Fans of manga and comics who want another take on the medium might want to try dabbling into webtoons, or comics from Korean creators. Also known as manhwa, webtoons happen across various genres and feature unique stories that almost always feature themes and concepts that share a lot about Korean culture. However, with many options out there, it can be tricky to discover just which Korean webtoons are must-reads for newcomers.

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While Korean webtoons tend to be as diverse as Japanese manga, some webtoons do share stories and tales that just set themselves apart from their contemporaries. Certain webtoons are a cut among the rest when it comes to representing the best elements of this artistic medium.

Updated June 19, 2024 by Rhenn Taguiam: With works such as Seasons Of Blossom, Doctor Elise: The Royal Lady With The Lamp, and Solo Leveling about to air much-awaited adaptations, fans of manhwa might be wondering what other stories are worth reading while waiting for these shows to air.

Thankfully for fans, the world of manhwa has quite a lot to offer across various genres, with must-reads including a one-person manhunt to avenge their brother, a traditional romantic comedy with surprising depth, a medical-themed reincarnation story, and a superhero manhwa.

24 Plaza Wars

Webtoon Rating: 9.70

The story of Plaza Wars begins when Gijun discovers that his brother, Giseok, was murdered in cold blood just before the latter’s retirement as a gangster leader. Gijun, who himself stepped out of South Korea’s gang scene to avoid getting in the way of his brother’s rise to power, decides to re-enter this criminal underworld to find those responsible for his brother’s murder. Unfortunately for them, the merciless Gijun was once Seoul’s toughest gangster.

Despite its backdrop as a traditional revenge story, Plaza Wars can fascinate viewers with its vibrant but also visceral artwork. Gijun’s one-man manhunt shows him in an absolutely cold demeanor, like a raw version of a John Wick archetype. Each of its chapters is a step up in terms of story and action, leading to a satisfying but realistic ending.

23 Romance 101

MyAnimeList Rating: 8.19

One could say Jung Bareum of Romance 101 has a planned but arguably boring life as a university student. While all her days are planned and she gets decent grades, she can’t deny her life lacks romance. However, this changes when she meets Shin Jaehyun, a handsome classmate whose presence encourages her to join the programming club he’s a part of. In this circle, he crosses paths with Na Yuyeon, a gamer whose personality initially clashes with hers - at least, until she notices they may have more in common than she thinks.

Despite being framed as a typical slice-of-life romance manhwa, Romance 101 hits the right spot for readers who want casual reading while still glued to their screens. All cast members in the manhwa are well taken care of, with character arcs tackling surprisingly nuanced topics from both comedic and serious standpoints. Bareum’s growth as a protagonist can strike a chord with readers, especially by the time the manhwa starts to show how everyone can have their version of showcasing their affection.

22 Medical Return

MyAnimeList: 7.84

When Kim Jihyun dies as a financially struggling surgeon, he gets a second chance at life after being sent back to middle school at Medical Return. Aware of what’s happened to him in his past life, Kim Jihyun does his best to reach his dream: to become a rich dermatologist. However, despite his knowledge of the past and his medical prowess, life seems to throw constant challenges at the protagonist, be it in the form of his patients’ woes, antagonists who seem to have their agenda or just unexpected twists Jihyun didn’t expect to encounter in this new life.

Manhwa fans who want a riveting reincarnation tale will appreciate the attention to detail Medical Return uses when it elaborates on the medical drama side of its story. The manhwa doesn’t immediately give Jihyun everything he needs to make his new life successful, and it’s always exciting to see how he’ll use his smarts and his thirst for success not just to save the lives of his patients but also to make his dream come true.

21 Eleceed

MyAnimeList Rating: 8.55

The world of Eleceed is similar to the real world, except superhumans known as Awakeners hide in the shadows—be it as members of Awakened Organizations, the Awakened Union peacekeeping force, or criminal organizations. The story of Eleceed begins when superhumanly fast Jiwoo encounters a cat named Kayden, who turns out to be a secret agent on the run. While heroic Jiwoo wants to use his new powers for good, he often clashes with the more aggressive Kayden. Either way, Jiwoo’s accidental introduction to the Awakened World will change his life - and no one knows if it’s for better or worse.

Eleceed takes the traditional youngster-with-new-powers formula and makes them its own. Jiwoo’s super-speed extends to the manhwa’s pages, where the presentation seems free-flowing and dynamic, perfect for grabbing readers' attention. While its story isn’t too unique for its genre, the characterization of Jiwoo, Kayden, and the people around them make events all the more exciting - especially when taking into account both the progression of their powers and their role in the story.

20 What's Wrong With Secretary Kim?

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.3

While technically released first as a novel by Jung Kyung-yoon, What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim? finally hitting KakaoPage’s webtoon “shelves” finally put proverbial faces to the name in the romantic comedy. The webtoon stars the titular Kim Mi-so, the only secretary capable of meeting the high demands of her narcissistic boss Lee Young-joon, as she suddenly announces her resignation. Young-joon is forced to do whatever it takes to make her stay, eventually falling for his former secretary as he chases after her.

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Despite the rather cliche premise, What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim? has all the trappings of a memorable romantic story, especially when Young-joon’s narcissistic exterior and Mi-so’s high attention to detail are both results of traumatic incidents that their journey eventually resolves. Mi-so’s “taming” of Young-joon slowly removes his unnecessary narcissistic side through comedic moments that eventually evolve into much deeper correspondences. Fans looking for a romantic story with surprising depth may find Secretary Kim a worthwhile read, especially with the webtoon’s attention to character development and interaction.

19 All Of Us Are Dead

Anime-Planet Rating: 3.7

If games like Resident Evil are any indication, zombies remain quite the compelling plot device to showcase the best and worst in humanity. Compared to the bleakness of The Walking Dead, however, All of Us Are Dead takes place in one of the worst sites of a zombie outbreak: a high school. The story of All of Us Are Dead officially begins when a deranged science teacher accidentally creates a zombie virus in Hyosan, South Korea, eventually overrunning the school and the surrounding city with the living dead.

With students caught unaware of the situation that befell them, a ragtag group of high-schoolers must combine their wits to survive the impending apocalypse. Unfortunately for them, their efforts to survive are not just challenged by the living dead but also by their very nature, with the group often encountering betrayals and setbacks that force their hand. Compared to other zombie stories and beginner-friendly manhwa, All of Us Are Dead starring students makes for a more horrific experience, especially when the backdrop of zombies forces themes of revenge, hidden love, and the will to do anything to survive to complicate existing circumstances.

18 Itaewon Class

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.0

Despite starting with a traditional revenge plot, Itaewon Class turns into a surprisingly compelling drama story. Protagonist Park Sae-ro-yi’s life is upended when the son of the powerful Jangga Group kills his father in a driving accident. After staying in jail for attempting to murder that same son, Sae-ro-yi vows revenge against Jangga Group by being a successful businessman. While Sae-ro-yi doesn’t necessarily have the business acumen to run his DanBam restaurant, this is something the rather emotionless but talented businesswoman Jo Yi-seo helps him accomplish.

This rather complicated personal web combines the appeal of a business drama and a pseudo-romantic comedy into a webtoon. The parallels between running a large conglomerate like Jangga Group and struggling to manage the busy kitchens of DanBam are neatly juxtaposed into the personal lives of the people running them, giving readers a refreshing drama experience away from traditional love stories or friendship woes.

17 Hellper

Anime-Planet Rating: 3.9

The world of webtoons has met its fair share of paranormal stories, but none as artistically wild as Hellper. Set in the afterlife, Hellper begins when Jang Gwangnam, leader of the Killberos gang, dies in a traffic accident. When he meets fellow ghost Sese, she says his possession of a Black Ticket means he goes straight to Hell. That is unless he fights other ghosts and collects up to 1,000 Black Tickets that he can exchange for a White Ticket to either go to Heaven or get reincarnated.

This straightforward premise is more than enough for Jang to send readers of Hellper down the path to crazy shenanigans. The bombastic art is enough indication that Hellper has had moments that border the surreal, but these circumstances demonstrate just how crazy their depiction of the afterlife could get. Readers looking for an entertaining take on the afterlife with a more comedic philosophical take on the subject may appreciate Hellper.

16 Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.4

Modern fiction isn’t complete without the occasional isekai story, with some remarkable “otherworld” tales showcasing unique worlds with equally compelling protagonists. Such is the case of Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint, where this time around the realm of the web novel “Three Ways To Survive A Ruined World” is transported into the real world. Unfortunately for reader Kim Dokja, being the sole reader of the story means he’s the only one equipped to help save the Earth from sudden destruction.

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In the webtoon’s meta, “Ruined World” was a hit web novel that lost its steam throughout its 13-year run, set in a universe governed by the Star Stream that forces protagonist Yoo Joonghyuk and other individuals to live countless timelines for their amusement. While Dokja knows how the original story ends, “Ruined World” combining with the real Earth isn’t part of the web novel, leaving him with the opportunity to change the destiny of the web novel’s ruined worlds. This race against time combined with the webtoon’s action segments make Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint quite a compelling read.

15 The Boxer

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.3

Action manhwa has explored several different approaches to provide jaw-dropping fight scenes, with The Boxer providing quite a grounded take on the subject. This boxing-themed sports manhwa explores the life of Yu, a teenager turned numb out of the bullying and beating he’s experienced in his life. However, when legendary coach K sees Yu dodge punches effortlessly, a gut feeling tells him Yu should be his last student before he retires.

Having already raised five World Champions under his belt, K pushes Yu to pursue professional boxing. Although reluctant at first, Yu’s journey into boxing will let him meet various individuals who will not only temper his character but also help him get in touch with his emotions again. The webtoon is worth the read not just for its intense action scenes but the way the story sets up dramatic sequences and crucial moments.

14 Lookism

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.2

Readers of webtoons who want a more grounded take on a compelling manhwa story may want to explore Lookism, an ongoing series that takes a closer look at the harsh reality of attractiveness. In the story of Lookism, Park Hyung Seok is an unpopular high school student who gets frequently bullied and harassed for his obesity. After lashing out at his mother, Hyung Seok moves to Seoul and attends high school to start a new life. However, life quite literally gives him a fresh start when he wakes up in an attractive body.

Exploring his rather peculiar situation, Hyung Seok realizes that he can switch between two bodies when one wakes the other. Much of the series revolves around Hyung Seok’s two alter egos, with attractive Daniel Park being an influencer and clothing model by day while the original Hyung Seok works at night. While Lookism makes for an entertaining read, the series tackles pressing issues such as discrimination against those considered unattractive - a harsh reality observed not just in South Korea but also worldwide.

13 Cheese In The Trap

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.1

It’s not all the time that a slice-of-life genre webtoon can make it to the big leagues, especially due to its “normal” nature compared to other action-packed titles. However, Cheese In The Trap makes this work due to its rather compelling story, coupled with a ton of twists and turns that can make both romance and slice-of-life fans stay at the edge of their seats.

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The story stars hardworking Seol, who finally returns to college after a short break. However, a sudden encounter has her embroiled in the matters of Yoo Jung, a college senior known as “Mr. Perfect.” Moreover, his reputation has put Seol in the crosshairs of numerous other individuals, resulting in a rather roller coaster-like journey that will change how she views life.

12 Days Of Hana

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.1

Fans looking for a more somber take on webtoons may want to consider the emotional tale of Days Of Hana, which resembles a rather sad narrative video game. Haru and Hana are childhood friends in the story with a peculiar predicament. While Hana is a human, Haru is a young werewolf charged to protect her. While werewolves are becoming more recognized in society, Hana and Haru’s developing relationship results in a whole host of problems that will test their relationship with each other.

Although some consider it a rather sad story, Days Of Hana does tackle more mature themes throughout its run. The discrimination that werewolves face in society is a rather intense subject that the author Seokwoo tackles quite well. This is interspersed with the various people Hana and Haru interact with, who often have stories to share as well.

11 Dice

Anime-Planet Rating: 3.6

What if someone could change whatever they wanted in the world? This is essentially the plot of Dice, which revolves around the timid Dongtae and other individuals who got access to Dice, capable of granting various changes in one’s life depending on the numbers rolled. When more students from Dongtae’s school get wind of Dice, they start to become aggressive and violent to get other people’s Dice and use its abilities.

Dongtae and his friends eventually embark on a quest to stop X, the creator of the Game Master of Dice, from forcing Dicers to do dangerous missions to use Dice. This take on the “forbidden item” story is unique, especially given how Dice aren’t just typical MacGuffins or video game twists in the story. Being able to “ground” the seemingly otherworldly nature of the Dice with a plot that tests the societal implications of unchecked power is worth the read.

10 If AI Ruled The World

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.03

There are not a lot of sci-fi comics and manga that tackle the impact of AI on a more global level, and If AI Ruled The World does this in a rather intense fashion. In its world, humanity has unlocked the ability to use AI properly, to the point of relying heavily on AI for their various tasks. However, when their version of AI has gained sentience, a seemingly inevitable conflict has put both sides at a crossroads.

Despite its rather short nature, If AI Ruled The World remains a must-read, especially for sci-fi fans. Its take on the implications of sentient AI in an AI-dependent society reveals a rather realistic yet horrifying alternate future for humanity. More importantly, its cast of characters, with their colorful backgrounds, breathed life into this world and especially added a “human” element to the AI that has begun interacting with them.

9 Trace

Anime-Planet Rating: 3.9

Despite its age, Trace remains an interesting webtoon to read for its take on the metahuman premise. When monsters called Troubles began attacking South Korea a few decades ago, some humans were also granted supernatural abilities. Called Traces, these metahumans are mostly shunned by society because of their reputation for causing mischief. The story officially begins as Ghang Gwon, a Trace in secret, is forced to reveal his identity and has to live a new life knowing the knowledge of his status as Trace would change him forever.

What perhaps makes Trace interesting compared to other metahuman stories is how it explores the many unique uses of metahuman abilities. The various Trace abilities and their triggers are also interesting, with Ghang Gwon having cryokinesis as a child, while his friend Tae Eun acquiring superhuman strength through a Trace transformation after fighting Troubles as a mere human.

8 Solo Leveling

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.6

Humans have to adapt to a harsh world where monsters are a constant threat to their survival, and thankfully the magical hunters of Solo Leveling have enough fighting prowess and magical abilities to defend humanity. Protagonist Sung Jinwoo is a weak E-Rank hunter who, after a near-death experience in a dungeon, meets a mysterious program called the System that chooses him as its Solo Player, allowing him to grow in strength. With this new power, Sung Jinwoo eventually becomes humanity’s greatest hunter.

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Unlike other isekai series and virtual game settings, Solo Leveling is quite interesting in how it tries to blend the real world with a game setup. Seeing Sung Jinwoo just become an amazing warrior is a sight to behold. Unlike other protagonists with OP abilities, Solo Leveling doesn’t revel in Sung Jinwoo’s power and rather puts it as a second priority given the story’s focus on the bigger picture - a conspiracy involving the true nature of their powers.

7 Sweet Home

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.37

The popularity of the zombie apocalypse genre lately meant it took only a matter of time before a webtoon explored the concept, and Sweet Home helped illustrate some of the nuances not a lot of zombie media explore. In Sweet Home, the recluse Cha Hyun-soo has to fend for himself in his apartment after a zombie outbreak rages everywhere around him. Unfortunately, he’s got no choice but to leave the apartment and venture into the outside world.

Unlike other zombie media, the premise of Sweet Home is already interesting, particularly with the fact that Hyun-soo is immediately confronted with the reality of having to survive, look after himself, and discover his true nature in the process. This odd take on a coming-of-age story makes Sweet Home a must-have.

6 Hardcore Leveling Warrior

Anime-Planet Rating: 3.9

There’s a certain breed of players that just get too hardcore when it comes to playing their favorite MMO, and such is the case of Hardcore Leveling Warrior in, well, Hardcore Leveling Warrior. This webtoon explores the adventures of Hardcore Leveling Warrior as the infamous top player of the dream-based game Lucid Adventure. However, when an assassin defeats him and steals his stats and belongings, Hardcore Leveling Warrior is back at Level 1 and would have to recover his status. He also has to earn enough money to repay the various loan sharks he has debt to, courtesy of his crippling gambling addiction.

Unlike other stories set in games, Hardcore Leveling Warrior is unique not just because of its dream-based premise. Rather, having a former Number One infamous for dirty tactics as a protagonist certainly has HCLW always treading the line between antihero and reformed player.

5 Tower Of God

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.3

When a boy named Twenty-Fifth Bam finds his friend Rachel entering a mysterious Tower, he follows suit to catch up to her even if it means death. Oddly enough, the Tower in Tower Of God is a gigantic structure as wide as a continent with seemingly infinite floors, each housing residents and different cultures that may not even be aware of the Tower’s existence.

Those lucky enough like Bam who can enter its impenetrable doors are called Irregulars, while those deemed Regulars are constantly tested to move up the Tower. It seems the goal of Regulars in the Tower is to reach its peak and ascend into a Ranker, for rewards yet to be revealed.

Despite its game-like premise, the Tower Of God is enough to intrigue with its weird world alone. The webtoon even has a unique magic system, called Shinsu, which Regulars and Irregulars could use to accomplish various effects. While the webtoon can get technical at times, those who can keep up can get themselves on a wild supernatural ride.