From the Car to the Web: What’s up with Webtoons?
By Avani Sethi and Anya Patri
A recent worldwide trend in media is the popularization of Asian forms of media, including K-pop and K-dramas, as well as the creation of Webtoons. Originating from South Korea, webtoons, also known as “manhwa” in Korea, are digital cartoons usually read on smartphones. They are digitally accessible and can be easily translated into many different languages, broadening their market to worldwide audiences. And, best of all, they’re free. All you need to access webtoons is Wi-Fi access.
The biggest and most used app for webtoons is WEBTOON, as many of its online comics have actually been converted into very well-rated K-dramas and other forms of media. Some examples include: My Roommate is a Gumiho, Sweet Home, True Beauty, and Extraordinary You. If this is your first time hearing about webtoons but you loved reading cartoons as a kid, here are some recommendations to get you started. You got lucky, since all kinds of genres from comedic to romantic to horror webtoons are available to read. Some artists even make adaptation webtoons based off their favorite childhood comics like Archie Comics: Big Ethel Energy, a drama spin-off about Ethel Muggs from original Archie Comics.
Here are some of the top recommendations for different genres available on WEBTOON:
Comedy:
Rooftops and Roommates
This webtoon follows a college student named Jeb who navigates through life on his campus while hiding his secret identity—he’s actually a gargoyle! It’s full of hilarious misadventures, studying, and close calls, which makes a super funny, entertaining story.
Horror:
Sweet Home
This webtoon follows a high-school boy who leaves home after a tragedy but then has to face the horrors of a new unfortunate reality while trapped in an apartment complex. Monsters around him are trying to wipe out humanity! It is a great read if you like grotesque art and dark, complex storyline, which has been turned into a Netflix Original show.
Thriller:
My Deepest Secret
This immersive webtoon delves into the mysterious life of a shy barista named Emma and the strange occurrences that happen around her and in her relationship with her sweet but mysterious boyfriend. Unfortunately, she’s keeping a very big secret from him and her friends. If you love plot twists, suspense, and complicated character motivations, you should definitely check this one out.
Supernatural:
UnHoly Blood
Unholy Blood revolves around Hayan, a young girl whose only desire to have a normal life gets ruined by vampires taking over the world. To protect humanity, Hayan risks her safety to rid the world of the vampires and get her revenge with the help of a young police officer she grows close to. If you love vampires and urban legends, you should take a look at UnHoly Blood, a webtoon that features an exceptionally strong vampire, merciless hunters, and a thrilling storyline filled with suspense.
Romance:
True Beauty
True beauty is a popular Korean romance webtoon about a girl named Jugyeong’s journey of self acceptance and love through make-up. After being bullied for her looks by her family, classmates, and teachers, Jugyeong decides to binge-watch beauty videos and master make-up. She goes from shy and overlooked to the prettiest girl in school. The problem: a cute boy knows her secret. Will he keep it or will she have to deal with heartbreak and bullying again? If you like romantic comedies, love triangles, and a lot of unrequited feelings, this is definitely a webtoon for you.
Action:
Omniscient Reader
Based on an online novel of the same name, this webtoon details what happens when the contents of a book become reality. It has intense plotlines, compelling characters, and action-packed episodes, and if you have ever wished you could live in your favorite book, this is a great series to read.
Sci-fi:
Rebirth
Rebirth follows a boy who turns back time to before an apocalypse kills those he holds dear. He tries to save the world while avoiding death and the constant threat of the butterfly effect. If you like puzzling sci-fi, this is a great webtoon to start off with.
Fantasy:
The Remarried Empress
This webtoon tells the story of the remarriage of the Empress Navier, a perfect empress, after the Emperor takes a mistress and requests a divorce. To keep her title and aspirations, she decides to remarry to a certain foreign mysterious now-King. It has a royal feud, convoluted political schemes, and forbidden romance, making it a great read if you enjoy in depth worldbuilding and the romance fantasy genre.
Sources: