Korean dramas based on webtoons are taking over 2026. Two shows, Agent Kim Reactivated and Teach You a Lesson, have become massive hits on Netflix and Korean television. These action-packed series, both adapted from popular online comics, are proving that webtoon stories connect with viewers around the world.
Teach You a Lesson arrived on Netflix on June 5, 2026. The show did not take long to find its audience. Within its first week, it gathered 6.4 million views and ranked in the top 10 in 48 countries. The series kept growing. By the week ending June 28, it had collected 7.3 million views. It held the number one spot on Netflix’s non-English TV chart for four straight weeks. The show reached the top 10 in 69 countries. It was the most-watched show in six countries, including Indonesia, Japan, and Singapore.
What ‘Teach You a Lesson’ Is About
Teach You a Lesson comes from the webtoon Get Schooled by Chae Yong-taek and Han Ga-ram. The drama tells the story of a special government team called the Education Rights Protection Bureau (ERPB). This team uses strong methods to stop school bullying and fix corruption in schools.
The main character is Na Hwa-jin, played by Kim Mu-yeol. He is a former special forces captain who becomes a field inspector. His team includes Im Han-rim (Jin Ki-joo) and Bong Geun-dae (Pyo Ji-hoon). Education Minister Choi Gang-seok, played by Lee Sung-min, gives them full support. The 10-episode series is directed by Hong Jong-chan, known for the hit drama Juvenile Justice.
The show’s realistic episodes and action-packed story have connected with global audiences. It balances serious topics with comedy and action. The series has earned an 83% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics praise how the show handles serious issues in the education system while keeping viewers entertained.
The Controversy Behind the Show
The webtoon Get Schooled faced major backlash before the drama even started production. In 2023, Naver Webtoon removed the comic from its North American platform. Critics accused the webtoon of racism for showing a mixed-race Black student as a violent bully. The story also faced criticism for appearing to support corporal punishment and public humiliation.
When Netflix announced the adaptation, the debates started again. Teacher unions in South Korea asked for the production to stop. Some fans even asked cast members to turn down their roles.
Despite all this, audience interest stayed strong. According to a May 2026 survey, Teach You a Lesson ranked number one among upcoming Korean releases. The show had a 10% viewer intention rate, more than three times its closest competitor.
‘Agent Kim Reactivated’ Brings So Ji-sub Back to Action
Agent Kim Reactivated premiered on June 26, 2026. It airs on SBS TV in South Korea and streams globally on Netflix. The show marks So Ji-sub‘s return to SBS dramas after 13 years. He plays the lead role of Kim Do-hyeon, also known as Manager Kim.
The series is adapted from the popular Naver webtoon Manager Kim by Jeong Jong-taek and Toy. The eight-episode show follows a father whose daughter goes missing. On the surface, Kim Do-hyeon is a normal worker at a small savings bank. But he hides a dangerous past as a former special agent. He was once a legendary operative known as “Codename 66” and even made it onto North Korea’s blacklist. He retired to honor his late wife’s wish for him to just be a father. When his daughter Min-ji (played by Seo Su-min) disappears, he must use his old skills to save her.
The cast includes Choi Dae-hoon as Seong Han-su, a taekwondo gold medalist and Kim’s longtime friend. Yoon Kyung-ho plays Park Jin-cheol, a passionate member of the Marine Corps Veterans Association. Joo Sang-wook and Son Na-eun also star in the series.
Ratings and Reception
Agent Kim Reactivated became a ratings success right away. The second episode achieved nationwide ratings of 15.7% and 15.9% in the Seoul area. Peak minute ratings reached 18.1%. The show is currently the number one Friday-Saturday drama on Korean television. It debuted at number three on Netflix’s non-English chart with 6.6 million views.
The series has been called the “Korean version of Taken“. Director Yi Seung-young explained the difference: “Taken is a real-time tracking thriller about a father finding his daughter, whereas our project is a 10-hour story”. He added that the show has vibrant supporting characters that Taken does not have.
At a press conference on June 25, the cast talked about their experience. Choi Dae-hoon shared, “The lineup and chemistry were perfect”. He thanked So Ji-sub for his leadership during action scenes. So Ji-sub responded, “It has been a long time since I’ve been on a set where the entire filming process itself was so genuinely fun and happy”. Yoon Kyung-ho brought humor, saying the atmosphere on set was “as joyful and happy as an awards ceremony at every single moment”.
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Webtoon Adaptations Continue to Dominate
About one in four Korean dramas in 2026 is based on a webtoon or web novel. Production companies keep using stories that already have a fan base. This approach lowers risks and creates strong ratings and online buzz.
Other webtoon adaptations are also coming in 2026. The Remarried Empress will arrive on Disney+ in the second half of the year. Solo Leveling and Bloodhounds 2 are also highly anticipated. My Favorite Employee, based on the webtoon My Oppa Is an Idol, stars Yuna of ITZY. These shows show that webtoon-based content remains a major force in Korean entertainment.
Teach You a Lesson and Agent Kim Reactivated are available now on Netflix. Agent Kim Reactivated also airs on SBS every Friday and Saturday. Episode three of Agent Kim Reactivated aired on July 3.
Also Read: Kim You-jung and Park Jinyoung’s Spy Romance ‘100 Days of Deception’ Drops First Teaser
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