Instead of works published on a weekly or monthly basis, the ecosystem of manhwas and webtoons encourages fans to devour series in a single sitting. In fact, platforms like Webtoon offer readers early access to upcoming chapters. On the other hand, following ongoing series comes with certain drawbacks: not only do authors frequently take breaks lasting several months between seasons, but readers also often find it difficult to resist the urge to know what will happen next.
Readers in search of their next story should turn to completed manhwa series, as many offer solid, well-rounded plots that leave no loose ends, ranging from acclaimed masterpieces to equally essential hidden gems. This is especially true given that manhwa is a rapidly growing medium, boasting a vast array of exceptionally well-crafted works across all genres. From epic adventures and fantastical magical worlds to deeply satisfying romances, there are plenty of completed manhwa that no fan should skip.
Bring the Love (2019)
Original Series Written and Illustrated by Zestkyo
Of all the historical romance manhwa out there, Bring the Love is one of the few stories that has remained an underrated gem till the end. The series follows Leah Hildebrandt, who enters a political marriage after her father's death leaves her family in a precarious situation.
Left with few options, Leah is forced to marry Roxant Kroemer, who has a reputation for being a tyrant; however, she quickly finds that behind his imposing scar and reputation hides a gentle, caring man. Thus, Bring the Love sets the stage for a beautiful, wholesome, and healthy romance to blossom between the two, which is truly refreshing amidst the onslaught of toxic romances.
Mr. Delivery Knight (2024)
Original Series Written and Illustrated by Maja
The isekai genre is widely known to be full of clichés, though none is as famous as the "truck-kun" trope, and Mr. Delivery Knight offers perhaps the most entertaining inversion of this trope. Mr. Delivery Knight takes off on the wild premise of what if the one transmigrated into a new world wasn't the person hit by the truck but the driver and the truck itself. Thus, Bae Taekjin is thrust into the world of a romantasy novel, knowing absolutely nothing about the genre.
Taekjin and his truck quickly find themselves at the heart of the story, and what ensues is a hilarious isekai parody with a heartwarming ending. And, with only 40 chapters, Mr. Delivery Knight is the perfect breath of fresh air between the sea of isekai stories that take themselves too seriously.
Not Your Typical Reincarnation Story (2023)
Based on the Web Novel by Lemon Frog and Illustrated by A-jin
Most villainess and otome isekai manhwa tend to fall into the same old tropes, which is exactly what makes a series like Not Your Typical Reincarnation Story stand out so much. Like its title claims, the series starts out like another with Suna Choi being reincarnated into a novel as the villainess, Edith Ridgelhof, an infamous seductress and spy who is married off to Killian Rudwick to supposedly ease a family feud.
Edith, like any other villainess, aims to avoid her predestined death; however, the story quickly proves to be anything but typical as she discovers she must fight against the force of the original story and the authority of its author as well, who are both trying to keep the original plot on track. These twists make the series quite refreshing and compelling at the same time. Not Your Typical Reincarnation Story also wrapped up with 115 chapters and quite a cute, satisfying ending, leaving no reason not to binge the series.
Romance 101 (2018)
Original Series Written and Illustrated by Namsoo
Despite its title, Romance 101 goes far beyond the typical love story. The series centers on Bareum, who has zero experience with romance and is accustomed to living according to a strictly packed schedule. She decides to take a step outside her comfort zone and join a university programming club, hoping to open herself up and maybe meet her dream guy.
What makes Romance 101 different from other romance webtoons is how it offers a realistic take on university life, steering clear of frustrating miscommunications or heavy drama. Instead, it explores themes like friendship, personal growth, academic challenges, and the pursuit of a secure future. In addition to consistently high-quality artwork, the relationship between the main characters is exceptionally well-crafted, as the story develops them as individuals and not just as a couple. This makes its 159 chapters a breezy, lighthearted read.
Viral Hit (2019)
Original Series Written by Taejun Pak and Illustrated by Kim Junghyun
It's impossible to talk about underdog stories in manhwa without mentioning Viral Hit. This webtoon follows the story of Hobin Yoo, a scrawny student struggling to pay bills due to his mother’s medical condition and enduring severe bullying. Everything changes, however, when he discovers how much money can be made from live-streaming street fights and stumbles upon a strange channel that features tutorials by a mysterious person wearing a rooster mask.
What makes Viral Hit so good is that Hobin doesn’t become strong overnight. He struggles his way up, enduring a great deal along the way, making allies and facing enemies who are far stronger and more experienced than he is. The series is also much more than just brawls between students; it expands to include a whole scope of criminal organizations while also featuring realistic depictions of different martial arts and fighting styles. Furthermore, Viral Hit shines light on real-life issues like toxic media culture and vulnerable classes and spans just over 200 chapters.
Yumi’s Cells (2015)
Original Series Written and Illustrated by Lee Dong-gun
If you were a fan of Inside Out, look no further than an entire series about the inner turmoil of one’s inner thoughts, all acting out of whack, known as Yumi’s Cells. This hilarious series explores the many different cells within a young woman, Yumi, as each emotion and desire is now personified.
Although Yumi’s Cells has plenty of hilarious moments, it also has quite a few instances of self-reflection and exploration as Yumi traverses through the many ups and downs of life, from breakups, endangered friendships, and mental health issues. Readers will find themselves relating to or sympathizing with Yumi as her body works hard to maintain her health and happiness.
The God of High School (2011)
Original Series Written and Illustrated by Yongje Park
The God of High School was once the most popular manhwa on WEBTOON, running for more than a decade before ending in 2022 with a total of 569 chapters. The story centers around Jin Mori, a high school student who is incredibly skilled in martial arts and who enters a big tournament and meets two participants, Han Daewi and Yu Mira. As the story and competition progress, the hidden mystery behind the tournament is steadily revealed, as well as how the three of them are bound by destiny.
The God of High School’s start might be generic, but the characters have to deal with evil power users gradually reaching mystic levels that involve the human and heavenly realms, presenting many references to Chinese folklore and other mythologies. With a clear inspiration from Journey to the West, a novel about Sun Wukong, The God of High School is most remembered for its incredibly detailed and stunning art and its exciting combats, making it a manhwa that nobody should miss.
Her Tale of Shim Chong (2017)
Based on a Korean Novel, Adapted and Written by Seri, and Illustrated by Biwan
Her Tale of Shim Chong is a lovely manhwa that focuses on two female leads from very different backgrounds: Shim Chong is a beggar, struggling to make ends meet, and a bride-to-be who was sold off to Chancellor Jang to help with her family’s status. Taking place in an older timeline, the manhwa highlights the difficulties society pushes onto women.
Based on the classic Korean novel, Her Tale of Shim Chong’s manhwa is a well-adapted series that paints a realistic depiction of how traditional values are placed upon women, pushing them into a cookie-cutter role with little other options. Despite this, it balances a hopeful and supportive couple who aim to survive in an era that’s constantly working against them.
Who Made Me a Princess (2017)
Based on the Web Novel by Plutus and Illustrated by Spoon
Although being reborn as a princess may sound like a dream come true, a modern-day Korean woman knows that fate is anything but kind when she wakes up as Athanasia de Alger Obelia, a character in a novel. Rather than living a carefree and enviable life, she is destined to be executed by her tyrannical father on her 18th birthday. After her first plan, of completely avoiding her father and preparing for her escape, fails, she turns to her last resort, that of warming up to the cold emperor and gaining his favor.
Proving that original stories can be told even in a theme as saturated as isekai manhwa, Who Made Me a Princess follows a familial relationship first and foremost, emphasizing emotionally impactful developments. While a romance subplot is present as well, that is far from this title's focus, with the main characters' heartwarming father-daughter relationship taking that place instead. Its beautiful and vibrant art style is also exceptional, which only further elevates the experience.
The Spark in Your Eyes (2020)
Original Series Written and Illustrated by MURO
Although the most well-known fantasy webtoons belong to the otome isekai genre, there are also masterpieces outside of it, such as The Spark in Your Eyes. The manhwa follows Erkin, an apothecary originally from the North, a region scarred by war, who lost his parents because of the Witch of the Sun. His good reputation leads him to be summoned by the mysterious lord of a nearby castle, bringing him into the orbit of the very person upon whom he seeks revenge.
Although it has all the makings of a great enemies to lovers manhwa, romance takes a backseat in Erkin and Hildegar's story. Filled with military conflicts, power struggles, and tragedy, The Spark in Your Eyes is a turbulent journey that explores what it entails to possess immense power and what it means to live as a human being. Despite its heavy themes, the story is rewarding, maintaining tension throughout and offering plenty of food for thought.
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