The K-Drama hit formula: Fan-driven casting like Kim Tae-ri, romance and webtoon inspiration, reveal Korean showrunners

Love speaks many languages, and sometimes, it doesn’t need subtitles.

In a world bursting at the seams with television shows, dramas, documentaries, South Koreans have almost carved a niche in terms of romantic storytelling—whether through longing glances in the rain, confessions in the snow, or moments where silence speaks louder than words. It could be Lee Min-ho’s tear-filled eyes in The King: Eternal Monarch,  as he reunites with Kim Go-eun after a hectic time travel spanning decades, with the accompanying words, ‘I’m sorry it took so long.’

Or perhaps, Im Si-wan quietly pulling the hospital curtain so that an overworked, wearied Shin se-kyung gets rest in Run On.  Or, maybe Yoo Yoon-seok just plaintively watching Mun Ka-young skate on ice in The Interest of Love, and realising that regardless of how he tries, life always brings him back to her.

Often, it’s these words—or even moments of silence—that make a K-drama truly resonate. And now there’s a stronger demand for narratives that offer more psychological depth, along with emotional resonance as evident from the successful office rom-com Love Scout and the wholesome My Dearest Nemesis. K-Drama script writer Park Gye-ok and producer Lee You Jeong from MBC talk to Gulf News on the latest trends, what really constitutes a good K-drama, and how actors are cast.

For the love of romantic comedies and mystery

Gye-ok, who is the mind behind popular shows such as Mr Queen and Cain and Abel, and You-Jeong explain the demand for low-cost romcoms, over bigger spectacles. “Due to the ongoing global economic downturn, both traditional broadcasters and OTT platforms are prioritizing cost-effective productions. As a result, romantic comedies—known for their relatively low production costs yet high audience engagement—are expected to dominate the market,” explains You-jeong. There is now a growing emphasis on character-driven stories, which is aligning with the preferences of actors, seeking more nuanced roles.

And romance, mixed with mystery? Yes please, as Kim Do-hee, a Dubai-based homemaker explains. Do-hee doesn’t completely enjoy a straightforward candyfloss romance; she enjoys a sprinkling of intrigue, suspense, and murder investigation in the middle too. “I love Flower of Evil, and Lawless Lawyer,” she says excitedly, adding that both shows have her favourite star Lee Joon-gi, an actor known for his unconventional choices. Masterfully written and laced with heavy emotion, Flower of Evil, revolving around a husband and wife, focuses on themes of fractured identities, the desire to run away from familial horrors and start afresh, and the journey to healing that’s fraught with torment and conflict.  Similarly, Lawless Lawyer, has many fans, owing to its careful juggling act between the courtroom, scenes of corruption, murders and a breezy romance.

The success of such shows contribute the rise of mysteries, thrillers and occult genres, which spurns new ventures in storytelling, such as When The Phone Rings, Hyper Knife and The Witch.   “Audiences have become increasingly desensitised to grand visual spectacles,” explains You-jeong. Now people want something that picks their brains a bit, along with some emotional weight. “This trend is also contributing to a decline in the dominance of large-scale cinematic productions,” explains You-jeong.

The magnetism of web-toons

More than ever, studios are turning to webtoons and web novels as ready-made blueprints for hit dramas. Their built-in fanbase and fast-paced storytelling make them an appealing, low-risk choice, according to both Gye-ok and You-jeong. Plus, a lot of these web-based stories have characters and fast-paced plots that really click with younger audiences, especially Gen Z That mix of popularity and relatability makes adaptations not just a creative choice but a smart business move too.

And while catching trends is crucial, securing the right cast can make or break a drama.

What goes behind casting actors?

According to Gye-ok, the most crucial factor in casting is whether an actor aligns with the image of a given character. “Some actors excel in comedy, others in action, and some have a strong presence in romance dramas. Production teams typically share a common vision of which actor best fits a role based on how the character is depicted in the script,” he says.

Another important factor that plays a role, is the actor’s previous work, too. “Given the current industry trend of reducing the number of drama productions, there is a greater emphasis on securing stable and reliable casting choices,” explains Gye-ok.  As a result, rather than taking risks on lesser-known actors, production teams tend to prioritise those with an established reputation and a proven track record. Moreover, the influence of broadcasting networks and streaming platforms on casting decisions has grown stronger. While there is no official list of preferred actors per network, certain platforms do exhibit preferences based on their past collaborations with specific actors. This dynamic further impacts casting decisions.

However, as he mentions, established actors tend to diversify their roles, rather than being typecast. One instance would be Kwak Dong-yeon, who is fluid with his genres: If he can intimidate with a grim presence in the historical drama Love in The Moonlight, he can also act as a comedic foil in Vincenzo, while breaking your heart in the same show. Two minutes silence for those who still haven’t recovered from his ‘I did well, didn’t I?’ gunshot scene.

Gye-ok also explains that for high-profile stars with strong audience appeal, there is a notable tendency to take on roles that challenge their previous on-screen image. Ultimately, casting decisions emerge from a complex interplay between production companies, networks, and the actors themselves.

The unexpected casting stories

Gye-ok points out that casting decisions, especially for dramas based on existing stories, often set off a frenzy of online debates. Take Ju Ji-hoon, for example—when he was first cast as the crown prince in Princess Hours (Goong), fans weren’t convinced. Many thought he didn’t have the refined, regal aura the role demanded. But once the drama aired, his performance won everyone over, and the show became a massive hit. On the flip side, some casting choices have been shaped by fan power from the get-go. Dramas like Jeong Nyeon and Cheese in the Trap had fans championing actors like Kim Tae-ri and Park Hae-jin long before casting was official, proving just how much influence online buzz now holds.

Another interesting trend? Supporting actors stepping into the spotlight in later seasons. Since many dramas don’t start out with multiple seasons in mind, characters who were originally on the sidelines can suddenly take center stage if the story continues. A great example is Lee Seo-hwan in Squid Game 2—his character, Jeong-bae, was never meant to be a major player, but the success of the first season paved the way for a bigger role. It’s proof that in the world of Kdramas, anything can happen—and fans are playing a bigger role than ever in shaping the stories we love.

- Translation provided by E-Wha Kim, manager PR and Media at Korean Cultural center, Abu Dhabi, UAE