Webtoon is both a mobile app and website that hosts a wide variety of webcomics in a down-scrolling format. Webtoon genres include romance, action, sci-fi, drama, and so on. Many of these toons have become super popular with adaptions into other mediums too. Tower of God gained its own anime series, Cheese in the Trap became a Korean TV drama, and Webtoon's top-rated toon, Lore Olympus, may soon be getting an animated series developed by the Jim Henson company.
Some of the popularity is attributed to the ability to scroll through pages, which allows for a more dynamic reading experience. For instance, dramatic surprises, horror jump-scares, and big beautiful romance panels often jolt readers out of their seats or make them say "aww" out loud. The writers and artists sometimes make their work even more compelling by adding music and gifs to make the Webtoon feel alive.
Updated August 24 by David Harth: Webtoon has quickly become a huge name in online comics and manga. The site, and its app, are home to many of the best stories out there. All of that quality free manga and comics can be a problem, though, as it's hard to know where to start. Luckily, there's a popular series tab, which gives readers the most popular series on the app, taking much of the guesswork out of finding stories.
15 Reveal Out!
Treasure Park, Hinahina Gray, and Caribo
Reveal Out!, by Treasure Park, Hinahina Gray, and Caribo, is the kind of story that everyone can relate to in some way or another. It follows Eeden, a young woman whose life isn't what she expected. Her art career is in the drain, she just got kicked out of her home, and to top it all off, she's never had a girlfriend. However, after meeting up with an old crush, she's suddenly transported back to being eighteen again.
Reveal Out! follows a character that most people can understand because they've been there at least once in their life. Getting a chance to go back in time and do things over again is an idea that has resonated with people for ages. Reveal Out! puts a new spin on an old idea, and does it remarkably well.
14 Heartstopper
Alice Oseman
Heartstopper is easily Webtoon's most successful comic. It's been adapted on Netflix and there are even physical copies for fans who want to own a piece of it. The story follows Charlie, an openly gay young man at an all-boys British boarding school, and his new friend Nick, a soft-spoken rugby player, as they learn the ropes of friendship and love.
Heartstopper struck a chord with readers from the beginning. Web comics have always been home to queer relationships, and the way that Heartstopper captures the relationship between Charlie and Nick make it special. Heartstopper is a romance comic for the 21st century and all the better for it.
13 I Think I Like You
YeenTrash
I Think I Like You is one of many slice of life comics on Webtoon. Of course, it does things a little differently. Leon and Sky's paths cross during a package delivery, and they become entwined. Was it all a coincidence? Fate? I Think I Like You digs into the mysteries at the center of every relationship, and mines that for romance and comedy.
Using animals as the character models takes a story that would be pretty standard for a rom-com, and makes into something special. I Think I Like You is a rising star on Webtoon, word of mouth and positive reviews buoying it along. It has a little something for everyone.
12 Boy Girlfriend
Pastaflavour
Boy Girlfriend feels a little bit like an old '80s sitcom, which is the charm of the whole thing. Keane has a crush on Hailey, but she thinks that he's immature. So, to show her otherwise, Onyx talks his best friend Keane, whom he's known since they were children, into dressing as his girlfriend, so he can show Hailey that he's a mature and loving partner.
Boy Girlfriend is a romantic comedy of errors like nothing else. This weekly comic has explored the relationship between Onyx and Keane and how it's changed, and the pitfalls of trying to be someone you're not for someone else. This one feels like it should be its own show, and more people need to check it out.
11 Nerd And Jock
Marko R
Nerd And Jock is hilarious. The comic follows the titular Nerd and Jock as they go about their day. It plays into the stereotypes at the center of the whole thing - Jock is all about sports, girls, and popularity while Nerd goes in more for books, games, and things of that nature - but is able to find comedy in the way both characters transcend who they are.
Nerd And Jock feels like a newspaper comic strip from another universe, where instead of playing broad stereotypes, it digs into the nuances of the characters and their relationships. It's a little Marko R understands how to make the jokes land not by mocking the characters, but mocking the identities that supposedly define them.
10 I'm The Queen In This Life
Themis
I’m the Queen in This Life is a royal time-travel comic that follows a young woman named Ariadne. Though she was loyal to her fiancé as he attempted to usurp the throne from his half-brother, Ariadne is soon double-crossed and murdered by her own sister who wants to be queen.
Ariadne later awakens as her seventeen-year-old self, vowing to make things different this time around. This tale of intrigue and drama is perfect for fans looking for a titillating read. Plus, Ariadne’s determination to succeed is infectious as she trudges through her new life – hoping for a way to make it better.
9 The Tyrant Wants To Be Good
Ramguel, KAKON
The Tyrant Wants to Be Good is a fantasy webtoon that follows Dorothea Millanaire. Tired of her pitiful existence, she becomes a brutish warrior who takes the crown by force. Yet, when she is eventually executed for her crimes, she is resurrected as a child.
Now that she has been given a second chance, Dorothea tries to do everything in her power to be on her best behavior – no matter the cost. Being angry and vengeful did not work in her first life, so she banks on gentility in her second. This webcomic is perfect for fans of fantasy and drama as Dorothea does her best to not become the tyrant she once was.
8 My In-Laws Are Obsessed With Me
Ieungu, Han Yoon seol
My In-Laws are Obsessed with Me is a Cinderella story gone wrong. When Pereshati Jahardt’s father passes away, he leaves her with his grand fortune. Sadly, her greedy stepmother and vicious lover conspire to kill her to gain her wealth. Sometime later, Pereshati is revived, but in the past before her murder.
Hoping to prevent her death and finding time to plot her revenge, she decides to marry the mysterious Therdeo Lapileon. In the process, she uncovers a dark secret. My In-Laws are Obsessed with Me is a tantalizing tale that will have readers scrolling the night away as they learn more about Pereshati’s resurrection and her plot for vengeance.
7 Operation: True Love
kkokkalee, Dledumb
Operation: True Love is a romance comic about the pratfalls of romance in high school. Su-ae Shim cannot seem to get her boyfriend to be more attentive, and she worries that she is not confident enough. Just when she is looking for answers, a sentient flip phone named Jellypop comes into her life.
With Jellypop’s guidance, Su-ae navigates her love life and begins to question whether Minu Kang is worth more of her time, or if his best friend Eunhyeok is her real heart’s desire. This quirky webtoon is perfect for fans of romance and drama and Su-ae discovers what she wants from love.
6 Maybe Meant To Be
honeyskein, damcho
Maybe Meant to Be is the story of Jia Han and Mincheol who find themselves in similar situations. Both single and both getting pressure from their parents, Jia flippantly jokes that they should just marry each other – a sentiment that Mincheol takes to heart.
Soon, the couple is married and on their honeymoon before Jia has time to register what happened. Their marriage may have been convenient, but as Jia and Mincheol spend more time together, sparks start to fly. This romantic comedy series is touching and hilarious as these two opposites find that they have more in common than they thought.
5 UnOrdinary
uru-chan
unOridnary by uru-chan is an ongoing series under the superhero genre on Webtoon and has been one of the most consistently popular toons on the app, always within the top five of Most Popular in All Genres. Everyone in John's school for the elite has superpowers (the norm of the unOrdinary world) — everyone except John. Those lacking in power are expected to keep a low profile. The story is like Gossip Girl meets My Hero Academia with the rich and elite, and an unhealthy class dynamic. It is up to John to survive his classmates while hiding a secret of his own.
4 The Remarried Empress
Alphatart, Sumpul
The Remarried Empress is a fairly new addition to the Webtoon roster, although it has been publishing comics since October 2019 on the Korean version of the app. This original fantasy with romance elements was created by writer Alphatart and artist Sumpul.
The story opens with Emperor Sovieshu divorcing his wife, Empress Navier, in favor of his mistress Rashta, and Navier asking for his permission to remarry after the divorce. The story then dives back in time to how this came to be, starting with Rashta coming to the palace and Navier finding that she is desired by many men—even if her husband is not one of them.
3 Marry My Husband
sungsojak, LICO
Marry My Husband is a tale of revenge centered around Jiwon. At thirty-seven years old, Jiwon is not only battling cancer but discovers that her husband is cheating on her with her best friend. She then meets a gruesome fate, only to be reincarnated as her younger self.
Feeling betrayed and ready for vengeance, Jiwon swears to rewrite her life and convince her best friend and her husband to get married instead. This heartbreaking story of love turning sour is sure to leave readers wanting more as Jiwon learns to be happy while making her former friend and husband miserable.
2 Down To Earth
Pookie Senpai
Down to Earth was created by Pookie Senpai and debuted on Webtoon in August 2020, after having previously been on Canvas and Discover. The story follows Kade, a young guy living a normal life until an alien girl crashes into his backyard. This adorably cute alien girl is called Zaida and she has special powers such as levitation and telepathy. Despite setting rules about not getting involved with one another, the two begin to develop feelings for each other.
1 Lore Olympus
Rachel Smythe
Lore Olympus was created by artist Rachel Smythe and joined the Webtoon roster in 2018. It quickly rose to popularity and has been undefeated ever since. This Webtoon is a retelling of the classic Greek mythology of Hades and Persephone. It is their love story from the moment they first meet and features a wide range of gods and goddesses.
Lore Olympus tackles a ton of modern-day issues and is wonderfully drawn. Each character is extremely unique, both in appearance and personality. The romance is also so genuine and wholesome, fans cannot help but love it.