The Most Iconic Manhwa Protagonists

Summary

• Sung Jin-Woo from Solo Leveling is the most popular Manhwa protagonist due to his story’s appeal.
• Baam from Tower of God is beloved for his relentless nature and incredible character growth.
• Desir Arman from A Reincarnator’s Magic Should Be Special is adored for his representation of self-sacrifice.

With the Manhwa industry increasing in popularity by the heaps, many protagonists can be recognized by fans nearly everywhere. Some of them have become iconic enough to receive their own animated series. Meanwhile, others still await the anime treatment, with millions of fans vouching for the quality of their stories.

This ranked list showcases the most iconic Manhwa main characters, based on how popular they are, the critics’ response to their stories, and the audience reception to their series.

8

Raizel (Noblesse)

Used To Be The Most Popular MC. He Is Still Top Tier, But Not So Much

• Genre: Action, Urban Fantasy, Supernatural, Gothic Horror, Shounen, Drama
• Author: Son Jeho
• Artist: Lee Kwangsu

The first time Cadis Etrama Di Raizel (Raizel-nym for friends and family) appeared, he quickly rose in popularity among fans of vampires and gothic horror. This noble among nobles is a creature of extreme power, but also a selflessness that is unlike in such a ‘superior being.’

Raizel became one of the favorites of the audience due to his wish to protect the children who studied beside him, and to keep being as human as possible while hiding his true nature. Sadly, he has passed his prime and has been overshadowed by many other popular Manhwa characters, though this doesn’t mean the series is less than popular, and he still occupies a place of honor among supernatural Manhwa main characters.

7

Jiwoo Seo (Eleceed)

A Hard-Working MC Slowly Working To The Top Of The Rankings

• Genre: Action, Urban Fantasy, Comedy, Martial Arts, Shounen, Drama
• Author: Son Jeho
• Artist: ZHENA

One of the best things about Eleceed, besides its beautiful mentor/student relationship, is its hard-working MC called Jiwoo Seo. A student who struggled to hide the fact that he had powers, and lived in constant fear of being called a freak. Until one fateful day, he met a talking cat who was Kayden, the most powerful awakened laying low after a tough fight.

Jiwoo has been training non-stop ever since to prove that he is worthy of being Kayden’s disciple. He has been rising not only in power but also in popularity among Shounen Manhwa fans. We could say that he is one of the most promising rising starts in terms of iconic protagonists.

6

Hyeong-seo Park (Lookism)

An Extremely Popular Character, With An Outrageous Character Growth Treatment

• Genre: Drama, Action, Slice of Life, Mystery, Supernatural, Martial Arts
• Author: Park Tae-jun
• Artist: Park Tae-jun

Lookism is a strange case of a Manhwa gaining incredible popularity due to its unapologetic and raw approach to bullying, showcasing the world the harsh reality that many students live around the world. The truth is that Hyeong-seo Park (Daniel Park in some translations) is a fantastic main character with incredible growth.

At first, Hyeong-seo is tremendously confused when his second body appears mysteriously beside him. Then, after some time, he starts to adapt to his new double life and becomes far too comfortable with it. But as the stakes rise, he begins to understand that doing nothing but living leisurely will only hurt his friends, so he rises up to the challenge and begins to train his original body. This way, both are nearly at the same level by now. This sudden change of paradigm in the character has made it quite popular among fans of hard-working MCs.

5

Arthur Leywyn (TBATE)

A Rising Star, About To Have Their Anime Debut

• Genre: Action, Dark Fantasy, Adventure, Isekai, Sword & Sorcery, Drama
• Author: TurtleMe
• Artist: Fuyuki23

Arthur Leywyn from The Beginning After The End (or TBATE) is a solid candidate to become a popular character, who has accomplished the goal of reaching animated status, with its anime arriving on April 2, 2025. With solid worldbuilding and great character background design, Turtle-Me has created a fantastic protagonist for his series.

It is possible that the Arthur fans know from the Manhwa and the one in the anime end up becoming miles apart from each other, as there are bound to be some changes in the adaptation. But that doesn’t mean it is going to make this character any less popular than what he already is.

4

Jugyeong Lim (True Beauty)

This Girl Showed The World What Real Beauty Is About

• Genre: Romance, Drama, Slice of Life, Shoujo, School Life
• Author: Yaongyi
• Artist: Yaongyi

Jugyeong Lim is the main protagonist of one of the most popular Manhwa (worldwide) and a tremendous cross-platform success that has even accomplished its own Dorama on Netflix. True Beauty narrates her tale of overcoming bullying through her passion, and the dangers of living two lives under the same name.

With both her make-up-filled self, and her true self conquering the hearts of the male protagonists of the story, things are bound to become spicy at one point. And that is just what makes this story popular: the high-stakes drama, and also, the brutal betrayal of a certain character. A really good read.

3

Desir Arman (A Reincarnator’s Magic Should Be Special)

One Of The Most Beloved Characters In Fantasy Manhwa

• Genre: Action, Fantasy, Adventure, Sword & Sorcery, Drama, Reincarnation
• Author: Usonan
• Artist: Wookjakga

Desir Arman is the prime example of a Manhwa character that becomes popular not because of its design, his looks, or even his powers, but because of what he represents to the world: self-sacrifice, friendship, and love. Desir has been carrying the weight of the world over his shoulders for far too long, and fans are a little bit disappointed with the cliffhanger ending he had.

Nevertheless, he is quite popular, and his story has received the anime treatment already. So, his future looks promising, and it wouldn’t be strange if he kept conquering even more fans and collecting popularity from here on.

2

Baam (Tower Of God)

An Unforgettable Character, Overcoming All Odds

• Genre: Action, Fantasy, Adventure
• Author: SIU
• Artist: SIU

Tower of God owes its popularity mostly to Baam’s relentlessness and will to survive despite all the betrayals he suffered and all the pain and blood that paved his path to the top. Impulsed by loyalty and love to his Master, this character has overcome every possible obstacle in his path, reaching heights that no other member of the cast achieved.

Baam became increasingly popular at a time when Anti-Heroic characters were cool (and they still are), with his steel-hearted nature, and incredible character growth, he has conquered the fandom and the critics.

1

Sung Jin-Woo (Solo Leveling)

His Appealing Story And Tremendous Character Growth Make Him The Most Popular MC

• Genre: Action, Dark Fantasy, Adventure, Shounen, Drama
• Author: Chugong
• Artist: Dubu (REDICE Studio)

Sung Jin-Woo and his series (Solo Leveling) have become a worldwide success after the end of its long Manhwa publishing run back in 2021. Ever since, its popularity has done nothing but increase.

With a story about courage, overcoming fear, and breaking the mold by sheer force of will, Solo Leveling has catapulted Jin-Woo to a place of honor that few other Manhwa characters have reached. And when you slay demons like a boss, you ought to become popular among fans of dark fantasy and battle Manhwa.