Review: Villains Are Destined to Die Webtoon

Korean webtoons have gained massive global popularity in recent years. These digital comics, originally read on mobile phones and browsers, are becoming global hits and are now being released as printed volumes. Following the success of the action-fantasy series Solo Leveling, which I covered in my last article, this time we are looking at the romantic fantasy Villains Are Destined to Die, published in Czech as Záporáci smrti neutečou by Crew publishing house.

This series combines romance with dramatic intrigue in an aristocratic setting. The central motif draws from otome games, stories inspired by romantic dating simulators. This places us in a world where one wrong decision can mean the end of the entire game.

From web novel to successful webtoon

Like other popular webtoons, Villains started on the internet. The original story is by Korean author Gwon Gyeoeul, who created a gripping tale set in the world of a romantic game.

Due to its popularity, the story soon received a comic adaptation illustrated by artist SUOL. Her style is a major reason for the webtoon's success—detailed costumes, expressive character emotions, and rich colors give the story an unmistakable atmosphere. Shades of purple and pink dominate, giving the entire webtoon a fairy-tale feel.

What is it about?

The story follows student Cha Si-yeon, who falls asleep while playing a popular mobile game and wakes up inside its world. However, she doesn't appear as the main heroine, but as Penelope Eckhart, the main villain. The biggest problem? She is stuck in Hard Mode, where this character dies at every possible ending.

To survive, Penelope must change the entire course of the game. This means winning the favor of one of the male leads while avoiding decisions that could lead to a tragic end.

Every dialogue, every gesture, and every decision can have fatal consequences.

Five men, five possible paths

The male characters play a huge role in the story, representing potential romantic interests. Each has their own personality, past, and motivations. You will instantly fall in love with some, while others will make you roll your eyes. It is also interesting to see how each male character functions differently in both modes (easy and hard).

Penelope must navigate between the nobility and members of the royal family, trying to figure out who she can trust and how to make tactical decisions on the fly. The problem is that the relationships between the characters are full of tension, distrust, and hidden conflicts. What looks like a romantic story at first glance quickly turns into a strategic game of survival.

About the Czech edition

The Czech edition is growing steadily. Five volumes have been released so far, and the sixth part is coming out very soon. Each one brings Penelope a step closer to understanding the world she is trapped in while facing new dangers.

Vol. 1 - Waking up as the villain

The story begins with waking up in Penelope's body. Our heroine quickly realizes she is trapped in the Hard Mode version of the game, as her relationships with other characters start at rock bottom. To survive, she must carefully build relationships with those around her to avoid a deathly end.

Vol. 2 - Rules of the survival game

Penelope tries to understand the rules of the world while maneuvering between characters who don't trust her at all. Every bad interaction, conversation, and minor decision can change the course of the story.

Vol. 3 - Family intrigue and the first changes of fate

Tension in the Eckhart family escalates, and Penelope finds herself in several conflicts where she must keep a cool head. At the same time, she begins to realize how her behavior is gradually changing and bending the original plot of the game.

Vol. 4 - A dangerous hunting trip

A hunting trip plays a key role in this volume, during which Penelope finds herself in danger. She also meets the Crown Prince, which brings not only new dramatic moments but also more questions about who she can actually trust.

Vol. 5 - Secrets that change the whole story

The story expands with noble intrigue, secrets from the past, and more complex relationships between all the characters. Penelope begins to realize how much more complex the world of the game is than she originally thought.

Verdict

What I enjoy most about Villains is the concept itself, which plays with the villainess trope. In a classic romantic story, you wait for a happy ending, but here, every decision can lead to the main character's death, giving the story a completely different dynamic.

The main heroine is not a typical princess, but a character others consider a problem. She is cautious, cynical, cold, and acts primarily to survive. This makes her feel more realistic than many other heroines in similar stories.

Furthermore, the combination of romance and tension makes the story extremely readable, because you, like the heroine, are never sure if the situation will turn out well or end in disaster.

A huge plus is the art style—the webtoon is visually impressive, with scenes standing out for their detailed drawing and distinctive atmosphere.

If you are a fan of romantic fantasy, enjoy stories inspired by games, and lean towards stronger heroines who have to fight against an unfavorable fate, this webtoon will likely hook you just as quickly as it did me.