Following the incredible achievements of China in filmmaking and the rise of Japanese anime from niche art to popular sensation, South Korea has seized its moment in the spotlight. Its cultural exports, from chart-topping K-pop groups like BTS to gripping series such as Squid Game and acclaimed films like Parasite, are captivating global audiences. These productions provide a fresh lens through which many have yet to experience storytelling.
This unique viewpoint extends into their comics, known as manhwa, which have garnered increasing popularity overseas, particularly via platforms like Webtoon and Tapas. For those seeking a spine-chilling experience, we’ve compiled a list of the best horror manhwa that readers should definitely explore.
Latest Update as of October 27, 2024, by David Heath: As Halloween approaches, it’s the perfect time to refresh this collection with several newly acclaimed horror manhwa. This sector is rapidly evolving, with more manhwa being translated into English and made available worldwide, whether through official channels or fan-translated versions, enhancing accessibility for fans of these Korean comics.
The realm of horror manhwa is vast, offering mysteries, domestic dramas, vampiric tales, deadly romances, and much more. There’s something for everyone seeking an enticing read, with some of the most popular series highlighted below.
20 DEEP
Anime-Planet Rating: 3.46/5 Stars
- 45 Episodes.
- Accessible on Webtoon.
For readers eager to explore horror manhwa beyond the rom-com and isekai genres, they might enjoy DEEP by TOWOO and Tae Heon Kim. This series resonates with classic horror narratives akin to Pet Sematary and Village of the Damned, instilling fear through a loved one who is not as they appear.
The storyline kicks off when a colossal wave crashes onto Gwangan-li Beach, revealing a mass of human bodies. Initially thought to be victims of a tragedy, they soon reveal themselves as the long-missing who appear to have not aged a day and exhibit curious behaviors, inexplicably drawn back towards the ocean. The answers to their existence lie concealed within the depths of the sea.
19 Hive
Anime-Planet Rating: 3.85/5 Stars
- Created by Kyusam Kim.
- 242 Episodes.
- Accessible on Webtoon.
Kyusam Kim’s Hive spans across a massive 242 episodes distributed over three parts, not accounting for its yet-to-be-translated spin-offs, The Dog Man and The Deadly Queen on Navver. The plot’s gripping premise captures readers’ attention, starting with Eun-Sung Lee’s arrival in Seoul, which he soon realizes is overrun by colossal insects.
Should the insects fail to claim their victims, their infectious mutations will. Amidst the chaos lurk criminal elements eager to exploit the situation. Lee’s mission to rescue any remaining survivors and reunite with his family becomes a treacherous quest with adversities at every corner.
18 Rotten
Anime-Planet Rating: 3.99/5 Stars
- Created by GOOD GUY.
- 49 Chapters.
- Accessible on Webtoon.
Also recognized as Foul Smell, GOOD GUY’s Rotten merges crime mystery with supernatural horror. Officer Han possesses an uncanny knack for detecting evil, while Jaeshin can perceive the deceased. Together, they are adept at unraveling missing persons files, particularly that of their old friend.
Their investigation leads them to stuntwoman Yuhyeon, who aids them in their quest, only for the trio to stumble into a murky arena of corruption and malevolence. If they can’t withstand the grotesque sights surrounding them, their friend might be lost forever. This engaging narrative lives up to its name with its intense visuals.
17 Distant Sky
Anime-Planet Rating: 4.03/5 Stars
- 117 Episodes.
- Accessible on Webtoon.
Inwan Youn and Seon-Hee Kim’s Distant Sky paints a grim picture of a shattered Seoul, but its cataclysm is shrouded in enigma. Hanuel Kang drifts from slumber in class to the desolate remains of the city, fraught with giant insects and other lurking horrors under an eternal night sky.
While Hive offers an expansive plot filled with action, Distant Sky excels in character development through its realistic dialogue and psychological tension permeated throughout the panels.
16 How to Survive as a Maid in a Horror Game
Anime-Planet Rating: 4.10/5 Stars
- Illustrated by SINcere.
- 50 Episodes.
- Accessible on Tapas.
Isekai narratives are just as prevalent in manhwa as they are in manga, with many featuring protagonists transported to fantasy realms, novels, or games. How to Survive as a Maid in a Horror Game defines its premise within its title; the protagonist must navigate a horror game called ‘The Murder of Pflatzgraff Manor’. While the graphics are impressive, its harsh challenges can deter many players.
Players start as Adrian, a cursed aristocrat who is compelled to kill to redeem himself. However, one poor player exhaustively tries to conquer the challenge, only to fall asleep mid-game. Upon awakening, they find themselves embodied as Hilda, one of Adrian’s maids, forced to persuade Adrian to spare her life while evading his sinister schemes. The outcome is a dark yet thrilling romance that is equally haunting and riveting.
15 Never-Ending Darling
Anime-Planet Rating: 4.14/5 Stars
- Created by Woollee.
- 87 Episodes.
- Accessible on Webtoon.
In Never-Ending Darling, the advent of cloning technology by Geunhu Ji has nearly eradicated human pain. Each individual can register their DNA to correct genetic defects and extend life; however, dark secrets lurk beneath this façade. Geunhu’s girlfriend, Yoon Ha-Im, discovers a disconcerting surprise—her own corpse—in her home.
Upon waking, she has no recollection of the prior day but finds a note from herself stating “Ha-Im, if you’re reading this, you’re a clone.”Drawing parallels with the film The 6th Day, the narrative takes a sinister turn as Geunhu exploits cloning technology to control Ha-Im, eliminating her whenever she steps out of bounds. The real Ha-Im is long gone, leaving her clone with a desperate quest to break free from this cycle. This premise offers a captivating blend of science fiction and horror.
14 Radio Storm
Anime-Planet Rating: 4.15/5 Stars
- Illustrated by Seo Gyeong.
- 82 Episodes.
- Only available in fan translations.
The horror romance genre is rich with varying narratives, from tales where the romantic interest is a monster like in Never-Ending Darling, to those where the affectioner finds the monster appealing, as in How to Survive as a Maid in a Horror Game. Among these are plenty of yaoi and yuri manhwa, including compelling yaoi horror tales like Radio Storm.
It narrates the story of Sak, an individual trapped in a research facility labeled ‘the School’, focusing on those gifted with the ‘Core’—superpowered beings. Sak resents his environment, as his only unusual ability is an acute sense of smell. The situation worsens when an apocalyptic virus spreads beyond the facility, transforming individuals into deadly zombies. To endure, Sak must locate a ‘Caller’ to amplify his powers. With his friend Ginger, he escapes the compound in search of this crucial support, taking grave risks amidst threatening circumstances.
13 Chasing Tails
Anime-Planet Rating: 4.18/5 Stars
- Created by Bashi.
- 107 Episodes.
- Accessible on Webtoon.
Chasing Tails may evoke thoughts of a skill level dilemma in Sonic the Hedgehog 2; however, it’s a deeply intricate murder mystery where detectives Jeongdo Kwon and Yeongchae Shin, along with neuropsychiatrist Dr. Yeongwha Ju, delve into a complex case. When a building collapses, nine college students are trapped for a fortnight, leaving only six survivors—only four of whom can speak.
Curiously, the deceased did not succumb to the wreckage but displayed signs indicating they were victims of homicide. The investigation turns perilous as the detectives uncover evidence suggesting any of the survivors could be the perpetrator, revealing darker truths than they anticipated.
12 Parallel City
Anime-Planet Rating: 4.21/5 Stars
- Created by Goda.
- 149 Episodes.
- Accessible on Webtoon.
The horror narrative surrounding cloning continues in Parallel City, where clones begin to rebel against their originals. Reports emerge of individuals encountering exact replicas of themselves, coinciding with a series of disappearances. For example, Min Choi’s childhood acquaintance Jung Kim mysteriously vanishes for nearly a year, only to return transformed.
Stranger developments ensue as Min Choi discovers a more violent and criminal variant of himself with intimate knowledge of his life, including his parkour abilities. While the first season unfolds like a mystery thriller, it transforms into a gripping survival horror story as Min uncovers the origins of the clones, learning of the horrific truths behind their existence.
11 Delusion
Anime-Planet Rating: 4.21/5 Stars
- Created by Jac-Ga Hong.
- 60 Episodes.
- Accessible on Webtoon.
Jac-Ga Hong’s Delusion takes a departure from monstrous threats to delve into psychological horror. Set in 1935, artist Iho Yun is invited by noblewoman Jeonghwa Song to create her portrait. Expecting an elderly recluse after years of isolation, he is instead confronted by a stunning young woman who requests to be painted aged.
Amongst his supplies, he discovers a letter cautioning him against completing her portrait, as those who spend time with Madam Song either lose their sanity or vanish without a trace. The manhwa explores the eerie past of Song while also unearthing Yun’s uncanny present, revealing intertwined tales through captivating storytelling and exquisite illustrations.
10 Evolution: Road to Space Monster
Anime-Planet Rating: 4.22/5 Stars
- Crafted by Inamu and Horror Turtle.
- 38+ Episodes.
- Accessible on DayComics.
A plethora of isekai narratives feature protagonists who rise to stardom in their new environments, armed with vital skills or technologies. Some break the mold by complicating their journey or depicting them as antagonistic figures. Nevertheless, it’s rare for a character to be reborn as a monstrous entity, such as a space beast.
This reversal occurs in Evolution: Road to Space Monster, where the protagonist is reborn as an A-Morph, a monster navigating a sci-fi survival horror game. Survival hinges on leveraging game knowledge to metamorphose into varied forms, some ominously familiar. The overarching tone mirrors Alien, but filtered through the perspective of the Xenomorph, augmented with isekai aspects.
9 Night Of Shadows
Anime-Planet Rating: 4.22/5 Stars
- Created by YUNG.
- 51+ Episodes.
- Accessible on Webtoon.
In contrast to tangible threats like monsters and serial killers, horror can take a more psychological route, as seen in Night of Shadows. Areum gradually realizes her dreams and foretellings manifest into reality with dire consequences.
She begins documenting her visions, only to uncover pages she doesn’t recollect writing, coinciding with a devastating event at her school. The way out doesn’t involve fleeing, but deciphering her fragmented notes and discovering when she authored them, while evading dark entities lurking around.
8 Dreadful Night
Anime-Planet Rating: 4.23/5 Stars
- Created by Mo-an.
- 30+ Episodes.
- Available on Lezhin Comics and Bomtoon.
The tension escalates when Bada notices Nam Doha’s unusual behavior—initially suspecting him to be an NPC, things take a violent turn when he witnesses Doha committing murder. Is it a glitch or a defense mechanism? This revelation introduces the notion that Doha may be a player too. Together, they face the daunting question of whether they can escape the game or if one will become the other’s next casualty.
7 Jack: The American Ghost
Anime-Planet Rating: 4.26/5 Stars
- Illustrated by Jeong-Eun Ahn.
- 64 Episodes.
- Accessible on Tapas.
Go-Eun Ma has grown up in a haunted house exhibit alongside her upbringing in an amusement park. After her mother’s death, she finds it increasingly challenging to maintain the attraction, with looming threats of demolition if she can’t renovate it. As a last resort, she embarks on a trip to America to take on the Ghost Jack’s House challenge, requiring her to survive for 15 days without surrendering mentally.
Initially perceived as standard haunting events, the encounters become terrifyingly real. Despite the dangers, Go-Eun warms to Jack and his spectral companions, leading to a spectrum of emotions that intertwine intense horror with romantic elements, ultimately sweeping readers through a poignant journey filled with unexpected turns.
6 Ghost Teller
Anime-Planet Rating: 4.28/5 Stars
- Created by QTT.
- 92 Episodes.
- Accessible on Webtoon.
If one chilling narrative doesn’t quench your thirst, QTT’s Ghost Teller delves into six intertwining horror stories in its debut season. The format remains simple—spirits recount chilling tales concerning their encounters with humans. A compelling example includes “The Story of Her Truth,”where a young pop idol’s career and life are destroyed by gossip and betrayal.
The series’ other tales are equally haunting, dealing with themes like familial gaslighting and bittersweet sacrifice. Each narrative underscores how humanity is often the more frightening entity, surpassing any supernatural threat. The combination of realistic storytelling with striking visuals amplifies the horror, making for a gripping read.
5 The pigpen
Anime-Planet Rating: 4.29/5 Stars
- Created by Kim Carnby.
- 68 Episodes.
- Accessible on Webtoon.
Renowned horror writer Kim Carnby has captivated audiences with titles like Shotgun Boy, blending domestic horrors with monstrous elements to surround protagonists with genuine peril. However, Pigpen shifts focus to a mystery that ensnares its lead, comfortably matching the tension of zombie threats or giant insect horrors.
Jin-Hyeok Song awakens on an idyllic island’s shore without any memories of his identity or past. Seeking aid, he encounters a family willing to take him in. But as he investigates his origins, he uncovers their unsettling secrets. If he can’t uncover the truth and escape, he risks becoming part of their dark legacy.
4 Leviathan
Anime-Planet Rating: 4.31/5 Stars
- 214 Episodes.
- Only available via fan translations.
Post-apocalyptic environments are familiar settings for horror tales, as illustrated by works like Hive and Distant Sky. However, Leviathan diverges by invoking similarities to the film Waterworld. In a world devastated by a cataclysmic comet strike, humanity’s remnants cling to survival on ships adrift on the unreleased oceans.
Chaos escalates as monstrous marine creatures surface from the depths. Siblings Bota and Lita confront these dangers first hand when a creature tragically takes their father’s life. Equipped only with their father’s legends of fierce harpoonists, they aim to follow in their footsteps, soon realizing that threats extend far beyond mere beasts.
3 Surviving Romance
Anime-Planet Rating: 4.32/5 Stars
- Created by Lee Yone.
- 102 Episodes.
- Accessible on Webtoon.
Lee Yone, recognized for The Makeup Remover—grounded in themes of beauty and societal perceptions—delivers a startling contrast with Surviving Romance. This isekai narrative thrusts a young girl into the role of Chaerin, the protagonist of her beloved novel.
Expected to relish her adventure, she soon neglects the background characters, fixated on a blissful conclusion aligned with the story’s flow. However, when zombies invade, the plot dramatically shifts, trapping her in a continuous loop where every death resets her to the novel’s beginning. She must navigate alliances with these overlooked characters and unveil their backstories while striving to escape the cycle, aiming for a new favorable conclusion.
2 Sweet Home
Anime-Planet Rating: 4.37/5 Stars
- 141 Episodes.
- Accessible on Webtoon.
Fans of horror manhwa will find exceptional narratives in Kim Carnby’s works, especially with Pigpen and Bastard exemplifying a blend of unsettling themes and domestic terror. One of his earlier masterpieces, Sweet Home, follows a bullied student, Hyuncha, who isolates himself in his apartment compound amidst relentless harassment.
In his despair to end his life, the world suddenly shifts, revealing a monstrous onslaught. In a twist of fate, he must unite with survivors striving to combat this monstrous menace and salvage humanity as they fend off the onslaught.
1 Bastard
Anime-Planet Rating: 4.38/5 Stars
- 94 Episodes.
- Accessible on Webtoon.
Carnby has shown versatility in artistry, often collaborating with others for enhanced narratives. One of his most distinguished works is Bastard, illustrated by Youngchan Hwan, extending the domestic horror genre with a gripping plot. Jin, born with various ailments, relies solely on his father, Dong-Soo, who masquerades as a caring guardian but is, in fact, a serial killer targeting young women, regularly roping Jin into his sinister deeds.
However, a pivotal moment arises when Dong-Soo targets a girl who saved Jin’s life. This leads to a pivotal shift within Jin, as he begins to confront his father. This thrilling narrative intertwines visceral horror with psychological elements, leaving readers on edge as Jin constantly grapples with becoming his father’s next victim.
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