Where to read Boys Love manhwa is a question fans are asking as South Korean webtoons gain global popularity.
With the success of classics like Payback and Low Tide in Twilight, these stories have moved beyond the screen to inspire live-action dramas and animated series.
If you’re looking for where to read Boys Love manhwa legally, this guide has you covered with a list of the best platforms, their pricing models, and the must-read series available on each.
What is manhwa?
Manhwa refers to South Korean comics and print cartoons. While the word “manhwa” is linguistically related to the Japanese “manga” and Chinese “manhua,” it is different because it represents South Korea’s creative industry with its own history and visual language.
Unlike Japanese manga, which is traditionally read from right to left, manhwa follows the Western reading direction of left to right.
One of the most defining characteristics of modern manhwa is its format. While it originated in print, the industry has evolved into a digital-first medium known as “webtoons.” This format is specifically optimized for smartphones and tablets, allowing readers to navigate the story through a continuous vertical scroll, rather than flipping pages.
Aesthetically, manhwa stands out because it is almost always produced in full color. This contrasts with the black-and-white style of Japan’s traditional manga.
The use of vibrant digital coloring and lighting effects has become a hallmark of the genre, especially in the Boys’ Love category, where detailed character designs and atmospheric backgrounds play a crucial role in the storytelling experience.
What is Boys’ Love (BL)?
Boys’ Love, commonly abbreviated as BL, is a genre of fictional media that focuses on romantic and homoerotic relationships between male characters.
While it originated in Japan in the 1970s, the genre has evolved into a global phenomenon with a massive presence in the Korean manhwa industry.
Historically, these stories were created by women for a female audience, though the readership has expanded significantly in recent years to include people of all genders and sexualities.
In the context of manhwa, BL themes often range from lighthearted school and workplace romances to fantasy and psychological dramas. A recurring element in the genre is the dynamic between the two leads, traditionally categorized by their roles in the relationship: the more dominant partner, known in Korean as the gong, and the more receptive partner, known in Korean as the su or shou.
Where to read Boys Love manhwa
To help you find the best official platforms and latest titles, here is a breakdown of where to read Boys Love manhwa legally.
| WHERE TO READ BOYS LOVE MANGA | PLATFORM | LANGUAGE | PRICING | POPULAR TITLES AVAILABLE |
| Lezhin | Web Mobile | English Korean | First three chapters free. Chapters cost 20 to 30 coins. Bundles range from US$4.99 to US$99.99. | Jinx Roses and Champagne Painter of the Night The Pizza Delivery Man Love is an Illusion! Pearl Boy Blossoms of the White Night |
Bomtoon | Web Mobile | Korean | First one to three chapters free. Chapters cost 2 to 4 coins. Bundles range from US$2 to US$65. Includes 50% first-purchase discount. | Dangerous Convenience Store Cherry Blossoms After Winter Love Is An Illusion! Low Tide in Twilight Payback Dear Door |
| Ridi | Web Mobile | Korean | First one to three chapters free. Additional chapters cost approximately US$0.25 to US$0.40. RidiCash can be recharged in amounts ranging from US$1.50 to US$75. | Kill the Lights Dangerous Convenience Store Cherry Blossoms After Winter Payback Passion Mignon |
| Tapas | Web Mobile | English | First three or more chapters free. Premium chapters cost 360 to 450 Ink. Ink bundles range from US$1.99 to US$99.99. Features Wait Until Free (WUF) and daily Fortune Cookies for free Ink. | Hold Me Tight The Taming Take Off Undercover Partners Body of Crimes |
| Tappytoon | Web Mobile | English | First three or more chapters free. Chapters cost 300 points. Points bundles range from US$4.99 to US$94.99. Tappytoon Club subscription available for US$4.99 per month or US$47.99 per year. | Cherry Blossoms After Winter Our Paradise Mint Candy Love My Darling Signed In Passion Honey Bear |
| Manta | Web Mobile | English | Unlimited access to over 300 titles for as low as US$4.99 per month. Premium plan (US$9.99 per month) adds 142 Gems monthly to keep “Gem-only” series. | Dangerous Convenience Store Love Jinx 4 Week Lovers Love On Hold Undercover Darling Between The Lines Opposites Attract |
| MrBlue | Web Mobile | Korean | First three or more chapters free. Additional chapters cost approximately US$0.20. BlueMoney can be recharged in amounts ranging from US$0.20 to US$210. | In My Closet Can’t Confess Bad Friend Payback Eternal Covenant |
| Webtoon | Web Mobile | English | Most chapters are eventually free. Fast Pass early access costs 5 to 7 coins (price varies by region). Webtoon Premium starts at US$3.99 per month for ad-free reading and bonus coins. | Our Paradise Romantic Graffiti |
Availability may differ depending on your region.
If you are a heavy English language reader looking to save money, these two Boys’ Love manhwa platforms offer the best bang for your buck.
Manta is the only major platform that ditches the pay-per-chapter model entirely. For a flat monthly fee, you get unlimited access to over 300 titles in their library. Manta is the most cost-effective choice if you tend to binge-read several series at once.
Both Manta plans include unlimited access to the subscription library, but while the Standard plan (US$4.99 per month) requires separate purchases for locked content, the Premium plan (US$9.99 per month) includes 142 Gems every month to add “Gem-only” series and novels to your own library.
While Tapas uses a coin-based system known as Ink, it is widely considered the most accessible for those who don’t want to spend real money. They frequently offer free Ink when you complete simple tasks, such as watching ads, playing mini-games, downloading apps, and more.
At the end of the day, it comes down to the titles that you’re interested in. Some manhwa Boys’ Love titles are platform exclusive and can only be read on that one website, meaning they’re only available on a single website, while others may be licensed across multiple services with different translations, update schedules, or pricing models.
Taking the time to compare platforms can help you find the best mix of accessibility, quality, and value—ensuring you don’t miss out on the stories that matter most to you.
