When readers say Jaekyung has no character development im always confused. Im not sure if those readers understand subtle development. Jaekyung is a bigger POS than Jiwon expecting his personality to do a 360 is crazy.
yea ofc and readers are waiting for him to grovel ^^^
Me too. I also want him to grovel thats the best part of these types of stories but when people say he has absolutely no character development I wonder if they have read the story.
I agree with your point of view. The change in Jaekyung is subtle. It's as if her change was “camouflaged” by her huge ego and probably her past. It needed a trigger
right like people saying that it's dragging or taking too long i'm just like?? wym we barely even started we have yet to see the man on his knees GROVELING
Most jump on the "hate train". I assume a good amount aren't even old enough to read this type of work.
Maturing is realizing that both Joowon and Taekyung were terrible choices for Haesoo—just in different flavors of toxic.
Taekyung was pushy and manipulative in obvious ways, but Joowon’s toxicity ran deeper and quieter, wrapped in the illusion of care and history. What’s frustrating is how so many readers excuse Joowon’s behavior just because he’s the “familiar” one. It's like people believe that knowing someone for a long time gives you a free pass to hurt them, as long as you call it love.
But let’s not forget—when Joowon first met Haesoo, it wasn’t love at all. He wasn’t some knight in shining armor. He was just as emotionally distant, just as flawed, and just as manipulative in his own way. The only thing he had that Taekyung didn’t was time. And time gave him an unfair advantage in the narrative—something that's always irritating about love triangles where one pairing is already “established.” It skews everything.
What made the manhwa even more exhausting was the never-ending line of obstacles thrown at the main couple. It felt like emotional whiplash—one issue barely resolved before another slammed down. It was like watching a relationship built on pain and drama instead of trust and growth.
And listen—I used to root for Taekyung. I genuinely did. But looking back now, older and less blinded by romantic angst, I realize Haesoo deserved better than either of them. He should have ended up alone, not as some weak compromise between two equally flawed men.
Sending Haesoo to Spain felt like a cop-out. It was like the author was trying to throw a bone to the “Haesoo should be alone” crowd—only to yank it back and hand him to Joowon anyway. It didn’t feel like a confident narrative decision; it felt like trying to please everyone. And when you try to please everyone, you end up pleasing no one.
And yeah—let’s talk about that author’s note. It was weird. Not because explaining your choices as a writer is bad, but because no other author who writes love triangles feels the need to justify their ending like that. It made the whole thing feel less like a story and more like damage control.
At the end of the day, this story wasn’t about love. It was about emotional dependency, miscommunication, and a whole lot of missed opportunities for real healing. Haesoo should’ve chosen himself.
Yeah the fact that their entire drama rested on the fact that they couldn’t admit their feelings even after 10 years and their parents divorce felt crazy to me. Not to mention the whole step brother drama. Literally that was the entire drama. Had they met at school none of it would’ve happened that way. Idk it felt contrived.
Exactly! Unpopular opinion but I never liked their dynamic. I didn’t see any real chemistry between them. It just felt like trauma bonding, sex, constant banter, and the seme’s overbearing protectiveness, which came off as possessive and annoying.
What really bothered me was the smoking part. The uke wanted to quit, and the seme was the one who taught him to smoke in the first place. It felt symbolic of their toxic relationship. I thought the uke quitting meant he was moving on, so when he went back to the seme, it felt pointless and anticlimactic. It honestly made me mad. What was the point of showing growth just to undo it?
People who like the ending will justify it, but a confession doesn't magically erase a toxic history. For me, this story is a solid 0/10
I've never understood the appeal of stories where characters have pre-established relationships, but I've noticed that many BL readers tend to favor pairings where the seme and uke share a history. Perhaps people find comfort in familiarity, but I personally find it more exciting when two people meet for the first time and their relationship develops organically—stories of new love, rather than second chances. That's why I can't support TJ.
When readers defend TJ's actions based on his love for Ian, it seems strange to me because Jo didn't know Ian back then. I suspect that if Jo had known Ian for 19 years, he would have been just as supportive as TJ.
I don't get the hype around TJ. Honestly, I don't find him attractive, and his character's boring—just another typical BL seme, nothing special.
Feel like the only person like this, like jo is way healthier and better in my opinion
real
I never EVER root for the toxic relationship in these things (and I hate love triangles with a passion) but idk TJ and Ian's relationship just feels more authentic to me. Jo and Ian...idk it just feels there. Like Jo's just there to be the "good" option. He's flawless (well until that phone kick ) and feels presented as this perfect healthy option for Ian to finally be happy. But the emotional depth and complexity of Ian and TJ is just... And I feel like it's such a waste cause it's like they just need to TALK. Like. A lot. Love is all about what you can concede for the recipient of your feelings. Now can TJ concede his thirst for power? Idk...
Sorry I'm ranting, I'm never this passionate for these type of relationships your opinion is valid and totally understandable. I want to root for Jo so bad but well
Also I don't think TJ's boring. He has a lot more layers than 90% of these weirdo semes (side eyeing you Jaekyung). He shows room for genuine growth and change (accepting that love is about letting go and deciding to let go of Ian) His past actions are quite unforgivable though idk anymore tbh
Like Jo doesn't feel like a real person (I know it's a manhwa buuuut) he feels like a prop
I understand that perspective. They've known each other for 19 years and have a long-standing relationship. Jo and Ian's relationship is newer, and I don't see why a character needs flaws to be compelling. It seems that because TJ and Ian share a traumatic experience, they should be together, while Jo's lack of shared trauma disqualifies him. I don't believe that shared trauma automatically creates a deeper relationship.
I was thinking this exact thought, Jo haters just can’t seem to comprehend this though .
I agree, trauma bonding shouldn't be an excuse for a relationship. But flaws in a character makes them feel more human, more real, more relatable. Again I know this is a fictional story and all but art imitates life so
I find Jo to be a relatable character with flaws, unlike the similar flawed characters, TJ and Ian, often seen in BLs. I appreciate the refreshing change of pace offered by a character who doesn't appear to be as flawed.