Webtoons have become a goldmine for K-drama adaptations, bringing beloved stories to life with real actors, stunning cinematography, and immersive storytelling. One of the latest to make this leap is He’s a Black Dragon, a popular webtoon by Hye Jin-yang, which has been reimagined as My Dearest Nemesis. But how well does the TV adaptation capture the magic of the original? Let’s dive into the transformation from page to screen.
Dearest Nemesis Webtoon Summary
Before it became a highly anticipated Kdrama, He’s a Black Dragon was a hit webtoon that captivated readers with its mix of romance, comedy, and heated workplace rivalry. The story revolves around Baek Soo-jung, a confident and ambitious woman, and Ban Ju-yeon, her childhood acquaintance who unexpectedly re-enters her life as her workplace superior.
Their history is anything but simple—years ago, they met as online gamers, where Ju-yeon, under the alias Black Dragon, formed a bond with Soo-jung. But their first real-life encounter was a disaster, leading to years of animosity. Now, fate brings them together again, but this time, their battlefields are boardrooms and business meetings instead of online game lobbies.
With its sharp humor, sizzling chemistry, and well-developed characters, the webtoon built a dedicated fanbase. Naturally, when the drama adaptation was announced, fans were both thrilled and anxious about how the live-action version will be adapting this beautiful webtoon.
Bringing the Story to Life: The TV Adaptation
Titled My Dearest Nemesis, the drama premiered on February 17, 2025, on tvN, airing every Monday and Tuesday. The biggest challenge? Translating the unique charm of the webtoon into a format that appeals to both longtime fans and newcomers.Thankfully, with a talented production team and a stellar cast, the series quickly made an impression.
Directed by Lee Soo-hyun (Shooting Stars) and written by Kim Soo-yeon, the drama manages to capture the essence of the webtoon while adding new dimensions to the characters and their relationships.
Casting Perfection: Finding the Right Faces
One of the most crucial aspects of any adaptation is casting—after all, fans have already imagined these characters in their heads for years.
Moon Ga-young (True Beauty, The Interest of Love) steps into the role of Baek Soo-jung, perfectly embodying her confidence, intelligence, and hidden vulnerabilities.
Choi Hyun-wook (Twinkling Watermelon, Weak Hero Class 1) takes on Ban Ju-yeon, balancing his character’s aloof, teasing nature with moments of undeniable charm and emotional depth.
The chemistry between these two leads is electric, effortlessly switching between banter and heartfelt moments—just as fans hoped for.
What Changed in the Adaptation?
Bringing a webtoon to life isn’t always a straightforward process. Some elements need to be tweaked to fit the drama format, and My Dearest Nemesis is no exception.
The Workplace Dynamic Feels More Intense: In the webtoon, much of the tension between Soo-jung and Ju-yeon comes from their past misunderstandings. The drama expands on this by placing them in high-stakes corporate situations, making their rivalry feel even more compelling.
Deeper Emotional Arcs: While the webtoon had plenty of heartfelt moments, the drama takes things further by diving deeper into each character’s personal struggles—especially Ju-yeon’s transformation from an awkward teenager into a composed executive.
More Side Characters, More Drama: To flesh out the story, the drama introduces additional workplace colleagues, rivals, and friends, adding more layers to the office politics and romantic entanglements.
Despite these changes, My Dearest Nemesis stays true to the heart of the webtoon—an engaging battle of wits and emotions between two people who can’t decide whether they want to strangle each other or finally admit their long-standing feelings.
A Hit with Fans and Viewers
So, how has the adaptation been received? Judging by its impressive viewership ratings and online buzz, My Dearest Nemesis has struck the right balance between nostalgia and fresh storytelling. Webtoon readers appreciate how faithfully the drama captures the original’s humor and romantic tension.
New viewers love the slow-burn dynamic, workplace drama, and the undeniable chemistry between Moon Ga-young and Choi Hyun-wook. Critics have praised the show’s witty dialogue, stylish cinematography, and well-paced character development.
The drama even made headlines by breaking records—achieving over 62 million views in its first two episodes, surpassing Lovely Runner in early ratings.
A Worthy Adaptation?
Adapting a beloved webtoon is always a challenge, but My Dearest Nemesis proves that it can be done right. By staying true to the essence of That Man Is Black Salt Dragon while enhancing character depth and workplace dynamics, the drama delivers a fresh yet familiar experience.Whether you’re a longtime fan of the webtoon or discovering the story for the first time, My Dearest Nemesis is a must-watch—packed with romance, rivalry, and all the drama that keeps us hooked.
Why do you think about My Dearest Nemesis kdrama and its webtoon adaptation ?