Romance manhwa has become increasingly popular for its appealing artwork and heartwarming story lines. Long-time manga fans are flocking to these Korean comics that differentiate themselves with colorful artwork and digital platforms that are read from left to right. If you're already a fan of Japanese manga, here are the best Korean romance series to get started in manhwa.
Cheese in the Trap, a College Romance Manhwa
As a popular webtoon with a highly successful k-drama adaptation, Cheese in the Trap is the perfect romance series for manga readers starting out in manhwa. This webtoon stars Seol Hong, a hard-working college student who struggles financially, and Yoo Jung, the wealthy heir to Taerang Group whom everyone calls Mr. Perfect. Seol's life grows more difficult after meeting and befriending Jung because of the manipulative nature behind his kind façade.
Seol takes a break from college to get away from him -- until the school suddenly offers her a scholarship she can't refuse in her financial situation. However, Jung immediately finds her back in school and takes a romantic interest in her that further complicates their relationship and the plot. Cheese in the Trap is a completed manhwa that can be read now on the Webtoon platform and physical copies are available on Amazon.
What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim?, An Office Romance
What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim? is the perfect manhwa for fans of office romances. Lee Young-joon is the narcissistic vice president of Yuil Group who finds his secretary wanting to quit after working nine years for him. Kim Mi-so wants to quit because her job as his secretary has completely consumed her life, while working overtime has destroyed her personal life of wanting to find someone and get married.
However, Young-joon isn't willing to let her go; he offers her a promotion and a chance to marry him instead. She declines his proposal, believing he's only acting out of desperation in hopes of keeping her as his secretary. Despite several miscommunications, true love threatens to consume their complicated relationship. Fans can read What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim? on both the Tapas and Tappytoon platforms.
Orange Marmalade, A Vampire Romance Manhwa
For fans of vampire romance, the Orange Marmalade manhwa takes place in a world where humans and vampires coexist. After vampires were hunted nearly to extinction, a peace treaty was finally formed where vampires blend in with society by exclusively drinking pigs' blood despite their desire for human blood.
Despite the peace treaty, humans still look down on vampires and wish they no longer existed. This hostile discrimination forces Baek Ma-ri, the series' protagonist, to hide her vampire identity. However, her entire life threatens to change when she meets Jae-min, a popular and charming basketball player with irresistible blood. Orange Marmalade is a completed romance manhwa that can be read on the Webtoon platform.
My Gently Raised Beast, Starring a Shapeshifting Male Lead
My Gently Raised Beast stars a shapeshifting male lead and a young princess named Blondina who accidentally meet when they're children. Amon is a member of the Divine Leopard Clan and soon becomes their leader so he can do whatever he wants. However, he's a rare and infamous black leopard -- who are known for being especially powerful and violent. Meanwhile, Blondina struggles in a castle that doesn't feel like home and has royal siblings who look down on her.
While Amon acts as Blondina's knight in shining armor and threatens anyone who wrongs her, their blossoming romance offers hope to finally achieve peace between humans and divine beasts. First created as a manhwa novel, fans can keep up with My Gently Raised Beast on the Webtoon platform with new episodes every Sunday.
I Love Yoo, Featuring Two Opposite Brothers & One Love Interest
A highly popular drama and romance manhwa, I Love Yoo stars a poor and unlucky female protagonist named Shin-Ae Yoo. Given her unfortunate life circumstances, Shin-Ae becomes antisocial and swears off love. One day, she meets two wealthy brothers who despise each other after she accidentally throws her drink on Yeong-Gi. While Yeong-Gi has a bright, outgoing personality and immediately tries to befriend the withdrawn Shin-Ae, his brother is the complete opposite. Kousuke Hirahara neglects friendships so he can focus on the family business, making him cold and driven in his pursuits. However, Kousuke ends up hiring Shin-Ae at their family's company as her fate becomes further intertwined with the brothers. I Love Yoo can be read on the Webtoon platform with new episodes every Friday.
