The 7 Best Dark Romance Manhwa (Webtoons) You Must Read 2025
Welcome to the dark side! Well, of romance manhwa at least.
While it is always nice to read a boy-meets-girl story that results in a happy ending, sometimes it’s good to remember life doesn’t always work that way.
Dark romance manhwas do exactly what they say they will. They explore the dark side of romance in a way that is so far removed from the sweet, traditional stories that end in the triumph of love.
If you are not familiar with this sub-genre, be prepared to have your eyes opened by these seven stories that touch upon trauma, abuse, and violence. They’ll certainly make you think.
- Roxana
It is fair to say Roxana is not a wholesome romance manga.
The story focuses on an ingenuous young lady who, in an incredible twist of fate, suddenly finds herself trapped in a dark fantasy novel.
There, she has to live as Roxana, the Machiavellian daughter of the Agrece family, a wicked clan full of madmen and is forced to live under the same roof as these crazies.
To survive, she must go against everything she stands for. But how long can she keep up the pretence, and will she ever escape?
If this is the first dark romance manhwa you read, you’ll be off to a cracking start. The twisted storyline, outstanding art and well-fleshed characters are all exceptional.
- Trapped
While the artwork in Trapped isn’t as good as that of Roxana, its narrative is so full of tension that you’ll find it hard to breathe as you read it.
The plot focuses on the toxic relationship between Yunsu Park and Chae-a Han, who, it is fair to say, don’t like each other. In fact, they hate each other to the point that they love nothing more than to put each other down and cause them misery.
However, when Yunsu’s life takes an upward curve, their brutal exploits become quite one-sided – until such time as fate intervenes in the form of an accident that turns Chae-a into a vampire.
Blessed with new powers, she hatched depraved plans to make Yunsu regret he was ever born. Or at least that is her intention, but will it work out that way?
- Post-Possession Damage Control
Poor old Kanna has lived a lonely life. Born to her father’s mistress, she is shunned by her step-siblings, who treat her very badly. Every day is a challenge, and she yearns to be somewhere else. So, imagine her delight when she transmigrates to a loving family in modern Korea.
However, this delight lasts just seven years when she discovers she is stuck in a loveless and toxic marriage when she returns to her original life. At this point she decrees to take charge of her life by taking matters into her own hands.
Overall, Post-Possession Damage Control is a terrific read because of its gritty plot, badass female lead and exquisite art panels. But what makes it stand out is its absorbing dark revenge theme that will leave you gasping for breath.
- The Broken Ring: This Marriage Will Fail Anyway
This story might be a slow burner for some, but please persevere with it because you’ll eventually find it to be an outstanding dark romance manhwa.
Unlike many others in the genre, it is not purely a story of revenge. There are also themes of second chances and redemption running through it that will keep your interest well and truly piqued with immersive character arcs and master-tier art.
The story centres around Inés Valeztena de Perez, who, despite already experiencing two lifetimes of misery, signs herself up to a third by marrying the womanising Duke Carcel Escalantea.
Knowing what she is getting herself in for, she is surprised to find the young duke smitten with her, to the point that he wants to remain faithful – or at least so he says.
This story has also been written as a book, which you can find on Amazon here.
- Red Fox
The best way to describe Red Fox is as a tragic psychological drama with a plot so twisty, it will tie you up in knots.
Notable for its distinctive red-and-black art style and deep characters, the story is set in the land of Ibana, which was once terrorised by a mysterious red fox. This led to the chilling warning “Be wary of the red fox. If you can’t outrun it, offer it the thing you value the most. If you don’t, you’ll die.”
But what does the fox really want? And what can tame it?
All is revealed when an ill-fated young lass crosses paths with a cursed immortal beast, and a gentle flame of love starts to flicker.
- How to Win My Husband Over
Transmigration is always a lottery, and sometimes fate can be downright cruel. So, when Rudbeckia assumes the role of an abused daughter, she must find a way to adapt to her new situation.
However, that is easier said than done because her power-hungry family, the notorious Borgia clan, forces her into a grotesque arranged marriage with her worst enemy, which leaves her in a hopeless situation – for now.
Make no mistake, How to Win My Husband Over is a story that is as dark as this genre gets. Indeed, while the characters are a touch on the slow-burning side, their relationships are so twisted you’ll start to question the potential of your own to go south.
- Cry, or Better Yet, Beg
This Victorian historical romance has well-developed character arcs and a clever plot tone that will engross you from the start.
In Cry, or Better Yet, Beg, the hapless Layla Llewellyn is orphaned at a young age. Even sadder is that she is sent from one relative to another, who progressively treats her worse.
By the time she reached the age of 11, she had unfortunately experienced some of the cruellest aspects of society. However, life throws her a bone when a kindhearted, albeit grumpy, distant relative decides to take her in.
He works for the dukedom and provides her with the stability and guardianship she needs. However, the poor girl’s resistance is set to be tested again when the young Duke Matthias appears on the scene.
Final Thoughts
If you are a fan of traditional love-conquers-all stories, then you should stick to these publications because dark romance manhwas probably aren’t for you.
However, if you are yearning for something a little edgier that reflects the harsh realities of life, then you’ll be pleasantly surprised at this sub-genre.
You might find them confronting at first, and you may need some time to process what you’ve read. But there is no doubt that the more you get into them, the more compelling they will be.
FAQs About Dark Romance Manhwa
What is Dark Romance Manhwa?
Dark romance manhwa is stories that feature complex and often twisted relationships that have unhappy endings. Sometimes, themes of abuse, trauma, and violence are central to their plot.
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