I’m trying to make sense of the situation as well, but we have to remember that baekhee isn’t mentally stable at all currently so he isn’t thinking logically. I do not want to see any more abusive scenes either (I can only be thankful there’s no detailed chapters of rape) but I don’t think it’s there for no reason (as in him being humiliated and abused) it’s not easy even if you know it’s wrong to turn away and let go of what you’ve been obsessing over (him being brainwashed by Gyeom that he’s not able to do anything without him) He’s not staying away from Il-woo because he’s mad he lied (even if he was at first) he’s scared of what Gyeom would do to II-woo since we have to be realistic, he has the most power in that high school. And Baekhee knows what a crazy fucker Gyeom is, so him staying away in fear of what would happen isn’t unrealistic but also Il-woo did say in a past chapter that he wouldn’t be staying long in Gicheon, not to mention how ashamed Baekhee is of his killer father so he also has in his mind that Il-woo would leave if he told him the truth
Sorry if this makes 0 sense I’m trying to understand the authors writing, sorry if my comment didn’t help explain things at all I do understand what you’re trying to say and I do agree with many points but I don’t think what’s happening is humiliation porn, I understand the author wanting to show the realistic depiction of a victim and how difficult it is to free oneself even if they know they deserve better
Hmm, true that he is afraid rapist might harm Ilwoo. That could contribute to his decision to stay put. Still, Baekhee is not as helpless as he was at the beginning of the story. For the first time in his life, he feels not alone, more strengthened. So i expected something to encourage that thread instead of completely giving up. Usually, people who have completely given up can be self sabotaging but baekhee had dreams, he hadn't completely given up irrespective of his misfortunes. He had motivation to get out of that God forsaken place. That's why he studied, got a job, even accepted rapist's conditions. But now, he is just an empty shell, and by the way rapist is behaving, he should at least get some sense that rapist might not honor his promise. There are indications enough. He is suffering, but he isn't stupid. Plus, humiliating the uke to move the story forward is a pretty common trope in bls. Your comment has credit for sure. But the the way story is progressing doesn't feel authentic anymore.
I agree, honestly it felt a bit rushed and a bit off since baekhee found anew what life should be like. Right now Baekhee is without hope. Honestly I’m not sure how to even explain it because even if you have plans and dreams as long as you don’t have the hope or love for yourself to continue, you won’t be able to move forward. Idk I don’t make sense anymore now lol
I think we should wait for a few more chapters to really be able to decide if the author actually wants to tell a story or also fall back into old tropes
Gotta say, not a fan of the kind of writing where author keeps humiliating the uke just to push the story forward. Hasn't he suffered enough? He might not have realized what support, understanding and genuine affection would do to a person earlier hence he wouldn't have missed it and went along with what the rapist wanted, but he knows it now after living with ilwoo for months. He knows better now. They might have had a setback but baekhee always knew ilwoo was hiding shit and was going through his own personal hell. This wasn't supposed to be such a revelation that would push baekhee into such self torture, self sabotage that he would just go along with whatever his rapist wanted. At this point, it would only make sense for him to gather some perspective and lose some of the fear and realize the true intentions of the rapist boy. Not all of it, but enough to think about getting away from the rapist. Plus graduating from school is important for baekhee so he could get a job in Seoul, but the rapist isn't letting him go. That doesn't fall in line with baekhee's plans, the point of which was to make a life in Seoul. Whether it is with the rapist or without is something he should have started to figure out by now. What is this, humiliation porn?