BL Manhwa That Have Great Stories Beyond The Romance

Key things

• BL manhwa often focus on the relationships between the characters before the plot, but some create a balance for a more engaging story.
• Footprints of the Sun delves into the guilt, trauma and emotions of survivors beyond the confines of typical hunting stories.
• Uncanny Charm presents the natural progression of romance through character development and unique stories.

Boys' Love often appears in a number of themes and genres, from classic romance to fantasy to thriller and horror. In manhwa, many BL stories focus purely on the relationship between the main characters, which may seem obvious for a genre like this. However, these character-based stories often contain very little world-building or detail beyond what is necessary for the romance.

Not all Boys' Love manhwa are like this. Some of the writers and artists did a great job of balancing an overarching plot with a well-charged romance to create a fun story that's more than just meet-cutes, angst, and misunderstandings. The added complexity of the plot often improves the relationships between the characters because of the added context and information.

1 Footprints of the Sun

The hunter cannot save his friends or himself

• MyAnimeList Score: N/A
• Published: 2021 to 2024
• Chapters: 95
• Genres/Themes: Fantasy, Boys Love, Superpowers, Psychological
• Author: Hae-neul Do
• Illustrator: Merin

Although there are many manhwas with hunters and dungeons, LGBT characters have only recently appeared in them. Traces of the Sun follows Jeong Yiseon, an S-class restorer who can completely rebuild cities in minutes. Despite his amazing strength, Yiseon doesn't appear in public because of a huge secret he keeps: he committed a taboo.

However, when his secret is discovered by the strongest hunter Sa Hyeon, he has no choice but to cooperate and join Hyeon's team to defeat the toughest dungeons in the world. While this may seem like a generic hunting story, it's a great dive into survivor's guilt and trauma. The romantic aspect doesn't happen until the end of the manhwa, which is fine because the psychological aspect of the story is more important.

2 Angel Buddy

Consequences of Breaking an Angel's Wing

• MyAnimeList Score: 7.47
• Published: 2019 to 2021
• Chapters: 82
• Genres/Themes: Boys Love, Supernatural, Romance
• Author: MasterGin
• Illustrator: Chungnyun

There are many Boys Love manhwa that use supernatural elements in their narrative and Angel Buddy is one of the most popular. In this story, Kim Sooho has lived his whole life being able to see ghosts, and while it made him a bit of a black sheep, it was mostly an annoying part of life. However, everything gets complicated when the angel Taker appears in his life.

Because of Sooho's abnormally strong soul, she is the target of all kinds of supernatural powers. Taker is the only one who can protect him, and as they live together, their feelings for each other grow. It's an interesting story that has many cute and fluffy moments. I find the ending a bit rushed, but overall a good story.

3 At the End of the Road

Waking up in someone else's body

• MyAnimeList Score: 7.73
• Published: 2016 to 2018
• Chapters: 26
• Genres/Themes: Boys Love, Drama, Suspense, Psychological, Reincarnation, School
• Author: Haribo
• Illustrator: Haribo

Reincarnation is one of the most popular themes in manhwa, and in this story, Yoon Taemin wakes up as Han Siwon after being hit by a car. Now in a completely new body and environment, Taemin must learn to deal with the trials that befell the original Siwon. Things get even more confusing when he sees someone from his past under a new name. However, it doesn't take long for the truth about Han Siwon's death to be revealed.

While much of the story focuses on the rekindling of the relationship between Siwon (Taemin) and Min Siwoon, the overall plot focuses on the bullying that happened before the body swap happened, as well as the consequences of him becoming a new one overnight a person. Some great moments discuss the psychological effects of reincarnation.

4 The painter behind the curtain

The unexpected difficulties of being a painter

• MyAnimeList Score: 7.69
• Published: 2015 to 2019
• Chapters: 75
• Genres/Themes: Boys Love, Drama, Erotica, Historical
• Author: Munamu
• Illustrator: Munamu

Some are calling The painter behind the curtain one of the most frustrating manhwas ever read, but that's usually because of the emotional turmoil this manhwa causes. With enough scandal and mystery for a TV period drama, this story follows Ian, a poor artist who works for a noble family as a ghost painter. His life is dark and lonely until he catches the attention of a rich businessman.

It is a rags-to-riches story that turns into a kind of forbidden romance. Behind Ian and Raymond's illicit relationship are plots of political intrigue and betrayal that slowly come to a boil. The story is no longer just about the two of them; it is about the prosperity of the nation.

5 Incredible charm

Accidentally cursed by a neighbor

• MyAnimeList Score: N/A
• Published: 2020 to 2024
• Chapters: 108
• Genres/Themes: Boys Love, Supernatural, Romance
• Author: Com
• Illustrator: Com

Sometimes a good BL manhwa doesn't even start out as a romance. IN Incredible charmCho Yoonjae is a normal college student living his life, but when a guy named Beomjin moves in, he suddenly starts seeing ghosts and ghosts. The reason is the cursed bell that attached itself to Yoonjae's wrist. With no way to remove it, they must help Beomjin exorcise the ghosts until they find a solution.

The best thing about stories like this is getting to know the characters before they even start a relationship. Yoonjae and Beomjin go through many situations and scenarios before they develop feelings for each other. It makes their romance much more natural and less of a plot, especially in this story where both characters have such interesting backstories.

6 Eternal covenant

Bond transcends lives

• MyAnimeList Score: 7.14
• Published: 2021 to present
• Genres/Themes: Boys Love, Fantasy
• Author: Haejin
• Illustrator: Haejin

Plot-driven stories also have some of the slowest slow-burn romances. IN Eternal covenantthe main relationship didn't get back together even after two seasons. The main character is Ian Gloucester, a Knight Templar from the Kingdom of Derwin. Born with innate magical abilities, he was reviled as a monster and devil from a young age, but one day he meets a stranger who does not believe that his power is a curse.

The biggest problem with slow-burning romances is that they can get boring very quickly, though Eternal covenant it has an interesting and engaging story, apart from the heroes meeting each other. Even if the romance isn't official, the plot keeps the momentum going and helps build tension. When the romance finally happens, it will be even better.

7 On or Off

A college startup has a big break

• MyAnimeList Score: 7.96
• Published: 2019 to 2022
• Chapters: 91
• Genres/Themes: Boys Love, Erotica
• Author: A1
• Illustrator: A1

Of the titles on this list On or Off is probably the closest thing to a traditional Romcom. This story is about Ahn Yiyoung and his friends starting a business. When it comes time to present their proposal to SJ Corporation, technical glitches disqualify them before they can actually present. Yiyoung begs the company's CEO, Kang Daehyung, for a second chance, but ends up getting more than he bargained for.

Office romances are nothing new, but very few pay attention to what goes on inside the office. Much of the story follows a group of introverted college students as they work with a large company, completing projects and dealing with office politics. All the while, the romance between Yiyoung and director Kang is heating up in the background.

8 Killer Crush

A professional killer falls in love

• MyAnimeList Score: 8.02
• Published: 2021 to 2024
• Chapters: 77
• Genres/Themes: Boys Love, Comedy, Adult Actors, Organized Crime
• Author: Heresy
• Illustrator: Heresy

Hitmen are known for their empathy or emotion, so Joo Taeman surprises himself when he develops feelings for famous actor Kang Dahyeok. Kang Dahyeok is just trying to rebrand from Prince Charming to Devilish Bad Boy when he first meets Taeman. This mutual interest soon turns into a relationship full of secrets and uncertainties.

As a romantic comedy, this manhwa is pretty lighthearted. While the relationship between the two is incredibly important to the plot, other aspects make the story more complicated and entertaining. Namely, the plans and designs of the criminal underworld, of which Taeman is a part. His reputation as a killer is well known and paints a target on his back even as he tries to talk to his love.

9 King maker

Unlikely allies overthrow a tyrannical king

• MyAnimeList Score: 8.23
• Published: 2017
• Chapters: 38
• Genres/Themes: Boys Love, Drama, Fantasy
• Author: The Hague
• Illustrator: Ji-young Kang

There aren't many fantasy BLs that are as well known as King maker. The main character is Wolfgang Goldenleonard, the fourth prince of the kingdom, who has been in hiding since his mother's death. After forming a relationship with the royal orphans, he is determined to dethrone his father. Enter Shin Soohyuk, a young boy the king desires. He sees Wolfgang as an opportunity to change the kingdom.

Despite the bright colors used to depict the characters, this manhwa is quite dark. The plot revolves around planning a coup to remove a corrupt king who abuses young boys. It's thrilling and exciting. The relationship between Wolfgang and Soohyuk is quite slow as they both prioritize their goals, but it eventually develops into something very healthy.