It's sad how this plot has more potential than Jinx to be a toxic BL done right, but the story lacks cohesion. The MC delivers great lines in chapter 41, which could have made for a powerful confrontation scene, but it falls flat due to weak buildup. There's also something about the art that fails to convey emotions effectively. But this is not beyond saving, I hope the author/artist was able to improve.
I expected this to be good because of the high ratings, but it didn’t meet my expectations, so I stopped midway. It may still be a good fit for others.
I want the doctor and helmet guy to fall in love. Why tease us and not write it author-nim? T_T Also, did Juho (helmet guy) like Yi-rim romantically? It's unclear to me. He admired him a lot as they have a similar situation. And, as he said, he put him in a pedestal. Then, when he realized he's human, who has weaknesses, he wanted to help him. I didn't sense romantic vibes with him. Like Woojin (doctor), I also want Juho to share us his thoughts.
I hope the author writes a spin-off about Woojin and Juho, or grown-up Yiho like "Love is an Illusion! - Superstar."
u r soooo right!
I love how this artist's art has improved so much in "Haunted by Desire", but I'm not a fan of the thick lines (I'm not sure what to call them) in this one. I prefer the clean lines and style by the end of HBD.
I've seen the raws for this, and the story seems seriously good. It would gain more popularity if the translation was faster. I hope the translators are able to find help.
This ending is sending a very bad and harmful message. Please hear me out: recently, a Korean sexual crime via the Telegram app was exposed. It involved fathers and sons drugging, raping and/or sexually exploiting their wives, daughters, mothers, and sisters. Then, they upload their sexual photos and videos on Telegram.
There are literally chatrooms called “sister-room” “mother-room”, etc.
This horrifying case has prompted many Korean women to share their own stories on twitter about being molested or groped by their brothers while they are sleeping, with their parents often downplaying the abuse to maintain family peace and appearances. They were told to forgive their brothers.
Most of the twitter posts I've read are from students who are studying hard to escape their families by attending boarding school. I've read a few who has successfully left their homes. I didn't read a single account where the brother was punished by law.
I'm actually worried if the author is a woman who experienced the same thing and forgave her brother.
Also, I have read thousands of BL stories (according to mangago) and I've came across several where the MC or ML had a relationship with their teacher, home tutor, or school nurse where they were groomed. However, I have NEVER read one where the predator got exposed and punished. These are not the romanticized student-teacher ones. One example is the story of the character Hisashi from the anime/manga Tasogare Outfocus. The lack of pedophiles facing consequences in BL/fiction is truly worrisome.
I'm sorry for the long comment. I just think that while fiction and reality are often separate, sometimes reality is reflected in fiction and it's something worth thinking about.
Woah I never thought that before. I feel like this would make sense for some authors in BL stories :(
very important, and I love that you shared this
FR! Developed Country's sex crime is much more crazier than undevelop countries and their punishment is also very light.The one I saw SA punishment is only 7 yr! (╬￣皿￣)凸
I read BL with toxic themes, but I don't condone them in real life. I'm sure some authors feel the same way-it's separate.
However, there are certainly cases where an author's experiences or beliefs bleed into their work.
It's deeply alarming that I've never encountered a single story in Japanese manga, Korean manhwa, or even Chinese manhua, where pedophiles or groomers face any form of punishment. They always get away with it quietly and it was never exposed publicly.
There's actually more to that, but the comment will become too long. Men exchange those sexual videos and photos of their family in Telegram, and share the women's school or home addresses and other personal info. Then, the men (unrelated) blackmail the women so they are forced to have sex with them. It's sick.
Most of us separate fiction from reality, but they’re deeply connected and the lines can blur.
Yes! As someone from an underdeveloped country, I was shocked to learn how lenient the punishments are for rapists and sex offenders in developed countries, especially in Korea.
As someone who loves K-pop, it's disheartening to learn about the deep-seated misogyny women are subjected to in Korea.
So true!!
I checked out the novel until the end, and I liked it. The amnesia angst is good. No, the ML is NOT abusive. You would all like him. I hope this manhwa adaptation continues until the end, because I know some manhwa and manhuas that were abruptly cut, probably due to low sales. So, if you have disposable income, try checking out the novel, and if you like it, please support the manhwa.
If you like this, I recommend "To Me Who Doesn't Love You" manhwa. It's omegaverse, amnesia BL. I enjoyed that novel too.
Hello! Did the ML really hated MC before he lost his memories? Or was he just hiding that he liked him?
Spoiler
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
No, the ML didn't hate the MC. Yes, he was just hiding that he liked him. ML has a sad backstory.
tysmm savior
Where do you read the novel ?
Thank you! I almost dropped it because of all these "spoilers" going around but decided against it when I saw none of them had actually read the novel
What chapter should I start on if I want to pick up where the manhwa leaves off? Thanks for the link!
I checked to be sure and current manhwa chapter is chapter 47 in the novel.
Can u drop more spoilers? I'm not a novel person but I do enjoy spoilers
Thank youuu
Oh, I'm afraid I might turn off readers because I'm not great at giving spoilers and it might sound bad. But the story becomes more exciting when the ML remembers his past but forgets the memories from when he had amnesia. He wakes up learning that they have imprinted, which means he can only receive guidance from the MC and no one else. This is a liability for an esper for many reasons, but not for the guide. There are two ways to break the imprint: one is death, and the other is imprinting with a different esper. But not just any esper because ML is an S-class, exceptionally powerful esper. The MC will be afraid that the ML will kill him since he's back to his old self.
They will talk after ML wakes up and have a sad and angsty moment when they get their things and move out of their shared house. I love that part, especially the thing with the post-it note.
MC will go to meet an esper in Busan, and ML will follow. Their romance will develop, and more will happen from there. That's just one part of the story.
MC's thought process is so funny. I hope it comes through in the manhwa. His character is refreshing because he's not the typical damsel-in-distress uke/bottom. I’m sure people would love to have a boyfriend like the ML, who would give you his black card to spend however you like.
Thanks
Thanks that makes it worth to read the novel. We know in some manhwas they cut a lot from the novels.
Thank god
hello friend can u tell me in novel from which chapter the ml will regain his memory?!!
I actually don't remember so I checked back and it's chapter 79.
oh love thank you so much (づ￣ ³￣)づ
Thankyou so much for the info!!
So he has always liked the mc?
Sorry for the late reply. I only saw this now while I'm looking for one of my comments. Yes, he has always liked MC.
I checked out the novel, and I liked it a lot! Especially the retrograde amnesia, pregnancy drama. It's *chef's kiss*. I genuinely think this story is enjoyable. I know that some manhwas get abruptly cut or rushed due to low sales, so I hope you can check out the novel. If you like it and have disposable income, please support the manhwa.
If you like amnesia stories, I also recommend "Senza Replica", a guideverse BL.
I'm just gonna bookmark ur comment
Is there mpreg?
do you wanna spoil this for me
Sorry for the late reply! Yes, MC will get pregnant.
Sorry for the late reply! Basically, they get closer while the MC still has amnesia, and he ends up getting pregnant. Then he regains his memories, but not the period when he had amnesia. As a result, he becomes cold toward the ML again, and they have an agreement/contract that he will give the child to the ML after he delivers. But they will live together until then, and of course, love finds a way, hehe. I love how the MC gets jealous of his past self (the one with amnesia), and how he won't be able to tolerate any food unless it is made by his husband (ML), etc.
You can check out the novel here:
https://readhive.org/series/71213/#releases
That blue matches his skin tone well. He looks very dapper in that outfit and watch. This author should hold a workshop on how it's totally possible to write healthy BLs with realistic problems or conflicts, like being a single dad with a child in a conservative countryside (and country). And how to make it sexy but still classy.
I wish there were more BLs like this for young readers, rather than the abusive ones where the characters sleep around, cheat, or abuse and disrespect each other. Youth are impressionable and might think such behavior is normal. Unfortunately, good stories like this are rare. Kudos to author-nim.
Yachiyo is better than most people think. Kiyoto is NO saint. And Touji needs character development. Please let me explain:
In terms of writing, both Touji and Yachiyo have the same storyline. They were carrying torches for each other and didn’t fully love their partners (Kiyoto and Satsuki, the wife) but remained in relationships with them. It was their partners who ended the relationships.
Kiyoto and Satsuki also have the same storyline. They both know that their partners love someone else, but they still decided to date them. They started out not expecting much, but they truly fell in love and realized they wanted to be loved in return. They know that their partners are in love with others and can't love them back so they broke up with them.
Chapter 3 explained the pov of Satsuki and Kiyoto:
Satsuki said she ended up proposing to Yachiyo because she didn't care if he loved her back. She also said that Yachiyo made an earnest effort to accept her feelings. Then she realized that she truly wanted to be loved. And because Yachiyo couldn't love her, she divorced him.
Satsuki: "I was wrong about what I truly wanted. Love, more than anything else."
Kiyoto told his uncle that he is proud and selfish, and wanted to be loved in return.
Kiyoto: "All I can do is patiently wait for the tide to change. I know that. That used to be enough. But I'm starting to realize that I want it all."
When he asked Touji on the train if he wanted to reunite with Yachiyo, Touji said no, but you can see how Kiyoto was reminded of a memory when Touji was sleeping. While it is not shown, it is implied that Touji called out Yachiyo's name at that time, which means that he lied about not wanting to reunite. And Kiyoto knows that so he broke up with him.
We can say that the four of them used each other in a way. They all played with fire, and each of them got burned.
KIYOTO
Kiyoto seems like a good boyfriend, and he did the right thing by letting Touji go, but he is no saint, and what happened to him is a consequence of his actions.
He was sober, while Touji was drunk, disoriented and heartbroken. If he really is a good person, he would not have sex with him, even if Touji asked him first. And he wouldn't have offered to date knowing that Touji was still hurting and confused about his sexuality and feelings. Yes, he did ask for consent but from a brokenhearted drunk person.
I agree with @Tiredrandom's comment, this seems to be glossed over by most people here:
"He saved Touji from getting taken advantage by another guy but he himself ends up kinda taking advantage of him in the end. I mean he even kept fingering Touji even though he was drunk and had fallen to sleep ... That's icky for me."
TOUJI
Touji wanted to remain in a relationship with Kiyoto. Just like in high school, he wanted to maintain the status quo and stay friends with Yachiyo after rejecting him. Thankfully, Kiyoto made the choice for him and broke up with him.
Touji has always been less introspective and slow when it comes to his own emotions. He's always running away (he literally ran into the bathroom and hid) from difficult topics instead of facing them. He wanted things to stay the same and comfortable. Because of this, he comes off as insensitive and ended up hurting both Yachiyo (in hs) and Kiyoto. And he hasn't changed much.
YACHIYO
Yachiyo said he reconnected with Touji NOT expecting to be loved back. That is the opposite of what Kiyoto and Satsuki did. Satsuki divorced Yachiyo, and Kiyoto broke up with Touji because they wanted to be loved in return.
I admire him for being brave enough to confess in high school. Distancing himself was a logical and valid coping mechanism.
Yachiyo: "And since I couldn't hate you, my only choice is to keep my distance."
It must have taken more courage to reconnect with Touji as adults because he knew he already had a boyfriend and he might get hurt again seeing them together, just as he was hurt seeingTouji with his girlfriends in high school. Despite all that, he still wanted to stay by his side as a friend. That's how much he loves Touji.
It's difficult to like Touji as a character. He was easily swayed by Kiyoto, had sex with him, and then agreed to date quickly. He just goes with the flow. And now he's being indecisive about pursuing a relationship with Yachiyo after confessing that he loves him (which will, of course, give Yachiyo hope).
On the other hand, it's good that they are starting over and taking it slow. A lot of time has passed, so they need to get to know each other again.
I admire Yachiyo for being courageous and loving unconditionally. I hope more people will see his good qualities the way I do. He deserves someone who will also be brave enough to love him without expecting anything in return. That's why I wish this were longer, so we could see how Touji will have that character development.
Overall, this manga has a great premise and artwork, and it had the potential to be a masterpiece, but it didn't live up to it. There are more chapters focused on the MC and his ex-boyfriend than on the ML (excluding the past timeline), which is why many readers ended up sympathizing with the ex. Yachiyo and Touji need more romantic development in the present timeline.
The title is "We Won't Call It Love" but it's clear that the two MCs are mutually and genuinely in love, and the chances of that is rare. It's not about labels, but about deciding to commit and be responsible with that love, especially since life is short. So the ending left me a bit disappointed.
Sorry this became too long, and thank you so much for reading this comment until the end.
I love this analysis, it's very well written and I heavily agree on the last part! It should've been longer, I wanted to see Touji change too. I wanted to see how different he'd be with Yachiyo than with Kiyoto, now that he's with somebody he loved deeply.
While I do agree the ending is a bit disappointing, I still personally enjoyed it because it made me think. Made me stop and ponder about the character's actions, how it made sense for them and how would I react if I was in their shoes. So much depth here despite it being only 5-ish chapters.
I found that process wonderful, but again, I agree, it should've been longer. Another volume would've been wonderful.
Also the part where you pointed where he said Yachiyo's name in his sleep was eye-opening, I didn't even catch that.
I saw a reply but it disappeared. Thank you for reading and if you see this, I hope I can read your reply again. T_T
I loved your analysis
I LOVE YOUR ANALYSIS SM. everyone keeps hating the story cuz touji and yachiyo ended up together not knowing that yachiyo was a really genuine good guy
Thanks for the analysis!! You pointed so so well about the characters !!!
And you are right, Kiyoto and Satsuki narrative are parallells to each other. They both wanted their partners to dedicate their love to 100% but since they couldn't they let them go.
And wow, your insight abt the sleeping scene of Touji makes absolute sense! It felt out of place before when i was reading but totally makes sense that Kiyoto got him lying because he slipped out Yachiyo's name before in another occasion!
I think it was last year that this story was finished? After this one, the author started working on Gerende Magic 101-gou and just finished it as well. It was announced i think while the author was working on gerende magic that there would be a continuation of this manga and now that gerende is over, i think we will see Yachiyo and Touji romantic development.
Thank you. I appreciate your comment a lot because I wrote this over a long period of time, primarily out of frustration with people not recognizing Kiyoto's bad side and Yachiyo's good side. (T_T)
Someone mentioned that there would be a continuation, so I hope the author really develops Touji's character well and the romance between him and Yachiyo. I look forward to seeing how they will finally define it as "love."
This story has so much potential, and I really hope the author lives up to that potential in their writing.
Thank you very much.
Exactly! Most people turn a blind eye to the fact that their relationship started because Kiyoto took advantage of vulnerable Touji. He literally fingered him while he was passed out drunk.
Yachiyo came back and just wanted to be in his life as a friend or acquaintance, and respected his boundaries, not taking advantage of his weak state. He's a good boy, but the mangaka made him look like a toxic, vengeful seme in chapter 1, lol.
Thank you very much! Your comment is like a lone beacon of light in this sea where everyone thinks Kiyoto is perfect, lol. I was so glad to see how you explained what’s wrong with him so simply and precisely.
I’m happy to know there will be a continuation. I hope the author writes the romance between Touji and Yachiyo better this time. And no more Kiyoto chapters—please focus on your ML sensei.
You analysis was a beacon of light too!!
And it was such thoughtful input! Don't be shy to make long essays lol They are a delight to read!
I do hope they expand more on developing those two, i feel that this story should started since the beginning with two volumes instead of just one so the author could have paced out better instead of another sequel being greenlit after the story ended lol
But it's standard that japanese bl mangas only have one volumes, so they try to squeeze everything in just one volume ... and it shows :T
i disagree with your comments on kiyoto lmaooo. yes he came onto touji while he wasnt completely sober but touji is not completly innocent. They actually had sex after touji fully sobered up and consented (despite the fingering part rahhh), and even while they were doing it touji admitted (to himself) that it didnt even have to be kiyoto, he wouldve slept with anyone as long as it felt good and he felt bad he got kiyoto wrapped up in his problems. And later when they were both sober and awake, they mutally agreed to try and start a romantic relationship. kiyoto was a good boyfriend to touji and probably the most emotionally intelligent character in the story with his resolve and selflessness. honestly i think its a real shame they werent endgame
I never said Touji is completely innocent. As I've mentioned above, he was difficult to like as a character due to his wishy-washy nature.
What I meant is that, although Touji consented, he was still very vulnerable, and confused about his sexual and romantic orientation at that time. A decent person would have rejected his advances and advised him against sleeping with another man for the first time in that state.
Kiyoto actually did advise him exactly that, at first, but then he wasn’t able to follow through with his own advice, and ended up having sex with him. And he took it up a notch and even asked him to date, despite knowing Touji is in a vulnerable state and still has feelings for someone else.
Yes, he seems like a good boyfriend during their relationship, but that doesn't erase the fact that he took advantage of Touji in his weak state. He is flawed and not perfect, as most seem to think. All of the characters are flawed, which makes them compelling, but most people seem to be blind to Kiyoto's faults, as compared to the other characters.
I respect your opinion though. And I could be wrong too in interpreting the author's work.
Yes he was a good boyfriend but fingering someone unconscious is still rape man ... Glossing it over doesn't change ... that is rape.
And having sex with someone visible confused and vulnerable does not help lessen the ickness of the situatution ....
Sorry for the dislike I tapped by mistake ╥﹏╥. I really loved your the you packed and concluded the story. I was also thinking the same. totally agree with you.
Really there's a continuation? Looking for the author's socials but the only available is instagram
It was announced an awhile ago, but it didn't start right away, sensei was busy with her other manga.
Found an announcement of the cont with their publisher, back in september. It seems it has started being released but i can't find the chapters to buy it on cmoa or more information abt it T-T Gotta wait when they release it as a standard alone volume.
https://x.com/iHZ_BL/status/1835997744840003913/
I searched also and found out in anilist it was titled Onajide wa Irarenai kara. Yaas as always i'll be patiently waiting to upload in here also
I REALLY AGREE WITH U AND TYSM FOR THIS !
wow! I love this analysis, couldn't have written it better myself! I agree with you
hmm I think you might be a bit biased. I like Kiyoto a lot (way more than I like Touji) but he is definitely flawed. I didn't think he should have been the end game precisely because something just felt off about their relationship. And hmm I don't see him as the most emotionally intelligent of the characters. He's not selfless as well, infact because I really resonate with him I can say that his decision to let go of Touji is self preservation too. He is definitely very mature and self aware though, unlike Touji who is really wishy washy and ignorant about his own feelings. Kiyoto is self aware enough to know that Touji's "love" isn't enough, he wants more, he wants all of it. But that isn't possible because Touji has feelings for his friend. So he broke up (which was an excellent decision on his part, I love that about him) with Touji.
Anyways I am glad they weren't endgame because even though I enjoyed Kiyoto's design and character overall, the way that relationship began just didn't sit well with me, it's a shame that they had that as their first interaction, because no matter how wonderful he was a bf, that is something that will make me judge a relationship a lot.
Yess, something along the lines of We can't stay the same. So this sequel should focus more of then getting out of the friends that love each but are still just friends status lol
The releases are bi-montly it seems. The first was on september, november got the second chapter and the third will be on january! So if they also get 5 chapters like the first, it will finish around may.
On the publishers magazine twitter they just posted an illustration of Touji and Yachiyo that will come along the 3 chapter i guess, probably them on the new years or post new years :>