imo this is better than KS (I actually came to despise KS - the author dragged it wayyy too long and it became nonsensical), and I'll have to disagree - I actually think this manhwa does have to do with love. that's like the whole premise of their little "game", Clark's inner struggle with wanting to protect Doc by baiting Alex, and why Alex has killed many of his past partners.
That’s fair, I actually dropped KS around the skiing arc because it was boring. I really liked Sangwoo backstory though, so I was fascinated from then to the end.
What do you see as love in this story? When I think of love I think of fluff, lust, or even possessive romance that ends up manifesting in some sort of healthy or saveable dynamic. It’s hard for me to see any of those happening here realistically because there’s nothing remotely altruistic going on and I think they’re both too fucked up to have a redemption arc that would fit within this story timeframe. I’m interested to hear what you think :D
I agree. This story is not wbout love, it is about manipulation and obsession in disguise of love.
I love that you view love so positively - I think that's the end goal for us humans. Unfortunately, many people have really skewed sense of what it is and how to express what they think love is because of how they've grown up and the experiences/trauma they've lived. So even though you may look at this and be like wtf they're so toxic (which is true), to them they're giving as much as they know how to and physically+emotionally can. // Where I see love the most is between Clark and the psychiatrist. Clark really feels something towards him, to the point where he's willing to make himself the bait so that Alex does not kill his old flame. There's also one sided love from Alex to Clark, and Alex to all the past victims. There's infatuation plus a selfless piscean kind of love from Doc to Alex, he also really cherishes Clark. I think if Clark were to suggest it, they'd be back together in a heartbeat. And there's comrade/philial love between the chief and Clark; friendship is a form of love too, you know.
Re: KS. Yea he was the most interesting character. What made me meh about KS was Bom (is that his name? lol I forgot) - as the MC he failed to retain my attention because his growth arc was non-existent.
That makes me think about the toxic relationships I’ve had that I would have nonetheless said I had been in love with the person. It felt very much like love at the time but I wouldn’t call it that now.
I see what you’re saying about Clark x psychiatrist (I can’t remember his name). Clark’s feelings for him run deep and he does prioritize his safety over his own. I don’t ship them but they might have the healthiest feelings for each other in the whole story, haha. And yea, youre right comradery is definitely a form of love. If anything I ship Clark x chief friendship most in this story.
I guess that’s why this story is so great. I liked hearing your thoughts too. This made me think about the spectrum of human relationships and attachments in a way that I don’t get from consuming most media.
Also yeah yoonbum was really lacking development, it almost felt like he was just a catalyst used to convey Sangwoos story :c
This series is a fascinating character study. I think Clark’s character is sociopathic, unable to love as a neurotypical person would, but he still cares deeply about his personal interests and sees the meaning in friendship. It doesn’t surprise me at all how cold he is, because he just isn’t motivated towards social approval the way others would be, but he still needs a basic level of human connection.
As for Alex, I love that the author has created a character who is a serial killer but not at all cold. I think he’s been relationally traumatized to the point where he’s become volatile and collects/preserves others’ emotions because he is just that emotionally starved. Although he is calm and calculating as Clark is, it’s almost as if he’s been hyperwired to seek and hold onto affection to the point of violence, kind of the opposite of Clark who does not seek or express romantic affection.
And then Tommyboi... I really like his character haha. I love reading his and Clark’s interactions.
This series reminds me so much of Killing Stalking in that it was never about love, yet it’s still clearly a BL series.