The most popular manhwa are the series that consistently dominate readership, saves, and binge completion across major platforms and global fandom, with modern blockbusters like Solo Leveling, Tower of God, and The Remarried Empress repeatedly leading “must-read” discussions.
Based on long-running community consensus and editorial pattern-checking of high-retention titles (including what readers actively search, finish, and re-binge on ComicK), this guide curates 15 explosive hits across action, romance, romance fantasy, and thrillers.
Scroll on for a fast, organized shortlist plus quick “pick-your-next-read” filters by genre, pacing, and vibe so you can start the right manhwa immediately.
Which is the most popular manhwa?
When people ask for an “episode count” in a manhwa context, they usually mean one of three things. First, on many Korean webtoon apps, chapters are literally labeled “episodes.” Second, some readers are thinking of an adaptation (anime or live action), where episodes are counted differently. Third, they may be using “episodes” as a casual synonym for installments, regardless of format. For this article, “episode count” refers to the serialized reading units you consume on a webtoon platform, which is effectively the chapter count.
Why does this matter? Because episode count is a practical proxy for time investment and pacing style. A 60 to 90 episode series often moves faster, resolves arcs quickly, and is easier to finish in a weekend. A 150 to 300 episode series tends to be more expansive, with longer training arcs, deeper worldbuilding, and bigger casts. A 500 plus episode epic is usually a lifestyle read, built for weekly release habits and long-term community discussion.
If your goal is to binge, episode count helps you choose wisely. Shorter runs work well for romance and thrillers where tension needs tight control. Longer runs shine in action fantasy where power systems, guild politics, and ranking hierarchies keep expanding. Keep that frame in mind as you explore the 15 titles below, because “most popular” is not only about fame. It is also about which story structure matches your reading stamina.
How to define “most popular manhwa” and why there is rarely one universal winner
Popularity is not one metric. In the manhwa world, “most popular” can mean the title with the biggest global readership, the strongest binge completion rate, the most aggressive subscriber growth, or the loudest fandom footprint. It can also mean the series with the most cultural reach, measured by print editions, merch, live-action dramas, anime adaptations, or constant visibility in recommendation threads.
A practical way to think about popularity is to separate it into four signals:
- Reach: how many people have tried it at least once
- Retention: how many people keep reading after the hook
- Engagement: comments, likes, saves, fan art, edits, and community momentum
- Impact: adaptations, mainstream recognition, and long-term relevance
This is why there is rarely one permanent champion. A romance fantasy might dominate reader engagement on one platform while an action dungeon series dominates global reach elsewhere. The “real” answer to Which is the most popular manhwa? is usually a shortlist that stays consistent across years of community consensus, even as weekly charts fluctuate.
To make this useful, here is the exact set of 15 explosive hits this guide focuses on:
Solo Leveling, Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint, Tower of God, The God of High School, Noblesse, Eleceed, Legend of the Northern Blade, Return of the Mount Hua Sect, Lookism, Wind Breaker, True Beauty, What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim, The Remarried Empress, Who Made Me a Princess, Sweet Home.
If you use discovery hubs like ComicK to spot what readers are searching, bingeing, and re-bingeing, this list functions as a clean “anchor set” you can cross-check against any trending page before you commit your time.
Action fantasy and leveling blockbusters that define modern manhwa hype
If you want the kind of Korean webtoon that feels like a power fantasy engine, these are the names that consistently show up first. They dominate because they deliver a repeatable loop: clear stakes, fast progression, visible upgrades, and cliffhangers that make “one more episode” inevitable.
Solo Leveling
This is the modern reference point for dungeon raids, hunters, and leveling systems. The appeal is simple and brutally effective: the protagonist’s power curve is measurable, the fights are clean, and the payoff cadence is relentless. It is a gateway manhwa because it converts even casual readers into binge-readers through pure pacing.
Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint
A scenario-based apocalypse with meta storytelling, survival mechanics, and strategic problem-solving. Its popularity comes from tension and re-read value. Small details matter, the cast expands intelligently, and the story keeps rewarding readers who track alliances and long-term foreshadowing.
Eleceed
This one blends action with warmth. The fights are exciting, but the real glue is character chemistry, mentor dynamics, and found-family energy. It is especially popular among readers who want humor and heart in the same scroll.
Legend of the Northern Blade
For fans of martial arts, murim politics, and revenge arcs, this is a standout. It earns loyalty through atmosphere, disciplined storytelling, and a protagonist whose growth feels hard-won rather than gifted. If you like “serious tone” action with elegant combat, start here.
Return of the Mount Hua Sect
A top regression-style martial arts hit with a confident, comedic edge. It thrives on momentum, arrogance done right, and a protagonist who forces the world to recalibrate around him. If you enjoy training arcs with sharp humor and escalating rivalries, this is extremely bingeable.
These five represent the dominant “action fantasy” lane: dungeons, rankers, guilds, cultivation vibes, and power scaling that feels satisfying rather than random.
Long-form epics and tournament legends that keep fandoms alive for years
Some manhwa become “most popular” not because they are the fastest binge, but because they are the biggest worlds. These are the series readers talk about like long-running shonen: arcs, tests, rankings, betrayals, side characters with cult followings, and lore debates that never end.
Tower of God
A pillar of modern webtoon history. Its reputation comes from scale: layered rules, evolving power tiers, and a world that keeps opening new doors. Readers stay because the mystery structure is strong and the cast is large enough to support multiple emotional anchors.
The God of High School
A tournament-driven spectacle that thrives on speed, hype, and escalation. It became a global favorite because every major arc tries to outdo the previous one. If you like martial arts, mythic power reveals, and nonstop “how did they do that” energy, it delivers.
Noblesse
A classic that helped define global interest in Korean webcomics. It combines supernatural power, long-lived characters, and modern conflict with a clean progression structure. The fandom remains strong because the series delivers iconic character designs and a satisfying rhythm of confrontation and payoff.
What makes these epics popular is not only action. It is community longevity. They create lore, inside jokes, strongest-character debates, and a sense of shared history. If you want a manhwa you can live in for months, these are high-confidence picks.
Modern drama, school life, and sports hits that dominate by sheer readability
Not every top manhwa is fantasy. Some of the most popular series win through realism, social tension, and character-driven arcs that feel like watching a drama unfold in real time. These titles also perform well because they are approachable for new readers: fewer systems to learn, more immediate emotional stakes.
Lookism
One of the most visible modern Korean webtoon franchises, blending school life, identity, bullying, social status, and later, escalating street-level conflict. The reason it stays popular is versatility. It can be comedic, dramatic, and surprisingly intense, often within the same story arc. It also excels at creating side characters who feel like protagonists in their own right.
Wind Breaker
A sports manhwa that turns cycling into an addiction. It is popular because it nails the underdog progression loop without needing magic or monsters. Training, teamwork, rivalry, and competition pressure create natural cliffhangers. The art style emphasizes motion and impact, which matters in a vertical scroll format where paneling can make or break sports pacing.
These “modern lane” titles are perfect if you want bingeability without fantasy mechanics. They rely on relationships, ambition, pride, and social consequence. If you like character growth, friend groups, rivalry arcs, and a steady rise in skill and confidence, this is where you should start.
Romance megahits that turned manhwa into mainstream pop culture
Romance manhwa becomes globally popular when it combines a sharp hook with steady emotional payoffs. The best-performing romance series also understand what keeps readers returning weekly: tension you can track, micro-resolutions that feel satisfying, and a cast of friends and rivals that keeps the social pressure high.
True Beauty
A mainstream phenomenon built on self-image, social anxiety, and romantic tension. Its popularity is powered by relatability and constant stakes. Every interaction feels like it could shift reputation, relationships, or personal confidence. It also performs well in the “discussion economy” because readers love debating choices, boundaries, and love-triangle dynamics.
What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim
A flagship office romance with clear roles and a satisfying escalation curve. It thrives on comedic timing, workplace tension, and vulnerability surfacing at the right moments. This is a perfect pick if you want romantic progression that moves forward consistently rather than stalling for artificial drama.
If your manhwa taste leans toward romcom, these two titles are efficient entry points. They deliver charm, payoff, and binge-friendly pacing while staying accessible to readers who are not chasing power systems or worldbuilding.
Romance fantasy kings and queens: court politics, reincarnation, and high-stakes feelings
Romance fantasy is one of the most binge-optimized categories in manhwa. It blends relationship tension with structural stakes: social rank, inheritance, scandal, and survival. The most popular titles succeed because the romance is never floating in empty space. It is tied to power, consequences, and strategy.
The Remarried Empress
This is a prestige-level hit that combines court politics with emotional dignity and long-game payoff. It stays popular because the conflict is clear and the protagonist’s choices feel intelligent. Readers keep scrolling because every chapter pushes the political chessboard forward, and every relationship decision carries public consequence.
Who Made Me a Princess
A cornerstone for fans of reincarnation, second chances, and family-driven intrigue. It is popular because it balances humor, tenderness, danger, and mystery. The protagonist’s survival goal creates sharp tension, while emotional relationships, especially within the family structure, provide genuine heart.
What makes these romance fantasy titles “most popular” is retention. They reward readers frequently with reveals, reversals, and emotional milestones. If you want glamour, scheming, slow-burn trust, and satisfying payback arcs, this category is a high-confidence choice.
Horror and survival hits that exploded beyond the usual manhwa audience
Some manhwa become mainstream because they are impossible to put down. Horror and thriller webcomics often have the highest binge pressure because the narrative engine is fear and urgency. When done well, short chapters become a weapon: every scroll ends with a problem you need solved immediately.
Sweet Home
A defining survival horror manhwa that blends monster outbreak tension with human moral collapse. Its popularity comes from escalating stakes and strong character pressure. It does not rely only on external threats. It uses fear to expose personalities, loyalties, and breaking points. That psychological layer is why it hooks both horror fans and readers who normally avoid scary stories.
Sweet Home is also a good example of cross-media impact. When a manhwa reaches a broader audience through adaptation buzz, it draws in readers who might not typically search for “best manhwa.” If you want a high-intensity binge where every chapter feels urgent, this is the most reliable entry point in the horror lane.
If you are building a balanced reading plan, pairing one survival thriller with one romance or action series is a smart way to avoid genre fatigue while keeping your binge momentum high.
Where to read and how to pick your next manhwa fast without wasting time
Once you have a shortlist, the next step is reading smarter. “Most popular” does not guarantee personal fit, so you want a quick decision process that matches your taste. Start with three filters:
- Genre engine
Do you want action fantasy (dungeons, hunters, martial arts), romance (office, school, drama), romance fantasy (court politics, reincarnation), modern drama (school life, street tension), or horror (survival, suspense)? - Pacing preference
Do you want fast cliffhangers and constant upgrades, or slower emotional build with deeper character work? Dungeon and regression stories usually move faster, romance fantasy often balances plot and feelings, modern drama can shift tone across arcs. - Reading commitment
If you want a weekend binge, choose a tighter run. If you want a long-term weekly habit, choose epics like Tower of God or long-arc modern franchises.
For discovery, many readers use platforms and communities to test what is trending, then commit on licensed sources when available. You can use ComicK as a lightweight radar to spot popular titles and adjacent recommendations across genres, then prioritize official translations for the best reading experience and stable chapter ordering.
If you apply these filters, you can choose a “next read” in under a minute. Pick one title from the action lane, one from romance or romance fantasy, and one from thriller or modern drama. That gives you variety, prevents burnout, and helps you identify what kind of manhwa pacing you enjoy most.
FAQ: Most popular manhwa, fast answers
- Which is the most popular manhwa right now?
There is no single universal winner, but Solo Leveling is the most commonly cited modern blockbuster, and several long-running hits remain consistently dominant. - What is the typical episode count for popular manhwa?
Most major hits run 100 to 200 plus episodes (chapters), while long epics can go much higher. - Is a webtoon the same as manhwa?
Manhwa refers to Korean comics broadly, and “webtoon” often refers to the vertical-scroll digital format many modern manhwa use. - What should I read first if I like action fantasy?
Start with Solo Leveling or Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint for fast hook and high bingeability. - What is the best long-form epic manhwa?
Tower of God is one of the most established long-form epics for lore, ranking systems, and massive cast dynamics. - What is a top romance manhwa for beginners?
What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim is a clean, binge-friendly office romance entry point. - What is a top romance fantasy manhwa?
The Remarried Empress is a go-to for court politics, emotional payoff, and long-game strategy. - What is the best modern drama manhwa?
Lookism is one of the biggest modern franchises for identity, social tension, and character arcs. - What is a popular sports manhwa?
Wind Breaker is a standout for rivalry, training arcs, and competition-driven pacing. - What is the best horror manhwa to binge?
Sweet Home is a top pick for survival tension and psychological stakes that stay intense.
Conclusion: the clean answer, the shortlist, and what to read next
If you need a single headline answer to Which is the most popular manhwa?, Solo Leveling is the most widely recognized modern choice, especially among global action readers. But the more accurate, publish-ready answer is that “most popular” is a shortlist that dominates across genres: action fantasy staples like Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint and Legend of the Northern Blade, epics like Tower of God and Noblesse, modern favorites like Lookism and Wind Breaker, romance icons like True Beauty and What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim, romance fantasy powerhouses like The Remarried Empress and Who Made Me a Princess, and survival hits like Sweet Home.
To choose quickly, match the genre engine to your mood, confirm the pacing you want, then commit to one title. If you use ComicK to scan what fans are bingeing, treat it as discovery, then prioritize official sources for the cleanest reading experience. Start with one action series, one romance or romance fantasy, and one thriller or modern drama, and you will understand your manhwa taste profile within a week.
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Jessica is a content editor at ComicK, with experience tracking and curating information from a wide range of Manga, Manhwa, and Manhua sources. Her editorial work focuses on objectivity, verifiable information, and meeting the needs of readers seeking reliable insights into the world of comics.