Dear X Webtoon Gets 40 Times More Popular After HBO Max Drama Release

The live-action adaptation of Dear X is driving a massive surge of new readers to the original webtoon. Data from Naver Webtoon shows a dramatic increase in readership, with the thriller’s popularity exploding on both domestic and international platforms since the show premiered on November 6, 2025.

The Numbers Behind the Surge

According to Naver Webtoon’s data from November 13, 2025, the original Dear X webtoon has seen a staggering rise in views. In the week following the K-drama’s release, the webtoon’s popularity on the domestic platform was 17 times higher than the week before the series’ teaser was released.

The most significant growth occurred internationally. On Webtoon’s North American platform, views skyrocketed by 40 times during the same period. The series also climbed the charts in Taiwan, reaching Number 2 on the real-time popularity rankings.

A Faithful Adaptation

The Dear X series is a faithful adaptation of the webtoon created by Vanziun, who also co-wrote the drama script with Choi Ja-won. The story follows Baek Ah-jin, a top actress and master manipulator hiding a traumatic past of childhood abuse. Her journey from a victim to a ruthless celebrity forms the core of the thriller.

Director Lee Eung-bok, known for hit series like Sweet Home and Guardian: The Great and Lonely God, leads the adaptation. He followed the main plot of the webtoon but added more psychological depth and original stories for the supporting characters. He described the series as beginning with a compelling question: “Why do we love someone who is bad?”

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Kim Yoo-jung’s Chilling Performance

A key factor in the renewed interest is likely the powerful performance of Kim Yoo-jung, who plays the complex lead character, Baek Ah-jin. The role marks a dramatic departure from her previous “Nation’s Little Sister” image.

Kim Yoo-jung shared her approach to the character, stating she wanted to create tension even in silence. She focused on making viewers “feel her confusion alongside her” rather than displaying emotions overtly. Her portrayal of Ah-jin’s unsettling duality—switching between a sweet public image and a chilling, manipulative personality—has been widely praised.

Global Release and Availability

Dear X is TVING’s first global co-production with HBO Max. The series is streaming simultaneously in South Korea and 18 countries across the Asia-Pacific region. In the United States, it is available on Viki, while viewers in Japan can watch it on Disney+.

The drama’s release has been a commercial success, quickly topping paid subscriber charts in Korea and ranking number one in seven Asia-Pacific countries, including Hong Kong, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

The original Dear X webtoon, which ran from 2019 to 2021, is available to read in English on the WEBTOON platform.

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