Navillera: Like a Butterfly

Description

After the funeral of an old friend, Dukchul Shim resolves to pursue something he had always wanted to try: ballet. Much to the surprise (and maybe~ horror) of his wife, children, and other acquaintances, this 70-year-old throws himself into following his heart and his passion. With the help of his young instructor Chaerok and others hoping for their own ambitions to take flight, Dukchul shows the importance and joy of pursuing one's dream… even in the face of hardships and our own mortality.

**Original Webtoon: **
Daum, KakaoPage

Official Translations:
English, Thai, S.Chinese, T.Chinese, Japanese, Indonesian
•French: Digital, Print
•Portuguese: Toomics, Lalatoon, Print
•Italian: Toomics, Lalatoon

Note: This manhwa has been adapted into a K-Drama on March 22, 2021.

Type

Manhwa

Related Series

N/A

Associated Names

Like a Butterfly (Hun)

Nabillera

Navillera

Navillera - Like a Butterfly

ผีเสื้อล่าฝัน

それでも蝶は舞う

ナビレラ

ナビレラ ~ それでも蝶は舞う

像蝴蝶一样飞

如蝶翩翩

나빌레라

Groups Scanlating

Latest Release(s)

c.48 by BAP Scans 4 years ago

c.47 by BAP Scans 4 years ago

c.46 by BAP Scans 5 years ago

Search for all releases of this series

Status in Country of Origin

Digital
Main: 56 Chapters (Complete)
S1: 24 Chapters (1~24)
S2: 20 Chapters (25~44)
S3: 12 Chapters (45~56)
Special: 11 Chapters (Complete)

Physical Book
5 Main Volumes + 1 Special Volume (Complete)

Completely Scanlated?

Yes

Anime Start/End Chapter

N/A

User Reviews

N/A

Forum

0 topics, 0 posts

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User Rating

Average: 9.1 / 10.0 (63 votes)

Bayesian Average: 8.2 / 10.0

56%

17%

16%

Last Updated

October 4th, 2025 11:39am PDT - 2 weeks ago

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Genre

Drama Slice of Life Sports
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Categories

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Recommendations

Author(s)

Artist(s)

Year

Original Publisher

Daum

Kakao

SUPERCOMIX

Serialized In (magazine)

Daum Webtoon (Daum)

KakaoPage (Kakao)

Licensed (in English)

Yes

English Publisher

Tapas

Activity Stats (vs. other series)

Weekly Pos #689

(-21)

Monthly Pos #1583

(-93)

3 Month Pos #3532

(-349)

6 Month Pos #5198

(-109)

Year Pos #6868

(+251)

List Stats

On 189 reading lists

On 134 wish lists

On 60 completed lists

On 2 unfinished lists

On 123 custom lists

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Forum Posts Click to view the forum

User Comments [ Order by time added ]

Enjoyable

by NibbPower
8 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

Despite I'm the one that owns the group releasing this comic, I still want to give you guys my rating as to why I chose this project. It's not your every day comic to see an elderly protagonist to pursue their dreams especially as a ballet dancer. Even if there are hardships through his life, he still continue to do what makes him happy. This story will open your heart and mind to understand how life is so important and that it should not be wasted.

... Last updated 8 years ago

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Worth it

by Ripaah
9 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

Seriously, even if scanlators have released only 4 chapters, this comic worths it your time. It's not often to see a old guy as a protagonist and the problems of the third age. A delicate and serene story.

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Cried on the train reading this

by drawplay
7 years ago

Rating: N/A

To clarify, this webtoon isn't a tragedy, but I was just very moved reading it. To echo the other reviewers, the protagonist is very unique in that he's an elderly grandfather. It's (so far) a sweet slice of life about pursuing your dreams no matter what your age and not giving into the expectations of other. Looking forward to reading more!

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Finally sth with a relatable elder protagonist

by YuriTachikawa
4 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

It's the first time I read a story that actually puts the elderly protagonist's self-development, goals and hopes into focus and not just use their struggles to mobilize another plot that ends up making the younger ones the protagonists. I loved the atmosphere and portrayal of different nuances of relationships in this constellation of family, doctors, friends and whatnot. The chemistry between the two protagonistst is especially well developed and brought me to tears at the finale. I also liked how dementia as a disease was discussed in a family context, since it affects a lot more than just your neurological decline.
I definitely recommend this, even if you are not an elder person yet, there are many perspectives in live, some that you only realize at a late age but could already use now.

I've seen the first episodes of the Netflix adaptation, it somewhat turned into a romantic drama ( well duh, K-dramas) and the atmosphere is too hostile to compare to the original source, it sucked tbh. Stay with the original source for a heartwarming and beautiful story.

... Last updated 4 years ago

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A lot of crying but great journey

by RandyRanda
3 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

How touching of a story !

We see a young man entering adulthood, his doubts, stress and uncertainty of his future.

And we see an old man trying to realize his last wish, preparing to "die" as he will no longer be the same, sharing good memories with everyone around him.

Bro how many times I cry to this. Made me think about so many things about my life but also about my parents.

Really great.
A must read

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It's a great tear jerker for good reasons

by Daedalus679
4 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

Moving and a great read. Good art and I just love this story.

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Beautiful and inspiring

by Random_user147
4 months ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

This is definitely a must-read for anyone interested in a good drama. While I cried a lot, it didn't feel like the story was just trying to go for cheap tears. The characters were very relatable and the struggles very realistic. And I love the approach this story takes towards ballet and passion in general. It's genuinely inspiring.

Another aspect that I love of this manhwa is how full of warm feelings and kindness it is. It would have been very easy to do like many stories do and create complete villains, but everyone there is treated by the author with empathy and is given a chance to show their side in a relatable way and an opportunity to grow in a realistic way.

If you're considering reading this, just go. It's unique and very well-written, And I consider myself lucky to have found and read this story.

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If Korea has manhwa award, Navillera should be the winner.

by mallika23
4 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

First of all, I am impressed that this manhwa cover the story of an elderly. And not any elderly, but an elderly who still strive to achieve his dream as a ballerino in his old age. While there are stigma in our social life that elderly should just rest and enjoy their retirement by spending the rest of their time with "normal hobbies", this manhwa shows us that even old people can and should live their life. It shows us how precious life is, how precious it is to take care of our dream in an emotional roller coaster way. I can't count how many times I cried while reading this. Probably in almost every chapter.

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