I don't think this story has a pacing problem because it's a slow burn. I think it has a pacing problem because it's slow burn increasingly feels circular rather than cumulative. My biggest criticisms would be that character development doesn't always stick. the story spends a lot of time creating tension without resolving it. too many obstacles serve the same narrative function. Tae-ha's character can feel strangely stagnant despite being one of the more interesting characters. the payoff to build ratio is becoming problematic because issues never get resolved. the story sometimes mistakes emotional intensely for progression. The premise and characters are stronger than the current pacing allows them to be and I think that's what most readers have an issue with. But the story needs to start converting its build up into irreversible character changes So that true progression can take place. Ultimately I think everybody is just tired of the progress setback progress setback ongoing theme. Not necessarily that there's absolutely no progression at all.
Exactly ヽ(`Д´)ﾉ
Frr!! Why can't they just drop this story if they can't handle the progress of the story, they're just mad bcz the story won't follow the plot they wanted
I agree with you on this. In my opinion, the pacing of the story appeared pretty stable up until approximately chapter 60 and then pace hit a wall.
I also think that Taeha's character and thought process at times seems circular and stagnant because he assumes he knows everything about Na Haesoo since he watched her for so long. He asks nothing of import at all about her unless it involves Mincheol which can be frustrating at times.
The author also does a lot of breadcrumbing of the past and future scenes that indicate that they clearly know their plot and its direction but they make us wait (sometimes indefinitely) to get the full story. For instance, Taeha's lore/past still hasn't fully been shown which would explain his unstable position in his family and his obsessive nature while all the salient details about Mincheol have already been delivered. Despite the pacing issues, I still love the story which is why I continue to read. I just hate seeing the redundant comments about no plot progression despite everything that has happened up until now.
I actually agree with pretty much all of this! I don't think the story has had no plot progression because that ignores a lot of what has happened. my criticism is more that the pacing and progression have felt less efficient recently with some conflict seeming to create tension or delay a payoff rather than leave the characters somewhere meaningfully different afterward. I also agree with your point about ML him assuming he knows FL because he's observed her for so long could be a really interesting character flaw. he knows a lot about her but that isn't necessarily the same as knowing her through mutual intimacy and communication I'd love to see the story actually confront that. the bread crumbing is probably another reason the pacing has started bothering me. I don't mind information being withheld and I definitely think the author knows where the story is going but some mysteries especially ML's past and family situation have been Left hanging long enough that anticipation starts becoming frustration. I still really enjoy the story and characters which is why I'm critical of the pacing at all I don't Want it rushed I just want some of these long running developments to start paying off
I noticed in the comments that some readers are constantly complaining that there is no plot progression... and at first I was a bit confused but tried to understand since Haesoo and Taeha's relationship tends to be push and pull then stalls due to lack of communication. But even with that, the plot is still moving along and then I realized something...
Folks who are complaining think that Mincheol is still a main character and that the confrontation between him and Haesoo IS THE PLOT?
My goodness... People forget that Miss Na Haesoo told the Ginger Garbage Can to never appear before her again or she would call the cops then moved on. She hasn't even thought of him and he is a non-factor in her life now. She doesn't want him and the only ones obsessing over their past are delusional readers, Mincheol, and Taeha.
Like... what are we doing??!! Haesoo just moved into a nice apartment after living in the moldy ass apartments in the SLUMS her whole life. Not to mention, she was able to defend herself while staying mentally stable after almost getting sex trafficked AND now full on confronted Taeha's brother without backing down. She is also a full on target for every Beom in Seoul and yall are worried about that raggedy, cheating, lying, stealing redhead. There are bigger fish to fry...
Plus Taeha went from being a stalker to being stalked while trying to handle keeping Haesoo safe while on the other side of the world.
And you say "No pLoT ProgREsSion..." Just say you have no reading comprehension and go.