Seek shelter, lock your doors, and prepare for the creeping dread. These horror manhwa will stalk you through your dreams and leave you questioning the reality you thought you knew.
9. Rotten
by GOOD GUY
“Rotten,” also known as “Foul Smell,” is more than just a crime mystery; it’s a desperate race against time for Officer Han and Jaeshin. Their unique talents – olfactory intuition and spectral visions – guide them through missing person cases, but the search for their own close friend throws them into a nightmare of hidden evil. Joined by Yuhyeon, a resourceful stuntwoman, they confront a maze of corruption and face sights so horrifying they risk shattering their sanity. In this unique story, the stench of darkness and the chilling visions of the underworld become the ultimate tests for their friendship and their resolve. Be prepared for a gripping blend of crime, horror, and personal stakes that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
8. Surviving Romance
by Lee Yone
Lee Yone, previously known for realism, ventures into fantastical horror with “Surviving Romance.” A fan transported into her favorite romance novel finds herself in a nightmarish twist – zombies replace lovers. Stuck in a time loop, she learns to see beyond the charming facades and befriend the marginalized “extras,” discovering strength and unexpected allies in this desperate fight for survival. Can she forge a new happy ending, outside the predictable script?
7. DEEP
by TOWOO & Tae Heon Kim
Some readers may find the intriguing plot twist in Surviving Romance appealing, especially if they’re fatigued by conventional love and isekai narratives. Alternatively, others may be drawn to a more enigmatic storyline, exemplified by TOWOO and Tae Heon Kim’s DEEP. This narrative bears a resemblance to timeless horror classics like Pet Sematary and Village of the Damned, where the peril arises from a cherished individual harboring a hidden, malevolent nature.
Upon the crashing of a colossal wave on Gwangan-li Beach, a multitude of human bodies is carried ashore. Initially mistaken for lifeless corpses, they reveal themselves to be individuals who vanished years ago. Despite their unchanged appearance and lack of aging, their behavior is peculiar, characterized by awkward movements and a compelling pull towards the sea. Whatever they may be, the truth about them is concealed in the profound depths of the ocean.
6. Delusion
by Jac-Ga Hong
Forget zombies and Deep Ones, Jac-Ga Hong’s new horror manhwa serves up a chilling twist on a classic tale. Step into 1935 Seoul with artist Yun, hired to paint the portrait of the enigmatic recluse, Madam Song. He expects an elderly woman, but finds a youthful face haunted by a request – paint her old. A cryptic letter and whispers of madness add to the unsettling atmosphere as Yun uncovers Song’s shrouded past and his own reality begins to warp. Be prepared for breathtaking art and a story that will leave you questioning everything you see.
5. Hive
by Kyusam Kim
In Kyusam Kim’s captivating Hive, Seoul isn’t the bustling metropolis Eun-Sung Lee remembers. Monstrous insects and a deadly contagion have transformed the city into a nightmarish battleground. With every corner teeming with danger, Lee faces a daunting task: reunite with his family and navigate this perilous city to safety. Hive’s 242 episodes (plus untranslated bonus material!) chronicle Lee’s epic journey through chaos and terror, showcasing the enduring appeal of its classic monster-survival premise.
4. Distant Sky
by Seon-Hee Kim
Though both Seoul landscapes crackle with ruin, Distant Sky whispers different horror manhwa. Hanuel Kang’s nap in class becomes a nightmare under a perpetual night sky, where Seoul lies in shattered pieces and monstrous shadows slither in the dark. Besides, ưith Shin Heyool at his side, Hanuel must not only carve out a life in this shattered world but confront the chilling reality of Seoul’s demise. While Hive throws punches with epic action, Distant Sky chills to the bone with its nuanced characters and the unblinking gaze of psychological dread.
3. Pigpen
by Kim Carnby & Beomsik Cheon
Kim Carnby, a veteran and lauded master of horror manhwa, has established himself through works like Shotgun Boy and Sweet Home. These chilling tales captivated audiences with their potent blend of domestic unease and monstrous threats, constantly placing their protagonists in the jaws of danger.
However, his latest creation, Pigpen, takes a distinct narrative turn. Instead of unleashing hordes of flesh-eating zombies or skyscraper-sized insects, Carnby crafts a suffocating mystery that traps its lead character, Jin-Hyeok Song, just as effectively as any monstrous threat.
Illustrated with intricate detail by Beomsik Cheon, Pigpen opens with Jin-Hyeok inexplicably washing ashore on a picturesque island, his mind a desolate wasteland devoid of memories. Desperately seeking answers, he stumbles upon a seemingly benevolent family willing to offer him refuge. Yet, as days bleed into weeks and months, his frantic search for self-discovery leads him down a chilling path. The seemingly idyllic family begins to crack under the pressure of his inquiries, revealing their own sinister secrets.
Time begins to tick faster for Jin-Hyeok. Should he fail to break free from this enigmatic island and unravel the tangled web of deceit surrounding him, the only future that awaits him is a forgotten fate, another silent skeleton buried beneath the alluring facade of his haven.
2. Bastard
by Kim Carnby & Youngchan Hwan
While Carnby isn’t new to drawing, some of his most chilling work shines through collaboration, like the masterfully illustrated “Bastard” by Youngchan Hwan, which is horror manhwa. This domestic horror tale plunges Jin, born frail and dependent on his father Dong-Soo for survival, into a suffocating nightmare. Dong-Soo harbors a dark secret: he’s a serial killer, and Jin often becomes an unwilling accomplice. But when his prey becomes the girl who saved Jin’s life, the roles begin to twist. “Bastard” is a gripping blend of visceral horror and psychological turmoil, leaving you wondering if Jin will become his father’s next victim.
1. One Day in Seoul
by Park Chang-geun
Seoul: From City of Lights to City of Bubbles
The train trundled towards Seoul, each rhythmic click a pulse against the city’s frenzied heartbeat. Within the carriage, a microcosm of humanity unfolded: fear painted on trembling faces, masks hiding vulnerability, eyes reflecting a chilling fascination with the emerald menace. Lee Yeongwoo, his lens trained on the frothy tendrils engulfing buildings, saw more than just a virus. He saw humanity trapped, fragile bubbles teetering on the precipice of a collective burst. His camera, not just a recorder, became a silent vow – to capture the fragile beauty of existence even in the face of an imminent, bubbly end.
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