I picked out five new-ish Webtoons I discovered in the last months that either completely hooked me from the start, like “Your Ryan”, or bring something new and fresh to the table. Although some of them have been running for quite a while, there’s a chance you haven’t discovered them yet, so check them out.
My May 2026 Romance Webtoon Picks – overview
- If you want a classic historical with strong execution and a badass female lead, read “Dare I Hope.”
- If you want a messy, brain-off romance that still gives you butterflies, read “My Meddler in Love.”
- If you’re in the mood for a reverse harem with gorgeous art and good pacing, read “Four Options.”
- If you want a fresh dynamic in a lighthearted read, go for “The Queen and Court Jester.”
- If you’re into hidden identity romance, read “Your Ryan.”
Dare I Hope
Summary: To protect her family, Eleanor Snow strikes a deal with the tyrant emperor – rumored to have killed all his previous wives – by offering herself as Empress. Turns out he’s not a tyrant at all. And Eleanor? Everyone knows she’s a warrior, but no one knows she’s also an OP mage.
The premise isn’t new, but the execution makes all the difference. The FL has a scar on her face (refreshing in a sea of perfect faces), the romance gets to the badump moments quickly, and best of all: she’s the one constantly saving the ML, not the other way around.
You should read “Dare I Hope” if you:
- Are in the mood for a historical romance without regression or reincarnation
- Love a badass FL who’s mentally and physically strong, with secret OP magic
- Like it when the FL is the one who saves the ML for a change
Your Ryan
Summary: A historical romance with no regression or isekai. The ML hides his true identity, while the FL is a huge fan of who he really is. Watch her defend him in front of crowds without knowing he’s standing right next to her.
“Your Ryan” feels like a breath of fresh air. The chemistry is fantastic and you can feel them growing fonder of each other with every chapter. Also: the FL draws naked men in her free time. That tells you everything about her personality. Bridgerton vibes guaranteed.
You should read “Your Ryan” if you:
- Love the hidden identity trope, especially when one protagonist is drawn to the real person behind it
- Love a fun, lighthearted historical without isekai or regression
- Like a bold, hilarious FL with her own way of doing things
Four Options
Summary: A reverse harem high school romance where Yoonha – smart, beautiful, fiercely independent – finds herself surrounded by four very different love interests: the golden retriever best friend, the teasing bad boy, the mysterious perfect classmate, and a fourth one yet to be revealed.
Even if the romance ends up being a disaster, I’d recommend “Four Options” for the art and storytelling alone. The art looks like a mix of old American comic books and modern Korean style – fresh and gorgeous. And while I usually hate multiple love interests, every character here brings such a different angle that it never really bothers me.
You should read “Four Options” if you:
- Are in desperate need of a fresh romance manhwa – art- and story-wise
- Love a strong, confident FL who still has her flaws
- Like not knowing who the ML is
- Love a high school romance with actual high school struggles
The Queen and Court Jester
Summary: “The Queen and Court Jester” has a historical setting and is all about court and politics – but it feels completely different, because everyone (especially the queen) behaves so casually. Instead of “your royal highness” everywhere, it’s more like “where’s the booze I can drink?”. And on top of that, the love interest is the court jester himself. He was gifted from another country to smooth the way for his bro… uuh, king.
You should read “The Queen and Court Jester” if you:
- Want to read about a truly unique dynamic you haven’t seen before: queen × jester
- Love a historical romance that’s charming and feels human. The court feels believable and not just a bunch of shady gossipers thrown in to move the plot along. Have you ever seen a queen who hugs? Me neither.
- Don’t mind when scenes that call for a more serious tone end up feeling a bit silly (for example, when an intruder breaks in). It does take away from the depth a little.
My Meddler in Love
Summary: “My Meddler in Love” is extremely messy, but somehow it works really well. I’ve already gotten butterflies on several occasions, and it has that “he falls first, he falls harder” dynamic. But to give you the plot too: Jiyu has been with her boyfriend for three months, but there’s a catch – he doesn’t seem all that interested in her and constantly prioritizes his female best friend. One day, Jiyu decides she wants to get back at him and starts getting closer to her former crush. It gives of Selfish Romance vibes.
You should read “My Meddler in Love” if you:
- Are not in the mood for a mature story. This is a messy college romance with a lack of communication, an AI that gives the FL tips (and is actually the ML sometimes), and weird relationship dynamics
- Want to feel butterflies, because the way Hyeon (the ML) flirts is somehow really fun
- Don’t mind that the FL stays close to her boyfriend for a while
