The 15 Best Mystery Manhwa (Webtoons) You Must Read
Mystery Manhwa Recommendations: Dark Puzzles
I’ve binged thousands of webcomics, and nothing hooks me like a juicy mystery. Sifting through clues, dodging red herrings, and unraveling secrets—it’s a rush that keeps me glued.
If you’re looking for the same thrill, then this list is your goldmine. And unlike other list, I dug through a pile of webtoons to pick the absolute best in the genre. Alright, let’s now crack these cases!
My Top 15 Mystery Manhwa to Binge Read
- Trapped
- Pigpen
- Ghost Teller
- An Uncomfortable Truth
- Parallel City
- Your Throne
- Save Me
- Like Mother, Like Daughter
- Chasing Tails
- Phantom Whispers
- Distant Sky
- Dam of the Forest
- Delusion
- Night of Shadows
- The Uncanny Counter
1. Trapped
Yunsu Park and Chaea Han are like oil and water—bitter rivals who’d rather spit than shake hands. But when Yunsu stumbles onto Chae-a’s dark secret, he flips their feud into a twisted game of control.
Fate, however, has a far better plan. Out of nowhere, an unexpected supernatural twist offers Chaea a chance for revenge. Now, it’s her turn to flip the script.
My Rating: Trapped is an 8/10 gut-puncher. This mystery webtoon boasts a slow-burn psychological twist that hit like a brick. Imagine two toxic people outsmarting each other plus a gritty vampire theme just to make it spicier.
If you love watching cunning minds clash in a brutal dance of sadism, this is your jam. Just brace for the heaviness—it’s not a chill read. But, ugh, it’s not for me.
2. Pigpen
Song Jin-Hyeok wakes up on a perfect beach, memory wiped, no clue how he got there. The twist? A strange family takes him in. The problem? Their welcoming smiles hide something dark.
Worse, every clue he chases leads to more questions. His identity, his past, and the demons he hides deep in his heart. Can Jin-Hyeok uncover who he is before the island’s darkness swallows him whole—or worse, claim him as its own?
My Rating: Pigpen is a straight-up 10/10 psychological horror gem. It has a master-tier plotline and an art so damn vivid it pulls you deeper into the depths of humanity. Its characters? They are deep, twisted, and unlike any tale I’ve read.
This isn’t your fluffy horror fix—it’s an abyss that’ll haunt you. If you want a mystery manhwa that grabs you by the throat, dive in.
3. Ghost Teller
You know those ghost stories that keep you up at night? Now imagine ghosts telling their own tales, but they’re not about creaky doors or even themselves. Instead, it’s all about humans and their darker sides.
Worse, each arc showcases a new ghost spilling the tea on humanity’s darkest deeds—betrayal, murder, you name it. And oh boy, it’s as chilling as it sounds.
My Rating: Ghost Teller gets an 8/10. Its episodic ghost-narrated tales are a fresh spin, showing humans at their worst. The horror’s subtle but cuts deep, and the art sells the eerie vibe.
It’s not perfect—some stories drag—but the concept’s so damn cool it stands out. If you like your mystery webtoon tinge with of existential dread, this is for you.
4. An Uncomfortable Truth
Yoseob is the guy who looks like he’d apologize to a fly. He is sweet, harmless, and perfect. But under that angel face is a twisted obsession with his brother Jaeha.
The hook? His obsession soon leads to a gruesome end. How does a quiet high schooler end up stabbing eight people in a frenzy? One word—madness.
My Rating: An Uncomfortable Truth is a must-read mystery manhwa worth a 9/10. This tale is as eerie as hell. It grips you with its intense storyline, shocking plot twist, and a well-crafted art that seems innocent at first.
Unlike most stories, this story tackles heavy stuff—abuse, violence, psychosis. And yes, without sugarcoating. No happy endings here, just raw, tragic truth. If you can handle some emotional baggage, then don’t miss it.
5. Parallel City
Life is full of superstitions from the past generations. Among them is this old wive’s tale, meet your doppelgänger and you’re dead. Funny, right?
But what happens when it suddenly happens to you? Worse, your doppelgänger wants you dead at all costs. Well, that’s the gist of Min Choi’s unfortunate situation.
My Rating: Parallel City is a gritty mystery webtoon deserving of a 9/10. This zombie-ish webtoon hooks readers with its tight pacing, twisty plot, and solid character arcs. Plus, it has a crisp art style that keeps getting better the further you read.
If you’re looking for a slick combination of sci-fi and zombie themes, then this one’s a banger. It’s creepy, original, and doesn’t let go.
6. Your Throne
Lady Medea Solon is teetering to madness. The reason? Jealousy and betrayal. After all, her friend Psyche Callista has stolen the crown princess’ tiara from her. Or at least, that’s what she believes.
But a twist of fate is about to change it all. Out of nowhere, Medea has taken over Callista’s body and vice versa. Worse, it’s also beginning to reveal a conspiracy that could burn the kingdom down.
My Rating: Your Throne nails a 9/10 and deserves a must-read stamp. Despite its fluffy art style, this isn’t fluffy romance. No, this mystery manhwa is a full-blown psychological and political thriller with stakes that’ll make your skin crawl.
The characters are badass while its plot twists are on the next-level. If you crave a mystery with royal intrigue, this is your fix.
7. Save Me
Hyeongoh’s life is hell—bullies target him relentlessly. His disability be damned. They’re not human; they’re demons in student clothes.
Then a mysterious transfer student rolls in, all smiles and kindness. The hook? The mysterious lad becomes a new friend. Little does he know that behind those sunny smiles lurks a vindictive maniac ready to do evil for Hyeongoh’s sake.
My Rating: Save Me is a 10/10 gut-wrencher deserving of a full recommendation. This mystery webtoon grips you with a plot so raw it hurts. It also has stunning art panels, gripping emotional undertone, and well-written character arcs.
It’s heavy, no doubt, but the layered payoffs make it a masterpiece. Just a heads up, brace for the feels. I swear it’s going to throw you into an unexpected emotional roller coaster.
8. Like Mother, Like Daughter
Somyung Gil’s the daughter every mom dreams of—smart, gorgeous, perfect. The problem? Her mom. A control freak who’ll lie, scheme, or kill to mold her into a flawless puppet.
Of course, Somyung is fighting to break free with all she has. But can she outsmart her mom’s well-honed manipulation, or will she end up dancing on those strings forever?
My Rating: I’ll rate Like Mother, Like Daughter a 9/10. It boasts amazing art panels, brain-melting mind games, and poignant character arcs that’ll leave you shook.
This mystery manhwa is intense, unsettling, and damn near perfect. If you’re into psychological mysteries, this one’s a must.
9. Chasing Tails
Earthquake strikes and nine teens get trapped in a collapsed building. Fourteen days later, a rescue comes. The problem? Only six crawls out. Worse, the survivors are mute or unhinged, leaving a trail of questions.
Now, a newly formed elite detective squad is on the case. Their mission? Hunt for truth, or maybe hunt a serial killer on the loose.
My Rating: Chasing Tails is a 9/10 detective banger. This mystery webtoon is a delightful mix of drama, horror, and crime. It hooks hard with its slow-burn plot, gut-punch payoffs, and complex psychological puzzle.
Crime thriller fans, this is your catnip. If you love untangling dark narratives and solving dead-end cases, then don’t sleep on this cookie.
10. Phantom Whispers
Noa has suffered from a tragic past. The twist? It’s all coming back in a form of unsettling voices. Not just your ordinary whispers, but the whispers of murder victims.
With her sanity fraying, Noa must make a choice. Chase the serial killer? Or let it all go until she becomes like her ill-fated mother—crazy ill.
My Rating: I’ll rate Phantom Whispers a solid 10/10. It hooks you with its crisp, supernatural detective thriller theme. Add striking art and a psychological character arcs into the mix and you’ll get a stunner.
Just a fair warning: this mystery manhwa doubles down on being creepy and even schizophrenic. It’s dark, full of twist, and immersive.
11. Distant Sky
Once upon a time, Kang Haneul is just another frisky high schooler. Then the apocalypse came. Now, he is stuck in a ruined Seoul. Worse, the sun’s gone, and giant insects roam the streets.
Dead-set on surviving, he joins forces with Shin Heyool, a young lady with a sharp tongue. But can this uncanny duo unravel the real reason for the apocalypse?
My Rating: Distant Sky earns a 9/10 and a must-read stamp. This mystery webtoon is a wonderful brew of horror, dystopia, and apocalypse themes. It stands out with its vivid art and a haunting plot.
If you’re into survival stories with a tinge of psychological thrill, this one’s a gem. After reading more than a thousand manhwa, this tale still sticks with me.
12. Dam of the Forest
Dam lives a quiet life with his family. But everything changes when he discovers he has a gift: he can make plants grow at an unnatural speed. Still, everything has a price. For him, he it is the cursed of unaging immortality.
It might sound like a dream come true for many. But imagine watching all your loved ones getting old and dying before you. Well, that’s the life of Dam.
My Rating: Dam of the Forest is a stellar slice-of-life mystery manhwa worth a 9/10. This tale blends eerie folklore and intriguing philosophical themes so well I binge-read all of its chapters in one sitting.
Yes, it has a slow start, and the plot can feel vague. Nevertheless, it has this strange introspective charm that will make you as yourself—what if I am Dam?
13. Delusion
Despite being rich, Madam Song Jeonghwa lives in isolation. The reason? No one knows except the tight lip servants of her mansion. But even that is about to change.
Out of nowhere, she hires a struggling artist to paint her portrait. The problem? Instead of meeting an old lady, the painter has no choice but to paint an old vampire. That is, if he can survive and keep his wits.
My Rating: Delusion is a solid mystery webtoon worthy of an 8/10. Its breathtaking pastel art creates a thick sense of unease. It also has an intriguing cast, well-done lore, and slow-burn pacing.
If you’re a vampire fan and a psychological mystery lover, then don’t miss this unexpectedly elegant tale.
14. Night of Shadows
Lee Areum’s peaceful student days are crumbling. The cause? A series of repetitive nightmares where she gets killed in some sort of apocalypse. So imagine her horror when her dreams bleed into reality.
With nothing but a ragtag team of schoolmates, Areum must now stop the horrors before it’s all too late. But can she?
My Rating: Night of Shadows earns an 8/10. This mystery manhwa delivers action, survival, and apocalyptic mystery all in one. What’s more? The art’s gorgeous, and the intricate plot keeps you engaged.
As for its weakness, it can feel chaotic. If you like horror mysteries with an eldritch theme, this is a great pick.
15. The Uncanny Counter
So Mun is a tragic high schooler who has experience a lot despite his age. He has lost his parents in an accident, his grandma has dementia, and now he also has to deal with bullying.
The hook? He suddenly finds himself recruited by a team of grim reapers hunting evil spirits called Counters. Little does he know that his newfound side-gig will also lead him to a far more sinister secret from his past.
My Rating: I’ll give The Uncanny Counter an 8/10. This action-packed mystery webtoon balances ghost-hunting and slice-of-life drama with finesse. It stands out with its simple but intriguing plot and quirky characters.
Its art style reminds me of early 2010 manhwa, and I can’t help myself but feel nostalgic. Anyway, it also has a live-action drama in Netflix if you’re into binge-watching.
Final Thoughts About Mystery Manhwa
And that’s another wrap! Reading through this list had me shivering, and sometimes even question my very own existence.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed these mind-bending tales like I did. Everyone’s taste is unique, so choose a few and binge-read what calls to you. Alright, see you on my next list.
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
© 2025 Drew Agravante
