Lookism‘s animated series dropped on Netflix December 8, 2022, and the fans of the original webtoon created by Taejun Pak finally got what they’d long been preparing for. The visual accuracy of the show left them in awe of the character designs as Twitter was soon brimming with emotions everywhere. It’s highly likely that you’ve clicked on this story after binge watching all the episodes of the series and are looking forward to tuning in to other similar titles.
We’ve got you covered. Listed below are more such webtoon adaptations dealing with character-driven arcs, friendships, slice-of-life or coming-of-age themes that found their representation in either the anime or kdrama format. Read on to find out which show will be on your watchlist agenda next.
Shows Like Lookism
Although the first three titles don’t necessarily come close to Lookism thematically, but we’ve included them on this list because they’re the only few anime adaptations of webtoons as opposed to the plethora of kdrama options swimming in the pool of webtoon (or manhwa) adaptations.
Tower of God (Anime Adaptation)
Taking the webtoon created by S.I.U.as its inspiration, Tower of God is one of the very few series to have received an anime adaptation instead of being revamped as a kdrama. Also titled Kami no Tou, the show is available on Crunchyroll, and is all about wishes coming true upon reaching the top of the tower. However, the infamous tower reserves an arduous journey for all those planning to climb it.
When Rachel decides to take the plunge, her friend Bam can’t bear it but still accompanies her. They’re both soon met with challenges and hurdles they couldn’t even have imagined. The adventure ride follows a character-driven plot, with characters having to face their fears just like Lookism.
God of High School (Anime Adaptation)
Another anime based on the webtoon created by Yongje Park, God of High School can be streamed on Crunchyroll. The titular name in the series is actually a fast-paced tournament organised to determine the most powerful high schooler. The winner’s wish will be granted at any cost, but accomplishing the task in itself is quite strenuous as everyone in sight seems to be an ace and is dead set on actualising their wishes. The battle begins but the sword starts tipping into the supernatural territory.
Noblesse (Anime Adaptation)
The source webtoon for Noblesse is written by Son Je-ho and illustrated by Lee Kwangsu. Streaming on Crunchyroll, the story is all about Raizel awaking from his 820 year slumber. Noblesse is a prestigious title held by “a pure-blooded Noble and protector of all other Nobles”. Yet as a means to protect his master. Frankenstein sends off Raizel to a high school, where he meets people and learn the human protocol.
In the meanwhile, a secret society concocts a scheme to rule over the world, which eventually intervenes with Raizel’s life as well, compelling him to draw out his powers and help others.
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True Beauty (Kdrama)
Although majorly a romantic comedy, True Beauty as the name suggests is a coming-of-age life story of a high school girl Ju-kyoung who is bullied for her looks. Like Lookism‘s Hyeong-seok, she too transfers to a different school to start a new life after learning how to apply make-up from YouTube. Her transformation becomes her shield in the new environment, but the most popular boy of the lot, Lee Suho knows her reality, which adds to her fear.
It’s based on manhwa (also known as The Secret of Angel) written by Yaongyi, and is available to watch on Viki and Prime Video.
My ID is Gangnam Beauty (Kdrama)
Based on the Korean source textwritten by Kee Maeng-kee, My ID is Gangnam Beauty comes close to Taejun Pak’s creation in the sense that both of them deal with society’s double standards surrounding the concept of beauty, and how in some cases, the same also leads some to bully others.
Moreover, the storyline also focusses on the common theme of making peace with one’s insecurities, especially in the case of Kang Mi-rae, who gets her plastic surgery done in hopes of improving her life. However, new challenges surface much to her dislike. It’s streaming on Netflix.
Reborn Rich (Kdrama)
Currently ongoing, Reborn Rich, starring Song Joong-ki, Lee Sung-min and more, is based on the web novel Jaebeoljip Mangnaeadeul (The Youngest Son of a Conglomerate/The Chaebol’s Youngest Son)by San Kyeong. Its plot surrounds the sudden murder of Yoon Hyun-woo, who’s been working under the Sunyang Conglomerate for longer than a decade but is eventually falsely accused of fraud.
However, this isn’t the end of the line for him. He soon wakes up inJin Do-joon, the conglomerate family’s youngest son’s body. Earnest about exacting revenge, he starts a new chapter with a keen eye out to rule over the Sunyang brand. Like Lookism, this adaptation also has the main character switching out of his body, thus allowing him to make changes around him. Reborn Rich is available on Viki.
Extraordinary You (Kdrama)
Extraordinary You is best understood as a webtoon within a webtoon. Based on the text July Found By Chance written by Moo Ryu, this is a unique take on characters wielding control over their respective destinies and bowing down to what the author of a story has planned for them. Eun Dan-oh, though the protagonist of the show, comes alive and releases that she’s a terminally ill minor character within a comic.
On coming to her senses, she tries her all to change her fate and during this course she meets yet another unnamed minor presence in the comic. With his help, she hopes to change her character arc and neither succumb to marrying a person she doesn’t like, nor to her poor health. Starring Kim Hye-yoon (also known for Sky Castle), Rowoon (member of Kpop band SF9), Lee Jae-wook (Alchemy of Souls), and more, it’s available on Voot, Netflix and even Viki.
Like the recently released animated series, Extraordinary You is also focused on the main character’s epiphany about wanting to turn their life around, in turn also helping others in the same boat as them.
Have you watched these shows yet? If yes, which one of them is your favourite? Checked out any other new webtoon adaptations recently? Let us know it all in the comments section below.
Lookism is now streaming on Netflix.
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