[Spoiler] *for those who read the update on Lezhin After the most recent chapter ...

I think Nakyum is fully aware of the fact their relationship is problematic. Nakyum actually acknowledges in this chapter that he hates the violent side of Seungho. But he didn't fall for the "abuser". He fell for the man who confessed to him because he could feel the sincerity in his words and gentle expression. Seungho was clearly affected by both Mr Kim and Heena's words so I suspect he will let Nakyum go. If the author is somehow gonna make this relationship work they both need time apart to rethink how they feel and what they want. I believe Min’s plan is whats gonna finally bring them together since Nakyum is his target.

^^this

I like your point of view and I totally agree..

Thank you

wow thank u

Yeeees

Sorry,I meant to downvote.

I think you are misunderstanding my comment. I definitely think Nakyum is aware of how bad the relationship is and he is still willing to accept it despite it all because Seungho has grown on him. E.g. Stockholm. I think it’s problematic to try to separate abusive Seungho from “slightly affectionate” Seungho who confessed. It inadvertently downplays the constant abuse that he subject Nakyum to and seems to have no remorse for. Basically I’m just highlighting my feelings on their situation. Tbh for me, I don’t need them together at this point because I can’t see how Seungho can redeem the things he’s done. Feeling remorse isn’t good enough, letting Nakyum leave isn’t good enough (because technically Nakyum should be able to leave anyway), and apologizing isn’t good enough. Tbh a real person in Nakyum’s situation would maybe have already suffered from severe depression or tried to commit suicide so I can’t redeem Suengho.

Despite all this, I still really like the story so I’m sticking it though until the end. Tbh I like tragedies and I don’t need everything to always end with every party happy. I just want Nakyum to be happy in the end

Also bro just downvote if you don’t agree. It’s literally a forum for discussion. I don’t care lolll

I agree with you. I think this tendency to disassociate two sides of one unhealthy character is indeed problematic. Abusor SH and slightly-nice SH are the same person and realistically it wouldn’t make sense to fall for him because of one side. This is not a natural reaction (except in the case of the very stereotypical Stockholm syndrome). To put things into perspective and give an example, I myself had to live with someone with an hot-and-cold moody (and toxic) behavior and I can tell you this is not attractive at all. When someone acts nice just after being a jerk, you feel very lost and uncomfortable. And because it’s so unexpected and sudden, you start wondering that you might be projecting or that you did something wrong (you try to rationalize the nonsense in front of you lol). You act extra wary because who would want to receive an affection that comes as disingenuous considering the previous actions.... All these feelings are hardly compatible with falling in love. ╮(￣▽￣)╭

The readers who think POTN’s developments make sense psychologically have read too much romance. Because realistically it doesn’t work like that (but when it comes to fiction I admit it’s something we see often). And thinking NK’s love for SH is understandable just downplays the legit reasons why it is not (the abuse).

tbh I think their relationship is very much sangwoo n yoonbum but less ankley

1000% agree with you. I think it’s fine for readers to desensitize themselves to this type of behavior for the sake of continuing the story, just so long as they don’t let their acceptance of it filter into reality. And tons have read too many stories of this genre and think it’s fine because they’ve seen it so much. I’m literally about to pursue post-graduate studies in sexualization and fetishism in lit so while this is super entertaining, I can’t help analyzing the issues.

By falling for Seungho's 'kinder' side I'm not saying that Nakyum (or the audience) should disassociate that kindness from the more violent aspect of his personality. Nakyum is fully aware that Seungho can be a brutal and frightening man, but he also recognises that there is still humanity left in him. This doesn’t mean he forgets the abuse, but it’s easier to overlook when you’re being cared for. When you are in a position like that you accept the bare minimum.

This chapter proves to the critics that the abuse is not romanticized and actually tackles real-life problems such as Stockholm syndrome through an outsiders perspective. Like when Heena tells Nakyum that Seungho wouldn't hurt him if he truly loved him as a person and not a posession.

In this chapter Seungho’s first instinct was to kick Heena out to keep Nakyum hostage for himself, but real love is never selfish or posessive. That's why I think this arc might be where Seungho's TRUE progressive development can occur. It gives him the time to reflect on his behaviour and *hopefully* decide to put Nakyum's happiness above his own selfishness. I don't believe he is completely irredeemable.

True but I upvoted and I didn't want to, hence my message.

Your studies sound smimulating! I myself did a bit gender studies and it lead me to subjects such as sexualization and fetishism too, though it was not necessarily related to literature. If you have some interesting articles about it, I am open for recommendations