Korean dramas have captured the hearts of audiences worldwide, transcending cultural boundaries with their unique storytelling, compelling characters, and emotional depth. And given the popularity of K-dramas, several narratives have been adapted in different languages, including Thai.
From “Who Are You” to “Coffee Prince”, these adaptations have embraced the Korean hits and spun them into stories that feel both familiar and distinctly Thai. Whether you’ve been a fan of the originals for years or are a Thai drama lover, these remakes will inspire you to add them on your to-watch list.
F4 Thailand: Boys Over Flowers
Based on the 1992 Japanese manga “Hana Yori Dango”, there have been multiple adaptations of the comic across Asia, including the 2009 adaptation “Boys Over Flowers”, which featured Lee Min-ho and Ku Hye-sun. Thanks to the roaring success behind the adaptation, Thailand released and recreated their version with “F4 Thailand: Boys Over Flowers” in 2021.
The show follows Gorya, an ordinary girl who strives in the most prestigious school in the country. Later, she encounters an elite group of the wealthiest and most attractive boys called the F4.
Who Are You
“Who Are You” is a remake of the 2015 hit “Who Are You: School 2015” starring Kim So-hyun, Yook Sung-jae, and Nam Joo-hyuk. The 2020 Thai remake tells the story of long-lost twins who live totally different lives in different cities – one is bullied while the other is popular. One of them loses her memory and wakes up as her twin sister, leading to a new life in a prestigious school where she uncovers secrets and faces bullying.
My Love From Another Star
Based on the original hit K-drama “My Love From The Star”, “My Love From Another Star” follows once again the story of the heart-warming character of an alien named Justin, played by Nadech Kugimiya, who comes to Earth for research and sees a woman in trouble and decides to save her. After saving her, he got stranded on Earth for 300 years because he didn’t return to his spaceship on time.
Coffee Prince
In 2012, the popular Korean series “Coffee Prince” starring Gong Yoo and Yoon Eun-hye was remade in Thailand. Titled the same name, the Thai remake follows a wealthy heir tasked with running a struggling café, and a tomboy who disguises herself as a man to land a job. The story retains the essence of the original, centering around a cafe and the romantic entanglements of the two leads.
Tunnel
The 2019 mystery series “Tunnel” is the remake of the 2016 K-drama starring Choi Jin-hyuk, Yoon Hyun-min, and Lee Yoo-young. The Thai remake tells the story of a detective who finds himself 30 years in the future and must solve a string of grisly crimes before he can return to the past.
A Love So Beautiful
Previously produced in China in 2017 and remade in Korea in 2020, “A Love So Beautiful” released a remake in Thailand in 2024. The story adapts from a popular Chinese web novel with the same name, focusing on a bubbly high school girl’s unrequited love for her smart neighbour. The Thai remake highlights more on the youthful optimism, friendships, and the pull of first love in a more localised high school setting.
