beta
I’m so glad I found this story. It’s just such a good depiction of control in abusive relationships.
First, the people, then the house, the clothes, then work, until the victim is so completely isolated they can only rely on the abuser. Props to Yuwon recognizing it’s not normal and pushing back a bit towards the behaviour.
Dohoon is perfectly content having Yuwon desperate, thinking only of him and obsessing over the state of their relationship, knowing he has a tendency to blame himself. This is his “ideal state” for Yuwon, at his disposal.
And since the victim “belongs” to them; once acquired, the interest is lost. Abuse happens when “the TV isn’t working properly” (unwanted thoughts, feelings and actions by the victim) i.e Dohoon feels he needs to “fix” Yuwon.
Depending on how interactions go, I imagine we’ll see a complete 180 in attitude and Dohoon going back into “interested boyfriend” until this obstacle is dealt with. Unfortunately the relationship is beyond saving at this point; nothing Yuwon has done so far has convinced or changed Dohoon.
The more he obsesses over the relationship, the less Dohoon will give. The only way out would be take some measure of control back (attempt an honest conversation, go apartment hunting, look for a new job since Seongmin’s gone, resist becoming a “decorative houseplant”).
But i feel like Yuwon is not in the right mindspace to do so, since he’s so convinced his relationship with Dohoon is the only thing that still makes him Yuwon.
I foresee either a breaking point, where Yuwon realizes he can’t see the exit anymore and tries to find it, Dohoon realizing Yuwon might die or the relationship just smothering out Yuwon until he is basically as good as dead.
Whao. Longass paragraph. All this to say the story is really really really good!!!!!! Love toxic relationships so much. Love it love it love it!!!!
The author’s paneling and slight thriller elements make the suspense and tension palpable.Very bleak and cynical mood. The only colour was when Yuwon was spending time with Seongmin…