Consider a girl who grew up on shoujo, a type of storey about love and high school written specifically for girls like her. Consider her as an adult seeking a more mature perspective on life. That’s josei manhwa for you.
So, what exactly is Josei manhwa? Josei is a description of an audience, not a genre. It’s aimed at older women in their twenties and thirties who want a mature take on serious issues. Josei frequently addresses themes that shoujo may only skim over (or avoid entirely), such as the realities of relationships, sex, drug use, abuse, and other serious aspects of life. Some josei manhwa, on the other hand, simply deals with typical, everyday life topics in a more mature manner.
So, in this list we are going to talk about 13 Best josei manhwa.
13. Devilish Romance
Sitri, a middle-tier devil, falls to Earth as a human after being wrongfully imprisoned in devildom and searches for a serial killer who can transport him back to his origin. He meets an obstinate, strict human boss whom he initially despises; however, he eventually develops feelings for her. Love has no bounds, but… does it? What will happen to them?
12. Wife After Love
Because they were in an arranged marriage, Yurae and Muwon used to be all business until Yurae asked for a divorce. She left the country and returned three years later for a brief business trip.
She’s changed and more self-assured in how she lives her life now. But fate—and Muwon—won’t let her go so easily. Will it be easy for them to separate their business and private lives and leave the past behind now that she has to oversee her company’s deal with Muwon?
11. Substitute Boyfriend
Haegeum’s fiancé makes an outlandish proposal: he wants them to have one last steamy fling with other people before marrying. After her initial shock and heartbreak, she agrees, but only for one reason: vengeance!
She wants him to feel bad about his selfish decision, and the best way to do so is with a younger, sexier boyfriend. Fortunately, the ideal man has just moved in next door. Sihoon is accomplished, handsome, and charming… but he’s best friends with her younger brother. Can Haegeum get her vengeance while also keeping the guy?
10. Four Ways to Find a Wife
It all started with a chance meeting in a secluded garden. You know, the standard boy-meets-girl romance. So, why does he keep pursuing her and demanding to see her photos? And wait a minute—looking he’s for a wife?!
Jungwon just wants to get through college, but this business executive isn’t making it easy! Between caring for her siblings, working part-time, and studying for classes, she doesn’t have time for distractions. But there’s something else bothering her: who is the mysterious person who is leaving her notes?
9. Dubious Moon
A sassy office romance that blooms from a slip of the tongue. Shiwon is still reeling from the shock of being dumped by her fourth boyfriend. Her pride is shattered as a result of having to deal with the office’s consistently emotionless and nitpicking manager, Mr. Moon. She calls him out drunkenly during a night out with her coworkers. When all she intended to do was apologise, she ends up confessing her feelings and asking him out. Mr. Moon’s acceptance of her invitation to go on a date sparks a secret office romance.
8. The Savage World
Kijin Lee has spent the last three years working as a secretary to Xitec Trading’s Director Jinheon Joo, with little to no personality or will of her own – even a haircut required his permission.
With Xitec Group’s sales plummeting, she’s been transferred to assist the CEO, who happens to be Director Joo’s cousin. Her first day is cut short when a drunk Kanghyun Joo, dressed in sweatpants and sneakers, throws a drink at her. Her job depends on her ability to assist him and Xitec Group, but this rambunctious CEO may prove to be her most difficult challenge yet.
7. An Hour of Romance
At work, Jooahn and Dojin couldn’t be more dissimilar. She’s a career woman who is always single, takes everything too seriously, and rules with an iron fist. He’s a modelesque klutz with a golden heart who lucked into an entry-level marketing position.
However, when a company trip to a mysterious temple triggers an unexplainable soul swap, they end up switching bodies for an hour every day. To avoid total embarrassment and maintain their reputations, the unlikely pair will have to work together and wait their turn. Will Jooahn come to understand the pretty boy who can’t do anything right? Will Dojin be able to see the softer side of his boss’s spiky persona?
6. Red Thread Gods
Hong Nanyi is the owner of the wedding boutique Honey Bouche. After breaking up with an old car she had planned to marry, she meets a Benz at someone else’s wedding. That’s when the three men show up.
Three men who used to work as underwear, bouquet, and shoe designers turned out to be gods. At night, they transform into Moonlight Reapers, who use a red thread to bind people into marriage in order to complete their task. What did they look like in their previous lives? Who will be there for her in this life?
5. DUCHESS DEBAUCHERY
Roxina, who has been neglected by her husband, Duke Antoure, decides to end their unhappy marriage. But, knowing she’ll be forced into yet another loveless arrangement, Roxina strikes a last-minute deal with her husband to enjoy a brief period of freedom as part of their impending divorce. While Antoure reluctantly agrees, he clearly has his own plans…
4. Black Dragon Romance
Shanghai is ruled by the wealthy Black Dragon clan, whose power knows no bounds. But life in the city is very different for three ordinary young Koreans. Pyung-an is an art enthusiast who works in a prestigious gallery.
Yeo-rae, a gifted cellist at the Music Institute, is working tirelessly to make ends meet. And Jin-hwan is looking for motivation after his dream of becoming a taekwondo champion fell through. The vast metropolis teems with potential romance, excitement…and danger for these three. Their lives are turned upside down when they become involved with the powerful Black Dragon family.
3. Glass Wall
Liliana Fence is the sweet and innocent daughter of an aristocrat. She’d been loved and spoiled her entire life, so she’d never known what it was like to face adversity. Until she was seduced by Edward Carter, her new music teacher, one day.
When she thought her spring had finally arrived, he revealed that he despised her for being an aristocrat and a “innocent” one. Her entire world has been turned upside down since then.
Her father committed suicide unexpectedly, leaving nothing but a massive debt. Lily, who had been forced to live as a commoner, had made the decision to never trust anyone again. But what would she do if Edward reappeared in her life, holding the same feelings for her as she did for him back then?
2. The Hip Guy
Ga-eun Seong, 27, has everything money can buy, but she won’t stop until her athleisure company is the best in the industry. That is why she hires Chan Gwak to model her new men’s leggings line.
Chan has the perfect butt, but is it good enough to meet Ga-high eun’s expectations? After their social media interactions lead people to believe they’re dating, Ga-eun begins to wonder… despite the fact that Chan isn’t her type, could she end up falling for him anyway?
1. Office Romance Confidential
Working for a counselling helpline is never dull, but when Yoochae takes her final call of the night, she learns of a company’s sinister secret from the charming but rash Sunho. Suddenly, that company’s best problem-solver, the handsome Yool Sun, pays her a visit and offers her a phoney job as a mental health counsellor in order to gain her trust. Determined to make a living at this cold conglomerate, the feisty but caring Yoochae opens her heart to her coworkers, finding herself juggling the interests of both Yool and Sunho.
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