Korean webtoons have quietly sparked a storytelling revolution, blending innovative formats with narratives that resonate across the globe. This guide delves into the heart of this rising medium—its impact, its evolution, and how to make the most of it as a reader or creator. We’ll also spotlight some of the best Korean webtoons that have defined the genre and captivated millions. These best Korean webtoons are all available in English.

Tower of God is a fantasy epic created by SIU, first published on Naver Webtoon in 2010. The story revolves around Twenty-fifth Baam, who enters a mysterious tower in pursuit of his friend Rachel. This tower is a hierarchical society where “chosen regulars” undergo tests to climb its floors, each representing a unique world. The ruler, King Zahard, maintains power through elite females known as the Zahard Princesses. Baam, not a chosen regular, enters the tower on his own, challenging the established ord.

Tower of God is renowned for its intricate world-building and complex characters. Its themes of power, corruption, and rebellion resonate deeply with readers. The webtoon’s success has led to adaptations into anime, mobile games, and other merchandise. Truly one of the best Korean webtoons out there.

• Genre: Fantasy, Adventure
• Reads: Over 3 million subscribers and a high rating of 9.9/10 on Webtoon.

Noblesse is a dark fantasy webtoon written by Jeho Son and illustrated by Lee Kwangsu. It follows Cadis Etrama Di Raizel, a powerful noble who awakens after 820 years to find himself in modern South Korea. With the help of his loyal servant Frankenstein, Rai navigates high school life while battling a secret organization. The series explores themes of power, loyalty, and the clash between ancient nobility and modern society.

Noblesse is celebrated for its rich universe, engaging characters, and a blend of action, comedy, and supernatural elements. Its detailed storytelling and character development have captivated readers worldwide. The Korean webtoon’s success has led to various adaptations, including an original net animation and an anime series

• Genre: Dark Fantasy
• Reads: Over 5 billion reads on Webtoon.

Cheese in the Trap is a psychological romance webtoon by Soonkki. It centers around Hong Seol, a hardworking university student, and her complicated relationships with two men: Baek In-ho, a charming but poor artist, and Baek In-woo, a wealthy and enigmatic senior who becomes infatuated with her. The story explores themes of manipulation, trust, and the complexities of human relationships.

Cheese in the Trap gained popularity due to its realistic portrayal of university life and its complex, relatable characters. The webtoon’s strength lies in its character development, particularly the transformation of the female lead from a pushover to a confident individual. Its blend of romance, mystery, and psychological drama keeps readers engaged.

• Genre: Romance, Drama
• Reads: Over 8.63/10 user rating and a significant following.

Sweet Home is a horror webtoon by Kim Carnby and Hwang Young-chan. It tells the story of Cha Hyun-soo, a high school student who moves into a new apartment building only to find himself in the midst of a monstrous apocalypse. The series explores themes of survival, humanity, and the psychological effects of isolation.

Sweet Home is popular for its gripping storyline, intense action sequences, and its exploration of human nature in the face of horror. Not only is it one of the best Korean webtoons, this webtoon’s success led to a Netflix series adaptation, further expanding its global reach.

• Genre: Horror, Thriller
• Reads: 3.5 million subscribers and more than 15 million likes

True Beauty is a romantic comedy webtoon by Yaongyi. It follows Jugyeong Lim, a high school student who uses makeup to transform her appearance and navigate social pressures. The story delves into themes of self-esteem, friendship, and first love.

True Beauty is beloved for its relatable protagonist and its exploration of real-life issues such as bullying and self-acceptance. The webtoon’s lighthearted humor and engaging characters have made it a favorite among readers. It even got adapted into a K-drama making it not only one of the best Korean webtoons, but also one of the most-watched Korean dramas of 2020.

• Genre: Romantic Comedy, Slice of Life, Coming-of-Age
• Reads: 7.5 million subscribers and more than 1 billion views.

Omniscient Reader is an action-packed webtoon by Sing-Shong and illustrated by Um Se-yoon. The story follows Dokja, a reader who becomes trapped in a novel he loves. As the world of the novel begins to change, Dokja must navigate its apocalyptic landscape to survive.

Omniscient Reader is popular for its unique premise, blending elements of metafiction with action and adventure. The webtoon’s intricate plot and well-developed characters have captivated readers worldwide.

• Genre: Fantasy
• Reads: Not specified, but highly rated and popular among readers.

The Sound of Your Heart is a comedic slice-of-life webtoon by Jo Seok. It follows the absurd daily life of the main character, often blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. The series is known for its humor and lighthearted take on everyday situations.

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The Sound of Your Heart is popular for its comedic storytelling and relatable characters. The webtoon’s ability to find humor in mundane situations resonates with readers, making it a beloved choice for those seeking lighthearted entertainment.

• Genre: Comedy, Slice of Life
• Reads: Accumulated nearly 7 billion views during its run.

Kubera is a fantasy webtoon created by artist Currygom. The series follows Kubera, a small-town girl, who returns home to find that a high-rank Sura (a powerful immortal being with both human and animal-like forms) has wiped out her town. Kubera embarks on a mission to avenge her loved ones with the help of a magician named Asha. This mixed-genre fantasy webtoon explores themes of revenge, friendship, and self-discovery in a richly detailed world..

Kubera is celebrated for its intricate world-building and engaging characters. Its blend of action, drama, and fantasy elements has captivated readers worldwide, making it a standout in the fantasy genre and one of the best Korean webtoons.

• Genre: Fantasy
• Reads: Over 300 episodes with a high rating of 9.70 out of 10 online.

Korean webtoons are more than just entertainment—they reflect contemporary social issues while pushing creative boundaries in storytelling. Their influence extends far beyond comics, the best Korean webtoons even inspiring adaptations in K-dramas (Love Alarm, All of Us Are Dead), movies (Cheese in the Trap), and even video games (Solo Leveling).

Click here to visit Naver Webtoon, where all the original series are published (mostly Korean). Learn how to create your own Naver account and start reading right away, so that you’re one of the first people to know the newest and best Korean webtoons. Also see which webtoons were popular a few years go.

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