When it comes to fiction, the Japanese industry could outweigh the South Korea one due to so many reasons. However, each of the countries offers different kind of works. For example, Japanese provides readers with fantastic genres, while South Korea could offer translated version of manhwa. I’ve read some of the Korean literature works and they impressed me a lot. South Korea manhwa cover a lot of topic: periods of history or even the dreams of animals, … Here is the list of the top South Korea manhwas you should give it a try:
- Untold Night and Day (Bae Suah)
Until the last page, you are still impressed by the short and surreal manhwa meaning. This manhwa follows a woman who was abandoned by her own work. She knew that her future was not certain and she was kind of stressed. She spent all night having a deep talk with her former boss to share her thoughts and depression. And at the end of the night, she learned that her boss was also indecisive and without a strong belief. The next day she met with another colleague whom she was interested in but he was not attractive to her anymore. She still believed that life is full of uncertainty but this manhwa gives you some insights on how to live with it.
2. The Disaster Tourist (Yun Ko-Eun)
This manhwa is about a woman who is working as a tour guide in North Korea. She is guiding a group of tourists from South Korea to see the sights of North Korea. However, her job is not as easy as it seems. She has to deal with the strict rules of the North Korean government, and she also has to navigate the complex relationships between her group of tourists from South Korea.
As she guides this group of tourists through North Korea, she struggles with feelings of uncertainty about the future. She worries that the tour might be cut short at any moment due to an unforeseen disaster or political conflict. But despite these challenges, she persists in her work, determined to show the tourists a true glimpse of life in North Korea.
Overall, Yun Ko-Eun gives us an insightful and engaging look at life inside one of the world’s most secretive countries. If you are interested in politics and global affairs, then this manhwa is definitely worth checking out.
3. The Vegetarian (Han Kang)
The Vegetarian is a chilling and surreal novel about one woman’s journey into darkness. When Yeong-hye, the manhwa’s main character, decides to give up eating meat, because she has been dreaming of something horror and blood-soaked, she sets in motion a series of dark events that will ultimately change the course of her life. As Yeong-hye refuses to eat meat or participate in the traditional Korean family meals, she alienates herself from her loved ones.
The novel explores the themes of mental illness, societal pressure, and self-destruction. It is a haunting and beautifully written manhwa that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. If you enjoy literary fiction, I highly recommend picking up a copy of The Vegetarian. However, this manhwa covers heavy content so you need to think deeply before reading.
4. Diary of a Murderer (Kim Young-Ha)
This manhwa is about a man who is a serial killer. He kills people for the fun of it, and he keeps a diary of his crimes. However, as he gets older, he starts to feel the effects of age and he begins to slow down. He starts to worry that he will be caught and he decides to retire from his life of crime.
Although this manhwa is dark and disturbing, it is also a fascinating look at the mind of a serial killer. If you are interested in psychology or true crime, then I recommend checking out Diary of a Murderer. Whether you love or hate this manhwa, it will certainly leave a lasting impression on you.
5. Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 (Cho Nam-Joo)
This manhwa is about a woman who was born in 1982 in South Korea. The manhwa follows her life as she struggles with the societal pressure to get married and have children. She also has to deal with the expectations of her family and friends, who all seem to have perfect lives.
As she tries to navigate her way through life, she starts to question the societal norms that she has been raised with. Why does she have to get married and have children? Is that what she really wants?
This manhwa is a thought-provoking look at the pressure that women face in South Korea. If you are interested in gender issues or social commentary, then I recommend checking out Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982. This is a powerful and moving manhwa that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.
6. The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly (Sun-Mi Hwang)
The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly is a beautifully written and deeply moving allegory about self-realization and the power of hope. The romance manhwa follows the journey of a small hen named Sprout, who longs to escape the confines of her farm life. When she is forced to have a baby chick, she realizes that she wants more for her life than just being a mother. She decides to run away from the farm and embark on a journey to find her true self.
This manhwa is a wonderful story about finding hope in the darkest of times. If you are looking for a manhwa that will make you feel uplifted, then I highly recommend picking up a copy of The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly.
