15 Best Webtoon Series Everyone Needs to Read

The vertical scrolling comics scene has been enjoying an increasingly dominant presence in modern graphic fiction, with Webtoon leading the pack lately in terms of public profile and excellent selection. The platform excels in particularly definitive action and urban fantasy stories, but has also been home to content spanning from subversive and dark, to utterly hilarious or even thrilling. While manhwa is certainly the headliner presence in most cases, one may find some surprising hits from creators outside of Korea, while very much embodying their styles.

Webtoon’s selection is astounding, with a curated selection spanning action, thriller, romance, fantasy, with everything from antiheroes to isekai comedy to occupy the discerning reader. Some of the best series on Webtoon naturally have much lengthier runs, but this only means greater enjoyment to be found as the app continuously adds more chapters of its biggest hits. There’s something for everyone, and one will often find they don’t need to settle for less with the exceptional visual flair, linework, and sharp colors taking full advantage of this digital medium.

The Greatest Estate Developer (2021)

Based on the original web novel by BK Moon, adapted by Lee Hyunmin and illustrated by Kim Hyunsoo

The Greatest Estate Developer is among Webtoon’s most entertaining isekai manhwa, which combines the well-loved trope of game mechanics with a healthy dose of comedy. The story revolves around Kim Suho, a regular civil engineer who finds himself transported into the medieval world of a novel as a useless side character named Lloyd Fronterra, who is known for being a drunken lout who brings ruin to his estate and his family. Lloyd is all but destined for a pathetic death; however, Suho makes up his mind to avoid this fate no matter what.

Thus, Suho begins to use his existing knowledge and skills to bring innovation to the world of the novel with only two goals in mind — to get rich, and to live an easy life. Of course, these goals end up being nearly impossible to achieve, but this is precisely where the fun of the story truly begins. The Greatest Estate Developer is charming and incredibly engaging with a surprisingly likable protagonist and a most absurd sense of humor that all together make this manhwa impossible to put down.

Purple Hyacinth (2019)

Written by Ephemerys and illustrated by Sophism

Unlike its flowery name, Purple Hyacinth is a dark, mysterious tale full of murder, conspiracy, tragedy, and even romance. The story centers around Officer Lauren Sinclair, who has the unique ability to detect lies and has devoted every moment of her being to uncovering the truth behind an old tragedy that took away one of her dear friends. However, Lauren somehow ends up joining hands with the city’s most dangerous assassin, Kieran White, who goes by the alias that makes up the name of the series.

Thus, Kieran and Lauren set out to unmask the criminal organization terrorizing the city of Ardhalis known as the Phantom Scythe. Despite beginning their partnership ready to kill each other at the slightest sign of betrayal, the two eventually forge a bond that threatens to grow into much more. Altogether, Lauren and Kieran’s enticing enemies-to-lovers dynamic coupled with the enthralling mystery of the Phantom Scythe make Purple Hyacinth an absolute page-turner.

The Remarried Empress (2020)

Written by Alphatart and illustrated by SUMPUL

The Remarried Empress is a fantasy drama series beloved by many for its romantic art style and swoon-worthy love interest. The manhwa follows Empress Navier and her budding relationship with Prince Heinrey which takes off when her husband, the Emperor acquires a new mistress. Despite being simplistic, The Remaried Empress’s plot is far from predictable despite the very first chapter dropping the ball about the eventual divorce between the Empress and the Emperor and her subsequent marriage to the Prince.

The story and art remain consistent in quality throughout, with each new character introduced adding depth to the plot. The Empress herself is kind and capable, very much the typical strong female lead, but with an air of composure befitting her status. Her developing relationship with the mysterious Prince Heinrey amidst the underlying politics of high society and the ensuing melodrama brought about by the power-hungry mistress makes this manhwa an absolute page-turner with a K-drama starring Shin Min-a on the way.

Return of the Blossoming Blade

Written by Biga, and Illustrated by LICO

Return of the Blossoming Blade is a classic cultivation manhwa, where the conclusive battle between the great sects and the demon lord, Cheonma, one lone swordsman survived. Out of the countless soldiers sent for this final fight, Cheongmyeong manages to take Cheonma’s head, but as he collapses due to his own wounds, he laments how many lives this victory cost.

A hundred years later, Cheongmyeong wakes up in the body of a child beggar, only to find that his sect has fallen into ruin. Now gifted with a second chance at life and an ominous warning from Cheonma that evil will rise once again, he has to take his training seriously and raise up the next generation at Mount Hua.

Bastard (2015)

Written by Carnby Kim and illustrated by Youngchan Hwan

Bastard is a thriller series that follows Jin Seon, a young boy whose father is a murderer. Following the death of his mother, Jin is forced into being an accomplice to these murders for fear of his father getting rid of him as well. That is until his father sets his sights on Yoon Kyun, a girl from school that Jin manages to befriend.

Jin is forced to take a stand against his father and thus begins his journey to get stronger in order to break away from his father’s influence. While Bastard’s art is simplistic, the muted sepia tones do a wonderful job of conveying the ominous atmosphere and mostly bleak tone. The author also does a great job of portraying the cold terrifying nature of the father with some panels being certifiably bone-chilling.

Hero Killer (2021)

Written by Kkulbeol and Illustrated by Beolkkul

Turning the world of heroes and villains on its head, the lead duo of Hero Killer is exactly as it sounds: two villains, the main character formerly hailing from the Nameless syndicate, and the deuteragonist leading that same group. Ihwa is a villain who wishes to avenge her sister, Yeon’s death at the hands of the Hero Clan, who are more corrupt than their name suggests. Engen, the Smiling Man, saves Ihwa, the Hero Killer, while he uses her to strike against the Hero Clan and to investigate the circumstances of her sister’s death.

Hero Killer is a prime example of the best revenge manhwa on Webtoon, with fantastically designed characters and a dark, compelling world with new chapters coming weekly. It’s a violent spectacle of an action series, where its characters harness Gifts that grant them their powers in the series to fight and survive. While Engen’s abilities and featured Gift are compelling, Ihwa boasts Gift absorption as her ability, being an edgier spin on Rogue, depending on the perspective of the reader, creating exciting, unlimited potential for every chapter.

My In-Laws Are Obsessed With Me (2021)

Based on the Original Web Novel by Han Yoon seol, Adapted by Seungu

One fantastic hook of My In-Laws Are Obsessed With Me is that it has one of the best first chapters in manhwa history, playing up the sinister twist that leads to Pereshati Jahardt, an aristocrat heiress, betrayed by a family she loves and cruelly murdered. In typical manhwa trope fashion, she is resurrected and returned to the time before these events, where she decides who she must trust. This brings Pereshati to Therdeo Lapileon, a “bloodthirsty war fiend,” giving early impressions of an enemies-to-lovers webtoon premise as she tries to marry into his family.

However, the Lapileon family has a bizarre curse, with each member using this to varying ends, including Therdeo seeing Pereshati’s reaction once she’s exposed. Learning about this introduces a new conflict on top of Pereshati’s revenge quest against those who murdered her the first time. The result is one of Webtoon’s most compelling, best manhwa experiences, with an attractive and compelling male and female lead duo.

The Stellar Swordmaster

Based on the Light Novel by Q10, Adapted by Hong Dae Ui, and Illustrated by juno

Image by Webtoon

The Stellar Swordmaster is a refreshing return to the dark fantasy genre. Carrying similar characteristics to titles like Berserk and Solo Leveling, this power fantasy series follows Vlad, a slumrat who lives in the underbelly of Schoarra. After the brothel he works at is burned to the ground, he takes up the sword and enters knighthood under the House of Vayezid.

As a new adaptation, The Stellar Swordmaster is an incredibly underrated work on Webtoons. Vlad is an interesting main character who works hard to become a knight after his life is overturned within a single night, but his growth is not immediately achieved. With its beautiful artstyle and power system, it’s sure to refresh readers from the transmigration trope.

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Lookism (2022)

Written and illustrated by Taejun Pak

In terms of premise, Lookism is as unique as it gets. After being bullied relentlessly, seventeen-year-old Daniel transfers to another school hoping to turn over a new leaf and maybe even make some friends. In a mysterious turn of events, he wakes up one night with a tall, fit body and a face handsome enough to make heads turn. However, to his horror, he discovers he still has his old body and has somehow been split into two bodies that he can switch between. While one is awake, the other sleeps.

The series as a whole is a critique of beauty standards and the attractiveness bias that pervades society while also managing to be lighthearted and entertaining. All in all, Lookism is definitely worth checking out, especially for those looking for more after watching the Netflix adaptation.

Sweet Home (2017)

Written by Kim Carnby and Illustrated by Hwang Young-chan

Marcel Green

Being the most recognizable horror manhwa available on Webtoon and yet another stellar work from Kim Carnby, Sweet Home’s legacy is truly impressive when weighed against other series in general. It depicts a similarly troubled protagonist like that of Shotgun Boy, with Sweet Home’s hero beginning his journey at the lowest point of his life before hell erupts on earth all around him. The chaos of Sweet Home builds quickly, getting readers hooked instantly thanks to its fascinating, nightmarish premise, a fittingly bleak color grading scheme, and some truly horrific monster design.

Cha Hyun-soo is the star introduced at the start of Sweet Home, whose strained family bond is abruptly cut short after a tragic car accident, after which he is withdrawn, despondent, and suicidal. The terror of a monsterization crisis erupting around his apartment complex, along with Hyun-soo’s resistance to monsterization giving him unique abilities, prompts the boy to become the story’s survivor-turned-hero. Sweet Home is not only one of the best horror manhwa, but one of the best webcomics on Webtoon, and has a popular live-action Netflix adaptation.