Summary
Korean manhwa have been carving their own corner in the highly dominated pop-culture anime fandoms for quite some time now. The gap between manga and manhwa has been bridging, and that could be attributed to how unique some manhwa genres are. With the rise ofhyper-popular adaptations likeSolo Leveling, more and more fans are getting into that signature manhwa vibe.
Although manhwa, particularly those involving ghost hunters as protagonists, are slightly more niche than some other genres, those that do exist have some of the most unique plotlines in the sphere. Halloween might be over, but the supernatural never really goes out of style — especially in action-packed manhwa.
2020
Status
Completed
Uncanny Charmwill hit all theright notes for all the BL fansout there. The wholesome chemistry between the two leads, Yoon-Jae and Beom-Jinn, feels organic and vital to the plot and not forced, unlike some BL manhwa. The entire thing kicks off when Beom-Jinn moves into Yoon-Jae’s building — only for things to take a seriously eerie turn.
Things get spooky when apparitions start stalking Yoo-Jae. This brings the two to work together to help the wandering spirits move on into the afterlife. While the dangers inUncanny Charmmight not be as extreme as some of the other manhwa about ghost hunters out there, there is still a feeling of gravitas. It definitely packs emotional gut punches and hits readers right in the feels. Both main characters face challenges that test their bond and their potential future as a couple.
2005
Unknown
G-Schoolis a quirky one. This manhwa about ghost hunters might seem out of left field, but trust that it is a fun read, especially for fans of moreclassic shonen-style Japanese mangaprotagonists like Naruto from its namesake, or Luffy fromOne Piece.InG-School, the main character, Soryun, is a loudmouthed, brave, and streetwise high-school kid who hails from a lineage of shamans. Naturally, this allows Soryun to sense and see spirits, apparitions, and all kinds of demonic entities.
All kinds of antics ensue as he goes about his duties, trying to juggle high school and the grueling training lessons from his mentor. The only negative aboutG-Schoolis that it is not complete, and there isn’t any strong indicator that suggests a comeback is in the works. But for throwback manga enthusiasts,G-Schoolis a solid manhwa worth checking out.
2016
While it’s true that ghost hunters, or rather the ghost-hunting element itself, aren’t that prominent inThe Scholar’s Reincarnation, they are present in this manhwa nonetheless. What the fans love about this one is theIsekai trope revolving around the protagonist, Hwang Jung-Woo, but it’s handled with compelling narrative beats that make it stand out. This world itself is full of fascinating creatures, including powerful ghosts and spirits, which the main character has no qualms fighting off. So, again, while it’s not explicitly about ghost hunting, the elements are there.
The Scholar’s Reincarnationshines the most during the fight scenes. Given that the hero was a martial artist, and he still has those skills in addition to some hardcore mystical powers, the combat scenarios are a visual delight. It is a tall order to portray an overpowered hero in a way that readers can find interesting, butThe Scholar’s Reincarnationpulls it off. Hwang Jung-Woo’s motivation is an admirable one: he wishes to live his new life to the fullest while protecting his new family from harm. Ironically, this leads him into direct conflict with the many supernatural beings.
2019
The Hellboundis a dark fantasy horror manhwaknown for its profoundly HP Lovecraftian themesand its globally famous K-Drama adaptation. It stretches the rules of manhwa about ghost hunters. Instead of humans chasing after spirits, the so-called hunters become the hunted — by cosmic, hellish entities known as Hellbound Creatures.
These gigantic, bone-chilling cosmic beings appear at the time of the person’s death and, supposedly, drag the person to hell. It is difficult to dissect the whole story, but the crux of the plot involves an investigation aspect where the main character, Inspector Jin, begins uncovering the mystery behind the Hellbound Creatures.
2009
One of the more mature manhwa about ghost hunters is, well,Ghost Hunters. It’s a funny and kind of on-the-nose series, but its name is the only thing humorous about it.The story is as grim and dark as grim tales go, but worth checking out. The aspect of tragedy is strong inGhost Hunters,as it depictscomplex, no-win situations where almost every triumph feels bittersweet. The main character, Kim Jung-Hoon, is drafted into the ranks of the titular Ghost Hunters, yet he is hesitant to cut down the spirits and ghosts ruthlessly.
A solid cast of fellow hunters, who all have fully fleshed-out personas and backstories, add that extra layer of detail that makesGhost Hunterssuch a stand-out manhwa. When the showdown scenes take place, it is an astonishingly beautiful sight with lots of actions and colorful flashiness that’s a staple with action-oriented manhwa. That said, this one should be approached with caution. The storyline leans much darker and more mature than an average manhwa, and may include themes that are not for everyone.
Promised Orchidcan easily be considered one of the best manhwa about ghost hunters, as it has a feel-good story and wholesome emotions. The entire series is every bit the hype beast as the fans claim it to be, with an ideal dynamic between the leads, Jae Sin and So Chun. There are demons and spirits heavily involved in conflict with the duo, but their teamwork and bond allow them to triumph over these adversities.
Promised Orchidis an excellent manhwa from beginning to end. It’s filled with intricate mysteries involving the ancestors of both characters, and jaw-dropping plot twists. It would also be a crime not to acknowledge the utterly gorgeous artwork. Each fight is a feast for the eyes, but even more exquisite are the facial expressions that depict the emotional depth ofPromised Orchid’scharacters. From rage to anguish, or despair to delightful glee, to heartfelt joy, it is spectacularly fulfilling to read.
