The most captivating dramas often involve high stakes. Even in more subtle narratives, seemingly small events like missing a school dance or needing a new outfit can feel monumental. However, intense stories require something riskier, where each triumph brings great rewards and joy, while every defeat can be crushing, possibly leaving the loser in despair.
This is why tales centered around gambling can be just as gripping as the games themselves. A single dice roll, a hand of cards, or any other seemingly insignificant action can determine the fate of those involved, bringing either euphoria or despair. This formula has proven successful in popular series like Kaiji and Kakegurui, as well as in the realm of Korean gambling manhwa.
One Pair Lady
MyAnimeList Score: 6.50
Gambling Manhwa- One Pair Lady - MyAnimeList Score: 6.50
Written by Yojeongyong
Illustrated by Eonkyum Ju
75 Chapters
You can read One Pair Lady in English on Tappytoon. Gambling may seem like luck, but there's actually skill involved. Adel, an orphan, used her skills to make a living by playing the odds in the game and outsmarting others.
The World Is Money And Power
She was cared for by kind elders, so when she saw a young boy struggling, she decided to help him. But suddenly, she finds herself ten years in the future with no sign of the boy. Adel is determined to find out what happened to him by following any clues left behind over the past decade. Her search leads her to a casino cruise owned by a wealthy woman, where she must use her gambling skills to locate her missing friend.
MyAnimeList Score: 6.58
Gambling Manhwa- The World is Money and Power - MyAnimeList Score: 6.58 - The World Is Money And Power
Written by Dongwoo Han
Illustrated by Dohee Lee
229 Chapters
Available in English via Webtoon
Money and Power is a unique series because it not only has a sequel but is also part of its own manhwa universe. Characters from other dramas like My Bad Boyfriend and Get Schooled make appearances for cameos, along with references to organizations and gangs from those stories. In fact, Gunsoo, the lead of Money and Power, even appeared at the end of My Bad Boyfriend with the antagonist, Taeeun.
Before Gunsoo can confront Taeeun, he must first deal with his high school in Money and Power. The school is controlled by the wealthy heirs of families like Taekyeong-Oh, who make money from other students through gambling. To stop them, Gunsoo must outsmart them at their own games.
The SSS-Rank Hunter’s Lucky Draw
MyAnimeList Score: 6.60
Gambling Manhwa- The SSS-Rank Hunter's Lucky Draw - MyAnimeList Score: 6.60 - The SSS-Rank Hunter’s Lucky Draw
Written by Shampion
Illustrated by Seokjoon Yoon
89+ Chapters
Available in English on Tapas
In The SSS-Rank Hunter’s Lucky Draw, the world experienced a major event known as ‘The Change.’ This mysterious catastrophe brought forth monsters and various dangers. Along with these threats came mana, a magical energy that humans could harness to defend themselves. Jin Jeongdo aspires to become a 'Mana Hunter' and shows great promise. However, his unique latent power sets him apart from the rest.
Money Game
Also known as SSS-Class Gacha Hunter, this strip is quite similar to another manhwa called SSS-Class Revival Hunter. However, there is a key difference. Instead of the main character copying abilities after dying and respawning, Jin's ability allows him to draw powers from figures in the past and future. The catch is, he doesn't know what ability he will receive. It's like a gacha game, where he must rely on luck with his draws or work with whatever power he ends up getting.
MyAnimeList Score: 6.93
Gambling Manhwa- Money Game - MyAnimeList Score: 6.93
Written & Illustrated by Jin-Soo Bae
60 Chapters
Available in English on Webtoon
Money Game may ring a bell for Korean drama enthusiasts as it was made into a live-action series in 2020. It shares a similar concept with Squid Game, focusing on a reality TV theme. The twist here is that Money Game actually came before Squid Game by 2 years. Instead of risking lives, the characters in this manhwa risk their financial stability. Participants must aim to spend as little as they can over 100 days to secure a prize of $38 million.
Like A Wolf
It may sound easy, but there are some catches. All 8 contestants find themselves stranded on a unique TV set with just the clothes they are wearing and a rule book. While there are shops and services around, everything is priced at 1,000 times higher than normal. If they can't find ways to make the most out of their money, they could end up broke or in even worse situations.
Anime Planet Score: 3.6/5 Stars
Gambling Manhwa- Like A Wolf - Anime Planet Score: 3.6/5 Stars
Written & Illustrated by Sae-Hyung Lee
99 Chapters
This manhwa has several titles such as Cry Like a Wolf, Cry Like Wolves, Fighting Wolf, and simply Like a Wolf. But no matter the title, it follows the story of a man named Gunt who is drowning in debt and sees no way out. That is until he is offered a chance to join an underground fighting arena and defeat his opponents.
Psychic Gambler: Betting Man
It’s a simpler answer compared to Kaiji’s various challenges, yet the plot remains familiar as Gunt is not alone in risking it all to resolve his debts. They are all indebted to a mysterious figure who forces them to participate in a dangerous game. The stakes are high - what consequences await them if they fail? Readers will have to read on to uncover the outcome.
Anime Planet Score: 3.7/5 Stars
Gambling Manhwa- Psychic Gambler Betting Man - Anime Planet Score: 3.7/5 Stars - Psychic Gambler: Betting Man
Written by Doldom
Illustrated by Seong-Won Hwang
198 Chapters
Available in English via Lezhin Comics
It takes a sharp mind and a keen eye to succeed in the world of gambling. In games like poker, even the smallest movement or twitch can reveal a player's intentions or strategies. But imagine if someone had supernatural abilities, such as mind-reading or seeing through objects. They would have a significant advantage, being able to predict their opponent's moves or the next card drawn by the dealer effortlessly.
This is exactly what Jin-goo believes in Psychic Gambler: Betting Man. With his psychic powers, he was able to manipulate women to get what he wanted. Surely, he thought, he could use the same abilities to win big in the casino. However, things don't go as smoothly as he expects. While he may have an edge over regular gamblers, Jin-goo soon discovers that he is not the only one with extraordinary talents at play in the gambling world.
Editor's P/S:
This article provides an engaging overview of Korean gambling manhwa, highlighting the captivating nature of tales centered around gambling. The high stakes and intense emotions involved in these stories make them both thrilling and relatable, as they explore the themes of risk, reward, and despair.
The article effectively introduces several popular manhwa series, offering a glimpse into their unique storylines and characters. It also provides information on their availability in English, making it easy for readers to explore these captivating dramas. Overall, the article effectively conveys the appeal of Korean gambling manhwa and encourages readers to delve into this exciting genre.