“The Hole is Open” Manhwa has become a sensation that managed to keep readers hooked with 1.1 million total views. The series attracts 72,000 monthly readers consistently. The adult romance series has built a loyal following since its 2022 release, and 348 devoted fans have bookmarked it to track updates.
The talented duo of author Kimtuk and artist Ddat created this compelling series. Their story runs through 104 chapters and tells the tale of Ja-Kang’s trip after he finds a mysterious secret in his grandfather’s store. The series masterfully combines Adult, Mature, Smut, Harem, and Romance elements. Readers have shown their appreciation by giving it a 3.7-star rating.
This detailed guide explains everything about this popular manhwa. Readers will learn about its captivating storyline and where to read the latest chapters in 2025.
What is ‘The Hole is Open’ Manhwa?
The Hole is Open Manhwa made its debut on October 30, 2022, bringing something unique to Korean webcomics. This adult series has grown into a compelling story that stands out in today’s digital comics world.
Origin and creative team behind the series
Author Kimtuk and illustrator DDAT (also known as “Ddat” or “Tat” in some sources) brought their creative talents together to create this popular manhwa. Toptoon, a prominent South Korean digital comics platform, publishes the series. Readers can also find it on DAYcomics, Toptoon’s English-language service.
The series follows the standard webtoon model with new chapters coming out every Sunday, giving fans a reliable schedule to look forward to. Readers around the world know the series by different names like “Glory Hole Shop,” “The Shop of Pleasure,” “La Tienda del Placer,” and “Tienda de agujeros”.
Plot overview and premise
The story centers on JA-KANG, who gets his grandfather’s small store after he passes away. His simple inheritance story takes an unexpected turn when he finds a secret room with a mysterious “hole”.
The story takes place in “Daum Village” or “Jeolnam Village” – a community that female war survivors built. The village has an interesting quirk: all but one of these children born after the war were female. JA-KANG and his uncle are the only males around.
Magic plays a big role through “yin energy” that flows through the village. This energy throws everything off balance. Women can only get pregnant on certain days, and plants only produce female flowers. The mysterious “hole” helps control all this extra yin energy, but it comes with strict rules. People can only visit once a day, and they can’t be more than twelve years apart in age.
The summer solstice, spring equinox, and autumn equinox bring special days of “yang energy.” Dano, which happens during the summer solstice, is the biggest deal.
Genre classification and target audience
The Hole is Open fits into several genres that tell readers what to expect:
- Primary categories: Adult, Mature, Smut, Harem, Romance, and Seinen
- Secondary classifications: Drama and Webtoon (format)
- Format characteristics: Full-color presentation with top-to-bottom reading direction, typical of Korean digital comics
The manhwa’s adult themes earn it NSFW (Not Safe For Work) labels on various platforms. Adult readers who enjoy mature romantic stories with harem elements make up the main audience.
The series started in Korean but now has an English version for international readers. These translations have helped grow its global fanbase, though its unique story and character relationships remain its biggest draw.
Main Characters and Relationship Dynamics
The character dynamics in The Hole is Open Manhwa are the foundations of what makes this story so appealing. The female-dominated village setting creates a perfect backdrop for an array of unique personalities to shine through. The story connects these characters beautifully through their interactions and relationships.
JA-KANG: The reluctant shop owner
Ja-Kang LEE stands at the heart of this manhwa. He didn’t choose to run his grandfather’s small store – it came to him through inheritance. His role as the unwilling shop owner sets up the basic contours of the story. His natural curiosity leads him to find hidden secrets about his inheritance. The store turns out to be much more than just a physical space.
Ja-Kang’s story goes beyond running a simple business. He starts a journey of self-discovery as he guides himself through his grandfather’s legacy. The village’s only male resident faces complex relationships with the mostly female population. This unique situation creates the story’s main conflicts and relationships.
Female protagonists and their distinct personalities
The Hole is Open features female characters of all types, each adding their own flavor to the story:
- Ah-Yung KANG leads the neighboring village at just 32 years old. She handles both administrative duties and physical tasks due to the lack of men. Her athletic nature and strong sexual energy play a key role in her interactions with Ja-Kang.
- Yeorin KANG, Ah-Yung’s 24-year-old brother, couldn’t be more different from his outgoing sister. He starts as a hikikomori (social recluse) who rarely steps outside. Meeting Ja-Kang changes him completely. His artistic side and unexpected sensual nature add interesting layers to his character.
- Jin-Hee CHOI, Ja-Kang’s aunt, known as “Big Mom,” brings another important family connection to the story.
- Aesa AHN owns Hexagon Bathhouse in Daum Village. At 44, she looks surprisingly young and had her daughter Ha-Ru early in life. The 14-year age gap between her and Ja-Kang creates interesting dynamics.
Character development throughout the series
Characters in The Hole is Open Manhwa grow by pushing past their original boundaries and building new relationships. Yeorin changes from a sheltered, conservative person into someone more open-minded through his time with Ja-Kang.
The relationships in the story challenge what society considers normal. Age gaps and family ties raise complex moral questions. Characters must find their way through these issues while dealing with the village’s mysterious “yin energy” and the rules of the “hole.”
Side characters grow significantly too. To name just one example, Aesa’s story shows how hidden desires eventually come to light. These characters change through intimate moments that spark emotional and psychological growth.
The story includes many more characters like Bora KI, Geum-Hae YANG, and Ha-Ru AHN. Each one adds their own special touch to this rich world of personalities in the manhwa’s unique setting.
Art Style and Visual Storytelling
The Hole is Open Manhwa stands out for its visual excellence. Readers can’t stop praising its artistic merits. Many reviewers give it perfect “10/10” ratings just for the artwork.
DDOT’s distinctive illustration techniques
DDOT brings a fresh visual identity to The Hole is Open Manhwa. The talented illustrator blends detailed character expressions with dynamic panel layouts that keep readers hooked through each chapter. Korean digital comics typically use vertical scrolling format. DDOT takes this format and adds unique touches that make this series special.
The artist has a knack for capturing emotions through facial expressions, body language, and scene details. Character designs show consistent proportions and distinct traits. Readers can spot who’s who right away. DDOT pays close attention to backgrounds too. This creates a complete visual world that fits the manhwa’s unique story perfectly.
Visual progression across chapters
The Hole is Open shows clear artistic growth over time. The original chapters set up the basic art style. Later parts reveal better technical skills. DDOT’s growing confidence with characters and settings shines through as the series moves forward.
The art in early chapters looks a bit rough compared to recent ones, like most manhwa series. Regular readers get to watch the artist grow better with each chapter. This artistic journey becomes part of what makes reading the series special.
Colors change cleverly throughout the series to match the story’s mood. Happy moments glow with warm colors. Serious scenes cool down with different shades. This smart use of color tells the story without needing extra words.
How art enhances the narrative
Art in The Hole is Open Manhwa does more than just look pretty—it tells the story. Reviewers often point out how the “good art” takes what could be a basic adult manhwa plot to another level.
DDOT shows character growth without using too many words. Small changes in how characters stand, express themselves, and move around in panels tell their stories effectively.
The adult content looks tasteful thanks to skilled artistic execution. One reviewer praised its “good lewd scenes” that stay classy despite being explicit. This balance of artistic quality and mature themes sets The Hole is Open apart from similar works.
The visuals and story work together smoothly. Text and images complement each other perfectly. Readers love this blend of great art and storytelling, and it shows in their praise.
Story Progression and Key Plot Points
The Hole is Open Manhwa tells its story through different phases that add new layers to the unique story set up in its first chapters. This adult romance series shows readers more than just physical encounters – we see real character development throughout.
Early chapters (1-40): Setting up the story
The first forty chapters lay down the building blocks that shape the whole series. JA-KANG can’t find work and needs money, so he comes back to his village to take over his grandfather’s shop. He soon finds himself in an unusual spot – he’s pretty much the only guy in a village full of women. The mysterious “hole” in the shop wall becomes a key part of the plot and serves as the main way JA-KANG connects with women looking for intimacy.
These early chapters paint a clear picture of what makes the village special:
- Women make up almost the entire population (JA-KANG and his uncle are the only men)
- The shop plays a crucial role in village life
- We meet the important female characters who will shape the story ahead
The chapters also set up the rules around the “hole,” which creates a foundation that the rest of the story builds on.
Middle chapters (41-80): Growing connections
The story takes a turn in chapters 41-80 as it starts to focus on deeper emotional bonds. We see more than just physical encounters – real relationships start to form between JA-KANG and several women in the village. This part of the story lets us get into character histories, what drives them, and the growing web of feelings throughout the village.
What started as mostly physical connections turns into something with real emotional weight. Author Kimtuk uses these chapters to show us what vulnerability, trust, and genuine connection look like, which adds real depth to what seemed like a simple adult story at first.
Recent chapters (81-120): Latest developments
The story keeps growing in chapters 81-120, bringing new challenges while building on existing relationships. These chapters take what we already know and mix in fresh elements to keep readers hooked.
The latest chapters wrap up some big conflicts while starting new ones to push the story forward. The manhwa has come out regularly, with just a few short breaks (around chapter 62) that didn’t last long.
Throughout its run, The Hole is Open has managed to keep its special mix of intimate moments and character-focused storytelling that got it such loyal readers and impressive views.
Where to Read The Hole is Open in 2025
Reading The Hole is Open Manhwa in 2025 will substantially affect your reading experience and budget. This popular adult romance series has attracted many fans, and readers now have several ways to enjoy it.
Official platforms and pricing
Day Comics serves as the main official platform for English translations of The Hole is Open. Grizz 0139 runs this service that delivers reliable and current releases while properly paying creators Kimtuk and DDOT. ManhwaToon gives readers another legitimate choice and boasts “one of the largest manhwa databases”.
Korean readers can access the original work through Toptoon. English readers should stick to DAYcomics’ official translations to get the best quality. Most platforms use either coin-based purchases or subscriptions. These match standard industry prices where chapters cost about $0.50-1.50 depending on the service.
Release schedule and chapter availability
The Hole is Open comes out weekly, with new chapters dropping every Wednesday. The series reached Chapter 120 as of April 9, 2025. Publication stays on track, though special releases (marked as .5 chapters) sometimes add extra content between main story updates.
Readers can find all previous chapters (1-120) on different platforms. Most sites keep archives going back to the series’ 2022 debut. Chapter availability differs between official and unofficial sources. Unofficial sites might give faster releases but often with lower-quality translations.
Reading experience comparison across platforms
Day Comics and other official platforms give readers cleaner interfaces and better translations at a higher price. manhwa-raw.com lets you read for free but might not match the image quality or translation accuracy of paid options.
Mobile readers will find vertical scrolling platforms most convenient for The Hole is Open. Before you pick a platform, think about:
- Translation quality (official sources do this best)
- Image resolution (quality varies between sites)
- Reading interface (how you scroll and move between pages)
- Loading speed (vital for smooth reading)
Supporting official releases through legitimate platforms helps ensure this popular manhwa continues throughout 2025 and beyond.
The Hole is Open Manhwa stands out in the digital comics world with its unique storytelling and impressive art. The story follows JA-KANG’s trip from a reluctant shop owner to the heart of a complex narrative that unfolds across 104 chapters. The series expertly balances mature themes and meaningful character growth. This becomes clear in JA-KANG’s evolving bonds with the unique female characters.
The basic contours might seem simple at first glance, but this manhwa runs deeper than you’d expect. A mysterious village backdrop pairs perfectly with DDOT’s polished artistic style. This combination creates an absorbing experience that has drawn 348 regular readers and racked up 1.1 million total views.
New readers can find the series on several good platforms, though DAYcomics offers the best official translations. Weekly updates give fans fresh content to enjoy, and newcomers can dive into the complete collection that goes back to 2022.
Here are some FAQs about the hole is open Manhwa:
What is the scariest manhwa?
The Hole is Open manhwa is often considered one of the scariest psychological horror series, known for its disturbing themes and unsettling atmosphere. Other terrifying manhwa include “Bastard” and “Sweet Home,” which blend horror with intense storytelling. Fans of The Hole is Open raw versions often discuss its uncensored impact compared to official translations.
What is OP in manhwa?
“OP” in manhwa stands for “overpowered,” referring to characters with unbeatable strength or abilities, similar to those in The Hole is Open manga discussions. Series like “Solo Leveling” feature protagonists who grow overwhelmingly powerful, dominating their worlds. The term is also used in The Hole is Open hentai forums when describing characters with extreme capabilities.
What is the meaning of manhwa?
Manhwa refers to Korean comics or graphic novels, distinct from Japanese manga or Chinese manhua. The Hole is Open manhwa is a prime example of Korea’s unique storytelling style, often read in The Hole is Open raw format by international fans. These works span genres like horror, romance, and action, similar to manga but with cultural differences.
What is the difference between manhwa and manhwa?
This question seems to have a repetition, but generally, manhwa differs from manga in art style, reading direction (left-to-right), and cultural influences. The Hole is Open manga discussions sometimes confuse it with Japanese works, but true manhwa like The Hole is Open hentai versions are distinctly Korean. Both formats have unique storytelling approaches despite superficial similarities.
What is the longest manhwa ever?
“Legend of the Northern Blade” and “The Breaker” series are among the longest-running manhwa, with hundreds of chapters. While not as lengthy, The Hole is Open raw scans also have substantial content that keeps fans engaged. Epic fantasy and martial arts manhwa tend to have the most extended publication histories.
What’s the scariest Webtoon?
The Hole is Open manhwa is frequently cited as one of the scariest Webtoons due to its psychological horror elements. Other chilling Webtoons include “Horang’s Nightmare” and “Pigpen,” which deliver intense fear through visuals and plot twists. Fans of The Hole is Open manga often compare its terror factor to these popular horror series.
Who is the most op manhwa character?
Jin-Woo from “Solo Leveling” is often called the most OP manhwa character due to his limitless growth. However, discussions in The Hole is Open hentai forums sometimes debate overpowered characters within horror-themed series. These characters typically break conventional power scales, making them fan favorites.
What does isekai mean?
Isekai means “another world” in Japanese, referring to stories where characters are transported to fantasy realms. While common in manga, manhwa like The Hole is Open raw versions sometimes explore similar dimensional themes. This genre has grown popular in both Japanese and Korean comics.
What is Ed in anime?
“Ed” in anime stands for “ending,” referring to the closing theme song and animation. While not directly related to The Hole is Open manga, music plays a key role in setting tone across all mediums. Some horror series like The Hole is Open manhwa use unsettling EDs to enhance their creepy atmosphere.
