Dark Moon: The Blood Altar () is a South Korean manhwa released as a webtoon written and illustrated by Hybe in collaboration with Naver Webtoon and a separate novel with an alternative storyline on Wattpad. A physical version is set to be published by Yen Press' imprint, Ize Press.
It ran from January 15, 2022 to August 12, 2023, consisting of 70 chapter.
The characters and storyline are based on the South Korean boy band Enhypen and their music videos. The original story began with "Drunk-Dazed" music video released on April 26, 2021.
It is the first story in the Dark Moon series, consisting of Dark Moon: The Blood Altar with Enhypen and Dark Moon: The Grey City with the Japanese boy band &Team.
Plot
Welcome to Riverfield, where the most popular boys at two rival schools happen to be vampires and werewolves. When a mysterious new student, Sooha, transfers to Riverfield, the rivals find themselves inexplicably drawn to her. As horrible incidents start to shake the town, the boys’ forgotten pasts slowly start to unravel... and their world turns upside down.
Characters
Main characters
Sooha
The protagonist of Dark Moon: The Blood Altar. She is a human with supernatural strength that often makes people mistake her for a vampire. The discrimination she received due to that, started her deep hatred towards vampires. She transferred to the tenth grade at the Decelis Academy.
The vampires
Heli (based on Enhypen's Heeseung) A vampire in the twelfth grade at the Decelis Academy and the captain and center of the Nightball Team. He can use Telepathy and is able to converse with others through his mind. Solon (based on Enhypen's Sunghoon) A vampire-werewolf hybrid in the tenth grade at the Decelis Academy and a forward of the Nightball Team. He keeps the fact that he is half werewolf from his vampire brothers. Jakah (based on Enhypen's Jungwon) A vampire at Decelis Academy and the wing of the Nightball Team. He is the smartest among his brothers and can use supernatural speed. Jaan (based on Enhypen's Jay) A vampire in the twelfth grade at the Decelis Academy and the enforcer of the Nightball Team. He has supernatural strength. Shion (based on Enhypen's Sunoo) A vampire in the tenth grade at the Decelis Academy and a back of the Nightball Team. He has the ability of manipulating others minds, as well as gravity manipulation. Jino (based on Enhypen's Jake) A vampire in the eleventh grade at the Decelis Academy and a back of the Nightball Team. He has the ability of creating and setting fires. Noa (based on Enhypen's Ni-ki) A vampire at the Decelis Academy and a forward of the Nightball Team. He can control the darkness and cast shadows.
Side characters
Chris
A human and Sooha's childhood friend. Despite passing away at a young age, Sooha appeared to see him after transferring to the Decelis Academy.
The werewolves
Khan (based on &Team's K) Tahel (based on &Team's Taki) Najak (based on &Team's Nicholas) Enzy (based on &Team's EJ) Ruslan (based on &Team's Harua) Camill (based on &Team's Jo) Mahan (based on &Team's Fuma) Luka (based on &Team's Maki) Louis (based on &Team's Yuma)
Soundtracks
Enhypen – One In A Billion (original soundtrack) Enhypen – Criminal Love (2nd original soundtrack) Enhypen – Drunk-Dazed Enhypen – Fever Enhypen – Tamed-Dashed
Publication
Webtoon
Dark Moon: The Blood Altar began publication on January 15, 2022, on the webtoon hosting services Naver and Line Webtoon.
Wattpad
Simultaneously published alongside the Webtoon, HYBE and Naver Webtoons co-planned the Wattpad edition in which the storyline differentiates from the Webtoon version.
Ize Press is set to publish English print editions of HYBE's webtoons, including Dark Moon: The Blood Altar. It will be released in December 2023.
Reception
Dark Moon: The Blood Altar is the most successful work among the HYBE Original Story Webtoons by HYBE and Naver. It exceeded 100 Million cumulative page views on Naver and is also highly evaluated in South Korea with a score of 9.78 out of 10. The webtoon ranked in the top five in the platform's chart in seven different language services including German, Spanish, French, Chinese and Indonesian, topping all Sunday series for 10 straight weeks. The Comic Book Resources similarly included the series in their "25 Top Manhwa You Need To Read".