Political Manhwa Recommendations: Behind the Curtains
Political webtoons aren’t just about pure powerplays. No, it slowly hooks you with its scheme-filled plot, complex character arcs, and high-stakes tension. And honestly, I enjoy reading such subtle shadow fights.
Reading this high-stakes play makes me feel alive and on the edge. Well, that’s also the reason I’ve collected the best of this genre. And yes, I’ve read each one and more than a dozen that didn’t make the list. Alright, let’s dig into my recommendations.
My Top 15 Political Manhwa to Binge Read
- Your Throne
- The Fantasie of a Stepmother
- Reborn Rich
- I Shall Master This Family
- The Villainess Lives Again
- Villains Are Destined to Die
- A Monstrous First Day
- Ian the Illegitimate Son Was an Emperor
- Past Life Regressor
- Marriage of Convenience
- The Spark in Your Eyes
- The Villainess is a Marionette
- Mookhyang: Dark Lady
- This Is the Law
- The Tax Reaper
1. Your Throne
Lady Medea Solon has her Crown Princess position snatched by her friend Psyche Callista. And oh boy, this kicks off huge political trouble across the Vasilios Empire. But fate intervenes after Medea’s silent wish.
Out of nowhere, she swaps bodies with her bitter rival. It’s all perfect now, right? Wrong. With the rivals now occupying each other’s bodies, they’ll soon find out that conspiracies are swirling behind the scenes, slowly dragging them to a path of no return.
My Review: Your Throne scores a 9/10 and a stamp of recommendation. This political webtoon isn’t your ordinary sweet shoujo. No, it’s dark, mature, and deep. And that’s what makes it a must-read.
It also has crisp pacing, multi-faceted characters, and well-done art. If you enjoy psychological thrillers loaded with endless schemes, then you’re in for a ride.
2. The Fantasie of a Stepmother
Shuri had never imagined marrying into nobility would turn her into a widow. To top it off, she is now stuck raising her late husband’s four grumpy, distant kids. Worse, plot after plot comes her way, but she battles hard to hold the family together.
And just when she’s about to step down as matriarch, someone murders her. The punchline? Instead of death, she regresses back to the time of her husband’s death. But this time, she’s far sharper, smarter, and perhaps warmer.
My Review: Alright, straight 10/10. The Fantasie of a Stepmother sits at the top of all political manhwa for me. It boasts character arcs, characters that feel alive, and stellar art so good it deserves an award.
I’ve enjoyed it so much I’m rereading it for the fourth time. Anyway, if you enjoy tragic regression and romantic webtoons, then don’t miss this goodie.
3. Reborn Rich
Hyeon Woo has poured everything into serving the Soonyang Group, enduring hardships without complaint. For thirteen solid years, he soldiered on and worked himself to the bone. Unfortunately, his boss valued none of it. His ending? Murdered as a fall guy.
The twist? Fate steps in, and he regresses into the body of Jin Dojun, the grandson of Soonyang’s legendary founder. And this round he intends to wipe out the rotten parasites of this family, get revenge, and build a business empire of his own.
My Review: Reborn Rich really shines thanks to its intricate web of schemes, polished artwork, and a surprisingly likable cast. All things considered, this gem earns a solid 9/10 from me.
The best of it all? This tale pulls you in deep, keeps you hooked, and makes it tough to stop reading. If a cleverly done political manhwa is what you want, then you won’t regret reading this one.
4. I Shall Master This Family
Firentia Lombardi is an absolute genius when it comes to business. Tragically, life never gave her the chance to truly shine. Orphaned at a young age, she has been constantly sidelined because of a lack of support.
Worse, she can only watch as the business empire her grandfather grew falls. But what if she earns a chance to redo it all? Can she save the things she holds dear, or will it be just another tragic repeat?
My Review: I Shall Master This Family is peak-tier political manhwa worth a 10/10. It grabs attention with its clever business elements, breathtaking artwork, and characters who feel like real people.
It’s also a mixture of family drama, fulfilling face-slapping, and gripping maneuvering. If you enjoy business webtoons with well-done romance plots, then this is for you.
5. The Villainess Lives Again
Under the manipulation of her mother, Artezia Rozan has dedicated herself to putting her brother on the throne. She might look like a harmless noblewoman, but in reality, she is a brilliant plotter. The hand behind the shadows.
The twist? That very talent terrified her brother, leading him to betray her after he got the throne. Still, she has one last card to play. Instead of dying, she gambles on an untested, forbidden spell to turn back time. And guess what? It works.
My Review: The Villainess Lives Again flips the usual shoujo script. This political webtoon’s main character (MC) isn’t another helpless damsel. No, she is a tragic villainess getting her well-deserved second shot.
It also boasts intense palace intrigue, well-crafted artwork, and solid world-building. Overall, this cookie deserves an 8/10. If not for its draggy pacing, it could have earned a higher rating from me.
6. Villains Are Destined to Die
Penelope Eckhart had endured a harsh previous life as an unloved illegitimate daughter. Worse, she had to bear with her toxic stepbrothers and neglectful father. Not yet enough, fate allows her to discover an otome game villainess that echoed her own tragic tale.
The punchline? Just before she can give the character a happy ending, she suddenly finds herself transported into the game itself. Yes, as the villainess herself.
My Review: Villains Are Destined to Die stands apart from standard political manhwa. It delves into humanity’s complexities, regret, mistrust, and even trauma. It’s so well-delivered that reading it will make you feel you’re being pulled into the manhwa itself.
The best of it all? This cookie offers breathtaking art, a gripping plot that won’t let go, and characters that’ll make you feel. Enjoyment-wise, this manhwa masterpiece deserves a 10/10 and my all-out recommendation.
7. A Monstrous First Day
Han Seungmoon had never imagined he would become South Korea’s youngest ever assemblyman. The hook? Well, on his very first day, monstrous creatures ripped through portals inside the National Assembly, killing almost all the politicians.
With all the leaders dead or missing, he must step up and lead his people out of this brutal apocalypse. But can a total rookie rise on such a terrible occasion? Will the people even follow someone like him?
My Review: A Monstrous First Day scores a 9/10 and a must-read stamp. This political webtoon stands tall with its stunning art, inspiring characters, and high-stakes plot.
But what makes it shine are the intense scheming and under the table battles. If you’re looking for a well-executed and somehow realistic apocalypse tale, then this is for you.
8. Ian the Illegitimate Son Was an Emperor
Ian Verocian is the mighty mage emperor of the Variel Empire. But fate of full of twist and he ends up on the brink of death after a gruesome betrayal. Dead-set on revenge, he gambles on a forbidden spell for one last chance of survival.
The twist? Instead of recovery, he suddenly finds himself hurled a full century into the past. Worse, he has become the margrave’s illegitimate son. His goal? Build loyal allies, unravel the hidden conspiracies, and rewrite his tragic destiny.
My Review: I’ll rate Ian the Illegitimate Son Was an Emperor an 8/10. This political manhwa stands tall with its classic aristocrat machinations, second chance theme, and sleek art.
Though it has high potential, its pacing and payoffs feel off-putting. How do I say this? It’s formulaic, but suffers from lackluster delivery.
9. Past-Life Regressor
Sunhoo somehow made it through the apocalyptic dungeon disasters and the rise of hunters. Little does he know that the same hunters will end up killing him.
But life is full of surprises. Instead of meeting death, he regresses in time with all his memories intact. Of course, Sunhoo refuses to squander this gift. This time, he’ll be the one to welcome the dawn of a new era.
My Review: Past-Life Regressor is a gritty political webtoon with a tinge of action and drama. It grips readers with its striking art style, rag-to-riches plot, and kickass MC. Overall, I’ll give this tale an 8/10.
The downside? The story wavers between focusing on cutthroat finance and monster-filled dungeons. It’s not bad, but it leaves you unsure of its true direction.
10. Marriage of Convenience
Bianca de Arno is the young wife of the war hero Count Zachary de Arno. But rather than being known for her virtue, she is infamous for being haughty and a senseless spender. Well, that’s until her husband suddenly dies on a battlefield.
With no one willing to lend her a hand, she soon falls into poverty and sickness. But on her deathbed, she whispers a desperate prayer, begging for one more chance to fix her mistakes. And so, it begins again.
My Review: Marriage of Convenience is a must-read political manhwa worthy of a 9/10. It boasts dazzling art, a more-than-skin-deep cast, and a storyline with refreshing realism.
That said, it might not suit younger readers. This tale has a subtle, mature edge despite being a medieval romance tale. In short, it won’t be like most wish-fulfilment romance stories.
11. The Spark in Your Eyes
Erkin is a talented young pharmacist raised in the war-torn north. Despite being a war orphan, he has established himself as a respectable expert. But behind all effort is a simple goal. Revenge against the one who killed his family.
One fateful day, he receives a summons to cure the reclusive lord of the territory. The same conqueror who has laid waste to his country and possibly killed his parents.
My Review: The Spark in Your Eyes deserves a gritty 8/10. This political webtoon offers amazing art panels, an enigmatic cast, and a slowburn pace. It’s a rare cookie that doesn’t read like it’s made from another novel formula.
Its strength lies in its emotional and tragic storyline that grips your soul. My only gripe about this tale is its excessive flashbacks, which make the vibe feel off.
12. The Villainess Is a Marionette
Kayena Hill is a classic villainess. Spoiled, extravagant, and utterly immature, she slowly barrels toward a gruesome bad end. Well, that’s until she wakes up, remembers she’s from modern Earth, and learns she is a transmigrator.
Her first step after knowing all this? Build the best survival plan she can with her resources. After all, this novel is full of psychos scheming in the shadows. If she wants to survive, she must leave no stone unturned.
My Review: The Villainess Is a Marionette deserves a respectable 8/10. This political manhwa stands tall with its elegant art, gripping plotline, and crazy characters. Just a fair warning: it has dark themes and isn’t for the prude.
As for its weakness, it suffers from overused tropes and lackluster payoffs. It’s not bad, but the pacing and execution could have been a lot better.
13. Mookhyang: Dark Lady
Mookhyang isn’t just the Demon Sect’s Lord. No, he is also at the absolute peak of martial arts. His strength has grown so immense that his enemies banded together in a desperate plan to lure him into a portal to another world.
But his string of bad luck is just starting, and a mysterious wizard curses him to live in a little girl’s body. Worse, it seems like has also lost his martial cultivation. Talk about rotten luck!
My Review: Mookhyang: Dark Lady is an underrated political webtoon deserving of a 9/10. It has premium-tier artwork, an endearing cast, and an action-packed plot. But what makes it stand out is its gender-bender and magic-mecha twists.
Yes, it has slowburn introductory arc, but if you stick with it long enough, you’ll find a gripping epic saga. Its latest arcs are just downright badass.
14. This Is the Law
Noh Hyung Jin is a brilliant and honest lawyer with the guts of a lion. It’s no wonder he spent his entire career battling deep-rooted corruption infesting his country. His ending? Silenced by the government’s secret agencies.
The twist? The king of the underworld has taken notice of his struggle. Touched by Noh’s unwavering sense of justice, he grants him a redo. His new mission? Wipe out injustice across the world.
My Review: This Is the Law is a gripping political manhwa worth an 8/10. It stands out with its brisk pacing, sharp-witted characters, and episodic plot.
There is also something deeply satisfying about seeing the MC take down criminals left and right. Anyway, if you’re looking for a solid case-by-case lawyer webtoon, you’re in for a wild ride.
15. The Tax Reaper
Jaehyeon Shin is an honest-to-goodness office goon stuck in a corrupt company. That naturally lands him in one mess after another. After all, he can’t himself but report all the illegal things happening within his company. His reward? Getting canned.
But instead of unemployment, he lands a fresh start as a tax inspector for the government. Armed with a magical anti-tax evader system and an honest nature, he sets out to cleanse South Korea’s corrupt elite.
My Review: The Tax Reaper scores a 9/10 and a must-read stamp. It boasts gorgeous artwork, a tightly crafted story, and a fast-paced storyline. This political webtoon also offers a delightful brew of detective, business, and lawyer themes. And yes, it somehow mixes all those tropes well.
Final Thoughts About Political Manhwa
Political manhwa is another tiny niche in the community that has been getting traction lately. Perhaps most readers, especially GenZ/Millennials, dream of face-slapping their leaders for their incompetence and corruption through these titles.
Jokes aside, despite its humble size, this genre has a solid following. And yes, I’m one of its loyal fans. I hope more stories can come out from this genre. But for now, let’s first binge-read through list recs.