Korean historical manhwa can offer the readers a good perspective on the classic genres and also delve deep into the Korean culture through good storylines and amazing characters. If you are interested in Korean culture or history in general, here are the 12 best historical manhwa you must read now, from The Fantasie of a Stepmother to The Tale of Goldiluck and Baroness Goes on a Strike to The Crown Princess Scandal.
1. Bring the Love
- Anime-Planet Score: 4.3/5
- Writer and Illustrator: Zestkyo
- Release: 2019-2023
Bring the Love follows one of the most popular nobles of the 13th century, Leah Hildebrandt. However, she’s got trouble finding a suitor. Following her father’s demise and her brother getting lost, she needs to find a suitor to maintain her family’s status. It would be a marriage of convenience but considering the situation it is the only convenient thing to do.
2. The Fantasie of a Stepmother
- Anime-Planet Score: 4.2/5
- Based on Spice & Kitty’s web novel
- Illustration: ORKA
- Release: 2019-Present
The Fantasie of a Stepmother aka A Stepmother’s Marchen explores the second opportunity at life. The Iron Widow, Shuli, was barely older than the eldest child, Jeremy, when she got married to Johannes Von Neuschwanstein. Following Johannes’ demise, Shuli was all alone to control the household and take care of her four stepchildren, who didn’t trust her.
After getting caught in an accident, she then awakens to find herself back in the past a few hours after her husband’s death. Now with her old memories intact, Shuli hopes to eventually build a better bond with her stepchildren and avoid repeating the same mistakes.
Also Read: The 50 Best Fantasy Manhwa You Must Explore
3. Her Tale of Shim Chong
- MyAnimeList Score: 8.14/10
- Writer: Seri
- Illustrator: Biwan
- Release: 2017-2019
Her Tale of Shim Chong follows a poor girl who does everything for her and her father’s survival. However, things change when she meets the fiancée of the local chancellor, Madam Jung. The only thing common between the two is their desire to escape their current lives and also to move ahead with what life brings. Perhaps, they will eventually find that course of life together. In order to find out what happens with Madam Jung, read the popular fantasy manhwa Her Tale of Shim Chong.
4. Whale Star: The Gyeongseong Mermaid
- MyAnimeList Score: 8.06/10
- Writer and Illustrator: Na Yoonhee
- Release: 2019-2021
Set in 1926-occupied Korea, Whale Star follows an illiterate house help of a pro-Japanese family, Su-Ah. She finds a man named Ui-Hyeon washed up on the beach and nurses him to help him recover. He discloses that he is willing to fight to free Korea from Japan. Su-Ah will also give up her comfortable life and join Ui-Hyeon for this noble cause.
5. The Tale of Goldiluck, the Black Kitten
- Anime-Planet Score: 4/5
- Writer and Illustrator: Gongsam
- Release: 2020-2022
Set during the period of the Joseon Dynasty, the titular cat is unfortunately mistreated by the locals because of their superstition that black cats bring bad luck. However, the cats are welcome in the household of a young scholar who does his best to keep the kitten comfortable. If you are looking for the best historical manhwa but with a sweet story, Goldiluck is the one.
6. The Unwelcome Guests of House Fildette
- Anime-Planet Score: 4/5
- Writer and Illustrator: Arrnuni
- Release: 2022-Present
Hayden Fildette lives an idyllic life with his parents. However, the tables turn when someone from his father’s past returns and claims to be Hayden’s long-lost half-brother. This event eventually puts Hayden’s position as the family into question. But, the only thing Hayden is worried about is what will happen to the family. Will they still be intact, or will they fall apart?
7. My Royal Awakening
- MyAnimeList Score: 7.50/10
- Writer: Dopamine (based on Gu-Sa’s web novel)
- Illustrator: Tae-Hyung Kim
- Release: 2020-2022
My Royal Awakening is a blend of isekai, modern world, and ancient Korea. It follows an average guy who is struggling to live in the modern world and gets an opportunity to live a high life when he’s reborn in the Joseon Dynasty. But unluckily, he was reborn as Grand Prince Jin-seong, the youngest foster brother of King Yeongsan. Yeongsan is a horrible human – during his 11-year reign, he abducted women, suppressed education and free speech, and more. Will this new Prince Jin-seong finally succeed in changing the course of the nation?
8. The Crown Princess Scandal
- MyAnimeList Score: 7.50/10
- Based on Jeonghyeon’s web novel
- Illustrator: Kitrow
- Release: 2021-2023
Hwa-yeong does her best to get out of the imperial palace’s crown princess selection but she meets Shin-yeong, the Crown Prince himself. Seeing that Hwa-yeong wants to get out of this selection process, Shin-yeong makes sure she passes. Now she tries harder to avoid winning and getting stuck with the Crown Prince for 6 months in the palace. But, eventually, after getting to know him better, the idea starts to sound appealing to her.
9. The Elixir of the Sun
- MyAnimeList Score: 7.42/10
- Writer: Konn & One (based on Solddam’s web novel)
- Illustrator: Song Yi
- Release: 2021-2023
Based on ancient Korea, The Elixir of the Sun follows Bayan, a member of the Siyo clan. The members of this clan have healing power; however, Bayan did not inherit this ability to heal sickness. In order to get Bayan out of the way, Siyo sent her to the court of the Great Sun Emperor, Dhan. Dhan’s violent outbursts eventually cause him to kill, and Bayan might be the next victim. However, there is something about Bayan that calms his mood, and Bayan may be more than just a sickness healer.
10. Historical Manhwa: The Divine Surgeon
- MyAnimeList Score: 7.39/10
- Writer: Dongshin Park
- Illustrator: Byungick Choi
- Release: 2022-Present
The Divine Surgeon is also a isekai- reincarnation story, however, instead of following a Jesoen Korean or European theme, this manhwa takes the reader back to Ancient China. It follows the story of Dr Jinsoo, who did his best to live a noble life only to get conned and also killed by his professor.
When a mysterious being rewards him with a second life, he is reborn as Hua Tuo, a legendary physician who lived through the split of the Eastern Hua dynasty. Now, in these troubled times, he also needs to find ways to treat the people by making medicines from scratch.
11. Baroness Goes on Strike
- MyAnimeList Score: 7.28/10
- Writer: Go Eunchae
- Illustrator: Song Ye-Seul
- Release: 2018-2019
One of the best historical manhwa, Baroness Goes On Strike, not only follows a European fantasy landscape but also the popular reincarnation theme. In her previous life, Cassia Ruberno was ordered to marry Baron Zester of Greze. After an entire decade of trying to run his land alone, Countess Cassia finally died from a disease.
However, her death returns her to the past – the day she met Zester 10 years ago. In this life, Cassia refuses to follow the Emperor’s order to marry Baron, but Baron’s consistent effort to woo her impresses Cassia. Maybe, this life won’t be as difficult as the previous one for both of them, read Baroness Goes on Strike to find out what happens next.
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