While manhwa are usually associated with action-packed power fantasies like Solo Leveling and Omniscient reader, the medium has plenty more to offer, with villainess manhwa being one of the most underrated genres. The villainess trope has quickly skyrocketed in popularity since its inception, almost becoming synonymous with the otome isekai genre, and it isn't hard to see why.
Antagonists are often considered to be the most compelling characters in a story, regardless of the medium in which they appear. As such, centering a story around the antagonist instead of the typical lead offers a nice change of pace while opening up new avenues of storytelling. This trend has taken root in the form of the "trashy MC trope" in shonen manhwa, and the "villainess trope" in the case of shojo manhwa, and though such stories are a dime a dozen, a handful of villainess manhwa do stand out for their subversive stories and exceptional writing.
10 Trapped in a Soap Opera
Based on the Novel by Apricot.K and Illustrated by Ganno
Trapped in a Soap Opera revolves around Han Jia, an orphan transmigrated into the world of a popular soap opera after her untimely death as none other than the villainess, Shin Sera. That said, unlike most otome isekai manhwa, Trapped in a Soap Opera ditches the historical fantasy setting for a contemporary office one instead, making the manhwa perfect for K-drama lovers and fans of office romances.
From an obsessive, yandere stalker to a hostile fiancé and an adoptive brother competing with her for control over the company, Shin Sera has a lot on her plate to deal with, all while she tries desperately to redeem her poor image. To add to her worries, the seemingly innocent protagonist of the soap opera is secretly malicious and plotting her downfall. Safe to say, Trapped in a Soap Opera has nary a dull moment, plenty of gorgeous characters, and a very engaging story.
9 The Villainess' Stationery Shop
When reincarnated as a villainess, the protagonists of most villainess manhwa usually focus on staying alive or making use of what little they know of the future to turn the tides in their favor. However, The Villainess' Stationery Shop opts for the road less taken instead with Meldenique Babelloa choosing to use her second chance at life to peacefully pursue her dreams.
Inspired by the kindness she received as a child in her previous life, Meldenique chooses to open a stationery shop despite her long list of failed business ventures. Her sole goal is to make children happy with new inventive sweets and treats, setting the stage for one of the coziest villainess manhwa with an adorable romance plot line to boot.
8 Ten Ways to Get Dumped by a Tyrant
Written by Seo Gwijo and Illustrated by mapzzil
Ten Ways to Get Dumped by a Tyrant sees its protagonist reincarnated in a fantasy romance novel called The Private Life of the Tyrant as the villainess Scarlett Arman. Unfortunately, Scarlett leads a checkered fate as her fiancé, the tyrannical emperor Kalior is fated to fall in love with the protagonist, eventually killing Scarlett when she bullies the protagonist out of jealousy.
Wanting to avoid going down this bloody path, Scarlett does everything in her power to break off her engagement and avoid the Emperor. However, the more she pushes him away, the more he seems to be intrigued by her, derailing the entire plot as she knows it. Though still in the easily stages of its story, Ten Ways to Get Dumped by a Tyrant is just as fun and entertaining as its title with charming character designs and a rare romantic dynamic.
7 Not-Sew-Wicked Stepmom
Based on the Original Novel by Iru and Illustrated byMo9Rang
In true fairytale fashion, Not-Sew-Wicked Stepmom sees its protagonist reincarnated as Snow White's cruel stepmother, but with one wholesome twist. After dying from overworking herself, Lily Lee, a ionate children's clothing designer, finds herself reborn as Abigail Freidkin, the wicked stepmother of Princess Blanche Freidkin, except Abigail finds herself utterly besotted with her adorable new child.
Thus, instead of playing out her original role as the villainess, Abigail begins showering Blanche with love and cute clothing, making good use of her sewing skills from her past life. Besides its incredibly wholesome and subversive premise, Not-Sew-Wicked Stepmom also sports well-rounded characters and is overall quite a breath of fresh air in the villainess genre.
6 I Am the Villain
Written and Illustrated by Sejji
Another new yet incredibly promising addition to the villainess genre is Webtoon's I Am the Villain. This particular otome isekai follows Lucy, who is transported into the world of her best friend's novel as the villainess, Lucia Aurelius. Though the new world around her is beyond beautiful, Lucia can't bring herself to enjoy it because she knows she's going to die. Wanting to avoid the tragic fate that awaits her, Lucia begins by breaking off her engagement with the Crown Prince, who is fated to leave her for the protagonist sooner or later.
However, cutting ties with her fiancé proves to be harder than it seems and the series' seemingly straightforward plot quickly evolves into much more as Lucia finds out she isn't the only one reincarnated into the novel. That said, easily the biggest selling points of I Am the Villain are its jaw-dropping art and the heart-racing romance.
5 Your Throne
Written and Illustrated by SAM
In sharp contrast to most titles in the villainess genre, Your Throne heavily focuses on the politics of noble society instead of romance, with the story revolving around the relationship between two women competing for the title of the crown princess. Our protagonist Medea Solon feels slighted when Psyche is chosen by the Crown Prince instead and things take an even more interesting turn when a series of events leads to Medea and Psyche switching bodies.
Initially pitted against each other, Medea and Psyche eventually identify Prince Eros to be their true enemy. Your Throne is best known for its complex, well-written characters, thrilling story, and not to mention its captivating art style. As for the villainess aspect, Medea's dubious morality perfectly fills the void, giving readers a truly scheming villainess for once instead of the typical Mary Sue.
4 Not Your Typical Reincarnation Story
Written by Lemon Frog and Illustrated by A-jin
As the title implies, Not Your Typical Reincarnation Story takes off when Suna Choi is reincarnated as Edith Ridgelhof, the villainess of a popular novel. Like many other villainesses, Edith too has an unsavory reputation as a liar, spy, and seductress making Suna's plans of self-preservation near impossible to execute, especially with the system of the novel and its mysterious author working to foil her every move.
I Didn't Like Manhwa Until the Villainess Genre Changed My Mind
Popularly known as villainess manhwa, the otome isekai genre made me absolutely fall in love with reading manhwa and is a must-try for every reader.
Now married away to the handsome yet cold Killian Rudwick under the guise of collecting sensitive information for her scheming family, Edith must now charm her new husband and in-laws if she wishes to avoid being killed. Despite its unimpressive premise, Not Your Typical Reincarnation Story stays true to its title, with unexpected plot twists at every turn and an intriguing story that gradually bewitches readers with every ing chapter.
3 Villainess in Love
Based on the Novel by Lee Haron with Art by R.su
While most villainess manhwa involve a great deal of angst and drama, Villainess in Love stands out as one of the most wholesome villainess stories with a healthy romance that is sure to leave readers feeling warm and fuzzy throughout. The series is centered around Yunifer Magnolia, the villainess of a historical novel, fated to be killed at the end due to her obsession with Duke Ishid Lucrenze, who is supposed to leave Yunifer for her best friend Raelle.
However, what nobody knows is that Yunifer Magnolia is aware of the future by virtue of being reincarnated into the novel. Thus, she vows to avoid Ishid at all costs and let Raelle have him all to herself. However, her plans go awry when a drunken mistake leads to her ending up in a relationship with Ishid against all odds. Though she initially vows to let him go when Raelle shows up, Yunifer gradually finds herself falling irrevocably in love with Ishid and begins to doubt whether she can truly go through with her plan.
2 How to Win Over My Husband
Based on the Original Novel by Spice&Kitty and Illustrated by SIRU
Although a fairly new series in comparison, How to Win Over My Husband has quickly captured the hearts of villainess manhwa lovers. The series follows Lady Rudbeckia de Borgia, or better yet, a 21st-century woman who was reincarnated as Ruby, the villainess of an unnamed novel, after being killed in a freak accident. However, just when she thought she had finally escaped her hellish previous life, Ruby finds living among the Borgias to be an even bigger nightmare.
Ruby's fate is to be killed by her husband, the mighty knight of the North, but with no other options left, she attempts to win over her husband and his family to ensure her survival, turning the arranged marriage into her only lifeline. Though the premise may seem generic at first glance, How to Win Over My Husband hides surprising depth behind its fluffy title, tackling serious themes like abuse, trauma, eating disorders and much more making it an early gem in the making.
1 Villains are Destined to Die
Based on the Novel by Gwon Gyeoeul and Illustrated by SUOL
Villains are Destined to Die is easily the most popular title in the villainess genre and for good reason. The series boasts an incredibly compelling plot with stunning art and a titillating enemies-to-lovers romance that constantly keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The story takes off when Cha Siyeon is transported into a popular otome game called Daughter of the Duke: Love Project as the villainess, Penelope Eckhart.
To make things worse Penelope finds herself in in the hard mode of the game, where death awaits at every turn just one wrong decision away. The only way to survive is to receive a love confession for which Penelope must raise her affection levels with the various main leads. Thus begins Penelope's cold, calculating game of survival and romance which is sure to enthrall readers from start to finish.
