i feel like this one could have used a second volume for the buildup of their relationship before they got together…. the pacing is a little spotty because of everything being crammed into one. i do love the way they’re able to heal together but i feel like things just progressed either too quickly or in a way that didn’t really feel like it fit together? like i feel like we didn’t really get enough information on what drew rio to ikeda, especially because he went from saying he’s not interested in dating (due to his attachment trauma) to actively pursuing ikeda in what is clearly a romantic sort of way At The Same Time during this until ikeda crosses the gap and we aren’t really given a reason for why he’s seeking him out so heavily……. ofc there’s the underlying idea of “he wants to find someone to cling to who will stay there with him,” but his expressed interest in ikeda (to the point of visiting his cafe in the early mornings when he’s a night owl & inviting him on dates) seems too… aware? mindful? to be swept away under the idea of a subconscious desperation, esp in combination with his self-stated lack of interest.
that said i still really liked this one although i might be a little influenced by the art because i loooooove the art style. the artist has a fantastic knack for conveying expressions and emotions so even if the plot could have used a little more time in the oven that’s okay. i liked the concepts a lot & i loved the art so i am content to fill in the gaps myself
(also i shant lie at first i thought this was going to have a plot twist reveal that rio’s brother was ikeda’s sasaki because of how ikeda compared the two at first & they do have similar colouration + the brother and sasaki both smoke. i was bracing myself for the possibility of it and i’m relieved it didn’t end up being the case LOL)
I thought it was heavily implied that Sasaki was Rio’s brother to the point I read half of the story pretty convinced that they were related but I could be wrong (〜￣△￣)〜
they’re meant to be separate characters in the end! ikeda doesn’t recognise rio’s brother when he sees him & his seeing sasaki was treated as an entirely different event, so they’re not actually intended as related. but it felt SO like it was setting up to that at first so i think a lot of us got fooled as readers going in (￣∇￣")
i’ve tried posting this four times now god help me. if it somehow mass posts later in rapid fire multi succession im so sorry. anyways
so obviously this is spoilers but i feel like after reading everything that this manhwa is….. hmmm. i don’t want to outright say it’s a BAD adaptation, but i think it’s a pretty wooden one? especially since it deviates from being from solely jiwon’s perspective as it has jungwoo focus bits later on (based on the raws) & i think keeping it jiwon-focused is very important for understanding why jungwoo is shown acting the way he is.
like while he’s definitely a bit harsh at first because. that’s just his personality. and also he’s going through some good ol Internalised Homophobia because he’s going through a bit of a ‘why am i so drawn to this guy? there’s no way i’m interested in Him, i must be just going through something’ jungwoo’s coming across as harshly as he does is in good part jiwon’s horrible self esteem bleeding through into all of his interactions with him. jiwon interprets everything very deeply negatively (for his own understandable reasons) & it bleeds into how he perceives jungwoo and reads into his actions. because the manhwa isn’t really so far presenting this very well As Jiwon’s Perspective, it’s just making jungwoo look really wishy-washy. which is kind of funny because jungwoo does ultimately fall Very fast and Very hard and he is very outspoken about his interest & while he’s kind of crabby with jiwon at first, it’s not meant on his end to be as harsh as it looks.
tldr i think the manhwa is kind of stumbling at adapting the novel because it’s not really honing in on jiwon’s personal perspective factoring in enough and everything feels a little clunky and whiplashy bc of it. but that’s just me! i was kind of surprised at how much i’ve enjoyed the novel actually just bc the manhwa fell flat for me so far
side note when jungwoo says jiwon won’t misunderstand him in ch9 i believe he is saying that on purpose not to DISSUADE him, but instead encourage him. because he does in the novel state he was aware of jiwon’s interest in him for quite some time lol. he’s moreso atp trying to be playful than he is nasty with him! like, trying to hype jiwon up & try and sense things out w/ him. However , Jiwon ,
He is just going to the beach to get some fresh air and think about what he wants to do and how he wants to proceed i Prommy. he is not planning on or even considering drowning himself rn
i loved this story so much….. i love this author’s storytelling so much the way they write is so genuinely kind and sincere ╥﹏╥ i’m so glad to know keito is getting his own spinoff just because it means there’s one more work by this author (especially in this universe) out there….
oh yujae absolutely sucks there’s no way and doubt about it. but he sucks in a very particular and specific “closeted gay person who doesn’t realise they’re gay, has a hard time struggling with relationships, and has an even harder time placing their feelings of attraction because they come from a broken home, so their way of expressing and addressing things is super fucked” sort of way, and i think the series does a genuinely good job of showcasing his perspective while also making it clear just how much this upsets hanjun anyway (for valid reasons).
i love drama i love mess etc etc i really like this one and i look forward to s3 whenever it comes… s2 ended about 4 months ago in KR so it should be soon… hopefully…
honestly i do like how he's so in denial that the THOUGHT of liking mc doesn't even cross his mind.... bc some people really do be that deep into the closet even their brain doesn't comprehend the possibility
SAME i actually do also like that aspect like……. he’s so in denial he’d rather ask himself if he’s homophobic for being jealous of hanjun’s relationships with other men instead of asking if he likes hanjun. it really doesn’t EXCUSE any of how he behaves towards anyone but his being so deeply in denial really does explain him well & the story does a good job with it
he keeps up this misunderstanding about yeowoon being into bdsm all the way up to the first time they move towards sleeping together btw, yeowoon (very confused about all this) buys a paddle bc jigu keeps commenting abt bdsm so he thinks JIGU is the one into it and tries hitting him. and then jigu cries. he’s soooo fucking stupid abt this and its sooo funny. please never change jigu
i love all this author’s works from the ones i’ve seen soooo much, there’s a real sense of sincerity and kindness within their storytelling that reminds me of other authors i’m fond of like sakaomi yuzaki (tsukutabe). i hope they keep penning romance manga forever because i for one will not tire of it
why is ILHOO the one who apologised when chaeheon is the one who didn’t express he had any problems or concerns until he exploded （/TДT)/ this chapter is quite sweet in general but considering the past several it just feels deeply unearned as a happy ending . good lord
truly one of the best m/m manga out there they are couple goals communication goals etc etc i need the next volume asap. they mean everything to me & i have to say i really like that a story that is ultimately so heavily involved in sex relegates any of the actual explicit content to separate side publishings? the author does a very good job of being able to demonstrate their intimacy as a couple without needing to show it explicitly in the main volumes.
side note, i’m obsessed with that one author note that’s like “sorry i got so focused on beetles that i accidentally forgot jun was bisexual for a bit.” genuinely one of the funniest author’s notes ive ever seen i love it. i love this series