Responses
hi, interesting take!
im guessing it has something to do with the level of attachment to the characters and the label/genre itself
when you choose to read a ntr you are signing up for it from the start, you know it’s gonna happen and have no real bonds to the characters- and let’s be honest their real partner is always portrayed as an asshole so you lowkey cheer up for the cheating lmao
meanwhile when we are setting for a romance in any media, you bond with the characters so any cheating triggers rage, incredulity and such
Im lazy to post this on reddit and will delete it anyway.
I want to preface this by saying I completely disagree with cheating in real life. However, I’ve noticed a weird double standard in my own reactions to fiction, and I'm curious about the psychology behind it.
As an avid reader of manga, manhwa, light novels, and adult content, I recently found myself reading NTR (Netorare/cheating) hentai. While I don't condone cheating, I realized I didn't mind it in this context—and actually enjoyed the thrill of hidden sex, secrecy, and provocation that the genre provides.
Yet, whenever I read mainstream romance books, webtoons, or watch anime where characters cheat, it fills me with genuine anger. It makes me feel like that meme: 'I can excuse murder, but I draw the line at cheating.'
this is massive hypocrisy