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This is really long TLDR: Marlon is not bipolar and makes sense in the novel, there was an ENTIRE revolt scene skipped, and this manhwa sucks, read the novel it’s better (and less creepy imo)
Back with “what the fuck is this manhwa doing” where I compare the novel and the manhwa to keep myself sane trying to read this god awful adaptation:
Off the bat, marlon and six’s encounter. Literally why was it a flashback just play it normally there is no point in flashing back. In the novel, marlon still does choke six (poor baby) but there is much MUCH more lead up to it and more fighting than just six confessing and Marlon getting mad. Even when he refers to six being confused bc he saw him having sex, in the novel it’s portrayed as Marlon thinking it’s the first time six has been “excited” and is confusing that with love, but in the manhwa it’s played off as six feeling “pitiful” (??) for marlon?
Also in the novel, the whole REASON six confesses in the first place is because malon offers six to stay with him and leave the circus. The only reason six didn’t accept was because he felt like he wasn’t enough and that he felt that way because he cares a lot about Marlon and doesn’t feel worthy enough to stay by his side. That’s why it’s so confusing to Marlon why he confesses in the first place because he thinks that he is merely confused about his priorities. That six loves him but also wants to leave him, so that’s why he tells six there is no way he can love him. I also feel like the novel sets up marlon’s more violent nature and his unusual upbringing than the manhwa where he just seems so bipolar. Keep in mind, he’s a head of a mafia, he’s not going to be soft. Also, knowing his backstory, it makes sense why he’s so violent (not excusing it tho). Marlon also explains himself more than his cussing?? like ofc ppl are going to think he’s fucking insane when he acts like that. He’s much more logical and a realist in the novel.
You can argue as much as you want about whether it’s grooming or not, but I feel like in the novel it’s very explicit that Marlon is NOT interested romantically in the kid, it feels like he’s interested in how pure this kid is, more akin to raising a kid than trying to groom him for a relationship. Also WE LOSE SIX GOING BACK TO THE MANSION AND LEAVING A DAHLIA FOR MALON, that scene sets up a really cute one wayyy later on down the line ☹.
For argueably the biggest part that was skipped, the revolt against the circus master because what the fuck. Thinking about how much they skipped is pissing me off. The blonde girl letica and corbyn have been planning this revolt for a while now (which is another scene that was skipped when six accidently eavesdropped on them listening to his radio), and six comes back in the middle of them planning it (also we skip a really really cute reunion scene ☹). Basically the “mutants” of the circus have been fed up with the circus master and team up to set this whole place on fire. They are not sure to include six because he was so loyal to the master since he raised him, but since six was now determined to prove himself due to malon’s rejection, accepts. Also the fact that corbyn’s sister was deathly ill and the circus master refused to help her despite knowing he has the funds which was the biggest factor in radicalizing six against him. Blah blah blah viva a revolution, read the novel for more details, and they are able to leave.
The biggest reason I’m so mad at the removal of the revolt is because we establish and develop a bunch of close characters to six like letica and corbyn and how they are able to stay close afterwards. The only reason I can see this vital chunk removed was because the connection between those characters are kinda thrown aside after the I would say turning point of the novel, which is honestly my only gripe with it. Still, I can’t believe they would skip it just to get to the time skip when it develops so much shit. Ugh. Like I can keep going on about the changes, but this thing is already wayyyyyyyy too long.
If you are going to adapt a book but not like the uncomfortable parts, what is the point? Why skip so many vital parts of the pre-ts that establishes basically everything only because it is uncomfortable seeing the mc and ml be an adult and child. Spoiler alert, Corbyn and Six quite LITERALLY get human sex trafficked after the time skip, it’s not going to get better. See you again next week