Summary
When one gets tired of comfort tropes, it’s time to spice upmanhwapicks with some truly unique plots: from a demon trapped on Earth trying to catch a serial killer out of admiration, to an improbable couple of a vampire and vampire hunter born out of a misunderstanding, these picks will satisfy a reader’s need for fresh new perspectives on romance tropes in manwha. While there is no shortage of beautiful, classic romance manwhas, often it can be hard to spot a unique trope and understand if it’s worth reading. A unique trope may be due to a character’s backstory, their unique abilities or elements, their different opinions, or even, at times, the story’s kick-off event.
An unusual plotis not, so to speak, defined by the character’s particularly well-developed arc or by their likability or dis-likeability; in this case, one must speak of how well the story or the plot is developed, or how well the characters are written. This is why, in the case of unusual tropes, especially in romance (i.e. chemistry), there can be hits and misses – but it is worth exploring beyond the classic"fake marriage/lovers" and “damsel in distress"tropes, and so on, to find out some truly unique stories that readers will remember for a long time, sometimes even prompting a reader to learn adifferent language to read them.
10Reporting For Duty, Duchess!
From Frail To Military Goddess In This Isekai
Yun-a is a true military idol – that is, until she reincarnates as the frail and meek character from a novel, Rosalie. In this manhwa, we see Yun-a, now Rosalie, attempt to overcome the struggle of being both stuck in her antithesis, and of being a supporting role to the supposedly sweet Female Lead, whom she cannot stand.
This is one unique manhwa, where we see the Female Lead become a strong, stern character, often coming to the rescue of the Male Lead – but not because he is defenseless, or weak – during his dangerous endeavors, along with triumphing in the battlefield and fulfilling her needs for justice in the corrupt environment she finds herself in. Of course, during the course of the story, Rosalie will find a gentle romance to thaw hercold, stoic heart.
9The Duke’s Teddy Bear
Falling In Love… With A Teddy Bear?
This is one of those odd stories that somehow works well in a cute and awkwardly funny way. Marshall Lidiance, a member of the royal society, has a weird ability: her soul leaves her body while she sleeps, and she can possess both people and animals. Or, as she discovers at her expense, even objects.
While stuck in the visiting Duke’s teddy bear due to an incident, Marshall will have to try her best to either not raise suspicions or explain herself to the seemingly distant and emotionless Duke Ludvillian. Will she pretend to be someone else, or explain her situation? It doesn’t help that the Duke’s friend is a priest. This story is worth reading just for the originality of the plot and the beautiful illustrations, living up to the lavish expectations of a royal fantasy.
8My In-Laws Are Obsessed With Me
From A Revenge Contract Marriage Into A True Family
Pereshati is a naive soul who believes her love to be true… until she finds out that her family has been conspiring to kill her and steal her deceased father’s fortune. Life graces her, as she is brought back to life and runs away, entering a contract marriage with Therdeo Lapileon, who belongs to a mysterious and seemingly evil family, and vowing revenge.
What starts off as a possibly horrific sequence of events turns into a story of wholesomeness, as the Lapileon’s family seems to slowly integrate her. Pereshati will struggle with her own identity, her feelings, and her extreme selflessness, to a point where she is oblivious to the family’s attention. There are a lot of trials, scandals, and drama in this story; it is worth a read just for the unique feeling of the plot and the character dynamics.
7Lifesaving Romance
When A Marriage Is Truly A Lifeline
Eunhong is an aspiring celebrity actress, but she hasn’t made her big break yet. Her life only falls further into shambles as her boyfriend of nine years dumps her, and she is terribly involved with Kang-Il, the CEO of a powerful pharmaceutical company. Due to forced circumstances, he proposes tohire her as his fiancée. With nothing else to lose, Eunhong accepts, but will soon find out that the contract includes more than she has bargained for – and stepping out becomes a non-viable option.
This romance plot includes a fresh element that makes the read worthwhile, including some funny moments and watching Eunhong try to pass as a French heiress, all while being the total opposite of one. The characters find they are forced to stay together due to Kang-Il’s experiments and consequences, and the plot carries on in unique ways from there.
6Villain With A Crush
When Your Crush Doesn’t Know You Are A Villain
Rosa Parks is a villain in love with the nation’s most favorite villain fighter, Doryeong Han, after he saves her from death during an accident. The plot is as simple as can be, and the implications are funny, sweet and, in a way, extremely slow burn. The thing is, Rosa knows everything, of course, but Doryeong is oblivious to most of it, knowing both Rosa as herself and Rosa as a villain (without knowing, of course, that they are one and the same).
How will the two even fall in love? This is a question readers will pose from the start. Without giving away any spoilers, the answer is that it will take some time, effort, and a lot of misunderstandings, includingstunning fight scenesand a good dose of backstories, plot twists, and character arcs.
5The Goddess’ Guide To Farming
Stubborn Business Lady Meets Farm Boy
Seol is one of those women whowill stop at nothingto get what she wants – including learning how to farm, being ridiculed by a whole village, giving up the luxury comforts she is used to, and sleeping on the floor of a smelly, seemingly haunted and dirty shack.
In this really cute and funny romance, Seol enters a farming labor contract to prove her father wrong, putting the owner of the fields, Bongsu, in charge of her for three months. What happens, of course, is truly a surprise – besides the beautiful and kind unfolding of their relationship after a rough start.
4Operation: True Love
When Being Liked Is A Matter Of Life And Death
Many high school teens worry about being liked by their crushes, but for Su-ae Shim, it is essential for her to stay alive. Already in a tough spot, as she is dating a truly indifferent boyfriend, Minu, and her sister Ra-im seems to have it all, Su-ae’s life turns around completely the day she finds a sentient Jellypop flip-phone.
This story checks both the boxes of aclassic high school romance, with love triangles – as Ra-Im seems to be more than friends with Minu, and Su-ae starts setting her eyes on someone else – and total relationship drama, but with a twist: the Jellypop will show Su-ae a hard truth that she won’t be able to look away from, and will threaten her through mysterious texts, events, and even, as it seems, stalkers.
3Devilish Romance
First Date Idea: Catching A Serial Killer Together
Sitri is a devil stuck on Earth, and he desperately needs a specific serial killer to bring him back. On the other hand, Narcissa is a tough prosecutor, on the hunt to catch the same serial killer. When Narcissa becomes Sitris' boss, the two completely hate each other: Sitri admires the serial killer and can’t show it, while Narcissa has a very different work ethic and hates Sitri’s odd and at times cringey attitude.
This is one story that readers will love from beginning to end, as both these characters go through hate, banter, and a slow development of respect, which in turn becomes affection and then something more, to each other’s (and the reader’s) disbelief. Plus, this story has some truly hilarious moments.
2The Witch And The Bull
Magic, Voyages, And Accidental Spells
If the illustrations and the art style are not enough to convince a reader already, this story withnon-Korean characterstruly packs a punch in terms of adventure, magic, world-building, and a unique love story. Aro is a witch, which doesn’t sit well with many in the current government. Tan, the King’s royal advisor, is one of those people, and his hatred kind of makes it so that he turns into a bull. Now the only thing he can do is rely on Aro, who is also already on a journey of her own, and he will be forced to follow her.
This is a beautiful story where the two characters, initially enemies, go through a series of fascinating trials and develop a deep respect and friendship, but their relationship always seems to be on the brink of breaking, due to external pressures. It’s be a joy for readers to watch their romance blossom and to follow them through their travels.
1Vampire Family
When He Really Can’t Keep His Eyes Off You
In the second manhwa by this author listed here, we find the same exasperated, hilarious writing style which contrasts uniquely with her serious and at times meme-like art style, which is beloved by her fans and trulyunderrated in the manhwa world. This is one of those stories that will crack a smile, a laugh, and much more in every chapter, following the story of a vampire, Natalia, determined to build a life outside of her family’s mansion, and sick of living like a recluse.
The clueless but deeply caring Natalia will soon find herself in a relationship with Evangelo, due to a comical misunderstanding; the fact that he is a vampire hunter only seems like stronger proof of his love for her in Natalia’s eyes. This is one fun and unforgettable adventure, between Natalia’s awkwardness in the human world and Evangelo’s attempts to clear their rapidly growing misunderstanding.
