Childhood friends-to-lovers is one of the best tropes when it’s done right. For me, it has to include a main couple who were genuinely close as kids and, ideally, stayed in touch – only to realize their feelings later. Many lists out there, especially on Reddit, often include titles like I Shall Master This Family, which I didn’t add here because, while the leads technically meet as children, it doesn’t truly fit the trope. These 13 Manhwa recommendations perfectly capture that slow, nostalgic shift from friendship to love – and I promise, they’ll scratch that childhood friends-to-lovers itch.
14. Just the Male lead’s friend
Summary: Dahlia is destined to fall for Rudrik, only to be discarded and killed afterward. Determined to avoid that fate, she vows to stay by his side as a friend and keep out of his love life entirely. Of course, things don’t go quite as planned. In this story, they meet as children, but their childhood-friend dynamic remains at the heart of the plot. And they don’t stay children for most of the story.
You should read if you:
- Don’t mind when the FL has a crush on someone else, or at least tries to search for another romantic partner while the ML clearly has feelings for her
- Like when a story delivers an unexpected plot twist at the end (I just wish it had been explored a bit more)
- Love when the author takes their time and focuses on meaningful dialogue and the characters’ emotions. I also quite like Dahlia’s take on trauma.
13. I Don’t Want To Play Matchmaker – you get to see how they become friends
Summary: Normally, I’m not a big fan of reverse harem romances – but this one is the exception. It’s such a fun, well-written story that quickly earned a spot among my all-time favorites. To give you a quick summary: according to the original novel, Shuryna is destined to live in the shadow of her best friend Hestia and deal with the four red flags who are in love with her. True to the title, she refuses to play matchmaker and instead focuses on her own goals. Of course, the fact that all the male leads end up falling for her anyway makes it all the more enjoyable for the readers. It doesn’t fit the trope perfectly, but to some degree. And because it is such a great read, I included it. I Don’t Want To Play Matchmaker is also one of the best Romance Comedy Manhwa out there.
You should read if you:
- Love reading a romance manhwa with a strong FL – not just physically strong, but someone whose presence gives strength to everyone around her. It’s beautiful to read
- Like when a story gives you all the feels. The first seasons are absolutely hilarious and will make you laugh out loud, while season 3 will have you in tears
- Love it, when a Romance Story focuses on friendship first
12. Author Of My Own Destiny
Summary: Our FL gets reincarnated as Fiona Green, the villainess. As these stories go, she’s destined to die at the hands of the male lead, Siegren. Author of My Own Destiny is a romance manhwa with beautiful art and some genuinely sweet moments between Fiona and her adoptive father. However, the romance between the leads falls a bit flat for my taste. It’s not a bad read, but it’s not a great one either. It is also a story where they meet as children and we see the process of them befriending each other.
You should read if you:
- Don’t mind when the FL’s indecisiveness robs you, as the reader, of the joy of seeing them finally get together. She changes everything about the original story yet still expects the ML to fall for the original heroine
- Love a sweet father–daughter relationship and a strong female lead
- Don’t mind an amnesia plot and a bit of wasted potential – the whole “darkness” subplot definitely could’ve been more fleshed out
11. From BFF to Obsessive Hubby – a historical childhood friends-to-lovers Manhwa
Summary: Isabelle always dreamed of true love and a happily ever after, but reality hits hard when she’s supposed to be sold to Duke Cardiego – a man known for murdering his potential brides. Her only escape is to marry someone else fast, and her best friend Lix seems like the perfect option. She insists it’s just a marriage of convenience, but Lix quickly proves he doesn’t see her as just a friend.
You should read if you:
- Like reading a classic childhood friends-to-lovers manhwa set in a historical world. Most stories start with the characters as children, which doesn’t always capture the usual charm of the trope – but this one definitely does
- Don’t mind when the ML is sweet and caring in front of the FL but shows a completely different side to everyone else – he’s pretty manipulative, but not a yandere
- Love reading a cute story where the FL has some hidden powers
10. I hold the Tyrant’s Heart
Summary: I Hold the Tyrant’s Heart isn’t your typical childhood friends-to-lovers manhwa where the leads stay close and realize their feelings later on. It has the familiar setup of a historical romance manhwa, but the twist is that the ML, Tes – now the emperor – has been obsessed with Eucenielle since they were children. What makes this story stand out is that the FL actively tries to return to her own world instead of falling for him right away.
You should read it if you:
- Love when the ML cries a lot around the FL but is completely obsessive
- Like it when the FL has a supportive family for a change
- Love reading a Romance Manhwa with a Yandere ML
9. After School Lessons for Unripe Apples
Summary: Mi-ae and Cheol have known each other since they were very young, as their families used to go on vacations together. After spending years apart, they reunite as neighbors. Now attending the same school, Mi-ae is determined to befriend Cheol at all costs. But with his nickname being “Lucifer,” that’s not going to be easy.
You should read if you:
- Love a good slice-of-life story. At this point (150+ chapters), I wouldn’t even call it a romance even though the leads have already shared an awkward kiss. It’s first and –foremost a story about teenage friendships and everyday struggles
- Don’t mind when they constantly scream at each other. Some chapters it feels like all they do is scream
- Love when the author (it’s Soonkki from Cheese in the trap) takes their time with the writing to really immerse you into the story. We get flashbacks, different perspectives and dialogue that feels real
8. No Office Romance
Summary: Yunji and Saebom were each other’s first love – until life pulled them apart for ten years. Now reunited as coworkers, they agree to keep things friendly and professional. But old feelings don’t fade that easily, and something unspoken still lingers between them. Watching them fumble to keep even their friendship under wraps at the office makes it all the more entertaining. If you want more Office Romance Manhwa recommendations, check out my list.
You should read if you:
- Don’t mind the occasional flashback of side characters that might interrupt the flow – the storytelling takes a moment to get used to
- Don’t mind a love triangle. If you want to read Romance Manhwa without love triangles, I have good recommendations for you
- Love stories with great humor and genuinely funny moments (it’s by the same author as Romance 101)
7. See you in my 19th life
Summary: Jieum Ban, the protagonist, has a rare ability: she remembers all her past lives. In her previous one, she met Seoha, a bratty boy she surprisingly got along with. Sadly, that life ended too soon, but thanks to her gift, she now tries to reconnect with him. While this is a childhood friends-to-lovers manhwa, it doesn’t follow the trope in the usual way. They do meet as children and share a deep bond, but since the FL is reincarnated, it’s a little more complicated – so keep that in mind. For more Modern Romance Manhwa recommendations, check out my list.
You should check it out if you:
- Like reading a story with the very good flow (there is drama, but it’s not unrealistic or overloaded)
- Love feeling all the feels
- Like it when the FL is assertive, and the ML is on the receiving end
6. Degree of Love
Summary: This has twelve million views on Webtoon but I still think it’s underrated. Yejin and Hyeon are childhood friends that share a special bond because they both grew up in a very poor district. Yejin is diligently studying to support her parent through her academic success. And Hyeon is a Taekwondo athlete on a national level, who secretly has feelings for his childhood friend who rescued him.
Read this childhood friends to lovers Manhwa if you:
- Love reading about a relationship that feels genuine and real, with struggles and all
- Like when the guy falls first and is completely obsessed with the FL
- Love reading a story where the characters are all very unique, especially the FL. She has an interesting character design, is not drawn conventionally attractive, and is loved by everyone because of her kind and straightforward personality. That is really refreshing
5. Maybe Meant To Be
Summary: Jia and Mincheol are a match made in heaven – they just don’t realize it at first. As childhood friends, they decide to get married to solve a mutual problem: no more nagging from their parents. What starts as a practical arrangement slowly turns into something real, as the story follows their unexpected romance, daily struggles, and all the adorably dorky moments in between.
You should read if you:
- Don’t mind when the female lead isn’t entirely honest and constantly teases or “plays” with the male lead (it’s hard to explain without spoilers)
- Love modern romance manhwa with a different vibe – the protagonists are refreshingly unusual (Jia is unemployed and tomboyish, while Mincheol is a straightforward, no-nonsense fitness guy)
- Enjoy the classic fake marriage trope
4. Our Secret Alliance
Summary: The male lead is the ultimate green flag – supportive without ever feeling forced or weak. The female lead is equally bright and kind, always looking out for those around her. What stands out most is the perfect pacing and the realistic portrayal of emotions and relationships. In short, it’s about two childhood friends who drifted apart and slowly find their way back to each other in high school. Our Secret Alliance is one of the best completed Romance Manhwa out there.
You should check it out if you:
- Want realistic drama that still feels relatable
- Love that butterflies-in-your-stomach feeling – this story nails the tension, not just between the main couple
- Appreciate unique art and a cast full of genuinely lovable characters
3. My fake Crush
Summary: Rai and her childhood friend Dogyeong have always been inseparable – so much so that he treats her more like a little sister than anything else. The problem? Rai has secretly had a crush on him for years. To hide her feelings, she pretends to be an obsessive fan of the K-pop group DIMPLE, especially of her “ultimate bias,” Neulchan. But when Neulchan suddenly transfers to her school, things take a hilarious turn. This hidden gem perfectly captures the childhood friends-to-lovers trope, while adding a chaotic and fun twist.
You should read if you:
- Love it when the second male lead acts more like a wingman than a love rival
- Enjoy it when the FL is completely chaotic in her attempts to hide her secret
- Don’t mind a main lead who’s adorably (and sometimes frustratingly) dense
2. Childhood Friend Complex
Summary: Ha-neul and Mincheol are childhood friends with a playful, teasing dynamic. They’re completely comfortable around each other – until Ha-neul accidentally catches Mincheol touching himself. That moment sparks her curiosity, and their relationship slowly starts to shift.
You should read if you:
- Don’t mind mature content. I usually don’t include mature manhwa in these lists, but Childhood Friend Complex is an exception – it’s such a fun read. The tension and chemistry between the main characters are fantastic, and it’ll have you grinning from ear to ear. It’s available on Webtoon and doesn’t feature explicit scenes, though it’s definitely on the spicier side
- Like it when the main characters get together quickly – this is the opposite of a slow burn
- Don’t mind some unnecessary drama that keeps the couple apart. With the foreshadowing at the end of season one, season two will likely lean into that, unfortunately
1. Something About Us
Summary: Han Woojin and Doh Gahoyung are best friends who click so well that everyone around them keeps asking if they’re secretly together. For them, romance was never on the table – until Woojin returns from military service, and suddenly there’s that little badump.
There is no better childhood friends-to-lovers Manhwa out there in my opinion. Check out my review if you want to know more about it: Something About Us Review.
You should read if you:
- Like reading a Manhwa with great pacing and calm storytelling
- Love reading a story where best friends become lovers
- Like it when storytelling emphasizes feelings rather than unrealistic plot points
