Hmm, I've been enjoying this story, but some aspects bother me. Hikaru's backstory aligns with the trope of a traumatized child turned vengeful adult due to exploitation. It's clear that his experiences with an older woman as a child shaped his twisted outlook on life, leading him to target successful women in his quest for vengeance. The core reason for Hikaru's penchant for 'stealing talented women's potential' stems from having his innocence taken by a talented/successful woman.
On one hand, I appreciate the attempt to draw parallels between Hikaru and Ai, both victims of predatory adults who coveted their beauty and 'shininess.' Both had to carefully curate an innocent and untainted image to survive, akin to polished gems hiding imperfections. Yet, internally, they grapple with twisted emotions and misplaced blame for the trauma inflicted upon them. This stark contrast between their outward presentation and inner turmoil is where the metaphor of 'lies' arises. This is also why I would argue that the person who knew Ai best was Hikaru as they both shared similar backgrounds and experiences.
While I appreciate the use of the gem metaphor, its application troubles me. It's problematic to suggest that these children were targeted solely based on their attractiveness and that their 'shininess' compelled others to covet them. This notion, coupled with the excuse of 'lookism,' almost absolves perpetrators of their actions (“the power of lookism, turns people into monsters” Why are we acting like this out of one’s control?). I believe focusing on the violence and malice perpetrated by adults, rather than solely on the children's beauty, would have been a more appropriate approach.
I think what the author was trying to imply when comparing Hikaru and Ai with a gem was something similar to that of blood diamonds, where the conflict arises from human greed and exploitation rather than the inherent value of the gems themselves. Both Hikaru and Ai are victims of circumstances beyond their control, stained by the actions of adults who sought to possess them.
Then again it could just be a translation issue, as sometimes things don’t translate well or the meaning/nuance gets lost or not conveyed as accurately. Future chapters could also delve deeper into this subject or I could have interpreted this wrong.
If anyone else interpreted this differently please share your thoughts in the comments, as I like to hear others thoughts and opinions.
I don't think it's translation issue. I think author deliberately tried to show how victims blame themselves because of how society think. I think in the end author will show how this is wrong and that victim shouldn't be blamed.
I think how the author made it about their attractiveness is valid. The showbiz industry works on how charming a person is, also we the audience only knows them through what they show which is basically a made up character and their polished appearance which again is their looks. And when it comes to representation, do we even want to know the perpetrators side? The victims are who that needs justice. If the author focused on the perpetrators malice, there wouldn’t be the story of the victims suffering and their subsequent actions and it’s consequences. Now that we have Hikaru’s story we feel the weight of what he has done reduced. He was a victim and a perpetrator later.
So I got lost in my own text . I hope I passed what I was trying to say….
I agree
I like everyone's opinions regarding the recent chapters. I don't exactly know what the author's intention is but it seems like each opinion can apply to it.
Please, my man is selling his pride for some unseasoned chicken breast
everyone's so focused on the "unseasoned" part.
Yes, but it's also a matter of how much effort or difficulty the dish requires, as well as how good it tastes. Everyone wouldn't have cared if the ML made the MC chicken congee (known for being lightly seasoned), but the fact that he had a chef make it is what matters. Not only did this guy have someone else make the dish, but he also failed to instruct them on how to make it well (this guy even failed to play into nostalgia and make the dish that MC's grandma used to cook). In terms of effort, he put in the LEAST amount, which is insane since it equates to a sentence to the chef
Like if the ML can't even instruct his staff to season your food, I doubt he's going to be considerate or helpful at ALL going forward
Didn’t even had side vegetables TTwTT
Even the friend packed him his favourite side dishes the ML has the game of a 20-year-old broke college student. This was the equivalent of a frat bro giving you part of his weekly meal prep and expecting you to be overjoyed
Wait. How do you know what went in it or how it's made?!?
And also, you're comparing something that's been made by Yi-Hyun's MOM. And they've been friends since FOREVER.
Like, while they were hanging out, did YeJun cook that chicken the SAME way as how his grandma had made it for himself?!? Cuz how ELSE would Ian have known what kind of chicken it was!?? They knew each other for less than a year at school....
Dunno. Maybe his cooking skills isn't up-to-par. Maybe he's never had to take care of anyone his ENTIRE life. Rich, entitled kid. Yi-Hyun's family runs a RESTAURANT, for goodness's sake.
Actually, that made me question the part that YeJun said He couldn't eat anything that DoYoon hadn't made, so that means DoYoon cooks well?!? But since it's made by someone else it isn't as good???
That wasn't a mix up in names right?!?
Bruh, time isn't a factor here, it's consideration. The ML is and has always been an a**hole so of course the only thing he noticed was chicken and not the small details. If he even half what cared he would have asked questions about the MC or showed interest in him during their time together. And honestly, Idc, if that's what he wanted from the relationship fine. This last chapter, however, is a joke since it's just an attempt to force chemistry between 2 characters without any chemistry at all. The author is trying to play the 'see he's always been secretly watching you' card (and maybe a good person!) and it's just lazy writing. In my opinion, a shamelessly terrible/blatant red flag is better than when they try to sell and pretend a red flag is a green one or suddenly (and poorly) change things up because they realize everyone hates the ML.
As for the chicken, there's a certain level of inferring/reading between the scenes that's done in literature. Knowing the ML and his family background you can easily piece together they have various staff who serve them, this would include a chef. Pair that with the sister saying the chicken was 'requested' for the main course means the ML gave some level of instruction to the chef to prepare the meal for the MC. Then looking at the drawings you can see a lack of colour in the piece of chicken given to the MC (roasted chicken tends to be slightly golden/brown and any seasoning would have given some sort of speck in colour including pepper). So while you are right to say there's no concrete evidence this chicken is bland asf, there's also no concrete evidence stating the chicken is NOT bland asf
Lol he can read a book. Being a bad partner has no excuse, go to therapy If you suck at cooking then you, BUY a good meal or you PRACTICE. It's not a hard concept
I have a feeling that it has something to do with pheromones. But if he does know how to cook, it makes the reader wonder why THAT wasn't the badum badum moment. The ML personally making the MC's favourite food or learning to make his favourite food would have had more emotional impact than him half-heartedly instructing a chef to prepare a super common/sub par meal.
I wasn't inferring the chicken wasn't bland. It didn't look appetizing at all. That's why I lol's at your comment. I just meant that since it's a family gathering and they went to the (family) home that chefs are a given so for the chicken to be so tasteless (from the coloring)....who knows. It wouldn't be possible for him to go and cook at their kitchen. They were just guests. Ofc, if DoYoon had never had to wait hands and feet or cook for himself then he's prob not good.
But what threw me off is the phrase where YeJun said (to himself) that he couldn't eat anything that wasn't made by DoYoon. So that means DoYoon DOES know how to cook the (chicken)/food like how YJ likes it?!?
Let me tell you something funny. My parents aren't good cooks.
My mom worked a lot. And following recipes is hard. But with the advent of YouT*be and retirement, she's gotten a lot better. Like being able to see it being made does help. And she had more time after retirement. But she doesn't know how to season food very well. Sometimes it would be very salty. And sometimes very bland (under salted). Or overly seasoned or undersea seasoned. She just doesn't have the knack for it. So it requires a lot of time and dedication. I don't think, without practice and dedication, he wouldn't spontaneously get good. I'm sure he didn't plan all that time to get married and thought about cooking for him. But if the inner thought bubble was correct then DY did indeed knows how to cook for YJ. Just not when others make that dish?
Lol. I Should HOPE THAT A CHEF working for that family be more than qualified. Lol.
I'm happy I'm not the only one who has gone feral for these butlers
I won't lie, this chapter was adorable, but this guy already had plans for his and Alicia's future together to the extent that he had already adopted a family pet. He shouldn't have to 'recognize his feelings' when he has been rallying to become her husband since Day 1
Legit how dense is he to his own thoughts
Ken x Happiness. TBH I don't like Agia regardless of his background he's horrible to Ken so he better do some serious chasing and character development if he's end game. While white hair isn't really better, I don't think they'll end up together since he seems in love with 'Cain.' No matter how similar Ken and Cain are, I don't think a relationship based on the past will work.
So..... do you guys think that's how Nick Cannon produces his children?
LMAO
You know normally I would never say this because I hate book-to-show/movie adaptations. But I think this story would make for a super cute k drama.
Once again men weaponizing their mommy issues to hurt other women. Just once I'd like someone to go to therapy
Bro his sister already killed him once and now she's going to kill him again