They have a similar premises but the vibe and focus are quite different. Dash feels less romantically focused and a little more plot. The narrative focuses a lot more on exploring the swimming itself, the competitions, and the commercialization of athletes. The relationship is definitely still there and developing, but the time spent on it is on par with the plot itself. I'd say there's trouble brewing with Kavva.
Do yourself a favor and find the novel bec it’s soooooooo good.
Based on Seo-In's problematic behavior in the past and in the present, my guess is that HE actually kissed Jaewon/brother. He likely gets jealous of the gangster hyung in the past and did it to trigger MC. We see that he's clearly upset that the MC isn't obsessed with him + even in the present he'll flash his sexual relations in front of Yeongwoon to get a reaction. (lowkey toxic)
In the past, this triggers Yeongwoon to pull away for long enough until Seo-In has to leave for a few months for work. My guess is that during that time is when Jaewon started bullying Yeongwoon and that's when we see him with all those bruises and his dad getting paid off. The goal was probably to isolate the ML when he returns. The mom likely paid off the dad so they won't sue Jaewon. The dad probably had a really bad reaction and ultimately Yeongwoon decided to take this 'settlement money' and run away, probably feeling more justified bc it was for getting beaten up.
Like this
MAYBE Seo-In did kiss the brother, to make the MC jealous. Honestly, he's just a little unhinged enough and petty enough. I'm realizing that now with the recent chapters.
I'm honestly embarrassed by how much I care about this story
no literally cuz i been running the moment i see the update notification
They're both a little off their rockers. They're both emotionally clingy and dependent on their transactional relationship. it's not truly romantic on either side. Well aite then.
YALL idc if its the brother or the gangster, ILL FIGHT ANYONE THAT COMES IN BETWEEN THEM.
Wooju, why are you going to someone you keep a professional life with and has been problematic since before.
And Jiheon, wtf. I don't think he was actually there, but why tf are you willing to risk his health.
The ML isnt denying relationships or labels or his feelings. He clearly recognizes them(noting how attached they are), how much he cares for Kyuho, and how these things usually evolve into dating(thats why he finally brought it up in this last chapter). But note the passing bus comment.
His overriding concern is that if they ever break up, their relationship will sour until they're completely cut off from one another. At this point, he'd rather stay platonic than potentially lose Kyuho. BUT what the ML is completely overlooking, is that he could lose Kyuho anyways as friends. Even platonic relationships could go bad, and someone else could come along and become a much bigger part of Kyuho's life.
he does actually not really believe in love or relationships! it gets touched on in a chapter that hasn’t been translated yet, so i won’t elaborate, but he’s genuinely pretty uninterested in the idea of love even if he recognises that things like how they interact are often linked to dating. but yeah, his main concern really is just his prioritising their platonic relationship over the idea of a romantic one!! it really is that like… to him, kyuho being His Person (platonic intended) is the most important thing above all else and that approaching their relationship from any other angle would rock the boat and potentially shatter that, without realising that by drawing this line without looking into it or his feelings any further he’s putting their platonic relationship at further risk. well-put post!
Agreed
"My parents gave me everything I expressed I like so now......" what? It's not like he couldn't express his interest in previous people he dated, because of some trauma. He straight up didn't like them much. That whole back story with his parents did not connect to his dating life like...at all.
Ik, JJK has done some really crappy things in season 1, but im okay with this version of him. He has a rough edge, but no one else is coming around to take care of Kim Dan ok. But lowkey, im real tired of Kim Dan's alcoholism. Like bro, your doctor says you have an issue and you're literally walking into the ocean regularly. As a medical professional and our MC, please at least put some effort into getting your life together.
The sex at this point, feels so inconsequential. Like the author throws it in there, ignores the problems that arise from it, and moves on.
bruh, kim dan was literally human trafficked and forced into sex by his employer (which is the second time this has happened to him), where he couldnt quit because of his DYING GRANDMOTHER. Let him have his problem, its literally not even jjk business at all.
I think if we throw jjk into the sun, thenkim dan will have a much more stable mental state without evil mma man around
I definitely think that when they get into it, JJK's aggression crosses a certain line that transactional relationships can't justify. But on the other hand, I wouldn't go as far as trafficked just because the MC did agree to a transactional relationship for a financial benefit. It sounds harsh but Kim Dan needed a certain lvl of aid that no one else could/or was willing to provide. JJK's problem is that he takes it too far by being aggressive and disrespectful, which is not okay even if its transactional. Even still, Kim Dan did not have to work for JJK, it was a choice he took to settle debts that weren't brought on by the ML.
His grandma is lowkey thriving for her age. Yes she's old, but she's at peace and happy where she is. My point was that his grandma is doing as well as someone her age can be, but Kim Dan needs to at least start moving in the right direction, which is accepting that other ppl can't be permanent figures in your life. I think the whole point in the first part of this season is that throwing jjk into a dumpster wouldn't solve Kim Dan's problems. If they never met, his self-esteem definitely would've been better for sure without all that verbal abuse he went through at the end of season 1, but he'd be buried deep in debt with loan sharks physically coming after him and potentially his grammy. Plus, his abandonment issues were still a thing. If JJK never found him in season 2, Kim Dan quite frankly would've been long gone in the ocean.
All in all, while the romance sucks and the characters arent particularly likeable, I think the author bringing some unique dimension to her fictional characters.