The well-known BL (Boy Love) webtoon 'Painter of the Night' is set to be reimagined as a short-form drama. Sources from the entertainment industry revealed on May 22 that the drama adaptation of 'Painter of the Night' is currently in pre-production phase and conducting auditions, with plans to commence filming in June.

This drama is based on the webtoon by Byeondeok, sharing the same title. It unfolds in the historical backdrop of the Joseon Dynasty, narrating the tale of a nobleman named Yoon Seung Ho, who develops a fascination with a set of erotic paintings belonging to a commoner named Baek Na Kyum.

The drama is intended to be short-form, with episodes spanning around two minutes each. The collaborative production involves Kidari Studio, Lezhin Entertainment (the original IP holders), Doodoong, and Mongjakso. Director Choi Bo Kyung, known for projects like 'Stock Struck' and co-directing 'The Divorce Insurance,' will lead the production.

The drama's target audience is set to be ages 15 and above. However, considering the original webtoon's adult BL (Boys' Love) genre, some episodes may receive a 19+ rating. 'Painter of the Night' made its debut on Lezhin Comics in 2019 and garnered immense popularity across four seasons and a special side story, dominating as the top BL webtoon on Lezhin Comics for five consecutive years. The series' success even spawned an OST performed by singer Ahn Ye Eun and a unique collaboration featuring makgeolli (Korean rice wine).

Enthusiasts have long anticipated a live-action adaptation of 'Painter of the Night,' and the announcement of the upcoming drama has started generating excitement. The distribution platform and release specifics for the short-format drama are still being deliberated on.