Korean manhwa, akin to Japanese manga and Chinese manhua, refers to South Korean comic books and graphic novels. The origins of manhwa can be traced back to the early 20th century, influenced by Japanese and Western comics. However, it wasn’t until the post-Korean War era that manhwa began to develop its unique identity, with artists incorporating traditional Korean elements and themes. The manhwa industry faced various challenges, including censorship and competition from imported comics, but it flourished in the 1980s and 1990s with the emergence of serialized webtoons, an online format that revolutionized how comics were consumed.

In the 2000s, platforms like Naver Webtoon and KakaoPage provided a new venue for manhwa, reaching a global audience and leading to the creation of popular series such as “Solo Leveling,” which follows a weak hunter who becomes the world’s strongest, and “Tower of God,” a story about a boy navigating a mysterious tower. Other notable manhwa include “The God of High School,” centered on a martial arts tournament, and “Noblesse,” which follows a powerful noble awakening in the modern world. Manhwa often explores diverse genres, from fantasy and action to romance and horror, captivating readers with their unique storytelling and artistic styles. Today, manhwa enjoys international recognition and continues to evolve, influencing and being influenced by global comic cultures.