A beloved bestseller that topped Korea for 10 straight years to be adapted into a Korean drama
by K-Soul · allkpopA Korean drama adaptation of Keigo Higashino’s bestselling novel 'The Miracles of the Namiya General Store' is officially in the works.
According to a report by SPOTV News on February 5, Higashino’s signature work will be reimagined as a Korean-style drama series. The production team is currently in the process of casting the main roles and is reportedly considering a global OTT platform for release. The series is being planned as a 10-episode drama.
'The Miracles of the Namiya General Store' centers on three thieves who accidentally hide inside an old, run-down general store where the past and present mysteriously intersect. As they begin replying to letters seeking advice from people in the past, a series of heartfelt stories unfolds. Through letters exchanged across different timelines, the characters encounter pivotal turning points in their lives, with their intertwined fates delivering deep emotional resonance.
Since its Korean release in 2012, the original novel has enjoyed long-standing success, remaining a fixture on bestseller lists for years. It achieved an exceptionally rare feat for a Japanese novel in Korea, maintaining top rankings over an extended period. According to data released by Kyobo Book Centre, the book ranked No. 1 among Japanese novels sold in Korea over 10 years from 2007 to 2016, surpassing 1 million copies sold in 2017.
'Journey Under the Midnight Sun' and 'The Devotion of Suspect X,' the novel is considered one of the most beloved works by Korean readers. Higashino Keigo is widely regarded as one of Japan’s leading mystery writers and has built a strong fanbase in Korea through works such as 'Journey Under the Midnight Sun' and 'The Devotion of Suspect X.'
The story has already seen multiple screen adaptations. In 2017, a Japanese film starring Yamada Ryosuke, Murakami Nijiro, and Nishida Toshiyuki topped the box office during its opening week. The film was released in Korea in February 2018, drawing approximately 190,000 moviegoers. That same year, China produced its own adaptation titled 'The Miracles of the Namiya General Store: Another Story,' featuring Wang Junkai, Dilraba Dilmurat, and Jackie Chan.
In Korea, the story was also adapted into a stage play in August 2018. Produced by Dal Company and based on a script by Japanese director Narui Yutaka, the play was scheduled for a revival in 2019, but the production was ultimately canceled due to worsening Korea-Japan relations.
On February 6, SPOTV News further reported that actor Lee Chae Min has been cast as the lead. Lee gained attention through dramas such as 'Crash Course in Romance,' 'See You in My 19th Life,' and 'Hierarchy,' and solidified his rising-star status last year with tvN’s 'Bon Appetit, Your Majesty.' More recently, he took on a villain role as Jonathan in Netflix’s 'Cashero.'
As the story transitions from film to a serialized drama format, anticipation is building over how faithfully and effectively the adaptation will capture the original novel’s emotional depth.
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