Okay- Leaving my thoughts here after reading the novel because, phew that was ALOT.
Yeon-oh and Gi-hyeon are so obsessed with each other; it’s actually crazy. You rarely see couples THIS fiercely co-dependent (even in bl). They practically live and breathe one another. Perhaps that is why their entire misunderstanding literally feels like it’s choking you out when you’re reading the novel. All of their miscommunication stems from the fact that both are severely traumatized, but neither knows about all the things the other person went through. They are so obscenely obsessed with each other that they refuse to tell the other about their deepest hurt.
From the moment Gi-hyeon realized that he loves Yeon-oh, he swallowed his own love as if he’s already accepted defeat. He let his love for Yeon-oh fester and rot his heart out, so much so it started suffocating him. He believed that Yeon-oh could never love him so religiously that he never even considered it an option to begin with. I guess to some extent you could say it wasn’t really entirely his fault for having such thoughts since Yeon-oh did have his ‘prejudices’ against beta (men). From his point of view, he never explained why he had such vehement hatred towards them, so he was completely unaware of Yeon-oh’s past traumas. They were also never intimately involved in the 7 years they were in a supposed ‘relationship’, the fact that Yeon-oh possesses a foul mouth and says whatever doesn’t really help their case either. Even so, to dismiss all that Yeon-oh does for him as mere platonic affection is a bit much because no one does all that for a ‘bestfriend’. Gi-hyeon was so blinded by his own sacrifices that he thought his love was poison to Yeon-oh, and perhaps himself too. Although Yeon-oh was always there by his side, refusing to leave all he did was endure alone, suffer in silence, and kill himself over and over again.
Similarly, Yeon-oh had always loved Gi-hyeon but his trauma worked as a barrier separating him and Gi-hyeon. He is honestly crazier for Gi-hyeon than Gi-hyeon is for him. If it were upto him he’d literally sew himself onto Gi-hyeon and fuse together with him like some deep-sea angler fish. He literally goes crazy if he’s separated from Gi-hyeon even if it’s for mere moments. He’s so obsessively in love with him that he’d bring him the moon if that’s what Gi-hyeon asked for. To think he’s been lusting for Gi-hyeon ever since they’ve been in high school but thought his feelings for Gi-hyeon were ‘filthy’. What’s crazy to me is that he refused to realise his feelings for Gi-hyeon were love because he strongly believed that his love for Gi-hyeon was far more profound and pure than the feeling of ‘love’. He acts as if Gi-hyeon is his lifeline, his breath, his soul, and his entire world. He wanted to Gi-hyeon something grander than his low ‘love’ but by doing so he deprived him of what he wanted, no, needed the most.
Both of them are so desperately in love that they are drowning in their own grievances to realise the other’s pain. Both love each other to self-deprecation; they believe their love is a sin to the other, so they suffocate each other to no end. Yet, even after all that, they cannot stray from one another; they are eternally bound together because erasing the other would mean erasing themself. Their entanglement defies logic. No matter how far Gi-hyeon runs away from Yeon-oh, Yeon-oh will always find him, and Gi-hyeon will ALWAYS give in. They are so messy, but it’s hard to look away, just like a train wreck. Half the time, you are tearing away at your own hair because of how frustrating they are, because it is so SO obvious how much they crave each other, but their misunderstandings keep building up, and Gi-hyeon keeps backing away, but at the same time you can’t really put the book down.
All the yapping aside; in case you want to read the novel: https://www.novelupdates.com/series/salt-society/ (Login to novel updates to read)
Thanks for this review. I am now more interested with this beautiful trainwreck.
I read more toxic BL story, compare to this this is just walk in the park
It seems like I can handle this story pretty well
╮(￣▽￣)╭
But only if there is no other annoying side character who bully the MC
unrelated but you're SUCHH a good writer whewwww
(Spoilers) Not really; there isn't any character that's overly annoying and bullies the MC. Gi-hyeon is a pretty strong character and stands his ground. You'll hate his father, though, and Yeon-oh's deadbeat cousin too. Gi-hyeon and Yeon-oh's main conflict is essentially with one another and their own inner struggles. They aren't exactly insanely toxic for each other, but their mountain of misunderstandings keeps building up, resulting in neither of them being able to get their points across the other. There's alot of pushing and pulling between them & stupid miscommunication. Their misunderstandings don't get cleared up until almost the end of the story. Nevertheless, Yeon-oh isn't toxically abusive or anything to Gi-hyeon. Though he's a bit rough around the edges, he's quite a crybaby and obsessively in love with Gi-hyeon. He spends most of the story trying to win back Gi-hyeon in any way he can. He's utterly devoted to him and doesn't give a fuck about anyone other than Gi-hyeon.
Omg you flatter me
hey lovelies does anyone know the password to read 'salt society' novel chapters past 85 (on novelupdates/moonflorverse)
According to their website the pw should be on their DC
Yep, you have to fill an application and wait for them to review it to join discord
I’m getting headache from this series. Does this ML gonna have some redemption or something? And the MC ? Why these two are so unlikeable.
I did went to join their dc for that :(
technically yes, both of them get a “redemption” but i wouldnt expect one thats like perfectly fixes everything. i can see a lot of people being unhappy with the development (lowkey i was a little unsatisfied but it was still decent in the end) and im trying not to spoil it but all in all it was still a captivating read. i think its more similar to real life and how people act as opposed to perfect endings in fictional stories.
thankyou for letting me know <3
Yeah it’s giving me Lucky Paradise and Sugar Trap vibes. Was stressful and it’s kind of dumb coz they don’t communicate and all MC does is keep everything to himself. You’re right about similarities in real life events coz I can’t feel that. Anyway thank you!
Tei had no buisiness having his big ass juicy bombalisious TIDDIES out like THAT- He is literally not even trying to hide atp- NO ONE IS OUT BOOBING HIS BOOBS. Honestly even if there was a scenerio where he did not actually know how to fight he'd still win because no one is taking their eyes off them gigantic tits, I'd be lost in them for all ik who gaf if he strikes me down or if i lose a WIN IS A WIN
I think Tei will either ask to protect Shuraka as his knight, or something to do with his brother and he already knows Shuraka is something or maybe want to know what happened after he was sent back the first time?
I adore Seunghyun & Chaejun so much, saw someone say that they're so 'casually in love' and I couldn't agree more. They make space for each other in their life so 'casually' that it feels like loving each other comes to them as easily as breathing. Their love is so ordinary yet extraordinary; I can't get enough of them. They are both so obviously obsessed with each other that they will probably never be able to go back to being by themself, but honestly, that's okay because they love to watch the other thrive, and it's all mutual. They accept each other despite their flaws, and it's so refreshing to see how well they communicate.
Their childhood (past) really got to me. I can't stop thinking about how Seunghyun and Yeseung's parents failed BOTH of them so miserably. I adore Yeseung so much. Poor baby was also just a child back then, the fact that he registered that at a very young age that if he worked hard enough he'd brother would at least be free to do whatever his heart desires. Yeseung truly does love his baby brother, might seem a bit overbearing and much like tough love at first, but you can really see how much he actually cares about Seunghyun as the story progresses. He observes what Seunghyun loves, gives him as much time as he can even though he's swamped and suffocated himself. He really did want Seunghyun to pursue his happiness, he'd give anything to make sure his brother got the future he wanted even if it meant he'd have to use himself for it. Seunghyun's 'breakdown?' probably had him second guessing everything he ever did, he was so devastated by his brother's crashout that he went away to the military to give him space
:( Seunghyun and Yeseung's drifting apart makes me so sad because they both needed eachother so much at that point of their lives.
Seunghyun loved his brother so much that he looked up to him as his role-model. So much so that his self-worth was forever tied to the words Yeseung said that night to divert his parents from forcing their expectations from Seunghyun. Their parents are HORRIBLE. Not only where they so emotionally draining for the brothers, their love comes with a cost. They cared more about their goal of opening of their school than any of their sons. They used the eldest as an advertisement for how great they are and left the younger one to wallow in inferiority complex because having a 'smart' kid was enough for their reputation. The fact that Seunghyun got into taekwondo in the first place because his mother said he looks cool while doing it (all because she couldn't spare time for her son too btw) and then when he finally found something he wanted to do that he was great at they snatched it back right away. It's already hard enough when they act like he almost doesn't exist but the fact that they would also treat him like some bothersome is crazy to me. To feel like you are invisible in the one place that you are supposed to find comfort is so sad (especially when you are a child). I felt a pang in my heart when the brothers both opened up. They deserve to know that they have someone cheering for them, supporting each of their steps even if it's silently. Oh the part where Seunghyun cries and says something along the lines of 'You were also just a child back then' really had me devastated. They both matured way before kids their age should and that is truly sad.
Oh my baby Chaejun, he was such a tiny little bunny cutie <3 Even though he was TINY back then he still had that foul mouth on him. His abandonment issues are etched so deep in him, that too from such a young age :(( The part were he used to draw houses and furniture for his family dreaming about when they'd be back together :( AND HE'D WAIT FOR CARS (VROOM VROOM) BECAUSE HIS MOTHER SAID SHE'S GONNA COME BACKKK- He got so attached to Seunghyun even though he'd act like he didn't give a damn. The staff room incident was so hard on him, not just physically, but also because he was so severely scared of being abandoned. Watching a tiny Chaejun clinging onto Seunghyun's taekwondo uniform in a small, musty room, waiting to be saved but no one came to get him out until it was almost too late :( Also the fact that Seunghyun DID go to find him but he was told off :( They were just kids :(((((
I love how, when they grew up you can see tidbits of their younger selves. The fact that Chaejun studies furniture design is because he always wanted to make a home where he lives his loved ones and his 'hyung'. Chaejun making the bed for Seunghyun is such a full circle moment too. They are still obsessed with each other and will be with each other 'forever' as they promised as children. It's almost like they knew they'd end up together once they grew up.
I love how they prioritise each other so much; they have their fights like any other couple, but once they think things through, they come to a solution together. I love how they take care of each other, how Chaejun makes sure Seunghyun knows his self-worth, and how Seunghyun always reassures Chaejun that he's never leave his side because he's just THAT obsessed. Both of them are freaks, best of all they are 2 freaks who are freakier TOGETHER. They are each other's home, safe haven, comfort and everything. I adore them so, so much.
I also love Chaejun's uncle. I can't help but notice how both him and Yeseung play similar roles in Chaejun and Seunghyun's lives (respectively). Both primary caregivers/gaurdians other than the parents, love Chaejun and Seunghyun and are very overprotective of them. (IHOPETHEYHAVEASIDESTORYTOGETHERITWOULDBESODELICIOUS)
[I know a lot of people are unsatisfied because Seunghyun doesn't resolve his issues with his parents, but perhaps that is normal. Not everyone can fix a fractured relationship with their parents; it's especially harder when the parents are not actually explosively abusive or horrible. It all lies in the nuances, and his parents don't feel like people who'd think they were at fault anyways. They'll probably hold on to the notion that THEY were correct all along anyways :(]
I love how you wrote all this, I keep feeling like I’m the only one who adores them so much, this is my comfort manhwa, but I can’t recommend it to people as the best manhwa because they will be expecting a lot, it’s just the best to me like they are other very well detailed manhwa out there but it can’t be compared to the peace I get from reading this
I feel the same way about the brother, they literally gave him a child to raise, he did it and they took him away, like that’s literally his child.
The manhwa might give off simple but the author really took their time