Solo Leveling may have come in swinging as one of the best anime adaptations of a manhwa audiences have ever seen, but it’s reasonable to expect that not everyone is going to be a fan of the power fantasy genre. Like anime, stories originating from Korea have their own versatile well of genres that span from anywhere from action and transmigration to romance, horror, and historical dramas.
Korean works aren’t always made in South Korea, though. While Solo Leveling did originate from Korea, since it was produced by a Japanese studio, it falls under the category of anime. Here are other works that are wonderful adaptations of Korean webtoons and webnovels that are both adapted into anime and hanguk aeni, also known as Korean animation.
10
Beauty Water (2020)
Directed by Cho Kyung-hun, Written by Lee Han-bin, and Produced by Ningxia Film Group
Beauty Water is a fascinating Korean body horror film that delved into the same themes as The Substance far before the movie made its entry into Hollywood. Han Yae-ji is a former ballerina, working as a makeup artist while also succumbing to obesity, leaving her with an incredibly poor body image and self-esteem. When she comes across a miraculous elixir known as Beauty Water, she discovers that she can reshape her body into a version she’s happy with, only to discover that this cure doesn’t come without drastic side effects.
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Beauty Water is not for the faint of heart, between its twisted but not unrealistic expectations of women to always be beautiful and without imperfection, and its actual depictions of gore, violence, and body dysmorphia. Rendered with 3D graphics, it may not be for everyone, but its visuals and themes mark it as a worthy Korean horror that’s similar to Satoshi Kon’s Perfect Blue.
9
Noblesse (2020)
Based on the Manhwa by Son Je-Ho, and Produced by Production I.G
Noblesse is an interesting revisit to the classic vampire genre, a subplot that has been explored time and time again through romance, dark fantasy, and naturally, horror. This iteration follows highly distinguished noble, Cadis Etrama Di Raizel, as he reawakens from an 800-year-old slumber. Confronted with modern day, Rai not only has to get used to these new settings amongst a different generation, but also survive the conspiracy behind his sudden awakening after what started with his coffin’s disappearance.
What starts as a twist on slice-of-life slowly elevates to a mystery surrounding a string of strange chemically-altered vampires and then further still to a grander conspiracy as an organization turns its attention to Rai’s awakening. Noblesse’s anime is paced faster than its manhwa counterpart, but it doesn’t lose its charm in that Rai is completely incompetent in modern day, struggling with bananas, ramen, and video games as he learns alongside his newfound friends during the day, then unleashes hell on those who would dare confront him at night.
Originally an amazing manhwa that stood on par with Tower of God and Solo Leveling, Noblesse is a well-adapted anime that does an excellent job of showing the different nuances of its source. With only one season out, however, fans can always go to the manhwa to enjoy the everyday antics of Raizel that the anime lamentably sped through.
8
The God of High School (2020)
Based on the Manhwa by Yongje Park, and Produced by MAPPA
The God of High School is the perfect representation of all that makes for a great shōnen anime, with a protagonist for the audience to grow and learn about the world alongside, as well as all of the fast-paced, highly detailed fights that give credit to this work’s amazing artstyle. This manhwa is an alternate version of Dragon Ball, featuring Mori Jin as the optimistic but battle-hungry main character who borrows a mystical power to compete in a strange competition set at his high school for the grand prize of a wish to be granted to whoever wins.
Painfully simplistic at its core, MAPPA does a pretty good job of bringing Park’s manhwa to life in a visual setting. But like Noblesse, the series runs into the issue of pacing, missing key story beats, and often focusing solely on the battles rather than the actual character growth and plot beyond just that. The power system and the interconnecting “Borrowed Powers” given to each competitor are still a fascinating twist for shōnen lovers, and although the anime did a fair job, the manhwa becomes a must-read.
7
Lost in Starlight (2025)
Written by Kang Hyun-Joo and Han Ji-won, Directed by Han Ji-won, and Produced by Netflix Animation and Climax Studio
Lost in Starlight is one of the first Korean films to be backed and promoted by Netflix, and it delivers with a Ghibli artstyle that tells the love story of an astronaut trainee and a musician. Nan-young has dreamt of going to space, but after failing to get into the Mars expedition, she begins questioning her aspirations and goals until she meets Jay. The couple’s heartfelt connection promotes a healthy relationship that supports each other and pushes them to be their best. There’s no pointless hedonistic drama that pulls them apart, save Nan-young’s attempt to go to Mars.
Lost in Starlight at its core is simply a gorgeous romance story that inspires people to pursue their dreams.
While this puts their relationship at risk, given the dangers involved Nan-young’s desire to reconnect to the last thing she remembers of her mother’s expedition and her rekindled passion for the space program is what pushes her to try again. Lost in Starlight at its core is simply a gorgeous romance story that inspires people to pursue their dreams, yet never take for granted those who helped make it happen.
6
Viral Hit (2024)
Based on the Manhwa by Taejun Pak, and Produced by Okuruto Noboro
If you’ve ever wanted to see your favorite YouTubers thrash each other, then Viral Hit is your next show to see. Yoo Hobin is a bit of a nobody and a skinny one at that, who is constantly getting bullied at his high school. However, one such incident where he’s getting severely beaten begins to go viral, resulting in a surge of subscribers he can reap the benefits from. But first, Yoo Hobin has to figure out how to replicate that newfound success and finds it in fighting, whether he’s taking the hits or dishing them out.
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Viral Hit’s anime is a perfect rendition of Pak’s How to Fight manhwa, capturing both the style of the original while also giving it brevity through its epic fights now brought to life. Yoo Hoobin’s struggles with his homelife are almost immediately solved thanks to NewTube, featuring both a fascinating introspective into streamer culture as well as a spin on the delinquent drama that’s gained headway after Tokyo Revengers and Wind Breaker.
5
A Day Before Us (2018)
Created and Produced by LICO and Red Dog Culture House
A Day Before Us is a refreshing and sweet slice-of-life mini-series featuring a small group of friends and their evolving relationships. Ha Eun initially runs into a fellow classmate during a rainstorm and, while taking shelter, tries to engage in conversation. When her attempts are not reciprocated, her mood is soured till the collapsed awning forces them to stumble into one another. Ha Eun apologies, still annoyed only to meet up with him as he’s introduced again by her university friend.
Studio LICO’s animation is breathtakingly stunning, soft, and vibrant with its pastels that seem taken out of an oil painting. The Day Before Us is depicted in a series of short clips that make it easy to digest and quick to breeze through, available all online on the studio’s YouTube page. This precious franchise endures years after its creation, serving as an endearing tale of a delicate summer love.
4
Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke’s Mansion (2023)
Based on the Manhwa by Milcha, and Produced by Typhoon Graphics
- Release Date
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June 26, 2023
- Episode Number
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12
Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke’s Mansion is the perfect installment of the classic isekai genre, where a transmigrator is transported to a work of fiction they know like the back of their own hand. Having passed away in modern times, Eunha Park awakens in the body of Raeliana, a supporting character in a novel she likes that Eunha knows will get killed off by her husband. In order to avoid dying a second time, she strikes a deal with the Duke, Noah Volstaire Wynknight, to prevent her previous marriage while also securing her future in this new world.
Between the writing of the manhwa and the anime, Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke’s Mansion is a clever and insightful romantic historical piece that builds up a game of intellect between Raeliana and the Duke. The animation for this adaptation also delivers on a visually appealing front that only goes to elevate an already beautiful style from the manhwa, leaving fans ready for the next season.
3
Tower of God (2020)
Based on the Manhwa by SIU and Produced by Telecom Animation Film (S1) and The Answer Studio (S2)
Rachel has only ever wanted to witness the stars in the sky all her life, and after climbing to the top of the tower, her dream is finally within reach. Alongside her is Bam, her childhood friend, but the legend goes that only one wish can be granted… and so she pushes him down back into the depths of the tower. Tower of God wastes no time building up this story centered on these two characters and immediately pulls the rug out from under audience members who thought they knew where this story was going.
Tower of God is one of the most exceptional stories you can find on WebToons for its expansive worldbuilding, wide range of characters, and all of their interesting motivations. While season one immediately got many fans, old and new, on board, its second left a little to be desired by skipping story beats, focusing more on fights rather than the plot and world building, and generally just not delivering by taking a creative direction with the new medium.
2
Mignon (2023)
Written by Bboong Bbbang Kkya, Directed by Lewin, and Produced by ABJ COMPANY
Created by the same writer and artist behind Hyperventilation, Mignon is another mini-series of episodes that all range around five minutes long. Following a young boxer known as Mignon, he competes in an underground arena and hopes to win the attention of the resident doctor, Oh Young-One. There’s peace in the quiet environment and Young-One’s company; however, much of it is due to a dark secret he strives to keep hidden, even from Mignon.
Mignon is a romance centered on its two male leads, who you wish to see live happily, even if the series is sworn to throw tragic circumstances into the mix, making it a captivating watch that’s brutal on the heart. With its deceptively soft artstyle, Mignon serves as a beloved entry into the BL franchise for its intriguing twists and well-written characters.
1
Lookism (2022)
Based on the Manhwa by Taejun Pak, and Produced by Studio Mir
Lookism is another work written by the same creative mind behind Viral Hit, and you may begin to see some similarities in the storytelling, but this work stands out for a reason. Park Hyung Suk has always been overweight and at the bottom of the rung, getting constantly harassed by delinquents both at school and outside of it.
When the torment gets to be too much, he urges his mother to transfer him so he can begin his life anew. He begins working out to better himself, but a few days before his first day at his new school, he wakes up in a new body, a perfect body, with a handsome face that’s much stronger than his former self. Hyung Suk’s old body, however, lies beside him, sleeping. This body-swapping story is a fascinating spin that explores body imagery and positivity, self-confidence, and, most importantly, how on earth a superhuman body appears out of nowhere.
You’d think that this newfound confidence would go right to Hyung-Suk’s head, but he’s constantly reminded of how he was treated when he didn’t look attractive, leading to him looking out for people like him and facing off against the bullies of his new school. His drive to improve himself and acknowledge his faults doesn’t change the character he’s always had throughout the series. It’s an insightful look at how society can treat someone based on their appearance alone.