With different kinds of manhwa come varied genres, and one of the most popular genres in any media is the psychological genre. From complex human relationships to the deterioration of mental health due to external factors, the psychological genre deals with the human psyche in varied and fascinating ways, asking readers existential questions. Here are the 15 best psychological manhwa you should read now.
Top Psychological Manhwa You Must Read
1. Omniscient Reader
- Writer: UMI
- Illustration: Sleepy-C
The protagonist of Omniscient Reader, the black-haired contractor Dokja Kim, uses his knowledge to escape his destiny. He is tasked with saving the rest of the human world, who do not know how to deal with the abrupt alteration in their circumstances. After finishing the web novel Three Ways to Survive the Apocalypse, Dokja finds the fictional world turning into reality as the world transforms into an apocalyptic hellscape. Being the only one who knows how the web novel unfolds, he must ensure the survival of the people around him.
2. Winter Woods
- Writer: Cosmos
- Illustration: VAN.J
The story of Winter Woods starts with an alchemist who, after losing his child and spouse, creates a being out of corpses named Winter. After the alchemist’s demise, Winter begins to live among humans, where he learns about the splendour of human existence, especially through his beautiful relationship with his writer friend Jane. On the other hand, Jane begins to see a man in Winter who has changed her life in inexplicable ways.
3. SSS-Class Revival Hunter
- Writer: Neida, Noah Shin
- Illustration: Bill K
If you are interested in the blend of action and psychological genre, SSS-Class Revival Hunter is for you. This manhwa focuses on the protagonist, Confucius Kim, who is fascinated by a mysterious tower that can fulfill one’s dreams. After receiving the S+ Rank as a Hunter, Confucius enters the tower, but his dreams are cut short when he is killed by the strongest hunter alive, Flame Emperor.
4. Roxana
- Writer: Jiyeon Baek
- Illustration: Yoerumbit
The main characters of Roxana struggle to change the course of their lives. The titular protagonist, Roxana, is surprised to find that her residence is fated to fall after reading The Abysmal Flower, a reverse-harem novel. The plot escalates when her father abducts Cassis Pedlian, the heir to the Blue Pedelian household, compelling Roxana to take the required steps to ensure Cassis’s safety.
5. Ghost Teller
- Writer: QTT
- Illustration: QTT
The protagonist of Ghost Teller struggles to get married to appease her emotionally avoidant family. Ultimately, she seeks a supernatural being to improve the condition of her life and her fortune, which results in her marrying and having a son. Despite her new life and happiness, her psyche takes its toll on her.
6. Pigpen
- Writer: Carnby Kim
- Illustration: SICK
Pigpen is a psychological manhwa with an uneasy tone and setting, as the protagonist is in an unsettling situation in his life. The psychological manhwa centres on an amnesiac young man who wakes up on an uninhabited island and struggles to figure out who he is. As the days turn madder, he realizes that the family that welcomed him is not really what they seem.
7. See No Evil
- Creator: Gwangtanto, Maduru
We all wish we could read the other person’s mind. Well, this psychological manhwa is about Bonggang Choi, a mind-reader. The protagonist’s best quality is that he never shows off or takes any action when he reads minds. Bonggang’s life will alter when he reads the mind of another student, Hun Jo, at his school, and discovers that he might have killed someone, Choi realizes that he can’t live with his secret forever.
8. Dazzlingly Bright
- Creator: Myeong
Dazzling Bright centers around Yeon-su, a writer stuck in her projects who barely has time for herself. The manhwa begins when Yeon-su meets a charming patient at the hospital. This story will make you feel several emotions, and if you like to read empathetic stories, this manhwa is for you.
9. Subtle Disaster
- Writer: Sungho An
Subtle Disaster is an engaging psychological manhwa about Songshin Ha and his troublesome life. Songshin is a writer and an artist, and even though he loves peace for his creativity, the universe has other plans, as he is blessed with noisy neighbors. This manhwa portrays how Songshin deals with complexities in his life. It is one of the best psychological manhwa, as anyone can relate to it.
10. My Student Can’t Be A Psychopath
- Creator: Fluto
My Student Can’t Be A Psychopath perfectly depicts the mental state of high school teenagers. In this psychological manhwa, almost every character is a psychopath in some way or another. Their condition might not be extreme, but most have some disturbing factors. What are the elements affecting the lives of these schoolgoers that you should read and find out about?
11. Sweet Home
- Creator: Carnby Kim, Youngchan Hwang
Sweet Home centers on a high school teen, Cha Hyun, who has faced horrifying tragedies. Like all other heroes, he will try his best to protect the world. And, not just that, he is yet to face a lot more – monsters who want to erase humanity. This frightening protagonist, Cha Hyun-soo’s life makes Sweet Home one of the best psychological manhwa. Now, he must fight alongside other heroes like him and protect the world.
12. Save Me
- Creator: 1230
Save Me follows the narrative of a talented student, Hyeongoh. All of the problems and difficulties in his life are because of his physical disability. And then, of course, there are the bad guys who make life more miserable. This psychological manhwa deals with Hyeongoh and the bullying he faces in his school and how that affects his mental state.
13. Love You to Death
- Writer: Danyeom, Helena Kwon
Most of us read sensitive narratives, especially webtoons, because we love to relate to someone. Love You to Death is a sensitive psychological manhwa that will make you ponder. This is a sweet story about Anna and Ryubin. It explores the obstacles and circumstances these two friends face and how they deal with them. The interesting part about this story is that Ryubin is dead, and even after his demise, he can function.
14. Flowers of Evil
- Writer: Lee Hyeon-Seok
One of the most popular psychological manhwa, Flowers of Evil, depicts the relationship between siblings. This narrative follows the story of Se-Joon and Se-Wa. They are fraternal twins and have distinct ways of thinking. However, their lives alter with each passing phase, leading the two characters to experience various emotions. This psychological manhwa will make you wonder about the mental stamina of different people.
15. Dr. Frost
- Writer: JongBeom Lee
Psychologist Dr. Frost, a psychologist by day and bartender by night, firmly believes that we are all the same in one way or another. This psychological manhwa will inspire you to be more curious about the human psyche. As the genre suggests, this manhwa is about human psychology, behavior, psychiatry, and more.
Let us know in the comments below about your favourite psychological manhwa. For more popular webtoon recommendations, insightful reviews, and news related to anime, manga, webtoon, and more!