Top 20 Best Historical Manhwa Novels
Top 20 Best Historical Manhwa Novels to Read in 2024 (Updated)
Many articles are published day by day due to their popularity, and we are here for it. With the thrilling genre being dominant, we have had a variety of different versions of this genre. So today we bring you a list of the best historical romance manhwa.
Contents
Top 20 Best Historical Romantic Manhwa
20) The Shadow Bride
| Name | Geurimja Sinbu |
| Number of chapters | 96 |
| Author | Sae In Lee (story); Soo Bin Lim (art) |
| Editor | Naver Series |
| Broadcast | 2020 – 2022 |
Winning wars to bring glory to his older brother, Prince Yunjo is a man of shadows. He always stayed behind his brother and fulfilled his duty diligently until one day he met a mysterious woman, Seolyun. Instantly seduced by her, Yunjo now wishes to emerge from the shadows to find the woman he loves.
Set in a setting, Shadow Bride has a beautiful love story at its heart that makes it one of the best historical manhwas.
19) A kind goblin bird
| Name | Sangnyanghan Dokkaebiui Sae |
| Number of chapters | 33 |
| Author | 8cat, there |
| Editor | ridi books |
| Broadcast | 2020 – 2021 |
For manhwa lovers who are looking for titles that don't drag on for multiple seasons, we have the perfect recommendation. A Kind Goblin's Bird is a short historical romance manhwa with equal amounts of smut, smut, and drama.
Set in ancient China, the story begins in Xi'an, the capital of the prosperous Shun Kingdom. There is a rumor going around the kingdom about a holy maiden who has the ability to come and sing into people's dreams and make their wishes come true.
Intrigued by this rumor, Prince Sa Heonyoung disguises himself as a commoner and visits the girl. The moment he hears her singing, he is instantly enchanted by the beautiful girl and falls in love with her.
18) The princess prints a traitor
| Name | The princess prints a traitor |
| Number of chapters | 58+ |
| Author | Lee Rinbi, Suli/Sagong |
| Editor | Cocoa Page |
| Broadcast | 2021 – ongoing |
The Princess Imprints A Traitor is one of the best historical romance manhwa that brings you a classic romance between Michael, the King of Homunculus, and the seventh Imperial Princess, Evenrose.
The plot begins with Evenrose's insistence on drinking poison and choosing death at the hands of her evil sister, Bridgette. After being chosen to succeed the throne, Bridgette chose to side with the Homunculi and led the Empire to its eternal doom.
However, Evenrose finds herself teleported eight years before everything began to fall apart. As a result, she now has a chance to stop Bridgette from becoming Empress.
To make herself worthy of being crowned empress, Evenrose chose to pursue Michael so that she could impress the emperor. The manhwa is filled with politics and exciting romance set against the backdrop of historical settings.
17) The family of the count's thug
| Name | Baekjakgaui Mangnaniga Doeeotda |
| Number of chapters | 92+ |
| Author | Ryeohan YU, PAN4 |
| Editor | Cocoa Page |
| Broadcast | 2020 – ongoing |
Lout Of Count's Family is also one of the few historical romance manhwas told from a man's point of view, which is refreshing. The action takes place in a historical period where magic and dragons exist.
The main protagonist, Kim Rok Soo, finds himself sucked into a novel he read at some point. He becomes one of the minor villains in the novel's story. To make matters worse, in the novel he is drawn into malicious conflicts and politics, which changes the actual story of the novel.
Rok Soo must now plan very carefully to overcome the dangerous situations he encounters, using his knowledge of the novel's original story.
Soon he meets Rosalyn, crown princess of the Kingdom of Berck. Rosalyn is a cold and ambitious woman. To everyone's surprise, she fell in love with Rok Soo and leaves everything behind to pursue him.
As a result, what follows is filled with hilarious moments and heartwarming moments layered with serious twists and turns.
16) Light and shadow
| Name | Light and shadow |
| Number of chapters | 103 |
| Author | Ryu Hyang |
| Editor | Cocoa Page |
| Broadcast | 2016 – 2019 |
If you like romance between people of different economic status, this manhwa is for you. The plot features Edna, a stubborn servant who is sold to marry Duke Eli instead of the noble princess.
Hiding her identity and bigger secrets, Edna must survive what comes next and, most importantly, Duke Eli, who is not very nice.
The plot is filled with twists and turns and intense romance that will leave you wanting to know more. You can't miss Light And Shadow.
15) Moonlight Garden
| Name | Moonlight Garden |
| Number of chapters | 98 |
| Author | TO UNNIE, Miss PM |
| Editor | Lejine |
| Broadcast | 2017 – 2019 |
Moonlight Garden presents a wholesome and exciting romance between two women. The plot begins with the main protagonist, Dohwa, stealing the ingredients for her secret potions which she concocts to escape her fate. In her worst nightmare, she is caught by Lady Hweon, the new mistress.
Set in the Korean historical era when brothels were popular, the plot focuses on a fictional brothel, Moonlight Garden, famous for its highly trained Flower Maidens.
Dohwa and Lady Hweon survive their harsh lives as flower maidens while keeping deep secrets, hoping to change their lives. If you are looking for a tragic yet beautiful romance, this manhwa is a must-see.
14) Joseon Danpyeonseon
| Name | Joseon Danpyeonseon |
| Number of chapters | 28 |
| Author | Four |
| Editor | Boomtoon |
| Broadcast | 2020 |
If you are looking for a compilation of unique and beautiful love stories, this is the manhwa for you. All the stories take place in the golden era of Joseon. Joseon Danpyeonseon is a very underrated and unexplored manhwa; therefore, we highly recommend you to try it. The collection consists of seven short stories:
- The Court Lady
- Last Wish
- Fraudsters
- Lotus Ridge (GL-)
- My Hunter Can't Be This Cute! (BL-)
- The Crescent Scholar (BL-)
- Tale of Hodong (BL- Boys Love)
13) The elixir of the sun
| Name | Taeyanguijuin |
| Number of chapters | 114+ |
| Author | Konn, One, Song Yi |
| Editor | Cocoa Page |
| Broadcast | 2020 – ongoing |
Set in a fantasy kingdom of the Joseon era and a world where people with the magical ability to heal exist, the plot features Bayan, the main protagonist, who is the black sheep among his people.
As she possesses no healing powers, Bayan is an outcast and is abandoned in the court of Dhan, the Great Sun Emperor.
The problem here is that Emperor Dhan is cursed with an insatiable bloodlust and ends up murdering his concubines. Will Bayan be able to survive her inevitable fate, or perhaps she is the one who could finally break the emperor's curse? You will read this manhwa to find out.
The plot contains an intense romance that develops into a wholesome and touching story while the story remains interesting from start to finish.
12) The villain is a puppet
| Name | Agnyeoneun Puppet |
| Number of chapters | 78+ |
| Author | Yi Rim HAN, Mangle |
| Editor | Cocoa Page |
| Broadcast | 2021 – ongoing |
Taking place in an Empire, the plot features Cayena, the imperial princess, known as the most woman in the Empire. Unfortunately, Cayena is betrayed by everyone around her.
Her brother uses her as a pawn, as does her crazy husband, who has his own evil plans. Therefore, all these evil plots lead her to death.
The problem is that Cayena has come back to life and now must take revenge and destroy everyone who wronged her. She must become the villain and change her destiny.
The romantic element is provided by Raffaello Kidrey, a devastating and charming prince. Therefore, if you are looking for a strong and determined female lead with an incredibly beautiful art style, this is the manhwa for you.
11) Beware of the bad girl!
| Name | Geu Angnyeoreul Josimhaseyo! |
| Number of chapters | 128 |
| Author | Sparkling ice, Blue Canna |
| Editor | Cocoa Page |
| Broadcast | 2020 – 2022 |
This manhwa features a modern-day college student who wakes up as the Duke's daughter, Melissa Foddebrat, in a fantasy realm. This new Melissa decides to do things her way and challenge royal society.
Melissa is far from everyone's favorite, but she chooses to accept it and willingly become the villain of this fantasy world. There are even several devoted suitors lining up to win her love.
The plot is filled with countless hilarious moments and stunning art style. The romance slowly weaves into the story as the plot progresses. So if you're looking for a satisfying mix of and, this manhwa is a must-watch.
10) When the Black Moon rises
| Name | Geomeun Dari Tteumyeon |
| Number of chapters | 36+ |
| Author | Boryung, Yumimi, Wooju |
| Editor | Cocoa Page |
| Broadcast | 2022 – ongoing |
A brilliant historical romance manhwa with a revenge angle, When the Black Moon Rises follows Ju Sehwa, the daughter of the most powerful clan in their kingdom. Her perfect life comes to an abrupt end when the most trusted people around her conspire against her and accuse her of treason before executing her.
When Sehwa is granted a second chance at life by a divine wish, she is determined to take revenge on those who betrayed her. In her endeavor, she finds an unlikely ally in Baek Giha, the leader of the rival Ju clan.
With Giha, Sehwa will have to experience many things, including plot and romance.
9) I married the father of the male protagonist
| Name | I became the mother of the hero Namjuui Eommaga Doeeobeoryeotda |
| Number of chapters | 86+ |
| Author | Gyammi, Eunchae GO, Sanho, Eongsseu |
| Editor | Cocoa Page |
| Broadcast | 2020 – ongoing |
This manhwa has a different take on the cliché isekai concept. The plot features a protagonist teleported into her favorite novel under the name Aisha Heathcliff.
The difference here is that she is abandoned in the story of the novel where the main character, Abel, whom she fangirls over, is still a child. So, she ends up marrying his father and becoming his mother.
She vows to take care of Abel and give him all the love he originally didn't receive. Aisha, the main protagonist, discovers different aspects of the novel that she had not discovered before. This naturally changes the original story of the novel.
The plot is beautifully written and filled with various twists and turns, all within a complex setting. You absolutely cannot miss this manhwa.
8) Joseon's ban on marriage
| Name | Geumhonlyeong Joseonhon Ingeumjilyeong |
| Number of chapters | 103 |
| Author | Ji-Hye CHUN, Sanchaek |
| Editor | Webtoon Naver |
| Broadcast | 2019 – 2021 |
The Joseon Marriage Ban is one of the best historical manhwa to read in 2023 if you haven't already. Set in the Joseon era, the plot begins with the news that all marriages are banned in the kingdom due to the tragic loss of the king's wife.
Despite several pleas from the people of the kingdom, the king remains heartbroken and depressed. Until the main protagonist, Sorang, arrives as one of the prisoners. She shocks everyone when she hilariously acts possessed and claims to be a marriage expert. On top of that, she says the marriage ban will end this year.
Now that she's finally lied in front of everyone, including the king, she can only allow herself to be further trapped in a web of pathological lies to save herself from exposure. Working at the royal palace as a fortune teller and marriage specialist, Sorang must survive.
Every panel of this manhwa is filled with comedy and the plot is historically dense with the perfect amount of romance. We highly recommend this manhwa.
7) Painter of the night
| Name | Yahveop |
| Number of chapters | 106+ |
| Author | Goodbye Duck |
| Editor | Lejine |
| Broadcast | 2019 – ongoing |
Set in the Joseon era, the plot features a cold-hearted and complicated nobleman, Yoon Seungho, who kills anyone simply if they are in the mood. A young peasant, Na Kyum, catches his eye when Seungho discovers he is the anonymous artist behind the scandalous paintings.
Na Kyum claims to have sworn to never hold a paintbrush again and lives his life as a drunk.
To Na Kyum's surprise, Seungho forces him to be his private painter and paint erotic paintings for him. The plot explores a toxic romance between a modest peasant and a disorderly nobleman that eventually turns into a tragic but heartwarming relationship.
Painter Of The Night is one of the most popular historical romance manhwa with layered, complicated and realistically written characters. If you are looking for a mature and romance-heavy plot, this manhwa is for you.
6) The Princess's Blue Guardian
| Name | Machimnae Pureun Bulkkochi |
| Number of chapters | 100 |
| Author | Heo Sua, Robin Bae |
| Editor | Cocoa Page |
| Broadcast | 2019 – 2021 |
Set in the Joseon era, this romantic manhwa revolves around Princess Jeong Myeong, the sickly daughter of the royal family whose life is turned upside down when traitors usurp the royal court and kill most of her family members before putting her caged under their control.
But even though the situation seems bleak, Jeong Myeong can't give up and must do everything to save the lives of the rest of her family. When she receives help from the mystical goblin who swears to protect her, she accepts it wholeheartedly, little does she know that it is the beginning of a beautiful romance that will change her life.
5) Your throne
| Name | Haruman Nega Doego Sipeo |
| Number of chapters | 187+ |
| Author | Himself |
| Editor | Webtoon Naver |
| Broadcast | 2020 – ongoing |
Unlike the rest of the entries on this list, Your Throne is not only a historical romantic manhwa, it is also a gripping psychological thriller. The story of this manhwa centers around two childhood best friends, Madea Solon and Psyche Calista, who grew apart over time.
The two girls with contrasting personalities enter the competition to become the wife of Crown Prince Eros where the cold and shrewd Madea loses to the gentle and wise Psyche. As the result sparks more political warfare in the land, Medea and Psyche find themselves in a strange situation where they have switched bodies.
4) Taming of the Tyrant
| Name | Pokguneul Gildeurigo Domangchyeobeoryeotda |
| Number of chapters | 80+ |
| Author | Ji-hyun, Daon Studio, Fusion, Yusoy |
| Editor | Cocoa Page |
| Broadcast | 2021 – ongoing |
Set in a fantasy kingdom where fairies, magic, and curses exist, this manhwa features Charlize Ronan, a princess who is cursed to become literal just to serve as a simple killing tool for members of the royal family. After being tortured for over 400 years like a sword, Charlize begs the gods to give her another chance.
Granting her desperate prayers, Charlize is awakened in her old body. She is now determined to put an end to this terrible empire which has brought her nothing but betrayal and misery.
Charlize manages to crown young prince Dylan Blade as ruler. She must now tame this tyrant who will help her get revenge.
The plot has a vibrant and beautiful art style and many exciting romantic elements. You must not miss this.
3) Gwanghae's lover
| Name | Gwanghaeui Yeonin |
| Number of chapters | 100 |
| Author | Évodie, Reos |
| Editor | Webtoon Naver |
| Broadcast | 2020 – 2023 |
This manhwa features an epic romance between the main protagonists that transcends time and other deadly obstacles. The plot focuses on Kyungmin, a modern-day young woman with the ability to travel through time.
One beautiful day, she meets Gwanghae, an 18-year-old prince from the Joseon era who somehow found himself in the present. Even though they have just spent a day together, they part with wholesome and unforgettable memories.
After ending up in the Joseon era, Gwanghae can't forget Kyungmin and desperately wants to find her.
A shocking turn of events forces Kyungmin to make the dangerous decision to time travel, but to her surprise, she finds herself in the timeline where Gwanghae is 27 years old. The plot then unfolds many twists and turns filled with epic romance. This manhwa is a hidden gem and we highly recommend it.
2) Under the oak
| Name | Under the oak |
| Number of chapters | 62+ |
| Author | Kim Soo-Ji, P. |
| Editor | ridi books |
| Broadcast | 2020 – ongoing |
Under The Oak Tree is one of the most popular and best historical romance manga to read in 2023. The plot features Maximillian Croix, the daughter of a duke.
Maximillian's father mentally and physically abused her because she stuttered every time she spoke. As a result, she grew up with low self-esteem and a deeply scarred person.
Maximillian was later married off to a humble knight, Riftan Calypse, by her father, who simply wanted to get rid of his responsibilities. However, luck was still not on his side.
Riftan was a cold and emotionally detached man who only cared about his royal duties. Riftan leaves home and only returns after 3 years as a famous and triumphant knight.
Now that the two protagonists are reunited, they will find a way to work together and be able to love each other. The plot beautifully explores how a relationship would develop between two flawed and scarred characters.
1) The remarried empress
| Name | Jaehon Hwanghu |
| Number of chapters | 122+ |
| Author | Alphatart, Sumpul, HereLee |
| Editor | Webtoon Naver |
| Broadcast | 2019 – ongoing |
The Remarried Empress is the best historical romance manhwa to read in 2023. This manhwa tells a beautiful and mature romance between a divorced empress and a young prince.
The plot begins when Navier Ellie Trovi, an exceptional and kind empress, is deceived by her husband. He then divorces Navier while she also demands to retain her right to remarriage.
Navier then marries a young prince, Heinrey retaining his royal status. Heinrey treats her with respect and kindness. He soon ascends the throne as a true king and thus wins Navier's heart.
The plot features a strong, independent and mature female protagonist, as well as a charming and polite male protagonist, all in a stunning artistic style.
The plot tells a very mature and beautiful romance between two independent characters who find comfort in each other, making it one of the best historical romance manhwas to read.
With this, our list of best historical romance manhwa comes to an end. We hope you enjoy them to the fullest. We will return with more lists of recommendations of this type covering . Until then, stay tuned and enjoy reading!
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