Fans of manga and manhwa alike know that isekai is one of modern anime's most popular genres. "Isekai" means "another world" in Japanese and follows the typical story of a person being transported to another world, mostly after a tragic death.

While the genre became big in Japan, it has spread to South Korean manhwa as well as overseas. What's more, is that most isekai manhwa has a hint of romance to keep fans on their toes. From classic fantasy isekai stories to titles featuring reincarnation and villainess plots, romance manhwa has risen in popularity. For those who mainly stick to manga, several manhwa titles are sur to entertain.

Updated by Alan A. Mehanna, on March 18, 2024: This list has been updated to adhere to CBR's most recent standards for formatting.

20 Miss Not-So Sidekick (2017 - 2022)

Story By Ellianyang, Art By Yumyum

Miss Not-So Sidekick stars a young woman who finds herself transported into the world of her favorite romance novel. However, she's not the heroine. Instead, she's been reborn as Latte Ectrie, a supporting character with little role in the story whatsoever. As her new life begins, Latte resigns herself to her fate as a background character, putting her focus instead on writing her own stories.

Little does Latte know, her writing has altered the course of the novel. Now several of the main love interests have set their sights on her instead. Miss Not-So Sidekick is a wholesome and fun isekai series with a strong focus on comedy that fans are of the genre will enjoy.

19 Kill The Villainess (2021 - PRESENT)

Story By Sawol Saeng, Art By Haegi

Kill the Villainess is a very unique title within the villainess isekai subgenre. While most reincarnated heroines in villainess stories try everything in their power to prevent their deaths. Kill the Villainess' protagonist of this does the complete opposite.

After living a miserable life only to be reborn as a hated villainess, Eris Miserian just wants to get her death over with in hopes that she may get another chance at a good life. However, the story has other plans for her and constantly thwarts her attempts to escape her new life. This interesting isekai manhwa has a greater focus on plot than romance, but it's still a refreshing title within the genre that fans should check out.

18 Flirting With The Villain's Dad (2020 - PRESENT)

Story By Dalseul, Art By Via

Flirting with the Villain's Dad is a reincarnation isekai, starring a protagonist who's reborn into Princess Yerenika of Livovny, a side character in the story who meets a terrible death at the hands of the villain. In order to prevent this fate, Yerenika takes matters into her own hands.

When a chance encounter brings her together with the villain's father, Princess Yerenika begins a romantic conquest, hoping to prevent the villain from ever being born. While plenty of isekai series follow a similar setup, none are quite as creative as this. This engaging manhwa tells a surprisingly passionate romance story that's sure to have fans swooning.

17 Father, I Don't Want This Marriage (2021 - PRESENT)

Story By Heesu Hong, Art By Roal

Father, I Don't Want This Marriage is a villainess isekai manhwa, following the harrowing story of Lady Jubelian Eloy Floyen, a pitiful young noblewoman framed as the villainess and sentenced to death. When a modern-day woman finds herself reincarnated into Jubelian herself, she sets out to change her fate before it's too late.

The first thing Jubelian does to set things in motion is break up with her traitorous fiancé. However, this only prompts her father to set her up with a suitor even worse than before. The series follows Jubelian as she does everything she can to prevent her marriage with the bloodthirsty crown prince.

16 50 Tea Recipes From The Duchess (2019 - 2022)

Story By Jiha Lee, Art By Hyunyoung Cho

50 Tea Recipes from the Duchess is a straightforward otome-style reincarnation isekai. The story begins when a modern-day Korean woman is reincarnated into Duchess Chloé Battenberg. A softhearted noble, Chloé is despised by the high society snobs around her — including her coldhearted husband.

However, using her past-life business savvy and tea-making skills, Chloé wins everyone over and turns her lifeless marriage around. Though it's far from extraordinary, 50 Tea Recipes is a sweet and simple romance, filled with plenty of lightheartedness and humor. For those who enjoy a fun little love story, it's well worth a read.

15 The Twins' New Life (2020 - PRESENT)

Story By Aidera, Art By Nicca

When two twins lose their lives in a sudden accident, they find themselves reincarnated once again as twins. This time named Arjen and Arien, they've been raised in an abandoned palace with an abusive mother and an emperor as a father.

However, when they turn five-years-old, they receive a sudden summoning from their cold-blooded father. With no one to rely on but each other, Arjen and Arien must do all they can to survive this second life, together and find love. The Twins' New Life is a cute and wholesome stories of twin siblings' adventures in romance.

14 The Obsessive Second Male Lead Has Gone Wild (2020)

Story By Subi, Art By Hana Baek

The Obsessive Second Male Lead is a classic reincarnation isekai series, following the adventures of the heroine as she uses her past knowledge to escape a terrible fate. Rurutia was reincarnated in another world, and created a business inside a temple that became a big hit together with her friends.

However, Rurutia soon notices something odd about a certain person within this new world. That is none other than the second male lead. Apparently, Rurutia stole his first kiss — and she needs to take responsibility by becoming his wife, as the only thing he wishes is to become her husband.

13 Lady Baby (2018 - PRESENT)

Story By Haeon Ju, Art By Pinkmint

Lady Baby stars Calliope Rustichel, an young girl whose family is cursed by a series of tragedies. One by one, her beloved family members all meet a tragic end. Soon enough, she too falls victim and meets an untimely end.

However, just as her life is about to be over, Calliope is granted a second chance at life. She's then sent back to her infancy, where she must uncover the source of her family's fate and put a stop to it. Though this wholesome story has a greater focus on familial love, there's plenty of romance as well, making it a nice, lighthearted read for fans of the genre.

12 The Viridescent Tiara (2020 - PRESENT)

Story By Siya, Art By Binu

The Viridescent Tiara stars a protagonist who gets isekai'd into the world of a novel she wrote herself. Reborn as Lan Romea de Latia, she now finds herself destined to die yet again. Luckily, as the book's author, Lan has all the knowledge of their world and knows exactly what to do to keep herself alive.

But as she uses her past memories to change the story, Lan slowly catches the interest of various characters, sending her on a romantic adventure she never could have expected. The Viridescent Tiara is an ongoing series with a unique premise that romance fans will love.

11 My Life As An Internet Novel (2017 - PRESENT)

Story By Han-ryeo Yu, Art By Hyun Ah

My Life as an Internet Novel is a popular isekai title that combines classic elements of the genre with comedy, slice-of-life, and the reverse harem genre. When Dani woke up excited for her first day of high school, she didn't expect to be transported inside a web novel she loved reading — and as the main heroine's best friend, of all people.

As the only one from the "real world," Dani must now live in a fictional world, all while figuring out how she arrived there, and how to escape. However, the task becomes harder than ever as she begins to develop feelings for one of the web novel's characters.

10 They Say I Was Born A King's Daughter (2016 - 2021)

Story By Bichu, Art By Legna Kim

They Say I was Born a King's Daughter is the story of a murder victim who finds herself reborn as a princess. Suhee Kim was a popular girl who gained a lot of attention that caused many girls to hate her and think she was loose. Just when she finally has a normal and loving relationship, she is murdered in a jealous rage and awakens to find she's been reborn in another world as a baby.

Sadly, in this new world, men rule everything, and women are viewed as inferior. However, Suhee won't let this setback stop her. Using her new role as a princess, Suhee combats her new home's patriarchal ways, hoping that one say she'll finally get to have the love and respect she so desires.

9 Survive As The Hero's Wife (2018 - 2021)

Story By Nokki, Art By AhBin

Survie as the Hero's Wife may be a story full of clichés, but this isekai manhwa is still a sweet and lovable romance. Canaria has been reincarnated as a villain in a novel who is fated to die by her husband's hand. However, she won't allow her life to be wasted again and decides that she will do her best to survive by a simple means: divorce.

But the more Canaria gets to know her husband, that simple choice becomes more complicated as she spends her days with him. The series is a compelling love story with a well-written plot and a surprisingly complex cast of characters.

8 Doctor Elise: The Royal Lady With The Lamp (2017 - 2021)

Story By Yuin, Art By mini

Doctor Elise: The Royal Lady with the Lamp is a villainess isekai series that's not short of wholesome. Dr. Song, the youngest professor at the College of Medicine in Korea, used to be a princess in her past life and remembers everything about her bratty self.

As she is about to drown in an ocean, she awakens as her past self: Princess Elise. Now that she has reincarnated with a vast knowledge of medicine, she hopes to mend her relationships and her country before it can collapse as it did before. With an interesting story, lovable characters, and plenty of heart-stopping romance, it's a great isekai manhwa for those who love a good love story.

7 Why Raeliana Ended Up At The Duke's Mansion (2017 - 2021)

Story By Milcha, Art By Gorae

Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke's Mansion is probably one of the most popular romance isekai manhwa out there. The story follows a young woman who reincarnates into Raeliana McMillan, a character from a fantasy novel destined to die at the hands of her fiancé.

Not wishing to die a sad death, Raeliana steals the heroine's part and acts as the male protagonist's fiancée for six months. But when Duke Noah Wynknight turns out to be a cold-hearted man who wears two masks to hide his personality, she begins to wonder if this was the best idea.

6 Adelaide (2017 - 2019)

Story By Habin Chae, Art By Suho Lee

Adelaide is a fantasy isekai manhwa, following the adventures of a girl who reincarnates into the daughter of a nobleman. Now living a mundane and boring new life, Adelaide longs for excitement before she's married off. After hearing news about a dimensional traveler, she meets the newcomer herself.

After a chance encounter, Adelaide makes a deal with a mysterious stranger, posing as his fiancée. Though this setup is supposed to be temporary and no feelings are involved, the two soon find it hard not to develop a true relationship over time.

5 Who Made Me A Princess (2017 - 2018)

Story By Plutus, Art By Spoon

Who Made Me a Princess follows the story of a modern-day woman who wakes up one day in the body of Athanasia de Alger Obelia, a secondary character from a fairy tale story and the unloved daughter of a cruel Emperor. Knowing what terrible fate now awaits her, Athanasia does whatever it takes to save herself — even if it means trying to get on her father's good side.

Though the series is a rather cliché premise, fans can't help but love Who Made Me a Princess. With its stunning art, well-written fantasy setting, and charming romantic subplot, it's easily one of the most popular reincarnation isekai manhwa out there.

4 Daughter Of The Emperor (2015 - 2022)

Story By Yunsul, Art By Rino

Daughter of the Emperor is yet another isekai series featuring a young girl who reincarnates into the daughter of a cruel and heartless Emperor. When a twenty-seven-year-old woman dies in an unfortunate accident, she is reborn as Ariadna Lereg Ilestri Pre Agrigent, the only daughter of the tyrant King.

Though this new world's Emperor is said to be a coldhearted ruler, he seems to have a soft spot for his cute daughter. The series follows Ariadna's adventures as she grows up under the watchful eye of her father and finds love for the first time.

3 I Belong To House Castielo (2018 - 2022)

Story By Siya, Art By Cotton

I Belong to House Casteilo is the story of an unfortunate young girl who gets a second chance at life. At only eleven years of age, Estelle has been sold off by her mother. As she thinks about what will happen to her, she is adopted by the only duke in the empire, Ein Castielo. As it turns out, he's her blood-related father.

While Estelle is the rightful daughter of the blood-red-eyed emperor, others don't truly think so. This exciting fantasy isekai follows Estelle as she fights to prove her worth as a part of House Castielo, grows into a beautiful young woman, and even finds true love.

2 Empress Of Another World (2015 - 2018)

Story By Young-You Lee, Art By Seorim Lim

While many romance isekai have a reincarnation twist to them, Empress of Another World is one of the few straightforward isekai stories. This manhwa series follows the adventures of a high school student named Sabina, who gets transported to a new world due to a freak accident. Now trapped in an unfamiliar realm, Sabina is forced to become a concubine of the ugly old Emperor.

It looks as though Sabina's life is over, until, in a twist of fate, the Emperor suddenly dies. With him out of the picture, Sabina becomes a candidate for the throne. Using her feminine charms, she attracts a slew of men longing to rule by her side.

1 The Abandoned Empress (2017 - 2021)

Story By Yuna Jeong, Art By iNA

The Abandoned Empress is a time travel isekai series, following the tragic life of Aristia La Monique. Aristia was raised to become the next empress of the Castina Empire by her aristocratic upbringing as the daughter of House Monique. However, her life falls apart when a mysterious girl appears, and she dies a miserable death.

Aristia gains a second chance when she is reincarnated seven years in the past and plans to change her life, so her death does not occur. Armed with knowledge of the future, she changes the events of history, and even changes the hearts of those around her.