I finished reading this but I disliked Han the whole time. The way he'd just bulldoze over Shinwoo and do whatever he liked was really frustrating, it's probably my most disliked characteristic. I was disappointed because I really like the artists style, but the story and characters didn't do it for me.
I think this story does a great job of showing how our own emotions can be so loud that we make mistakes. I think it’s really easy to judge Han when you know what Shinwoo is going through, but if we remove Shinwoo’s POV it becomes easier to see why Han is upset. Yes he is selfish and a bit of a brat, but it’s also very frustrating to be friends with someone that doesn’t put any effort into the friendship. To Han, he’s always the one showing up and making an effort. Shinwoo was receptive to him and then was just as receptive to the next person that came along. Do I think Shinwoo went about it the right way? Absolutely not but he was a child. Kids make those kid of petty mistakes.
As an adult he is still completely oblivious to why Shinwoo is the way he is. It’s actually funny because the story focuses on how Han loses interest fast, but never mentions the way Shinwoo shows no interest in anything or anyone either. The point is that they’re both at fault by not saying important things until the very end. But they grow together and begin to understand each other.
I think it is really easy to empathize with Shinwoo but you have to remember that what we know about him is not known to Han until much later. He knew next to nothing about Shinwoo’s struggles because Shinwoo himself didn’t tell him. “Without understanding (Shinwoo) as a person” is an interesting thought when you consider that fact. And Han does do much better after learning more. But still Shinwoo is very closed off and Han has to learn from other people.
So yeah I think it’s fair if you don’t like the story. But I just think it’s important to consider what each character actually knows themselves.
Oops I can’t edit but I meant “Do I think Han went about it the right way” not Shinwoo
Kissing your sexy brain rn because bulldozing is exactly the word I was missing to describe Han. And I agree!! Theoretically I liked the story based on the plot and I love the art style (which is why I keep picking it up despite dropping) but as someone who had to deal with a lack of autonomy my whole life due to being stuck in abusive dynamics, anyone with a coercive personality icks me out so that probably explains why I don't like Han that much.
Maybe I would've fucked with it if Han was more considerate because ain't nothing more sexier than someone who is kind, consistent, gives you space, hears you out, shows up the way you need them to, and is considerate even in the smallest actions esp if you're an abuse victim. Life is hard enough already and sure finances are tough, but why would you waste your time with some rich asshole who disregards your needs all because they want your ass lmaooo it's too laughable
I rarely share my grievances about sucky ML's in BL manhwas because there's so many but Han's lack of emotional intelligence and self-centred personality is genuinely making this such a hard read and I'm surprised people calling this peak. How y'all even able to finish reading without getting frustrated? Cus matter of fact I dropped this 3 different times because his attitude towards Shinwoo is putting me off so bad. Not sure what exactly people are finding appealing about this story but the glaze in the comments and it being recommended multiple times to me always makes me change my mind and give the manhwa another chance only to feel exactly what I felt when I dropped it. I mean I've read my fair share of possessive ML's but this be giving me the ick esp since I see myself in Shinwoo. Like if someone like Han existed irl and did that shit to me in highschool and then comes back few years later being all clingy and asks to date?? and kidnaps me to their rich ass home without understanding who I am as a person?? I'm genuinely beating their ass and disappearing forever (after obv robbing them gotta secure my future fr)!! I mean good for Shinwoo he don't gotta worry about money anymore which is a huge burden off his mental but I still think he would've done better focusing on therapy and self improvement instead of getting together with a childhood friend who did you wrong and romantacizing the past. Obv ik this is a fictional story and they're gonna focus on the romance aspect but idk Han just rubs me off the wrong way. Like why is Jeonghyeon (mind you a background character who's not even a potential love interest) a better choice than the fucking ML? I would've rooted for Jeonghyeon if he was into Shinwoo because realistically he's actually a good friend and a partner since his attitude is consistent and he actually made himself aware of Shinwoo's backstory by snooping around as opposed to Han who is literally your fucking partner and he rich enough to idk do background checks or hire a PI to figure out the deal with Shinwoo but he does not seem interested in Shinwoo's affairs! And the time he does snoop around its because Shinwoo seems clocked out of their relationship like sir why didn't we do this before? Why weren't you curious about ts when apparently you were head over heels in high school? And why we just jumping the gun and ask to date all of a sudden without knowing the person fully? Sure, Han is not as toxic and shitty as the toxic bl slop ML's out there which is hardly an achievement, but his redemption era or new changed attitude after knowing Shinwoo's tragic lore isn't gonna change my mind about their relationship. Ffs get this guy off my screen ts pmo
(still gonna try finishing this though I think I may have in the past but it's so mid and forgettable that I only remember how much I struggled to read and ended up dropping)