beta
In terms of this author’s portfolio here I’d say it sits in the middle of the spectrum of heaviness and toxicity. Yona and Chang-il being the hardest read, then this, and the most digestible one is Eunsuk & Jung-gu. They’re all pretty heavy in general though because of the violence. Especially sexual violence.
I liked MC. He didn’t give up on himself even when he was stuck in the brothel for two years. He overcame a lot by himself and even though love made him a bit meek he wasn’t treated like a damsel in distress by the author. He saved himself. I thought his sense of hope and perseverance was admirable. ML is a product of his environment. Some antisocial tendencies there. I got the vibe he gave up on himself and lived in a nihilistic way until he started falling for MC.
Speaking of which, I disagree with comments that argue that ML isn’t in love with MC and he’s just being lustful. I think his way of being in love is very twisted. He said so himself. If he did a full 180 and became exceedingly sweet and gentle it would have been a disservice to the story’s tone. It would have felt like fan fiction rather than character development. That said, I like reading other people’s opinions so if you disagree I’m open to changing my mind because I hate ML anyway. Like why did it take him two years to get his shit together and reunite with MC what the fuck.
One of the hints that he’s in love imo is how he can’t say ‘I love you’ directly because it probably reminds him of all the times he said it to the guys he was grooming/ recruiting (MC included). Saying these words now probably stings because he ruined it for himself by abusing and cheapening it in the past. So he says he loves MC in other ways. His hesitation to say it is a detail that may be misinterpreted.