Korean Comic 'Beat' to Be Adapted into Drama Series

The iconic Korean noir comic 'Beat' by renowned artist 허영만 (Heo Young-man) is set to make a comeback as a drama series. On June 11, the newly established production company 알트스튜디오 (Alt Studio), led by 김영배 (Kim Young-bae), announced that they will be producing a 10-episode drama based on the original comic.

Originally serialized in Young Champ from 1994 to 1995, 'Beat' captures the anger, confusion, and growing pains of youth in a distinctly Korean noir style. The comic achieved remarkable success, selling over a million copies and sparking a cultural phenomenon known as the 'Beat Syndrome,' influencing trends with items like the Honda CBR600F motorcycle, Zippo lighters, and Marlboro Red cigarettes.

In 1997, 'Beat' was adapted into a film starring 정우성 (Jung Woo-sung) and 고소영 (Go So-young), directed by 김성수 (Kim Sung-soo), which attracted over 870,000 viewers in Seoul alone. The film is remembered for its memorable quotes, such as "I had no dreams" and "17 to 1 fight," and it helped solidify Jung Woo-sung's status as a youth icon of the 1990s. The upcoming drama adaptation has generated excitement as fans speculate who will embody the new generation's version of '민' (Min), reminiscent of Jung's character.

Alt Studio aims to modernize the emotional essence of 'Beat' to resonate with both older audiences seeking nostalgia and younger viewers looking for relatable content. The studio is comprised of a talented team known for successfully producing popular dramas like 'Taxi Driver' (모범택시), 'My ID is Gangnam Beauty' (내 아이디는 강남미인), and the upcoming 'I Shopping' (아이쇼핑).

With a focus on blending the original's sentiment with contemporary trends, anticipation is high for how Alt Studio will reinterpret this classic. The first project from Alt Studio, 'Beat,' is scheduled for release in the first half of 2026.