Draft:The Witch (TV series and webtoon)

The Witch (TV series and webtoon)

The Witch is a South Korean mystery thriller television series adapted from the webtoon of the same name by Kang Full. The drama aired in 2025 and received notable attention for its psychological depth, narrative techniques, and the integration of data-mining as a storytelling device. The original webtoon, published in 2013, laid the foundation for the drama’s narrative and themes, making the adaptation a prominent example of cross-media storytelling in Korean popular culture.

Background and Publication

The original webtoon was serialized on Daum(Kakao) Webtoon from June to Octobor 2013 and written by Kang Full, a key figure in Korean webtoon culture. Known for works like Apartment, Timing, and The Fool, Kang Full is recognized for his emotionally resonant stories that critique societal norms. This webtoon is said to correspond to season five of the pure comic series.

Webtoon Details:

Title: The Witch Author: Kang Full Serialization: June 10, 2013 – Octobor 24, 2013 Platform: Daum Webtoon Genre: Mystery, Pure Webtoon

Synopsis

Lee Dong-jin, a rational and observant statistician, encounters Park Mi-jung, a mysterious woman ostracized by her community and labeled a "witch." As he investigates strange occurrences around her, Dong-jin employs logical deduction and data-mining methods such as analyzing phone records, CCTV footage, and weather data to unravel the truth.

The narrative examines themes of societal prejudice, alienation, and emotional healing, with the TV adaptation adding romantic elements and enhancing psychological tension.

Cast

Main

–Park Jin-young as Lee Dong-jin

–Noh Jeong-eui as Park Mi-jung

Supporting

–Lim Jae-hyuk as Kim Joong-Hyuk

–Jang Hee-ryeong as Heo Eun-sil

–Jang Hye-jin as Oh Mi-sook

–Ahn nae-sang as Park Jeong-soo

Episodes

Webtoon

→The webtoon was serialized on Daum Webtoon starting June 10, 2013, with new episodes released every Monday and Thursday. It ended on October 18, 2013, with a total of 30 episodes.

Part 1 Episode 1: The Witch

Episode 2: Female Students

Episode 3: Park Mi-jung

Episode 4: Rumors

Episode 5: Father

Episode 6: Coincidence

Episode 7: Isolation

Episode 8: Error

Episode 9: Friend

Episode 10: Reunion

Episode 11: Season

Episode 12: List

Episode 13: Mother

Episode 14: Means and Methods

Episode 15: Stalker

Part 2 Episode 16: Space

Episode 17: Time

Episode 18: Approaching

Episode 19: Verification

Episode 20: Conversation

Episode 21: Questions

Episode 22: Name

Episode 23: Traveling

Episode 24: Lee Dong-jin

Episode 25: Smile

Episode 26: First Love

Episode 27: Whereabouts

Episode 28 : shine on you

Episode 29: Kim Joong-hyuk

Episode 30: Happy Ending

→The drama aired a total of 10 episodes from February 15 to March 16, 2025, on Channel A, broadcast twice a week.

Episode 1: Female Students

Episode 2: The Witch, Park Mi-jung

Episode 3: Coincidence

Episode 4: Errors in Statistics

Episode 5: The Law of Death

Episode 6: Means and Methods

Episode 7: Data Verification

Episode 8: Lee Dong-jin

Episode 9: Shine on you

Episode 10: The Last Variable

Production and Release

Webtoon

genre: Mystery, Thriller, Drama

author: Kang Full

illustrator: Kang Full

publisher: Daum Webtoon

first: June 10, 2013

last: October 18, 2013

status: Completed

episodes: 30

country: South Korea

language: Korean

Drama

Directed by: Kim Tae-kyun

Script by: Choi Yu-jin

Produced by: Showbox, Mr. Romance

Broadcast Network: Channel A

First air date: February 15, 2025

Final episode: March 16, 2025

Soundtrack(Drama)

The original soundtrack (OST) of The Witch comprises 49 tracks, featuring both vocal and instrumental pieces that enhance the drama’s emotional and narrative depth.

1. Still, It's love. - Choi Inkyung

2. Close my eyes - Dahye

3. Don't drift away - Park Jang-Hyun

4. Still, It’s love. - Choi In-kyung (inst.)

5. Close my eyes - Dahye(inst.)

6. Don't drift away - Park Jang-hyun (inst.)

7. The Witch. - Jeong Se-rin

8. Time to love - Jeong Se-rin

9. denial of the existence of a witch - Jeong Se-rin

10. Wishing to fine tour true name - Jeong Se-rin

11. Unseen doubt - Joo In-ro

12. truth hidden in rumors - Heo Eun-Ji

13. "On the Way to Find You" - Jeong Se-rin

14. Happy memories - Hong Eun-Ji

15. Dongjin in adversity - Kim Jung-wan

16. The name called family - Heo Eun-Ji

17. The Answer Lies Within the Question - Jeong Se-rin

18. Hit gambit - Lee Ru-ri

19. Analysis - Joo In-ro

20. The Witch's Rule - Jeong Se-rin

21. Still, It's love (score ver.) - Inwoo

22. Delicate Distance of the Heart - Jeong Se-rin

23.I Couldn’t Even Say a Word - Lee Yoon-ji

24. Data mining - No Yu-rim

25. The Witch's Hypothesis - Jeong Se-rin

26. The One Who Shined Light on Me - Jeong Se-rin

27. Someone My Heart Leans Toward - Park In-hye

28. The Witch Who Chose to Cut Off the World - Jeong Se-rin

29. Shining day - Kim Jung-wan

30. The Being Called Mother Kang Min-gu

31. Fateful Encounter - Lee Yoon-ji

32. Leftover Expectations - Park In-hye

33. Don't Come Near Me - Hong Eun-Ji

34.Ongoing Tragedy - Jeong Hye-bin

35. Common ground - Hong Eun-Ji

36. Research - Park In-hye

37. Perfect Plan - Lee Won-gil

38. Sudden Death - Lee Ru-ri

39. Character Introduction - Kang Min-gu

40. Sharp Analysis - Shim Hee-jin

41. Unyielding Dong-jin - Kim Jung-wan

42. Darkness in Memory - Joo In-ro

43. The Child Who Became a Witch - Park In-hye

44. The Child Who Lost Her Smile - Lee Ruri

45. Coincidence and Variables - Park In-hye

46. Guilt - Lee Yoon-ji

47. Lonely Girl - No Yu-rim

48. I'll prove it. - Hong Eun-Ji

49. Ordinary Days - Shim Hee-jin

Themes and Media Strategy

The drama exemplifies cross-media storytelling, integrating elements of suspense, romance, and visualized data analysis. The original webtoon’s introspective and logical tone was adapted into a more emotionally immersive television format using dramatized user interfaces, split screens, and expressive acting.

Cultural Reception

Webtoon: Highly praised for tackling issues such as social isolation and scapegoating. The muted color scheme, character monologues, and non-linear storytelling contributed to its deep emotional impact.

Drama: Commended for its acting, pacing, and modernization of the original themes. Expanded the emotional arcs and added romantic subplots.

Legacy

The Witch stands as a significant case of cross-media narrative in Korean media. The successful adaptation of a psychological webtoon into an emotionally resonant drama demonstrates the evolution of visual storytelling platforms in South Korea. The work’s use of data mining as a narrative device further cements its place in contemporary genre innovation.