28 Modern Romance Manhwa recommendations you need to read

Modern Romance Manhwa depict modern-day relationships – although there can be a hint of magic in them. Some of my modern Romance Manhwa recommendations are completed and every one of these will entertain you, without too much Drama or silly miscommunication and misunderstandings that get dragged out for too long – with some exceptions. I hope you like it!

Modern Romance Manhwa Top 1- 18

1. Eaternal Nocturnal

(c) WEBTOONS Entertainment Inc/instantmiso

Summary: The Manhwas FL is Eve, a young woman plagued by chronic insomnia. Her life changes when she encounters Dae, a mysterious dream eater who visits her in her sleep. Dae consumes dreams to sustain himself and finds himself unexpectedly drawn to Eve. Their relationship evolves from a symbiotic arrangement into a deeper connection.

Read this modern Romance Manhwa if you:

  • Love reading a story with approachable and realistic characters
  • Don’t mind when the ML keeps a pretty important secret from the FL
  • Like when the romance and also the plot are engaging and well-written

2. Iseop’s Romance

ⓒ NAVER WEBTOON Ltd./248/ Anna Kim

Summary: Mingyeong Kang, with her remarkable business savvy, quickly rose to become a senior manager at Korea’s top conglomerate, TK Group. Now, after 10 years, she faces a new challenge as the secretary to Iseop Tae, the company’s heir. Their history goes back to their first days at the company, where Mingyeong outshone Iseop, sparking a rivalry. Despite her overshadowing him professionally and hurting his pride, Iseop finds himself inexplicably drawn to Mingyeong.

Check it out if you:

  • like reading a Romance Manhwa from the perspective of a male lead – although the author switches to the FLs perspective sometimes.
  • if you like a secretary – boss relationship
  • love reading about an approachable CEO for a change – he is childish, pushy, and indecisive

3. See You in My 19th Life

(c) Lee Hey/Webtoons

Summary: Buckle up because with this story you’re in for a ride. Protagonist Jieum Ban has a special ability: she remembers all her past lives. In her previous life, she met Seoha, a bratty boy with whom she gets along great. Unfortunately, her life ends pretty early but thanks to her ability she tries to reconnect to Seoha. Read it on Webtoons.

You should check it out if you:

  • like reading a story with the perfect flow (there is drama but it’s not unrealistic and not overloaded)
  • love feeling all the feels
  • like it when the female lead is assertive, and the male lead is on the receiving end

4. Something about us – an old classic

(c) Lezhin / Lee Yunji

Summary: Han Woojin and Doh Gahoyung are best friends and they get together so well, that even their close friends ask repeatedly if they really aren’t together. Both of them didn’t even consider being in a romantic relationship until Woojin comes back from his military service and it all starts with a little badump. Check out my review if you want to know more about this Manhwa: 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 (is that considered a spoiler?)
  • like it when storytelling emphasizes feelings rather than superficial and unrealistic plot points

5. Romance 101

ⓒ NAVER WEBTOON Ltd./Namsoo

Summary: This story revolves around Bareum and her life at university. Sounds boring? Far from it. Romance 101 is a great and fun read where the main couple initially has some disagreements but gradually gets together. It is fun, there’s no dragged-out drama and the relationships feel real. Also: the male lead is the greenest flag on this planet. The art and color palette are really unique, so that’s a rare treat too. Just go read it.

You should check it out if you:

  • don’t mind when the girl has a crush on another guy at first
  • like reading a fun story with very little drama and many lovable characters
  • love it when the main couple starts on the wrong foot

6. Swimming lessons for a mermaid

© WEBTOON Entertainment Inc. / YONGCHAN

Summary: Although Choa is a mermaid she can’t swim. After trying several times she trades her tail for human legs and starts to live with her Dad on land (this happens before the start of the Webtoon). She stills loves the ocean and water though. One day she goes to the pool alone and accidentally falls in because Soo surprises her. After finding out her secret Soo makes her an offer: he wants to teach her how to swim.

You should check this Modern Romance Manhwa out if you:

  • like it when the female lead has a secret identity
  • don’t mind having a love triangle (with an obvious outcome)
  • like reading about friendship and character development

7. Seasons of blossom

© WEBTOON Entertainment Inc. / Hongduck/Nemone

Summary: Seasons of Blossom is a Webtoon that’s divided in different parts. First, I didn’t like it because I loved the first couple, but the story is written really well. Although this story has a high school setting, it is quite sad, and the dialogue feels mature (although there is some hair pulling and stuff but it’s quite fun). It starts off with two friends having feelings for the same guy and a fake relationship – I know, a plot we have seen a million times. Nevertheless, this Webtoon is flowing quite nicely and you should give it a shot.

You should check it out if you: (the first two points refer to the first story)

  • love it, when the male lead is very direct and seems kind of cold
  • like it, when the female lead is liked by everyone but lets herself go with the male lead
  • reading a Romance Webtoon with wholesome friendships

8. No Office Romance

ⓒ NAVER WEBTOON Ltd./Doboo/Namsoo

Summary: Yunji and Saebom’s first love was left unfinished, abruptly halted by a decade of separation. Now, as adults, they appear to have moved on and agree to remain friends and coworkers. However, beneath the surface, unspoken tension persists between them. Will they just stay friends, or does fate have different plans for their future?

You should read this modern Romance Manhwa if you:

  • Don’t mind a love triangle and flashbacks of side characters that can disturb the flow of reading
  • Like the childhood friends to lovers trope.
  • Love reading a story with very good humor and funny scenes while still having a coherent plotline.

9. Maybe meant to be

ⓒ NAVER WEBTOON Ltd./honeyskein/damcho

Summary: Jia Han, a 32-year-old freelancer struggling to find work, is fed up with her parents constantly urging her to get married and move out. When she bumps into her childhood friend Mincheol Jin, who is also under similar pressure from his parents, she impulsively suggests that they should marry to solve both their problems. To her surprise, he agrees, and she suddenly finds herself navigating an unexpected marriage.

You should check it out if you:

  • Don’t mind when the FL isn’t completely honest and plays games to bring the ML out of his shell.
  • Like reading a Romance Manhwa with absolutely gorgeous art.
  • Love the “contract marriage” trope.

10. Down to Earth

© WEBTOON Entertainment Inc. / Pookie Senpai

Summary: Kade is currently heartbroken and has a pretty pessimistic outlook on life. One night an Ufo lands in his backyard and with it Zaida literally crashed into his life and changes him with her positive attitude. They both live together and Kade teaches Zaida how to live like an earthling. They have three rules. The third one is: no feelings. Yeah right….

Check out my review if you want to read more details about the Webtoon: Down to Earth Review.

You should read if you:

  • love reading a story where almost all the characters have a punk rock feel to them
  • like it when the main characters live together right from the start
  • love to read about a pessimistic male lead, that is slowly changing his mind and coming out of his shell

11. Positively Yours

(c) TAPAS MEDIA 2020 / kang ki / Lee jung

Summary: This story revolves around Doo-joon and Hee-won and starts after they had a passionate one-nightstand. They met at a bar and to Hee-wons dismay she gets pregnant. She wanted to keep the news to herself but fate brings them together and Doo-joon insists on taking responsibility for the baby. This is how their relationship begins. Read my Review for Positively yours if you like to have more info before reading.

You should read this Modern Romance Manhwa if you:

  • like having your male leads being the perfect package: rich, patient, devoted, good looking – just… good at everything
  • don’t mind when you sometimes want to shake the female lead cause she is so cold and stubborn
  • love when the pacing is pretty calm, except for the occasional drama

12. A Business proposal

(c) Guava Farm / Perilla/ NARAK/Haehwa/
TAPAS MEDIA 2020

Summary: Ha-ri helps her friend out by going on a blind date for her best friend who is tired of the marriage set-ups by her father. She pretends to be a super-vixen in order to scare potential candidates away but she didn’t expect her “opponent” CEO Taemu to be that persistent. He has a goal of his own: he wants to get married in order to not get nagged by his family anymore and he doesn’t care who it is. The problem is: Ha-ri is an employee at this company and doesn’t want to get exposed.

You should read if you:

  • don’t mind some unnecessary drama that gets prolonged at some point
  • like it when the male lead is hot, rich and can do everything – precisely the Ceo type
  • love having more than one couple in a story

13. My Cute Beast

(c) Haesol/Heim/Lehzin

Summary: The two protagonists are pretty different than they appear to be. Da-im is an elementary school teacher but is pretty direct and tells the people her opinions (her nickname is Siberian hulk). On-gyum is a florist who has an intimidating appearance but is pretty shy and soft. They both have on thing in common: They love cats and like chatting about them online. BUT they don’t know their real-life personalities.

You should check it out if you:

  • Like reading a story that plays with stereotypes and turn them around
  • Don’t mind when the characters don’t communicate openly in the beginning
  • Love it when the female lead is ruthless, and the male lead is shy

14. Touch Your Heart (Completed)

(c) Antstudio, Jäger / Yeondam/ TAPAS MEDIA 2021

Summary: Yoon-Seo is a popular actress but finds herself not getting any jobs anymore. She is not exactly known for her good acting. One day she gets the chance to have a lead role in an upcoming film but there is one condition: she must become a secretary to practice her role. That’s where she meets Kwon, the male lead.

You should read this Modern Romance Manhwa if you:

  • Like reading a Manhwa with no relevant love triangles
  • Don’t mind when the male lead is pretty judgmental at first
  • Love reading a Manhwa with a headstrong and funny female lead – and communication

15. My reason to Die

ⓒ NAVER WEBTOON /Juju

Summary: Ji-o’s dream of joining the national taekwondo team gets postponed when she gets injured just before tryouts. Amidst this challenging phase, she encounters Gyeol, an enigmatic boy who turns her world upside down. Gyeol, with his bad-boy exterior and kind heart, captivates her, despite the seemingly red flags. Btw. “My reason to Die” is a good Romance Manhwa for guys that want to start reading Romance without it being overbearing.

Check it out if you:

  • like tension. It doesn’t get any better than in “My Reason to Die”. The story has a nice flow.
  • love it when the premise is pretty dark and the story is complex and confusing at times.
  • like it when the male protagonist seems to have the upper hand but is actually very supportive of the female lead.

16. Love 4 a Walk

ⓒ NAVER WEBTOON Ltd./Nuria Sanguino

Summary: Pam has had her heart broken more times than she can count, and being dumped because of her unruly dog, Bob, was the final blow. Now resolute in her decision to care for Bob alone, how long can this hopeless romantic resist her enigmatic yet kind neighbor Tyler—especially when he’s so great with dogs.

Check it out if you:

  • Love reading a story with great art and unique character design
  • Don’t mind – or appreciate – that the ml wears clogs with socks most of the time
  • Like it when the tension between the leads develops pretty early

17. Sixth Sense Kiss

Summary: When our female protagonist Yesul kisses someone she receives a vision of his future. One day she kisses her strict boss Minhu and the vision she sees leaves her stunned. I won’t say more so I won’t spoil you. This story has a bit of unrealistic Drama but it’s still a nice read.

You should check it out if you:

  • like it when the main couple seems fated to be together
  • love a story with many chapters where they are just lovey dovey
  • like reading a modern Romance story with a supernatural touch

Modern Romance Manhwa Recommendations – Top 18 – 28

18. The Makeup Remover

(c) WEBTOONS Entertainment Inc/ Lee Yone

Summary: Yeseul was focusing on her studies all her life but when her college life starts she finds herself pressured to pay more attention to make up. One day she meets makeup artist Yuseong who shows her the ropes and their relationship begins.

You should read this Modern Romance Manhwa if you:

  • don’t mind the occasional drama and bitchy side characters
  • love reading a story where the premise seems superficial, but the female lead questions societal pressure
  • don’t mind a slow burn

19. Boyfriends rule

ⓒ NAVER WEBTOON/ Do yoon

Summary: Jiun’s romantic troubles begin when her crush, Jae-i, confesses he likes someone else. To complicate matters, Jae-i mistakenly thinks Jiun has a crush on his intimidating best friend, Seohyeon. Jae-i tries to help Jiun win over Seohyeon, leading to unexpected developments and a closer relationship between Jiun and Seohyeon.

Check this Romance Manhwa out if you:

  • Like reading a very funny story that finds some unexpected ways to be romantic
  • Don’t mind misunderstandings because the story revolves around one and the main couple
  • Don’t mind when the focus switches after the first couple gets together

20. An Hour of Romance

(c) Tappytoon/Kim MYEONGMI

Summary: Jooahn and Dojin work in the same company but couldn’t be more different from one another. Jooahn plans out every little detail at work and has a leading position in the company, while Dojin is working as an entry-level marketer and still makes tons of mistakes. But he is adored by everyone at work while the employees are kind of afraid of Jooahn. One day they take a trip to a monastery and a little monk messes with their fates so they change bodies one hour a day.

You should read if you:

  • like seeing two opposites get together
  • love having much character development from the main characters
  • like reading a Manhwa with man hilarious moments (as is to be expected from the body-switch plot point, but the toilet scene was still unexpectedly awesome)

21. Unlovable Replacement

(c) WEBTOONS Entertainment Inc/ Nylana

Summary: After his relationship ended Chiko Dryer fell into a slump. One day he orders pizza and involves the delivery girl in a scheme to keep his friend away. That’s how their relationship starts but oh boy: November is stubborn. This Webtoon is currently on hiatus and the author didn’t post anything for quite some time on Instagram, so it’s not clear when it will be back. But before you read: This one is on hiatus!

You should read this Modern Romance Manhwa if you:

  • love it when the male lead falls in love first
  • like it when they quarrel a lot but have a great dynamic
  • don’t mind when the female lead is owing money and therefore involved in some shady business

22. Freaking Romance

ⓒ NAVER WEBTOON/Snailords

Summary: Freaking Romance has gorgeous art and a really interesting premise: The female protagonist Zelith moves into a new flat alone and discovers that she has company. From a guy of another dimension no less. Although this story takes a strange turn right before the ending it remains a satisfying and fun read.

You should check this completed Romance Manhwa out if you:

  • like reading a story with absolute gorgeous art.
  • don’t mind some heartbreak in between cause the love interests change for a short while.
  • love reading a story with a mysterious touch and lots of angst. “Will they ever be together?” is a recurring theme.

23. Can’t get enough of you

(c)QuornQuorn

Summary: “Can’t Get Enough of You” is a romance Manhwa that follows the tumultuous relationship between Taejun Kim and So-eun Han. After losing his parents in a tragic car accident caused by So-eun’s father, Taejun grows up seeking revenge. As an adult, he becomes wealthy and powerful, using his resources to make So-eun’s life difficult. However, as he spends more time with her, he starts developing genuine feelings, complicating his desire for vengeance.

Check it out if you:

  • Don’t mind when the Fl is constantly being pushed around – by her current boyfriend at the beginning of the story and by her soon-to-be-boyfriend Teajun Kim
  • Don’t mind when the FL is pretty passive
  • Like reading a story where revenge turns into love (and the art is absolutely gorgeous)

24. Sound Of Bread

(c) scarlozet/Kisai Entertainment/miqin/Tapas Media

Summary: Kimmie has a unique ability: She can hear taste as music. That also means that she can taste every ingredient. One day she stumbles into a small and messy bakery in Paris and the bread there sounds and tastes incredible. The baker is Kale, who is a pretty chaotic guy and Kimmie is determined to taste everything he makes, because she aspires to be a renowned conductor.

You should check it out if you:

  • like reading a story with a unique premise
  • love it when the main characters have hilarious misunderstandings between each other
  • like it, when the protagonists aren’t assholes and try to achieve a goal of their own

25. Act Like You Love Me!

(c) Webtoons Entertainment /XUANN

Summary: Ji-eon is in her mid-twenties and completely stressed out. She has no money but tries to get by with a job at a convenience store. One day she gets her hands on a peculiar doll which can control Doyun Nam – a popular actor who suffers from panic attacks. Although their relationship starts off on the wrong foot, they somehow make it work and their interactions are hilarious.

You should read if you:

  • Don’t mind reading a love triangle
  • Like reading a modern Romance Manhwa with a supernatural twist
  • Love it when the female lead is a loudmouth and voices her opinions

26. Midnight Poppy Land

Midnight Poppy Land Review
(c) WEBTOON Entertainment Inc. / Lilydusk

Summary: Small-town book editor Poppy has an accident with her scooter in the countryside after getting dumped. The inside of her bag scatters all over the place and while picking up the sheets she also picks up papers she isn’t supposed to – while Tora witnesses it. He gets close to her in order to retrieve the papers that have sensitive information on them but they both get along well. Midnight Poppy Land is a story about one guy who is in the Mafia but doesn’t really want to be and a strong bubbly female lead who tries to do her best in life. If you like to read more, check out my detailed review: Midnight Poppy Land Review.

You should read this Modern Romance Manhwa if you:

  • love it when the main couple teases each other a lot but has a great dynamic
  • like to read a story with a female lead that has realistic body proportions
  • don’t mind when the storytelling drops in quality later on

27. True Beauty

(c) Yaongyi/WEBTOONS Entertainment Inc

Summary: “True Beauty” is one of the most successful comics on Webtoons. The protagonist is Jugyeong Lim who loves comic books but is also obsessed with her looks. One day she decides that she wants to change her appearance and masters the art of makeup to make her look like a completely different person. Only Suho Lee and her family knows how she really looks like. True Beauty is a love triangle story between Jugyeong, Suho, and Seojun Han.

Why is this so low on my list if it’s such a successful webtoon you might ask? The story is called true beauty but Jugyeong is obsessed with her looks – and the appearance of the people around her. Her thought process seems childish some of the time and the outcome of the love triangle is kind of obvious and also a bit unrealistic (Am I making enemies with my unpopular opinion? I hope not). The art is unique and gorgeous though and if you want to read a comic in a lighthearted and superficial setting (idols, make-up, social media posts and so on) this will be for you.

You should read if you:

  • love reading a story that’s focused on the appearance of the characters
  • don’t mind getting your heart broken because both male leads match well with her
  • like reading a Manhwa with unique and beautiful art

28. To love your enemy (Completed)

© WEBTOON Entertainment Inc. / Jungyoon/Taegeon

Summary: Yeohee Bae wants to leave her old life behind and goes as far as changing her name. She got caught up in a pyramid scheme and ended up scamming the mother of Yikyung Lee, who holds a grudge against her. Unfortunately, they going to the same university. They get to know each other and their quarrels turn into something else. Unfortunately, this one has a pretty unsatisfying ending, I would still recommend reading it though.

Modern Romance Manhwa – You should read if you:

  • like seeing love develop from negative feelings
  • love reading a story where the male lead is kind of shy
  • donˋt mind unnecessary drama and weird plot choices (they infiltrate a cult out of nowhere and with every new chapter I was like: surprised Pikachu face)
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I have read more than 1000 Romance Manhwa, Webtoons and Manga - TV-Series and books not included. So I hope to bring a deep and nuanced understanding of the genre to every review and recommendation. As a journalist with seven years of experience, I've dedicated my free time to exploring and writing about the intricacies of romance in various forms.

Find out more about me.

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3 Responses

  1. Whoever made this site, god bless you and your entire family. I’m so tired of going through trial and error just to find a good read. I just wanted you to know that this site is a God send and I can finally check out the manhwas that would actually interest me and not waste time on the ones that don’t. Again thank you!

  2. does anyone have more modern shoujo manhwas since ive already read all on this list

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