Korean manhwa yuri, also known as Korean Girls’ Love (GL) manhwa, has emerged as a distinctive and influential force in the global LGBTQ+ comics landscape over the past decade. Unlike their Japanese counterparts, these lesbian Korean manhwa works are characterized by their full-color presentation, vertical scrolling format optimized for digital reading, and often more realistic approach to relationships.
What sets Korean yuri manhwa apart is their unique storytelling style that frequently addresses complex social issues while depicting romantic relationships between women. From office romances and historical fantasies to slice-of-life stories, Korean creators have developed their own aesthetic and narrative approaches that have garnered a dedicated international following.
The rise of digital platforms like Lezhin Comics and Tappytoon has helped these works reach global audiences, allowing Korean GL creators to find commercial success beyond their domestic market. These platforms have created a space where diverse stories about women loving women can thrive, offering everything from light-hearted comedies to intense psychological dramas.
In this article, we’ve compiled 15 of the most acclaimed lesbian Korean manga and manhwa titles that showcase the range and quality of this flourishing genre. Whether you’re new to Korean manhwa yuri or a longtime fan looking for your next read, these exceptional works demonstrate why Korean GL has become such an important part of global yuri culture.
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What Does the Fox Say?
Release time: 2014-2017
Rating: 4.8/5
Author/Artist: Team Gaji
Genres: Drama, Romance, Mature, Office, LGBTQ+
Country: South Korea
Status: Completed
Where to read: Amazon, MangaDex
Plot summary: Sung-ji is a new employee at Hello Studio, a game development company, and from her first day, she draws the eye of team head Sung-min. She also feels perplexed about her inseparable relationship with Seju, her soulmate of many years, while she regularly steps on his toes and his attitude towards her gets more rigid. Concerned about her abrupt absence from work, Sung-ji phones her one day to find she is at the tomb of her late parents. Sung-min and Sung-ji are trying to convey a delicate and sensitive relationship to us.
Review: The office environment has great visual appeal, and the screen full of professional women dressed in business suits is really a feast for the sight. Actually, each of us develops via successive relationships and carries past events that help us to become totally different persons. Like Sung-min, we progressively learn how to love someone, and finally we meet someone we love more and who fits us better. Though everyone of us is Sung-min in some sense, I hope that at any age we can love whoever we choose.
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Blooming Sequence
Release time: 2017-2019
Rating: 4.7/5
Author/Artist: Lee Eunhye
Genres: Romance, Drama, School Life, LGBTQ+
Country: South Korea
Status: Completed
Where to read: MangaDex
Plot summary: Self-conscious Ji Seol finds herself pulled to the popular and attractive Kang Seon. Both females have to negotiate their sentiments and society expectations as they get closer.
Review: Celebrated for its real depiction of teenage love and self-acceptance, emotional depth, and exquisite artistic technique.
Moonlight Garden
Release time: 2016-2018
Rating: 4.5/5
Author/Artist: Kang Unnie/Misspm
Genres: Historical, Fantasy, Romance, Mature, LGBTQ+
Country: South Korea
Status: Completed
Where to read: MangaDex
Plot summary: Set in mediaeval Korea, it centres Dohwa, a young lady running a gisaeng house, who meets Yoosun, a mystery woman endowed with superhuman abilities, sparking a passionate and perilous relationship.
Review: Celebrated for its seductive tale that blends romance with supernatural aspects, beautiful imagery, and original historical fantasy backdrop.
Her Tale of Shim Chong
Release time: 2017-2019
Rating: 4.6/5
Author/Artist: Seri (세리)/Biwan (비완)
Genres: Historical, Romance, Drama, LGBTQ+
Country: South Korea
Status: Completed
Where to read: MangaDex
Plot summary: A rewriting of the Korean folktale “The Tale of Shim Cheong,” in which Shim Cheong gives her life to the Sea God but is rescued by a female sea monster. Their bond grows as they negotiate life together.
Review: Celebrated for its exquisite emotional narrative, gorgeous artwork, and gentle interpretation of traditional Korean folklore with LGBTQ+ issues.
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Fluttering Feelings
Release time: 2014-2017
Rating: 4.8/5
Author/Artist: Ssamba
Genres: Romance, College, Slice of Life, LGBTQ+
Country: South Korea
Status: Incomplete (author passed away)
Where to read: MangaDex
Plot summary: The tale of two people brought together by flitting emotions they are ignorant of.
Review: After a years-long cancer battle, Ssamba died. Fluttering Feelings will thus not be carried forward. I hope she rest in peace.
It Would Be Great If You Didn’t Exist
Release time: 2017-2019
Rating: 4.4/5
Author/Artist: Carbonara
Genres: Drama, Romance, LGBTQ+
Country: South Korea
Status: Completed
Where to read: MangaDex
Plot summary: Guk Hwa learns her boyfriend has been seeing Han Solip, another lady, instead of her. As they work through the aftermath, the two ladies unexpectedly find themselves pulled to one another.
Review: Praised for its unique premise, complex emotional storytelling, and exploration of sexuality and betrayal with mature themes.
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On A Leash
Release time: 2017
Rating: 4.2/5
Author/Artist: Aji
Genres: Drama, Psychological, Romance, Mature, LGBTQ+
Country: South Korea
Status: Ongoing
Where to read: MangaDex
Plot summary: On the battlefield, tensions are high as troops die. From the heavens, bombs shower upon the ground and bullets abound. Beastes scream over the skies and rip across the ground in conflict. Weary from fight and numb by death, the warriors return to their human forms when the smoke clears. But within the turmoil and explosions, a spark of passion starts. Time will tell whether it will die from the atrocities of war or endure them.
Review: Basically, for those who questions what happened to this Agi (the author), Lezhin ended up cancelling On a Leash after they argued for many reasons. Agi advised keeping on the series after h@r/s non-copyright contract with Lezhin Comics finishes; copyright regulations are screwed up and this could take a long time.
Miss Angel and Miss Devil
Release time: 2016
Rating: 4.4/5
Author/Artist: 매우맑음 (Maeu Malgeum)
Genres: Comedy, Romance, Fantasy, LGBTQ+
Country: South Korea
Status: Ongoing
Where to read: MangaDex
Plot summary: A playful narrative about an angel and a devil compelled to share an apartment on Earth results in a funny collision of personalities and finally romantic development.
Review: Renowned for its funny approach to the opposites-attract cliché, energetic painting technique, and captivating character interactions including supernatural elements.
Ring My Bell
Release time: 2019-2021
Rating: 4.3/5
Author/Artist: Yeongol
Genres: Romance, Comedy, Slice of Life, LGBTQ+
Country: South Korea
Status: Completed
Where to read: MangaDex
Plot summary: The narrative centers on Woori, who moves into a new apartment and finds her enigmatic neighbor Doeun produces odd nighttime noises. Woori’s growing curiosity about her neighbor leads the two women to progressively create an unanticipated relationship.
Review: Celebrated for its original approach to the slice-of- life genre with endearing characters and really amusing moments is “Ring My Bell”. The simple and expressive art technique successfully captures the emotional trip the characters travel. Given strong chemistry between the protagonists, the slow-burn relationship seems natural and fulfilling.
After the Curtain Call
Release time: 2020
Rating: 4.4/5
Author/Artist: Assam (아쌈)/JINA (지나)
Genres: Drama, Romance, Performing Arts, LGBTQ+
Country: South Korea
Status: Completed
Where to read: MangaDex
Plot summary: The narrative centers on theater actress Yeon who meets well-known star Seri. Working together on a show, their professional relationship progressively changes into something more complex under the weight of public scrutiny and celebrity demands.
Review: This manhwa stands out for its realistic and sophisticated depiction of the entertainment business together with a gripping romance. The work masterfully catches emotional subtleties and theatrical events. Readers value the well-crafted characters and careful examination of issues including creative integrity and the difficulties of celebrity.
Opium
Release time: 2020
Rating: 4.7/5
Author/Artist: Aji/Junghyun
Genres: Drama, Historical, Romance, Mature, LGBTQ+
Country: South Korea
Status: Completed
Where to read: MangaDex
Plot summary: Set in the early 20th century, the narrative centers on a lady running an opium den and her complicated relationship with a female customer from a rich family. Their forbidden attraction plays out against social restraints and historical change.
Review: Rich historical context and exquisite, finely detailed artwork abound in “Opium”. The adult narrative deftly addresses issues of class, addiction, and forbidden passion as well as themes of The character development is especially strong since the story revolves on believable conflicts driven by complicated motives.
Partition
Release time: 2016-2018
Rating: 4.3/5
Author/Artist: Ha-In/Yoo-Sa
Genres: Drama, Romance, Psychological, LGBTQ+
Country: South Korea
Status: Completed
Where to read: MangaDex
Plot summary: Two women living in an apartment split by a narrow partition take front stage in the narrative. Once they discover each other’s presence by noises and glances, they create an uncommon connection before ever meeting personally that results in a special partnership helping them overcome their individual challenges.
Review: The creative narrative style and psychological depth of this manhwa are well-known. The artwork deftly communicates both connection and solitude at once. Readers value how the narrative investigates in a modern, separated environment issues of loneliness, healing, and establishing connection.
A Joyful Life
Release time: 2017
Rating: 4.5/5
Author/Artist: Gum (검둥)
Genres: Slice of Life, Romance, Comedy, LGBTQ+
Country: South Korea
Status: Completed
Where to read: MangaDex
Plot summary: After a tough split, Ara, a lady beginning a new chapter in life, meets the happy and hopeful Min. Ara starts to rediscover happiness and open herself to love after they get closer, despite her past hurts.
Review: With its inspirational tone and tender romance, “A Joyful Life” lives true to its title. Bright and vivid, the art form fits the uplifting subjects. This manhwa distinguishes itself with its careful treatment of emotional trauma healing and its real depiction of creating a healthy relationship following a poisonous one.
I Love Amy
Release time: 2022
Rating: 4.4/5
Author/Artist: Unun (언니)
Genres: Romance, Slice of Life, Comedy, LGBTQ+
Country: South Korea
Status: Completed
Where to read: MangaDex
Plot summary: The narrative tracks the relationship between college student Ina and her flirty and attractive roommate Amy. As they negotiate their developing affections for each other among the demands of college life, what starts as an uncomfortable living situation progressively becomes a strong emotional bond.
Review: It has been praised for its cute art style, likable characters, and honest picture of a relationship growing. The manhwa crafts an interesting and touching tale about self-discovery and romance in a university environment by balancing lighthearted comedy with real emotional moments.
Falling
Release time: 2024
Rating: 4.3/5
Author/Artist: Eunsu, Gye Cha Suyeol/Dog
Genres: Romance, Drama, School Life, LGBTQ+
Country: South Korea
Status: Ongoing
Where to read: MangaDex
Plot summary: Ji-won, a quiet high school student who finds she has affections for her childhood friend Sora, takes front stage in the narrative. Ji-won battles whether to tell her friend her feelings and endanger their friendship as they negotiate their last year of high school together. The story looks at ideas of first love, self-acceptance, and the bravery required to go for happiness.
Review: “Falling” is valued for its realistic depiction of young love and delicate, expressive artistic quality. The manhwa is quite good at capturing the minute emotional changes in the characters’ connection, therefore producing an engaging coming-of-age narrative that appeals to readers. The natural pace lets the romance grow believably and preserves emotional tension all through.
While lesbian Korean manga and manhwa have carved out their own unique space, fans of the genre might also enjoy exploring Japanese yuri manga and Chinese GL manhua, which has its own rich tradition and distinctive approach to storytelling. Japanese yuri offers everything from school life stories to science fiction and fantasy settings, with iconic works that have helped define the genre globally. For those interested in exploring this parallel tradition, check out our comprehensive guide to The Best Japanese Yuri Manga to discover more wonderful stories about women’s love.
Whether you prefer the digital-native format of Korean manhwa or the print tradition of Japanese manga, both offer rich storytelling experiences that celebrate love between women in all its beautiful complexity.
