K-Webtoon Review: 5 Horror Webtoons You Must Read

Writer: Shuchi Sharma (Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India) 

Editor: Khushi Vaid ( Delhi, India)

After reading webtoons of various genres, including romance, action, suspense, and drama. It’s time for some really spooky webtoons, which are easily available on Naver Webtoon app. So, without further delay, let’s dive into this article, where I’ll discussed some spine-chilling horror-based webtoons that every horror lover should read at least once!

BASTARD

“Bastard” (후레자식, Hulejasig) is a horror webtoon available on Naver since its publication in 2014, and it got its first English translation in the middle of 2015 on Line. The author of this spooky story is Carnby Kim, with the impressive illustration of Youngchan Hwang.

The story revolves around a sensitive boy named Jin Seon, whose father, Dongsoo Seon, is the executive CEO of a company named G Corporation in front of the world, but also a serial killer. He has used his only son as an ally in all his crimes since his childhood. 

The 94-episode-long manhwa keeps the readers engaged with its perfect plot twists by the end of the climax of each episode. The first episode, which is episode 0, itself makes the reader enthralled by the depiction of a gruesome murder and with the right amount of drama and suspense. It ends with a cliffhanger of the right timing, urging the readers to skip to the next episode without a second thought.

CHARACTERS

The main character, Jin, undergoes a noticeable change. He takes an interest in classmate Kyun Woon, willing to alter his past to get closer to her, finding solace in her presence during difficult situations.

The ultimate antagonist, Dongsoo Seon, evokes instant and continuous reader hate, portrayed with a scary aura that tempts readers to step into the story and punish the killer.

Another key character, Manny, the school bully with a troubled past, reflects the beauty of characters battling inner demons alongside the external demon, creating emotional turmoil for the reader.

PLOT ADVANCEMENT

In Bastard, you’ll delve into the emotions, thoughts, and motivations of the characters as they confront the impact of a series of murders committed by a serial killer. The story explores how Jin, a child, copes with the aftermath. It delves into the challenges faced, tests of friendship, and moments when characters question their beliefs and trust in others.

Jin wrestles with his past, pondering whether he truly knows himself or if he’s merely living a façade. The narrative captures his mindset in such a way that it prompts you to reconsider what you thought you knew. It’s a journey that humanises the strength required to move after experiencing such trauma.

CONCLUSION

The conclusion of Bastard truly deserves applause from the reader. While some moments may be predictable and justified, many take twists and turns. The story masterfully balances between expected events and surprising scenes, effectively keeping the reader engaged. Gripping and suspenseful moments make you want to shout and cheer for the characters as they try to escape their assailant.

The overall atmosphere is dark and sombre, completely immersing the reader in a world. The pacing remains consistent throughout, although the ending feels slightly hurried, it doesn’t disrupt the flow of the narrative. There’s really very little to fault. Fans of webcomics should definitely give “Bastard” a chance. Even if you’re not typically into webcomics, it’s certainly worth exploring. Just be mindful that if horror or graphic violence isn’t your cup of tea, there are some really gruesome crimes involved in the story.

CHASING TAILS

“Chasing Tails” (꼬리잡기, Korijabgi) is a thriller horror webtoon created by BASHI and was original Korean release was on July 10, 2021, whereas its English premiere was on October 14, 2021. Its 107^th and final episode was released on August 19^th 2023, in Korean, whereas in English, the last episode was released on October 12, 2023.

The story is an addictive dose of constant thrill and mystery, where the rush of suspense at all the right times gives the spooky chills of horror in the hearts of the readers. The sudden facts and twists keep the readers bound on turning the wheels of their heads to find the real suspect. After every episode, the readers find themselves pointing towards a new character to be under the light of suspicion.

Following the lives of nine college students, who were trapped in a collapsed building (The Contra Studio) and returned after 14 days, with just the six of them coming out alive and four of them turned mute, the story acts as a ride of continuous mystery and perfectly added suspense, which keeps the reader to be on the edge till the finale episode.

CHARACTERS

Dr. Yeonghwa Ju, a well-known neuropsychiatrist and guide in The Contra Studio case, rose to fame as a survivor of the Songni Mountain incident. Her calm demeanour upsets co-workers who expect more care.

Jeongdo Kwon, a respected member of the Seoul Yongam Station Homicide Unit 2, is known for catching the arsonists of the Yongam serial killer. His workaholic nature lines his social life and complicates his courtship with Yeonghwa Ju. Yeongchae Shin, also in Homicide 2, brings a lighter tone to the team.

PLOT ADVANCEMENT

The story is really compelling, and the story is full of intriguing mystery. One can also wonder if supernatural forces are at play. The story is not only misleading; the researchers working on it also have interesting stories.

The depiction of the situation creates a strong bond to the plot, especially when they are shown the details of their time of arrest, which evokes real emotions. The mysterious nature of the story is frightening; however, it’s addictive, and it always makes the readers wonder about who the murderer is. Despite the constant chatter, it’s far from boring and truly engaging.

CONCLUSION

In summary, it’s excellent! Good points are an interesting story, simple connections, and emotional descriptions. The frustration of an unknown suspect and the sadness of losing good people are the downsides, but that’s where the suspense of the plot makes it scary and nerve-wracking. The comic is worth a read.

TALES OF THE UNUSUAL

“Tales of the Unusual” is a true horror webtoon that one can ever come across. An Oh Seong-dae creation, which was first released in 2013 and ended by 2022, is available on webtoon with a total of 18 episodes.

The one thing that makes this comic unique is that it does not tell one story. Instead, it consists of many different stories and even genres, which are divided into 2 to 10 parts. As the title describes, the plot and characters can not really be explained about the comic due to the nature of this webtoon, be introduces new characters and stories after the end of the part of every new episode.

From the usual monsters of the horror genre, like Ghosts and demons, there are even the stories of unknown or inner monsters like greed and its danger. Despite everything, every story makes the reader want more, and if it is to be read in the middle of a dark, silent night, then being haunted by nightmares for a week is given!

All in all, “Tales of the Unusual” is the best and regret-free choice for the maniacs who love the spooky, spine-chilling horror genre and are crazy for variety.

I’M THE GRIM REAPER

“I’m The Grim Reaper” was created by Graveweaver in 2018, then was highlighted in August of 2019. It is the ongoing comic that has completed 188 episodes on Webtoon, where 185 episodes have already been uploaded, and the remaining three will be available to read after buying the coins.

Suppose you are someone who is obsessed with creepy horror stories, complete with action and mystery. In that case, you should most definitely check this one out, as the story does not just bring the horror to the table but also the thrill and rush of excitement when the protagonist fights and catches the dead despite being dead herself.

CHARACTERS

Scarlet, a dead girl, becomes the Grim Reaper after death due to her deal with Satan, who gave Scarlet her powers alongside all the other Reapers, is the ruler of Hell and in charge of the placement of sinners in the Circle of Hell.

Alongside Chase Carter, her best friend, and Brook, another grim reaper who is the only one without committing sins, Scarlet completes her mission of killing a sinner per day. 

Apart from these, there are many other characters, including Ashe – he first grim reaper, Wrynn – another grim reaper, Celeste – An Archangel, and Judah – a master manipulator and the main protagonist of the story.

PLOT ADVANCEMENT

The story unfolds when Scarlett is dead and is thrown into a transcendental afterlife. Struggling with her loss of memory of the times when she was alive, she makes a terrible deal with Satan to kill a sinner every day or face punishment in hell.

This deal sets the stage for the spine-chilling journey, where a jump-start punctuates the terrifying atmosphere and intense action moves the story forward. In a dramatic turn of events, Scarlett’s quest captures the essence of the supernatural events and promises an intriguing and exciting storyline.

CONCLUSION

Overall, “I’m The Grim Reaper,” by Graveweaver, opens up a fascinating story with this ongoing webtoon that seamlessly blends horror, action, and mystery. Made through a pact with the devil, Scarlett’s journey promises an exciting supernatural quest.

Immerse yourself in the excitement of its otherworldly battles, unveil a world filled with fascinating characters, and soak in the surprises and thrills that each tell this incredible tale with depth – a must-read for horror enthusiasts!

SPIRIT-HUNTER

“Spirit-Hunter” is the creation of Yoon Hyun-seung and Bang Seung-hyun. This webtoon was released in Korean on August 26, 2020, and then the English Version was available since August 10, 2021. It is an ongoing webtoon that has completed 93 Korean episodes and 81 English episodes so far.

CHARACTERS

Sehui Han, one swordsman from Dongye, and his powerful partner, Black Tiger, battle the spirits. Compassionate and determined, the young soul befriends Hwimori and embarks on a journey to restore his name and memory.

PLOT ADVANCEMENT

As this adventure progresses, Sehui Han’s heroism stands out as he encounters dangerous spirits, sending spine-chilling thrills through readers. The addictive element of the ongoing story is the thrilling encounters and mysterious revelations.

Donghye’s precarious situation and Sehui’s fearless adventures make for an engaging story, ensuring that readers continue to enjoy the thrill of exploration and the promise of finding the unknown at every turn.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, Yoon Hyun-seung’s “Spirit-Hunter” provides an ongoing story of Sehui Han’s heroism, fighting with ghosts alongside Black Tiger.

With 93 Korean and 81 English Episodes, this manga promises a perfect blend of suspense, mystery, and intriguing encounters. Immerse yourself in the adventure, and continue to enjoy the thrill of discovering the unknown in each chapter.

So, which of these webtoons would you like to read next? Tell us in the comments!