Controversy Erupts Over Live-Action Adaptation of Popular 19+ BL Webtoon “Painter of the Night”

Webtoons have become a major source of inspiration for Korean dramas, with hits like Yumi’s Cells and Friendly Rivalry successfully adapted for the screen. However, the recent announcement that the widely popular BL webtoon Painter of the Night will be adapted into a live-action series has sparked heated controversy online.

Originally released in 2019, Painter of the Night is a period BL webtoon that follows the complex relationship between Nakyum, a talented painter specializing in explicit artwork, and Seungho, a powerful lord known for his overwhelming desire for men. The series, now complete, has garnered a massive following and is among Lezhin’s most successful titles, even being printed in physical book form.

Despite its popularity, Painter of the Night contains explicit themes and controversial content, including scenes involving dubious consent and rape, which have divided readers. The storyline begins with Nakyum, intoxicated and mistaken, approaching Seungho for sex—leading to a complicated and often troubling dynamic between the two.

The planned adaptation will be a short-form drama with episodes lasting about two minutes, primarily rated 15+, with some 19+ content. This approach has not quelled the backlash, as many fans and critics express concern over whether such sensitive material can be appropriately handled in live-action. Even some longtime readers who appreciated the webtoon’s storytelling have voiced strong opposition to the adaptation.

• What live-action adaptation is this, seriously, oh please… please ㅜㅜ Some things are just not okay, and this is really not okay, damn it. There are works that can be adapted and works that shouldn’t be, and this is one that shouldn’t be;; The whole story from start to finish is just that kind of content… How could they even try to adapt it? That would just be a complete reinvention…
• Don’t do it.
• Is this for real? Seriously?
• I really hope this doesn’t happen… ㅠㅠ
• Even if it’s short-form, don’t do it. Seriously, so annoying. Let 2D stay 2D. Why is there such a rush to make live-action adaptations these days?
• Without the 19+ content, it won’t be anything at all. They really should just make it into an anime…

As webtoon adaptations continue to rise in popularity, Painter of the Night’s controversy highlights the challenges of bringing complex and mature content to mainstream audiences, especially in live-action formats. Fans and viewers alike are now watching closely to see how the production will navigate these sensitive issues.