The best isekai manhwa offers historical references to Korean landscapes that are not usual in the manga, making it a big draw for readers who are keen on Murim, Joseon customs, as well as modern Korea, and more. These stories deal with themes of time travel and the rebirth of the main characters, either to fulfill the objective of their previous life or so they avoid the mistakes of their past life. In this article, we offer you some of the best isekai manhwa you must read.
1. Solo Leveling
- Creator: Chugong, Jang-Seung-rak, and Disciples
Solo Leveling has always been at the peak of the manhwa industry, especially with the recent anime adaptation. The story follows Sung Jinwoo, in particular, as he navigates his way through a post-fantasy modern world. To become an S-Rank hunter and eventually become the Shadow Monarch. Moreover, Jinwoo had to prove he was worthy at every step by battling some of the strongest Hunters. If you love a fantasy manhwa full of dungeons, monsters, hunters, and humans, Solo Leveling manhwa is for you.
2. Second Life Ranker
- Creator: Sadoyeon and Nongnong
Similar to Tower of God, Second Life Ranker also focuses on the protagonist’s journey of discovery and revenge. Although Cha Yeonwoo doesn’t physically travel to a new world, the Tower of Sun God serves as a setting for the main character’s horizon to be widened. Yeonwoo needed his brother’s demise as a prompt for entering this world. However, with the clues left behind by his brother, Yenwoo will cross every hurdle to reach the end of the Tower.
3. Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint
- Creator: Sing N Song and Sleepy-C
Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint follows an average corporate employee, Kim Dokja, who enjoys web novels. His favorite web novel is Three Ways to Survive the Apocalypse. The narrative of the manhwa alters when the real world turns into the fictional world of Kim’s favorite web novel. Since he is the only one who has completed the story, he knows how the story ends. However, the main character of the web novel may prove to be too much for Kim to handle in this trapped situation.
Also Read: The 50 Best Fantasy Manhwa You Must Read
4. Who Made Me A Princess
- Creator: Plutus
A modern Korean woman is transported into the fictional world of the novel she’s been reading as the princess with a tragic ending. Assuming the identity of Athanasia, the main character of Who Made Me A Princess tries her best to alter the future by avoiding the father, who will eventually kill her for his benefit. Despite knowing how the story unfolds, it’s tough for Athanasia to change her destiny because of the political undercurrents and family relations.
5. Return of the Blossoming Blade
- Creator: LICO and Biga
Return of the Blossoming Blade features an isekai theme to create unique interpretations of the legendary Mount Hua Sect, its characters, and its Murim setting. The manhwa, in particular, focuses on Cheonmyeong of the Hua Sect, who has been taken away through time travel. The last thing he remembers is fighting the leader of the Demon Cult, Cheonma. Cheonmyeong is saddened by the present situation of Hua Sect, and his only goal is to restore its lost glory. Cheonmyeong’s journey is certainly one of the best fantasy manhwa narratives ever.
6. The Greatest Estate Developer
- Creator: Back-Kyung Moon
The Greatest Estate Developer explores the adventures of Suho Kim, who wakes up in the fictional world of the novel he was reading. While in the book world, he is now Lloyd Frontera, the lazy noble whose family is pressed under major debt. As the manhwa continues, the readers will know how Lloyd uses his engineering knowledge to create inventions that will not only get himself and his family out of debt but also save the future.
7. Beware the Villainess!
- Â Creator: Ppongtta Mat Screw
The protagonist of Beware the Villainess! After dying in a car crash, Han Da Youhng wakes up as the villainess of the popular novel “All The Men That Loved Her” – Melissa Foddebrat. Melissa is annoying and quiet bratty which suits her nature. Following the struggles of her previous life, Melissa is ready to compensate for them with the luxury of this new identity as the nobleman Duke Foddebrat’s daughter.
8. Lout of Count’s Family
- Creator: Yu Ryeo Han and PAN4
Originally titled Trash of the Count’s Family, Lout of the Count’s Family’s Kim Rok-soo is a minor villain in the manhwa. He falls asleep while reading his novel Birth of a Hero. He then wakes up as the drunk noble Cale Henituse and gets beaten up by the potential hero of the novel, Choi Han. Knowing how the story plays out, Cale tries to alter his bad fate, be free of Choi Han, and live a peaceful and lavish life.
9. My Blasted Reincarnated Life
- Creator: Mongma
Hamel is on a quest to overpower the Demon King. However, he gets killed before accomplishing his goal and reincarnates into a descendant of the Great Vermouth, Eugene Lionheart. Now, with his indomitable power, Eugene must train himself to be a Lionhart and accomplish the objective of eliminating the remaining demon kings. With the elements of reincarnation and time travel My Blasted Reincarnated Life is one of the best isekai manhwa of all time.
10. Isekai Manhwa- Pick Me Up!
- Creator: Hermode
This video game-based isekai manhwa follows Loki, one of the top-ranked masters of the mobile game. However, the manhwa takes a shocking turn when Loki awakens inside the game as Han Yslat, a 1-star player. Since he is back to the base level, it will be tough for him. However, to get out of this situation, Han needs to lead a team and surpass the 100th floor of the dungeon.
11. The Swordmaster’s Youngest Son
- Creator: Hwangje Penguin
After an untimely death, the youngest son of the Runcandel household, Jin Runcandel, awakes in the past as an infant. Unlike other isekai heroes who are skilled and indomitable, Jin has to elevate his skills to become the heir and the protector, and this is the purpose of his reincarnation. With rich action, intricate world-building, and stunning illustrations, The Swordmaster’s Youngest Son is certainly among the best isekai manhwa ever.
12. The Villainess Is A Marionette
- Creator: Hanirim
The heroine of The Villainess Is A Marionette wakes up as the most beautiful girl in the empire, Kayena Hill. However, she has died twice in her previous life. Kayena’s narrative intrigues the heroine, but she refuses to let circumstances alter her destiny a third time. Moreover, she’s frantic about taking power over the future to avoid the worst outcome possible.
13. Author of My Own Destiny
- Creator: Gyeoulip
The Author of My Own Destiny follows the central character Fiona Green, the villainess of the tale. The manhwa begins when the author of The Emperor and the Saints gets reincarnated as Fiona. Although she starts as a foil, she soon decides to dedicate her life to good. This new road will take her by surprise as she will save Prince Siegren, the male lead. And, what’s more, she will dive into a romance she didn’t expect.
14. A Returner’s Magic Should Be Special
- Creator: So-nan Yu
Following the war, magician Desir Herrman transports back in the past to his academy days. Lout of the Count’s Family, with the knowledge of the future, Desir uses his power and opportunity to eventually alter history and save his loved ones and the world from destruction. In fall 2023, an anime adaption of this popular manhwa came out, making the manhwa more popular than ever.
15. The Tutorial Is Too Hard
- Creator: Gandara and Imae Dalki
In Tutorial Is Too Hard, the retired professional gamer Lee Ho Jae has the choice to go into the titular tutorial and the difficulty selection, he says yes and goes to what is nothing but hell. This isekai manhwa, in particular, is a lot similar to Survival Story of a Sword King in a Fantasy World. And what’s more, he chooses the hardest option and begins his journey of suffering through a unique game world. And as the manhwa continues, the readers will eventually witness how Lee tries to escape this tutorial world.
16. How to Use A Returner
- Creator: Heuksujeo
Despite being at the lowest on the totem pole, Giyoung Lee is more cunning than his opponents and is a bit unethical. He is eventually forced into a world of life and death game. However, Giyoung has one skill – he can read the status of other players. When he learns that Hansyung is a returner, Giyoung plans to stick by his side to get out of this game. How to Use A Returner is not your usual fantasy manhwa, and that’s why it stands out with this trope of death game.
If you have questions regarding the best isekai manhwa, please ask in the comments below. Stay tuned for more popular manhwa recommendations!
