Manhwa meaning „Comic“ in Korea in general often leads to jumbled definitions. On the net Manhwa, Manga, and Manhua are frequently used as synonyms, but Fans keep distinguishing them more and more. If you look closely the differences are pretty apparent. This article explores the definition of Manhwa and how you can identify if you are reading a Manhwa or not.
Manhwa meaning – the official translation
Manhwa 만화 is the commonly used term for Comics from South Korea in the Western world. In Korea the term Manhwa refers to Comics in general and therefore also includes Comics from Japan and China. The Korean term Hangkuk Manhwa 한국 만화 refers to specific Manhwa from Korean authors. In Korea, Manhwa make up around 36 % of all printed material.
Historical Context
Manhwa has a rich history dating back to the early 20th century, with its roots in political cartoons and satirical comics. During the 1960s and 70s, the industry saw significant growth, with popular titles like “The Dooly the Little Dinosaur” by Kim Soo-jung capturing the hearts of many. The 1990s and 2000s marked the digital transformation of Manhwa, leading to the rise of webtoons.
Cultural Significance of Manhwas
Manhwa often delves into themes such as family dynamics, social hierarchies, and personal growth, providing readers with a mirror of Korean society. Titles like “The Sound of Your Heart” by Jo Seok offer comedic takes on everyday life, while others like “Tower of God” by SIU explore complex fantasy worlds.
Popular Genres
- Romance: “What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim?” by Kim Myeongmi and Jeong Gyeong-yun
- Action: “The Breaker” by Jeon Geuk-jin and Park Jin-hwan
- Fantasy: “Noblesse” by Son Jeho and Lee Kwangsu
- Horror: “Bastard” by Carnby Kim and Youngchan Hwang
- Slice of Life: “Yumi’s Cells” by Donggeon Lee
Manhwa meaning: How do you identify a Manhwa?
If you want to make sure you are reading a Manhwa before you even start, you have several options. If the Manhwa is featured on Tappytoon, Webtoons, or Tapas you can check the name of the author. For example, the author’s name is Hongseul. Hong is a common Korean surname.
If it is something like Ko eun chae / Eongsseu (I Married the Male Lead’s Dad) you can be sure it is a Manhwa. Eun and Eon are common two-syllable elements in Korean names. So is Jae, Jung, Woo, Won, and so on.
You can check the characters as well, they often have typical Korean names:
Also if they call each other Noona (누나) or Oppa (오빠), which mean older sister or older brother you are reading a Manhwa. The term is also used outside of the family and depicts closeness.
Check the titles of the Manhwa
If the Manhwa isn’t licensed yet, you can look at the title page. Korean titles look like this: With (I Married the Male Lead’s Dad) 남주의 엄마가 되어버렸다 vs. 厨厨动人(Kitchen Goddess and the Assassin) you can see a significant difference. Hangul, the Korean alphabet consists of straight lines and circles, while you don’t find circles in the Japanese or Chinese Kanji at all. That is the easiest way to differentiate them. If you want to be 100% sure mangaupdates is a good source.
Identify cultural references
Now you have some stepping stones by which you can identify a Manhwa, but let’s say that you don’t find any of those in your webtoon… you still have one thing to look out for: tteokbokki – stir-fried spicy rice cakes.
Tteokbokk is very popular street food in Korea and is often sold in small street stalls or restaurants. So if they eat Tteokbokki you are probably reading a Manhwa.
Reading Platforms
For those new to Manhwa, platforms like Tappytoon, Webtoons, and Tapas offer a plethora of titles, ranging from free access to premium subscriptions. These platforms provide user-friendly interfaces and regular updates, ensuring readers always have something new to explore. Check out my list of platforms, where you can read Manhwa legally.
Read the mentioned Manhwas here:
The Lady and The Beast
Official summary on Tappytoon: “Following a life of bloodshed and heartbreak, the great Empress Martina is reborn as Astina, the genius daughter of a humble count. But her peaceful world is shattered when bankruptcy forces her father to marry her off to the dangerous Archduke Atalenta. All of high society knows him as “Terriod the Beast” because of a family curse that turned him into a wild monster. Luckily, even the deadly beast of Atalenta is no match for the former empress’s mighty sword.
Everyone is shocked when the new archduchess tames her husband all too easily and takes over as the family head. No one’s more surprised than Astina, however, when her casual kiss returns Terriod to his human form. Not only does he resemble her past life lover, but he has no memory of her from his wolf days. Despite these awkward circumstances, can the new power couple join hands to rule over the archduchy?” Check out this article for more Manhwa recommendations: Romance Manhwa with good (but different) art.
Positively Yours
Official summary on tapas: “To Hee-won’s dismay, the BFF she crushed on and her other BFF are now dating! Seriously bummed, Hee-won decides to go wild just one time, and find solace with a handsome stranger. A very satisfying one-night affair has now turned into more — she’s pregnant! Fate brings them together again, and now the regimented Doo-joon is determined to do the right thing and marry her. But they’re basically strangers! Except… their bodies have been very intimately acquainted. What’s this mother-to-be to do?”
I Married the Male Lead’s Dad
Official summary on tapas: “In my real life, I was happy fawning over Abel Louvremont, the main character of my favorite book ‘Persona.’ But after a fateful car accident, I woke up in ‘Persona,’ but when Abel is still a precious child. Now, as Aisha Heathcliff, I can fangirl adorable Abel up close, squee!! I’ll do anything I can to make sure he is taken care of and gets what he needs! And, somehow, that means I’m engaged to… his dad?!”.
To Love your Enemy shows college life in Korea
Official summary on Webtoons: “Having mastered the art of lying her way through life, Yeonhee Bae has vowed to leave her past behind and make a fresh start for herself by going to college at 24. But when she runs into someone who knows a secret from her past that could completely ruin her reputation, her hopes for a perfect life suddenly start to crumble. Amidst college gossip, crushes, and jealousy, can the two set aside their differences and embrace each other for who they really are?”
