Look. If you’ve spent more than five minutes in the BL (Boys' Love) community, you know Painter of the Night. It’s a beast. Byeon Duck’s masterpiece didn't just trend; it basically redefined what high-production period drama looks like in the webtoon world. But here is the thing. Finding a way to read painter of the night free without nuking your computer with malware or feeling like a total jerk to the artist is a genuine struggle.
It’s messy.
The story of Nakyum and Seungho is intense. It’s toxic, beautiful, and visually stunning. Because the art is so high-tier, people are desperate to find it. Most end up on "aggregator" sites. You know the ones. The pages are covered in flashing "Win an iPhone" ads and suspicious "Download" buttons that definitely aren't the chapter you're looking for.
The Reality of Reading Painter of the Night Free
Let’s be real for a second. We all want stuff for free. But in the manhwa industry, "free" usually comes with a massive asterisk. Most people searching for painter of the night free are looking for those "scantrad" or "aggregator" sites.
Here is the problem with that.
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The creator, Byeon Duck, has been incredibly vocal on Twitter (now X) about how much illegal uploads hurt the production. When chapters get ripped and posted for free on unauthorized platforms, the actual platform hosting it—usually Lezhin Comics—doesn't see that traffic. If they don't see the traffic, the creator doesn't get the royalties.
But I get it. Not everyone has a spare fifty bucks to drop on "coins" or "ink" just to see if a story is good.
There are actually legit ways to check out the series without breaking the law or your wallet. Lezhin often runs events. They have "Daily Free" systems or check-in bonuses where you can earn credits. Sometimes, they even put the first ten or fifteen chapters of a massive hit like Painter of the Night behind a temporary free-to-read wall to hook new readers. This is the smartest way to do it. You get the high-res, official translation, and you aren't clicking on a link that’s going to install a keylogger on your laptop.
Why the "Free" Sites Are Actually Kind of Terrible
Have you ever tried reading a serious, emotional scene on a pirate site?
It’s impossible to stay in the zone. You’re trying to appreciate the incredible detail in Seungho’s traditional Korean gat (hat) or the soft lighting Nakyum paints in, and suddenly a pop-up for a sketchy dating site blocks the whole panel. It ruins the vibe.
More importantly, the quality is often garbage. Pirate sites compress images to save on server costs. You’re losing the fine lines and the specific color grading that makes this manhwa a literal work of art. If you're going to read a story about a painter, shouldn't you actually see the paintings?
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What Makes Painter of the Night Worth the Hype?
This isn't just another spicy webtoon. It’s a historical drama set in the Joseon Era. The research Byeon Duck put into the clothing, the architecture, and the social hierarchy is actually pretty insane.
Nakyum is a prodigy. He paints "filthy" images, but he’s got this incredible soul. Then you have Seungho. He’s a nobleman, he’s violent, he’s bored, and he’s basically the definition of "red flag." The power dynamic is what keeps people coming back. It’s a cat-and-mouse game where the mouse eventually starts to understand the cat, and the cat realizes he’s actually quite lonely.
The Conflict of Interest
People often search for painter of the night free because they feel the pricing on official platforms is too steep. It’s a valid complaint. Digital comics can be expensive. However, consider the labor.
A single chapter of a manhwa like this takes a team. You have the lead artist, the line artists, the colorists, and the background specialists. They work 60 to 80 hours a week. When we look for free ways to bypass the paywall, we’re basically saying that work isn't worth a cup of coffee.
Legit Ways to Save Money on Your Manhwa Habit
If you’re broke but still want to be a "good" fan, there are workarounds.
- Wait for the "Unlock" Events: Lezhin and other platforms frequently do "Bulk Buy" discounts. If you wait until a season ends, they often drop the price per chapter significantly.
- The App Bonus System: If you download the official apps, they usually have a "Free Coins" section. You watch a couple of ads, or you play a mobile game for ten minutes, and boom—you have enough to unlock the next chapter of Painter of the Night.
- Physical Copies: Believe it or not, buying the physical books (published by companies like Yen Press in English) is often cheaper in the long run than buying every single chapter digitally. Plus, you get to keep them forever. No server shutdowns. No lost accounts.
The Problem With Fan Translations
Early on, before the official English license was picked up, fan translators were the only way to read this. They did it for the love of the game. But now? The official English translation is actually way better.
Fan translations often miss the nuance of the "Sato" dialect or the specific honorifics used in the Joseon court. Reading the official version gives you the actual story the author intended, not just a "close enough" version from a random person on the internet who knows a bit of Korean.
Understanding the "Free" Search Intent
When you type painter of the night free into a search engine, you’re usually looking for one of three things:
- A place to read the whole thing without paying.
- A summary of what happened because you can’t afford the next chapter.
- Information on whether there’s a legitimate "Free to Read" period happening.
Honestly, the third one is your best bet. Following the official social media accounts for Lezhin (English and Korean) is the only way to catch those 24-hour windows where chapters become free. They happen more often than you’d think, especially around holidays or the anniversary of the series' debut.
The Impact on the Industry
If everyone reads painter of the night free, the industry dies. It’s that simple. We’ve seen great series get canceled mid-run because the "readership" was huge on pirate sites but non-existent on the paying platforms. Creators can't pay rent with "likes" on a pirate forum.
Byeon Duck has mentioned in interviews how draining the schedule is. When you add the frustration of seeing your work stolen and profited from by third-party ad-revenue sites, it’s a recipe for burnout. We want these artists to keep making art, right?
Actionable Steps for the Conscious Reader
If you’re ready to dive into the world of Seungho and Nakyum, do it the right way. Your experience will be better, your computer will stay safe, and the artist gets to eat.
First, create an account on the official platform. Don't buy coins immediately. Just sit on it. They will almost certainly send you a "Welcome" bonus or a "Come back" discount within a few days.
Second, participate in the "Earn" programs. Most official apps have a "Mission" tab. You can rack up enough points to read a few chapters a week just by doing basic tasks. It’s not "free" in terms of time, but it’s free in terms of money.
Third, check your local library. This sounds crazy, but many libraries now carry graphic novels and manga. With apps like Libby or Hoopla, you might actually be able to borrow the physical volumes digitally for $0.00.
Finally, if you absolutely must see what the fuss is about before committing, stick to the official previews. They give you enough of a taste of the art and tone to know if it’s for you.
Support the creators who make the stories you love. It’s the only way the stories keep coming.
Next Steps for Readers:
- Check the "Sales" tab on Lezhin: They often rotate "Coins Back" events for popular titles.
- Follow Byeon Duck on Social Media: You’ll get updates on new chapters and official merch drops.
- Set a Budget: Instead of bingeing and spending $50 at once, set aside $2 a week. It makes the series last longer and feels less like a major expense.