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The I Decided to Die webtoon drama adaptation has officially found its lead star. Actor Lee Chae-min has confirmed his appearance in the upcoming series, marking his next major project after the commercial success of The Tyrant’s Chef.
According to a February 12, 2026, report by YTN Star, Lee Chae-min will headline the new drama directed by Kim Hee-won. The project adapts a popular webtoon and is already drawing attention among K-drama fans.
Let’s break down everything we know so far—clearly, factually, and without hype.
Lee Chae-min Confirms Role in “I Decided to Die”
YTN Star reported on February 12 that Lee Chae-min confirmed his casting in I Decided to Die. Director Kim Hee-won will helm the series.
The drama adapts a well-known webtoon that gained strong popularity during its original run. Readers praised the story for its emotional depth and character dynamics.
Lee Chae-min will play the main character, Cha-gyeol.
This confirmation comes shortly after his rising success in 2025, which significantly boosted his public recognition.
What Is “I Decided to Die” About?
The I Decided to Die webtoon drama adaptation tells a romantic comedy story centered on two young characters:
- Ji-oh, a high school senior preparing to compete for a spot on the national Taekwondo team.
- Cha-gyeol, a man known for his mysterious charm.
The original webtoon focused on emotional tension, character growth, and the evolving relationship between the leads. Readers connected strongly with the emotional realism rather than exaggerated drama.
That emotional foundation gives the adaptation a strong starting point.
And yes, despite the dramatic title, the story belongs to the romantic comedy genre—not a dark thriller. K-drama titles often sound intense, but the tone here leans toward heartfelt and character-driven storytelling.
Why This Webtoon Adaptation Matters
Webtoon adaptations dominate the Korean drama industry. Many recent hits started as digital comics. Streaming platforms and broadcasters actively search for webtoon IPs because they bring:
- Built-in fanbases
- Tested storylines
- Strong character arcs
When a webtoon succeeds, producers see proof of audience demand.
While official production details such as broadcast network and release date remain undisclosed, early casting news signals that development has progressed beyond early planning stages.
For fans of webtoon-based dramas, this project fits into an ongoing industry trend.
Lee Chae-min’s Rising Career Trajectory
To understand why this casting news matters, we need context.
Lee Chae-min debuted in the 2021 tvN drama High Class. Since then, he has steadily expanded his filmography with appearances in:
- Ilta Scandal
- See You in My 19th Life
- Hi Cookie,
- Barney and Oppas
His breakthrough moment arrived with The Tyrant’s Chef.
In that drama, he portrayed Lee Heon, a tyrant with an absolute sense of taste. The performance drew praise for stability and control—two qualities critics often value in rising actors.
The series recorded a peak viewership rating of 17.1%, according to industry reporting referenced by YTN Star.
That number significantly elevated his mainstream visibility.
Awards and Industry Recognition
Success in ratings often leads to awards—but not always.
In Lee Chae-min’s case, industry recognition followed quickly.
He won the Best New Male Actor Award at the 11th APAN Star Awards for his performance in The Tyrant’s Chef.
Additionally, the 2026 CJ ENM Visionary Awards selected him as a visionary, highlighting his growing influence within the entertainment industry.
These recognitions add credibility to his casting in the I Decided to Die webtoon drama adaptation. Producers often consider award momentum when selecting leads for high-potential projects.
This casting does not feel random. It feels strategic.
Director Kim Hee-won’s Involvement
Director Kim Hee-won will lead the project. While production details remain limited, attaching a confirmed director signals organized development rather than speculative adaptation talk. In Korean drama production cycles, official casting confirmations usually appear after internal planning solidifies.
That suggests this adaptation has moved into active pre-production.
The Webtoon Factor: Built-In Audience Advantage
Webtoon adaptations benefit from reader loyalty.
Fans often track casting news closely. They analyze whether actors match character visuals and personality traits from the original art. This creates early buzz without traditional marketing campaigns.
However, webtoon adaptations also face scrutiny. If casting choices feel misaligned, online backlash can build quickly.
Lee Chae-min’s recent popularity may help bridge that gap. His rising star power brings fresh viewers, while the webtoon’s fanbase ensures core interest. That combination creates measurable anticipation.
Romantic Comedy With Emotional Weight
Romantic comedies in Korea rarely rely only on humor.
They blend:
- Emotional vulnerability
- Youth struggles
- Personal ambition
- Relationship tension
The presence of Ji-oh, a high school athlete competing at the national level, introduces ambition and pressure into the storyline.
Cha-gyeol’s “mysterious charm” suggests layered characterization rather than simple romance tropes.
If the adaptation stays faithful to the webtoon’s emotional tone, viewers can expect character-driven storytelling rather than exaggerated melodrama.
And yes, the title may sound dramatic. But K-drama marketing often uses bold titles to spark curiosity.
Industry Timing: Smart Career Move
Lee Chae-min’s decision to confirm this project quickly after The Tyrant’s Chef reflects momentum management.
Actors often face two choices after a hit:
- Wait for a bigger script
- Lock in another strong project while visibility remains high
He chose the second route.
That strategy keeps his name in headlines and maintains public engagement.
In fast-moving entertainment markets, timing matters almost as much as talent.
What We Still Don’t Know
Right now, official details are still limited to:
- Lee Chae-min has been confirmed for the cast.
- Director Kim Hee-won’s involvement
- Webtoon source material
- Genre classification: romantic comedy.
No official broadcast platform, release date, or extra casting details have been announced yet.
You can expect reliable updates to come from official production statements or trusted entertainment sources like YTN Star.
Hold off on believing any unofficial rumors you come across on social media until production companies confirm the news.
Why This Adaptation Could Rank Well
From the industry’s point of view, the I Decided to Die webtoon drama adaptation hits several key points:
- Well-known source material
- Rising lead actor who has won awards
- Confirmed director
- People clearly want webtoon adaptations.
After The Tyrant’s Chef, more people started looking up Lee Chae-min. Winning the award and getting noticed at the CJ ENM Visionary Awards helped more people learn about him.
Building on that momentum with a webtoon adaptation naturally sparks interest.
Curiosity is what gets people to click.
Final Thoughts
The I Decided to Die webtoon drama adaptation is more than just another casting announcement.
It shows:
- Lee Chae-min’s career has grown steadily through thoughtful choices and hard work.
- The industry still depends a lot on webtoon IP.
- People want romantic comedies that have more emotional depth.
Even though we don’t have all the production details yet, the cast we know so far makes this one worth keeping an eye on in the next K-drama lineup.
For now, the facts remain clear:
Lee Chae-min will lead the adaptation.
Director Kim Hee-won will guide it.
The story originates from a popular webtoon.
Everything else will unfold with time.
And if recent trends continue, this adaptation could turn into another defining step in Lee Chae-min’s fast-rising career.
