Highlights
- BL genre includes a lot of action and crime stories, providing fans with fight scenes, mystery, and gore, alongside romance and LGBTQ+ representation.
- Openly gay gang bosses and LGBTQ+ serial killers and spies are popular themes in BL manhwas, reflecting a diverse range of characters.
- Various BL manhwas discussed in the article feature enemies-to-lovers, psychological thrillers, spy dramas, and gangster stories, providing a mix of intense action and romance.
BL, as its name suggests, is renowned for its romantic narratives and sensuous themes. However, what might surprise many fans is the rich reservoir of action and crime subgenres within this genre. A substantial portion of action and crime BLs incorporates romantic storylines or subplots, alongside gripping fight sequences, suspenseful mysteries, and elements of gore. While romance or desire often plays a role, these narratives cater to the tastes of action and crime enthusiasts, all within the backdrop of an LGBTQ+-centered universe.
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Within this subgenre, you’ll encounter numerous openly gay gang leaders, a theme that appears to be highly popular among fans, evident from the abundance of manhwas that explore this concept. Furthermore, the audience can anticipate characters such as LGBTQ+ serial killers and spies, expanding the diversity and intrigue of these narratives.
10 Mad Dog
|
Author |
Haribo |
|
No. Of Episodes |
51 |
|
Status |
Completed |
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
|
Author |
Eresemo |
|
No. Of Episodes |
59 |
|
Status |
Ongoing |
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
|
Author |
Fujoking |
|
No. Of Episodes |
64 |
|
Status |
Completed |
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?
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
|
Author |
0L, MUK_BU, and Sumnagi |
|
No. Of Episodes |
90 |
|
Status |
Completed |
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
|
Author |
KJK |
|
No. Of Episodes |
53 |
|
Status |
Completed |
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
|
Author |
Dupai and Molimi |
|
No. Of Episodes |
62 |
|
Status |
Completed |
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 an 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.
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
|
Author |
HANSE |
|
No. Of Episodes |
106 |
|
Status |
Completed |
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
|
Author |
KYOU |
|
No. Of Episodes |
73 |
|
Status |
Ongoing |
Shin is an unemployed mechanic who spends his time fixing cars on the streets. One day, Jake, a gangster, encounters car trouble in the same parking lot where Shin is working. As Shin repairs Jake’s car, tension builds between them. Shutline, at its core, is a compelling BL story that goes beyond love. It delves into the lives of two men searching for something more, finding solace in each other. Despite their romance being casual, it explores the deeper connections they share, moving beyond the conventional “no strings attached” narrative.
2 Nevermore
|
Author |
Team Hitman |
|
No. Of Episodes |
94 |
|
Status |
Completed |
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
|
Author |
Charlie Cochet and Son Gaepi |
|
No. Of Volumes |
1 |
|
Status |
Ongoing |
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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