation of the gripping novel Dogani. Written by award-winning author Gong Ji-young, Dogani is arguably one of the best Korean novel releases of 2009. Based on the true story of the mass sexual abuse of deaf students in Gwangju Inhwa school in Korea, the title of the book is taken from American writer Arthur Miller’s 1953 play The Crucible (“Dogani” in Korean).
Not to forget, both the novel and the Gong Yoo-starrer movie led to multiple necessary reforms in child safety laws in the nation. Additionally, the National Assembly of South Korea passed the Dogani Bill to abolish the statute of limitations for sex crimes against minors and disabled people, in October 2011.
8 best Korean novels adapted into K-dramas and movies
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Synopsis: During the Japanese colonisation of Korea, young Sunja leaves her homeland to build a new life in Osaka. She hustles hard to keep herself and her family afloat in the foreign land. However, her life turns upside down when Koh Hansu, a Zainichi Korean merchant, shows interest in her.
Adapted into: The historical novel has been adapted into the award-winning Apple TV+ series of the same name, starring Kim Min-ha as the protagonit Sunja.
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Synopsis: Kang In-ho, a new teacher at Gwangju Inhwa, a school for hearing-impaired children, discovers that the students are being abused by the principal. In-ho consistently tries to bring the heinous crime to the attention of the public and the law as the corrupt police, doctors and business leaders of Korea keep thwarting his efforts.
Adapted into: The Korean novel inspired the screenplay of the 2011 movie Silenced.
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'Princess Deokhye' by Kwon Bee-young
Synopsis: Princess Deokhye is the last princess of the Joseon Kingdom and the most fateful heir of Korea. When the Japanese scheme to sever the line of royal heirs during Japan’s annexation of Korea, she goes into hiding. But at 13, she is forced to move to Japan by the Imperial Japanese government. Will the princess be able to return to her homeland?
Adapted into: This best-selling historical novel was adapted into the 2016 film The Last Princess, starring Son Ye-jin as Princess Deokhye.
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Synopsis: Former serial killer Kim Byeong-su is losing his memories due to Alzheimer’s disease. However, he needs to finish off his final target, his daughter’s boyfriend, who he suspects is also a serial killer.
Adapted into: The story was adapted into the 2017 South Korean psychological thriller movie Memoir of a Murderer, starring Sol Kyung-gu as Byeong-su.
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Synopsis: It’s the late 18th century, and Joseon dynasty painters Shin Yun-bok and Kim Hong-do are students of the Royal Academy of Painting. When the two are expelled from the academy due to unavoidable circumstances, King Jeongjo asks them to uncover the truth behind the death of senior court painters Kang Su-hang and Seo Jing. As the duo probe deeper, shocking secrets threaten to ruin their lives.
Adapted into: This novel by best-selling author Lee Jung-myung has inspired the screenplay of the 2008 period K-drama of the same name. It starred Moon Geun-young as Yun-bok and Park Shin-yang as Hong-do.
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Synopsis: Homemaker Yeong-hye suddenly turns vegetarian after a series of dreams involving animal slaughter. What happens when a minor lifestyle change turns her into an outsider for her family and society?
Adapted into: In 2009, The Vegetarian was adapted into a movie with the same name. Directed by arthouse director Lim Woo-seong, the film stars critically acclaimed actor Chae Min-seo as protagonist Young-hye.
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Synopsis: Brothers C and K fall for the same woman Se-yeon. Soon, the love triangle threatens the peace in their lives. The brothers are left with the choice of either mending their broken relationship or tearing each other apart for love.
Adapted into: The novel was adapted into the 2005 erotic movie My Right to Ravage Myself, directed by Jeon Soo-il. The film was an official selection for the 7th annual Busan International Film Festival.
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Synopsis: When engineering student Geon-woo comes across an anonymous girl, his peaceful life turns chaotic. With a love-hate relationship, Geon-woo enjoys her company. However, with the girl incessantly putting him in embarrassing situations, will their bond survive?
Adapted into: This web novel, which was later turned into a manhwa, was also adapted into a Korean movie and a romantic K-drama of the same name in 2001 and 2017, respectively.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
You can purchase Korean novels translated to English from Amazon.
Some of the most popular Korean light novels are 'Omniscient Reader' by Sing-Shong, 'Solo Leveling' by Chugong, 'The Great Storyteller' by Im Han-baeg, and 'Artifact Reading Inspector' by Yeong-Wan.
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Sushmita Mahanta
Digital Writer (Growth) - Entertainment
Sushmita is a writer with a passion for crafting engaging and informative stories. An avid fan of K-pop and K-dramas, Sushmita mostly writes about Korean culture and entertainment. When not writing, you can find Sushmita dancing, reading, collecting books, learning about fashion, art, motion pictures, and appreciating BTS.
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