Kirai's manga / #re-encounter(33)

Synopsis: Growing up as an orphan in an abusive foster home, Kwon Heeseo (top) finds his solace in the anonymous person sponsoring him. The day he sets the home aflame is the day he finally meets Cha Taekyung (bottom). Although Taekyung tries to maintain a distance between them, Heeseo is obsessive and neurotic, willing to do whatever it takes to keep Taekyung by his side. The truth behind the death of Heeseo's mother unveils bit by bit, but at the climax, a fight causes them to separate. Seven years later, Heeseo kidnaps Taekyung, while the plot stemming from his mother's death continues… Review: This manhwa has a fantastic plot surrounding the mystery behind the death of Heeseo's mother. The cast of characters is tight and memorable, and there are many elements that return to relevance later. As for the main pairing, Kwon Heeseo is undoubtedly a toxic person who needs therapy, but he is only interested in Cha Taekyung. In a way, this gives Taekyung a concerning amount of power over Heeseo's psyche, but he's not equipped to handle such a troubled mind. I hope that their relationship improves!

Synopsis: Although he has been anticipating his discharge from military service, Colonel Kang Ha-jung (MC) is forced to stay so that he can guide and mentor the S++ rank esper, Kim Mu-hyuk. The day he dies on the field, he wakes up five years later in someone else's body. This is an opportunity for him to finally get discharged, but he can't ignore Kim Muhyuk, who is suffering without a guide. Review: We don't see much of ML yet, but he's already formed a great attachment to MC, even refusing the help of other guides for five whole years since MC's death. Personality-wise, MC is far different from a typical protagonist in any BL—as a colonel in his 30s, he holds himself seriously, acts rather jaded and shows no fear, even for his own life. The world-building is interesting, but for me personally, the main pairing does not entice me enough.

Synopsis: Han Seojoon (MC) was once a supporting actor for the famous and talented Choi Seunghyun (ML), but he quit acting because of inferiority complex. Three years later, Choi Seunghyun finds him drowning in debt, and coerces him into returning to showbiz… and his bed. Review: Although this manhwa had a lot of potential, most of the story is wasted on dubcon smut. Furthermore, although they used to be lovers, MC only angsts about being back in ML's shadow, so the rekindling of their relationship doesn't get a narrative spotlight. I liked how ML is fixated on making MC sincerely say "I love you," but the payoff feels lacklustre due to that lack of much needed development between them. In fact, ML seems to suddenly switch personalities, between an adoring lover and a trashy male lead—no transition whatsoever. Plus, neither MC nor ML communicate their feelings until the last chapter, in which the plot ends with an abrupt happy ending.

Synopsis: After a chance encounter on a Halloween night, Jihoo (MC) becomes haunted by a ghost (ML), who frequently rapes him. He tries to repel it with a talisman, but the ghost retaliates by haunting other people instead, so Jihoo concedes to the ghost's desire to be with him. Their relationship becomes amicable, but a lapse in the ghost's mental state prompts it to leave Jihoon; luckily, Jihoo manages to remember the identity of the ghost: Hyeon Jooeon, his boyfriend, who is actually not dead but merely in a coma. Review: It's a cute short story, but most readers seem to think that the plot would suit a longer manhwa. The ghost's demeanour is significantly different from his previous personality, but you can attribute that to his being a ghost. Moreover, their dynamic in the ending reverts to their original, non-toxic dynamic.

Synopsis: Lee Yoonwoo (MC) is a recessive omega masquerading as a beta—because his childhood friend and now crush, Chui Taegyeom (ML), is a dominant alpha who hates omegas. After Yoonwoo returns from his strategically timed military service, Taegyeom immediately re-establishes himself in his life. Soon, the truth about Yoonwoo’s secondary gender is revealed, but it turns out that Taegyeom hates Yoonwoo’s lies more than his being an omega. After a more hiccoughs, they learn to reconcile and become a sweet couple. Review: I really love the bright, pretty art style, especially the way their eyes look and how the artist depicts pheromones. Although most of Yoonwoo and Yaegyeom's troubles come from lies, ultimately they are a very healthy couple who can’t get enough of each other. There is also a second male lead, Dohyun, who has his own spin-off, and besides him there are more fun side characters. A story full of love that you would love.

Synopsis: Noah (MC) has only failed one mission: to infiltrate a family and kill their heir. However, he becomes attached to the young child named Henry (ML) and only manages to steal his necklace as a keepsake. Six years later, Noah returns to the mansion to return the necklace, but Henry, now grown up, catches him—and this time, he won't let him go. Review: It's a very condensed story with interesting snippets of world-building and characterisation, but there are not enough chapters to expand on them. Plus, scenes sometimes have an abrupt moment of humour which interrupts the tension. The relationship between the two main characters could have benefitted greatly from exploration, but we'll just have to settle with smut.

Synopsis: MC has a long-lasting crush on his childhood friend (ML), who has moved away many years ago. When ML returns, MC finds out that ML lied about his age and is currently still in high school. ML is a bit insecure about his being younger than MC. Even so, a very sweet love blossoms between them. Review: ML is 18 after the time skip, so it's technically legal, but some readers may be turned off by the fact that he's still in high school. The story is very sweet, even though the couple have sex in places they shouldn't, and any cliché relationship pitfalls are resolved very quickly.