Best Historical Romance Manhwa

There are numerous types of Manhwa, each setting the mood for different vibes. Historical Manhwas, for instance, are the best for those who mostly enjoy royalty where the emperor and empress rule the lands with the help of dukes and barons. Of course, some recurring themes like reincarnation and time travel from the modern world spice up the storyline and add more volume to it.

Most of the time, Manhwas narrates the stories from the protagonists’ point of view, but some hidden gems offer a unique twist by allowing you to see the plot unfold from the antagonist’s side. These narratives transport readers to historical settings, providing them with a gateway to indulge in unrealistic fantasies, immersing them in captivating and imaginative realms.

Updated on November 1, 2024, by Nahda Nabiilah:Historical Manhwas are for those who enjoy tales of royalty, where Emperors, Empresses, Dukes, and Barons command the lands with political alliances and power struggles. They also bring the glamour and complexity of royal courts to life, which are often associated with themes like ambition, loyalty, and betrayal, giving readers the chance to step into a different era. Many of these stories also merge the romance theme, providing readers with a vivid image of how love was portrayed in the old eras.

12 Here Comes The Silver Spoon

She Just Wants A Luxurious Life

Adelaide always wished to be rich and live in luxury her entire life in Here Comes the Silver Spoon. Luckily, or unluckily, she died and was reincarnated as the daughter of a filthy rich count, Sergio. She was promised to inherit everything, including the family business and the estate, but everything started going downhill when it was revealed that the inheritor must be married.

When her evil sister stole her assistant who had a crush on Adelaide to claim the inheritance, the latter decided to head to the temple to strike a deal with a Holy Knight, only to meet the Commander of Holy Knights who seems too perfect to be true.

11 Doctor Elise: The Royal Lady With The Lamp

The Miracle Doctor

Doctor Elise: The Royal Lady With The Lamp tells the story of Elise, a complete villainess in her first life who was executed by the crown prince, her husband. In her second life, she was born an orphan and decided to study medicine to redeem herself from the horrible acts she did in her previous life.

An unfortunate accident occurred, and she got reincarnated a third time, but this time, she became Elise once again. With her modern medical knowledge and a new mindset, she decided to become a doctor to help people and cure unknown diseases, while trying to avoid the Crown Prince, which does not work.

10 Caught By The Villain

The Secret Is Out

Eunha has mastered the art of fencing but got in an accident and was isekai-d into a new world where she becomes Selena Evan, the daughter of a well-known sword master. Sadly, on the day when her twin brother needed to perform his military conscription, Celestine ran away. This forced Selena to disguise herself as him and attend the exam, so her family doesn’t get executed.

Although she tried her best to perform poorly, Prince Ignus himself noticed her hidden potential and appointed Selena as his personal knight. Now, Selena must try to keep her identity a secret while the Prince tries, and fails, not to fall in love with “Celestine”.

9 When The Villainess Is In Love

Becomes A Character In Her Favorite Novel

When The Villainess Is In Love follows the story of Emma, whose soul swaps with her favorite novel character, Princess Libertia. Affected by an incurable soul curse, the villainess faces inevitable death. To alter the fate of her beloved Libertia and the other novel characters, Emma is set to change their sorrowful destiny, earning their trust while fangirling at their undeniably handsome looks.

The Villainess’ personality change draws her closer to characters like Eugene De Volton, Kain De Eirik, Herrace, and Daniel. While the Manhwa first chapters may suggest a harem dynamic with multiple love interests, the narrative gradually reveals that only one will emerge to claim the attention and affection of the newly created heroine, Libertia. As the story unfolds, When The Villainess Is In Love Manhwa navigates the complexities of sisterhood, romance, trust, and the heroine’s quest to change her beloved characters’ destiny.

8 Flirting With The Villain’s Dad

Healthy Couply Dynamic

The exquisitely crafted world-building, well-developed characters and captivating art elevate Flirting With The Villain’s Dad from the typical romance tropes. It gives it a distinctive and memorable quality while infusing a light-hearted factor into its plot.

The relationship between the main leads, Yereninovica and Euredian, unfolds quietly and heartwarmingly throughout the Manhwa. Facing ups and downs, both characters are determined to overcome obstacles and keep their connection, even in the face of disapproval from those around them. Unlike many Manhwa filled with miscommunication and misunderstandings, Flirting With The Villain’s Dad portrays a healthy couple dynamic, emphasizing effective communication while leaving no room for unnecessary confusion between the leads.

7 Secret Lady

Lovely Chemistry

Rosentine Arzen can see spirits in Secret Lady. She disguises herself as an old hag to convince Charteris Kartazen that she can save him from an assassination attempt. However, to ensure her loved ones’ safety, she has to keep her identity a secret, disguising herself as a poor sorceress.

She ambushes Char’s carriage in the middle of the night and approaches him with the offer, and that’s when their destiny gets entangled. Together, they investigate and uncover the mysteries of the assassination attempt and the imperial curse as they get closer by the day. Throughout the Manhwa, their chemistry is evident, and their powers balance one another, making them a force to be reckoned with wherever they go.

6 Villains Are Destined To Die

Even Villains Can Earn Love

Villains Are Destined To Die unfolds within the Otome game Daughter of the Duke, Love Project!, where the protagonist, Penelope Eckhart, must navigate to survive without a reset button. In this challenging game, the hard mode shifts the perspective to the hated villainess, Penelope, who endures abuse from maids, family members, and the Crown Prince, while seeking an escape from the harsh reality.

The Manhwa introduces various male leads, including Derrick Eckhart, Reynold Eckhart, Callisto Regulus, Winter Verdandi, and Eckles. To successfully complete the game and unlock the hidden ending, Penelope must achieve 100% affection for one of these characters. This presents a complex task in her quest for survival when she got transferred into the Otome game realm.

5 How To Win My Husband Over

The Holy Knight And The Lark of Cistina Story

This Manhwa discusses heavy subjects such as anorexia, family abuse, trauma, and sexual harassment.

How to Win My Husband Over is set when the corrupt priests and the influence of the Borgia pope dominate the realm. Iske van Omerta, the youngest and strongest Paladin, is also the heir of the Omerta Duchy. To secure the outstanding knights of Brittany’s support in defending the barbarians, Rudbeckia de Borgia, known as Ruby, is wed to Iske in a politically driven marriage.

Initially, Ruby and Iske’s relationship is filled with tension and misunderstandings, each burdened by deep-seated traumas that keep them at odds. Yet, as they confront their inner struggles together, they slowly grow closer, helping each other heal and uncovering each other’s struggles as they develop genuine feelings along the way.

4 The Broken Ring: This Marriage Will Fail Anyway

Her Plan Fails Anyway

At the age of six, Inés boldly rejected the Crown Prince’s proposal in favor of choosing Cárcel as her future husband. Her decision wasn’t random, she specifically selected him based on his face and the rumors that surrounded him in her past lives. Widely known for his alleged unfaithfulness, Cárcel stood out as the perfect target to help her achieve her goal.

However, after marriage, Cárcel proves to be a faithful husband in The Broken Ring: This Marriage Will Fail Anyway. Now Inés struggles to manipulate him into infidelity, as he stays devoted to achieving his goal of a happy life with his nun wife. As the Manhwa story progresses, Inés will undergo a transformative journey, gradually healing from past traumas with Cárcel’s unwavering support and love.

3 I Stan The Prince

All Because Of Fan Fictions

I Stan the Prince takes place in the Empire of Ludext, currently governed by the Schwandell Prince, following Rayburn Espelindo‘s loss of the Crown Prince title. Later on, Aisha’s viral fan fiction transforms Rayburn’s tarnished image, gaining him public admiration and intertwining their fate.

The artist’s art style extends beyond conveyed emotions to crafting a visual symphony that summarizes the tender moments between Aisha and Rayburn’s evolving feelings. Each Manhwa panel captures the raw emotions and growing affection of Aisha and Rayburn, through every touch, glance, and smile towards one another.

2 A Stepmother’s Märchen

Heartwarming Family Moments

A Stepmother’s Märchen timeline starts after the tragic death of Marchioness Shuli Von Neuschwanstein, who then travels seven years into the past. Armed with the knowledge of the future, Shuli is set to gain the trust of the Neuschwanstein children in the hope of changing their sorrowful past.

The Manhwa narrative beautifully captures wholesome family moments, introduces well-developed characters, and forms a captivating plot. As the story progresses, the interactions between the main leads, Shuli and Nora, bring a sense of warmth and anticipation, making A Stepmother’s Märchen a beloved historical Manhwa for its engaging storytelling, character dynamics, and top-tier art.

1 I Married The Male Lead’s Dad

Protecting Their Loved Ones

The I Married The Male Lead’s Dad plot takes an intriguing turn when Aisha Heathcliff discovers her true identity and the connections she shares with Hadith and Abel. Determined to break everyone free from these intertwined fates, she becomes committed to doing whatever it takes to save and protect both of her precious loved ones.

However, Aisha soon realizes that her mission is not solitary, as Hadith is also determined to rescue his beloved family members. In a daring move, he defies the god and emperor of the world and challenges their authority to ensure the safety and well-being of those he holds dear. The Manhwa storyline defies the reincarnation trope and unfolds into a captivating narrative of love, sacrifice, and struggle against one’s fate.