Camp out's Topics (7)

One of my favorites. The bittersweet tone + childhood friends combo always gets me. More than the tropes though, I really enjoyed their dynamic and how the author expressed it.

I think it’s because I could feel how much they love each other through their actions and the way they talked with each other. Just as a quick example: Haru gets jealous easily, so Jiseo wrote a love letter to him for him to read whenever it comes up. Rather than shaming Haru for being insecure/obsessive, Jiseo is understanding and does his best to reassure him. There’s TONS of little moments like that sprinkled between their banter, and it was just so enjoyable for me to read!

Another part of their dynamic I loved was that their freakiness was pretty mutual. A lot of times when one side is more obsessive/jealous, they seem to be invested much more. For example, Jiseo gets cuffed to the fridge by Haru, and just thinks, “hm… this isn’t very practical, I should get out.” Moreover, Jiseo chooses to wreck the fridge rather than the matching bracelet Haru gave him. The nonchalant acceptance of getting physically locked up and breaking free only because of practicalities is the PERFECT match for a possessive ML.

And of course, even a perfect relationship would be dragged under if expressed poorly. Luckily, the author here was amazing with their creative panels! There were so many scenes leveraging popular media as visual metaphors that naturally conveys what the characters are feeling. One of them was of Jiseo helping Haru’s brother, and Haru pictures them as little red riding hood deceived by the big bad wolf. Or a reference to Inside Out where different parts of Jiseo try to keep his desires in control.

But, I think you’ll have to read it to really get what I mean! Well, that is if you get through the beginning…Because man, there were some parts that bothered me early on.

For one, the main plot point where they were “falling out of love” felt contrived.

Once you get to know the characters, Haru’s established personality in the later chapters seemed incongruent with his actions in the beginning. For example, while Jiseo was asking about Haru’s plans that day and why he lied about it, Haru says it’s because Jiseo asks too many questions. This seemed less like something Haru would actually say and more just something to sell the “fell out of love” point. Later on, Haru has never expressed anything about feeling like Jiseo was nosy.

Although many actions WERE explained properly later, many of them similar to what I just mentioned were not. These kinds of actions were what caused Jiseo to break up with Haru, so this whole mess in the beginning just felt like it was there to serve the author’s planned plot point, rather than a natural extension of the characters’ actions.

Furthermore, I felt misled when I learned that them “falling out of love” was actually a miscommunication issue. The first few chapters really sold that idea, so I was expecting them to find a way to rekindle their relationship. However, it turns out they broke up because both just assumed the wrong things and wanted to not bother the other. And the way they got back together was through drunk communication? This part of the plot just didn’t feel satisfying to me.

Despite how much I’m hating on the miscommunication in the beginning, this story actually redeemed the miscommunication trope for me because of how it handled miscommunications later on.

I generally feel frustrated and anxious when miscommunication happens, which makes me dislike the story. However, I didn’t mind it here even with its prevalence. Since their relationship dynamic was so full of love and joy, I didn’t feel anxious at all when it happened later in the story. I knew that whatever happened, they’d be able to get through it by expressing themselves and understanding each other. The miscommunication and how they handled it became a display of strength, rather than weakness for their relationship.

The fact that their tendency to miscommunicate remain edconsistent in their relationship and wasn’t magically solved also made their relationship feel more realistic. Many of the character traits that caused the “falling out of love” miscommunication in the beginning were explained, and those remained even after the break up, which makes sense because they’re part of the character and they are still learning to be with each other.

Although it had a rocky start, it pulled me right back in with enjoyable character dynamics, creative paneling, and writing. Top 10 BL for me!

After underclassman Haru confesses his feelings to Jiseo, Jiseo rejects him, promising to seriously consider him once Haru becomes an adult. Determined to prove himself, Haru grows up and attends the same university as Jiseo.

Now, a few years into their relationship, everything seems to be going well, but lately, Haru has been acting strangely distant. He makes excuses to stay out, barely makes eye contact, and has even asked to sleep in separate rooms. Has Haru fallen out of love?

Maybe it’s time to break up.

Can the two rediscover the passion they once shared, or will their love become nothing more than a painful memory?

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