I like the coach and totally agree with his point, that JJK is too fixated on only one thing so it's easy for his world to collapse when that one thing goes wrong. I think my only qualm is that his relationship with Kim Dan doesn't seem very...caring?
I just have a hard time seeing JJK having more than shallow romantic feelings for Kim Dan because up until this point, he hasn't really treated Kim Dan well. Like if you genuinely care for someone, it should show in your actions first, like a subconscious thing. Here, JJK doesn't seem to have any interest in Kim Dan unless its related to how KD can service JJK. Like all the help he has provided Kim Dan has been connected with how Kim Dan can work better as his 'therapist'.
He's shown no interest in getting to know Kim Dan better as a person, or in spending quality time together. All things I feel like someone with a genuine interest in another would do. Before, when their relationship was more transactional, sure. But im just hardpressed to say it even comes close to romance. I'd be even more hardpressed to say that it comes close to JJK's MMA. It feels more like KD is his fallback. That now his champion title is gone and his physique needs time to recover, he's lost his usual fixations so now its fallen to KD next in line.
I'm hoping that this isnt how their relationship is actually going to play out, but I reread BJ Alex recently and its kind of similar. MC finally grows some balls and pulls back, ML gets upset and realizes his past trauma is affecting his romantic interests, suddenly theyre together when the ML knows jack about the MC. Except the ML in that story wasnt as much of a dick at first so its like falling from a lower place.
After rereading it, I've formed a new opinion about the jinx. I saw a lot of readers have been disappointed in the jinx because its so much more simple than we expected.
But after rereading it from JJK's POV, that might be the point. Jinx is the starting point of the story and the word itself implies something supernatural, but JJK's jinx here is as simple as someone getting a full night of sleep before an exam. But i think the simplicity combined with JJK's obsessive adherence to it is the point.
Because of his difficult past and inherently prideful nature, he has a very deep emotional dependence on success and he'll cling to anything that will boost his chances. His whole routine of cologne, milk and sex are technically all part of his 'jinx'. He clings to this idea of a jinx bc it brings him comfort that he'll succeed the next competiton.
In many ways, this is very in-character with JJK, to obsess over even the little simple details. Yes we as readers expected more, but I think it adds to JJK's character how manic he can get into the little things as long as it contributes to his performance. He jumps very quickly to the idea of a jinx. I wasn't a big fan of the origin story at first but after rereading it, I do think it adds layers to JJK's character. He's not just obsessive and OCD about his routines but he's desperate to find his footing.
Calling it a jinx just wasnt technically correct. A jinx means causation between A to B but it also implies that there's no clear explanation why. Just something almost supernatural or pure luck between A and B. For example, some performers wear certain color underwear for their performances. No rationale reason, but they see a pattern between A and B.
Here, there's a clear reason why between A to B. Jaekyung wins his matches after sex because a person often performs better when they're less stressed. It's like doing better on an exam after a good night's rest. I'd be hard pressed to call sleeping well a jinx to success.
I had guessed this in a previous post and some ppl were disappointed by the idea. I think it's because we expected more from this 'jinx' since it started everything. But I can see why JJK calls it a jinx also. Performers and competitors can be superstitious when it comes to their pre-show/match rituals to boost success and they find comfort in routines. To someone as hellbent on being successful as JJK, I can see why he's come to call sex a jinx. His character seems to find comfort in a strict, repetitive routine, i.e. working out, drinking milk, sobriety, wearing cologne, etc.
Just wanted to say that if you like Backlight and want something similar-ish and well written to read in the meantime, I highly suggest "Good Day to Go Crazy" by Yusa.
Its completed and awesome and hot af. Kinda awol celebrity ML, rational MC, angsty but also funny. MC ends up taking care of ML. The author also clearly thought out the plot and details ahead of time and the story brings this full circle. YOU'RE WELCOME
Does anyone know if theres an english translation of Ring of Poison(by Yusa)? Yusa is one of my favorite manhwa writers/artist and theres up to 40 chapters in korean done. I want to read it so bad but I cant find an english version anywhere.
THis chapter with Yeongwoon and Taegu was so cute and precious ngl(except the part where he hinted his feelings later go further than sympathy. A little ironic given that he just saved YW from a pedo but perhaps thats why he's held himself back all these yrs and i can respect that at least).
It does seem sad that a lot of this started(not the shitty parents or the bullying) with Seo-In's lie, since it seems to be the basis of their weak relationship when they were kids. But i guess its also in-line with Seo-In's character though, that he cant express what he truly wants and is self-destructive.
Every chapter is like a game of Where's Waldo, except I'm trying to guess what Ian is gonna sniff next. This time, its definitely that jersey but specifically, the left sleeve where Eunsan wiped his sweat.
My current guess is that he might've gotten rly bad nerves or been really distressed before a match and decided to use sex as an outlet. Because of it the sexual release, it likely lessened his tension and made him more prone to winning.
This is just my guess since athletes are known to be superstitious, JJK is particularly fastidious and tunnel-visioned on being successful, and it doesnt seem like the jinx is based on anything traumatizing.
That panel of Yeongwoon forcing a smile literally made me so sad, wtf.
I thought this take on loan sharks was interesting though. We see pretty often that they're heartless but here the discussion about empathy was pretty unique. I know Taegu probably helped YW at some point but i still dislike the fact that he prostitutes out his actors.
I actually do quite like the backstory because it kinda flushes out JJK's character more. I think we readers are mistaking the backstory as an attempt by the writer to redeem JJK, as if his tragic history is to justify him. But I don't think that was the intention. The back story is here more to illustrate JJK's personality and sometimes even foil Kim Dan. They've both grown up in poverty, had to work hard to make ends meet, and have lost their family. It's interesting to see how even as a kid, he is very much the type to stubbornly bulldoze ahead rather than find shortcuts, and is surprisingly loyal and determined to the things he sets his mind on.
This also kinda shows why he and Kim Dan are still quite incompatible. JJK is very much the type to stubbornly face his problems head on and because of that, he is unable to sympathize with those that are more the avoidant-type. He seems to look down on those that can't handle their own issues, like Kim Dan. While this isn't kind, it does make sense from a narrative standpoint because it took a lot of tenacity and hardwork for JJK to get to where he is now.
Kim Dan on the other hand, retained his humanity and kindness, but quite frankly he does not handle his own problems very well nor is he very independent. So in that way, they would benefit from tempering one another.
While I do think JJK is still a red flag, I wouldn't say he's unforgivable. Their relationship was largely transactional, and Kim Dan could have opted out just as easily as JJK could have refused to help any further. JJK's biggest flaw is that he has a tendency to take out his aggression on KD, both in the bed and outside, in a way that exceeds what's acceptable between transactional partners. Its a sucky trait to have in a person, but not something that he can't fix.
Reading between the lines a bit, but I think the adjushi DOES hold some romantic interest for Yeongwoon, but he's holding back and contenting himself with more of a caretaker role. This is based on that earlier chapter where Yeongwoon asked why he never dates and theres a heavy pause. Then this last chapter, where we see the ahjushi clearly holds some affection but feels guilty for his role in what happened to Yeongwoon. He's never made a move since but has been looking out for Yeongwoon's well-being.
So yeah, I'd guess he won't turn out to be a full blown second male lead but present enough to upset Seo-In.
So there's two possibilities:
1. The S-Lines only exist for ppl he's "gone all the way" with. So ppl he's just engaged in bdsm with may not count.
2. The orgies are always with the same general group of ppl. It would make sense from a celebrity's POV. It's much safer for their reputation if its confined to the ppl you know and can maintain some sort of secrecy and leverage over.
I have so much to say:
1. Seo-In was a cold mofo this chapter. pretty,.....but cold.
2. I just realized something. I think it was mentioned that Hae Yool kind of resembles Seo-In and/or his brother. And they've hooked up before. omg.
3. I actually kinda feel bad Hae-Yool. The dude is literally prostituting himself. He really hasn't done anything bad enough to warrant this kind of treatment. I will say though, my only qualm about Seo-In is that he doesn't rly seem to have to work hard for anything. Nor does he have any ambition or interests of his own. Don't get me wrong, he's got personality and its compelling. But he just seems to roll up to these photo shoots and then dip out for raunchy orgies after.
4. Hae Yool's comment that Seo-In didnt deserve Yeongwoon was kinda fire. I think i just like that others are standing up for our cute MC.
5. Also, that S-Line thing was kinda funny. But also, YEONGWOON? HE HAD PREVIOUS PARTNERS? I can't tell if i'd be more surprised if theyre just casual or romantic. But also he does seem stable and mature enough to have been in relationships so.
6. Lol. "1."
I don't recall the ML being that bad. Like other than the tutoring ruse and maybe being a bit pushy but other than that I don't recall him being a major red flag. I don't rly think the tutoring thing is that bad either, like, he can throw his cash away however he wants.
Is there something I missed or is it more the MC having a complex about their wealth gap?
I wonder if another potential reason for the backstory is to show the duality of JJK and Kim Dan. IK some think its some sort of excuse for JJK's behavior, and while it does explain how anal he can be about success, it doesn't excuse his actions. But maybe the author included it to show two different approaches to financial poverty.
Like with JJK, his aggression and drive got him out of a difficult situation, but he lost some of his humanity along the way. Kim Dan stayed a kind sensitive soul, but struggled to maintain emotional boundaries and garner finances.
This is probs me just reading too much into it, but its an interesting way to look at how these two approached their financial circumstances. In a way, they both had to 'sell' themselves. JJK to physicial violence, and Kim Dan to sexual aggression.
It's well-accepted in the bl-universe that a tragic backstory should never justify or excuse a ML's poor treatment/behavior towards the MC. At some point, we all become adults, have to own up to our sh*t, and can no longer use the excuse 'but my parents sucked'. That's why at the end of the day, JJK doesn't get a pass for his poor treatment of KD. Don't get me wrong, I don't think JJK needed to treat KD like royalty, or with affection, or even very much care. At the end of the day, JJK wanted a transactional relationship(prior to his match). His biggest flaw was acting abusive and taking his aggression out on Kim Dan when it was uncalled for, and treating him like a tool rather than a professional partner.
With that said, I still do enjoy this backstory because it adds layers to JJK's character. We see that he's a self-made man, and someone with a determined drive since birth. We see another reason why he moved KD out of that dangerous apartment so quickly, and why he's fond of old ppl. We also see why he's so determined to train and win. For him, fighting was both an escape and his lifeline, his key to escaping the hellhole he was born in. The backstory illustrates a bit why he is the way he is. It doesnt, isnt supposed to, nor should it justify his treatment of Kim Dan. It only explains why, but reasons and justification do not always go hand in hand.
So the current status of the MC's is this: JJK needs to learn self-worth outside of winning matches(note the nightmare he had), and to carry more respect and self control towards others. Kim Dan has abandonment issues, and needs to learn to accept loss and change(bye grammy).
Started this bc I was interested by the premise and thought it was going to be three ppl trying to navigate a complicated/confusing dynamic. It's a cute story, but sadly I'm gonna be dropping. It's three guys pining for a girl that clearly has her own sh*t going on. To me, she really didn't align with any of them except jun pyo, but that's barely. Sami has too much internal turmoil rn to handle anything remotely romantic while the other three are falling head over heels literally any time she actually falls(which, btw, is absurdly often. Like every three chapters she needs to get caught.)
It's been almost 60 chapters and Sami hasn't undergone any character growth. Yes, she seems tough, independent, and cool. But the whole point of her inner turmoil is that she realizes her 'independence' is only surface lvl, and she's trying to be less self-centered like she was before. I'd honestly rather watch Sami reconnect with her old friends and family bc we can see she did so out of guilt, not bc she hated them.
And someone, anyone, please get her reacquainted with gravity.
There's a lot of discourse on Andrew recently so I wanted to add my 2 cents.
Based on my reading, Andrew's current 'possessiveness' is really not that bad. Rather than being excessive, unreasonable, or overbearing(which we see often in webtoons lately), it seems like Andrew is just extremely enthusiastic that he finally has someone he loves and trusts in his corner. As a result of his enthusiasm for Luke AND his lack of prior proper/positIve social experiences, Andrew is essentially a little socially stunted and is struggling to understand the boundaries and navigation of his relationship with Luke.
I'd argue that once he develops better social connections with others and feels more settled in his relationship with Luke, the 'overbearingness' would dim down. His clinginess now is just him not knowing how to handle the enthusiasm for this new dynamic with Luke.
The whole thing with the scissors and malcom, my guess is that the author put that in to highlight Andrew's awkwardness and how easy that can be misunderstood. Essentially, others like Malcom see his almost stand off-ish and clingy behavior and easily misinterpret it. Thus, Malcolm's initial reaction is something negative about the scissor incident. But rly, it's just Andrew being awkward/love-drunk, and easily misunderstood. This is in stark contrast with Luke, whose sociability makes him beloved and trusted by others.