Is it just me? Compared to the other chapters, this one is tough, laborious and somewhat d...

Ah I agree! I think the author wanted haesoo and joowon to have a break from each another to figure out what they want?? I don't know how exactly to describe it though. I find taku sorta bland for the most part... I agree that his character was definitely needed in the story but he's missing something?lol hope that makes sense. I hope taku is able to move on as well!

I felt the same way, especially because of the way Taku worded things. Two chapters ago, we read Joowon's monologue about him seeing Haesoo as his everything, his biggest dream. How they have spended their life together, him not being able to imagine other person to be there for him that's not Haesoo... Being super lovely, in general. His feelings for him are just that overwhelming and it felt so beautiful to read how Joowon treasures Haesoo and regretting not always acting as such, not being able to imagine a scenario were they are just nothing... But then you have Taku's monologue and it felt... Me, myself and I... lmfao I don't know? ? ? Him pointing out how he waited for Haesoo at his after-party knowing that something horrible just happened? Him comparing Haesoo with a candy that he couldn't reach out??? How he just admitted that he was in love with Haesoo because he loved somebody else? The coffee analogy was "You tried" vibes. It was so unromantic. This is not the last of Taku btw.

U said everything

I think the chapter cements the fact on how selfish Taku is. I mean it’s human nature to want something that you can never have which is how he’s being portrayed. That’s why I also think that he can never be together with Haesoo cause in the long term, they are bound to break up. It’s realistic tho so tbh his relationship with Haesoo will be a catalyst for him to actually become a better person

Right.
I also realize that after Haesoo and Joowon's hospital scene, everything else lost weight and puts everything else in the shade. That is inevitable. But this chapter 97 actually seems like a forced conclusion. It was very bumpy to read. All the puzzle pieces have been tried to put together and somehow unsuccessful. I can't even find the right words. It wasn't a good read. So you say we'll read more of Taku? So it continues with questions and possible allegations? Then I hope that Haesoo will finally speak for himself, be brave and honest. What matters to me is Haesoo's development and how he deals with things and his life. There are really too many chapters wasted on Taku, his feelings and his development. It's very sad. And I don't hate Taku. Don't misunderstand. But it's still more of a Taku story than anything else lol

I hope he becomes a better person, I would get upset if he didn't learn anything after all this unnecessary drama hahaha. It sure is realistic, but I still believe that Taku could have had a better development... Ahh well... it is what it is.

I think it would have been fine if there was at least the same amount of time devoted to Joowon and Joohae. Instead, there’s been a major skew towards the photog and photog with Haesoo. It leaves one with the impression that he’s more significant than he actually is, in terms of his impact on Haesoo. And that really doesn’t make sense in the scheme of things, since we understand that Joohae are ultimately everything to each other.

I do think the breakup shows us how much Taku hasn’t changed. He’s still trying to worm his way back into Haesoo with the guilt-inducing accusations and recriminations, highlighting how everything is about himself. He is the quintessential narcissist. And that embrace, flinging himself onto a bewildered h, is melodrama, he is acting out the end of the play/story. His feigned heartbreak is theatre, evidenced by his thoughts of the candy jar crashing down. Upsetting, but only temporarily.