Everyone likes a good mystery. Even more so when the mystery has some psychological aspects to it. And that is how a psychological thriller comes into being. This genre is the perfect mix of mystery horror as well as the sublime windings of the human mind.
Top 15 Revenge Manhwa To Read In 2025, Ranked
The result is a genre full of exhilarating stories, mind-blowing suspenseful twists, and cliffhanging endings nobody expects. And we know how the readers like these kinds of titles. So we have curated a list of the best psychological manhwa for the readers to enjoy this season. Without further ado, let’s get into it.
15. Money Game
| Author(s) | Status | Chapters | Last Updated |
| Jinsoo Bae | Completed | 60 | 10 January, 2020 |
A reality TV show has been held, but there is something peculiar about it. Eight contestants are thrust into a contest where nearly 44 billion won is the prize pool. But winning isn’t as simple as outlasting the others. Every item available comes at a price inflated to 1000 times its original value. With nothing more than a cryptic rulebook as their guide and the clothes on their backs as their only assets, these players go through treacherous alliances, ruthless betrayals, and challenges. Will any of them outsmart the rigged system and seize the fortune, or will the game ultimately claim them all?
Coming at number fifteen, Money Game is one of the craziest game show titles out there. Unlike other titles in this trope, this takes things to a grisly extreme, which really makes for a very suspenseful and thrilling experience. At points, the sheer mystery behind the motives of some participants and the psychological reasonings are hard to decipher. While all this makes for a great read, it also leaves the plot very hard to get and the pacing erratic. But if you still like the story, you should give it a try.
14. Welfare Center
| Author(s) | Status | Chapters | Last Updated |
| Nana Gwak | Ongoing | 56 | 19 May, 2021 |
Seonghye has no memory of what happened or why she was taken here, but when she wakes up, she sees herself in a room she doesn’t recognize with an attendant she has no idea about. But that’s not all. In this malevolent prison, there is danger everywhere, and everyone is very openly hostile towards everyone else. In this place where the social dynamics are skewed, Seonghye has to uncover her lost memories and find a way to survive hell. Survive the center.
Coming at number fourteen, Welfare Center is all about survival horror. It mixes Western slasher tropes with the freak hospital trope commonly found in Manhwa. The story sticks with its premise throughout the length of the plot, but the end could be quite bittersweet. Many might feel that the ending was rushed, and this has resulted in some loose ends on the plot side. But all in all, the raw graphic nature of this title makes it a must-read psychological thriller.
13. Never-Ending Darling
| Author(s) | Status | Chapters | Last Updated |
| Ulli | Completed | 87 | 13 July 2023 |
Human suffering has nearly ended in the world, and the reason for that is Geunhu Ji, who has mastered cloning technology. This is all the result of the population scanning and then recording their DNA in databases. But Geunhu Ji’s girlfriend, Ha-im Yun, soon discovers there is something wrong with this world when she discovers her own dead body. But when she wakes up the next day, she has no memory of the day before, except a note that says she is a clone. Can Yun uncover all the secrets?
Coming at number thirteen, Never-Ending Darling is an interesting mix of science fiction thrillers and horror elements that make up for a very good reading experience. The entire story has a constant sense of tension that makes the plot unpredictable, and the twists and eventual climax are great. On the other hand, the characters are not the primary focus, which might make the story a little tough to understand at times. Still a good read, however.
12. See No Evil
| Author(s) | Status | Chapters | Last Updated |
| Maduru (Art), Gwangtanto (Story) | Completed | 45 | 29 November 2021 |
Choi Bonggang is just an ordinary college student. Or that is what everyone thinks. In reality, he has a special ability that might shake everyone. He has the power to read the minds and thoughts of other people. But he ignores this and continues to live his life normally until one day he discovers that one of his classmates, Hun Jo, might have killed somebody. Will Choi continue to remain silent like always? Or will he finally take accountability?
Coming at number twelve, See No Evil is your typical murder mystery, but unlike many other series, this title provides quite the character development that makes the MC connect more with the audience. Also, the supernatural elements are merged pretty nicely with the main plot of the story. On the other hand, the pace is erratic, and the ending can feel rushed, which kills the initial build-up. But still, it is a pretty good psychological read.
11. Unhinged
| Author(s) | Status | Chapters | Last Updated |
| KimBiva | Completed | 149 | 23 January 2023 |
Erika’s life turns upside down when she finds her husband murdered after coming from work. But she doesn’t get the time to grieve as she was convicted for the murder of her partner, which she didn’t even do. After spending ten years in prison, she dedicates this time to finding the real culprit. She carefully crafts a plan to take revenge, and the moment she is released, it is time for some cold, hard vigilante justice. Let the carnage begin.
Coming at number eleven, Unhinged is a revenge thriller that is a breath of fresh air in this genre. Instead of the usual male protags, this one has a woman protag. It mixes the psychological aspect of revenge along with vigilantism, giving it Kill Bill vibes, which the fans might love. The story is well-fleshed out, but the pacing is a major issue. Some arcs feel inconsistent, and the plot loses its momentum. But all in all, it is still a great psychological read.
10. Vigilante
| Author(s) | Status | Chapters | Last Updated |
| CRG (Story), Gyu-Sam Kim (Art) | Completed | 141 | 8 January 2021 |
Ji-Yong Kim is just a regular college student. But seventeen years ago, he witnessed his mother being murdered by a criminal. While the criminal was eventually convicted, he only had to serve three years because he felt sorry. Enraged, he vows to take revenge and studies to become a policeman. But he also has a secret. On the weekends, he hunts ex-convicts who weren’t punished by the system. He is the vigilante.
Coming at number ten, Vigilante is your typical vigilante justice thriller, but unlike many other entries, this title remains true to its premise. The main character is written pretty well, and his executions are planned in a very compelling manner. The story doesn’t feel too edgy but is visually graphic. The pace is a major issue with plot progression not being uniform. But other than that, this title is worth a read.
09. Judge And Executioner
| Author(s) | Status | Chapters | Last Updated |
| Sung-Nyung Kim (Story), Gwangsan (Art) | Completed | 74 | 16 September 2023 |
Jihu Seo was shattered when his father was murdered by Shin, Korea’s more heinous serial killer. His crimes have shaken the entire society, but there is no immediate action on him. That’s why Seo gets in contact and comes in contact with Duseok Kim, a man who also lost his entire family to Shin. So now Seo trains himself to become a human weapon to enter the prison where Shin is held and take revenge by himself.
Coming at number nine, this gruesome revenge tale is one of the finest in the genre. This takes all the classic elements from the trope and amplifies it to the T. This makes the plot much more compelling. And the MC has to struggle to defeat his enemies. He is not presented as an all-powerful avenger, which makes the story more believable. But on the other hand, the pace is a major issue. But still, it is a pretty good read.
08. Dr Frost
| Author(s) | Status | Chapters | Last Updated |
| Jong-Bum Lee | Completed | 264 | 2 September 2021 |
Nam Bong Baek is a unique character. By day, he is an ordinary college student, but by night, he is an enigmatic bartender who also goes by Dr. Frost. A genius who can understand the deepest, darkest psyche of people, he treats his patients by rather questionable means. But that doesn’t refute his genius, and he can treat everyone. This also stems from his belief that, in the end, everyone is the same. Come join the misadventures of Frost and his unique cases.
Coming at number eight, Dr. Frost mixes mystery with medical elements for a very unique reading experience. The MC is very well-written, and his harsh but useful methods make the readers question his morality. But there is also quite a bit of character development that is given to Dr. Frost, which is a welcome touch. On the other hand, however, the side characters are a little lackluster, and the pacing is slow. But all in all, it is a great series to read.
07. Save Me
| Author(s) | Status | Chapters | Last Updated |
| 1230 | Completed | 63 | 27th December |
Hyeong-O is at the top of his class at school. Yet he is not respected one bit. And that is because he is also disabled and wheelchair-bound. This misery of his has made him the target of all the bullies at school. It seemed as if this would continue forever, as no one was willing to help him. Until one day an unexpected help arrives in the form of Nam-Su Cha. Now Hyeong has the chance to take revenge on his bullies.
Coming at number seven, Save Me is a school thriller that mixes revenge tropes with bullying for an issue that is as real as it gets. While it has some dark undertones, it also brings important societal issues to light in the form of art, which adds a sense of realism to the story. The dynamics between the two leads are also pretty good. On the other hand, the eventual conclusion felt a bit weak, and the buildup could’ve been better. Yet it remains a great read.
06. Death Game
| Author(s) | Status | Chapters | Last Updated |
| Won-Sik Lee (Story), Kkulchan (Art) | Completed | 66 | 16 July 2020 |
Yijae Choi is a lost cause. He has always been a perennial jobless man with not a single penny to his name. He lost all of his savings in a crypto scam and his girlfriend who left him has moved on. With nothing to look forward to in life, Choi decides to commit suicide. But death is angry at him for not valuing life and thus curses him to suffer for 13 lifetimes. But if he manages to survive all of his would-be deaths, he can live these lives. So can he do this?
Coming at number six, with a very unique supernatural premise, it mixes the survival genre with thrilling situations which is a breath of freshness in an otherwise stagnant niche. The MC shows some serious intellect and survival habits throughout the series which helps him grow in the reader’s view. But while the plot is interesting enough, it fails to capitalize on its full premise and leaves some things to be desired. You can still give it a try just for the plot.
05. PIGPEN
| Author(s) | Status | Chapters | Last Updated |
| Carnby Kim (Story), Beomsik Cheon (Art) | Completed | 68 | 13th June 2020 |
A man named Jinhyeok finds himself stranded on a lone beach without any trace of who he is and how he got here. But one thing is clear: uncovering his lost memories won’t be easy. But while he is struggling to remember everything, a family of six welcomes him on the island. But there is something peculiar with this family. And Jinhyeok feels the wish to kill them but why? And why does the youngest son look like a pig?
Coming at number five, from the creator of Bastard and Sweet Home this entry is another masterpiece in the mystery thriller genre with suspenseful twists that will keep you away from the truth till the last moment. The redemption that the MC gets is also a unique way to end the series. However, in the same vein, the open ending of the series is also a major issue. But the pacing also gets pretty bad in the end. Despite this, it is one of the best in this genre.
04. Shotgun Boy
| Author(s) | Status | Chapters | Last Updated |
| Carnby Kim (Story), Pil Hong (Art) | Completed | 69 | 20 June 2022 |
This manhwa follows a troubled teenager Gyu-Hwan Han, a meek boy who is bullied by his classmates. One day while trying to escape from his bullies in the mountains, he stumbles upon a shotgun. Desperate, he decides to use this gun to punish his bullies but when he finds them he sees that they are being attacked by brain-eating monsters. They jump on him the moment they see him. Now it is only a shotgun between the boy and the monsters.
Coming at number four is this thrilling sci-fi monster thriller which combines survival horror with psychological elements to make for a very exciting read. While the uncanny horror is the real seller for this title, the overall plot is also very engaging. The MC is given a lot of room for improvement and character which makes the end worthwhile. While at points the plot gets a bit predictable and stale, it is still a pretty good read.
03. Your Throne
| Author(s) | Status | Chapters | Last Updated |
| Sam | Ongoing | 242 | February 2025 |
Lady Medea Solon is one of the most powerful women in the nobility and she was supposed to get even more strong when she got the place to be the Crown Prince’s fiancee. But her luck turns upside down when Lady Psyche is chosen as the new fiancee. But Medea will not take this tarnish to her name. In a desperate attempt to regain her place, she performs a dark ritual that exchanges her and Psyche’s souls. Once in her new body, however, Medea learns that there is something dark brewing in the background. Can she survive?
Coming at number three is the only villainess title in this list. This series unlike many other similar titles combines the typical fantasy with layers of political themes along with many psychological elements that make for a refreshing reading experience. Both FLs are written quite well and their dynamics match each other well. The only issue with this series is its complicated plot and many unexplained mysteries. But other than that it is a must-read.
02. Bastard
| Author(s) | Status | Chapters | Last Updated |
| Carnby Kim (Story), Yeong-Chan Hwang (Art) | Completed | 94 | 20 March 2017 |
Seon Jin is an outcast. Everyone in the school treats him like he is garbage and his glass eye makes him a victim of all the school’s bullies. Because of his sickly disabled composition, no one even pays any attention to him. Starved of any friends he has nothing to look forward to in his life. But this doesn’t scare him. Because what is scary is the person who lives with him. This person is a murderer. And this person is Seon Jin’s father! What?
Coming at number two, this entry is the classic psychological thriller that pushed the genre in the manhwa industry. Despite the basic gist of the plot being out within the first few chapters it still maintains the high-stakes tension till the last episode. In the meantime, we get some compelling storytelling with both happy and sad moments for the ML which makes the story much more endearing. The only issue to complain about is its pacing.
01. Sweet Home
| Author(s) | Status | Chapters | Last Updated |
| Carnby Kim (Story), Yeong-Chan Hwang (Art) | Completed | 141 | 2nd July 2020 |
Hyun-Su Cha used to be a normal student until one day everything went crashing down. He became an outcast at the school and his whole family perished in a car accident. Now all alone he wants to simply escape reality and remain in his room. But this delusion of his is soon broken when weird and scary monsters invade the city. Now stuck in his building, Cha has to team up with the remaining survivors to survive being food for these monsters.
Perhaps the undisputed best of this list, Sweet Home has single-handedly managed to make horror and thriller a staple in the Manhwa industry. Its masterful use of horror and mystery elements along with various psychological themes and exploring the character’s psyche makes for a wonderful reading experience. From the intense buildup throughout the series till the final conclusion this title is by far the best thriller read and one should give this a try.
