The author adding the mandatory sad backstory for the red flag top before this is sending me. I haven’t forgotten all Mokeyon has done to Nanjo though. Thankfully his actions aren’t being brushed over—so far at least.
Now Imagine the bottom had an equally tragic backstory. Would people still be so quick to forgive the ML?
The author shows the ML's tragic past first, then expects readers to play a psychological game where they sympathize with him before judging his actions. That's exactly why so many people end up excusing him.
If the author had given the same level of focus and emotional depth to the victim's trauma instead, would everyone still be defending the ML? I seriously doubt it.
Without the sad backstory, most people would hate him for what he did. But because he has one, everyone suddenly starts making excuses and feeling sorry for him.
I’ve seen people defending him before this though so I’m not surprised. I do like his character but that doesn’t excuse what he’s done just because of his backstory. It’s standard in BL at this point and it works 9/10 times. Most people don’t even need a sad backstory to defend ML’s if the art is good enough lol.
Now that it’s complete, Youngwoo and Jo’s relationship (if you can even call it that) really ended in those first three chapters of season 3. They were both deluding themselves the entire time anyway. Jo knew Yw’s heart wasn’t really in it, and Yw would’ve always yearned for TJ.
I do hope the epilogue is pure TJYW fluff in California.
Jo being hung up over a situationship after two years while Youngwoo is finally living his best life with the love of his life is hilarious.
Ive been laughing since 99
Cue the bitter Jo/Joians acting like he deserves better while simultaneously crying in the comments. Truly fascinating.
Anyone surprised by this wasn’t paying attention throughout the story. People have been telling y’all over and over that tjyw were the foundation. That Youngwoo chooses TJ time and time again—even when he was “with” Jo. And now, he actually says the most
Important words to the person he’s in love with and always has been! Although it was abrupt I’m hoping for more context and whatever the author’s idea of fluff is in the next few chapters.
Wanted to come back and say that some of you continue to view this story through a black and white lens when it’s written to be far more nuanced than your average bl. If you’re a TJ solo fan/TJYW and are upset at Youngwoo growing fond of Jo..idk what to say because the concept of loving/ caring about more than one person is a real thing…a GOOD thing! It doesn’t mean the love he feels for one applies to both either (which is obvious because he still feels this strongly about TJ after nearly 20 years). I’m glad this story doesn’t confine itself to the idea of being able to feel love for only one person for all time. Too many stories do that already. Love comes in different forms people! And in the end his love for TJ outweighs everything else!
(i do wish we got more insight into yw’s thoughts though because he’s so frustratingly vague!!)
I didn’t care for them as a couple but I think their closure was handled fairly well. Everything about them is what could have been/missed opportunity.
“Yet the two of them decided to leave that possibility forever untouched, buried beneath the surface.”
It was a solid goodbye to be honest? I guess he’ll take some time for himself—which is needed—and then reunite with Taejoon. Some people are still in denial for some reason but it’s pretty clear this is closure for them. Also, Jo’s tears moved me just a bit. Hopefully he finds someone that’s all for him!!
Re-read chapter 20 if you’re feeling bad for Mokyeon.