Is “Melo Movie” Based On A Webtoon?

If you’ve been in the K-drama game long enough, you know the golden rule: If it looks like a webtoon and feels like a webtoon … it’s probably a webtoon adaptation. Right? That’s what I thought too. I was so sure Melo Movie was another beloved webtoon-turned-drama, ready to ruin me emotionally in the best way possible.

But then—plot twist—Melo Movie is not based on a webtoon or even inspired by one, despite how much it feels like it should be. I KNOW. I clutched my metaphorical pearls, paused mid-binge, and immediately started Googling.

So if you’re as shocked as I was, let’s unpack this mystery together.

Why Does Melo Movie Feel Like A Webtoon?

Even though it’s an original screenplay, Melo Movie has all the hallmarks of a classic webtoon adaptation, and I will die on this hill:

• A Picture-Perfect Premise – A movie-obsessed film critic falling for an ambitious but struggling director? If this isn’t the perfect webtoon setup, then I don’t know what is.
• Aesthetic That’s Off The Charts – Every frame of this drama looks like it was hand-drawn by an artist who wanted me to suffer beautifully. The dreamy cinematography, the detailed character close-ups, the painfully long eye contact? Tell me this wasn’t storyboarded by a webtoon illustrator.
• Lead Characters With That Webtoon Charm – Gyeom and Mu-bee have that classic enemies-to-lovers-but-make-it-angsty energy. Their slow-burn tension, career struggles, and moments of heart-fluttering cuteness? Straight out of a webtoon panel.

So while Melo Movie isn’t adapted from a webtoon, it absolutely feels like it should be—and I refuse to believe otherwise.

Who’s Behind Melo Movie Then?

If Melo Movie isn’t adapted from a webtoon, is it at least inspired by one? And if not, where did this masterpiece come from?

Enter Lee Na-eun, the brilliant screenwriter who gave us Our Beloved Summer—you know, the drama that made us question every relationship we’ve ever had?

Yeah, that one.

This woman knows how to write heartache, and I am both grateful and emotionally unprepared every time.

This woman knows how to write heartache, and I am both grateful and emotionally unprepared every time.

And let’s not forget Oh Chung-hwan, the director responsible for Hotel Del Luna and Start-Up. If you’ve seen either of those, you already know Melo Movie was bound to be visually stunning and emotionally devastating.

The Webtoon Confusion: A Sign Of Changing Trends?

The fact that so many people (myself included) have asked, ‘Is Melo Movie inspired by a webtoon?’ tells us one thing—K-dramas are borrowing heavily from webtoon storytelling, even when they’re not actually adapted from one. And honestly? I love it.

Think about it—dynamic visuals, quirky but emotionally deep characters, and the kind of longing stares that should be illegal?

That’s webtoon magic, and it’s making its way into more original K-dramas.

This could be a game-changer, because while I will always love a good webtoon-to-drama adaptation, original scripts that feel like webtoons? That’s next-level storytelling.

How K-Dramas Are Adopting Webtoon-Like Storytelling

K-dramas have always been known for their emphasis on emotions, detailed character arcs, and visually striking cinematography, but lately, they’ve been embracing techniques straight from webtoons:

• Distinct Character Tropes – Webtoons often feature deeply relatable protagonists with exaggerated quirks and struggles. Melo Movie nails this with Gyeom’s obsessive film knowledge and Mu-bee’s fierce ambition.
• Panel-Like Cinematic Shots – The way K-dramas are using split screens, vibrant colors, and close-up reaction shots is totally reminiscent of webtoon layouts. Melo Movie does this beautifully.
• Narrative Pauses for Emotional Impact – Just like a webtoon artist choosing when to reveal a character’s reaction in a dramatic pause, Melo Movie uses long silences, slow camera zooms, and subtle music cues to make us feel every moment.
• Slow-Burn Romance Done Right – In webtoons, relationships take time to unfold, building anticipation panel by panel. This is exactly what Melo Movie does, making every shared glance between Gyeom and Mu-bee feel devastatingly important.

Should You Watch Melo Movie If You Love Webtoon Adaptations?

Short answer? YES. 1000% YES. If you loved Love Alarm, Serendipity’s Embrace, or A Business Proposal, then Melo Movie is your next obsession.

It has the same emotional highs, the same swoon-worthy moments, and the kind of chemistry that makes you scream into your pillow at 2 AM because WHY ARE THEY LIKE THIS?!

So while Melo Movie may not have started as a webtoon or been directly inspired by one, it has all the charm of a webtoon-based drama—plus an extra dose of originality that sets it apart.

So while Melo Movie may not have started as a webtoon or been directly inspired by one, it has all the charm of a webtoon-based drama—plus an extra dose of originality that sets it apart.

And honestly? That makes it even better.

Did you think Melo Movie was a webtoon adaptation too? Are you emotionally wrecked by webtoon-based dramas like me? Let’s chat in the comments! And don’t forget to share this with your fellow drama lovers—we’ve got feelings to process.