'Itaewon Class' to Get Thai Adaptation, With Chairman Jang's Gender Changed From Male to Female

Korean webtoon IP expands globally in partnership with Thailand's largest entertainment company

Two of Korea's best-known webtoons, 'Itaewon Class' and 'The Tale of Seol Gongchan', are set to be adapted into dramas in Thailand. As Korean IP (intellectual property) continues to gain influence in the global content market, a partnership with Thailand's largest entertainment company has drawn industry attention.

Kakao Entertainment announced on the 5th that Thai entertainment company GMMTV officially unveiled plans to adapt both works into dramas at its 'GMMTVNEXT: GENERATION HAPPY' event on the 3rd. The announcement is seen as further proof that the compelling storytelling of Korean webtoons has become a major draw for audiences across Asia.

Based on the webtoon of the same name by Gwangjin, 'Itaewon Class' is a celebrated story about young people who stay true to their convictions and principles in an unjust world and go on to build a business empire. The Thai remake will be titled 'Itaewon Class Thai Edition' (working title).

In a bold localization move, the Thai remake will change the gender of the original story's central villain, Chairman Jang Dae-hee, from male to female. The change is expected to add a narrative tension that sets it apart from previous adaptations. Leading the cast are Film Rachanun, whose acting was recognized with the 2023 Seoul Drama Awards' Asian Star Award, and other top Thai young stars, including Sky Wongravee and Nicha Natthicha.

'Itaewon Class' became a phenomenon after being adapted into a Korean drama starring Park Seo-joon in 2020. It has since been remade as the 2022 Japanese drama 'Roppongi Class' and the HBO Taiwan original series 'Fired Up!' last July, establishing itself as a global megahit IP. The story has also expanded across genres and borders, including a stage musical in Japan.

Meanwhile, popular BL (Boys Love) webtoon 'The Tale of Seol Gongchan' by YSE will be reimagined as 'The Spooky Love Tale', a horror romance infused with local Thai sensibilities. The original delicately portrays a mysterious romance that unfolds when Seol Gongchan, a horror novelist, becomes entangled with Woo Young-min, a man who lives downstairs and whom he meets by chance.

In the Thai version, popular local actors Tipakorn Thitathan and Pakin Kunanuwit will play Chan and Min, the counterparts to Seol Gongchan and Woo Young-min in the original, and are expected to bring fresh chemistry to the screen. With Thailand regarded as a hub for BL content in Asia, global fans are eagerly anticipating the synergy between the strong source material and local production expertise.