Revenge manhwa has been thriving for years, owing its success to engaging characters, tried-and-true tropes across action and isekai premises, and compelling affinity binding the medium with this genre. Part of the revenge genre’s refinement owes itself to the definitive origin point of the medium, South Korea, and its deep fascination with psychologically complex, compelling vengeance narratives across film, television, and literature.

Sometimes it’s about correcting an egregious imbalance. Other times, it’s about breaking out a cycle of abuse. Or, sometimes, it’s about how quickly one can turn to vengeance when the misdeeds of others cross an unforgivably personal line. While Webtoon, Tapas, and Tappytoon each feature some truly exceptional revenge manhwa, it’s also a saturated genre for the uninitiated, with things being perhaps unclear for anyone wanting to discover it in its many forms. The best revenge manhwa are rarely alike, but instead exemplify either the subgenres with which they’re paired, boast breathtaking art, feature compelling characters, or ideally, contain a mixture of everything.

Your Throne (2020)

Your Throne revolves around Medea and Psyche, two ladies competing for the title of the crown princess. Believing herself superior in every way, Medea feels betrayed when the Crown Prince, Eros, chooses Psyche to be his wife instead. Thus begins Medea’s plot to take back her rightful throne and title. However, the plot takes an unexpected turn when Medea and Psyche switch bodies after falling into the fountain at the temple.

Though pitted against each other at the start, Medea and Psyche quickly realize their true enemy is someone else entirely. Unlike other revenge manhwa, which usually include romance in some form or another, Your Throne chooses to focus on the duality between its two protagonists and their developing relationship instead.

Rooftop Sword Master (2020)

Se-young Tak stars as the meek-turned-ruthless mountain of beef and hatred in Rooftop Sword Master, one of the edgiest manhwa of its decade. Unlike other bullied teen stories, Se-young’s encounters cause him to be hospitalized and left traumatized when he returns from his coma, resigning himself at first to hiding away in his rooftop apartment after his parents die an agonizing death, setting themselves on fire. But everything changes when a massive sword appears outside his apartment, with Se-young’s journey hardly resembling that of Arthur Pendragon’s.

Se-young begins his vengeance journey by strength training, using the blade’s massive heft to build muscle over time. While implausible, the results are uncanny and incredible to behold, with him becoming a horrifying, muscular beast able to slaughter assailants and former tormentors alike. Rooftop Sword Master is a perfect revenge manhwa for those craving an antihero thoroughly and viscerally consumed by his animus.

Roxana (2021)

Roxana is a must-read manhwa for fans of the villainess trope looking for a fresh take on the trope. The protagonist of Roxana finds herself reincarnated into a scandalous novel called The Abysmal Flower as Roxana Agrece. Unfortunately, the Agrece family are the antagonists of the story, a group of assassins and poisoners, infamous for their cruelty and abuse while ultimately doomed to a grim fate at the hands of the story’s real heroine.

Not wanting to go down with her villainous family, Roxana takes matters into her own hands and the key to her survival is none other than Cassis, the heroine’s brother. Unlike other series, Roxana isn’t afraid to be gory and violent in the slightest, with a refreshing morally ambiguous villainess as a change of pace. More than just a feast for the eyes with its immaculate artwork, stunning character designs, and highly detailed wardrobes, Roxana exemplifies the manipulative traits needed to survive in an iconic otome isekai manhwa, while telling its revenge tale in a clean, concise 43 chapters.

Villainess Turns the Hourglass (2020)

The Villainess Turns the Hourglass is a classic in the revenge genre and a must-read for fans of the trope. The story follows Aria who, much like many other manhwa protagonists, gets a chance to travel back in time and live life differently.

In her first life, Aria was every part the villainess, known for mistreating her step-sister to no end. However, just as she is about to be executed, her meek little sister Mielle reveals she has been manipulating Aria all along, provoking her into ruining her reputation, which led to her punishment. Now aware of Mielle’s little scheme, Aria decides to truly become the villainess she was believed to be, outsmart Mielle, and save herself and her mother from her step-sister’s wicked plans.

I Tamed My Ex-Husband’s Mad Dog (2022)

With the protagonist doubling as one of the most compelling manhwa antiheroes due to her multifaceted developments, I Tamed My Ex-Husband’s Mad Dog is an immediately thrilling revenge story. The series follows typical regression plotline elements but with quick gratification for readers craving to see the villainous prince Michel, husband of protagonist Reinardt Lincke, get stabbed through the leg after Reinhardt is sent fifteen years into the past.

The story picks up from here, with her taking a very young Wilhelm Cohlonna as her primary ally and love interest. I Tamed My Ex-Husband’s Mad Dog shows its protagonist taking proactive measures to stop her victimization on her terms. Reinhardt Lincke is nowhere near a perfect manhwa protagonist, and she doesn’t try to be. Her actions resemble those of a yandere antihero with Wilhelm at her side, supplemented by gorgeous art depicting the characteristically beautiful characters of an Otome series.

Regina Rena: To the Unforgiven

Regina Rena: To the Unforgiven is an incredibly underrated webtoon that didn’t receive enough attention for its beautiful artwork, nor its interesting handling of the commonly used scenario against one’s own family. After not just being abandoned by the father she adored, but essentially sold off as a sacrifice, Rena returns six years later in search of answers.

Unsure of whether she wants revenge or simply the truth, Rena journeys back to her hometown, meeting all sorts of interesting faces along the way, from robbers to royalty. Season one is complete on Webtoon; however, the series has been on hiatus for quite some time. The web novel can be found online, further expanding on the young woman’s story.

Gosu (2015)

One of the greatest martial arts manhwa that’s getting an anime featuring the collaboration of Studio N, Studio Mir, and Toei Animation, Gosu is a high-profile success for murim stories everywhere. The series stars Gang Ryong, a quintessential Goku-like protagonist whose naivete is offset by his incredible martial arts talents, particularly in the school of Divine Heavenly Destruction. The series is reasonably easy to compare to Dragon Ball due to its initial comedic trappings, but fear not: this comparison stays accurate later on as well, as the series evolves into a spectacular showcase of ki-based attacks and earth-shattering combat.

Gosu’s plot is particularly kicked off when Dokgo Ryong, his master, passed on what Gang perceived to be his will to exact vengeance on the disciples who betrayed him, going to the Middle Kingdom immediately after Dokgo’s passing. Gosu balances a vengeful protagonist with his peaceful attitude, preventing him from committing wanton acts of violence and outright killing his opponents unless absolutely necessary.

I Shall Kill That Sweet Devil (2021)

I Shall Kill that Sweet Devil follows Chloe, an illegitimate child of the Garnache family who, after the death of her mother, suffers years of abuse until she is taken away by her uncle, Grand Duke Kairos Ludwig.

However, the duke has an ulterior motive in doing so and plans to use Chloe to entrap the Emperor and kill him. Having never been offered such kindness before, Chloe easily falls for the Duke’s charms and allows him to manipulate her, but meets a pitiful end once she fulfills her role.

Given a second chance at life, Chloe vows not to be swayed by the Duke’s sweet words the second time around. Far from petty revenge, I Shall Kill that Sweet Devil is a mature, thought-provoking, and truly heart-wrenching story that addresses serious themes of trauma and grooming.

Killer Peter (2023)

With clear influence taken from John Wick, Killer Peter has quickly secured its place as an excellent option for enjoyers of revenge manhwa. The series has a loyal readership domestically, but has also amassed an impressive 36.4 million views, while taking a much more mature, intense “rejuvenated assassin” spin than contemporary Japanese equivalents like Kill Blue. Years later, the series sports incredible visual polish in its character designs, vibrant backdrops, and spectacular fight scenes.

Following the familiar premise of a manhwa protagonist reverting to his prime to exact vengeance on Glory Club, his former employer, elderly terminal cancer patient Peter is roped back into the assassin world after a hit is taken out on him at his bookstore. The result is a fascinating mixture of over-the-top combat, brilliant action with Peter showing his ability to think on his feet, and perfectly over-the-top power fantasy entertainment perfect for Sakamoto Days fans.

Plaza Wars: Mercy for None

Plaza Wars: Mercy for None is a dark noir-inspired series that has a distinctive artstyle that credits the bombastic fighting sequences that take place amongst the gang wars involved. After retiring, Gijun wanted nothing more to do with the seedy underbelly of Seoul. That is, until his younger brother’s body arrived on the cold, hard slab of a mortician’s table.

Now fueled with an icy anger broiling beneath the surface, Gijun returns to the streets to hunt down whoever put out the hit for his brother, Giseok. Prepare a tissue box because while this Webtoon is all about revenge and gang wars, not one reader has been prepared for how hard-hitting the conclusion is in Plaza Wars.