When it comes to reading manhwa, some of the best of all time can be found on the popular comic website most underrated manhwa of all time can be found on Webtoon, some of the most popular can be found there as well.
Regardless of whether someone's looking for heart-racing romances or action-packed thrillers, the best manhwa offer a wide variety of experiences that are sure to please fans of every genre. From exceptional art to social commentary and themes that make the reader question the human condition itself, each of the best manhwa has something unique to offer that has earned them a spot among the best graphic stories ever told.
25 Surviving Romance (2021)
Written and Illustrated by Lee Yeon
Surviving Romance takes off when its protagonist is transported into what appears to be a run-of-the-mill romance novel, I'll Love You Every Day, as its lead, Eun Chaerin. Chaerin seems to be on the easy path to a happy ending until an unexpected zombie outbreak at school sends the original plot of the novel right out the window. No matter what she does, Chaerin can't seem to avoid dying gruesomely and every time she does, she wakes up in her bed at the beginning of the day just to go through the same hellish day all over again.
Having failed to change the course of events nearly five hundred times, Chaerin is about to lose all hope when an unknown extra from the novel saves her and changes the plot for the first time, even if by only a little. Determined to find and save the extra that helped her, Chaerin now comes up with a survival plan using the knowledge of all her regressions so far.
24 Not Your Typical Reincarnation Story (2023)
Written by Lemon Frog and Illustrated by A-jin
In a genre as saturated as otome isekai manhwa, Not Your Typical Reincarnation Story is a breath of fresh air that does not get nearly enough attention. The series starts out much like any other, with its protagonist Suna being transmigrated into a historical novel as the villainess Edith Rigelhof, whose fate is to be killed by her to-be husband, Killian Rudwick.
Despite her less-than-savory reputation, Edith unwittingly manages to worm her way into Killian's heart despite the author of the novel and the entire system working against her. With an addicting enemies-to-lovers romance and a plot that continues to thicken with every chapter, Not Your Typical Reincarnation Story is surprisingly compelling despite its heavy use of common tropes and clichés.
23 Viral Hit (2020)
Written by Taejun Pak and Illustrated by Kim Junghyun
The best part about Viral Hit for readers who enjoy it is that while it's adored on Webtoon, it's not even the most well-regarded work by its writer, Taejun Pak. Also known as How to Fight, Viral Hit follows Hobin Yu, the last person any reader might expect to create a thriving NewTube channel about fighting due to his small stature and meek personality as a bullied student. Still, Viral Hit defies all expectations and creates a compelling, exciting experience readers crave until its completion.
Viral Hit defies typical shonen conventions and is an engaging read due to Hobin's use of shonen tropes, including being unusually resilient and having a high pain threshold, which enable him to outlast his opponents. Additionally, Hobin's adaptability is a compelling factor in his development as a fighter, gradually empowering him to take on fighters and athletes of increasingly higher skill levels. It also helps that Viral Hit has an anime recently aired over the Spring 2024 season for fans craving more manhwa adaptations.
22 Noblesse (2014)
Written by Jeho Son and illustrated by Kwangsu Lee
Noblesse takes off Cadis Etrama di Raizel, better known simply as Rai, wakes up from an 820-year-long slumber. The Noblesse is the title bestowed on the strongest of the Nobles and Rai is the only known person to bear the title. Unfortunately, the meaning of the title came to be muddled with Rai's disappearance, setting the stage for the story to take off with his return.
Having slumbered for so long, Rai is unfamiliar with the world he wakes up to, and mistaking a school uniform for the commonly worn attire of the age, Rai finds himself attending a high school run by Frankenstein, a devout follower of his who had been looking for him for ages. With over 500 episodes and a sequel series, Noblesse's story can feel drawn out at times but it still manages to be quite an enjoyable read full of exciting supernatural elements, great world-building, and equal amounts of action and comedy.
21 The God of High School (2014)
Written and illustrated by Yongje Park
The God of High School is a cult-classic action series and a must-read for anyone new to the medium. The story revolves around Mori Jin, a seemingly regular high schooler who happens to be an expert at Taekwondo. Jin's skills draw the attention of the organizers of a mysterious tournament called "The God of High School" which pits high schoolers from all around the country against each other in an epic fighting tournament where the winner is promised one wish fulfilled by the organizers. Here, Jin encounters various kinds of fighters with varying styles and personalities, which makes every battle more unique than the last.
Of course, The God of High School eventually evolves into much more than a simple fighting tournament, but the story remains just as exciting and packed with action regardless. With well over 500 chapters, this series is the perfect binge-read with a vibrant art style that has held up for the last decade since its release.
20 Shotgun Boy (2021)
Written by Kim Carnby and Illustrated by Hongpil
Shotgun Boy deals with some subject matter readers may find disturbing, particularly its violence and allusions to school shootings.
Standing as a prequel to Sweet Home, Shotgun Boy tackles similarly sensitive topics, including bullying and the looming possibility of its protagonist, Han Gyuhwan, being pushed to commit a massacre. However, for those familiar with Kim Carnby's other work, the deeply troubled protagonist is suddenly set up to be his world's savior as horrific monsters attack his classmates. Armed with a shotgun, Gyuhwan must fight back against these threats in a darkly entertaining thriller manhwa.
Delivered over a concise sixty-eight chapters, Shotgun Boy becomes far more than a creature feature by the end of its run. The series also follows characters who encounter violent threats from human assailants, along with other characters with seemingly transcendental powers. But the greatest thing about Shotgun Boy is that, if enjoyed in tandem with Sweet Home, it's like a chain of nightmares for readers seeking the best horror manhwa on Webtoon.
19 Marry My Husband (2022)
Written by sungsojak and adapted by LICO
Marry My Husband is a classic revenge story with a beautiful romance to boot. The story revolves around Kang Ji-won, a cancer patient who discovers her husband cheating on her with her best friend when she has only six months left to live. To make matters worse, Ji-won finds out her husband and her best friend have been waiting for her to die to claim her life insurance. Ji-won's life is cut even shorter when she confronts the two and her husband ends up killing her in a rage.
However, when Ji-won opens her eyes she finds herself ten years in the past and vows to take revenge by having her best friend marry her lousy husband and suffer as she did with her abusive in-laws. Now with a new outlook on life, Ji-won discovers she has always been surrounded by people who care about her and even finds love along the way. Safe to say, Ji-won's revenge is incredibly satisfying and the heart-thumping romance between her and Ji-hyuk makes this manhwa all the more compelling.
18 Gosu (2015)
Written by Giun Ryu and Illustrated by Mun Jeong Hoo
As far as martial arts manhwa go, Gosu is easily one of the best options available on Webtoon. The series serves as a sequel to Giun Ryu's other manhwa, Yongbi the Invincible, and follows Gang Yong, an expert martial artist trained in seclusion by the legendary Doko Yong. Gang Yong sets out to take revenge against the Four Heavenly Kings who once betrayed his master but finds out the people he sought revenge against are long dead.
Unsure of what to do next, Gang Yong becomes a dumpling delivery man, with his fighting skills remaining as sharp as ever despite his unassuming, chubby appearance. Gosu is a charming action comedy with an expressive art style and hilarious gags that are oddly reminiscent of early Dragon Ball, which makes its anime adaptation by Toei Animation all the more worth looking out for.
17 Trapped (2019)
Written and Illustrated by Haemuri
When one imagines the beginnings of romance, murder and blackmail are hardly the first things that come to mind. However, this is precisely how the story of Trapped takes off. The series follows Han Chae-a, an ex-convict simply attempting to live a quiet life and make a living as a taxi driver despite her vicious temper. However, Chae-a's life gets turned upside down when the seemingly innocent man named Park Yunsu who she meets at church every week frames her for murder and blackmails her into doing his bidding.
From here on out Chae-a finds herself trapped in a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse with Yunsu who despite his meek facade is a vicious vampire in hiding who simply delights in toying with Chae-a. With a strong premise that reels readers in from the get-go and simple yet gorgeous art, Trapped is an incredibly compelling psychological thriller with just the perfect sprinkling of romance.
16 Seasons of Blossom (2020)
Written by HONGDUCK and Illustrated by NEMONE
Seasons of Blossom is a heartfelt coming-of-age story that is often regarded as one of the best romance manhwa. Split into four sections, the series portrays love through multiple stories, with the series' writing reaching its peak in the very second story. That said, besides exploring romance and interpersonal relationships, Seasons of Blossom also greatly focuses on the unique yet profound experience that is adolescence with all its struggles and hardships.
Seasons of Blossom is being adapted into an anime by studio XTorm.
The first part of the series centers around a group of high schoolers named Bomi, Jaemin, and Seonhui. Though everyone ships Jaemin with Bomi, things get complicated when Bomi learns that her best friend Seonhui has feelings for Jaemin. Wanting to take a step back, Bomi claims she likes someone else, this being the rude otaku Jinyeong Choi, with the misunderstanding eventually bringing the unlikely pair together. Lighthearted as it may seem, Seasons of Blossom is nothing less than a rollercoaster of emotions and a must-read series on Webtoon that is beautifully executed from start to finish.
