There is no denying that K-dramas have gotten more and more popular all over the world in the last couple of years, and it’s all thanks to a formula that combines good and unique storytelling with a pair of leads with chemistry that will make everyone feel giddy. And while there are some dramas that have been adapted from other countries’ movies and series, there are also other countries that remake popular K-dramas to give the story a more local treatment.
Below, we’re listing down 8 K-drama titles that have been adapted in other Asian and Western countries:
She Was Pretty
Remade in: China
The popular K-drama which starred Park Seo Joon and Hwang Jung Eum has actually been remade into the 2017 Chinese drama, Pretty Li Hui Zhen. The drama follows Li Hui Zhen, a girl who used to be gorgeous but is now quite unattractive because of the stress her declining family fortune brought her. Things get complicated for her when she lands a job under her childhood best friend, Bai Hao, who’s now both handsome and successful. With him not remembering her, she ends up hiding her true identity from him.
Dilraba Dimurat, Peter Sheng, Sierra Li, and Vin Zhang star in this C-drama.
Signal
Remade in: Japan
Another drama that has been remade in another country is Signal, which originally starred Lee Je Hoon, Kim Hye Soo, and Jo Jin Woong. The Japanese remake follows Saegusa Kento, a criminal profiler who works with detective Sakurai Misaki. One day, he finds a walkie-talkie that allowed him to get in contact with Ooyama Takeshi — a detective from the past — and with this newfound communication, he goes on to a journey of solving cold cases.
The Japanese adaptation Sakaguchi Kentaro, Kitamura Kazuki, and Kichise Michiko.
Oh My Ghost
Remade in: Thailand
Thailand also did a remake of Jo Jung Seok and Park Bo Young’s Oh My Ghost. The Thai remake follows Jiew, a modest girl who works at a restaurant as a dishwasher and is in love with the chef Artit. What people don’t know about her is that she sees ghosts and that she’s being haunted by Khaopun, a virgin ghost who believes losing her virginity will help her ascend to heaven. Khaopun then uses Jiew’s body to seduce Artit and achieve her goal.
Noona Nuengtida Sophon, Gypsy Keerati Mahapreukpong, Pae Arak Amornsupasiri, and Nat Sakdatorn star in this drama.
Descendants of the Sun
Remade in: Philippines
Dingdong Dantes, Jennylyn Mercado, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, and Rocco Nacino all star in the recent Philippine adaptation of the popular 2016 K-drama Descendants of the Sun. Similar to the K-drama, the PH adaptation follows the story of a special forces captain and a doctor who falls in love while helping a country deal with a natural disaster.
The original Korean drama stars Song Joong Ki, Song Hye Kyo, Kim Ji Won, and Jin Goo.
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Voice
Remade in: Thailand
Aside from Signal, Voice is another crime drama that’s been adapted in another country. Thailand’s version basically follows the same premise: it tells the story of a popular detective who works with a professional voice profiler in chasing the serial killer responsible for the death of their family members.
Pancake Khemanit Jamikorn, Andrew Gregson, Ice Natara Nopparatayapon, and more star in this drama.
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My Love From The Star
Remade in: Philippines
The Philippines also remade Jun Ji Hyun and Kim Soo Hyun’s 2013 drama, My Love From the Star. Just like the original title, the drama follows an extraterrestrial being who has a jaded point of view on humans. with only three months left before he goes back to his planet, he meets the over-confident and famous Filipino celebrity, who looks like the teenage girl he fell in love with in the 1500s. Despite trying to keep his distance from her, he finds himself getting more and more attached to the actress.
Jennylyn Mercado and Gil Cuerva star in the PH remake of the hit K-drama.
Tunnel
Remade in: Thailand
Tunnel is a K-drama that has been remade in Thailand. The drama follows a detective who time travels 30 years into the future while chasing a killer through a tunnel. After arriving in the present day, the murders which stopped 30 years ago start again, and it’s up to the detective to find him and return to his original time.
Top Todsapol Maisuk, Hao Johnny, and Morakot Liu star in this adaptation.
Good Doctor
Remade in: US
The medical drama Good Doctor is a medical drama that’s been adapted in the United States in 2017. The series follows a young surgeon with savant syndrome who is recruited to work at a prestigious hospital, where he uses his atypical skills to help him in his career. The US adaptation stars Freddie Highmore, Nicholas Gonzales, Antonia Thomas, Chuku Modu, and more.
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