Thank God Jaekyung became super selfish as a defence mechanism. He wouldn’t have made it if he were as meek and weak as Kim Dan. Tough people are tough because they have no other choice. It’s either that or die. Y’all need to be grateful to have never been put in a position that eroded who you are at your core.
I’m not even a Jaekyung stan, but the sheer volume of bad-faith hate made me realize: many of you genuinely lack the emotional and social intelligence to engage with traumatized characters. You don’t understand pattern recognition, emotional regulation, or how people develop under systems of reward and punishment. You’d make terrible writers and even worse therapists.
Jaekyung is a textbook case of someone shaped by emotional suppression and a society that weaponizes anger and punishes vulnerability. He is emotionally stunted because that’s what kept him alive. His mother (whom we know he reveres) taught him that survival is an individual project, and society rewarded him for aggression and self-preservation. She showed him that putting yourself first is a matter of SURVIVAL. So now, he acts instinctively.
He has PTSD and operates on a fight-or-flight reflex. He doesn’t want to hurt others, but he does, because he’s triggered. He’s in denial about his trauma and his emotions, and we know that because his body, his health, is betraying what’s buried beneath the surface. Jaekyung and Dan’s backstories are KEY to understanding this story.
Jaekyung is subject to violent outbursts because he doesn’t know how to regulate his emotions. His proclivity for violence is clearly exploited by the sport he practices. He’s not “romanticized.” He’s written authentically. You’re just not equipped to process morally complex characters. His violence is disturbing because it’s meant to be. But it’s also symptomatic of trauma, masculinity, mental health in sports and more.
There was so much space for rich, meaningful conversation. Instead, we get the same shallow takes:
“JJK is toxic,”
“JJK is abusive”
“I don’t like traumatized people acting like traumatized people.”
What are you even reading for?
And while we’re moralizing: Dan literally raped Jaekyung in one chapter. He got him drunk (he admits it), ignored signs of disorientation, and took advantage of him while he was clearly incapable of informed consent. The next day, Jaekyung didn’t even remember. Dan’s internal monologue during that scene? "He's a like a completely different person"
“If he’s in the mood to indulge me today, I might as well…”
But you skipped right over that because it didn’t fit your narrative.
A gentle reminder: personality is moderately hereditary. And before you say, “Well, I was abused and didn’t become an abuser,” understand that gene expression varies based on experience.
Studies show personality is largely shaped in childhood. You’re probably not abusive because you weren’t rewarded for hostility, you were rewarded for empathy and cooperation. You likely have close friendships, emotional safety, and support. That’s called survivor bias. It’s easier to believe you “turned out right” through merit, rather than admit that fate or your environment was simply kinder to you.
It’s hard for you to admit that you were luckier than Jaekyung because you think his wealth and celebrity (which you envy) make him “better” than you. YET Mingwa clearly demonstrates that money is of relative importance to one's happiness. And you missed that entirely.
Some of you even compared Jaekyung to Hitler. Others wished violence on his 6-year-old self. All while pretending to care about abuse victims.
Let’s be honest: you’re not outraged on principle. You’re just angry because the character makes you uncomfortable. And instead of sitting with that discomfort, you lash out.
Meanwhile, the people who actually understand this story keep coming back because the narrative invites complexity. We’re still mid-story, and yet some of you are already delivering final verdicts with half the picture.
Kim Dan’s arc is just as important. His character speaks directly to cultural expectations, Confucian values, trauma response, and moral ambiguity. But you’re too busy policing fictional characters to recognize the larger social commentary.
And when you finally get off your moral high horse, ask yourself:
Why are you so comfortable hating Jaekyung?
When you say “He has everything!” to pretend you’re not punching down, you’re projecting.
And frankly, you might be more manipulative than him, because at least his intentions are shaped by survival, not self-righteousness.
And let’s be honest: most of you aren’t here because you care about real-world harm or survivors. You’re here because criticizing this character gives you a sense of moral superiority. You weaponize buzzwords and outrage, but there’s no follow-through; no effort to support real causes, no understanding of the complexity you're so quick to judge.
It's performative, plain and simple.
Meanwhile, that same energy could’ve been directed toward a deeper reading, toward understanding what this story actually offers. Instead, you flatten it with judgment, and in doing so, you undermine the story’s ability to reach people who might actually see themselves in it.
I’m not even a Jaekyung stan, but the sheer volume of bad-faith hate made me realize: many of you genuinely lack the emotional and social intelligence to engage with traumatized characters. You don’t understand pattern recognition, emotional regulation, or how people develop under systems of reward and punishment. You’d make terrible writers and even worse therapists.
Jaekyung is a textbook case of someone shaped by emotional suppression and a society that weaponizes anger and punishes vulnerability. He is emotionally stunted because that’s what kept him alive. His mother (whom we know he reveres) taught him that survival is an individual project, and society rewarded him for aggression and self-preservation. She showed him that putting yourself first is a matter of SURVIVAL. So now, he acts instinctively.
He has PTSD and operates on a fight-or-flight reflex. He doesn’t want to hurt others, but he does, because he’s triggered. He’s in denial about his trauma and his emotions, and we know that because his body, his health, is betraying what’s buried beneath the surface. Jaekyung and Dan’s backstories are KEY to understanding this story.
Jaekyung is subject to violent outbursts because he doesn’t know how to regulate his emotions. His proclivity for violence is clearly exploited by the sport he practices. He’s not “romanticized.” He’s written authentically. You’re just not equipped to process morally complex characters. His violence is disturbing because it’s meant to be. But it’s also symptomatic of trauma, masculinity, mental health in sports and more.
There was so much space for rich, meaningful conversation. Instead, we get the same shallow takes:
“JJK is toxic,”
“JJK is abusive”
“I don’t like traumatized people acting like traumatized people.”
What are you even reading for?
And while we’re moralizing: Dan literally raped Jaekyung in one chapter. He got him drunk (he admits it), ignored signs of disorientation, and took advantage of him while he was clearly incapable of informed consent. The next day, Jaekyung didn’t even remember. Dan’s internal monologue during that scene? "He's a like a completely different person"
“If he’s in the mood to indulge me today, I might as well…”
But you skipped right over that because it didn’t fit your narrative.
A gentle reminder: personality is moderately hereditary. And before you say, “Well, I was abused and didn’t become an abuser,” understand that gene expression varies based on experience.
Studies show personality is largely shaped in childhood. You’re probably not abusive because you weren’t rewarded for hostility, you were rewarded for empathy and cooperation. You likely have close friendships, emotional safety, and support. That’s called survivor bias. It’s easier to believe you “turned out right” through merit, rather than admit that fate or your environment was simply kinder to you.
It’s hard for you to admit that you were luckier than Jaekyung because you think his wealth and celebrity (which you envy) make him “better” than you. YET Mingwa clearly demonstrates that money is of relative importance to one's happiness. And you missed that entirely.
Some of you even compared Jaekyung to Hitler. Others wished violence on his 6-year-old self. All while pretending to care about abuse victims.
Let’s be honest: you’re not outraged on principle. You’re just angry because the character makes you uncomfortable. And instead of sitting with that discomfort, you lash out.
Meanwhile, the people who actually understand this story keep coming back because the narrative invites complexity. We’re still mid-story, and yet some of you are already delivering final verdicts with half the picture.
Kim Dan’s arc is just as important. His character speaks directly to cultural expectations, Confucian values, trauma response, and moral ambiguity. But you’re too busy policing fictional characters to recognize the larger social commentary.
And when you finally get off your moral high horse, ask yourself:
Why are you so comfortable hating Jaekyung?
When you say “He has everything!” to pretend you’re not punching down, you’re projecting.
And frankly, you might be more manipulative than him, because at least his intentions are shaped by survival, not self-righteousness.
And let’s be honest: most of you aren’t here because you care about real-world harm or survivors. You’re here because criticizing this character gives you a sense of moral superiority. You weaponize buzzwords and outrage, but there’s no follow-through; no effort to support real causes, no understanding of the complexity you're so quick to judge.
It's performative, plain and simple.
Meanwhile, that same energy could’ve been directed toward a deeper reading, toward understanding what this story actually offers. Instead, you flatten it with judgment, and in doing so, you undermine the story’s ability to reach people who might actually see themselves in it.
Does anybody know how to contact mangago ? I’m gonna need them to either restrict this manhwa’s comment section or delete it all together. It’s insane how the true fans of mingwa’s work cannot gather and chat about the damn chapters without one of those illiterate idiots popping in to tell us how much they dislike it but be on Jaekyung’s dick the SECOND a chapter drops. These hypocrites who claim to be so above the romanticisation of their relationship but STILL read it. Or I’m gonna report this page to Mingwa.
Some of y’all lack critical thinking skills.
1st. He is getting a backstory BECAUSE a well-written story must have convincing characters. Nobody is bad just to be bad, even if the reasoning is wrong every action and behaviour is motivated.
2nd. I cried big ass tears reading this chapter. It’s not just seeing him abandoned and beaten and rejected. It’s also understanding that abuse has LONG LASTING consequences. If you think you were abused yet have no trace of such history in your behaviour or reactions at times, then maybe you weren’t really abused. Abuse WILL rewire your brain. Especially if it occurs during childhood because that’s when your brain is developing and you’re still learning about the world around you and how you relate to it.
It broke my heart that Jaekyung has been so alone his entire life and because of the abuse he endured he doesn’t even have the TOOLS to get out of it. Do y’all know nobody that’s constantly self sabotaging and is stuck in an endless loop of doom because of it ???
You want him to KNOW shit he never learned. He doesn’t know how to be a good friend because he never had any. He doesn’t KNOW how to care or express his feelings because nobody did that for him. It doesn’t mean that he did nothing wrong. He’s been a dick to Dan so many times and Dan’s story is sad too. (Sometimes when Dan told him about his behaviour he took actions and changed) (When the doctor told him to do more foreplay with Dan, he did) It’s just unrealistic to project such harsh judgement on him when he clearly feels remorse, he clearly loves Dan, but has no idea how to salvage their relationship. He’s literally giving up everything he’s ever known and work towards to get Dan back. He’s just going the wrong way about it.
It’s logical and I’m happy y’all are not Mingwa cause y’all don’t have her brain to put out such an entertaining and complex show. Y’all would suck ass as writers. It’s logical. The man is a boxer. Professional boxer who grew up alone, abused and bullied, his only hope and escape is this agressive ass sport. Aggressive sport in which you HAVE to be tough, ACT tough to thrive in. He has NO anger management because he USES the anger as a fuel to win his matches. That’s why he blows up so often on Dan who ends up as collateral damage because Dan on the contrary never learned to grow a backbone. At least he can’t stand up for himself if he fears the opponent. So I think it’s mainly miscommunication, Dan should’ve put his foot down and even slapped some sense into Jaekyung when he suggested Dan might’ve betrayed him. Look how alone Jaekyung is, everyone at the gym only respect him because of his skills, that’s also why he doesn’t hangout with them or get friendly. Probs because he knows he’s a lot to handle and he’s above begging others for friendship. Also that would require him to change and he clearly is reluctant to let his protective mechanism go. Jaekyung expresses himself the only way he knows how to : through violence. Be it sex, his words or the ring. He was violent with the actor dude too. And could only express his jealousy by torturing Dan sexually. (Hot though idc)
3rd. Jaekyung and Dan are both broken people and their relationship is toxic… But (call me fucked up I don’t care) I think they’re perfect for each other. Dan was literally parentified. Taking on responsibilities he had no business taking on at such a young age. He never learned who he was, nor how to live for himself. His grandma is also a sort of crutch (sorry gma) he’s totally codependent and that’s why he doesn’t want to live without her and is subconsciously trying to kill himself before she croaks. That’s why he’s having trouble saying no or putting up boundaries. That’s also why the only way he knows to communicate his feelings is though acts of service instead of communicating clearly what he wants. He’s not used to asking for what he wants and expecting to get it. Or work for it. He’s a pushover. On the opposite hand you have Jaekyung that’s just selfish. Because that’s what it took to make it, that’s what he knows that works. I think he loves Kim Dan but doesn’t respect him. Jaekyung only respects strength. When Dan gave him that punch that one time I think that’s when he got a little consideration for him. But aside from that he clearly is hyper independent and believes he need nobody.
That’s when it gets interesting. Kim Dan started to learn how to stand up for himself because of his proximity to Jaekyung. Jaekyung intimidates him but he also admires Jaekyung. I think Kim Dan never allowed himself to step into the spotlight and be okay with being seen the way Jaekyung is. With all the inconveniences of fame considered. (Jaekyung gets constantly criticised, he’s super anxious about his performances to the point where it’s making him sick (headaches, insomnia) and insane (why the fuck would you compete when your body is broken ???). Maybe he’s a little envious. He spent his whole life caring for someone else, maybe he wants attention and care from others to. Maybe he want to be celebrated too. As for Jaekyung he’s learned to express his feelings a little bit more. He’s learned to care about others a little bit more. He’s learned to shift his focus to his personal life and to try and develop it. Instead of making his career his everything. I would never recommend that pairing in real life but since this is fiction and entertaining I LOVE IT <33 I can’t wait to see their relationship development and their growth as individuals. I love stories with meat and conflict <3 so cathartic <3
I could kiss Mingwa!! I’m so grateful for the double chapters… I was a bit upset we didn’t get a direct confrontation and romantic confession from the get go but I’m happy it’s slow burn so we can stay entertained for many more months! Plus we needed to see Jaekyung’s backstory too! We don’t know anything about his parents (?) is he an orphan like Kim Dan ? Was he bullied ? Did he learn to conceal anything that made him vulnerable and thus he ended up trapped behind a wall nobody could climb ? Can’t wait to find out! I also can’t wait for his apology to Kim Dan! I just hope the manhwa doesn’t end at confession! Their relationship is still too superficial, I need to see them go through all kind of shit to test the strength of their feelings.
This is so boring… why is sunwoo so protective of Gajun ? They weren’t even friends… his characterisation is also very odd. For a 9.0+ rating I expected more.
I’m torn between manifesting the author dropping this / never updating it to piss off the haters but chronically on this page and jinx coming back because the art is good, the pairing is new, the sex scenes are hot and I can’t wait to see more. The Jaekyung / author haters are so weird. They claim to like “Dan” but Dan is literally in love with Jaekyung and wouldn’t want nothing more than to know his feelings are reciprocated. Why do you like someone who is in love with someone you hate ?? If DAN could see the qualities of Jaekyung and fall in love with him to the point of developing depression at rejection shouldn’t he be stupid according to y’all ? Or again are y’all just projecting yourself into Dan’s character’s without seeing who to Dan actually is ? His characterisation is kinda flat, we only see him as a victim, barely able to advocate for himself, living for one thing only - His grandma. He’s never had any other passion? No other romantic partners ? Was he straight was he gay nobody knows. What things outside of Jaekyung and his grandma make him cry ? What is he like when he’s angry (unrelated to Jk)? LMAO Dan is just as obsessed as y’all are with Jk. Anywho LOVE this manhwa! Can’t wait for the next chapters to drop. Lowkey want to see more of Potato and the actor as they each have something going on and could fall in love sooner than JKxDan.
The seme did rape the uke when they were stuck together. Tsugumi literally says « I don’t want this » and the seme says « well too late » LMAO. And it’s the same rapey philosophy as the other yaois with the uke saying afterwards that he didn’t hate it. Idk this isn’t as progressive as it portrays itself… Megumi even admits he wouldn’t have been interested in Tsugumi in the first place so it does kinda feel like it was his pheromones and the fact that they fucked that bought them together. Though feelings were developed later on it didn’t feel as though they shared a special connection. Tsugumi even says that Megumi is the first one that liked him and he liked in return. Moreover the side characters aside from the parents and the little sister are kinda flat. (They’re my favourite)
Introducing the childhood crush just to have Tsugumi be jealous was totally a mistake. If the author was that bored they should’ve wrote some side couples or expanded on Tsugumi’s parents (though it’s the exact same dynamic).
So to sum up,
Mine loves Hiroi romantically and for that he’s willing to put up with threesomes with Take.
Hiroi likes Mine almost as a toy and for that, wants to share him with Take.
Take doesn’t want anything to do with anyone unless it’s someone who loves Hiroi AND accept to be shared.
Take and Hiroi are just besties.
All is fine until Hiroi feels jealous the two have better sex compatibility and tries to hide his jealousy multiple times by being manipulative (he has sex with Mine without Take but because he feels guilty for not honouring their agreement and for doing something he thinks Take is too loyal to do, he suggests the two have sex separately too when he KNOWS mine hates Take and Take doesn’t like not involving him)
Take too is dishonest with his feelings because he says he dislikes Mine but loves fucking him. He doesn’t admit to fucking Mine when Hiroi wasn’t there. He also didn’t stop fucking Mine when he knew Hiroi was asleep. His buried feelings come out as violence against Mine because Mine unlike the previous partners still loves Hiroi and wouldn’t want anything with just Take. But Take would totally fuck Mine without Hiroi being there, so long as Mine still loves Hiroi. For that Take likes Mine so much he marks him and buys him an ashtray. (My own opinion Take should grow some balls and affirm his individuality/ personal taste. But I guess he will never like someone who’s not Hiroi’s toy first. He just love Hiroi’s sloppy seconds)
Although Mine loves Hiroi and has little romantic interest towards Take, he prefers Take’s dick and rough sex over anything sexual happening between Hiroi and him. But he’s too ashamed to vocalise it and ask for Take’s dick until that chapter where he can’t take it anymore.
Hiroi is just narcissistic. He wants his cake and he wants to eat it too. AND he wants to share it too. He wants to be the most liked of the relationship yet wants the others to like one another too, just not as much as they like him. LOL. Greedy little shit. Anyway 10/10 for the interesting concept and unique dynamic.
Gentle semes are 10/10. When those gentle men get a little rough or admit to wanting to mess up their ukes they are 1000000/10
Went a bit too fast but it was ok, I didn’t care for the presenter x doctor couple. Why are all the women nurses though ? Implicit bias from the author?
I like the seme’s character design but this story isn’t really good. The Uke is just there. He has no purpose whatsoever, he’s defenceless and always has to be saved plus he acts like a child and is actually stupid. For someone who grew up surrounded by mobs and failed by adults around him he’s nowhere near as independent and resourceful as he should be. Why the fuck is he so naive ? Why was he surprised that the seme (who he recognised instantly as a gangster) does gangster shit??? Also why the hell does he have a BBL (LMAO) and literally no muscles ?? The dude has been bullied since small and never wanted to get stronger ?? His grandma almost died under rubble he couldn’t lift and that wasn’t motivation ? Her store was attacked but that still did nothing?? All he does is lay around, masturbate, wait / stalk the seme and get bossed around… I think the author just likes the seme and didn’t put much thought behind the Uke’s character. Even information about him/ his family we find out through the seme. Also the age gap and uniform shit is too much.