(=・ω・=)
This most recent chapter is perhaps one of the most shallow, borderline ooc feeling, explanations when it comes to Taejoon. Maybe I could see an argument made about how this is him at the very end of his rope in terms of his desparation for Ian, so he's attempting to do loterally everything, throwing whatever he has left at the wall to see what might stick, but that whole use of the bathroom argument, as a story telling device, felt kind of clunky and heavy handed.
It almost felt like an excuse to try and make some artificially heavy scene with the right combination of words, because while they're having this argument, hearts on their sleeves, I couldn't admit I was feeling much of anything for either of them. And I love a long term poisonous relationship that is kept out of being familiar and comfortable, but Taejoon's and Ian's example is just kind of lacklustre.
And maybe there's something lost in translation as there's always some kind of social context missing from translating text across any and all languages, but this seems a bit much.
(⊙…⊙ )
Ok so up until now I'd assumed that Derrick had something on Bruno and that's how he's been able to get him to do all his bidding, but now we're here and there's literally no good reason for Bruno to be doing any of this. The spying on Luke and Andrew, the locking Luke in the room, the clinging to Derrick for dear life. Derrick has a poor reputation already and he hardly even has his foot in the industry door. If the reason Bruno keeps trying to vie for Derrick's good graces is to have an in to the scene.... what has made him think anyone would actually give Derrick the time of day? I get the rich parent connection nepotism thing but they also don't have him doing anything big.
I say time has a play into this. 4 years, he spent 4 years following after Derrick.There's utter devastation he does not want to experience. So Bruno is running away from the reality of having wasted time. Each time he's put in the position that lessens his chance of getting in he get anxious. He's aware the platform he's on isn't sturdy. Derrick's words aren't sturdy. So he's keep reminding Derrick. Time is running out. Derrick is aware and he holds that to him. He weaponizes it against Bruno because he feeds on it. To make him feel better. It's the inferiority complex he has. All he has is his parents name.
Their name is entry to abuse.
From how they're making it out to be the film/entertainment industry is tough to crack into.
So the immoral things Bruno is doing is because out of hope that it was worth something. That all he has done is worth something. He's desperate— for what explicit reason, I have no idea.
Hope Bruno doesn't continue though. Derrick hasn't given him anything concrete.
This is definitely an angle I didn't consider and gives Bruno a little more depth, but honestly like you say, Bruno is giving everything- which now potentially compromises his safety after Andrews threats. And getting nothing in return. He's making huge bets with nothing to back himself up. (Which I think mainly just makes this conflict a little juvenile to me, I wish there was something a little meatier cos I've come to enjoy the writing of Andrew and Luke's relationship). Even if Derrick has promised him something the dialogue he has with himself hardly seems like he even believes anything would be worth it. He's terrified of being found out and, as far as we know, there's no safety net for him if that ends up happening. He's a lap dog at best and not much of a compelling case as one, which is a little unfortunate cos I'm honestly all for a case of pathetically clinging to something that was never there, narratively speaking.
Maybe we'll find out on the coming chapters and it'll pay off nicely, but so far it's the only thing I'm kind of let down by.
To get the good things out of the way I enjoy the, loosely, period appropriate language used by everyone, feels far more like a period piece than most historical manhwa I've read. The art is also quite enjoyable.
The story itself... leaves much to be desired. It seems to be going for your somewhat standard guard x lord trope but misses, in my opinion, a lot of the intricacies that make that trope so enticing to read. (This could be an attempt at subversion that I just don't enjoy.)
As a reader I can't help but feel, suddenly, a little rushed by the pacing; like a lot is going on but not quite grounded.
Obviously, with it being so early on in the series, I can't fault it for not sharing all details that are yet to be revealed. But I do personally feel, I have not been given enough time with our leads to care or root for either Muyeon or Baeksa. Which is a little sad to say, seeing as they're basically the only characters the chapters have been focused on thus far.
I would say it’s more going for mortal human (Muyeon) x immortal being (Baeksa).
Each one have some hardships to overcome but slowly they will see that the only solution is work together,
I could see how that might be compelling but I stand by the guard x lord.
Mainly because that's how they are both treating their relationship. Baeksa is quick to dismiss a human servant, putting responsibilities and desires of his own and of an imoogi before anything else, and Muyeon; the guilt riddled but selfish guard who cannot decide between duty and self-interest.
The only reason why Muyeon is guarding Baeksa is 'cause of his ties to Baeksa's ascension.
Baeksa isn't a lord, either. He's more akin to a lesser god since he's supposed to be an immortal dragon. He doesn't have human status so he gets what he wants via deadly force that humans cannot combat against.
The plot is good enough if you don't try to compare it to the 50,000 other period pieces that center around a lord and his lesser.
Hope that helps.
In their social, human, context Baeksa is a lord though. Even with the rumours and stories that follow him he is treated as such.
Without comparison it's still boring, which is fine for anyone to think, just as it is fine for anyone to enjoy it. Just in case you needed clarification.
The mc is just kind of annoying so far. If I could word it susinctly she needs to get over herself. She's not an awful person by any means, I know there's far worse out there, but getting pissy cos a convenience store worker is a little stilted and awkward are hardly traits of a likeable character. Especially when she talks about how the kindness of her old teacher had influenced her.
Not only that, but her story is this man's life lol. Agree with you completely
I enjoy the fluffy more romantic side of BL and think, conceptually, this manga is cute. Has a lot of those butterfly moments, like when Keito takes Aoi by the face and pulls him close to read his lips. But a lot of their problems they run too are such non issues. I know romance writers love utilising lack of or poor communication to be the conflict in their stories (and maybe that should've tempered my expectations), but it feels like Keito and Aoi essentially run into the same core issue over and over again. Realistically could I understand that what they're going through is both of them experiencing sharing their lives with someone they love for the first time? Yes. I am, personally, just a little tired of the problems being so easily fixed because romance characters love to assume on their own. I also think Keito's exciteable nature and earnest love for JSL has made me very endeared to him.