he has romantic feelings for winter & he does want a relationship; he just doesn’t want to pursue something that could put both their careers & futures in jeopardy. adding on to that, winter very obviously wants to continue their current relationship, even if it doesn’t go any further than friendship. he cares about gyeol & their friendship. it’s up to him to make that choice & continue their friendship. there is nooo way we have all been reading the same manhwa.
yeah right, totally what I was talking abt. He doesn't want to ruin their careers, yes, I get that but he shouldn't give mixed signals. He should make up his mind, whether he wants to leave him alone or not, choose one and get on with it.
And honestly speaking, if they chose to stay friends, then they should act like friends. Let's face it, Gyeol is giving mixed signals and he can't make up his mind. He doesn't want to choose, so he's keeping his options open.
As for winter, he's not staying close to Gyeol to pursue friendship, its pretty clear. Yes, that's what he wants to do but that's not rlly it, deep down he's hoping he'll reciprocate the feelings. And Gyeol giving mixed signals is not helping that.
They should both stay away from each other first if they really wish to be just friends. Honestly speaking, Winter is better off with no one, romantically, at this time. He needs to heal, and Gyeol's indecisiveness will only do harm than good.
They can pursue each other later on when they're both in the right state to receive and give love. I like their dynamic as well, they're pretty compatible but I guess this is not the time for it.
Gyeol still has his other priorities, understandable. And Winter still needs to heal from trauma. At this moment, they're not helping each other, they're only adding onto the burden of one another.
It's not wrong to have priorities, just don't make it an excuse to constantly keep someone at bay. They deserve to know where they rlly stand in your life. Gyeol's rejection on the earlier chapters was actually very true, harsh yet good. But his actions after that was unlikable. That's what I don't like.
This works if people are robots or in a perfect situation but they're neither.
1. Winter would be much worse off if Gyeol did not remain in his life as a friend and this scene proves it. It continues a point the creator has long since established--Gyeol as a helpful mentor when it comes to Winter navigating idol life with corrupt management. He's perfectly positioned as someone who understands 100% but isn't caught up in all the internal dramatics in-group. This title is better than most at presenting how isolating this kind of life can be, made worse by Winter's lack of family or friend support before he became an idol. His only other option in story is an over the top fan who *also* has trouble with boundaries.
2. The mixed signals and uncertain healing trajectory for Winter reads as realistic and human to me. If you are able to manage everyone and everything in your life in order to facilitate the right environment for healing please share. LOL. I don't think your take is wrong at all I just think it presents an ideal that is not what the creator is interested in exploring. It's about people existing in extreme conditions with limited options and entangled histories (both shared and individual) and how they struggle to do and be better both because of the relationships that develop between them on top of their own individual reckonings. Normally, this involves a lot of good and bad decision making, imperfect situations with imperfect people who aren't always at their best for each other, who sometimes make it harder than it needs to be.
The only person I think needs a kick out is that therapist. Like that was his *job* he needs to be reported lol.
Im with this one. But Winter is finding the hard time not connecting with Gyeol like he is too soft for Gyeol haha
He's dependent on him, sadly.
That's a great take, I must've missed those because I tend to look at things in a logical manner, which is in fact, inappropriate for this story. I'd keep this in mind as I read the following chapters.
And yes, the therapist rlly violated the ethical code of his profession lol.
im the same . people going on a whole rant to defend and explain his thought process like idc u like me or u dont none of this playing with a string
your phrasing is wonderful.
I agree with you, to some extent. I don’t think either of them are truly ready for a relationship. Winter, like the other commenter explained, is very isolated, both physically and emotionally. Gyeol is truly the first person he has been able to be emotionally vulnerable with in some capacity, and I think he has placed a lot on their relationship- to an almost unhealthy degree. A lot of his emotional well-being seems to now be tied to Gyeol’s actions. With that said, Gyeol has played a major factor in convincing Winter to seek help. The therapy has helped, and Winter has been making major strides that I don’t think would have been possible without Gyeol’s initiative; which he took because he does care so much for Winter. I think as things are, any treatment from Gyeol that isn’t outright cold or cruel could be seen as sending mixed signals. It’s absolutely understandable that he would feel that way. Still, I don’t think Gyeol is intentionally trying to lead him on; I think he’s made his boundaries relatively clear, and, I think, as he cares so much for Winter, it’s hard for him to do a complete 180’ and treat him any differently. Especially because he knows just how much Winter is struggling. They’re both working through things. I’m grateful this is a slowburn, and that the author is really trying to flesh out both characters and their problems. As things are, I think both are trying their best. Winter needs, or believes, he needs Gyeol, and Gyeol wants to be there for Winter.
I wish I could like this!!! Perfect take!
I HATE THE ML he doesn't want to date him but won't leave him alone, hate ppl like that. Like make up your mind and get lost