Manhwa is the Korean word for comics. Today it usually refers to South Korean digital comics, most often published as full-colour webtoons that you read by scrolling down a single long strip on your phone. Unlike Japanese manga, manhwa reads left to right in print and top to bottom online.
If you have only read manga so far, manhwa can feel familiar and new at the same time. This guide covers what makes it different, where the webtoon format came from and how to pick your first series on MyReadingManga, our free comics library.
Key Takeaways
- Manhwa means “comics” in Korean and shares a root with the Japanese word manga and the Chinese word manhua.
- Most modern manhwa are webtoons: vertical, full colour and designed for smartphones.
- Print manhwa reads left to right, the opposite of traditional Japanese manga.
- Fantasy, action, romance and regression stories dominate, and many have become TV dramas.
Where the Word Manhwa Comes From
Manhwa, manga and manhua all come from the same Chinese characters, roughly meaning “impromptu” or “casual” pictures. Each language pronounces them differently, and each country’s comics developed their own styles, publishing habits and reader expectations.
For decades, Korean comics were printed in magazines and books, much like Japanese manga. Rental comic shops were a common way to read them. The big shift came with the internet, which turned manhwa into something you read on a screen rather than on paper.
The Rise of the Webtoon
The webtoon is the format most people now picture when they hear “manhwa”. The Victoria and Albert Museum’s brief history of webtoons describes it as a type of digital comic that originated in South Korea and is read vertically by scrolling on a computer or smartphone. Episodes are short, so a chapter often fits into a coffee break.
Smartphones made the format take off. A feature published in the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s KOREA webzine points out that vertical scrolling can be done with one hand and does not require zooming, even on a small screen. That convenience is a big part of why webtoons spread far beyond Korea.
What Reading a Webtoon Feels Like
- One long strip. There are no page turns; panels flow downward.
- Space as timing. Gaps between panels create pauses, suspense or punchlines.
- Full colour. Most webtoons are coloured, unlike the black-and-white pages of most manga.
- Short episodes. Weekly instalments are designed to be read in a few minutes.
Manhwa vs Manga at a Glance
| Feature | Manhwa (Korea) | Manga (Japan) |
|---|---|---|
| Main format today | Digital webtoon, vertical scroll | Magazine chapters and printed volumes |
| Reading direction | Top to bottom online; left to right in print | Right to left |
| Colour | Usually full colour | Usually black and white |
| Release rhythm | Weekly episodes, often in seasons | Weekly or monthly chapters |
| Common genres | Fantasy, regression, hunters, romance fantasy, murim | Shonen action, seinen, shojo, slice of life and more |
For a deeper side-by-side that includes Chinese comics too, read our comparison of manga vs manhwa vs manhua.
Popular Manhwa Genres
Manhwa covers every genre, and you will find plenty of variety on MyReadingManga, but a few have become signatures of the format:
- Action fantasy – hunters, dungeons and monster gates appearing in modern cities.
- Regression and reincarnation – a hero gets a second chance with knowledge of the future.
- Murim – martial arts worlds of sects, clans and secret techniques.
- Romance fantasy – noble heroines, palace intrigue and second chances.
- Drama and thriller – grounded stories about school, work and revenge.
Each of these has its own tropes and vocabulary. Our guide to manhwa genres from murim to regression explains them in detail.
From Webtoon to Screen
Manhwa is also a major source for television. The KOREA webzine feature notes that streaming services have produced hit TV shows based on webtoons. For readers, that means the original comic is often the best way to get the full story, or to continue it after a season ends.
How to Start Reading Manhwa
Getting started is easy, especially if you already read manga. Follow these steps:
- Pick a genre you already enjoy. Fantasy fans have the widest choice.
- Start with a well-known series. Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint is a strong first pick: its hero is the only reader of a web novel that suddenly becomes reality, so he knows what happens next.
- Read in short sessions. Scrolling episodes are quick, and it is easy to binge more than you planned.
- Adjust your screen. Portrait orientation and moderate brightness make long strips comfortable.
On MyReadingManga, manhwa chapters scroll smoothly from top to bottom, just as the format intends. Browse more introductions and recommendations in our manhwa section, and if you are curious about China’s equivalent, the manhua guides are a natural next step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is manhwa the same as a webtoon?
Not exactly. Manhwa is the general Korean word for comics, including printed ones. A webtoon is a specific digital format of vertical, scrolling comics that originated in South Korea. Most new manhwa are published as webtoons today, which is why many readers use the two words interchangeably in everyday conversation.
Which way do you read manhwa?
Online manhwa are read from top to bottom by scrolling down a single long strip. Printed manhwa are read left to right, like most Western books. This is different from traditional Japanese manga, which reads right to left. If you are switching from manga, the scrolling format usually feels natural within a few minutes.
Why are most manhwa in colour?
Webtoons were designed for screens from the start, so there was no printing cost holding colour back. Full colour also suits the vertical format, where mood and lighting help guide readers through the scroll. Manga, by contrast, grew up in print magazines where black-and-white pages kept production fast and affordable.
What is a good first manhwa for manga readers?
Choose a series in a genre you already enjoy in manga. Action and fantasy readers often start with Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint, which mixes survival, strategy and a clever premise. If you prefer romance or drama, try a romance fantasy or a grounded school story. Reading a few episodes will quickly show you what suits you.
