We got a graphic rape scene and the post-trauma scene, we could totally take an episode of Hyeonwu getting skinned alive ngl.
Also I get what people mean criticizing the uke's character, but I don't think readers also realize that if a character were alive that much trauma and authoritarian chikdhood can actually mess you up psychologically and emotionally. Trust issues, avoidance, inability to discern emotions and read intentions, enough to make you a gullible and helpless adult because you've been gaslit all your life.
To be honest, Wuju was holding himself just fine until the actual rape (not the nonconsensual kiss), but the actual penetrative rape really was a turning point that messed up his signals to discern danger. Let's not forget that one line where he was relieved that Doyeong still liked him even after the rape.
It may not have been expounded on well but that single scene/line was a story of its own, psychologically and emotionally even. The idea of being relieved someone loves you despite being raped is a different cognitive process from being self-assured that rape does not dehumanize your worth. But the way Wuju mentions it implies that he's hit rock bottom and he's relieved someone still wants his broken, disgusting self. And after that he does spiral a bit by being neglectful and avoidant.
The story doesn't depict the trauma aftermath in a top-notch way but there were signs. Alcoholism, lack of self care, inability to even really see his own pain (when he stepped on glass but still walked up to the door monitor to see who rang the bell). He's been completely dissociated from his own well-being and it gets worse the more Hyeonwu actually rattles him by bringing the few people that Wuju cares.
It might not seem like a lot for readers, but Wuju's last line of sanity was Doyeong and for Hyeonwu to involve Doyeong and even the sister into this entire scheme could have been enough to drive Wuju to suicide. Well, I mean he was probably ready to die in that car crash. Again, I think the story lacks in actually presenting the full depth and gravity of consequences and trauma but the groundwork was definitely laid out for readers to read the flow of events.
And I really liked the way Doyeong took actual measures to keep Wuju checked physically and emotionally. He was at a distance but he always looked after him. I wish the author portrayed a few more scenes of monologes but this is pretty good in itself.
Not the best story, but it's better than a lot of modern manufactured yaoislop with ukes getting raped left and right. At least here we see the actual trauma affecting the uke and the seme making conscious effort and steps to balance giving the uke space and being actively there for his wellbeing.
I still stand for the extra episode or scene of torturing Hyeonwu though
We got a graphic rape scene and the post-trauma scene, we could totally take an episode of Hyeonwu getting skinned alive ngl.
Also I get what people mean criticizing the uke's character, but I don't think readers also realize that if a character were alive that much trauma and authoritarian chikdhood can actually mess you up psychologically and emotionally. Trust issues, avoidance, inability to discern emotions and read intentions, enough to make you a gullible and helpless adult because you've been gaslit all your life.
To be honest, Wuju was holding himself just fine until the actual rape (not the nonconsensual kiss), but the actual penetrative rape really was a turning point that messed up his signals to discern danger. Let's not forget that one line where he was relieved that Doyeong still liked him even after the rape.
It may not have been expounded on well but that single scene/line was a story of its own, psychologically and emotionally even. The idea of being relieved someone loves you despite being raped is a different cognitive process from being self-assured that rape does not dehumanize your worth. But the way Wuju mentions it implies that he's hit rock bottom and he's relieved someone still wants his broken, disgusting self. And after that he does spiral a bit by being neglectful and avoidant.
The story doesn't depict the trauma aftermath in a top-notch way but there were signs. Alcoholism, lack of self care, inability to even really see his own pain (when he stepped on glass but still walked up to the door monitor to see who rang the bell). He's been completely dissociated from his own well-being and it gets worse the more Hyeonwu actually rattles him by bringing the few people that Wuju cares.
It might not seem like a lot for readers, but Wuju's last line of sanity was Doyeong and for Hyeonwu to involve Doyeong and even the sister into this entire scheme could have been enough to drive Wuju to suicide. Well, I mean he was probably ready to die in that car crash. Again, I think the story lacks in actually presenting the full depth and gravity of consequences and trauma but the groundwork was definitely laid out for readers to read the flow of events.
And I really liked the way Doyeong took actual measures to keep Wuju checked physically and emotionally. He was at a distance but he always looked after him. I wish the author portrayed a few more scenes of monologes but this is pretty good in itself.
Not the best story, but it's better than a lot of modern manufactured yaoislop with ukes getting raped left and right. At least here we see the actual trauma affecting the uke and the seme making conscious effort and steps to balance giving the uke space and being actively there for his wellbeing.
I still stand for the extra episode or scene of torturing Hyeonwu though