The best manhwa for beginners are accessible, widely read webtoons with clear premises: Solo Leveling and Tower of God for action fantasy, True Beauty for romantic comedy, The Remarried Empress for romance-fantasy, and Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint for genre-savvy adventure. They show what makes Korean comics special and are easy to start on a phone. Many readers first discover them on VyvyManga, then follow them on official platforms.
Key Takeaways
- Webtoons are designed for phones, so starting is as easy as scrolling.
- Action fantasy and romance-fantasy are the most popular entry points.
- Several picks are completed, which makes binge-reading simple.
- Most titles have official English releases on webtoon platforms.
In This Article
What Makes a Good First Manhwa?
A good first webtoon has a strong hook in the first episodes, a clear main character and steady pacing. It also helps if the series is complete or has many episodes available. If you are new to the format, read our explainer on what manhwa is before diving in.
Our Beginner Picks
1. Solo Leveling
Adapted from a web novel, Solo Leveling follows Sung Jinwoo, the weakest “hunter” in a world of dungeons, who gains a mysterious system that lets him grow stronger. Its webtoon ran from 2018 to 2021 and helped popularize dungeon fantasy worldwide. It also received an anime adaptation.
2. Tower of God
One of the earliest global webtoon hits, Tower of God began in 2010. A boy enters a mysterious tower to follow his only friend, facing deadly tests on each floor. Its world is vast, so it rewards patient readers.
3. True Beauty
A high-school student masters makeup to hide her insecurities, leading to romance and self-discovery. Funny and relatable, it was adapted into a popular television drama.
4. The Remarried Empress
An empress whose husband takes a new favourite chooses a bold path: divorce and remarriage to the emperor of a rival nation. A great introduction to romance-fantasy set in royal courts.
5. Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint
The only reader of an obscure web novel finds the story coming true and uses his knowledge to survive. It is clever, self-aware and full of twists.
6. Lookism
A bullied student wakes up in a second, handsome body and lives two lives. It explores appearance-based discrimination through action and drama.
Comparison Table
| Series | Genre | Mood | Good if you like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solo Leveling | Action fantasy | Fast, powerful | Video games, power progression |
| Tower of God | Fantasy adventure | Mysterious, epic | World-building and puzzles |
| True Beauty | Romantic comedy | Light, funny | School romance, K-dramas |
| The Remarried Empress | Romance-fantasy | Elegant, dramatic | Court politics, strong heroines |
| Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint | Apocalyptic fantasy | Clever, tense | Twists and meta storytelling |
| Lookism | Action drama | Gritty, social | School action and social themes |
Tips for Reading Your First Webtoon
- Read in portrait mode with vertical scrolling for the intended pacing.
- Give it 10–15 episodes. Many webtoons open with set-up before the real hook.
- Check season breaks so a sudden pause does not surprise you.
- Track your episode number — webtoon numbering can differ between platforms.
Where to Go Next
If you enjoy power-progression stories, Chinese cultivation manhua offer a similar thrill — start with our cultivation manhua glossary. If you prefer romance, explore more titles in the Manhwa category.
The webtoon boom has a fascinating history; the V&A’s history of webtoons explains how Korean artists reinvented comics for screens. For a full walkthrough of reading settings, bookmarks and filters, visit the VyvyManga starter guide.
Find more curated lists in the Recommendations category.
Understanding Webtoon Seasons and Side Stories
Unlike manga volumes, webtoons are often released in seasons. A season might run for 50 to 100 weekly episodes, followed by a break of several months while the team prepares the next part. When the main story ends, many series continue with side stories about secondary characters.
This structure affects how you read. If you dislike waiting, choose a completed series and binge it. If you enjoy the weekly rhythm, follow an ongoing title and use the breaks to catch up on other series.
Building Your Manhwa Reading List
- Pick one action title and one romance title to see which style you prefer.
- Read 10–15 episodes of each before deciding.
- Add series you enjoy to your bookmarks or a tracking list.
- Use genre filters on VyvyManga or an official platform to find similar titles.
Within a few weeks you will know which genres you love and can explore deeper picks with confidence.
Common Manhwa Tropes for Newcomers
- Regression — returning to the past to fix mistakes.
- Status windows — game-like screens showing stats and skills.
- Villainess stories — a heroine reborn as the villain of a novel tries to change her fate.
- Hunter rankings — letter grades from E to S that measure power.
Once you recognize these tropes, you can quickly tell whether a new series follows familiar patterns or tries something fresh — and both can be a lot of fun.
Keep in mind that tropes are tools, not flaws. The best beginner series use familiar set-ups to hook readers quickly, then build memorable characters and surprising twists on top of them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What manhwa should I read first?
Solo Leveling is the most common first pick because its premise is simple and its action is easy to follow. If you prefer romance, True Beauty and The Remarried Empress are accessible, popular starting points with clear hooks.
Is Solo Leveling finished?
Yes. The main Solo Leveling webtoon concluded in 2021, followed by side stories. Because the main story is complete, it is a good choice for readers who want to binge without waiting for weekly episodes.
Where can I read manhwa legally?
Official webtoon platforms such as WEBTOON and Tapas publish many popular manhwa in English, often with free episodes. Some titles are also sold as digital or print volumes through bookstores and library apps.
Are manhwa suitable for younger readers?
Many are, but content varies widely. Action and romance-fantasy series can include violence or mature themes. Check the platform’s age rating and the series description before recommending one to a younger reader.
