8 Best Manhwa Set In The Present Day

Highlights

• Modern Manhwa reflects contemporary themes like social media, fashion, and urban life with a touch of romance and drama.
• The artwork in Modern Manhwa showcases current trends and styles, bringing the stories to life with a familiar touch.
• Manhwa characters in stories like “Your Smile is a Trap” and “Operation: True Love” navigate relatable challenges and personal growth.

Manhwa set in the present day also known as Modern Manhwa, weaves tales that take place in contemporary society. These Korean comics resonate with readers because they explore themes like social media, fashion, and urban life, with a touch of romance, comedy, or drama. Moreover, it also tries to raise awareness on matters such as bullying, social anxiety, and PTSD.

These Manhwa characters usually navigate relatable challenges to readers such as career aspirations, educational aspirations, love life, and personal growth. Additionally, the artwork is an added bonus as it showcases current trends and styles, bringing the stories to life with a vibrant touch of today’s Modern settings. It’s like these Manhwa serve as a window that reflects the relatable lives of characters, resembling the struggles and triumphs of those around us.

8 Your Smile Is A Trap

Teen Romance

Your Smile is a Trap follows the life of Kiyu, a former idol trainee, who wants to live as an ordinary high school student away from fame. His introverted nature complicates his desire to form new friendships without relying on his extremely handsome features. His journey takes an interesting turn when his life gets entangled with his classmate Lilly, who happens to live next door.

Even though Lilly is known for her stoic, cold, and unapproachable personality, Kiyu can’t help but fall for her the more he gets to know the real her. Their growing bond becomes a source of mutual support, as they help each other navigate personal challenges and overcome their unresolved struggles.

7 Operation: True Love

High School Romance

Operation: True Love navigates the ups and downs of Su-ae’s high school romance life. Initially, she dates Minu Kang, a boyfriend who seems distant and indifferent to her and more attentive to her charismatic stepsister. A twist of fate reveals the infidelity of Minu and Ra-im through a Jellypop flip phone.

To get revenge, Su-ae asks Eunhyeok to pose as her boyfriend, using his connection to Ra-im, who likes him, and Minu, who considers him a friend. At first, Eunhyeok is reluctant due to personal reasons, but as their bond strengthens, he becomes a steadfast presence in her life. As feelings deepen, Su-ae’s initial plans for revenge blur and Eunhyeok finds himself increasingly enchanted by her.

6 Positively Yours

Heart-Fluttering Romance

Upon discovering her best friend’s amorous relationship, Hee-Won visits the Time Premium Bar to get over her unrequited feelings toward Min-Wook in Positively Yours. At the Bar, she encounters Doo-Joon, whose charm leads to an unexpected pregnancy. Fate intertwines their lives further when Hee-Won realizes Doo-Joon is not only her student’s uncle but also the chairman of the school where she teaches.

Fearing professional dismissal, she considers resigning, but Doo-Joon proposes marriage instead, as he wants to take responsibility for their child. Despite his intentions, Hee-Won hesitates, as they’re basically strangers, but will he be able to convince her otherwise?

5 See You In My 19th Life

An Eternal Love Story

See You in My 19th Life is a Manhwa that delves into the life of Jieum Ban, who possesses an extraordinary ability that allows her to recall all her past life memories. In her 18th reincarnation, she forms a deep and heartfelt promise with Seoha, only to have their bond cut short by a tragic accident.

The car accident leaves the little one traumatized. Now, in her 19th life, Jieum is determined to work diligently to reunite with Seoha and close the gap between their past and her present. However, will Seoha remember her, or will his traumatic memories of her 18th life hinder their growing relationship?

4 Daytime Star

Drama-Free Love Story

Yura Hwang is a struggling actress in Daytime Star, who has struggled for recognition over the past seven years. One day, her talent secures her a small role in a bound-to-be successful movie. On set, while crying, she meets the celebrity’s celebrity, Seunghyeon Kang.

The top actor can’t seem to get Yura out of his mind, and she can’t resist his kind charm and straightforward personality. As their relationship deepens, they form a resilient and heartwarming connection that not only helps them grow as individuals but also enables them to face and overcome their struggles together.

3 My Reason To Die

Bad Boy Romance

While saving her brother from committing a foolish act, Ji-o breaks her leg and is forced to postpone her dream of joining the national taekwondo team in My Reason to Die. As she struggles with her feelings, an encounter with Gyeol, a captivating and charming boy, offers her a temporary escape from all her troubles.

Even though Gyeol seems and acts nice to Ji-o, she has to be careful as she suspects his involvement with the wrong crowd. Despite the risks and the warning signs, Ji-o can’t seem to resist the allure of his charms and charisma.

2 Lookism

A Story About Survival

Lookism follows the story of Hyeong-Seok, who endured relentless bullying due to his appearance and poor background. Seeking a fresh start, he convinces his mom to transfer him to J High School’s Fashion Department. However, his hopes crash after being bullied by a passerby for a minor accident, and he gets humiliated online.

Overnight, a mystical occurrence was bestowed upon Hyeong-Seok, as he woke up with a new, attractive, and physically-built body. In a state of shock, he discovers his original body in the living room and realizes he can switch between two forms when he touches the other or falls asleep. This discovery makes him rejoice and swear to achieve everything he couldn’t as his old self, but can he keep using this body?

1 Solo Leveling

The Story Of The Weakest Hunter

Solo Leveling is a Manhwa where Hunters, blessed with special magical abilities, must defeat exotic monsters to maintain the world’s balance and peace. Upon Awakening, each Hunter is assigned a rank (E, D, C, B, A, or S) with E being the weakest and S the strongest. Sung Jinwoo is an E-Hunter known as the Weakest Hunter but tries his utmost to survive and provide for his family.

One day, during a Double-Dungeon raid, the frail boy gets neglected by most party members due to human selfishness. Unable to face the higher-leveled monsters alone, Jingwoo must face his end, but before receiving the final blow, he gets picked up by a mysterious system. This system blesses Sung with the rare opportunity of leveling up and becoming stronger. However, such power comes with its own set of sacrifices.