Deadlife is a manhwa that debuted in 2018 with 103 chapters. This work delves into the theme of “intelligent zombies,” a less explored aspect of the zombie apocalypse genre.
Kim Seung Hoon, a high school student suffering from asthma, finds himself trapped in school with other students when a sudden zombie outbreak occurs. He holds onto the hope of escaping the terrifying zombie situation outside the school building but has not yet encountered any luck.
Unfortunately, a “smart” zombie bursts through the metal gate surrounding the school, causing all the zombies outside to flood in. Amidst the chaos and panic, Seung Hoon is bitten from behind and transforms into a zombie. However, unlike typical zombies, he retains his ability to think, feel, and move with intention.
7. Dead Days
Dead Days dives deep into the psychological struggles of survival during a zombie apocalypse through the eyes of a living person. It was published in 2014 and concluded after 61 chapters. The work portrays the grim reality of human existence in a hopeless situation.
Dead Days tells several different stories, each depicting various individuals and their efforts to survive during the zombie outbreak. The first story follows a 16-year-old boy stuck in his room in an apartment complex while the world outside is overrun by zombies. After days without food and drink, he encounters a girl from the neighboring apartment who is ready to lend him a hand.
6. All of Us Are Dead
All of Us Are Dead was adapted into a feature film in 2022. The manhwa, which was serialized from 2009 to 2011, consists of a total of 130 chapters.
The story of All of Us Are Dead takes place in the Hyosan High School, a seemingly normal institution where students and faculty are just going about their daily lives. However, this high school is now ground zero for one of the most dangerous zombie viruses, changing the lives of everyone inside forever.
5. TACIT
TACIT is a perfect choice for fans of unique art styles. This science fiction manhwa, filled with action and adventure, revolves around a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies. It first premiered in 2021 and, after 85 chapters, was completed in 2023.
TACIT follows a girl named Ruby who survives in a zombie-infested world along with her father, Bevrian. One day, while on one of her expeditions, Ruby encounters a boy with pale skin and white hair. Initially suspicious of him being a zombie, she eventually realizes he is just a regular boy trying to survive.
4. Hive
Hive is a manhwa that was released in 2014 and ended in 2018 with 243 chapters. While this manhwa features a virus that turns humans into “mindless beasts,” it approaches the concept quite differently.
Lee Eun Sung is an ordinary office worker whose life revolves around his job and his boss. The only motivation pushing him to work is his daughter. However, one day at the office, Eun Sung and his colleagues are attacked by a hive of giant mutated bees. The survivors eventually become the subjects of a horrific transformation into living beings within the hive.
3. My Daughter Is a Zombie
My Daughter Is a Zombie is a humorous webtoon that was published from 2018 to 2020 with 90 chapters.
Set in South Korea during a zombie virus outbreak, the people around Su Ah are turning into the undead. Her father decides to keep her safe at all costs. However, the journey is fraught with danger and absurdity, as Su Ah encounters a zombie and gets infected. Her father must now hide and care for her even after the virus has been eradicated.
2. Surviving Romance
Surviving Romance is a thrilling story about a girl navigating a zombie apocalypse that completely alters her perspective. It was published in 2021 and concluded with 101 chapters in 2023.
Eun Chaerin finds herself transported into her favorite romance webtoon and must survive alongside her beloved male lead, Jeha. Instead of a romantic adventure, she faces constant danger from zombies, leading to an unexpected turn of events.
1. Sweet Home
Sweet Home was adapted into one of the most popular dramas in 2020. The first chapter of the manhwa was published in 2017, and after three years, it concluded in 2020 with 141 chapters. Although Sweet Home does not explicitly use the term “zombie,” its creatures are similar in nature.
The story follows Cha Hyun Soo, an 18-year-old boy who lives alone in apartment 1410 of the Green Home complex and spends all his days playing video games. However, he begins to experience strange symptoms that make him bleed excessively and lose his mind. Meanwhile, he witnesses the residents of his apartment complex transforming into terrifying monsters. He, along with a group of survivors, must fight against these creatures and survive.
