Manhwas to Celebrate Korean Culture This New Year’s
Operation: True Love
Genres/Categories
Sci-fi, Romance, Mystery
Trigger Warnings
Physical abuse, mental abuse, neglect, infidelity, harassment, disturbing visions, mild language.
Synopsis
It’s hard dating someone who won’t give you the time of day. Su-ae Shim knows that better than anyone, having dated her indifferent boyfriend, Minu Kang, for years.
She sometimes wishes she could be more like her charismatic stepsister, Ra-im, who seems to have it all. But life takes a turn for the weird when Su-ae discovers Jellypop, a sentient flip phone, in her locker.
Jellypop has a lot to say about her love life, especially as Su-ae drifts further away from Minu and finds herself running into Minu’s friend, Eunhyeok.
Add to the mix a growing suspicion that Minu and Ra-im might be more than friends, and Su-ae might need a miracle to navigate the ups and downs of high school romance!
My Thoughts
I’m constantly amazed by Korean artists. Just when you think you’ve seen a comic with art that couldn’t get any better, you find another and it gets better!
Operation: True Love has one of the most beautiful art I’ve seen.
In terms of plot, I found it incredibly intriguing. It constantly keeps you on your toes and I’ve always found myself surprised by the directions it has taken several times.
Su-Ae, the female lead, is a refreshing character. Instead of constantly moping about her and Minu’s failed relationship she’s determined to change the situation.
Unfortunately, I cannot give any more details without spoiling the entire creation—so go devour Operation: True Love ASAP!
Act Like You Love Me
Genres/Categories
Fantasy, Romance
Trigger Warnings
Some abuse, anxiety, harassment, kidnapping, parental neglect.
Synopsis
25-year-old Ji-eon is stressed, overworked, and penniless. When a mix-up at a temp job has her spending a day as famous actor Doyun Nam’s personal assistant, she takes her anger out on a doll… which turns out to have the magical ability to control him at her every whim. Now it’s her turn to be the boss.
My Thoughts
When a comic makes you want to take screenshots and constantly rave about the art and the storyline, you know it has done its job.
The concept of the doll is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Ji-eon is definitely the most relatable character I’ve encountered. She’s determined and compassionate, but most of all, she’s funny. Like laugh till you cry, cry till your eyes dry up, funny.
She has several talents that are so obvious to the reader but she still has yet to discover them. The series is still going on so hopefully Ji-eon sees her true worth in the upcoming chapters.
Illuminated
Genres/Categories
Informative, Non-Fiction, Biography.
Trigger Warnings
Racism, abuse, Asian-hate attacks.
Synopsis
A WEBTOON x 88rising memoir series that spotlights the experiences of Asian women in entertainment and how we can help #StopAsianHate together.
My Thoughts
Wolftyla, Mirai Nagasu, Stephanie Poetri (singer of I Love You 3000), and mxmtoon. You may know them as Asian celebrities who have it all. However, these women have been through more than you could imagine.
Their stories—personal journeys, motivations, and struggles with their flaws—are spotlighted in this beautiful memoir series. More often than not, we perceive celebrities as these rare creatures—untouchable, unreachable, unimaginable.
We forget that they’re humans too. Their life has been laced with the obstacles and simple joys that non-celebrities face. If you or anyone you know has been facing struggles with identity, societal norms, perfectionism, and more—read this.
Don’t let anyone shame you or determine the course of your life. You write your own story.
You can call me what you like, but I will be taking your cake.
L (from Death Note)
Si Bel Homme List
Genres/Categories
Romance, Comedy
Trigger Warnings
Abuse, harassment
Synopsis
Ideum’s world turns upside down when her boyfriend of five years gets engaged to another woman and even dares to send her a wedding invitation!
Shocked and humiliated, Ideum vows to get her revenge by showing up to the wedding with a hot new man on her arm.
As a matchmaker at a marriage agency, she already knows many eligible bachelors, and can’t help but gush over her new client’s profile. Tall, handsome, and rich, Dr. Dohun Yang is just the man she’s looking for. But little does Ideum know that she’s in for a surprise … in more ways than one.
My Thoughts
Very weird.
But very cute.
Some serious eyebrow shaving occurs.
This is a refreshing romance in that the female lead doesn’t always swoon and gush over the male lead.
I think it’s probably one of the most realistic webtoons out there because the female lead has all these doubts about her future and her goals which might clash with a relationship.
Moreover, the male lead isn’t as perfect as you might think. He’s seriously flawed and unlike some other comics when the character’s flaws just disappear when they meet their love interest, his persist.
Still, he’s determined to work on his flaws—his journey doesn’t end even in the final chapter.
Our House
Genres/Categories
Slice of Life, Romance
Trigger Warnings
Agoraphobia, anxiety
Synopsis
Hana is the daughter of the owner of the Four Seasons shared house. When her parents leave to pursue their lifetime dream of traveling around the world, she’s left in charge of looking after the place.
But this seemingly peaceful and harmonious shared house never fails to surprise everyone with unexpected events. Will Hana be able to handle being in control?
My Thoughts
The romance in this one is a minor plot element. The primary element is the main character getting over her fear of leaving the house and she does so step by step with the family she’s built with all the tenants in the house.
This heartwarming webtoon follows all the tenants in the house. It’s a wholesome read about building community and embracing imperfections.
Surviving Romance
Genres/Categories
Horror, Mystery, Paranormal, Sci-fi
Trigger Warnings
Gore, death, abuse, neglect
Synopsis
When Chaerin Eun becomes the protagonist of the romance novel she is reading, she expects a fairytale ending with the novel’s love interest, Jeha.
But when a bizarre twist makes her realize the story is not playing out as it does in the book, she’ll need the help of an unlikely character from her class to defy the new storyline and find her happy ending — if only she can figure out who this ‘Unknown Extra’ is first!
My Thoughts
I went into reading this thinking it was a romance but was instantly mind-boggled by the twist. This is a perfect read if you need a good scare. Can’t write anything more or I’ll be spoiling the story!
How Nature Works
Genres/Categories
Slice of Life, Romance, Comedy
Synopsis
Nerea is a water Nymph from a tiny town. One day, she’s forced to move to the bustling city (which she hates) and start working in a park. Little did she know that her newly formed group of friends could change her life for the better.
My Thoughts
This webtoon is a must-read if you’re looking for a light-hearted story intertwining the found family trope. The art is adorable and some slides are incredibly hilarious.
