BL, as the name implies, is known for its romantic storylines and steamy themes, but what many fans don't realize is that there is an extremely abundant action and crime section to the genre. A good deal of crime and action BLs include romantic plots, or subplots, accompanied by fight scenes, gore, and mystery. While there is typically some romance, or at least lust, these stories provide action and crime fans with what they want, while existing in a LGBTQ+ centered universe.

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Love permeates these manhwa series, making it easy for readers to connect with the characters on an emotional level.

This subgenre features a lot of openly gay gang bosses, which seems to be a fan favorite judging from the amount of manhwas there are with this theme. Additionally, the audience can expect serial killers and spies that fall under the LGBTQ+ umbrella as well.

10 Mad Dog

When Hamin is kidnapped one day, the reality he has been hiding from begins to set in. He is the son of a well-known mafia boss, and although his attempts to get away from the family business were ernest, he gets pulled back in due to his father's feuding with a rival gang. Now, Hamin is ordered by his father to let Kwon Sehyuk be his caretaker and bodyguard until the feuding ends.

Mad Dog is an enemies-to-lovers, romantic action drama set during Hamin's time after high school. It is available to read on Lezhin.

9 Killer Crush

Killer Crush is the story of people in opposite industries, coming together to help one man achieve his goals of becoming a movie star that will be taken seriously. Kang Dahyeok is a celebrity known for being the male lead in romantic dramas. Joo Taeman is a killer for hire that instantly falls for Dahyeok. Dahyeok decides to go a little method and get Taeman to help him with his acting for a drama where he plays a killer so that he'll be taken seriously by critics and fans alike.

This is an action romantic comedy that details Taeman and Dahyeok's lives as they intersect. It is available to read on Lezhin.

8 Peach Love

Sixteen-year-old Love is often mistaken for a delinquent or gang member due to his appearance, but all he really wants to do is collect his favorite collectible items and live in peace. When he's mistaken for robbing people in the wrong neighborhood, he's taken in by a group of young gangsters led by Peach. How will Love clear up this misunderstanding?

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This is an action BL for older teens. It was created by Fujoking, a successful BL manhwa artist that typically write mature works. Peach Love is available to read on Lezhin.

7 Murderous Lewellyn's Candlelit Dinner

When ghostwriter Shavonne starts noticing notes outside his door in the middle of a deadline, he gets fed up and goes to the police. Unfortunately the police have their hands full with a series of murders and don't take him seriously. That's when Shavonne meets his mysterious neighbor, Lewellyn.

This historically set psychological thriller is as enticing as it is creepy. It follows Shavonne as he gets to know his neighbor, learning things he wished he'd never known. It is available to read on Lezhin.

6 Interview With A Murderer

When the Triage Killer is on the loose, one reporter finds an opportunity to get close to him, but at what cost? When Clark's psychologist friend tells him that he has a serial killer as his client, and that he's more than willing to talk, Clark sees this as a once in a lifetime opportunity and agrees to hear him out. The only thing is that the serial killer wants something in return for his words.

This is an intense, psychological BL that features manipulative relationships and abuse. It is an 18+ title available to read on Tapas.

5 Yakuza In Love

When Min Joon is swindled out of his assets while living abroad in Japan, he meets a little boy who calls him "mama". It turns out this little boy is actually the son of a Yakuza boss by the name of Daiki Joe. After he's done investigating Min Joon, Daiki comes up with arrangement for him, in which Min Joon will look after his son, in exchange for room and board. The only thing is that Min Joon is really attracted to Daiki.

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This is a love story with the backdrop of Japan's underground, though there is some action, most of the story is about Min Joon slowly becoming a part of Daiki's family. This 18+ story is for fans that want wholesome content set in an unwholesome environment. Yakuza In Love is available to read on Lezhin.

4 Red Candy

Red Candy is a spy drama that details the events of Shihyeon's mission to get information on Hajun's dad, a professor with top priority intel. In doing so, Shihyeon finds himself in bed with Hajun, another professor who may or may not know the whereabouts of his father. There is action, there is betrayal, and there are lots of shootouts.

Red Candy is as sweet as it is intense. This 18+ title portrays two men with difficult circumstances, falling in love amidst the backset of a mission that holds a ton of secrets. It is available to read on Tapas.

3 Shutline

Shin is a jobless mechanic that works on the streets fixing cars whenever he can. Jake is a gangster than has car trouble in the same parking lot Shin is parked. While shin fixes Jakes car, the tension builds. Shutline is a steamy 18+ BL about the gangster Jake and his new friend Shin. It features violence, gore, and is action packed for fans wanting a mixture of BL and hardcore violence that isn't abusive.

Shutline is more than just sex and violence, it portrays two men who are searching for more but don't know where to find it other than in each other. Though their romance is of the "no strings attached" type, these two, rough around the edges types, slowly soften up when they're around each other. Shutline is available to read on Lezhin.

2 Nevermore

Nevermore is the story of a spy, James Jung, that is sent undercover to high school in order to protect his principal from assassination attempts by Samuel "Black Mamba" Gyo. Despite their rivalry, James and Samuel have intense chemistry that sometimes gets in the way of their feuding. Will James be able to keep everyone safe while potentially catching feelings for Samuel?

This is an action packed comedy BL that centers around James trying to keep his secret from the other students, while keeping a watchful eye on Samuel, who is undercover as a teacher at his school. It is available to read on Tapas.

1 Hell & High Water

Adapted from the 2014 novel by Charlie Cochet, Hell & High Water takes place in a world where mutated humans called Therians exist. The protagonist, Dexter, has joined the THIRDS, or, The Therian-Human Intelligence, Recon, Defense Squadron, in which humans will work alongside Therians in order to prevent Therian, human violence.

This is a steamy, violent, and captivating story that dabbles with sci-fi. It provides fans with romance, action, and adventure and is for mature audiences. Volume 1 is available to grab on Amazon.

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