With catalogs of webtoons all over the internet, there is no shortage of exciting and in-depth villains that give stories the little kick they need. Innately, readers are drawn to hate these villains, but let it be known that their presence is vital to how the story progresses. Without their unworldly motivations backed by their shady sense of justice, there wouldn’t be any need for heroes in the first place.
All this time, readers have followed countless stories of galloping heroes on a mission to save the planet. But what about those trying to destroy it? Some villains are old, boring, and evil, but some are well-written enough to make you hate and love them simultaneously. It’s about time to give these villains the roses they deserve, so here’s a list of webtoon villains you can’t help but love.
9. Geunhu Ji From Never Ending Darling
Never Ending Darling is a psychological thriller webtoon that features Ha-im Yun and Geunhu Ji. The couple exists in a world where technology has advanced to DNA cloning. The headmaster of it all? Ha-im Yun’s partner, Geunhu Ji. Things take a turn for the worse when she finds out she’s in a never-ending loop of life and death, thanks to her boyfriend’s overarching obsession for her.
Geunhu Ji in Never Ending Darling is as crazy as crazy gets. Most of the time, readers see his manipulative and obsessive side. However, there are moments in the webtoon where he lets his loving and caring side flourish in the story—but the webtoon isn’t under the romance catalog for a reason. Readers love Geunhu Ji because he’s the perfect villain for a psychological thriller—an unredeemable lunatic who puts even his loved ones in danger for his own selfish motivations.
8. Dr. Crombel From Noblesse
Dr. Crombel is a recurring antagonist in the action webtoon, Noblesse. He is a scientist of the Union and has risen to the rank of the 13th Elder due to his immense capabilities recognized by the other Elders. He also leads the Assassination Squad for the Union, utilizing a force specializing in infiltration and surveillance.
Fans of Noblesse adore Dr. Crombel for his ability to go toe-to-toe with Raizel and Frankenstein—both powerful main characters. However, his obsession with Frankenstein has pushed him down a path of evil—partaking in monstrous experiments with humans. Dr. Crombel’s genius and physical prowess make him a formidable and awaited villain in the story.
7. Kieran White From Purple Hyacinth
Kieran White is the deuteragonist of the famous mystery webtoon Purple Hyacinth. He works closely with the protagonist of the digital comic, Lauren Sinclair. Famously known as The Purple Hyacinth, White is infamous for murders that left flowers of the same name around crime scenes in Ardhalis.
All Purple Hyacinth readers are in love with Kieran White. His villainous aura and charismatic personality make him the perfect webtoon villain you can’t help but love. Although he has blood on his hands (and plenty of it), readers find White’s circumstances understandable. Whether it was why he became an assassin or why he despises killing other people, readers have found a way to make him redeemable.
6. Rachel From Tower Of God
Tower of God has been the perfect introduction to fantasy webtoons since its creation. With world-building and diverse characters like no other, the webtoon has intrigued readers into a fascinating universe where heroes and villains reach higher floors, encounter new challenges, and unveil some heavy secrets.
The webtoon begins with the protagonist, Baam, pursuing his best (and only) friend Rachel. But fans quickly write her off—becoming one of the most hated characters in webtoon history. Despite being hated for many reasons, readers have still shown love to who might be the most villainous of villains on this list. Her desire to reach the top of the Tower meant that she would disregard anything that blocked her way—even Baam. With this, Rachel’s motivations and actions have split readers’ opinions, but readers can’t help but appreciate her lust for the top.
5. Coach K From The Boxer
The Boxer is the story of a talented boxer named Yu and his mentor, Coach K. Hidden in plain sight, Coach K is not your typical villain. In the sports webtoon, he is even responsible for five boxing champions. His background as a soldier taught him that supremacy trumps all—no matter what the consequences are. This supremacy is what he instills in his champion fighters, and his cream of the crop, Yu.
This supremacy also became his bridge to boxing—saying that its purest form can only be found in the sport. As a coach, his methods could be seen as a little questionable. Coach K trains Yu to illustrate how evil can manifest through justifiable methods, going as far as violently destroying any foe who steps foot in the ring. This rooted belief and motivation is what readers love about this villain, making him more relatable than other antagonists.
4. Khalid From From A Knight To A Lady
From a Knight to a Lady is a fantasy webtoon not for the faint of heart. The story of Estelle, the main character, isn’t one to skip past, but the villain in question is troublesome enough to get his name up on this list. Long story short and with spoilers ahead, Khalid is Estelle’s killer and the right-hand man of the prince.
Khalid is loved and hated by many readers of From a Knight to a Lady. The author left no crumbs in cultivating this character’s qualities. From his total insanity to an overzealous personality, Khalid is just the right amount of wrong needed for a fantasy comic of this caliber.
One Reddit user said, “i JUST finished binging this not even an hour ago and during my binge, i had to get up and take a walk around the house several times purely because of how much he pissed me off. but at the same time, he’s one of the best parts of the story imo.“
3. Ricon From Suitor Armor
If there were an award for “Most Hated Webtoon Villain,” it would go to Ricon from Suitor Armor. He ticks all the boxes on the villain checklist: charismatic, brilliant, and manipulative. Readers expect no less from a villain of a fantasy webtoon. He even talks to the other characters with utmost disrespect and thinks he’s always in the right, but why do readers still praise him?
Ricon is a villain who’s the hero of his own story; readers of Suitor Armor recognize that. Shivers run down their spines whenever they see him in a panel—always looking menacingly and speaking poetically. Even just his dialogues with Lucia, the main character of the webtoon, are enough to keep them on the edge of their seat. It’s easy to point out that he’s up to no good, but his mere presence will give you the drama that you’re eagerly looking for.
2. Suji From Trash Belongs In The Trashcan
Trash Belongs in the Trashcan is a romance webtoon that features Woobin, a man who seduces women for a living, and the exciting villain of the digital comic, Suji. Suji’s complexity might be lost on some readers, but she’s a lovable girl deserving of a place in this star-studded list. She may not act like your typical villain, but you’ll certainly find out why she’s termed as one.
Suji is the main driver of Trash Belongs in the Trashcan—single-handedly turning the romance genre inside out with her dark and twisted scheming. However, it’s how you suddenly fall for her crazy and dominant personality despite her noticeable flaws that drives you to want more of her. Her dark and complex personality is a breath of fresh air for all villain lovers out there.
1. Adam From The Guy Upstairs
The Guy Upstairs is one of the most well-received webtoons on the internet. The digital comic is about Rozy, a college student who meets a seemingly normal and charismatic upstairs neighbor in Adam. Things change when she stumbles upon a murder, and the one with blood on his hands is none other than the guy upstairs.
Adam is a villain of the highest standards. What readers love the most about him is his “nice guy” act, a front he uses to lure his victims and hide his actual intentions. When the act is in play, he becomes softer with the demeanor of a gentleman. But on the chance that it isn’t, it’s as if he transforms into a completely different person—now looking and acting menacingly. That’s not to say that readers don’t love Adam, because they do. His alluring personality is what thriller readers love the most despite his murderous tendencies.