Kdrama Characters That Started Out Speaking Japanese

While Korean dramas are very popular in Japan, inspiring Japanese tourism to popular kdrama filming sites, some of the most entertaining kdramas also owe a debt to Japanese dramas, novels and manga series.

You may be surprised to discover how many of the series you enjoyed started out with the characters speaking Japanese.

For example, the most popular kdrama series currently being aired, "That Winter, The Wind Blows," starring Jo In Sung and Song Hye Keo, is based on a Japanese series, "Ai Nante Irane Yo, Natsu," which was shown on Japanese television in 2002. Before becoming a kdrama series about a con man and a blind heiress, the story had already inspired the 2006 film, "Love Me Not," starring Moon Geun Young and Kim Joo Hyuk.

A series that begins this week, "God of the Workplace," starring Kim Hye So, Oh Ji Ho, and Jung Yoo Mi, is based on a Japanese novel called "Pride of the Temp."

Kdramas based on Japanese dramas or mangas tend to have similar storylines, although they can sometimes add a few twists and turns. For example, "Playful Kiss," which starred Kim Hyun Joong and Jung So Min is based on the Japanese manga "Itazura Na Kiss" written by Tada Kaoru but varies a little from the original storyline.

Some of the storylines in your favorite dramas may seem so Korean that it's hard to imagine they were not originally Korean. And yet "To the Beautiful You" was inspired by the manga series Hanazakari no Kimitachi e by Hisaya Nakajo, although it takes some liberties with the original story.

The 2012 drama, "Beloved," is based on a novel by Hisashi Nozawa.

"Dr. Jin," starring Song Seung Hun, Park Min Young and Kim Jaejoong, is based on the Japanese manga series, "Jin," written by Motoka Murakami.

"101st proposal," also known as "My Perfect Girl," is a remake of the 1991 Japanese series "101st Proposal."

And, you probably already know that the Japanese manga series "Hana Yori Dango" inspired the Taiwanese, Japanese and Korean versions of "Boys Over Flowers," but did you know that the series "City Hunter" was based on a novel by Japan's Tsukasa Hojo?

The exchange of ideas can only enrich kdrama viewing. Check out "God of the Workplace" this week and let us know if you think it was a good choice for adaptation.