“0th Prison Warden” (also known as “Prison Guard Zero” or “0th Correctional Officer”; Korean: 제0 교도관) is a recently released South Korean manhwa that blends elements of action, drama, and mystery. It was first published in 2025 and is ongoing, with over 18 chapters released so far. Authored by “Moving Jun” and illustrated by “Oh Seong-Rak,” it falls under the Seinen genre, targeting an adult audience with themes of crime, revenge, and hidden conspiracies. The manhwa is officially published on Naver Webtoon and has quickly gained attention for its gripping storyline set within a mysterious prison.

Story Summary

The story revolves around Ji-hoon, a former member of a secret special forces unit under the Republic of Korea Army Headquarters’ Special Operations Planning Office. After returning from a long overseas mission, Ji-hoon receives shocking news: his younger sister, Ji-yoon, has died, and the main suspect is her boyfriend, Seo Min-jun. Refusing to believe Min-jun is guilty, Ji-hoon learns that Min-jun deliberately took the blame and entered Yeoksun Prison (or Yeokseon Prison) to uncover the true culprit behind Ji-yoon’s death.

However, Min-jun also dies inside the prison, prompting Ji-hoon to take a bold step: he becomes a prison guard (the “0th Prison Warden”) and infiltrates Yeoksun Prison to investigate the secrets behind these unjust deaths. The narrative unfolds as a thrilling revenge tale with mystery elements, gradually revealing a larger conspiracy involving crimes, corruption, and dark secrets within the prison. The manhwa emphasizes the protagonist’s psychological struggles, his military skills, and the dangers of the prison environment.

Main Characters

As the manhwa is relatively new, the focus is on a core set of characters, with potential for more as chapters progress. Here’s a breakdown of the key ones:

• Ji-hoon: The protagonist, a skilled ex-special forces soldier with high combat abilities and analytical skills. Driven by grief and anger, he joins the prison as a guard to seek the truth. His character is strong, composed, but filled with internal conflict.
• Ji-yoon: Ji-hoon’s younger sister and the initial victim. Her death sparks the events, portrayed as an innocent and beloved figure, making her loss emotionally impactful.
• Seo Min-jun: Ji-yoon’s boyfriend, accused of her murder but revealed to be innocent. He sacrifices himself to enter the prison and expose the real killer, only to die there, deepening the mystery.

Additional characters, such as other guards, inmates, or prison officials, are expected to emerge as the story develops, especially with its emphasis on prison conspiracies.

Reviews and Ratings

Being a new release, ratings are limited but generally positive. On MangaUpdates, it holds an average of 8/10 from 3 votes, with praise for the dynamic artwork and engaging plot. The realistic and dark illustrations suit the thriller atmosphere, and the fast-paced developments are highlighted. Some readers compare it to works like “The Breaker” or other prison thrillers, though it needs more chapters to solidify its standing. On Anime-Planet, no average rating is calculated yet (needs 7 votes), but 49 users are following it.

Where to Read the Manhwa

Official Platform: Naver Webtoon (original Korean): Naver Webtoon. Official translations are available on Webtoons.com in Thai (here) and Indonesian (here).

Unofficial Translation Sites: English translations can be found on sites like:

• Kun Manga: Kun Manga
• Raven Scans: Raven Scans
• Mgeko: Mgeko
• MangaHub: MangaHub

Remember, supporting official platforms helps the creators, especially for an ongoing new series.

In conclusion, “0th Prison Warden” is an exciting pick for fans of thrillers and mysteries, with strong potential for growth in upcoming chapters. If you’re into revenge stories set behind prison walls, this manhwa is worth checking out.