Taku and Haesoo...

i see what you’re saying and I’d agree with you IF the author had made this her clear intention. had she shown happier moments of haesoo with taku, and if she didn’t reveal taku to be just as possessive and irrational at times [as joowon] but instead made him a true breath of fresh air, meaning no similar qualities at all to joowon—then i’d think yeah, taku is refreshing and good for haesoo.

But the thing is, she’s currently making him VERY similar to joowon: buying a ring being the latest example. they’re basically parallels at this point.

also, haesoo’s currently losing weight. instead of doing anything to actually develop the idea that taku is a positive change for haesoo, youngha went out of her way to show that things aren’t as perfect as they seem.

your observations are so good @lavender

Firstly, if you think I went to college and the whole experience was nothing but joy, you’re wrong. I’ve cried, I’ve been angry, I’ve gotten in trouble, I’ve gotten scared. It’s been a variety of emotions/experiences, but as a whole, I’ve been much happier,

Secondly, I think the author made it extremely clear that Taku represents change/difference by giving him the complete opposite personality of Joowoo. This made Haesoo and Taku’s relationship completely different and new, right? It was change for Haesoo. Even in your example it shows that Joowoo and Taku have completely different ways of expressing the same emotion, which again is a change for Haesoo. And again, Taku isn’t that special. Of course he’s going to expressed similar emotions that Joowoo did (largely because of the circumstances but those are also just emotions you express in a relationship). However, the way he expresses his emotions is completely different and unique but more importantly new to Haesoo.

You pointed out that Haesoo is losing weight. That doesn’t take away from the fact that he is going to through such a positive character development it is unbelievable. This used to be the guy that likes to lie for no reason. In like the last five chapters he has been so brutally honest I am thriving. This used to be the man that would literally run from responsibility... did you see him boss up and be like I gotta handle this shit. This used to be the man that would have an emotional seizure every time Joowoo was near him... did you see how calmly and maturely he addressed Joowon (while Joowoo was a mess). I hate to say it, but I don’t know who this man is. I don’t even like Haesoo but he is literally the only adult in this series rn. Haesoo?! If that’s not on growth and maturity, I don’t know what is. And we can really only credit that to Taku come in his life and changing shit up.

for sure haesoo has changed but to credit that all to taku’s mere existence is a but...much. undermining almost. all taku did was give him insight to how “normal” relationships worked, which then went towards his analyzing of his past relationship with joowon.

and yes, she initially gave them opposite personalities, but my point was that as the story went on, it became clear that taku is more like joowon than we would originally thought. hence, actually not that refreshing. different, sure...but losing weight signifies that he’s simply not happy with this ‘different’. it’s hard to take unnatural weight loss as a positive sign.

also, i’m not sure if you’ve read the raws yet but haesoo is most definitely not the only one who grew nor the only adult. Joowon spends the next chapters apologizing and letting haesoo go (yet again) then taking responsibility for his actions.

the only one who’s remained stagnant at this point is Taku. so while he’s a change of face externally, joowon had far more change internally. personally, i think new joowon could have far more impact on haesoo if executed correctly.

+ the author didn’t write taku to be a foil of joowon. haesoo actually sees a past version of himself in taku and almost pities him as a result.

As always I agree with you Hun

Tbh you mostly focus on Haesoo who imo is acting very calmly in their relationship, even kind of emotionless because he is not hyper emotionally invested in the relationship.
Him wanting the break from his relationship with Joowon, trying something new is definitely a character development. He wanted to end the relationship which has stayed in the same place for so many years
(Although about Haesoo lying... He for example tried to avoid saying that he is going to get involved in Joowon's matters during the phone call).

Spoilers
Him (H) recognizing his own faults (in future chapters) is also a big progress.

End of spoiler.

But as lavender said loosing weight... Is not a good symptom. He doesn't look happy either.

And what's even more important are imo Taku's changes...which are in this case kinda on the worse. Yes the positive is that he started expressing himself, his emotions more.
But... He started getting more posessive, jealous and insecure. More pushful. He is starting to act more and more similar to Joowon from the past.

Spoiler
And the analogy with rings also speaks volumes.

Meanwhile Joowon has started to change for some time now. He started maturing. Reflecting on his actions, apologising for the mistakes. What's even more important he let Haesoo go.

End of spoiler

Also the way they got in the relationship... Where Haesoo wasn't definitely ready and Taku begged him... isn't such a good way to start relationship either.

I understand your pov but as lavender said I don't think it's the case in the story.

For the worse*

If you don’t credit Haesoo’s character development to Taku coming in his life, I don’t know what other reason there could possibly be. Joowoo and Haesoo was playing their game for years! If either of them was going to change, it should’ve already happened but it didn’t until Taku came. And I don’t think he showed him what a normal relationship is like because they didn’t have a normal relationship. I think Taku showed Haesoo something different and new and that causes Haesoo to change.

My point was that they aren’t alike at all. Sure they expressed similar emotions but they expressed them in different ways. I get possessive as hell over my boyfriend, but that doesn’t make me parallel to Joowoo. To this day they still have opposite personalities. Even if it was just in the beginning that was enough to change Haesoo, so it did it’s job as a plot device. I don’t know if you’ve ever heard of stress eating but it’s when you gain weight unhealthily. I don’t think losing weight is the ultimate sign that he is sad. Naturally losing weight can be healthy.

I don’t read the raws and I don’t trust what people say about the raws because it’s usually different when it actually comes out. As it stands for this discussion, Joowoo said one overdue word after years and hasn’t took responsibility for his actions. Considering how emotional he’s been these past few chapters, I would not say he’s an adult. I’m sure he’s going through a lot right now but his attitude towards his job, company, and manager even though they’re dealing with his shit is beyond unprofessional. Also apologizing doesn’t make you an adult, kids say sorry. Actions speak louder than words. Joowoo actions from here on out will show if he’s grown or not. Not him saying a few words. I gave Haesoo this pressure too. They are both coming from a bad place, we need chapters beyond chapters to really see their growth.

Taku has change so much. You’re probably bias so you haven’t noticed, but as a Taku fan he has change so much I am still deciding if it’s good or bad. Also Taku doesn’t need to change, you realize that right? Like he wasn’t the one in a 9-year toxic relationship. To him, he’s just starting a new relationship so there’s no reason for him to drastically change.

I said this is my first post you can try to change something that’s ruined but the history is still there. The impact has lasted, the scars won’t feed, and you can’t change the past.

Hey I see your comment, but there’s a lot to unpack that I don’t have time for. And I didn’t read like half your post because it was spoilers. I don’t trust spoilers. They are usually wrong or inaccurate. So I see your post but I am not gonna respond, sorry!

Of course you can't change the past but you can learn from it. They both are changing so if they would enter the relationship again (J&H) they wouldn't be the same people and they also would learn from the past mistakes so at least they would try not to repeat them.

I base my spoilers on few translators and they are very accurate.

Tbh I can't agree with "Naturally losing weight can be healthy". We are talking about person who was always very slim. Now probably Haesoo is underweight.

Oh and I think lavender meant to say that Taku's behaviour towards Haesoo is starting to remind Jooown's from the past. And we are talking about negative aspects.

They can be different people but that doesn’t mean their past actions disappear. Their lying for instance. They use to lie to each other so much that they automatically didn’t believe the things they were saying. Imagine trying to trust and believe someone that always used to lie to you. Not only is that unhealthy for a relationship but it’s super stressful for a person always trying to see what’s true or not.

I don’t know your translators and they are not the official translators so I don’t trust them.

I lost weight when I went to college. Not because I decided to go to the gym but because I was eating healthier, I was more at active, and I was happy. I don’t think people really what it’s like to get out of a toxic environment and, not even being happy, but just being relieved can do so much to your mental, physical, and emotional being. Also this is a one off thing his mom said. Like I don’t know why y’all are taking this as the Lord’s word lol

Of course their past problems won't magically dissaper or them being unsure about some things but Imo it's not something you absolutely can't overcome. Especially if they would finally start communicating and speaking their minds out.

I think the context of Haesoo's weight (who as I said was already very thin person before) is different than you imply.
In his case gaining some weight would be much more logical choice if the author would have wanted to emphasize Haesoo is relieved and getting better.
Like I believe it wasn't some random thing. Imo the subject was intentionally brought up.

.....but it’s heavily implied that haesoo’s weight loss is not natural and therefore not healthy. his mom, one who despite their fights still knows her son best, straight up tells him: “You’ve lost weight. You don’t look well.” I do wish you’d stop trying to put a positive twist on a pretty serious issue in real life.

it’s still undermining to credit haesoo’s personal growth to a man that just has a crush on him. like I said, the most he did was teach him the basics of a relationship. then haesoo proceeded to use this to reflect on his past with joowon.

pardon my french but taku didn’t do shit for haesoo. he even recognizes it himself when he admits that he’s been selfish in this relationship. i’ll give him credit for that. if it wasn’t clear enough how little he really knows haesoo, the recent chapter where he can’t comprehend why joowon’s scandal is so important to him speaks wonders.

i’m sorry, but one of my biggest pet peeves is when people have a savior complex towards taku. in your original post you mentioned external problems like your household. the thing is, haesoo’s situation was never like that. haesoo’s problem was never solely his relationship with joowon. it’s purely internal now: lingering feelings, self doubt, jealousy and guilt.

in short, you can go to college to escape your home life, but not yourself. Haesoo can trial date Taku if he wants, it but only does so much for him.

and until i see taku do anything to help resolve ANY of this for haesoo, I’ll continue to see him as a bed warmer.

p.s. about characterization: kids can say sorry too but how many of them actually have genuine intent behind them? same goes for adults. it’s “one word” but Joowon’s actions speak volumes louder. it’s never just been the “sorry”.

and just because taku just started a relationship doesn’t mean there’s no room left for him to grow. sis, being new at love has never given anyone an excuse for dubious consent, possessiveness, etc. i mean, ffs people slam on 17 yr old kid joowon for being bad at first love, maybe keep up that same attitude towards 24 yr old taku?

Lol I forgot that "You've lost weight" was followed by "You don't look well". Now what are we even discussing.
As always lovely post with great points.

I get that they can definitely overcome it, however the other person said Joowoo changing is better than a fresh start with Taku, which is completely wrong. That’s like comparing freshly painted stairs to an elevator. It’s an uphill battle with Joowoo and, given their past, an exhausting and stressful one.

But that’s also something parents just say. Every time I come back from college my mom has something to say about my appearance even though I look at the same as 3 months ago. We clearly have different interpretations of what that means. The only person with at can correct us is the author so I see no point in further discussing this.

You know what gets me is that you’re highlighting this one off, despite many pieces of evidence I’ve given you showing positive character development and growth in Haesoo. His mom that’s always been very selfish and her care for her son. So let me get this straight you are saying the Haesoo that was manipulative, a liar, cheater, toxic, and just had so many negative qualities was healthy?!

No I totally credit Haesoo’s growth to himself. Not was it beyond what I ever expected of him, but also pretty brave. However you cannot not give Taku some credit for lighting shit up! Again they didn’t even have a normal relationship, where are getting this idea that Taku taught him basics of relationships. Haesoo has had relationships before and Taku is assumed to be shit at them.

I have repeatedly said Taku isn’t it anything special. What savior complex did I ever give this man? I just said he was change. I’ve also said that Taku and Haesoo wasn’t that deep, kinda empty. Yeah they just met each other kinda expected that. Also what do y’all want for Taku? For him to be a knight in shining armor? He was himself to Haesoo and that was enough to start drastic growth in Haesoo.

When you look at all of Haesoo problems you have to ask yourself but where the hell did they come from? Its not all credited to the relationship, but it’s mostly the relationship. It’s been a nine year relationship they started this since they were kids. They have developed and grown in a toxic environment so it’s only obvious that they pick up toxic traits. My household was not some external nonfactor, it was my environment. I lived, sleep, and breathe that place. It’s how I grew up and 110% a huge factor in how I am today. Escaping that environment has allowed me grow beyond what I knew in that place.
You say a trial date would do nothing, but Haesoo has already changed so much.

Why does Taku need to do anything to resolve a problem that has nothing to with him. Also being a partner does not equate to being a life saver. Just being there for Haesoo is enough and he tried to be.

I always found it really funny that people are praising Joowoo for saying sorry when kids literally do the same thing, with a lot less resistance and hesitance. The fact that you believe kids cannot be genuinely remorse says a lot.

Again Taku has grown just not as drastically. I keep the same energy with Taku. His is shit at relationships, we know this, and he has said it this is his first time ever being truly in love, so he has some learning to do. But let’s not pretend the few months Taku has had compares to the 9 years of an absolute shit show that was Joowoo.

It’s still trips me up that you guys are trying so hard to convince me that the one person who arguably haven’t seen Haesoo in a healthy state, if at all, in years, because she has actively contributed to the detriment of his health, is the person I should be believing. The woman but he actively tries to avoid. The woman who is definitely a reason for why he needs to go to therapy. Chile, anyways

No one is saying that the way Haesoo was before was healthy. We are just trying to point that his relationship with Taku (and breaking things off with Joowon) also put weight on him. And he doesn't look so happy with his life.
It is even mirrored in his external appearance.

There are rather many points that him loosing weight is portrayed in negative light...and you dodge every argument and support your point of view with your own personal experiences. So kinda???
Like it literally doesn't make bigger sense to me to portray this scene the way it is if author wanted to emphasize how Haesoo is all happy with his current lifestyle. You are imo doing a real mental gymnastic with this scene so it would match your narrative.

Tbh I have to say I'm not sure about the point of sharing personal experiences in our discussion? It kinda reminds me of anecdotal evidence.

"The fact that you believe kids cannot be genuinely remorse says a lot."
She literally didn't say that...?

"He was himself to Haesoo" - was he? He thought himself that he said to Haesoo what he desperately wanted to hear in the past.

And yes the relationship with Taku has just started and little red flags are appearing already here and there. You are right it's hard to compare the relationship with officially a month probation...maybe a little bit more with all negatives collected over years. Nearly a decade.