Is “My Dearest Nemesis” An Adaptation?

You ever start a K-drama, take a sip of your tea, and suddenly feel like you’ve been personally victimized by a plot you swear you’ve seen before? Like, wait … is this just another chaebol CEO making someone’s life miserable in the name of romance?

Well, if My Dearest Nemesis is giving you that déjà vu but make it enemies-to-lovers vibe, let me put your mind at ease.

It is an adaptation. And not just any adaptation, but one that has been plotting its emotional ambush on us since 1999 via Naver Webtoon.

That means this story has been simmering for over two decades, waiting for the perfect moment to emotionally wreck us.

Webtoon To K-Drama: How My Dearest Nemesis Leveled Up

This isn’t just another K-drama.

This is a slow-burn masterpiece wrapped in corporate warfare that has finally come for our sanity.

Now that it’s here, prepare for sharp suits, dangerously charming smirks, and enough unresolved tension to light up Seoul.

South Korea has officially perfected the science of webtoon adaptations. These aren’t just comics; they’re strategically designed emotional rollercoasters built for maximum binge-worthiness.

And Dear Nemesis? It practically begged to be turned into a drama, with its power moves, boardroom brawls, and excruciatingly slow-burn romance.

So, what’s the deal? Let’s break it down.

Baek Su-jeong, our heroine, was once an innocent high schooler who fell hard for an online gamer named Black Dragon. He was mysterious. Broody. The type of guy who probably left her on read just to keep things interesting.

Baek Su-jeong, our heroine, was once an innocent high schooler who fell hard for an online gamer named Black Dragon. He was mysterious. Broody. The type of guy who probably left her on read just to keep things interesting.

But then—plot twist—Black Dragon was actually Ban Ju-yeon, a middle schooler. A. Middle schooler.

The betrayal? Unforgivable. The immediate need to delete her entire digital footprint? Critical. I don’t blame her. I, too, would have changed my name and fled the country.

Fast forward sixteen years, and Su-jeong is a fully functional adult with a thriving career—until she walks into work and discovers that her new boss is none other than Ban Ju-yeon himself. And because fate has a wicked sense of humor, he remembers everything—every cringe message, every embarrassing moment, all of it.

Drama Vs. Webtoon: What Got A Glow-Up?

While My Dearest Nemesis sticks close to the webtoon’s core story, the drama cranks up the intensity and turns the workplace into an absolute minefield.

Because nothing says romantic tension quite like a high-stakes meeting where every glance feels like a corporate power move and a marriage proposal at the same time.

Ban Ju-Yeon: Chaebol Energy And Rockstar Secrets

Webtoon Ju-yeon was already a menace, but drama Ju-yeon? A corporate villain with the face of an angel and the tactics of a seasoned chess master.

He’s sharp, calculating, and somehow makes being an absolute nuisance look unfairly attractive.

And, of course, they gave him a double life. By day, he’s an untouchable chaebol heir. By night? Secret rock music fan.

And, of course, they gave him a double life. By day, he’s an untouchable chaebol heir. By night? Secret rock music fan. Because clearly, being a chaebol heir with unlimited power isn’t enough—he also needs a secret rockstar alter ego for added emotional damage.

Baek Su-Jeong: CEO Of Keeping It Together (Barely)

Webtoon Su-jeong was always a powerhouse, but drama Su-jeong? She is the moment.

She’s smart, ambitious, and fighting for her life every time Ju-yeon gives her one of those insufferable “I know something you don’t” looks.

The drama gives her even more depth, more backstory, and front-row seats to the daily struggle of keeping her emotions (and career) intact while her ex-gamer-crush-turned-boss plays mind games in a designer suit. And honestly? I would not last a single day.

Corporate Chess And Chaebol Mind Games: The Ultimate Slow Burn

The webtoon had drama, but the live-action? It’s pure, unfiltered emotional torture.

The stakes are higher, the romance is slower (but way more intense), and every scene between Su-jeong and Ju-yeon feels like a battle between self-respect and inevitable attraction.

I am fully expecting HR to step in at some point.

Inyeon Magic: The K-Drama Fate That Won’t Let Them Live

K-dramas and fate go together like kimchi and rice, and My Dearest Nemesis takes this concept and runs with it like it stole something.

Fans of the webtoon already knew they were in for an emotional rollercoaster, but seeing it play out in real-time? A whole new level of pain.

One of the best (and most devastating) things about My Dearest Nemesis is how it leans into inyeon (인연)—the Korean belief that some people are destined to meet, no matter how much they try to avoid it.

In K-dramas, inyeon isn’t just a plot device. It’s a mischievous cosmic entity actively making everyone suffer. It’s why Ju-yeon and Su-jeong keep running into each other at the worst possible moments.

In K-dramas, inyeon isn’t just a plot device. It’s a mischievous cosmic entity actively making everyone suffer. It’s why Ju-yeon and Su-jeong keep running into each other at the worst possible moments.

If you’ve ever screamed, WHY ARE THEY ALWAYS IN THE SAME ROOM?!—congratulations. You’ve been personally victimized by inyeon. At this point, I’m convinced inyeon is that nosy relative who insists ‘everything happens for a reason’ while casually ruining your peace of mind.

The Verdict: Prepare Your Heart (And Your Watchlist)

So, is My Dearest Nemesis an adaptation? Yes. But does it feel like a boring, predictable copy-paste job? Absolutely not.

This drama takes everything that made the webtoon great and makes it even better—sharper storytelling, deeper characters, and just the right amount of slow-burn agony to keep us all screaming into our pillows.

And honestly—whether it’s a webtoon, a drama, or an ancient prophecy, we all know we’re here for one thing. To watch Su-jeong and Ju-yeon argue their way into true love.

Would you have read My Dearest Nemesis before watching the drama? Drop a comment below! And don’t forget to subscribe for more K-drama deep dives. Because, let’s face it, your watchlist is never actually full.