Wet sand has plenty of plot holes and Doyak dropped the ball on the ending for sure, but not the endgame. That was clear from the start. And let’s be real, they’re mad about the endgame not the plot holes.
Ian is one of the most misunderstood character especially by Jo stans. He is so strong and resilient and despite the abuse and traumatic life he’s gone through he’s still retained such a good heart. But they only see him as weak and easily manipulated by TJ, when Ian himself admitted to knowing everything TJ did, but chose to love him, forgive him and stayed with him for over 10 years!!!
What Jo Stan failed to realize is that Ian wanted a normal life outside of the gang WITH TJ. But they only think he wanted a life outside the gang AWAY from TJ. He was fed up with the violence of living that way and he could never openly be with TJ because of the homophobic environment of the gang. Ian recognized that TJ has his ambition of climbing up the ranks and he thought TJ would never give that up for him so that’s why he chose to leave the gang not because he didn’t love TJ. It’s because he loves TJ that he didn’t want to stand in the way of his goals but he could no longer keep sacrificing himself while TJ obtain his goals. Especially since he felt they were turning into a monster. Leaving the gang and wanting a normal life does not mean he doesn’t love TJ and if Jo stans could accept that, then there wouldn’t be so much conflict.
Ian already worked past his addiction and substance abuse. Ian was resolved in leaving the gang, which he did. The only thing keeping him tied down was his feelings for TJ which he explained in chapter 98 my heart was tethered to one place from the start. No matter how much he wanted to run away or start new with someone else, he couldn’t lie to himself when his heart already belonged to TJ.
But they started off on the wrong foot. Ian felt guilty that TJ abandoned his foster parents to join Jang’s gang with him. Ian loved TJ’s obsession for him, he admitted it fueled his self worth (correct translation in the physical books personally reviewed by Doyak since tappy toon butchered the official English translation) TJ was being used to fight in illegal fighting rings to make money for Jang. TJ had the opportunity to get scouted and become a professional mma fighter but he gave that up because Ian was being abused by David Kim and Jang was allowing it to happen. While Ian was in rehab (TJ crying finally convinced him to go) TJ needed to secure an exit plan from Jang’s gang so that lead him to accepting Jason’s offer to join his gang but in order to get in he had to kill Jang. Which turned them both into murderers and led them deeper into the gritty underworld before they’re even 20 years old!!! They were both just orphaned teens with no one to fall back on but each other. Ian felt responsible for their lives going down that path.
And here comes Jo who grew up sheltered with a loving family, never lacking anything. He had the life and family Ian has always dreamed of and he was way too willing to give it all up for Ian who he barely knows for a few months!!! He let a man die and was ready to kill Jaime and become a murderer for Ian. Ian showed that he matured because he can’t take pleasure in Jo’s obsession for him. He can’t allow Jo to give up his life and morals to be with him especially when he could not reciprocate Jo’s feelings. He was not about to tack on more guilt by letting Jo ruin his life for him. That’s why Jo was never going to be endgame.
Ian took time away to heal himself and forgive himself. so that when he reunited with TJ it’s because of love and love only. There will be no more debt to each other.
Thank thank you someone who finally gets the story. I hate how they misunderstood Ian character so much and makes him into someone who has no character development just because he didn't pick Jo! BECAUSE HE FUCKING DID HAVE. He never lied to Jo. He did felt love for him and it was never fake but as he said his heart belongs to TJ . He love TJ and he couldn't love Jo but he wished that he could have. LIKE MY BABY IS ONE OF THE MOST REALISTIC AND EMOTIONALLY COMPLEX CHARACTER out there and dumb bitches just hating on him because he didn't pick Mr privilege and majority of them are increasing too and they never gets Ian character right either.
The only things Ian needed to work on was
1) putting himself first and learn to love himself
2) work on his communication and conflict resolution skills
3)stop finding his self worth in other’s attention/obsession
4)stop blaming himself for other’s choice/behavior
Ian’s growth has nothing to do with which ML he was going to end up with.
TJ was never the source of Ian’s problems. Just like Jo was never the solution either.
I lack the words to express my fascination on how well you understood this manhwa and put it into words. You've cleared up some things I've been feeling conflicted about regarding them. I don't think I've ever read a review this detailed and so deeply understanding of the characters. Kudos man. I hope everything goes well for you in life.
Omg you’re so sweet. I wish the same for you. I’m curious what it was that you were conflicted about?
I don't think i understood Ian's feelings to the core when I read this at the start, and had him confused for someome that wanted to escape TJ's grasp and move on. Move on but not with Jo, something like give himself time and leave freely from it all. I don't think Jo was ever an option, as much as the moments they shared together would make you think that, I feel like it always was only temporary. Maybe what I was conflicted about was how I perceived Jo, as a temporary but also a new beginning for Ian and TJ as the past, things that would still remind him of everything that happened. I may still lack the words, but Ian's feelings definitely seem much clearer now.
Do you think if Ian truly didn't love TJ, there's ?
*If for some reason Ian didn't love TJ and never had in that way, do you think they're is a chance that Jo would've been picked?
Before I began reading wet sand I read comments about TJ being the toxic ex that wouldn’t let Ian go. And Jo was the new guy showing Ian how to love, so I was under the impression that tj and Ian’s relationship was all one sided. But it was clear from the first 2 chapters that Ian was a willing participant in their relationship.
Ian doesn’t reject TJ when it comes to intimacy. They seem to have an understanding between them. Even if Ian fucks other men, his constant will always been TJ. Even when Ian thinks about leaving it’s only for 3-4 years. When he got his fake ID the guy asked why he didn’t just get a passport so he can go abroad. He thinks of TJ’s smiling face and says that’s a useless question. Ian was never committed to leaving forever and never coming back or even leaving far enough to go beyond TJ’s reach. But the chapter that sealed the deal for me was chapter 32. “Everyday is a struggle to get you out my head.” The way that Ian cried and ran after TJ questioning if this is what he really wants really shows how much he loves TJ and never wanted a life without him. And then we get Ian’s resolved into going back and killing everyone who tried to hurt TJ. Endgame was clear since season 1.
I never thought Jo had a chance. Jo stans seem to think he did. They said Joian scenes are beautiful and romantic, but are they really? I think Jo stans read with rose tinted glasses on. There are a few moments that they love to claim were the best Joian moments but TJ was always lingering in one of their minds.
The rooftop star gazing scene. Jo asked if Ian ever had someone he loved. The correct translation from the physical books have Ian subconsciously admitting that “there is” someone he loves (present tense) then he changed it to “there was” (past tense) Jo reminisces about this moment in a later chapter and realized that Ian was lying to himself when he said he used to love someone. That’s literally the moment Jo finds out Ian is still in love with TJ.
After being told he was only interested in a one night stand, Jo is hurt. Ian looks into his eyes and said those eyes make me weak. It’s not until later chapters where Jo comes back from Nebraska willing to be one of the many men on Ian’s roster do we find out why those eyes make him weak. It was the way TJ used to look at him. In one panel you actually see TJ’s yellow eyes on Jo’s face. Ian was only interested in Jo because he reminded him of a younger TJ.
After TJ disappeared, Jo tucked a distracted Ian in bed and left. As he left Jo said to himself he didn’t want to be someone’s substitute. They go camping together. Ian is testing the water with Jo, wondering if he can stop thinking about TJ. He was making an effort to start something honest with Jo. Jo has to ask Ian if he actually sees him (Jo & not TJ) before they kiss. It all seems sweet. They feel like it’s the first time having sex, only for Ian to cum to the thought of TJ and then Jo goes and ruin the moment by fucking a passed out Ian and cums on his face. SMDH.
They start cohabitating and Jo learns nothing new about Ian. Jo is the one making all the efforts to cook and clean and decorate Ian’s apartment, waiting for Ian to come home. All they do is fuck and kept things superficial. Even Ian is like are we dating? But instead of fully enjoying their “honeymoon” period, Ian is off doing side quests, looking for TJ, looking for Chris and befriending Toby. All while convincing himself that TJ doesn’t love him, TJ let him go, he isn’t even a worthy card to used against TJ anymore. He finally noticed a flower shop and thinks about Jo liking flowers but doesn’t even buy the flower. Jo couldn’t even get 1 single flower back.
Jo finally gets accepted into college and fears telling Ian about it, but he knows their time together would end and Ian would be ok bye! So he gather up the courage to ask Ian to come with him. The first person Ian thinks of is TJ. It’ll be good for, TJ, for Ian and LAST Jo. Jo is an afterthought even when it’s about Ian moving away with Jo.
At Aunt Bella’s house, Ian is shown being uncomfortable, but he says everytime he looks at Jo he feels better. That seems sweet but next we have Ian stomping a guy to death. He sees Jo and his first reaction is to flee a crime scene and leave Jo behind. Jo stan loves convincing themselves that Ian loves Jo but where was that love when his first instinct was to leave Jo behind with a dying man?
And the next moment Jo Stan thought was the epitome of Joian’s love, the I would give everything for you and I wanna burn to death with Jo’s blue eyes. LOL. I was never convinced Jo was going to be endgame, but this moment sealed the deal for me that Joian was never going to happen. First of all Ian finally tells Jo the truth that he was pretending the entire time they were together. Jo being Jo can’t accept this. His stans might think his persistence is admirable but that’s just Jo failing to accept Ian’s boundaries over and over again. Jo said he was willing to give up everything to be with Ian. Ian starts to provoke him and pushes for sex. (Just Ian being an avoidant and using sex to avoid actual conversation) Jo tells Ian he’s broken! And instead of stopping Ian from being self destructive, he has rough sex with Ian anyways. Bringing up TJ, it’s because of that man! So you recognize that Ian is broke and being self destructive, but instead of helping him find better coping skills you used this moment to take out your frustration in him. Green flag where? Jo said it himself, he doesn’t push Ian to open up because he’s scared Ian would run away and end things with him. He’s too worried about losing Ian than to be an actual friend to Ian. And I implore people who thinks Ian looking into Jo’s blue eyes and don’t mind burning to death is romantic to actually reconsider their stance. If you don’t see Ian as being suicidal at that moment idk what to say. Being happy and in love doesn’t make you think about death!
Then we see Ian and TJ reuniting. We find out their fears. Ian fears not having a place in TJ’s life if he gets married and starts a family. He proposed that they run away together and starts anew. He’s not thinking about Jo or what will happen to him once he and TJ are gone. But TJ declines and they separate again.
Jo finds Ian at the campsite they once visited. He remembered Ian saying it was a good hiding spot and suggest they run away together and what does Ian do, he goes back home to retrieve his couple jewelry with TJ!!! He couldn’t run away and start a life with Jo without trying to bring his prize possession with him. That man has never loved Jo. He cared for him sure, but romantic love, don’t make me laugh.
Sorry I went off on a tangent. But yeah all signs lead to TJ. All of Ian’s love and devotions has always been reserved for TJ. Ian never got serious with those other men because he was waiting for TJ. Even when he honestly tried to move on with Jo, his heart was tied to TJ. Jo stans can delude themselves all they want, but that’s why they were never able to see how Jo was never gonna be end game. They cherry pick panels and dialogue from scenes but don’t look at the WHOLE picture. None of those joian moments were romantics. TJ was always in the back of their minds.
And it’s hard to even consider Ian not loving TJ. The story wouldn’t be Wet Sand. We’d all be reading Dry Sand and that story doesn’t exist, just like Ian’s love for Jo.
"Not to defend those who are threatening the author but I feel like the ending it is in fact a little stupid..." "no emotional intelligence"
Holy not protecting those who harass real life person but let me justify how they're feeling because I think it's stupid ahh moment.
I agree that the ending was abrupt and I also wish we had gotten more of Ian's perspective during those two years. But saying he just suddenly got over everything ignores what his actual arc was about. Ian's main struggles were his addiction, the violence he grew up around, and finding a life for himself outside of that environment not simply whether he could forgive TJ. By the end, he stayed clean, left that life behind, spent two years on his own, and finally got the peaceful life he wanted. Like Yeah You can argue that the story should have shown more of that journey but to reduce it to such extent...