8 Best Historical Isekai Manhwa, Ranked

Historical isekai manhwa possess a unique allure – they don’t just whisk readers away to a different era, but they also fully envelop them in an entirely new realm. From navigating ancient political intrigue to exploring forbidden love amidst a backdrop of betrayal, these stories grab readers’ attention right from the opening lines. And with isekai thrown in, where modern-day characters find themselves catapulted into the past, the genre just gets even more entertaining.

Take Ellin’s Solhwa, for example, where a woman from the modern world wakes up in the body of a concubine in a mighty empire, caught between palace drama and an unforeseen love story that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Or take Black Corporation: Joseon, where a tech enthusiast is reincarnated as a prince in the Joseon Dynasty, using his knowledge of modern technology to change the course of history.

8

The Divine Doctor

A Military Doctor Reincarnates And Revolutionizes Ancient Medicine

The Divine Doctor combines the brilliance of modern medicine with the intrigue of palace politics. Feng Yu Heng, a highly skilled military doctor in her past life, is unexpectedly reincarnated into the body of a 12-year-old girl in the Da Shun Dynasty. Armed with her medical expertise, she navigates the treacherous waters of court life, where every move is scrutinized, and every ally is temporary.

As she tends to the ill, uses her knowledge to heal, and gains the respect of the royal family—especially the youngest prince—she must also contend with the dangerous forces plotting against her. The beauty of The Divine Doctor doesn’t lie in its unique fusion of historical and medical drama but also in the protagonist’s relentless pursuit of survival, revenge, and ultimately, justice.

7

Threads of Time

A Student Relives A Past Life As A Mongol Warrior

Imagine waking up one day and realizing dreams aren’t just dreams—they’re memories from a past life. That’s the reality for Moon Bin Kim, a high school student plagued by vivid nightmares of being Sa Kyung Kim, a warrior caught in the turmoil of the Mongol invasions. But when those dreams become his waking reality, he is forced to navigate a dangerous world where history, destiny, and identity blur into one.

As Moon Bin fights to reclaim control of his life—both past and present—one question lingers: can he escape the cycle, or is he doomed to repeat history? With beautifully intense artwork and a unique twist on time travel, this manhwa expertly explores fate, redemption, and the weight of past sins.

6

Saver

A Swordfighter Is Summoned To Medieval Scotland To Save A Kingdom

Few historical isekai manhwa blend high-stakes drama and intricate world-building as seamlessly as Saver. The story follows Lena Ha, a fiercely skilled kumdo practitioner whose life takes a tragic turn before she is thrust into medieval Scotland. Stranded in a world of warring factions and deep-seated political conflicts, she is told that her only chance of returning home lies in finding the kingdom’s rightful ruler.

Disguising herself as a man, she embarks on a perilous journey that soon shifts from a personal quest for survival to a battle for justice. As she grapples with her past and the burdens of her new reality, Lena evolves from a vengeful outcast into a reluctant hero. Saver stands out for its compelling protagonist, intense narrative, and rich historical setting, making it an unforgettable tale of identity, destiny, and the blurred lines between duty and desire.

5

I Shall Live As A Prince

A Modern Man Becomes A Joseon Prince Facing A Tyrant

Waking up in the past might sound like a dream—until it places someone in the Joseon Dynasty as the younger brother of King Yeonsan, one of Korea’s most infamous tyrants. I Shall Live As A Prince delivers a gripping twist on the isekai formula, following an ordinary man from modern Korea who finds himself reincarnated as Grand Prince Jin-seong. With history painting a grim picture of Yeonsan’s rule—marked by purges, oppression, and unchecked cruelty—Jin-seong faces an impossible dilemma. Should he let history play out as it did, or use his modern knowledge to change the fate of an entire nation?

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As Jin-seong navigates palace intrigue, dangerous politics, and his survival, I Shall Live As A Prince keeps readers hooked with its high stakes and fresh take on time-travel storytelling. The manhwa expertly blends historical drama with the thrilling unpredictability of isekai, weaving a narrative where every choice could alter the course of history.

4

Ellin’s Solhwa

A Modern Woman Becomes A Concubine In A Foreign Empire

When overworked and exhausted Ellin suddenly collapses, she awakens in the body of Solhwa, the fourth concubine of the Xyaran king. Struggling to navigate palace life, a foreign language, and the suffocating weight of her new identity, she quickly realizes that survival depends on more than just adapting—it requires outmaneuvering deadly court politics. But complicating matters is her growing bond with Kiha, the king’s enigmatic and dangerously alluring advisor.

Their forbidden connection simmers beneath the surface, made all the more compelling by the looming shadow of war, hidden betrayals, and the lingering mysteries of Solhwa’s past. With its intricate plot, slow-burning romance, and unpredictable twists, Ellin’s Solhwa delivers a refreshing take on a historical iseka world, where every choice carries the weight of an empire.

3

Black Corporation: Joseon

A Tech Genius Reincarnates As A Joseon Prince With Big Plans

With its sharp storytelling, intelligent protagonist, and a setting steeped in one of Korea’s most transformative historical periods, Black Corporation: Joseon crafts an exhilarating narrative that blends ambition, strategy, and the weight of history into a gripping isekai experience. Jinho, a modern-day military tech enthusiast, suddenly finds himself reborn as Lee Hyang, the six-year-old son of King Sejong the Great.

While initially eager to propel the era’s technological advancements even further, he soon realizes that innovation alone won’t be enough—Joseon is riddled with corruption, power struggles, and a rigid class system that resists change. As he navigates court politics, familial rivalries, and the looming threat of his cunning younger brother Sejo, his goals shift from mere invention to reshaping the very foundation of Joseon’s society.

2

Doctor Elise: The Royal Lady with the Lamp

A Reincarnated Surgeon Uses Medicine To Rewrite Her Fate

Reincarnation offers a second chance, but for Elise, it’s her third. Once a ruthless empress whose reign ended in rebellion and execution, she is reborn in modern times, determined to atone for her past mistakes. Excelling as a surgeon, she dedicates her life to saving others—only to perish in a plane crash. But fate isn’t done with her yet. She awakens once more as her younger self, back in her original world, with all her medical knowledge intact.

Determined to rewrite history, Elise uses her expertise to revolutionize medicine, improve healthcare, and earn the respect of those she once alienated. A fascinating blend of redemption, romance, and historical intrigue, where science meets fantasy in a compelling tale of second (and third) chances, this manhwa is a must-read.

1

I Reincarnated as a Legendary Surgeon

A Betrayed Surgeon Becomes A Famed Healer In Ancient China

I Reincarnated as a Legendary Surgeon takes a refreshing twist on the isekai genre by grounding its story in ancient China during the tumultuous Eastern Han Dynasty. Dr. Jinsoo, a modern-day surgeon, is betrayed, fired, and ultimately killed by his professor. However, a mysterious force rewards his good deeds by granting him a second chance at life. He is reincarnated as Hua Tuo, a legendary physician renowned for his skill in surgery, but the catch is he’s now in a time where medical tools and knowledge are far more primitive.

Tasked with navigating the dangerous political and military landscape of the Three Kingdoms period, Jinsoo must adapt to treating the wounded and ill without the modern tools he’s familiar with, crafting remedies and surgical solutions from scratch. The manhwa’s mix of historical drama, medical challenges, and the protagonist’s journey to master an ancient yet revered profession in a time of warfare and heroism makes it the perfect read for isekai fans.

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