Is “The Auditors” Based On A Webtoon?

You ever watch a K-drama so dramatic, so filled with betrayal and jaw-dropping plot twists, that you just know it had to come from a webtoon? Yeah, same. That was my exact reaction when The Auditors hit me with its corporate backstabbing, shady chaebols, and boardroom battles that felt like gladiator matches—just with more expensive suits and fewer actual swords (sadly).

The intense power struggles? Classic webtoon material.

The morally gray characters who have you flipping between love and rage every five minutes? Straight out of a serialized drama.

The slow-motion close-ups that have me pausing just to process the sheer audacity of these people? Webtoon vibes all the way.

But does The Auditors actually have its roots in a digital comic? Or is it just one of those dramas that feels like it should have been?

Let’s break it down because I need answers.

Webtoon Origins Or TV-Made Masterpiece?

So, here’s the plot twist: The Auditors is not based on a webtoon. Unlike many recent K-dramas that started as digital comics (Itaewon Class, Sweet Home, A Business Proposal—I see you), The Auditors is an original screenplay crafted specifically for television.

One reason The Auditors gives off webtoon energy is how well it taps into a uniquely Korean genre: corporate thrillers. Unlike Western workplace dramas, which usually focus on office friendships and personal ambition, Korean corporate dramas dive deep into the chaebol (재벌) culture—aka the rich, powerful family-owned business empires that basically run South Korea.

And let me tell you, chaebol dramas aren’t just about luxury cars and high-rise offices. They’re about power.

If you’ve ever had a toxic boss, imagine working under someone who would actually set a building on fire just to cover up a financial scandal. (Oh wait, The Auditors gave us that exact scenario.)

That’s why this drama feels larger than life—it takes real-life corporate scandals, turns the drama dial up to 100, and makes us question if we should start investigating our own CEOs.

That’s why this drama feels larger than life—it takes real-life corporate scandals, turns the drama dial up to 100, and makes us question if we should start investigating our own CEOs.

Every plot twist, every ruthless executive, and every jaw-dropping revelation? All crafted from scratch, designed specifically to play out on-screen rather than through illustrated panels.

And honestly? That makes it even more impressive.

Why Does The Auditors Scream ‘Webtoon Vibes’?

If you thought this drama must have been adapted from a webtoon, trust me, you’re not alone. Here’s why it gives off major webtoon vibes:

1. Characters So Dramatic, They Belong in a Webtoon

From Shin Cha-il’s no-nonsense, cold-as-ice attitude to Hwang Se-woong’s full-blown villain transformation, these characters have so much personality they had to be drawn somewhere first, right? The over-the-top confidence, the power moves, the side-eye game so strong it deserves an award—these people feel like they walked straight out of a comic panel.

2. Plot Twists So Wild, Your Jaw Will Need Recovery Time

Webtoons thrive on cliffhangers—and The Auditors has mastered that art. Every episode ends with a bombshell so big I have to physically pause and scream into my pillow.

Waiting an entire week for the next episode? Pure agony. It’s just like waiting for a new webtoon update, except I can’t even scroll through the comments to scream with other fans.

3. Cinematic Shots That Feel Like They Came Straight from a Webtoon

With its sleek cinematography, moody lighting, and intense boardroom showdowns, The Auditors looks like something straight out of a high-production webtoon adaptation. The exaggerated tension, the dramatic angles, the slow-motion reveals—they all scream, “This should have been a webtoon first!”

Should The Auditors Get The Webtoon Treatment?

Honestly? Yes. And if a webtoon adaptation ever does happen, I’ll be first in line to read it.

The story’s corporate intrigue, power struggles, and morally gray characters would translate perfectly into a webtoon format, giving us even more dramatic stares, close-ups, and internal monologues that hit like a punch to the gut.

The story’s corporate intrigue, power struggles, and morally gray characters would translate perfectly into a webtoon format, giving us even more dramatic stares, close-ups, and internal monologues that hit like a punch to the gut.

Can you imagine the panel where Hwang Se-woong gets caught red-handed? Chef’s kiss.

The Verdict: Webtoon Or Not, It’s a Must-Watch

While The Auditors might feel like a webtoon adaptation, it stands strong as an original K-drama that proves you don’t need a webtoon origin story to deliver absolute chaos in the best way possible.

So, did you think The Auditors was based on a webtoon? Would you read one if it existed?

Let’s talk in the comments! And while you’re at it, hit that subscribe button for more K-drama scoops—because honestly, you need to stay updated on the next big obsession!