IDK- I found this just a bit too obvious an attempt of reversing the expected roles to the point where it just fell flat for me. Add to that the 'story' felt rushed.
well did you not see the cover :O
Yes, and I have actually come across something similar before, except the difference being that the manga took the time to create characters who at least made the role reversal seem natural and believable and not just a gimmick.
I agree, actually. Why are people so opposed to the idea that yaoi can be bad? lol. This was badly written, and honestly didn't have the quality smut or art to make up for it.
I got through 6 chapters of the manwha and then gave up. Not because I didn't like the plot as such, but because there just seemed to be a level of immaturity in several different ways. First off, characters; take Meili who doesn't seem to be anything like 20 yrs old. And at 20 shouldn't he be able to look after himself? Xiao Shun also seems to act and think like a preteen. Then take either scenarios or plot devices which seem immature. Like a mother wanting her grown son to sleep with her (quite innocently, but still!), and just the very handling of the cliché plot elements, which were downright heavy-handed. Buried under all this was a promise of a good story. IDK- maybe this is a first effort by a young author. If it is I do hope they keep at it, and perhaps rewrite this someday, with the same basic plot, but more nuanced characters and more subtle handling of the same tropes and clichés.
It feels like Meili has stunted mental growth. Perhaps he has brain development issues or a trauma or perhaps just from living on a tiny island with barely any connection to the rest of the world.
As for the mom, she is dying. This might be the last time for her to do this as she is going to a hospice for pain relief and to die peacefully...
I did read enough to get all that. But living on a small island or trauma is reaching as for why Meili may be mentally stunted. In fact assuming the character is mentally stunted rather than poorly drawn is perhaps just giving too much credit. If we as readers are having to think up likely explanations to explain a character just doesn't fit the his description, and trying to rationalize away the discrepancy, the fault lies with the writing this many chapters in.
I also did get the main plot points, which though cliché and trope, are fine. Hardly unusual in manga to have someone ending up living with someone else because of dead or dying parents. That wasn't my problem. My mother also died of cancer, so it isn't like I don't get it. So I can also understand the two of them spending their last night in one room together. Yet somehow I just didn't get that vibe from it. Neither in the way she asked him, or in the way he accepted. Perhaps something was lost in translation(s), especially considering all the multiple cultural gaps- Korean to Chinese to Western- where in the original text and culture it is clear what exactly the meaning is.
Hi there, I'm the translator and it did feel lost in the chinese version as well. It felt that they didn't show what Tian Hu proposed to the mom, when she asked him to leave MeiLi under his care. What it felt like, was that they talked more than was shown to us, and later, in the story they will show us what was that.
Also, the author is well-aware of how she's stating MeiLi's personality, because in the futures chapters we can see others characters realizing how naive, inocent MeiLi is, and even trying to help him, or pointing it out to Tian Hu, so he can help MeiLi develop himself. Even thought that I feel the plot develops a bit slow, I think that's why there are so much people giving up on this. And because of the slow pace, people jump to conclusion that his will have a lots of drama because of the mess stated in the first chapters (the marriage, the sick mom), when it hardly will be drama, really. Although I feel that this plot and story has the "korean tv drama" cliché. If you have watched korean dramas, then it's typical rich dependable man, the poor girl, the evil mom, and such.
But it's just up to the people taste, and is to them to decide whether give this an oportunity or not.
Yeah, he seems to act way like a child. A man wouldn't normally let himself be carried by another man or get very close to each other with no dirty thoughts or ideas of what that situation could be interpreted to. Like imagine grabbing a friend's dick with an innocent mind and you have no idea that it would seem perverted. Hopefully there would be character developments and where he can stand by himself.
Damn it, this means I won't like this, I am already on chapter 5 and irritating tendencies are showing. I don't know why well constructed reviews are thumbed down. When did the world become so butthurt. I miss the days when people wrote reviews that allowed anyone who was picky to skip over the story. Cliches get very tiring.
Well, first I want to thank you for replying. Personally, from what you wrote, I don't think MeiLi is just drawn as an "innocent and naive" 20 yr old. He does seem worse than that, to the point of seeming mentally wanting. Had he been made younger, say 15-6, a lot of the story would make more sense. Nor does his mother treat him like a full grown man, but as a child. Most people in most countries would expect someone who was 20 to be able to look after themselves, even if they were somewhat innocent and naive.
As for typical Korean drama types and plot tropes, they can be fun if handled right, as with all clichés and tropes. The problem is when it isn't and the cliché or trope is so obvious and you can see the story element writing itself out with not much to surprise you. But in the end I think my problem isn't with use of tropes so much, but really that the characters just don't seem to act as they should. And not just MeiLi, as wrote in my OP. So I wonder did the author perhaps get the same sort of feedback and try to incorporate it in the story, since it comes rather late by the sound of it.
I don't know if you'll like it or not, but I agree with you wholeheartedly about the way people thumb down. They think it is the same as disagreeing, but it isn't. It is saying that they don't like that you made that comment, which basically means they don't think even a well argued critique is allowed. Just because they liked manga or whatever, you can't make a comment that disagrees with their opinion. I don't have to like every opinion stated, or even agree with them, but in most cases I see nothing wrong in people having the right to say how they felt. I thumb down when it gets offensive or crosses some other line in being disrespectful. That doesn't happen too often.
Ok- I know this is just a fluff yaoi manga, and I don't take the story seriously. That being said, why does the trope of not understanding why someone with any sort significant social status (money, political, celebrity, etc.) possibly wanting to be friends with ANYBODY ordinary constantly pop up? Like it is a totally inconceivable that they may just like the person irrespective of social standing. I'm really beginning to to feel that this says more about how the Japanese view social status, both from above and below. And that is tragic.
Nah. It's supposed to be more reflective of how the character, more so than thinking low of their self, puts the love interest on a pedestal. That's why you'll notice in the ones that aren't pwp, there's usually a friend, a love rival, or combination of the two thrown in the mix to help MC realize their worth.
It's also an easy way to throw in plot conflict while still being realistic. Imagine you are just an average person in looks and financial status who keeps their head down. If the richest, most handsome guy at your school just suddenly started talking to you and wanted to date you then you might be reasonably nervous about their intentions and wonder why they sought you out when you do nothing to bring attention to yourself and nothing about you naturally draws the attention of others.
The problem is I have seen this trope used also by third parties, i.e. friends/fans who don't think someone is "worthy" to be even friends or associated in any way with somebody who has status. In the stories it always due to lack of status of the one and the great status (in whatever way) of the other. And who the heck are they, especially if no more than fans or hanger-ons, to judge for someone else, based on nothing more than status, who they should or shouldn't be friends with. So while of course this does occur to some degree everywhere, there seems to be a bit of something extra going on here, that seems to be widespread a phenomenon in Japanese society that it is constantly popping up in manga and anime of all genres.
I thought this last story a perfect example of the strange logic of we humans so often have. The uke doesn't tell his friend that he loves him for 10 years, lives with the self-inflicted pain, and when he finally confesses, he blames the other guy. Is every guy now going to have suspect their best friend even if they have shown no sign of being gay, because that is what that argument kind of supposes. Oh I forgot, the uke hadn't dated, so that proves it, he must be gay (rather than not having found a girl he liked). In this case true, but really...
It doesn't mean that won't happen in some cases.
Believe it or not, some gays are so good at covering up their acts around the person they like. They can remain as a best friend for so long just to keep close their loved one.
I didn't say it couldn't happen. Nor did I say this was I about his hiding how he felt for 10 years, and accepting being his friend instead. You don't have to be gay to do this or to have this happen to you. A lot of people know or think they they suffer from unrequited love and make do with what they can get. My point was whatever you do suffer from that choice is on you, not the other person who quite naturally took you for a friend to confide in. The lack of logic is then blaming the person for not noticing how you felt when you have been doing your best to hide it.
Finally some sense! Call me insensitive, but I can't really feel bad for a guy who blames his suffering on his unknowing unrequited love. How's someone suppose to know that you like them when you've been doing a great job at hiding it the whole time? Why would it be that person's fault for not noticing? Do people have to be mind readers now?
(This is unrelated but, I know a lot of people in relationships that expect their partners to just know what they want/think/feel, without telling them... and I'm just like, yeah okay that works........). It makes no sense to me haha. Anyway, I guess it's just easier for people to empathise with someone in unrequited love (rather than empathising with the person on the other end of it) because the one in unrequited love is experiencing pain, while the other person is not. Anddd this comment unnecessarily turned out to be much longer than I thought it would for an old topic..
I think a great many people when reading these stories do automatically sympathize and empathize with the person in love, and have a tendency to overlook or dismiss any of his character faults or less than reasonable behavior compared to the other guy. They are after all often reading yaoi for the romantic relationship aspect, so the guy in love will automatically have a "sympathy advantage". But I think if they imagine suddenly having one of their close friends confessing a long standing love for them, that they are just unable to return, how would they feel? Like a villain- hardly. But shocked, hurt, and probably a bit betrayed by that friend, because now their friendship is not likely possible and they cannot be lovers.
I agree with you and OP - but I feel that it's realistic, although it is unfair and illogical! The one who's been secretly in love has been hurt (and hurt themselves) over and over again for years. Even though it's not actually the other person's fault, I think it's psychologically realistic that they'd kind of blame the person who they can't help but feel is the "cause" of their pain. Even blaming the other person for 'never noticing,' because after being so conscious of it themselves, they kind of feel that it must be really obvious.
It's unfair, you're right! But I feel like it's understandable.
It is nice - and refreshing - to sometimes see manga tell the "unrequited love" story from the other side - like http://www.mangago.zone/read-manga/soredemo_yasashii_koi_o_suru/ (Yoneda Kou is my goddess anyway) and http://www.mangago.zone/read-manga/like_that/
I can agree it to it probably being realistic, since I often find that we're not that really all that logical or that sensible in how we feel or react to situations. Most of the time people don't think much, and certainly hurt and anger can make people say and do things they normally wouldn't while not wanting to think about things too much at the same time. Yet we persist in having this idea and perception about ourselves as a sentient race that generally acts in a rational manner. I'm not so sure. We are all too willing to deceive ourselves or to ignore risks and/or long term consequences for possible short term gains which logically makes no sense yet happens all the time. So it is a rather sad piece of realism, and while realistic and understandable hardly forgivable on those accounts. Unless the character owns up to be unreasonable himself.
I never said anything about it being unrealistic, so yes I agree with you, it is indeed realistic. It's very easy for humans to get blindsided by emotion—a "human condition"—as they say. We are fallible and more often than not, irrational. Yeah I do understand his circumstances, I just don't agree with it, that's all. OP's response is pretty spot on for me too. Anyways, YONEDA KOU is a GODDESS! I wholeheartedly agree, she's one of my faves too! And I also love Asai Kou! Both your examples are already in my faves. Thanks anyway. :)
Umm.. are you me?? Have we humans transcended that far for us to be able to exist in the same plane of the multiverse? Bad jokes and theatrics aside, that was well said. You took the words right out of my mouth, although you've put it much better than I would've. I wasn't going to comment again as I don't really have anything to add, except to agree with what you've said. Affirmation can be nice sometimes I guess.. ? Anddd, I shall take my leave now. haha
I thought this really good. Intriguing plot, interesting relational dynamics, and something out of the ordinary. If there was anything to criticize it would be that the seme was still so unclear with himself about what he felt, as to be described as an emotional coward. One could say he is the only character that doesn't really grow in the story, but more commits out of necessity (finding that the uke is now all he wants) but refusing to understand what that means. That, however, does make him seem very real and believable.
At some point there's just too much fluff. At least for me. The adorable cute kid, sweet adorable uke, not one set but two sets of twins, and a story so fast paced my head spun. Frankly I felt like this story was all fluff and no content, and was over before I even got into it.
You expected him to be the writer of the book? I didn't....
I found this both a bit odd and sad. Not that anyone playing a dating game is automatically sad, but if that is all that your life is, then something does seem sad. Also while the black haired character may have looked the same in and out of the game, he sure didn't act the same. And I would have thought the MC would notice. So aside from the story itself, I just found what was going on odd.
I don’t play dating games myself, but I don’t think it as sad as you say, because I don’t think it odd for people to have happy fantasies about their ideal partners. It’s totally normal. I think it’s the same as when I read novels, watch movies or read manga, it’s more fun if I find attractive guys in them as these things let me experience a different life and many times I’ve imagined myself to be the protagonist. Especially when I was a little girl, I’d often dreamed of marrying one of the attractive characters in stories.
This would be more akin to instead of wanting and looking for an actual real relationship or romance, only reading romances and blogging about them. In other words replacing the fictional for the real life experience completely. And depending on the situation, in some cases I can understand it without thinking it sad, but in many cases that kind of choice is sad because the person would rather have an unachievable sugar sweet fake fantasy than something real with a real person even if it never is anywhere as ideal.
I do agree that not living his actual life is unhealthy and sad, but I think he’s just playing games and blogging as a hobby, though.
This manga’s kind of confusing but the guy is not mistaking what happened in the game as something that happened in real life, but he’s actually meeting someone who is said to be a game character. So we’re confused but the guy’s confused too because that’s something impossible, but at the same time, he’s a bit convinced that he might actually be a game character because he looks a lot like the character.
So if he was kind of addicted to games and was not getting real life experience, meeting this guy irl and interacting with him might change him to live his own life?
Idk but I just don’t want to be prejudiced about people playing dating games, that they are replacing that for real relationship, because I’m sure most of them know it’s not real. It feels similar to some people saying ‘girls who read yaoi are all otaku who can’t date real men’ which is ridiculous. I know you don’t mean it that way, but idk.
You need to read the beginning again, where the MC describes exactly why he plays dating games and blogs about them. It is much more than just a hobby. In fact he states that he has no desire to date in RL, preferring the experience he gets from a dating game which he considers perfect.
I'm not going to equate a fictional character with anyone who plays a dating game. In fact, I think I made that very clear from start, that my comment wasn't about dating games as such, but about his not even wanting something real.
This chapter was great! Because it really decided NOT to go with usual tropes. The uke punched the guy and proudly declares him his boyfriend instead of running off hurt (yay!). The suspicious new friend who actually seems to be decent and doesn't want to come to between them. And not to mention the interrupted rooftop sex, which I found funny (never seen that before).
Is it the rooftop sex, or being interrupted you haven't seen before? Cause I remember a story that had two couples that kept interrupting each other throughout the school.
Following
I should think it was obvious from what I wrote, so while it seems more like you're trying to be clever in order to make some sort of point, but instead, to me at least, it just seems like a lack of reading comprehension. I'm sure if you look hard enough you'd find something similar to any of the above mentioned examples I wrote, but that would still make them exceptions to a yaoi trope. The fact that I haven't read every yaoi manga written shouldn't surprise you, so congrats, you have read something I haven't.
Not clever, just interested in sharing:
http://www.mangago.zone/read-manga/koishiteru/
My apologies for misunderstanding. Though your comment did seem like it was meant to be snarky, especially considering the amount of rooftop sex in yaoi being rather hard to miss. But thanks for sharing.
That's only because you couldn't see my ears stand up and my eyes start to sparkle.
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LOL- Yes, that darned internet at it again! All it's fault- not enough visual aids. :D Love yours though...
I like the couple, though tbh it is basically the good ole Cinderella story set in a class room, given a yaoi twist and a Cinderella with a cynical negative outlook. Though we're given no reason for why the "prince" loves our "Cinderella", but that can come in the next chapter. But I mind the rest of the class being made villains by the mangaka. "Loners are trash"? Though I wouldn't expect teens to particularly like loners or get them, I have never heard any teen say anything of the kind anywhere in the world like that. Normally if teens think someone is trash it is due to more than them being a loner. Perhaps the mangaka was a loner too in school, and whether or not other kids actually thought this way, the mangaka may have felt like that was the way it was.
I really like that it tried to build a situation and world a bit different from the norm. That being said, I can't say I really like any of the characters much or can really care what happens to them.
Same. It's a pretty cool story concept, but I just can't really get into it nor the characters.
I agree, the concept is nice and the art is fairly nice. I just don't have a real connection with any of the characters. None of them are particularly interesting/likable.
They are all sort of crazy in their our accord.... manipulative and self-centered people....
That is why I love this one, not a cliche story where you basically have one character, you get to pity on.... But I agree, none of these characters are likable and I kinda like that approach... The plot could go smoothly without fans forcing the author to remain their favorite character....
I love to read how this would turn out...
True. This somewhat reminds me of Game of Thrones wherein everyone has their own agenda (or in the witches' case, vagenda hahaha). It's true that none of them are likable but given time and more storyline development, things will surely look more interesting.