Do you ever find yourself with too much time on your hands? Well, you can spend that time to catch up with what the manhwa and manga world has to offer.
Today, we’ll be taking a look at the shoujo category, which has a reputation for not representing its female leads very well. A commonly overused trope for the category is having a knight in shining armour whisk them off their feet as their happily ever after.
This time, it’s different! Watch as the girls in this list rise above their circumstances and prove their place in the world, giving hope to those around them. Here are some recommendations you can binge:
Queen With A Scalpel (Doctor Elise)
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Medical, Historical, Isekai
Chapters: 109 (Ongoing)
Summary:
In her first life, she was an aristocrat born queen named Elise De Clorence. She was a terrible queen who brought trouble to her nation, eventually leading her to her death – burned at the stake by her own husband.
Her memories were then carried forward to her current life as Song Ji Hyeon, a surgeon, as well as a genius doctor appointed as the youngest lecturer at Seoul University. She now dedicates her life to saving others as a way to atone for her sins.
However, an unexpected accident occurs, transporting her back to her previous life! She was given one chance to redo everything that she has done wrong, starting with her marriage with the now crown prince. Will Elise be able to correct her past mistakes or fall back down the rabbit hole?
Comments:
If you’re searching for a strong female lead and you have an interest in modern medicine being brought back to medieval times, I strongly recommend this. The way she grew out of her bratty self after being reincarnated and even tackling the patriarch with her medicine skills is truly remarkable. The romance in this is slightly a bit more slow-burn, but the wait is worth it in the second half.
Sincerely: I Became A Duke’s Maid
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Isekai
Chapters: 45 (On hiatus)
Summary:
I was not satisfied with the ending of this novel. Alejandro Quillo Vel Laviti was born out of a loveless marriage and was cursed at a very young age. His life is just tragedy after tragedy, one that he does not deserve. In the end, he lost his lover to the male lead who came in the middle and was executed.
“If it was me, I could have made him happy.”
Somehow my wishful statement came true, and I woke up as the maid of the disgraced duke, Alejandro. With me here, will Alejandro’s fate change? What is the truth behind this cursed mark? I’m not sure, but one thing I’m sure of is that I’ll make Alejandro happy.
Comment:
Yet another strong female lead, but with more of a kind and compassionate side. The heroine’s journey to gain the trust of the child Alejandro is one to admire and is filled with fluffy moments. No matter how much he throws a fit to distance himself from his pain, she never gives in and continually shows compassion. Her dedication to put Alejandro above herself can be really heart-warming in this time of isolation. This manhwa is a slow-burn romance, but it’s worth the wait.
Bonus: If you love taking care of kids or children in general, you’ll love this!
As You Wish Prince
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Isekai
Chapter: 52 (Ongoing)
Summary:
“If you wrote me, then you can give me the throne!“
Yoonsoo is the successful author of a popular fantasy series. Just as she’s about to start working on her third installation of the story. Imperial Prince Einzen Kyte, the main antagonist from the series she created has kidnapped her into the world of her own story. There she soon realises the power she has as an author in her own creation.
Comment:
If you’re a fanfiction or novel writer yourself, you should definitely give this manhwa a try. Yoonsoo can be a tad bit annoying in the beginning, but eventually, she warms up with her own characters and shows off her more badass side. If I were to categorize the romance and chemistry between Yoonsoo and Prince Einzen, it would be enemies turned lovers.
Lady Baby
Genre: Drama, Family, Mystery, Fantasy
Chapter: 55 (Ongoing)
Summary:
Calliope has suffered through nature’s law and many accidents. Her family was murdered one after another. Her mum soon fell ill and her family name was dragged into the mud. With an ongoing war unfolding, she has finally hit her limit.
Before she could leave the world, in exchange for a song, a mysterious being sent her back in time to when she was first born. Now having a chance to uncover the truth behind her family’s death, Calliope is determined to save them all. But first, she has to learn how to use her legs and talk!
Comments:
As the summary suggests, there won’t be any romance any time soon because our female lead is still young. However, it’s replaced with fluffy and adorable family moments! Since Calliope has to walk through her childhood again, it’s just pure cuteness seeing her interact with her family. Also, with her memories as a full-grown adult and knowledge of the future, she’s a tough child to crack as she gracefully creates a name for herself among the aristocrats.
If you are far away from your family and want to read something with familial love, I recommend this for you!
Accomplishments Of The Duke’s Daughter (Koushaku Reijou no Tashinami)
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Historical, Isekai
Chapter: 50 (Ongoing)
Novel Chapter: 246 (Ongoing)
Summary:
When a young woman is killed in a traffic accident on her way home from work at a tax bureau, she suddenly finds herself transported to the world of the otome game she was playing the night before – but instead of being the heroine, she’s been reincarnated as the villainess! Using her knowledge of the game, “Iris” manages to avert personal disaster and decides to rebuild her life with her modern-day economic know-how. This is one mean girl who isn’t going to let her perceived reputation stop her from being a heroine!
Comments:
This manga is one of the many mangas and novels born from the latest trope of “I got reincarnated into an otome game as the villainness.” It showcases girl power with the strong female lead. With her knowledge from the modern world, she becomes a pillar of hope for people under her jurisdiction. It’s just lovely to see a fellow female rise up in ranks through her own effort without tearing anyone down.
Give these 5 manhwas/manga a try and let us know what you think about them!
