10 Spooky Manhwa That Will Give You Chills

Spooky season is upon us! Here is the ultimate spooky manhwa reading list – with a little bit of everything from comedic horror about ghost stories and psychological thrillers with unhinged serial killers, to darkly obsessive vampires and monstrous undead chaos. 

1. Got Dropped in a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work

Starting the list with my latest favorite spooky manhwa! GSGW 100% lives up to the hype, and it’s the perfect read to ease into the spooky season without being too scary. The main lead gets transmigrated into his favorite horror/fantasy world, where he’s a newly hired employee at a company that manages supernatural phenomena. He has to use his knowledge of all the deadly ghost stories to survive while meeting his corporate KPIs.

It’s the perfect blend of SCP-esque/urban legend horrors (think creepypastas) and hilarious existential workplace satire (turns out 9-5 is indeed just as horrifying as supernatural entities trying to kill you). If you’re a fan of Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint, you’ll definitely enjoy this one. Note: GSGW doesn’t have an official English license yet; you can find fan translations online. 

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2. Like Mother, Like Daughter 

Adding some darker psychological thrillers to the list! If you want a story where the horror comes from toxic family dynamics instead of ghost stories, buckle right in. Somyung has spent her whole life under her mother’s thumb, trying to be the perfect daughter.

When her not-so-perfect younger brother is found dead, she begins to think her mother might be the cold-blooded killer. What unfolds is an unsettling story with insane twists, chillingly psychopathic characters, and a high-stakes game of survival. Avoid spoilers at all costs!! If you’re the type to read the comments after finishing an episode (like me), trust me and hit the next chapter instead. 

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3. Trapped (Olgami)

I’ve recommended Trapped before in my 10 Manhwa with Enemies to Lovers recommendations, but it’s also a great read for the spooky season!  Trapped is a psychological thriller that even has some horror elements intertwined. The female lead, Chae-a, is an ex-convict, and the male lead is a mysterious vampire. He blackmails her with a murder she didn’t commit, and what ensues is a deadly cat-and-mouse game – a twisted cycle of obsession, manipulation, and devotion. The dark, moody art style perfectly captures the spirit of the season.

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4. Surviving Romance 

This manhwa is going to catch you off guard. When you open the Webtoon page, everything screams soft romance: the banner shows a cute pink-haired blushing female lead and the bashfully smiling love interest. The title is Surviving Romance.

The episode icons give pastel shojo romance vibes. Then you read the first chapter – Chaerin gets transmigrated into a romance novel. We’re all expecting it’s the kind of romance novel with a fairytale ending right? Wrong. Suddenly, the storyline breaks and SHE HAS TO SURVIVE A ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE. 

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5. For Your Murder 

This is a more mature psychological thriller if you’re looking for something darker. The female lead is an elementary school teacher who lost almost everything: her parents, her freedom, her dignity. Help seemingly comes in the form of a polished lawyer who’s eager to help her. But for what reason? Behind his smile is actually a ruthless serial killer who wants to possess her very being. Where he goes, death follows. 

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6. Phantom Whispers 

This manhwa has psychological horror in spades. Imagine you’ve been hearing voices in your head since you were a child. Your sanity gets questioned by everyone around you. You’re isolated. Then one day, the voices tell you accurate details about an unsolved murder. Maybe it was never just a sickness in your head. Maybe the voices are real – ghosts. That’s the ordeal the female lead goes through in this story – she has to catch the serial killer before everything turns on her. We’re left with questioning what’s actually real and what’s hallucinations. 

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7. It’s Mine

This starts off as a creepy stalker story but takes an unexpected turn. On the surface, the male lead is obsessed with his classmate and watches her every move, but there’s a far more sinister web of secrets waiting to be unveiled, dealing with abuse and trauma. I’m being purposefully vague because I came into this manhwa thinking it was just a stalker story, but it’s far more than that, and the best way to experience it is to dive in blind!

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8. Sweet Home 

No spooky season manhwa recs list is complete without this horror classic! A reclusive high schooler wants to end his life – only to be forced to fight for survival when humans start transforming into horrifying monsters that reflect their deepest desires. It’s unsettling, it’s emotional, and it’s also a hit K-drama on Netflix!

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9. Fast Forward 

This manhwa falls solidly in the thriller category – a break from the supernatural horrors on the list. Spooky season reads don’t always have to be scary. Thrillers that keep you on the edge of your seat and your heart pumping are just as good! This manhwa takes time manipulation and turns it into a deadly battle royale. The female lead can fast-forward time, but in a universe where killing your opponent lets you steal their power, she quickly learns that there’s a huge target on her back. 

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10. Bastard 

Carnby Kim and Youngchan Hwang are back with another spooky manhwa! Bastard is an icon in the psychological thriller genre. The story follows a boy who is severely bullied in school. His father is the opposite; charming, well-loved, and successful. There’s only one problem: he’s a serial killer, and he forces his son to be the accomplice. 

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