The Tainted Half

Description

Two brothers. One concubine.

Seolha’s face was disfigured by her mother, who sought to deny the emperor his prize: the most beautiful concubine in the world. Now forced to endure a lifetime of abuse, Seolha can only pin her hopes on Muon, the emperor’s twin brother. But is he really someone she can trust?

Original Webtoon:
Chapters, Volumes

Official Translations:
English: Manta, Tapas
Others: Japanese, T.Chinese, Spanish, German, French

Note: The novel is R19, while the webtoon is only R15.

Type

Manhwa

Related Series

The Tainted Half (Novel) (Adapted From)

Associated Names

Banjjok

Deux moitiés

Die Hälfte

Marcada

Marquée

Vẻ Đẹp Không Hoàn Hảo

Обезображенная половина

半

半面半心～太陽と月の狭間～

半쪽

반쪽

Groups Scanlating

N/A

Latest Release(s)

N/A

Status in Country of Origin

40 Chapters (Complete)

Completely Scanlated?

Yes

Anime Start/End Chapter

N/A

User Reviews

N/A

Forum

0 topics, 0 posts

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User Rating

Average: 7.8 / 10.0 (110 votes)

Bayesian Average: 7.47 / 10.0

19%

15%

25%

23%

Last Updated

August 1st, 2025 10:40am PDT - 1 month ago

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Genre

Drama Historical Josei Romance
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Categories

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Category Recommendations

Lost Phoenix: Spoil the Repudiated Empress

Shinsen Tao Niang - Kyuutei no Nie

Luan Shi Wei Wang

Nile o Sakanobotte

Ballad of Sword and Wine (Novel)

Recommendations

N/A

Author(s)

Artist(s)

Year

Original Publisher

Ridibooks

Surreuk Comics

Serialized In (magazine)

N/A

Licensed (in English)

Yes

English Publisher

Manta

Tapas

Activity Stats (vs. other series)

Weekly Pos #850

(+110)

Monthly Pos #1483

(-487)

3 Month Pos #2861

(-316)

6 Month Pos #3374

(-614)

Year Pos #4409

(+451)

List Stats

On 179 reading lists

On 137 wish lists

On 273 completed lists

On 8 unfinished lists

On 142 custom lists

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Forum Posts Click to view the forum

User Comments [ Order by usefulness ]

My favorite

by Erendil
2 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

This my fav romantic manhwa. I loved the story, pretty dark, tragedic but everything works out in the end. I could have read like 20 more chapters of this but all in all the length was fine and the pacing of the story was good too (I am always thankful when authors don't drag a story forever). I never knew I would like a long haired ML, not my type and I usually avoid historical themed stories but man, this was good, guy is so hot. I am probably the only person who is happy with this being r15 (I don't like smut), it was still pretty juicy. I love the type of ML Muon is, honest about his feelings from the very beggining and supports his love. Of course there is always a chance someone is scheming somethign but he seemed pretty genuine from the beginning. I think the fact FL didn't tell ML what was going on was quite realistic after all she had to survive on her own (except the nursemaid). I am gonna reread this a couple of times for sure (I already staryed the 2nd time and I just realised FL missing an eyebrow... completely missed that the 1st time there were so mich other things to see).

Male lead was guilty of killing some of her clan members BUT he helped her mother keep her safe. He didn't act on his own. The clan members made the sacrifice after all. I like that how this was played out in the end when Seolha says she was supposed to kill him and he confesses that he knew but he never confronted her cuz he wanted her to decide if he has to pay with his life for what he have done for her people. That was just so well played by the author because it gave actual weight to Seolha's forgiveness, he was ready to die by her hand. Beautiful.

Was this comment useful? Yes

The hair

by BepsRose
2 years ago

Rating: 7.0 / 10.0

I couldn't stop imagining the ML in leather pants, shirtless or with an unbuttoned shirt, playing sexy jazz on a saxophone. Mostly because of the hair. Not really attractive to me and since he's a twin to the antagonist, his already ugly looks were further marred in my eye.

This is a predictable, unoriginal story, but it does it well. I just really didn't care much for it. Largely because of the hair. Well...and the ML was also not to my taste in personality. He's okay, I guess? He is basically just a cookie-cutter character archetype and nothing else. But the whole story was basically cookie cutter.

Also, for a FL to be in such a distressing environment, how could she have possibly been adequately wooed by anyone, let alone one of the most dangerous men to be involved with (due to his position)? The power dynamic brings to question any type of consent she may have, even if she is a willful participant. At the end of the day, her opinion has no weight in this universe. The ML allows her opinion to hold weight with him, but it is not something she is intrinsically entitled to. Such a thing is bound to affect her actions and what she consents to, even with "true love" at play.

I appreciated the short blurbs of what became of some of the side characters.

... Last updated 2 years ago

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I ENJOYED READING IT ASHDHJDKDK

by luxia.daisies
2 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

Good god, the fl and ml relationship development kept me awake for how adorable and mhmm they are.
The downside is the brother.. That plotline about it bored me and made me skimmed through but it's a good thing (imo) the plot doesn't revolve much around politics between the brother and the ml. It's a forgettable storyline HAHA. But the ending is thrilling and satisfying.

THE ART IS ABSOLUTELY STUNNING, BEAUTIFUL, GORGEOUS, I CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF THE ML.

... Last updated 2 years ago

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Best hair commercial

by Utsukushii Yume
2 years ago

Rating: 8.0 / 10.0

All jokes aside about how nice Muon's hair is, the story was a nice read. I had to double check for the smut tag as I was caught off guard by some steamy scenes that don't really show anything, but I certainly did not expect to see them.

I appreciate that the story doesn't drag and the struggle of the FL is presented realistically. The FL is tormented and her actions reflect that of a powerless person who hasn't yet been broken because they still dream of escaping. Her fears make sense, her hesitations make sense, her choices make sense, her trust issues make sense. Her emotions are all over the place but again it makes sense given her situation.

The story is driven heavily by the past and even the characters seem to understand that there is some truth to their kingdoms history. Aside from the female lead we really don't get a good look at the other characters, the FL's caretaker is kind and a pillar to the FL, the silent eunuch is sweet and a dear friend to the FL, the ML is the FL's love interest and the king is the FL's antagonist. The characters never really show anymore layers to their personalities besides that. But since the story is about the FL, the amount of emotional, mental and physical trauma she is trying to endure makes for good entertainment as each character plays a role in shifting her stability throughout the story.

Lastly I'd like to point out that I did notice Muon is quite attentive to the emotional and mental trauma of the FL, he often asked what was on her mind and took the initiative to try to openly communicate even when they both were keeping a lot of secrets, I don't see that often and thought it made him stand out as a ML.

Overall I don't think this book would be for everyone, but I would recommend giving this one a try, it certainly doesn't waste your time with fillers and it can easily be completed in a few hours.

... Last updated 2 years ago

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Cooking was fire !!

by RandyRanda
2 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

No word can express what a good pleasant read it was.

This true beauty, true balance and true harmony ~~

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Dark and twisted

by SeesARead
2 years ago

Rating: 8.0 / 10.0

It was a good quick read. The premise of the story is dark and twisted. It also does a good job at keeping the suspense. Because the ML is written as someone vicious and mysterious, it was difficult to pinpoint his true motives, thus I couldnt bring myself to like him completely. Too much of a wild card; the story could easily end one way or the other. FL's character is also too much of a damsel in distress with flimsy resolves.

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Read it, ask no further questions.

by SoaringPeaches
2 years ago

Rating: 9.0 / 10.0

The story is great. The characters are great. The plot is great. The angst is great.

The ending from what I've seen, is also GREAT!

It's a shame that the juicy bits got removed, but you know what, all of the above still make it a great read.
So that's what you ought to do.
Read it. 😀

... Last updated 2 years ago

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Very tragic

by Baka_Fangirl
3 years ago

Rating: 5.0 / 10.0

Just a little too tragic for my taste. This is more personal rating then a rating for others. If you are a big fan of tragedies this seems like it would be a good fit for you.

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very good

by mahrrade
3 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

the art is so beautiful and the plot so far very interesting and dark!!! im in!!!

Was this comment useful? Yes