Summary
Yaoi, often referred to as BL orBoys Love, is aromance genrethat focuses on romantic relationships between two men. Within the yaoi category liesshonen-ai, a sub-genre that focuses on non-sexual relationships between same-gender male partners. While shonen-ai is notably less popular on reading platforms than pure yaoi, it features some great stories that center around connection and emotional intimacy or even consist of romantic subplots, having the story focus more on action or mystery.
Some top-performing yaoi are shonen-ai because readers aren’t all that they’re stereotyped to be in the world of BL. From serial killer neighbors to life-long friends turned something more, yaoi’s wholesome little brother has something to offer all readers and fans of the genre.
Updated July 18, 2025 by Mark Sammut:While most of thebest BL manhwaare full-blown yaoi stories, there are also plenty of great shonen-ai releases that do not go down that route. I’ve added two more recommendations for people looking for their next Boys Love obsession.
2018
30
Serialization
Lezhin
Something of a minor cult classic in theBL manhwaworld,A Shoulder to Cry Onhas a few strong positives in its favor that separate it from the crowd. For one, it is pure shonen-ai, which means there is no adult content to speak of. Secondly, the story is already complete and, more importantly, quite short. At just 30 chapters, you can easily read through the full story in an hour or two. Lastly, the two leads, Taehyun and Dayeol, have great chemistry, and their relationship develops quite a bit throughout the story.
A popular theme of romance manhwa isenemies-to-lovers; in fact, this concept is so common that there is a section dedicated to it in the Webtoon app.A Shoulder to Cry Onserves as one of the more simplistic examples of this journey, with Taehyun doing something pretty awful to Dayeol early on. While they have their heated moments, the guys do not take too long to go from enemies to lovers.
2024
35+
Ridibooks
Based on a 2023 web novel that has become quite popular in BL circles,The Hunter’s Gonna Lay Low’s adaptation was arguably the best new shonen-ai manhwa of 2024, and it is a great place to start if you would rather not read the original novel. Uijae is an extremely powerful hunter who, after his most impressive victory, is sent into the future, allowing him to live in a world that believes him to be dead. Rather than set the story straight, Uijae uses this opportunity as a way to start a fresh and relaxing life, something he could never hope to do in his previous profession.
As tends to be the case with these types of stories, Uijae’s secret is challenged by another hunter, with Sayoung believing that he knows the hero’s real identity. While not devoid of action or tension,The Hunter’s Gonna Lay Lowis primarily a cute romance between two guys who complement each other beautifully. The manhwa is a fairly quick read at this point too, although its end is definitely not in sight.
2020
131
While a great story,Lost in the Cloudmight not be exactly what everyone is craving from aboys love manhwa. Although romantic relationships and crushes are central to the characters' motives, the story primarily plays out like a psychological case study, with the two leads (Cirrus and Skylar) both receiving quite a bit of attention. The first season can also be difficult to get through due to its heavy themes and a twisted power dynamic that makes one of the protagonists very difficult to like at first.
Lost in the Cloudcan seem overreliant on trauma at first, but the manhwa does a great job of developing its characters and providing context for their behavior. Although not necessarily the best BL manhwa,Lost in the Cloudis one of the best manhwa that features yaoi relationships.
2019
78
No Love Zoneis a yaoi rendition of theclassic office romance tropebetween an intern and his new boss. As with any affair with a power dynamic, Eunkyum’s relationship with his boss can be a bit controversial, especially with the manhwa’s running theme of forceful intimacy.
Due to their deep-rooted history, Jihyuk can be petty at times, both on the office floor and in bed. While this aspect of his personality makes him a bit unpalatable, his eventual growth redeems him to an extent.
49
Kuaikan Manhua
Jonathan is the first-year student representative at Augustine Academy, a prestigious and expensive private school that happens to befilled with monsters. Jonathan is one of the special few humans who were chosen to enter the monster school to help them assimilate to a life shared with humans after graduation. On his first day of classes, he is rudely awoken by a mysterious boy whom he later meets in class. His name is Lucien.
Their worlds are full of secrets and violence, but sharing a life with someone makes it that much easier. Or does it?Monstrous Heartis available toread on Tapas.
37
Mr.Blue
Yaoi manhwa are known for their incessant fanservice and steamy scenes, yetA Thousand Cranesdefies this preset notion with a premise laced with nuance and profundity. Struggling with depression, Craig’s life comes to a crippling halt. However, one fateful encounter with a crime scene lands him in even more trouble with a gangster.
Ironically, this deadly encounter is exactly what leads to Craig’s life finally experiencing a spark.A Thousand Cranesisn’t a cliché gangster yaoi manhwa, as this storyline presents a nuanced take on one man recovering from mental illnesses while the other is a beacon of light despite being a violent gangster.
90
Murderous Lewellyn’s Candlelit Dinneris ahistorically setsuspenseful drama. It centers around Shavonne, a ghostwriter working on a deadline, and Lewellyn, a new-in-town mysterious creep. Shavonne has been receiving spooky notes and knocks at his door at all hours, but when he goes to the police, they laugh him off due to there being a serial killer on the loose.
When Shavonne meets the raw-onion-eating Lewellyn, things don’t go as planned, and Lewellyn asks Shavonne over for dinner at his apartment. Will Shavonne come face to face with the local serial killer?
231+
Thomas is a ruffian who was suspended from school for fighting, and Zachary is at the top of the class in grades. When Zachary walks in on Thomas crying in PE class, Thomas fears that Zachary will tell the entire school. After a day of anxiety about his secret being spread, Thomas decides to confront Zachary with bubble tea in hopes of fooling him into not saying a word. This plan backfires, and Thomas ends up doing Zachary’s homework.
This opposites-attract school-life romantic dramedy presents a bad boy and the top student as potential romantic partners. Only, Zachary’s reason for interacting with Thomas more than he had to is a little more complicated than it seems.
2023
67+
Baek Dohu is a college student whowrites BL novelson the side, and his favorite character archetype is trashy, manipulative scumbags. When he finds out that the nice guy Juheon is actually a jerk, Dohu becomes obsessed with making him his muse for his novel.
While Juheon starts as a problematic character, he softens up to Dohu as their unconventional acquaintanceship starts turning into something much deeper. Even as a yaoi manhwa with plenty of explicit scenes,Between the Linesis largely a wholesome account of two men gently falling in love.
100
945
Working late at night in a shady neighborhood lands Euijoon in heaps of trouble with gangsters, though his luck changes the night he comes across Gunwoo. Despite his rough appearance and overwhelming presence, Gunwoo becomes Euijoon’s respite in a shady area run by gangsters, giving way to a wholesome yet steamy relationship between the two men.
The Dangerous Convenience Storefollows several tropes associated with the mafia theme, though the manhwa still manages to do a few things differently. Whether it’s the witty banter and chemistry between Euijoon and Gunwoo or the gradual yet nuanced growth in their relationship, the manhwa hits all the right notes for a compelling same-sex story.
