Praise our lord Min and saviour for being the one carrying this whole manhwa on his back. This sly fox has done what I wanted to be done four chapters ago.
I'm already tired of making long paragraphs so I will leave this one here.
It could be because I was expecting too much for this manhwa, I thought it would have brought me to the same height as Killing Stalking or Ai no Kusabi. I thought it could be a rare gem. I've already read too many books/graphic novels or see many movies in my life that I'm able to set a bar higher or lower for my enjoyment. I just find myself disappointed because for Painter of the Night, the bar is too high.
Nothing new was added in this chapter. It's like the author wanted to rehash what was already seen in the previous chapter, so I won't waste my time doing an analysis on this. It would have better to start the chapter on the rumor scene instead of continuing the rape one. I don't really see the point. Either Byeonduck wanted to draw her fantasy for longer or she really thinks the readers didn't really understand what was happening.
Is the noona is going to add something new? If we are going with the same flow she will be a character like Seungwon or Nameless: a teased important minor character adding nothing to the plot. I hope she takes the time to add some intricacies to her story because it's too predictable now. The beautiful art she is capable of with a mindless plot could be the downfall of PotN.
If I continue, this comment could be a long rant, so I'll stop there.
It's too gut wrenching to see those two maids think that Nakyum escaped. There was a friendly connection those two tried to make with Nakyum. The interaction with them were the earnest. At the beginning, they were mean to him. But with the few panels they had as the story progressed, they took care of him, protected him the best they could and were like mother hens for Nakyum.
I understand they feel betrayed, but I hope they won't make it hard for him.
That was a gruesome chapter like I predicted.
The panels are most of the time blurred, depicting the harshness in the act. Seungho wanted things to be done like he supposed Nakyum would like it and didn't listen to his pleas to stop. That was nothing more than a role play for him. This chapter his comparable to his early orgies. In those, there was clearly no sign of closeness. He used those sessions to release his stress, to forget and just enjoy the moment of lust. In this one, there is that plus the sense of regret to have choose to blurt out his feelings. Like I said previously, there is nothing to lose for him at the moment.
During the sex scene, he noticed the bruise and stopped for a moment. What is ambiguous about it is that's the same place Dukjae hurted. At the same time we see the rope bruise, we also see the same mark Seungho tried to avoid when saving Nakyum by beating the servant to death. He knows that something is amiss, but is too blinded now to stop.
Nakyum is clearly suffering in the act. He doesn't have the upper hand anymore because Seungho won't listen to him. His begging is falling into deaf ears right now.
I said in the previous chapter that everything happening will unfold as a rape if he doesn't talk and that was the case. But there is a new take which is his feelings. Nakyum realising that he doesn't dislike Seungho was the saddest part for me. He is sorting his feelings during the forceful act. As I'm on the side of those thinking he should have talked, him not talking also has is sense because his mind is tired. There is too much information for him to process. But that also makes him fall in the trope of the damsel in distress type of uke.
Concerning Nakyum begging Seungho to let him go, I will bring another chapter to comparison which is chapter 16. In chapter 16, there is a playfulness in Seungho's handjob. He is teasing Nakyum, making him discover the pleasure of the touch of someone else (or as he believed, relieving Nakyum from all his pent up desires because he thought at that time that Nakyum was no stranger to sex intimacy). He said "I heard you, Nakyum... I'm letting you go there!". The connotation was much different, he had a teasing side.
The recent chapter on the contrary has a mark of possessiveness. "You want me to let you go?... That I cannot allow... I will never let you go." were his words. The noble is claiming the painter as his property, adding a new dimension to his obsessiveness.
I will add that to those claiming it as "romanticising the act of rape", there isn't any type of romance in any of the panels that the author drew for the recent chapter. It was hard to look at (not for me, I'm immune to those as my view of what is reality and what is fiction is dissociated), it was hateful, there is an abuser/victim situation and that was beautifully depicted by the artist. It was really different to what we were accustomed by now, harsher than the blowjob or the forceful sex scene.
I hope that Kim will bring light to this mess of a situation. As for our mains, there will be a new rift between them.
If only I could right something this good for my English essay
If only my English level was this good in school, I would have been a straight A student in English classes! Fight and hang in there!
I loved your comment it’s on point <3
Why do you think he acted so roughly and kind of raped Nakyum ? Nakyum had such a terrorized face while crying and begging . Also he was trembling so much how could he continue despite that ?
I'm glad you loved it. Thank you.
Seungho raped Nakyum and was so rough because he is angry at him. From Seungho's perspective, Nakyum never expressed him any kindness. Even when he expressed his feelings, Nakyum return them by getting out of his grasp. He believes that Nakyum likes only sex between them like a friend with benefits. Like I said, Seungho knows deep down that something is not right. He noticed the bruise. But Seungho being Seungho is now focusing on the sex with Nakyum. Seungho is so obsessed with Nakyum, he doesn't want to hear anything from him.
Like you said Nakyum is really terrorised by all that is happening. His feelings came to light as he realised that he doesn't dislike Seungho. But the act happening at the moment mixed with what happened before is too much for him to handle.
Do you have any theory of what could happen next chapter ?
Also do you think Seungho will regret his actions and what he will do?
Also do you have any ideas how Nakyum will react after that ?i mean it was really violent and Seungho words while raping him where heart breaking and scary
The next chapter could go many ways. It could be a continuation of the sex scene but I hope the author won't go that way. One chapter is clearly enough for readers to get the point.
It could also be the aftermath. If we go by comparison of the first forceful scene, he could be regretful, but not enough to know what he feels. He will use Nakyum more for sex and less for his paintings.
He could also inspect thoroughly the bruise in Nakyum's hand, but I doubt the author will go for that. He needs someone, Servant Kim for instance, to push his buttons and make him realize that something doesn't add up about Nakyum.
Nakyum's mind could be a mess. The man he once hated with all his might is now the person his feelings had shifted for. I don't think he will cope with it. He will be back to be scared and wary of Seungho.
Thank you for your replies <3
You're welcome. Merry Christmas.
You were right ! The new chapter was a continuation of the sex session and sadly Seungho fucked Nakyum outside in front of Kim. Just image how Nakyum was feeling at that time ? He’s very wary of what others think of him .. and he was but naked without clothes and no shoes I really .. my heart break so much for him I really fear the next chapter what will Seungho do to him for the next days ??
Also I am glad we see this woman . She seems to be the Noona who grew with Nakyum . She have manservant so she seems powerful I hope she will help him
What will happen now will be on Nakyum not telling the story. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that what Seungho will do is good or justified. He will rape our painter, no strings attached. That will be gruesome, even more than the previous non-con blowjob. He will feel like shit after, but will do it nonetheless if Nakyum shut himself.
But for Nakyum, thinking that he will protect himself if he doesn't talk is a mockery. I will explain why he is doing that later, what's interesting for me is Seungho's mindset.
In the beginning, Seungho tries to reminisce what he considered a good time. He is battling his anger, dissatisfaction and disappointment. He wants to punish NK, but at the same time feels a glimpse of pity. That's why he left his robe.
Kim trying to persuade him that NK was waiting for him is not what the Lord wants to ear from his servant, but from the person he has a lingering feeling for.
He goes to the painter, he is dejected and he wanted to confirm that his conclusion was wrong. NK didn't give him that. Instead he goes with the classic "I'm sorry". That's not the first time Seungho hear that sentence.
"I'm sorry, my lord but I no longer paint erotic images", "I'm sorry my lord, [...] I've spoken out of hand, sir", "I'm sorry my lord, I don't want to paint", in chapter 47 and 48, he said "I'm sorry" twice the same day (the first one leaves SH baffled and the second one makes him so angry he flips his table)... There is no explanation NK gives further than he's sorry.
The embrace SH gives goes from reassuring to threatening as his grip is more firm and goes on blocking NK from behind. My favourite panel is the one before the last. The author didn't draw any faces, just lines. SH face is a bit over NK's back. He gives a pause to his speech... It feels like at this point whatever happens he doesn't have anything to lose. He's only blames himself for what is happening and doesn't care of anything.
As for Nakyum, I understand that he doesn't know one person to trust. He is afraid of his life, but he should have said what he's gone through instead of crying and saying nothing. He is too afraid of Seungho but is traumatized by the masked face. I've said since the beginning that for Nakyum, Seungho will always be the lesser evil in his life. That's why he behaves like that.
“seungho will always be the lesser evil in his life” DUDE. YES. up until this point he has managed to live with SH, it even got to the point where this scary mans softened up on him. he thinks of him as safe, as long as he knows where he stands and doesnt cross certain lines. but with everyone else, anything could happen to him at any point in time. its natural that he believes he can handle SH’s anger because he’s been doing that until now.
i want to add more to the reason why he chose not to tell SH.
NK is a lowborn, literally all he has is his life – so he has nothing else to lose. he thought that by the lord’s side he was safe (like i said, as long as he doesnt cross certain lines— he may even save people from SH’s rage). but that image was shattered the moment he was kidnapped from SH’s house. sure, the lord is powerful, but it happened once so whos to say it wont happen again? NK believes SH might hurt him, but he wont kill him. whereas jihwa and nameless surely will, in the most painful way, if he doesnt do what hes told.
YUP YUP.
Just a little correction. Nakyum wasn't abused most of his life. If he had to choose he would still live in the kisaeng house. But all of his big sis in the kisaeng didn't want that kind of life for him. At one point he wasn't abused by In-hun. In-hun just corrected him for drawing erotic pictures and let him be like those peasant children. In-hun wasn't seen as bad trough Nakyum's eyes at this time because he still believed that his learned sir was a wise and kind man (In-hun had more of a role of a jerk than an abuser before). The trail of abuse began with Seungho coming into his life.
For Seungho, social hierarchy applies to anyone but Nakyum. You would have said that Nakyum thinks that Seungho can kill him, that would have been acceptable for me, but Seungho won't abuse him to the point of killing him as he is clearly obsessed by him like a child is obsessed by some kind of toy but cherishes it. He doesn't even want to break him as he doesn't like to go all the way when Nakyum is frail.
Now about victim blaming, we all know what Nakyum has been trough at this point. I'm not blaming him but just pointing out that the how the drama will go depending on his choices.
If you read me, it's not about standards, it's about what a character can feel and I like to dwell on Seungho's way of thinking.
do u have a twitter? i just see a lot of PoN fans on twitter discussing these topics in depth, and it’s always awesome to read their insight
uhhh not my place to say ig nut i think you misunderstood what they said man. they arent defending SH, they arent degrading NK either. theyre just giving ,nsight for the future of this comic
I need references for that because maybe I clearly missed something. A kisaeng house is more of a geisha house if we go with the Japanese analogy than a prostitute. His 'noonas' clearly stated that he doesn't have to ever come back and that they know he will miss them, meaning they cared about him. He was sad to part away, not a bit abused for the single panel that shows his face in chapter 46.
Jung In-hun never cared about anyone but his bigoted view of himself. Like I stated, he let Nakyum be like other children peasants. If you take on account beating Nakyum's leg because he drew male on male erotica, for me it's the equivalent of redressing a child for his wrongdoings which is normal as physical correction was the norm. Other than that I will like you to tell me other type of abuse In-hun has done before Seungho came to the picture.
Seungho is powerless against Nakyum much more than you can imagine. He wanted a new source of entertainment which is Nakyum, he was drawn by him, challenged by him and like I said "I'm sorry" from Nakyum is a trigger phrase. I'm not trying to defend him, and I will never try to defend his actions. I like to analyze the character that's all. We think the same thing about Seungho for sure.
Fyi, I'm married with the one and only person I ever loved for 15 years with two beautiful children. Don't you think it's too far fetched from you to think I never experienced love ?
Sadly, no. I tend to stay away from any form of social medias.
More than shifting the blame, I don't want the next chapter to go as I am expecting. Seungho won't have the decency to understand that something is off or even admit it. All depends now on Nakyum's course of actions. I clearly understand that between being traumatized by Nameless and cope with Seungho, there is not too much room for choice. But as far as I want things to go, saying only sorry will be the bad end.
I think I'm not.
What will happen now will be on Nakyum not telling what happened. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that what Seungho will do is good. He will rape our painter, no strings attached. That will be gruesome, even more than the previous non-con blowjob.
But for Nakyum, thinking that he will protect himself if he doesn't talk is a mockery. I will explain why he is doing that later, what's interesting for me is Seungho's mindset.
In the beginning, Seungho tries to reminisce what he considered a good time. He is battling his anger, dissatisfaction and disappointment. He wants to punish NK, but at the same time feels a glimpse of pity. That's why he left his robe.
Kim trying to persuade him that NK was waiting for him is not what the Lord wants to ear from his servant, but from the person he has a lingering feeling for.
He goes to the painter, he is dejected and he wanted to confirm that his conclusion was wrong. NK didn't give him that. Instead he goes with the classic "I'm sorry". That's not the first time Seungho hear that sentence. "I'm sorry, my lord but I no longer paint erotic images", "I'm sorry my lord, [...] I've spoken out of hand, sir", "I'm sorry my lord, I don't want to paint",... There is no explanation NK gives further than he's sorry. The embrace SH gives goes from reassuring to threatening as his grip is more firm and goes on blocking NK from behind. My favourite panel is the one before the last. The author didn't draw any faces, just lines. SH face is a bit over NK's back. He gives a pause to his speech... It feels like at this point whatever happens he doesn't have anything to lose. He's only blames himself for what is happening and doesn't care of anything.
As for Nakyum, I understand that he doesn't know one person to trust. He is afraid of his life, but he should have said what he's gone through instead of crying and saying nothing. He is too afraid of Seungho but is traumatized by the masked face. I've said since the beginning that for Nakyum, Seungho will always be the lesser evil in his life. That's why he behaves like that.
This is an amazing input, it humanises the characters putting meaning behind their actions and psychology. Thank you for this, it’s quite eye opening
You're welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed my take on the chapter.
This guy is a cheap ass king and a despicable father. How in the world he mistreat his child like that? There was no redeeming quality in Wonje but he is still the same prick. My blood boils whenever I see someone abuse a child like that.
I have mixed feelings about this chapter. It is sure reassuring that NK was out of danger but the story was not too much compelling for me.
Seungho at first seems dissatisfied and disappointed by NK's "escape". He see him cry and feels a urge to go to his neck maybe asking himself how he could be drawn by someone who could not accept his embrace. Hearing "My lord" makes him come back to some of his senses. The faint mist created by his breath proves that he is reassured to some degree that NK thinks about him.
Nakyum lives again his nightmare with the masked man. The mask will be his new "traumatic device" for now. What do I call NK traumatic device? Every object, person and event that leaves him a some kind of phycological scar (it's more of a traumatic plot device). SH, IH, Jihwa, the dead servant, the paintings, the mask are part of his traumatic device.
As he wakes up locked up and find himself covered with SH's robe, he calls desperately for his lord. I think SH isolated NK to make him troubled and make a mistake when interrogating him. Being isolated can drive someone insane.
The part with Jihwa and Nameless was underwhelming, everyone was expecting the final outcome. It came sooner than anticipated.
I will like this chapter depending on how the next will unfold. I believe SH was always cunning since the beginning and had a move ahead of anyone.
There are hints that doesn't add up and he should be the one noticing that. NK never escaped without his paintings tools. Loosing anything that could keep him warm is nonsensical.
The next chapter will tell us if this one was one cheap plot device to make our couple go back to square one or incite Seungho to make the perpetrators pay for what Nakyum has been through for the short time he was gone.
ISAAACK! Why are you doing this to us ??? My hope is crushed. Who Mr skeleton will be able to protect properly?