Boy's Love, often referred to as "BL" or "Yaoi," is a controversial genre to some, and a revolutionary genre to many. It puts LGBTQ+ romance and characters at the forefront of its story telling and often highlights queer communities and culture in the process. Despite its Japanese origins, BL manhwas (Korean mangas) are increasingly popular among BL fans.
Though it typically caters to female fans and found its origins as a shojo subgenre, BL pulls a wide audience. Moreover, BL has evolved into a popular genre, taking up much of the space on webcomic sites like Lezhin and Tapas. Now, BL creators execute some of the highest quality art you can find in a manhwa.
Updated January 13, 2024, by Taynne Wallace: With the popularity of 2022's Jinx by Mingwa, and 2019's Painter Of The Night by Byeonduck, the expectations for art quality in BL Manhwas have gone up incredibly. Fans of the genre will no longer accept awkward proportions and simple backgrounds, so commonly associated with the genre in the past. Currently, BL Manhwa artists have raised the bar, with artists like Mingwa and Byeonduck leading the charge with their astounding visuals, life-like character designs, and stunningly detailed backgrounds. Additionally, BL manhua art (Chinese manga) is advancing at a similar rate, with titles like 2020's Touch Your World by Tang Man Hua exhibiting breathtaking art with a slightly different style.
15 The Ghost's Nocturne
Art Style: Realism And Attention To Detail
- Creator: Ananas
- Release Date: July 21, 2022
- Status: Ongoing
Lee Nok is terrorized by ghosts every night to the point where his sleep is heavily impaired. Jae Shin is a half demon, and son of a demon lord from hell, who has been cast into the human world as a puppy during the day due to a wrong choice in hell. By night, Jae Shin must live as a human. The two meet when Jae Shin is a puppy, and slowly bond as they both learn how to live with each other.
The story of Lee Nok and Jae Shin is fraught with peril due to Jae Shin's attitude and lustiness, but there is potential for the two to see each other for their true selves. This is an 18+ title that can be read on Lezhin.
14 Love In Kitsch
Art Style: Vibrant Color Pallet and Outdoor Shots
- Creator: Dell Studio
- Release Date: July 23, 2021
- Status: Completed
Yeonwoo is looking for a fresh start over the summer and decides to work at a B&B on Jeju Island. However, it was a photo of his soon-to-be coworker that lead him there, instead of totally pure intentions. Upon arrival, Yeonwoo meets his quirky boss and two fellow employees. One was the guy from the photo, and one who is overly friendly and might just be hiding something. Will Yeonwu find himself in the middle of something juicy?
Love In Kitsch is a colorful and fun story with depth and gorgeous visuals. It is an 18+ manhwa, available to read on Lezhin.
13 Painter Of The Night
Art Style: Peachy and Life-Like
- Creator: Byeonduck
- Release Date: May 14, 2019
- Status: Completed
Painter of the Night is an 18+ period piece manhwa that depicts a poor, erotic painter named Na-Kyum who finds himself being wanted by a "notorious hell-raising" noble named Seungho. This is not a very romantic romance story, as Seungho is quite abusive in his treatment of Na-kyum and others, but as time passes he begins to show his softer sides to Na-kyum.
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BL manwha enthusiasts looking for more of their favorite genre are in luck as Tapas has some great titles.
This title is created by manhwa artist Byeonduk, and is filled with vibrant beiges and pinks. Seriously, the color pallet is unmatched.
12 Under The Greenlight
Art Style: Dark, Cool-tones
- Creator: Jaxx
- Release Date: March 5, 2021
- Status: Ongoing
When Matthew, a college student and sculptor, meets Jin, a high-ranking gangster, at a coffee shop, he is instantly inspired to make Jin his muse. Though Jin is wary at first, the two make an arrangement that benefits them both. This manhwa is under the "mature" section of Tapas for violence and sexual content.
Created by the same manhwa artist as Walk On Water, Jaxx, Under The Green Light has exceptional artwork of the same style. You can now read Under The Greenlight: In Dreams on Tapas.
11 Pirouette Into My Heart
Art Style: Colorful and Cozy
- Creator: Jing Shuibian and Tang Luizang
- Release Date: October 2, 2019
- Status: Completed
This is a Chinese manhwa, or manhua, about a male ballet dancer named Shen, and his relationship with next door's boxer Jinyi. The two meet when they are 12, and quickly become friends as their respective classes are in the same building. As they get older, their relationship becomes more complex, but they are always supporting each other's dreams above all else.
Pirouette Into My Heart is more about chasing your dreams than it is about love, but the storyline between Shen and Jinyi is nonetheless heartfelt.
10 ENNEAD
Art Style: 2D Comic Masterpiece
- Creator: Mojito
- Release Date: September 28, 2018
- Status: Ongoing
Set in Ancient Egypt, when the gods ruled, this BL explores Egyptian mythology, lust, and obsession. The story follows the complicated dynamic between Seth, the God of War, and Horus, who is not yet a god but is the son of Isis, God of Magic.
The art is a combination between stick figures reminiscent of hieroglyphs, and beautiful, vibrant depictions of the gods and their antics. Created by Mojito, this action-packed manhwa comes in two versions, one for teens and one for adults.
9 Jinx
Art Style: Realism At It's Finest
- Creator: Mingwa
- Release Date: November 25, 2022
- Status: Ongoing
From the creator of BJ Alex, Jinx is the story of a down-and-out physiotherapist, Kim Dan, as he gets hired to work for top MMA fighter, Joo Jaekyung. Kim Dan is an earnest, gentle man with difficult circumstances, and Jaekyung is a hot-head that always gets his way.
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This manhwa is for fans of toxic situationships that mature over time. It is an 18+ title on Lezhin, created by Mingwa. The art is in the same style as BJ Alex, and won't disappoint.
8 Touch Your World
Art Style: Like Seeing Color For The First Time
- Creator: Tang Man Hua
- Release Date: 2020
- Status: Completed
When Xie Cheng, who sees the world in literal black and white, comes across a man in color he instantly tries to approach him. Unfortunately for famous designer Bai Lu, the man in question, Xie Cheng collides with him in the bathroom and reporters pounce. Now the two have a questionable photo of them on the internet.
Though Bai Lu first mistakes Xie Cheng as a stalker, they quickly grow close despite Bai Lu's obvious distrust of people. Xie Cheng just wants to know why he's seeing someone in color for the first time. This manhua by Tang Man Hua, Zhi Wen, and Chen Xiaoke, is in a classic manhua art style and is suggested for mature teens.
7 Dine With A Vampire
Art Style: Gorey and Traditional
- Creator: Pangin and PINKO
- Release Date: March 21, 2021
- Status: Completed
Dine With A Vampire is a dark tale of love and revenge. When Sooin meets a vampire named Chi-hwan, who usually despises human blood, he finds himself with an opportunity to escape his abusive relationship. Chi-hwan is prepared to make Sooin a deal in exchange for his blood. What will Sooin do?
This 18+ manhwa depicts mature themes, and it's worth looking up the content warnings before reading it. That being said, PINKO's art is beautiful, and PANGIN's storywriting is exceptional.
6 Incidentally Dyed By Spring's Love
Art Style: Classic Yet Unique
- Creator: Ji-yeon Park
- Release Date: 2021
- Status: Completed
Ji-yeon Park's most recent manhwa, Incidentally Dyed By Spring's Love tells the story of hard-working Shim Cheongsun as he crosses paths with the wealthy piano genius, Gonghyun. This story is best going into without any spoilers, as the plot twists are integral to the story.
Incidentally Dyed By Spring's Love is a completed work by the same manhwa artist as Wolf In The House and Momentum. It has a version for teens and a mature version.
5 Pearl Boy
Art Style: Magical Realism
- Creator: Inking and Zoy
- Release Date: October 8, 2020
- Status: Ongoing
One of the best facets of BL is its capacity to make a ridiculous concept, and a lot of steamy scenes, into something completely heartfelt. And that's what Pearl Boy does, it piques your interest with the shocking premise, and hooks you with a love story that defies all odds.
Pearl Boy is the story of a down on his luck Dooshik, and the sweet, innocent, and pearl-producing Jooha. This is an 18+ story with a lot of mature themes, created by Inking. Make sure to look up the content warnings for this one.
4 Hate Mate
Art Style: Quirky And Memorable
- Creator: Reck
- Release Date: December 18, 2016
- Status: Completed
Hate Mate is a frustrating story about Subin, a gay man who confesses to his heterosexual friend on a drunken night together. The two part ways with their friendship damaged, and Subin's unrequited feelings not going anywhere. This story features a love triangle, or two, that will make fans' hearts hurt. Despite all that, the art is so beautiful it's hard to put this one down.
Created by RECK, known for Body Complex,Hate Mate is available to all ages on Tapas. Note: Though it is available to all ages, it still contains sexual content without graphic imagery.
3 Shutline
Art Style: Masculine and Brooding
- Creator: KYOU
- Released Date: APril 16, 2021
- Status: Ongoing
So this is another quirky plot with a lot of steamy scenes, that wound up pulling on the heartstrings for more than one reason. This is an action-packed manhwa with genuinely good writing and impeccable art. It follows a "rogue street mechanic" as he meets a rich mafioso, and soon their stories, and bodies, intertwine.
Though it might follow the outline for the typical gangster x poor orphan trope, Shutline is well-thought-out and unique to the subgenre. It was created by KYOU and is intended for 18+ audiences.
2 On Or Off
Art Style: Classic Comic Book Heaven
- Creator: A1
- Release Date: February 1, 2019
- Status: Completed
On or Off is another 18+ title, but this time it's a workplace romance about a business exec named Kang Daehyung and a young startup developer named Ahn Yiyoung. Kang Daehyung is reminiscent of Clark Kent in appearance, and acts in a similarly upright way. Yiyoung is a charming, likable character with a solid group of friends. Together, the two create a relationship that is enviable at the very least.
This manhwa, created by A1, is great for fans of non-toxic relationships. The art is memorable and different from the typical manhwa.
1 Mad Dog
Art Style: Yaoi Perfection
- Creator: Haribo
- Release Date: June 17, 2021
- Status: Ongoing
Heir to a mob family, Hamin rejects his family ties and tries to live a normal life. Unfortunately, there is conflict between his family and rival gangs, such that he gets kidnapped, and an attempt is made to use him for intel on his father. That is when the seemingly deranged Kwon Seyhyuk steps in and brutally rescues Hamin. Now the two are tied to each other by Hamin's father's orders. Mad Dog is a violent story for mature teens and adults. It was created by Haribo, and contains exquisite art.
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