Camp out's Topics (5)

we got any info on if there're side stories?

Wow. I didn’t think I’d like it this much. Generally, I’m not too into the CEO x guy in debt get together kind of thing, but a lot of things drew me in.

First of all, I loved the writing and characterization. I really like it when there’s some narration between moments, and when they talk in metaphors.

Second, their dynamic is so funny and romantic at the same time. It’s the opposites attract, and I loved the characterization and framing of being a “pushover,” of having the strength to be kind and love despite being teared apart and taken advantage of. It made me cry a lot of times to see what each would do for the other. These acts of sacrifice and displays of affection really hits me.

Third, I like how there wasn’t as much focus on the company and other stuff. Or like it seems very grounded. In general, when we do go into info about external circumstances, it’s to better understand the characters actions. I don’t like it when it’s just for the sake of world building. I like world building that enhances and helps me understand the main characters better.

Finally, The alternate universes are also so good. There were 3 alternate universes: fox spirit MC (with kids!), Omegaverse, guideverse. Each of them follow a similar storyline of them falling in love, facing adversity together, and reaching their happy ending. Still though, when I saw that the last AU was ending, I couldn’t help but feel a little unsatisfied BUT, the last three episodes were all of the different versions interacting together. It was so funny and romantic at the end, with ML being able to tell which MC is his. Man, peak.

Just finished this series, and man was it a great ride. I scrolled through the comments and saw some differing opinions on which part of himself took over: the darkness/monster, or the one who faced his actions and guilt. I think it ultimately depends on your beliefs about human nature, but I wanted to provide a framework to determine for yourself who won.

Let's start off with a real life example that's more relatable. Let's say someone who has a temper tells themselves "I'm just honest" or "People are too sensitive." They blow up at others and justify it as authenticity. Since they haven't confronted the real reason behind their actions, it hides as justifications and unconsciously controls them. This is like the MC, who never saw himself as a monster. Every killing had a "reason."

They deserved it.
They disrespected him.
It was an accident.

Back to the example: then they realize that they like the feeling of domination in social situations. Do they give in or resist? They are now aware of that inner monster... and this is really hard, as illustrated by 80% of the entire manhwa staying in this part. However, once you are aware, you can now face the monster. Becoming aware doesn't automatically mean you'll win the fistfight. It just means that you can now stand in the ring rather than letting the monster run the show.

So how do we determine who wins the fistfight? If you believe MC's "acceptance" was just a selfish desire to free himself of guilt and to be "forgiven," then his homicidal instincts would win. Standing in the ring was just a one-time thing brought by wanting to escape guilt, and he won't get back up. On the other hand, if you believe in MC's resolve to accept the consequences of his own actions and to stand by it, then the MC would win.

The question isn’t whether he FEELS guilty.
The question is WHY he accepts guilt.
If he accepts it to escape suffering, the monster still controls him.
If he accepts it knowing it may destroy him, then he has taken back agency.

I personally believe in MC. I believe him when he says he will accept whatever consequences come his way in the real world. So I think that MC wins. At the same time, it's largely a reflection of my optimism in humanity. I can totally see people being a little more doubtful towards MC given his past actions, which in that case, means the monster wins.

So... who wins for you?

The author is so creative with storytelling. The latest chapter where he dreams about getting regression to when he was 17 is a prime example: the very definition of a "show don't tell" moment. It'd be easy to just write in some dialogue where MC says to ML, "Even though I went through a lot, if it means meeting you, I would do it all over again." But showing him literally get everything he thinks he wants, just to not have ML by his side... then waking up in cold sweat, hugging ML tight, and initiate walking home from work together... this hits so much harder. I love this story

This is exactly the type of story that takes my heart, pounds it to a pulp, then gently puts it back together. I feel like this hits so hard because of how much I relate to it, and how much I hope my story turns out like this.

I had a friend once that I really loved. Not in an explicitly romantic way, but in an pure, innocent way that you experienced as a kid. We were childhood best friends. I'd goto his house every weekend to hang out: play hide and seek, the Switch, computer games, sports, etc. We'd talk everyday online even though we went to different schools. I could tell he loved me too. Just like in this story, there're are some things engraved in your heart that you'd never forget. A certain look in their eyes. Words reserved for the closest people in their lives. I wonder if he remembered them as I did...

Anyways, one day, he suddenly put distance between us. He started saying "no" to the things we usually did. I'd ask him what was wrong, but he just gave dodgy answers and continued avoiding me. I had no idea what to do. At that time, I thought he cared about me the most, so how could he do this? There was no way he'd just randomly discard me right? It must be because I did something wrong. I guess I was kinda like seonduk in this story, but my Skyler and I never did figure out what was wrong.

I have a suspicion of what caused this rift, but it's been 6 years. I've tried apologizing, asking him to play games, asking him about life, playing hot and cold, playing cold all the way, showing my broken heart, everything. I'd get various levels of interaction from him, but nothing as precious as what we were before. I'll probably never find out why something so good had to end. All I can do is tend to this wound and hope we find our way back in the end like in My Stary Sky