While I do like my redemption arcs where the bad guys have a beautifully-written backstory, I just can't bring myself to accept Youngha. He gives off the vibe that I would associate with someone who's renting a prostitute who he doesn't give two flying fucks about. Yes, he has feeling for Chanbit. Yes, he was coerced into leaving and giving him a messy break-up. But hell in the no does he, at any point in time and place, seem to respect his partner's boundaries, both mental and physical.
I feel so bad for Baekyung, who is the complete opposite and is whole-heartedly satisfied with being stuck with his unrequited love as long as Chanbit is in safe hands and finds his own happiness, even if it means giving up on a future where they're together. It's frustrating to watch because his feelings and intentions are that pure. 100% respect for him is all I have.
Reading some of the threads here, I'm once again disconcerted at some of the hate comments people are posting towards the recurrent object of interest, Jihyun.
First off, the arguments of him being a manipulator are abundant in their numbers, but scarce in credibility. How in the world is a pity fuck 'giving in to his manipulation'? For all I know, Chiwoo can utilise that to establish his strong dislike towards Jihyun. I won't spoil, but there is a reason as to why Jihyun acts the way he does. Chiwoo is lucky to have a supportive family and a trustworthy friend, but Jihyun isn't privy to such a privilege. Yes, he is unstable in his current state, but that is not accounted to his foibles by themselves. There is a catalyst in the plot that begins the spiral, which is coming up very soon.
Personally, I feel that this could be a fix-it story, where one of the protagonists are able to notice their flaws and react accordingly. As I've mentioned in a previous thread, there is just so much toxicity in this fandom towards this one character that I just simply feel that it's quite sad.
Thanks for this! I’ve read the raws but I couldn’t understand a single thing (cause of the language and mainly, my stupidity). But the story felt like this and that Jihyun is misunderstood
My problem is...yes people make mistakes, but he is rather violent and tends to want to choose violence when he doesnt get his way. This chapter, the flashback to me makes it seem like he forced himself on the mc. It's easy to see how the mc easily gets terrified around Jihyun. Honestly, his behavior reminds me of a psychologically unstable person. I could see him loosing it to the point of almost killing mc or the classmate wanting to get closer to the mc. Jihyun's older brother (the teacher guy) isnt helping by allowing him to get his way when he isnt suppose to be around the mc. As someone who has studied psychology, Jihyun fits for having a very broken mental state. Best thing for him and the mc would be to come to an understanding where Jihyun can realize and accept a simple friendship...without wanting to kill anyone for getting closer to the mc. Other option is to part and let the past stay as the past and move on from it....because the more Jihyun is allowed to be around the mc, the more pressure might get to him into causing harm....
If you're referring to the teacher of Chiwoo's class as the older brother, then I can't follow since I'm quite confident that Jihyun threatening to take over his brother's 'seat in the company' in the earlier chapters wouldn't be a logical deduction for a mere teacher status. As a person who has also studied psychology, wouldn't you agree that in my original post about Jihyun not having the right family support is a predisposing and/or precipitating social factor that contributes towards his mental wellbeing, which can play a large factor leading to him conceiving his mental health problem?
However, I do agree with your options, since they're much more realistic than what most fictional works tend to lean towards. After all, Chiwoo is in a constant state of acquiescence when dealing with Jihyun, which isn't good for either of them since, like you said, it would just aggravate them into doing something reckless. Though in saying that, there is that heartbreaking scene in chapter 14 where Jihyun finally semi-listens for once when he sees the pain he's dealt to the one he loves. In all honesty, it would at least be pretty neat if Jihyun is either explicitly said to or implied and hinted at in being convinced later on to be open to receiving therapy and treatment.
Ultimately, Jihyun is a pitiable character who portrays what humans can become when induced by rage, grief and other unfortunate characteristics, though that is also what makes him so much more riveting as a character.
Also, I tend to come off pretty strong when I'm debating with others so don't feel as if I'm attacking you personally. I'm actually glad that you took the time to write this much in response since there are always two sides to a coin, and seeing your views on the subject is very interesting for me.
No worries, I also enjoy seeing and learning other views. Everyone perceives things differently. Jihyun's upbringing definitely plays a large role in his behavior the older he gets. In a bad environment, children grow up absorbing that negativity. It definitely adds to his issues. I was happy when he stopped, even though it took being told multiple times to stop.
If Jihyun got help, that'd be awesome, but only the amazing writer knows how the story will go. I think all three guys, jihyun, Chiwoo, and the other classmate (I'm bad at names) have some psychological issues going on. Two stuck in a past with each other that was very harmful, and then the other guy most likely has a very strict dad if what the mother said was anything to go by. "I wont tell your father" is a phrase I always see when the father can be a bit abusive be it verbally or physically.
It would be nice if Jihyun and Chiwoo could come to an understanding so that they could possibly settle into a more normal life without all the stress, anxiety, and high emotions. Honestly, both would benefit from seeking help. As for the whole brother thing, his brother looked like the teacher who introduced him to the class, since being able to attend Chiwoo's class was his request. So I took the teacher as his older brother, unless I got his looks mixed up with another character. If it is his brother, who put him in the same class as Chiwoo, then he isnt helping the entire situation if that makes sense.
Hm, I can see where you got the confusion from but as someone who literally reread the webtoon tens of times over I can confirm that the brother is someone who can pull strings (as Jihyun's family is one of those corporate families that couldn't care less about family values but more of success and power). I'm pretty sure that Jihyun made a deal with his brother where he promised to study abroad like his father wanted in exchange for spending the last year with Chiwoo in his class (or something along the lines of that). Chiwoo's teacher then introduces Jihyun to the class and grumbles 'why do I get all the troublemakers in my class' (forgot the direct quote lol).
Also, that's another point that I thought was very interesting in the story. We, the readers, only know of Kyujin's good-natured personality and his role as the class president (which is an accomplishment considering the country). Therefore, we don't really get anything more apart from surface-level information until his mother seemed to be a bit overly-concerned about her son skipping a day of school and being hush-hush about it to the father. I feel like it could be due to expectations and thus pressure, albeit a whole lot of it but I'm glad to see that other people have picked up on it. Personally, I'll root for the boys and if there's a happy ending, great, and if there's an unfortunate ending, then so be it. Feels good to discuss this with someone finally. :)
Ahh, I've only read through once, so I'm glad to get that cleared up that his brother and teacher are two different people. I like to try to read the silent clues and hints to guage how the characters are as they further develop through the story. I would like for things to go well for the boys as well and for Chiwoo and Jihyun to come to a better understanding so they can build a good friendship the right way. Also cant wait to get more information on the class president because as I stated and you noticed, there were some hints with how his mother was. I think I will go back read through the manwha again while waiting for the next update.
Man, I just picked this back up after dropping it two years ago at like chapter 20 and I'm honestly heartbroken. Binge reading this was not a good idea, because it only served to strengthen the ending which...*sigh*, I honestly wanted to kill that grandmother and revoke that dog's death that Sangwoo was put through. I would've preferred an ending where Sangwoo really did die from lung complications since the buildup was already there, or even them both dying in the house and burning away in a beautiful yet twisted death. However, it wouldn't have been as emotionally impactful so I do respect the artist's view a lot. You know, I used to love angst endings but this...this has changed me and scarred me psychologically. Personally, whether it be Stockholm Syndrome or something else, I would've supported that Bum and Sangwoo did achieve a mutual love, even if it was as short-lived, warped and misunderstood as it was.
Hey, I know this is probably one of these unpopular opinions out there, but Jihyun is seriously getting way too much hate here. I mean, the guy has a lot of issues regarding the way that he treats Chiwoo, but some of you are literally wishing him dead. Like, it's fine to not ship that couple for one thing, but I've seen many other mangas that have this sort of 'fucked up' relationship in them, and some of them are doing just fine. Why? Because there are some people who are into that kind of stuff. In fact, this is quite tame if anything.
I'm not saying that it's rightful behaviour to commit non-consensual acts, but honestly, I'm pretty sure the author is no way in hell condemning what Jihyun does. In fact, I'm pretty certain that the author will use this as a stepping stone to advance their character growth.
Sorry to burst your bubbles, but if this ain't your cup of tea, then please do kindly move on. Thank you.
condoning*
Well I hate the guy but I don't wish death upon him or any other char.. I just want him out of the MC's life and stop creating problems for him!
That's fine since it's just how you'd personally wish the story would progress. After all, a fluffy story is an adorable one, though it does come down to individual taste. Since I prefer a sort of 'crash and burn' styled love (with an eventual happy ending), I just want there to be less toxicity towards Jihyun. All things are better when they come in moderation, and that applies to hate, too. (=・ω・=)
I read the raws and enjoyed the story some time ago, and I felt like taking a nostalgia read when I saw it posted on here but...My word, I'm not sure what happened but unfortunately, the translation isn't able to deliver the content of the story well. Hope this doesn't get review-bombed due to the mistranslation.