Welcome to the third edition of K-Comic Beat’s Monthly Manhwa Recs! Our team has come together to provide you with a variety of recommendations to sample. If you check them out, be sure and let us know what you think of them in the comment section!
Another Typical Fantasy Romance ⸺ After waking up as Lithera, the heroine of her favorite romantasy novel, the protagonist quickly learns that happily ever afters aren’t as simple as they seem. In her first life, despite her best efforts, Lithera meets a tragic end at the hands of her obsessive husband, Emperor Everett. But when she’s given a second chance, Lithera is determined to rewrite her story—starting with finally meeting her long-time friend, Grand Duke Pellus Termaine. Despite their deep connection through letters, Pellus avoided meeting her in her previous life. This time, Lithera isn’t letting that opportunity slip away.
I love Another Typical Fantasy Romance by WOLHET, published by NHN Studio, because it subverts expectations. While it claims to be “another typical fantasy romance,” it’s anything but! The real male lead, Pellus, isn’t your standard dashing Grand Duke of the North. His intimidating appearance hides a heart of gold, especially when it comes to Lithera. And Lithera herself? She’s a breath of fresh air. She’s a little unhinged in the best way—kind-hearted but refuses to put up with injustice. She carries the emotional weight of her first life, but watching her learn to lean on the people who truly care for her is incredibly satisfying. The story is a perfect mix of humor, heartfelt moments, and excitement, and I can’t wait to see where it goes next.
Another Typical Fantasy Romance is ongoing on Pocket Comics, with 135 episodes so far, including special messages from the author. ⸺ HK
Magic Soup ⸺ Magic Soup by Tropicalarmpit and Kimpeacock, published by NETCOMICS, is a charming fantasy that follows the infamous ice magician Larmanilla, who resides in a remote ice castle. When he hires Romiard to be his castle’s slave—uh, chef—things take an unexpected turn. Romiard is hesitant to accept the position, not just because of Larmanilla’s fearsome reputation, but also because he’s more comfortable wielding a sword than a ladle—he’s a knight apprentice, after all! However, after tasting Romiard’s unexpectedly delicious magic soup, Larmanilla refuses to let him go. With promises of room and board, a monthly salary, biannual bonuses, and even a golden apple for any injuries sustained, Larmanilla sweetens the deal. The catch? Romiard must prepare three meals a day, provide tea and snacks, and feed the other castle residents—including an army of adorable, fluffy white foxes. Eventually, Romiard signs a five-year contract and begins his new life as the castle’s cook.
Magic Soup is one of my all-time favorite Boys’ Love titles. It’s got everything: angst, wholesomeness, sweet moments, and of course, MAGIC and FLUFFY FOXES! Both Larmanilla and Romiard are captivating characters, each with their own quirks and struggles. Watching them grow individually—and together as a couple—is such a rewarding experience. This is always one of the first BL titles I recommend when someone asks for suggestions.
Magic Soup is complete on Pocket Comics with 50 episodes and is also available to read on Tappytoon and Manta. ⸺ HK
Geon and Suo’s Unholy Love Affair ⸺ It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s Sexergizer! That’s how the gay community has nicknamed Geon. Growing up witnessing their parents living the romantic K-drama life and his first crush on his close friend in high school fizzling away with graduation, Geon gives up on love. He finds comfort in one-night stands, takes advantage of his exceptional looks and excellent skills in bed.
That is until one day, his mom pesters him into joining the New Year sermon at church and he ends up complying. What’s worse, the pastor goes on and on about purifying the mind and soul and becoming a new person. When he concludes with “Wicked and lustful thoughts, begone,” something changes. He is the Sexergizer no more. Little Geon is out of order. The gay community is in shambles. Mourning almost. Four long years go by when Geon is visited by a new customer in his tattoo parlor and finally reawakens the ‘sleeping giant’.
Geon and Suho’s Unholy Love Affair by ppyong is a soon-to-be-completed series with 46 chapters on Tappytoon as of now. It’s a wildly humorous series with lots of meme’able panels, but that doesn’t mean there are no touching and bittersweet parts that’ll make you sniffle! Geon and Suo make a great pair both under the sheets and on the streets. Each have their own troubled pasts and some of the problems they encounter during the relationship are hard to grapple with. However, there’s so much to love in this VSC! If you’re looking for a short series with characters as green as broccoli, that brings together funny, emotional and steamy under one roof, I highly recommend these dorks’ unholy love affair! ⸺ MG
Princess Hurricane ⸺ I loved Nina’s Magic Chest by RD, a really fascinating story about addictive behavior with a fantasy twist. When I heard this creator had a new manhwa coming out I had to jump on it, and boy is it delivering so far! RD’s Princess Hurricane has a modern-Korea delinquent preparing to rule his all-boy’s school with an iron fist swap places with a fantasy fairytale princess who can talk to animals and would never harm a soul, to predictably hilarious results. The delicate princess-turned-transfer-student decides she must become the school’s “number one”, but all the boys would rather take her on a date instead of fight her.
Meanwhile in the princess’s original world, her friends are convinced the mysterious transformation can only be resolved with true love’s kiss– except the delinquent taking her place thinks everyone around him is too weak to bother with! The art is simple and to the point, with great reaction faces and perfect comedic pacing. The side characters that have decided to help these fishes out of water are also extremely funny, and every turn of events just makes their situations better and worse. I look forward to this manhwa every week!
Princess Hurricane is ongoing on Webtoon with 45 episodes. ⸺ MZ
Come back next month for more manhwa recs! Click here to check out every entry of the column.
