Top Korean Webtoon Sites to Check Out – Manhwa Websites

Korean webtoons are more popular than ever before. There are many Korean webtoon sites that have been steadily growing over the years. They are starting to get global attention thanks to streaming platforms like Netflix that have successfully taken Korean webtoons and turned them into Korean dramas and Korean films. The development of new media devices like smartphones and tablets makes it easy for fans to consume the content. Webtoons can be read pretty much anywhere and at any time. Most Webtoons are free, therefore readers do not need to spend any money which has led to a large loyal fan base. 

The word Webtoon comes from the combination of Website and Cartoon. Basically, they are comic books that can be viewed online. Korean webtoons are similar to Japanese manga which are illustrated stories with speech bubbles. Webtoons are almost always in color and are known for their artistic styles and imagery. Episodes are published on a weekly basis with a few offering daily episodes. What many might not know about Korean webtoons is that there is actually a comments section. This is helpful as other readers can point out certain details you might have missed while reading. 

The internet comic industry overall is on the rise as more and more talented writers of comics have been uploading their content on webtoon sites. 

Naver Webtoon

Naver Webtoon is a subsidiary of Naver. It is by far the most popular webtoon platform in Korea. It started in 2004 as an in-house startup. They are credited with revolutionizing the comic industry by creating an ecosystem that puts creators and consumers first. Naver Webtoons established its own company apart from Naver back in 2017. They have gone on to create Naver Webtoon platforms in Spanish and French. Therefore, Naver Webtoons is now the largest comic platform in Korea for both professional and amateur creators. Naver Webtoon is free and most of their content is geared towards young audiences. 

Best Webtoons on Naver Webtoon

1. The Sound of Your Heart
2. Misaeng
3. Tower of God
4. About Death
5. Super Secret

Daum Webtoon

Daum Webtoon is a subsidiary of Kakao. It was launched back in 2003 and is the world’s first platform service that is dedicated to internet cartoon content. There are over 500 completed webtoons on the platform. Daum Webtoons constantly search for new webtoons. They do this but finding emerging webtoon artists through events like “Webtoon League” and year-round contests. However, it is not easy to set up an account on their site. You will need to have a Kakao ID to access Daum Webtoon. Therefore most of their users are based in Korea. If you are outside of Korea you will need to download KakaoTalk, then set up an account and link your Apple ID so you can pay through Apple. Then access Daum Webtoon through your KakaoTalk account. Most people go to Daum Webtoons to find non-mainstream genres and to discover new up-and-coming webtoon authors. 

Best Webtoons on Daum Webtoon

1. Itaewon Class
2. The Breaker: New Waves
3. Can’t See Can’t Hear But Love
4. The Friendly Winter
5. The Pale Horse

Toomics 

Toomics is very popular for hardcore fans as well as first-time readers. In addition, they have a wide variety of genres and exclusive titles from professional artists. Moreover, new episodes are uploaded weekly for all series. It is free to sign up and you will get trial episodes. They have a personalized recommendation feature based on your personal favorites. Toomics is one of the few webtoon sites that offer +18 manhwa. 

Best Webtoons on Toomics

1. Supernova
2. Super Rich
3. His Women’s University
4. Painkiller
5. Prosuivant

KakaoPage 

In 2013, Kakao Corporation launched KakaoPage, a platform for webtoon content. They were known for the “Wait or Pay” business model in which users could either wait for the next episode or pay to read the next episode right away. Moreover, this new business model helped KakaoPage sales increase from $17 million in 2014 to $86 million in 2016. Now, Kakao Page does over $250 million in revenue and over $25 million in profit. Therefore, the strategy is now a global standard for most webtoon platforms. 

Best Webtoons on KakaoPage

1. Bastard
2. The Beginning After the End
3. Solo Leveling
4. Lookism
5. The God of High School

Lezhin Comics

Lezhin Comics is a premium webtoon platform operated by Lezhin Entertainment, a global content company. It launched its English language service in the U.S. and its Japanese language service in Japan in 2015. They are known for their Korean webtoons for mature audiences. Moreover, Lezhin Comics currently features more than 7,000 comics in Korea. Therefore, not only do they offer Korean webtoons but also feature over 300 Japanese webtoons, and over 100 Chinese webtoons. They are popular for their adult-themed webtoons, especially their BL series. In addition, they regularly hold contests such as the “Lezhin Challenge” to nurture more talented cartoonists. Winners receive opportunities to feature their cartoons on Lezhin Comics.

Best Webtoons on Lezhin Comics

1. A Guy Like You
2. The Lady and Her Butler
3. Vampire Heart
4. Star x Fanboy
5. False Memories