I wouldn't say they don't get together. It's open ended. But according to the side stories they do stay together. And I think that's ok. This is a story about the pain of war and childhood trauma that carries to adulthood and breaks relationships. I think they've both grown and suffered enough that whatever they decide they can make it healthy.
yeah looking thru the novel spoilers apparently they did end up getting together. since i haven't read the novel, obv i can't comment on how well that was executed, but i appreciate that the manhwa adaptation deliberately made the last chapter open-ended. love your perspective that the point of this manhwa isn't about whether it's realistic/right for them to get back tgt, because that's for them to decide.
Yeah! I think the bare bones of this story is two people broken by war and their luck in life suffer and in turn hurt each other. Especially as neither of them ever had the space to heal and breathe just new bad situation, new mask they had to wear.
The ending being open, tho they do get together in the side stories, shows that no matter what they are still tied together by life and love.
Ofc it's not "realistic" that it will be a perfect relationship or even friendship but I wouldn't ever expect it to be. Not after what they went through lol.
But the growth we see in both is beautiful.
Heiner is a completely different person at the end. And I'm happy for him tbh.
I think these kind of complex stories are my favorite. Bc yes they do bad but they Earn and Grow truly and it's something we can see and feel. The twist on the song title being the actual title?? ABSOLUTE CINEMA
This is the shit I've been wanting from a manwha I haven't had since Glass .. something, I forgot the title lol. Edwardian romance similar vibes.
youre so right i cant stop thinking about this story because love is SO real. like from a typical romance or dating lens, heiner would be the shittiest guy ever. but i like to think that their love was beyond that typical romance. this story showed such complex and tragic lives or perspectives AND THEN showed how love in many forms can transcend differences, suffering, and pain. and we also see this in the people annette met throughout her journey.
tldr: this story was beyond romance. it was about how different forms of love can transcend tragedy and adversity. absolute cinema fr.
YES YES THIS!!!
This is no "good guys win bad guys lose" back and white storyline. This is about the reality of war and trauma and it's effect on children and their futures and how they love each other.
In a black and white world Heiner is a stupid asshole.
In reality he's a broken boy turned broken man.ofc he's not going to know how to have a healthy love. He knows the horrors of war! Of torture! He would do anything to protect the love he has in this glass case not realizing that is also not healthy.
Showing them grow as individuals as they slowly meet each other again and begin to heal those past wounds as individuals comforting individuals and becoming close again is so beautiful and it was done in an amazing, sometimes messy but real and Kind lense!!
The scene of her seeing his scars for the first time? PHYSICAL and EMOTIONAL??? And no kisses or I love you, just two humans being vulnerable and seeing each other Truly seeing each other
CINEMA
the twist that annette was actually the "beloved oppressor" to heiner was lowkey masterful. i appreciate how it was the musical piece that carried/represented the title of this manhwa. annette herself didn't oppress heiner but her music, which also symbolized heiner's obsession and highly romanticized image of her. just a really good callback to sthn so central to their (and especially heiner's) journey throughout the story.
i also love that this twist didn't diminish annette's suffering at all and the shit that heiner did to her. they were each other's beloved oppressor in dichotomous but tragic ways.
this manhwa definitely had its flaws but it's probably one of the first in its genre to have so much nuance and touch on the realistic aspects/ consequences of war. ALSO the main couple didn't get back together in the end!! that's actually so huge and refreshing, idc if they attempt dating again in the side stories. i applaud this author.