A manhwa is the South Korean version of a Japanese manga. They have a different art style and implement storytelling, culture, and history unique to the country. As a result, a manhwa can feel like a breath of fresh air to manga fans. Manhwa stories are often different than what one might find in manga, and many of them explore mature themes and focus on adult-based narratives.

Manhwa authors aren't afraid to cast strong female leads, something that manga often struggle with. It's one of the many things that help separate it from its Japanese counterpart. That said, there are only a few brilliant examples of romance manhwa with badass female leads.

Updated by Hannah Grimes on October 30, 2023: Manhwas don't receive as much attention as their manga counterparts, making it difficult for fans to find potential gems. Manhwas are packed with strong female leads, compelling characters and intriguing mysteries, so we've updated this list to include a few more recommendations.

20 An Assassin Is Born In Mesmerizing Ghost Doctor

Mesmerizing Ghost Doctor, ran from 2017-present

Mesmerizing Ghost Doctor isn't a typical power fantasy. There is no male with rippling muscles winning every fight and, as a result, every woman's heart. Instead, the manhwa follows a skilled assassin reborn into the body of a disfigured girl.

The fact that a female is in the lead lends a breath of fresh air to what could have been a stereotypical story of revenge. Those looking for combat won't be disappointed either, as the heroine is more than a little ruthless to her foes, at times killing entire families to exact her revenge.

19 Oh! Holy Twists The Typical Shy Boy-Popular Girl Love Cliché

Oh! Holy, ran from 2015-2018

Oh! Holy is a manhwa that doesn't try to break new ground. It follows the clichéd story of the shy loner boy falling in love with the most popular girl in school but with some delicious character development. The narrative is also filled with several incredible paranormal twists.

In fact, the premise isn't what makes Oh! Holy so great — it's the characters. The chemistry between Jamie and Holy is perfect; both of them feel like real people rather than cardboard cutouts. Jamie is adorable as the shy boy, and Holy is one of the funnier female leads in manhwa history.

18 Girls Of The Wild's Takes Place In An All-Girls' Martial Arts School

Girls of the Wild's, ran from 2011-2016

Girls of the Wild's focuses on Jaegu Song, who enrolls at an all-girls school renowned for their prowess in martial arts. Another important character is Ingui Yoon, the aloof queen who rules the school with an iron fist. Their relationship drives most of the story, and Ingui is far from some damsel in distress.

On the other hand, she's a strong female lead who gets to show off her physical prowess on more than one occasion. The same can be said for many of the predominantly female cast of characters. That said, Jaegu's male presence helps bolster the overarching plot of Girls of the Wild's.

17 Delivery Knight Puts Its Own Spin On Death Stranding

Delivery Knight, ran from 2017-present

The premise of Delivery Knight is similar to Death Stranding, a popular videogame developed by Hideo Kojima. Both stories revolve around the few people willing to brave the devastation that's spread across the globe.

In the manhwa, pollution has ravaged most of the world, leaving it up to the titular delivery knights to bring packages to people. It may not sound like the most exciting concept, but the story works well and touches on some very dark subject matter. Sawol is an excellent lead character, as well.

16 Kubera Is A Normal Girl In A World Of Magic

Kubera, ran from 2010-present

Those looking for an action-packed series that moves at a brisk pace won't find much to enjoy in Kubera. This manhwa takes its time to tell its story, often stretching the patience of its reader. Everything is a slow burn, from character development to the relationships that blossom throughout the narrative.

However, this casual pacing is exactly what makes those moments more meaningful. The eponymous Kubera is an ordinary woman who gets dragged into a world of magic and gods, where she proves herself as an incredible strong female lead character. The lore itself is intensive, and the world almost feels alive.

15 An Antagonist Lead Fights For Her Life In Survive As The Hero's Wife

Survive As The Hero's Wife, ran from 2018-2021

In Survive as the Hero's Wife, Canaria is a young woman reincarnated as a fictional hero's wife — the twist is that she is also the antagonist of the series. In an even bigger twist, she's headed for the chopping block almost as soon as the story begins.

Canaria has to find a way to keep herself safe while simultaneously falling in love with her husband. With the threat of execution always looming over her, Canaria must win over her husband and face her fears. It is an interesting variation of the isekai formula.

14 Two Top Players Fight To Create A Better End In Ending Maker

Ending Maker, ran from 2022-present

Ending Maker stars the two best players in a game called Legend of Heroes 2, Cordelia and Jude. One fateful day, they wake up inside the game world and realize the only way to escape is to create a better ending where Legend of Heroes 2's universe isn't destroyed at the end.

Even though Cordelia plays a mage and Jude is a martial-arts type, the female lead's actually the one with combat prowess, which is a refreshing change of pace. Ending Maker's art is gorgeous, and the two leads have a lot of chemistry.

13 Giselle Takes Back Her Life In The Blood Of Madam Giselle

The Blood Of Madam Giselle, ran from 2019-2022

The Blood of Madam Giselle is a story about a woman stuck in an abusive marriage. Despite the situation, she maintains her strong spirit and disobeys her husband's orders, leading her to find a young boy who can change her life.

Although derided and despised as a horrible monster, this mysterious child actually turns out to be a vampire. The relationship with the immortal helps feed Giselle's spirit as she seeks to take control of her life. The heroine eventually regains her true potential and effects sweeping changes throughout her character arc.

12 The Sound Of Magic: Annarasumanara Rejects Tradition For Magic

The Sound of Magic: Annarasumanara, ran in 2014

In The Sound Of Magic: Annarasumanara, Yoon Ah-ee is a girl who has lived in poverty since she was young. Despite her miserable living conditions, this strong female lead is fascinated with the supernatural and dreams of learning how to do actual magic.

She rejects the idea that only college can give her a good life and locates a fabled magician. As fate would have it, Yoon finds the magician, and her future slowly starts to change. The Sound Of Magic: Annarasumanara has since been adapted into a Korean-language live-action series, earning widespread critical acclaim.

11 The Friendly Winter Sensitively Deals With Serious Disabilities

The Friendly Winter, ran from 2011-2013

The Friendly Winter is a heartwarming tale of a young girl living with a disability. Da-Jeong Han never finished growing, and her body appears to be that of a small child. During a cold winter, she meets a seventeen-year-old boy with the mind of a child.

The two evolve and mature together, learning how to deal with their mutual disabilities as their friendship grows. This slice-of-life manhwa delves into some serious themes but consistently maintains its lighthearted voice and adorable character arcs.

10 Hayan's Normal Life Is Destroyed By Vampires In Unholy Blood

Unholy Blood, ran from 2020-2021

Unholy Blood follows orphan Park Hayan who just wants a normal life, but whose traumatic repressed memories along with the emergence of vampires prevent this. Hayan ends up targeted by an organization made up of the world's most powerful vampires, giving her no choice but to fight back.

Partnering up with a police force member with hidden secrets of his own, Hayan and Hwang work together to eradicate every vampire in existence while working through her past. Unholy Blood is a must-read, not just for vampire fans, but for its intriguing mystery and compelling characters.

9 A Good Day To Be A Dog Stars A Canine-Transforming Lead

A Good Day To Be A Dog, ran from 2017-2019

Hana is a teacher cursed with the ability to turn into a dog. She will transform whenever she kisses a man, so hiding this secret has become a top priority in her life until a drunken night with her crush. Unluckily for her, the man she kisses isn't all that fond of dogs.

The only way to fix her curse is to kiss him again, but she's terrified of him discovering her other form. Despite its title, Hana rarely has A Good Day To Be A Dog, but this is part and parcel of the story's charm. This webtoon has been adapted into an eponymous TV series, which began airing in October 2023.

8 Gabriel Is A Girl At A Dangerous All-Boys School In Savage Garden

Savage Garden, ran from 2008-2011

Gabriel is a young woman who was orphaned at a young age and, after a strange turn of events, ends up living as a boy at an elite all-boys school. Gabriel must do her best to blend in and live her new life without being found out, especially considering that the school turns out to be a highly dangerous place.

The manhwa focuses on the dark world of nobles and is filled with drama and romance. With a gripping story and gorgeous art, Savage Garden is a must-read. Further, the 18th-century British aesthetic works in favor of this popular story.

7 A Girl With A Broken Heart Is Reborn In What It Takes To Be A Villainess

What It Takes To Be A Villainess, ran from 2018-2021

Affected by a broken heart, Hwayoung ends up falling headfirst into a river before waking up as an infamous villainess. Now in the role of Altisee Kaylon, she has no choice but to lie, scheme and become just as cold-blooded as those around her to win a royal seat and protect her new family.

What It Takes To Be A Villainess is not just a story about lies, but romance as well, with a great buildup for those who enjoy the enemies-to-lovers trope. Min's art is beautiful and complements What It Takes To Be A Villainess' world, with almost one-hundred-and-fifty chapters plus an epilogue.

6 Knight Run Is Perfect For Action-Loving Shonen Fans

Knight Run, ran from 2009-2017

Manhwa fans looking for an action-based story should jump straight into Knight Run. The series revolves around Pray Meyer, the strongest knight with a history of beast slaying and complicated murders. Anne Meyer also plays a significant role as the story's overarching protagonist.

Pray is considered a threat to humanity and is a powerhouse that will remind readers of Shonen Jump heroes. The story is complex, and a lot of attention is given to Anne and Pray's relationship. Knight Run is filled with incredible concepts, ranging from sci-fi to fantasy.

5 Yurim Lee Senses Other People's Heavy Emotions In My Beautiful World

My Beautiful World, ran from 2013-2015

Yurim Lee is a young woman with the ability to perceive dark emotions in humans. In other words, she can see who is burdened by depression or morbid thoughts. The story opens with Yurim keeping her distance from other humans. However, it truly begins when she makes her first friend and grows as a person.

Yurim has a unique gift that she must learn to manage and use to her advantage. My Beautiful World doesn't sound very complex on the surface, but the narrative explores several themes that are rarely discussed in either manhwa or manga.

4 A Servant Hides Her True Identity To Stay Alive In Light And Shadow

Light And Shadow, ran from 2016-present

A peasant named Eli is crowned duke, and instead of marrying a noble like he expected, protagonist Edna marries him instead. She's a servant posing as a noble's illegitimate daughter, and her life's on the line if Eli finds out her secret.

At the time same, Edna believes Eli has secrets of his own, filling Light and Shadow's story with suspense and mystery. Both characters grow exponentially throughout the story, and Edna's competency with the sword is a core part of her character.

3 Raeliana Must Prevent Her Second Death In Why Raeliana Ended Up At The Duke's Mansion

Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke's Mansion, ran from 2017-2021

In Why Raeliana Ended up at the Duke's Mansion, Eunha was murdered by her husband and reincarnated into her favorite story as a side character that gets killed. Now this young woman must find a way to keep her new fiancé from killing her, all while outsmarting the cruel world she was reborn into.

Those who love the idea of isekai and complicated love stories would most certainly enjoy reading Why Raeliana Ended up at the Duke's Mansion. This webtoon recently received an anime adaptation, premiering in 2023.

2 Lena Ha Is Pulled Into Another World To Rescue It In Saver

Saver, ran from 2002-2010

Lena Ha is highly skilled at kumdo and is known for being a strong woman. In a twist of fate, she falls into another world and soon realizes that she must become its savior. This is the classic story of a chosen hero being pulled into another realm to rescue it from itself.

A great adventure series with a female hero, Saver is an easy recommendation for anyone looking for an accessible and engrossing manhwa. The story is set during the Middle Ages in Scotland, making it all the more difficult for Lena to adapt to her new surroundings.

1 Elise Redeems Herself While Avoiding A Horrible Fate In Doctor Elise

Doctor Elise, ran from 2017-2021

Previously the wife of an emperor whose greed and corruption caused her to lose both her loved ones and her own life, Song Jihyun is now a doctor who swears to save lives instead of ruin them. After being involved in a plane crash, she wakes up as Elise in her previous life, retaining her knowledge of medicine.

Now determined to be a great medic for her kingdom instead of being consumed by greed, Elise has to find a way to avoid her engagement to the emperor to avoid her previous fate. Doctor Elise is receiving an anime adaptation set to launch in early 2024.