A few years ago, Korean manhwa was mostly known within South Korea, but today, it has taken over the world. Webtoons, the digital version of manhwa, are now read by millions of people globally, and some of the most popular ones, like Solo Leveling and True Beauty, have even been adapted into anime and live-action dramas.
But what makes Korean manhwa so special ?
Korean manhwa has become so popular that it feels like every K-drama these days is based on a webtoon. And honestly, it makes sense. Webtoons already have great stories, strong characters, and a huge fanbase, so turning them into live-action dramas is an easy win.
I remember when I first watched Itaewon Class, I had no idea it was originally a webtoon. But after finding out, I went back and read it, and it was just as good, if not better ! The same thing happened with A Business Proposal. I loved the drama, then found the webtoon, and suddenly, I was hooked on both.
Even Netflix has noticed how big manhwa has become. They’ve been turning webtoons into live-action series left and right : Sweet Home, Hellbound, The Uncanny Counter they’ve all been super popular. It’s crazy how webtoons went from something you casually scroll through on your phone to inspiring some of the biggest Korean dramas out there. What’s even wilder is that now it’s happening the other way around. Lovely Runner was such a hit as a drama that they’re making it into a webtoon ! It really shows how Korean manhwa and K-dramas are completely shaping modern entertainment. And honestly ? I’m here for it..
If you’re interested in Korean webtoons and want to explore more, you can easily find them on apps like Naver Webtoon (known internationally as LINE Webtoon) or Kakao Webtoon. These platforms offer a huge variety of webtoons, from action and fantasy to romance and thriller, so there’s something for everyone. The best part is that most popular webtoons are translated into English, making them accessible to a global audience.
But if you’re learning Korean, reading webtoons in their original language can also be a great way to improve your Korean skills—you get to see everyday vocabulary, natural dialogues, and even cultural expressions in context.
Would you say you’ve been hooked by a manhwa in the same way?
Which one made the biggest impression on you ?
Written by Suzane Dachraoui
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