WEBTOON Entertainment’s Studio N to Produce Japanese Remake of Nevertheless
The Japanese adaptation of the popular WEBTOON Original and Korean TV series will debut on Netflix and ABEMA (Japan) in December
Nevertheless follows a string of hit WEBTOON adaptations on Netflix and other global streaming services
SEOUL – WEBTOON Entertainment Inc.’s (“WEBTOON Entertainment”) Studio N will produce a Japanese remake of popular webcomic “Nevertheless,” titled “The Shapes of Love.” Based on the NAVER WEBTOON webcomic “Nevertheless” by Jungseo, the series will debut on the Japanese streamer ABEMA and Netflix worldwide on December 9, 2024.
The Japanese remake is produced in collaboration with SLL (SLL JOONGANG) and Japanese content studio BABEL LABEL. The series is directed by Ryutaro Nakagawa (“One Day, You Will Reach the Sea”; “My (K)Night”) and Japan’s Ryusei Yokohama in the lead role.
The new Japanese series is the second adaptation of the original “Nevertheless” webcomic, following a 2021 Korean JTBCseries--also titled “Nevertheless”--starring Song Kang and Han So-hee. The webcomic, which explores the realistic love lives of young art students, gained widespread acclaim on NAVER WEBTOON for its striking art and relatable characters. “Nevertheless” has been translated into English, Japanese, Thai, and other languages, amassing over 175 million views worldwide.
The 2021 Korean TV adaptation was co-produced by Studio N and SLL, premiering on JTBC and Netflix. The series became a global hit, breaking into Netflix’s Top 10 (Non-English TV Shows) in 33 countries.
“‘Nevertheless’ first became a YA hit on WEBTOON, before reaching new audiences as a K-drama on Netflix around the world,” said Michelle Kwon, CEO of Studio N. “This is a story that speaks to universal coming-of-age themes of love, identity, and self-exploration. We’re thrilled to reimagine the series for Japan, helping this charming story reach new audiences once again.”
Studio N has gained recognition in Japan for projects like “Unlocked”, a remake of the Japanese novel of the same name. The studio is also working with Japan’s Toei Animation to produce an animated series based on WEBTOON’s “Gosu: The Master.” This year, Studio N continued to expand its influence on the global IP market, producing hit WEBTOON-originated series like “True Beauty,” “The 8 Show,” and “Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born.”