How to Keep the Zombie Genre Everlasting and Irresistibly Attractive? It’s a pity, but who hasn’t found themselves captivated by a thrilling story where humanity faces a terrifying apocalypse, where people are turned into monstrous, savage creatures, and only a few “chosen ones” remain to fight against them?
Manhwa in the Zombie Genre has combined and interwoven various plots, presenting captivating stories and intricate narratives from the past to the present.
Some of these stories have made a significant impact on the public, to the extent that they have even been adapted into popular Korean animation films.
Here are 7 Must-Read Zombie Manhwa that You Shouldn’t Miss If You Love This Genre!
7. Hive
Hive is a manhwa that debuted in 2014 and ran until 2018 with a total of 243 chapters. Although this manhwa features a type of virus that turns humans into “mindless beasts,” it approaches this concept quite differently.
Lee Eun Sung is a typical office worker who finds his mundane job quite tedious. The only motivation for him to get up and go to work every day is his daughter. However, one seemingly ordinary day at the office, Eun Sung Lee and his colleagues are attacked by a giant hornet, which is not only abnormally large but also a life-changing event. The survivors of this hornet attack eventually transform into ghostly creatures concentrated around the hornet.
6. My Daughter Is A Zombie
In a grave scenario like the rising of the undead, My Daughter Is A Zombie presents a somewhat absurd yet heartwarming perspective, offering a necessary escape from the usual bloody chaos. This comedic manhwa was published in 2018 and concluded in 2020 after 90 chapters.
Jeonghwan, a father, has survived the terrifying outbreak, only to discover a shocking truth: his daughter has transformed into a zombie, and she is now the last remaining zombie on Earth.
5. Wake Up Deadman
Kim Yeong Hwan has introduced a unique perspective on the apocalypse featuring intelligent zombies, which are much more complex than what we typically expect. Wake Up Deadman is a manhwa that creatively merges themes of horror, action, comedy, and drama. In this storyline, zombies are not just mindless creatures; they have their own intelligence and motives.
4. Surviving Romance
Visually stunning with a captivating plot, Surviving Romance stands out in the genre. This manhwa has been adapted into a horror film that has astonishingly captivated readers. It was published in 2021 and concluded with 101 chapters in 2023.
Eun Chaerin finds herself engrossed in her favorite fantasy novel, completely immersed in its world. However, due to an unexpected twist, she suddenly confronts the male lead of the novel, Jeha, in real life. Instead of a mere encounter, she faces a life-threatening situation involving a zombie version of Jeha!
3. Polar Night
Polar Night is a gripping horror-action manhwa with a striking visual style and a sophisticated narrative. Unlike many other manhwa, it does not rely on the standard tropes of intelligent zombies or emotional plotlines to develop its story.
Instead, it follows a straightforward narrative where the first encounter with the undead occurs in a research facility in South Korea, where the main character faces off against the first undead creatures.
2. I’m A Mom
If the premise of My Daughter is a Zombie is considered a tragic comedy, then I’m a Mom takes it a step further, exploring deeper emotional themes while maintaining a humorous tone. Instead of a daughter turning into a zombie, it revolves around a mother who becomes a zombie to protect her daughter from the horrors of the world.
The opening chapters of I’m a Mom evoke feelings of nostalgia and warmth, but as the story progresses, it shifts towards a more action-oriented narrative. The plot focuses on the mother’s struggle to protect her daughter from both undead threats and the more menacing dangers posed by surviving humans.
1. Sweet Home
Sweet Home has been adapted into one of the most popular Korean dramas of 2020. The first chapter of this manhwa was published in 2017 and concluded in 2020 after 141 chapters. Although Sweet Home does not explicitly use the term “zombie” to describe its creatures, the underlying themes of transformation and monstrosity are prominent.
The story follows an 18-year-old boy, Cha Hyun Soo, who lives alone in apartment 1410 of the Green Home complex, leading a reclusive life. However, Hyun Soo begins to exhibit symptoms of transformation, and he witnesses his neighbors turning into monstrous entities. Alongside a group of survivors, he must fight against these terrifying creatures.
