Is “Crushology 101” Based On A Webtoon?

Oh honey, hold my kimchi and cue the dramatic soundtrack—because yes, Crushology 101 is not just based on a webtoon. It’s pulled straight from the emotional trenches of every over-invested, under-hydrated K-drama addict’s heart. And when I say “webtoon,” I mean the dangerously addictive manhwa Bunny and Her Boys by Ni-eun (니은)—the illustrated masterpiece that kidnapped my free time, hijacked my emotions, and gently ruined my social life.

This isn’t one of those “loosely inspired” situations. No. The drama swan-dived headfirst into the source material, threw on some dreamy cinematography, and gave us an adaptation that made me scream into my pillow with zero warning.

Ni-eun: The Genius Hermit Who Made Us Cry With Cartoons

Let’s pause to admire the magic-maker herself—Ni-eun. A mystery. A legend. The reason my heart needed recovery snacks.

She wrote AND illustrated Bunny and Her Boys. Double the talent, double the destruction. And she did it while staying so anonymous, I’m convinced she’s a wizard hiding in a library somewhere.

There are no interviews. No dramatic behind-the-scenes content. Just her manhwa, quietly amassing 170 million views like it’s no big deal.

Spoiler alert: it’s a huge deal. This isn’t just a story—it’s a rite of passage for romance drama lovers.

Ni-eun’s world is the kind of place where love blooms amid confusion, heartbreak feels oddly aesthetic, and every character makes you wish you had a seat in their cafeteria.

Her storytelling? Equal parts swoon, giggle, and scream-into-a-cushion chaos.

From Digital Panels To Drama Queens: Bunny’s Big Screen Glow-Up

Ban Hee-jin—our lovable Bunny—is a sculpture student with a post-breakup glow-up that lands her smack in the middle of a reverse harem.

And not just any harem. These boys? Art school royalty.

Instead of healing in peace, Bunny ends up navigating a chaos of compliments, coffee shop collisions, and soul-staring encounters that made me blush on her behalf.

Instead of healing in peace, Bunny ends up navigating a chaos of compliments, coffee shop collisions, and soul-staring encounters that made me blush on her behalf.

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to walk into your class and have five men look at you like you’re the answer to all their emotional backstories—Bunny lives that fantasy.

Drama vs. Webtoon: Who Did It Better (And Made Us Cry More)?

Reading the manhwa is like hopping on a rom-com rollercoaster with no seatbelt. You laugh. You swoon. You worry you’re getting too attached.

Watching the drama? It’s the same coaster, but they added fog, slow-motion scenes, and orchestral music.

Suddenly, you’re weeping over a pencil sketch and wondering how you got here.

Director Kim Ji-hoon didn’t just direct—he sprinkled magic onto every frame. We’re talking moody lighting that makes you question your life choices, eye contact that could fry your emotional circuits, and pacing so precise it lets every silence slap you right in the soul.

The show introduces new characters who weren’t in the manhwa—like Bunny’s supportive parents (yes, they exist and aren’t tragic!), the stunning Kwon Bo-bae, and Han Yeo-reum, who struts in like she’s ready to restart the drama.

The tone shift? Brilliant. The manhwa gave us fluttery feelings. The drama added introspection, making every scene feel like a therapy session wrapped in a love triangle.

Character Chaos: Who Are These Beautiful Emotional Wrecks?

Let’s talk about the cast that made me forget about sleep.

Roh Jeong-eui as Bunny? She’s the queen of awkward charm and emotional nuance.

Hwang Jae-yeol (Lee Chae-min) is an introverted soft boy with issues you want to hug away.

And Cha Ji-won (Jo Joon-young)? He’s got chaebol baggage and eyes that say, “I’m deeply misunderstood.”

Every side character matters.

Nam Kkot-nim, Bunny’s bestie, deserves her own spin-off.

And Bunny’s parents? MVPs of wholesome support.

These characters? Oh, they’re more than eye candy. They’re full-on cinnamon rolls dipped in emotional chaos, then frosted with just enough trauma to make you invest your whole heart.

These characters? Oh, they’re more than eye candy. They’re full-on cinnamon rolls dipped in emotional chaos, then frosted with just enough trauma to make you invest your whole heart.

I kept switching teams like I was playing emotional dodgeball.

How Crushology 101 Took The Manhwa And Made It Magic

Why does this adaptation slap, sob, and serve maximum feels? Strap your emotional seatbelt.

This isn’t just another pretty-face K-drama with recycled tropes and predictable flashbacks. What sets Crushology 101 apart is how it layers emotional realism into a classic reverse harem setup—without losing its charm.

For starters, it doesn’t merely copy its manhwa roots. It expands them.

From giving Bunny’s parents actual speaking lines (hallelujah!) to introducing new characters like Kwon Bo-bae and Han Yeo-reum, the drama reshapes its story into a character-driven experience.

The pacing doesn’t rush your feelings—it marinates in them. It lingers like that one text you keep re-reading at midnight. It’s soft when it needs to be, then hits you with emotional whiplash out of nowhere.

And while the manhwa excels in romantic tension and quick plot turns, the K-drama adaptation lets emotional arcs simmer. It’s about healing, not just heart fluttering.

And that makes it hit different—like a warm bowl of kimchi stew after a long cry.

Look, not every manhwa adaptation nails it. Some are like bootleg tteokbokki—looks spicy, tastes bland.

But Crushology 101? It’s gourmet-level drama. The show doesn’t just translate scenes. It elevates them with cultural texture.

But Crushology 101? It’s gourmet-level drama. The show doesn’t just translate scenes. It elevates them with cultural texture.

Like nunchi—that silent emotional radar Koreans develop. Bunny and Jae-yeol’s glances? Full conversations.

Then there’s the age hierarchy. It’s why Bunny hesitates to speak freely to upperclassmen. It’s not just respect—it’s storytelling tension at its finest.

And if you love comparing manhwa vs. K-drama tropes, this one gives you the perfect playground.

Final Diagnosis: Yup, It’s A Webtoon—And We’re Emotionally Unwell About It

Yes. Loudly and emotionally, YES.

Crushology 101 is not only based on Bunny and Her Boys, it’s the most affectionate, soul-tugging adaptation a fan could ask for.

If you haven’t read the manhwa, I suggest clearing your schedule. You’ll thank me later.

If you’ve already watched the drama? Welcome to the emotionally unstable fan club.

So what’s your team? Webtoon? Drama? Or Team “I just want Bunny to find someone who buys her coffee and validates her emotional growth”?

Drop your favorite moment, theory, or meltdown in the comments.

And if True Beauty, Cinderella and the Four Knights, or My ID is Gangnam Beauty are already on your K-drama resume, Crushology 101 is your next romantic spiral.

Now don’t be selfish—share this article like you’d share your Wi-Fi during a finale livestream.

Hit comment. Tap subscribe. And tell your K-drama crew we’ve got new emotional wounds to process.

I’ll be here. Watching it again. For science.