Responses
as long as you're not justifying him there's no moral failing... everyone is flawed to an extent so no one's perfect. tho that mf go gyeom is disgusting af
that was said jokingly lolol I don't mind being the only go gyeom fan. there's nothing to justify; he's pure evil. I find it fun and compelling. I'd like to know more about what made him that way, how big a role his oppulent background plays in that, and why he's so attached to the idea of baekhee's docility. I think he's a more interesting central villain than baekhee's father ^^
...regarding go gyeom. I really do like him a lot lololol I'm a big fan of shamelessly villainous characters and textbook, low-effort manipulation. is this a moral failing? please tell me someone else finds him fun TT
as always with nodeok, the early chapter listlessness falls apart very slowly. we are thrust abruptly into these characters' lives, so it's only fair she gives us a moment to adjust, living alongside them in bliss before the coming storm. I'm a huge fan of her slow-burn storytelling, and it seems like yang il-woo and I is not an exception from this. I had been wondering where things were going with this story, as i'm not a huge fan of awkward teenage "first love" situations, but things are starting to pick up. their slow trust in one another is beautifully convincing.
go gyeom's intentions with baekhee are crystal clear; he wants to be the only thing baekhee relies on. it's a power trip, even if he realistically benefits nothing from helping him escape their town. he keeps him in check by subtlety (unsubtlely, with reader foresight) reminding him of how closely he toes the line between average student and becoming his father. "instead of being grateful for the help he was given, he picked fights and acted out. a worthless bastard who never learned, never reflected, never changed." i wouldn't be surprised if he's also the one responsible for isolating baekhee by spreading the news of his father's criminal status. he's threatened by ilwoo–who comes from seoul–and if he ultimately befriends baekhee, the only weapon he has to control him is at risk.
also, her ability to portray yearning has never once failed to render me breathless. what an art style. ilwoo has fallen hard and fast... I'm ready for everything to go to shit.