Webtoons changed horror. The vertical scroll format — where you slowly drag down not knowing what's coming — creates a suspense mechanic that print comics and movies can't replicate. Korean horror webtoon artists mastered this years ago.
The result is a genre where the act of reading becomes part of the horror. Here are the best ones — and yes, several of these have made experienced horror fans too scared to finish.
Horror webtoons vary widely in intensity. I've noted content warnings for each recommendation — some are psychological and unsettling; others include graphic violence and body horror. Read the warnings before diving in.
The best horror webtoons on LINE Webtoon
A high school boy lives in terror of his father — a charming, respected CEO who is secretly a serial killer. When his father brings home a new victim, the boy must decide whether to help her escape or protect himself. One of the most acclaimed horror webtoons ever created. The psychological tension between a monstrous parent and a child who loves and fears him is extraordinary.
After losing his entire family, a reclusive teenager moves into a rundown apartment building — just as a mysterious plague begins transforming people into monsters based on their deepest desires. The residents must survive together. Adapted into a hit Netflix series, but the webtoon is darker and more visceral. The monster designs are extraordinary.
A detective investigates a series of seemingly unrelated deaths and discovers a terrifying pattern connecting them all to a supernatural entity. Slow-burn horror at its finest — the kind that builds dread episode by episode until the reveal hits you like a wall. The art style is distinctive and deeply unsettling.
A sweet, unconventionally attractive princess accidentally joins a club for "cursed" princesses — and discovers a community that actually supports each other. Less pure horror, more horror-comedy with a warm heart. One of the most beloved webtoons of recent years for its body-positive message wrapped in a delightfully creepy fairy-tale aesthetic.
A 820-year-old vampire noble awakens in modern South Korea and enrolls in high school while secret organisations pursue him. More action than horror, but the supernatural atmosphere, powerful villains, and gothic aesthetics place it firmly in the horror-adjacent space. One of the longest-running and most beloved webtoons ever published.
Why Korean horror webtoons are different
- The scroll mechanic — Vertical scrolling creates suspense that panel-to-panel reading can't. The reveal is always one swipe away.
- Psychological over supernatural — The scariest Korean horror webtoons are usually about human monsters — abusive parents, predatory systems, broken people. The supernatural elements are metaphors.
- Free to read — Most horror webtoons are completely free on LINE Webtoon, with optional fast-pass for early access to new episodes.
- Adaptation pipeline — If a horror webtoon gets very popular, it usually becomes a K-drama or anime. Sweet Home, Bastard, and others have all made the jump.
Read our guide to where to read webtoons — all the platforms explained, what's free, and how to get started.