Is the Shounen Manga series too long and plot-heavy for you to enjoy? Are the romantic plots in Shoujo Mangas clichéd and predictable? On a personal level, I understand the frustration because I, too, find Shounen and Shoujo series to be redundant at times.
Don’t worry – there is another type of digital series content that offers the perfect mix of plot and romance. Webtoons are digital comics that originated in South Korea and are typically read on computers and smartphones.
Although webtoons originated in Korea, there are more to enjoy thanks to Naver Corporation, the parent company of the Line and Webtoon apps, which allows creators from all over the world to upload their works on Webtoon using Canvas.
Here are 5 webtoons you should totally read:
Lore Olympus by Rachel Smythe (currently on hiatus; to return on April 23rd)
Unlike previous contemporary retellings of the Greek mythology of Hades and Persephone, Lore Olympus gives the entire Greek myth a modern twist, and includes vehicles, skyscrapers, laptops, and smartphones at the Gods’ disposal. Furthermore, Persephone plays a more active role than she does in other depictions of her (a passive damsel in distress).
Slight content warning – Lore Olympus tackles topics like abuse, and rape in some chapters, so reader discretion is advised.
Watch the webtoon trailer here: [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXIBp3Xgujk[/embedyt]
Let’s Play by Leeanne M. Krencic (Mongie)
Let’s Play is a romantic comedy that also serves as a parody of the video game industry. It follows Sam Young, a 22-year-old female software developer, who acquired a fondness for video games while in hospital. Sam’s passion project, Ruminate, is brutally blasted by “Marshall Law,” a game reviewer, and his numerous supporters review-bomb it. To make matters worst, Marshall Law becomes Sam’s new next-door neighbour.
Watch the trailer here: [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20pQPKHaZkQ[/embedyt]
My Giant Nerd Boyfriend by Fishball
Fishball, a Malaysian artist, has created an autobiographical comic titled My Giant Nerd Boyfriend. It’s a one-shot slice-of-life funny comic including panels about her relationship, her boyfriend’s geeky pursuits, the effects of their differing heights, and life in Malaysia.
Webtoon also made a limited animated series on their YouTube channel and you can watch it here: [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-QnR4GZBxE[/embedyt]
Pssst… you could meet her in person at local anime cons like Comic Fiesta or Animangaki too!
True Beauty by Yaongyi
True Beauty is a South Korean webtoon about a young woman who learned to apply makeup in her teens in order to change herself into a beautiful “goddess” after being bullied and discriminated against because she was thought to be unattractive.
True Beauty was also adapted into a Korean Drama of the same name by tvN in 2020! 😲
Midnight Poppy Land by Lilydusk
A small-town book editor’s life becomes entwined with a young mafia leader and his formidable bodyguard after discovering a terrible secret in the countryside… and every step she takes leads her further into the city’s dark underground.
All of the titles are available to read for FREE on the webtoon app! Happy reading!
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