Is “Undercover High School” Based On A Webtoon?

Okay, so let’s talk about Undercover High School. You ever start a drama and immediately think, “This has to be a webtoon, right?” Because SAME. From the very first episode, this show gives off some serious webtoon energy.

And considering how half of today’s hottest K-dramas (Itaewon Class, True Beauty, Sweet Home) all came straight from webtoons, it’s only natural that people are asking: Did this one start as a webtoon too?

Wait, This Isn’t A Webtoon? Well, It Should Be!

Surprisingly, Undercover High School is 100% an original K-drama.

No webtoon, no comic, no hidden source material. It was cooked up fresh for TV by writer Im Young-bin. That means no desperate late-night scrolling on Google trying to find the OG story.

(Been there, done that—one time, I even convinced myself an entire webtoon existed, only to realize I had just dreamed it.)

But let’s be honest—if someone did tell me this was based on a webtoon, I’d believe them in a heartbeat.

Why? Because it has ALL the classic webtoon tropes we obsess over:

• The ridiculously overpowered yet socially awkward male lead – Jeong Hae-seong (Seo Kang-joon) is a top-tier NIS agent. But put him in a high school, and suddenly, he’s struggling with P.E. and dodging nosy classmates like it’s a national mission.I mean, I can barely handle high school reunions, let alone going back full-time while hunting for lost treasure.
• The badass but secretly soft female lead – Oh Su-a (Jin Ki-joo), a history teacher with zero tolerance for nonsense—especially from a “student” who looks like he files taxes.I’d pay good money to see her inner monologue every time she looks at Hae-seong and questions her life choices.
• A mystery wrapped in chaos – Missing gold bars from Emperor Gojong’s era? A high school that’s suspiciously full of secrets?If my high school had a hidden treasure, you better believe I’d have spent less time napping in class and more time exploring the janitor’s closet for hidden tunnels.

Why Does This Drama Scream Webtoon Vibes?

Even though Undercover High School isn’t based on a webtoon, it practically breathes the same air.

The over-the-top action, the quirky humor, the wild plot twists—it’s like the scriptwriters took notes from every school-action webtoon out there.

It’s got that perfect mix of “Wait, WHAT is happening?” and “I can’t stop watching.”

And just to clear up the confusion: There is a webtoon called The Undercover High School Student, but it’s a whole different story.

And just to clear up the confusion: There is a webtoon called The Undercover High School Student, but it’s a whole different story.

That one leans more into personal struggles and relationships, whereas Undercover High School is serving us high-speed chases and laugh-out-loud chaos with a side of romance.

If I had a dollar for every time a webtoon and a drama had similar names but completely different plots, I’d probably have enough to fund my own K-drama adaptation.

The Secret Gold: A Juicy Piece Of Korean History You Need To Know

One of the coolest parts of Undercover High School is the hidden gold storyline.

And guess what? The idea of lost royal treasures isn’t entirely fiction.

Emperor Gojong, the 26th king of the Joseon dynasty, had a turbulent reign. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, there were rumors about large amounts of gold being hidden away to protect Korea’s wealth from foreign powers.

Knowing this little nugget of history makes Hae-seong’s treasure hunt feel even more intense. It’s not just K-drama fun—it’s inspired by real history!

Could We See A Webtoon Version Soon?

Honestly? I wouldn’t be surprised.

Plenty of original dramas have been turned into webtoons after their success (The Uncanny Counter, looking at you).

If Undercover High School keeps racking up fans, don’t be shocked if we see a webtoon adaptation pop up.

If Undercover High School keeps racking up fans, don’t be shocked if we see a webtoon adaptation pop up.

And trust me, I’d be the first in line to read it—probably refreshing my app at midnight waiting for updates.

Final Verdict: Drama Now, Webtoon Later?

If you live for webtoon-based K-dramas like Itaewon Class, True Beauty, and The Uncanny Counter, then Undercover High School is absolutely your vibe.

It’s got espionage, high school drama, comedy, and just the right amount of “This is ridiculous, and I LOVE IT.”

So, no—it’s not a webtoon. But honestly, it may as well be.

And who knows? Maybe one day, we’ll be scrolling through a real Undercover High School webtoon while waiting for Season 2 to drop.

Would you read an Undercover High School webtoon if it existed?

Drop a comment below and let’s freak out together! And don’t forget to subscribe for your weekly dose of K-drama scoops!