LGBTQ+ representation has always struggled to find a place within mainstream media, but emerging genres like BL have managed to take over the industry. From BL manga and anime to K-dramas and webtoons, Boys Love fiction has become one of the most in-demand media of the last few years.

BL manhwa uses a large variety of genres and art styles to illustrate some of the most compelling stories out there. Whether it's a sweet rom-com, a delightful coming-of-age story, or a steamy adventure, there is a must-read BL manhwa for every webtoon reader looking for their next favorite.

Updated March 4th, 2024 by Chelsea Steele: Boys Love is one of the most popular manhwa subgenres, especially due to its versatility. From fantasy series to steamy anthologies, there's a BL manhwa for everyone. This list has been updated to meet CBR's current publication standards, providing more info on some of the greatest BL manhwa series available.

30 Love Is An Illusion Is A Dramatic Romance With An Omegaverse Angle

Love Is An Illusion Rating Scores

• MyAnimeList: 6.88/10
• Anime-Planet: 4.09/5

Created by popular illustrator Fargo, Love Is An Illusion follows the turbulent, drama-filled romance between the stubborn and materialistic Hyesung and Dojin, a second-generation chaebol moonlighting as a musician. The story takes place in an Omegaverse, where all characters have a secondary sex that mostly rules over their biology.

Love Is An Illusion is known for its beautiful black-and-white art, hilarious characters, and incredibly steamy scenes. The original story ran for forty-three chapters, but the creator has also produced several side stories and even a spin-off focusing on other fan-favorite characters.

29 Out Of Control Follows An Unlikely Romance Between Two Very Different Students

Out Of Control Rating Scores

• MyAnimeList: 7.71/10
• Anime-Planet: 4.21/5

Bbong's Out of Control tells the uncommon love story between Yuri, the most popular and handsome guy at his school, and Jaerim, the shy accountant of the student council who everyone considers to be ugly. After starting to work together, a wholesome romance blossoms between them.

Out of Control is a highly underrated BL manhwa. Anyone willing to give it a chance will find one of the most wholesome romances in manhwa ever. Although the idea that Jaerim doesn't deserve Yuri due to his physical appearance is problematic, the series is much more than that.

28 (BL)ACK Follows Two Childhood Friends As They Fall In Love

B(L)ACK Rating Scores

• Webtoons: 9.17/10

(BL)ACK is a very straightforward BL manhwa. This series follows the budding romance between Seto and Kido, two childhood friends who have had tension between them their whole lives. However, they mask it by teasing each other, which makes their dynamic hilarious.

Created by Aho Hanse, (BL)ACK is adorable, funny, and incredibly steamy. Seto and Kido's romance goes through every stage possible and even now, over 144 episodes later, things are still as entertaining as they were in the beginning. (BL)ACK is a great manhwa BL recommendation for mature audiences who want more than high school romance.

27 Semantic Error Is An "Opposites Attract" Romance Between Two College Students

Semantic Error Rating Scores

• MyAnimeList: 7.08/10
• Anime-Planet: 4.33/5

First released in 2018, Semantic Error focuses on two university students — the studious and strict Sangwoo, and his carefree senior, Jaeyoung — as they develop a project together. The two initially clash due to their opposite personalities, but as they learn more about each other, they become friends and eventually fall in love.

Semantic Error was written by J. Soori and illustrated by Angy Kim and recently came to an end in 2023 after 93 chapters. In 2022, the story was adapted into an eight-episode live-action web drama starring Park Seoham as Jaeyoung and DKZ's Park Jaechan as Sangwoo.

26 From Points Of Three Is A Rare Polyamory Romance

From Points Of Three Rating Scores

• MyAnimeList: 6.68/10
• Anime-Planet: 3.79/5

A complete manhwa with 56 chapters, From Points of Three revolves around Kim Jisuh, an introverted boy who carries his camera everywhere. When he urgently needs to pay a debt, he ends up working with Heejae, who offers to pay him for filming him and Sunyool having intimate relations.

Despite its steamy premise, From Points of Three features plenty of adorable panels and wholesome situations. The manhwa is a great balance between sensual moments and cute characters. It also stands out as one of the few BL stories involving a throuple, making it a groundbreaking addition to the genre.

25 A Guy Like You Is A Supernatural Story Featuring BL Romance

A Guy Like You Rating Scores

• MyAnimeList: 6.32/10
• Anime-Planet: 3.89/5

Go Siwon keeps dreaming about an attractive man, Kang Jinha. In these dreams, Jinha refers to an "incident" between them, but Siwon can't remember anything, which torments him. The two men develop a strong bond over time, but once Siwon remembers the incident between them, he starts doubting Jinha.

A Guy Like You is definitely for mature readers. However, it's far from pure fan service. This series keeps its audience wondering about the secrets between Siwon and Jinha while also making them fall in love with their relationship. This combination of fantasy and gay love makes A Guy Like You one of the best BL manhwa ever.

24 Walk On Water Features A More Mature Premise Than Most

Walk On Water Rating Scores

• Goodreads: 4.04/5
• Anime-Planet: 4.22/5

In 2014, writer Jang Mokdan began publishing Walk On Water, a series of novels centering on a Korean-American character finding work in adult entertainment and falling in love with a fellow actor and director. Four years later, it was adapted into a 62 chapter BL manhwa illustrated by Jaxx.

Also known by its acronym WOW, Walk On Water not only dives into the pros and cons of such a controversial industry but also explores the lives of Asians in the United States. The BL series is beautifully illustrated and presents a more mature story than others in the genre.

23 Wolf In The House Is A Controversial Romance That Follows The Animal Transformation Trope

Wolf In The House Rating Scores

• MyAnimeList: 7.71/10
• Anime-Planet: 4.21/5

After a difficult break-up, Yeo Minsuk decides to adopt a Siberian husky, Bexan. His plan is for this pet to become his new companion, stopping him from getting involved in toxic relationships. However, things take a weird turn when Minsuk discovers that Bexan is not a regular dog. Instead, he's a changeling who transforms into a handsome man at night.

When it comes to BL manhwa recommendations, Wolf in the House is one of the steamiest options out there. The dynamic between Minsuk and human Bexan is romantic, but very physical, too. Readers who want something more mature should read this series immediately.

22 For Your Love Is A Dramatic Story Of Unrequited Love

For Your Love Rating Scores

Anime-Planet: 4.24/5

For Your Love follows Yohan, a laid-back high school student in the travel planning club. After noticing that Moogyeong, one of his seniors, has a one-sided crush on a male club member, Yohan decides to help him woo his crush lest he ends up like Yohan's older brother — alone and heartbroken.

Created by Park Nodeok, For Your Love is a sweet, slow-burn love story that also examines high school friendships and unrequited love. The manhwa started being serialized in 2017 and ended two years later after 85 chapters.

21 Fools Is A Wholesome & Lighthearted Love Slice-Of-Life Romance

Fools Rating Scores

• MyAnimeList: 7.95/10
• Anime-Planet: 4.26/5

Someone looking for pure fluff and a wholesome love story should totally read Fools (or the 2020 remastered version). Eungi, an introvert who spends most of his time alone after quickly getting bored of the big city, meets Jungwoo, a lively freshman who breaks through Eungi's walls.

Fools is a sweet Yaoi that will melt readers’ hearts. This slow story has plenty of wholesome moments and cute interactions. This is particularly great for readers who aren’t such big fans of particularly steamy manhwa but prefer adorable stories.

20 Let Dai Is An Emotional Psychological Romance

Let Dai Rating Scores

• MyAnimeList: 8.06/10
• Anime-Planet: 4.09/5

In a dystopic Seoul ruled by hedonistic punks, Jaehee strikes a complicated friendship with Dai, a gang leader. Their bond becomes something more romantic with time, but things aren't that simple, especially due to Dai's dubious moral alignment.

Let Dai is a profound story with complex characters that sometimes make morally ambiguous decisions. It is a beautifully drawn series that deals with mature topics, such as betrayal, prohibited love, and social violence. Even though one of the main characters starts with a girlfriend, Let Dai is among the best BL manhwa out there.

19 Hell & High Water Combines Romance With Action, Sci-Fi, & The Supernatural

Hell & High Water Rating Scores

• Goodreads: 4.33/5
• Anime-Planet: 4.17/5

After Dexter J. Daley helps send his partner to jail for murder, his reputation takes a hit. Fortunately for him, his father asks for some favors and gets him a new job at the Therian-Human Intelligence Recon Defense Squadron (THIRDS). Together with his new partner, Sloan Brodie, he begins a serious investigation into a series of murders. At the same time, their bond becomes something else.

Hell & High Water is the perfect series for readers who want to read a yaoi manhwa, but also want the story to be more than a love story. This manhwa is full of action-packed scenes and comedy, and the dynamic between Dexter and Sloan is very entertaining.

18 Sign Is A Wholesome Rom-Com Series That Gives Positive Representation To The Deaf Community

Sign Rating Scores

• MyAnimeList: 8.0/10
• Anime-Planet: 4.38/5

Sign focuses on Soohwa, an older university student struggling to make ends meet. When he eventually finds a job as a part-timer at Café Goyo, a strange coffee shop known for its terrible coffee, he begins learning sign language in order to interact better with the deaf manager, Yohan.

Created by KER, Sign is a romantic comedy à la K-Drama with enough drama, mature content, and plot to keep BL readers invested. The series also gives insight into the experiences of hearing-impaired people and how they navigate the world around them.

17 Love Or Hate Delves Into The Emotional Complexities Of Love

Love Or Hate Rating Scores

• MyAnimeList: 7.42/10
• Anime-Planet: 4.008/5

Written by Yeong-ha, the same author behind Fools, Love or Hate is a steamy story about two former stepbrothers, Haesoo and Joowon. However, they keep in contact as they've known each other for a long time. The story follows these two characters as they try to figure out their feelings for each other in the middle of a pseudo-incestuous relationship.

Love or Hate is an angsty, dramatic story. This emotional manhwa explores complex feelings, especially since the two main characters are still considered family. Everything is confusing and intense for both Haesoo and Joowon.

16 Love Shuttle Is A Guilty Pleasure Romance Based On Omegaverse Tropes

Love Shuttle Rating Scores

• MyAnimeList: 7.39/10
• Anime-Planet: 4.22/5

Following the rising popularity of Omegaverse webtoons, Korean creator Aeju began publishing their own story called Love Shuttle. First released on Lezhin, the BL series follows the relationship between Doyun, a "late bloomer" Omega who doesn't seem to present any traits related to his sex, and Taehan, his Alpha coworker.

Love Shuttle breaks some of the stereotypes of the Omegaverse subgenre, presenting readers with a fresh take on these types of stories. Though these types of stories aren't for everyone, Love Shuttle's swoonworthy romance is a definite guilty pleasure read. The webtoon comprises 90 chapters and a 10-chapter special focusing on a side couple.

15 Heesu In Class 2 Is One Of The Sweetest Romance Manhwa Out There

Heesu In Class 2 Rating Scores

• MyAnimeList: 8.06/10
• Anime-Planet: 4.38/5

Created by Lily Suzu, Heesu In Class 2 tells the story of the title character, Heesu, a teen who becomes popular in his school as the go-to counselor when it comes to love problems. Heesu attempts to help his classmates, all while dealing with his own crush on his best friend and a mysterious student who has just caught his eye.

Unlike other BLs, Heesu In Class 2 doesn't feature any mature content and mostly focuses on the characters' growth. Fans of this wholesome story praise it for its charming art style and soft color palette, both of which perfectly fit the tone of the series.

14 No Way, Vampires Don't Exist! Features A Surprisingly Wholesome Vampire Romance

No Way, Vampires Don't Exist! Rating Scores

• MyAnimeList: 6.76/10
• Anime-Planet: 3.84/5

Juwon, Eunho, Seonjae, and Gyumin are four vampires in search of a new victim. When Dongha, a shy boy who doesn't suspect a thing, moves in with them, they begin to fatten him up so they can eat him. However, they become attached to him, which makes things difficult for them.

No Way, Vampires Don't Exist! is both romantic and hilarious. This comedy of intrigue puts Dongha in the weirdest circumstances while following Juwon, Eunho, Seonjae, and Gyumin as they fall for him. Few BL manhwa series deal with polyamory as perfectly as No Way, Vampires Don't Exist! does.

13 H&H Roman Company Is A Fantasy BL With A Unique Premise

H&H Roman Company Rating Scores

• MyAnimeList: 7.18/10
• Anime-Planet: 3.96/5

H&H Roman Company follows Ginger and Rum, two childhood friends working at the H&H Roman Company, an agency that employs angel-like beings after the world stops believing in God. The series sees them go from friends to lovers slowly and steadily while dealing with their jobs.

This fantasy BL manhwa stands out from others for its unique premise. It turns hell and heaven into a corporate environment, which makes it hilarious. Additionally, Rum and Ginger's dynamic is super wholesome. This makes for a lighthearted webtoon that any BL fan should check out.

12 Painter Of The Night Is One Of The Most Famous BL Manhwa Of All Time

Painter Of The Night Rating Scores

• MyAnimeList: 7.50/10
• Anime-Planet: 4.12/5

Byeonduck's Painter Of The Night follows a young painter called Nakyum, who is exceptionally talented in a particular genre, and a young nobleman by the name of Seungho, who is infamous for his insatiable lust. By some twist of fate, Nakyum's talent lies in the exact genre of Seungho's interest.

Nakyum decides to quit painting after his teacher, who he looks up to, rejects him. As he crosses paths with Seungho, he enters into a completely different world from what he is used to. With a realistic art style that uses warm tones, this manhwa quickly rose to fame.

11 Cherry Blossoms After Winter Is A Heartfelt Coming-Of-Age Romance

Cherry Blossoms After Winter Rating Scores

• Goodreads: 4.30/5
• Anime-Planet: 4.36/5

Cherry Blossoms After Winter was an instant hit among readers. Bamwoo's manhwa has managed to touch the hearts of many fans. Haebom, after losing his parents in a terrible mishap at a very young age, was adopted by the Jo family. Haebom became fast friends with their only son, Taesung.

This manhwa is a coming-of-age story and a compelling teen romance neatly wrapped within a single cover. A cutesy art style and smooth storytelling, along with relatable characters and situations, make it quite a pleasing read.