This was my review I wrote on RIDI when the story ended back in April. I don’t care what she had to say about Ian loving Jo. I will never believe that he was romantically in love with Jo. Because what was written in the story doesn’t reinforce that at all. You can read my breakdown under the topic CONFUSED.
And I’ll reiterate this again, Jo knew best what Ian’s “love” for him amounted to, when he expected it to have an expiration date!
Wet Sand has some of the most beautiful art I've seen in a manhwa, and honestly, the artwork is what carries the entire story and what kept me reading. No one can say Doyak is a terrible artist. 5/5 for the art alone. Writing wise, ehhh I never thought it was particularly strong, but it had the potential to be something good. I'm not a fan of love triangles so I avoided reading this story for 2 years, but I was drawn in after seeing TJ's face repeatedly on social media. He became the reason I kept reading despite some unrealistic moments in the story such as Ian asking to leave the gang like it's that simple or claiming that Ian could use self defense to get out of doing any jail time when he deliberately dragged someone back into his apartment to kill in in front of a witness. Anyone with any knowledge of the law would laugh at how little time Ian had to do for voluntary manslaughter. But having TJ be the one to say give him two years place blame on him and turn the readers attention away from Ian who could have easily let the man go, but decided to kill him in cold blood. Surface level readers took this and dragged TJ's name through the mud. I was able to predict about 80% of the plot, which tells me the story wasn't as layered or as cleverly written as some fans claim. The 20% I didn't predict wasn't because it was brilliant. It was because the author took directions that felt more like poor choices than meaningful twists. Sentimentality aside, I didn't think Ian was that stupid to go back to retrieve his couple's jewelry with TJ. The author literally had to dumb down all her characters to give Jo a moment to come in and save Ian. The writing all of season 3 was crumbling for me, but that moment was truly where the writing starts to fall apart. The biggest issue is that this story never should have been marketed as a love triangle. A love triangle requires mutual emotional tension and believable romantic pull between all parties, and Wet Sand simply didn't deliver that. We followed Jo and Ian's “relationship” from start to finish, and Ian showed minimal affection and care towards Jo. I couldn't feel any mutual romantic love between them. There was no longing, no spark, no sense that Ian was ever truly torn between his choice of TJ and Jo. All things pointed to TJ from beginning to end. Even when agreeing to leave with Jo, he had to tell himself he was also doing it for TJ. If TJ hadn't up and disappeared, Jo would've never had a chance to practically move in with Ian. It felt like Jo became a comfort blanket for Ian when TJ left. When do we ever see Ian seek out Jo other than to apologize on TJ's behalf. Jo was literally just there. A replacement because of the true love of his life left him lonely and rejected. If the author intended to convince readers that Jo was a genuine romantic contender, then she failed miserably. On the other hand, even with the crumbs we were given of TJ and Ian,Their scenes were consistently emotionally charged. Despite how little screen time they had together, I could actually feel the love between them. That's what makes the story so frustrating because the potential was right there. But instead the author chose to deprive the readers of the moments that mattered most. Once TJ and Ian crossed the line into romance, we barely saw anything except conflict and emotional smut. Where were their soft and tender moments? As a TJ/Ian fan, it felt like we were expected to endure seasons of buildup only to be denied the satisfaction of never seeing their entire journey together. And further planting seeds of doubt for the other side of the fandom to cling on to. What makes it worse is that I had no doubt since Season 1 that TJ was endgame. I kept telling myself to be patient, assuming the author would eventually provide the missing emotional foundation, a flashbacks, heartfelt conversation, or at least insight into their first two years together. Something, anything!!! But she gave us nothing. Even the secondary couple's breakup felt like it received more attention and care than the actual main couple finally getting together. The lack of emotional pull from the secondary couple throughout the story got dumped all at once in chapter 98 and I'm supposed to believe it was something more substantial than what was written from chapter 1-97? It was truly laughable. And this was the first time I believe the author was pandering to one side of the fandom. On top of that, the story introduces multiple plot points that never receive proper conclusions. Too much time is spent on scenes that don't move the story forward. It truly feels like the author was more interested in dragging out ambiguity to fuel fanwars than in delivering a coherent, satisfying narrative. Instead of focusing on what actually mattered, the love between the main couple and tying up loose end. She continued to force a “love triangle” that didn't exist, and it ultimately hurt the pacing and execution of Season 3. The ending especially felt insulting in how little effort was put into TJ and Ian's final payoff. There was time for meaningless fillers like Destiny shooting her shot with Jo, but not enough time for TJ to say “I love you” back, not enough time for a real proposal. We never got to see them go to California!!! After everything, the emotional reward was shockingly minimal. TJ and Ian's 20+ years journey to finding happiness deserved more than that. It was such a disappointment. Ultimately, this feels like a case of an author biting off more than she could chew. The gang subplot was underwhelming, the romance was underdeveloped, and the overall execution was disappointing. Wet Sand had the potential to stand out as something truly memorable,but instead it chose to rely on baiting readers with a false love triangle and dragged out ambiguity rather than delivering a properly structured story with meaningful payoff for the main couple. It felt like a slap in the face. It's a shame, because the story could have been good, maybe even great. But with so much wasted potential and such an unsatisfying conclusion, I can't justify rating it higher than 2.5/5. Do better next time Doyak or just stick to drawing.
Ok let’s get this straight cause I’m sick of this narrative that TJ dragged Ian into the gang life.
Ian was an abused and neglected boy by no fault of his own. His mom was a drug addict that overdosed and ended up in jail. Which lead Ian to enter the foster system. He went from foster family to foster family. And eventually ended up under Mr. Jang who went around collecting orphan children like they were Pokémon (Ian, Jaime and his brother plus all those other kids that were a part of Jang’s gang)
TJ meets Ian at 15 years old and was captivated by him. He sat there on the stairs waiting for Ian’s gaze to fall upon him. So what does this dumabass do, he left his decent foster family to follow Ian into Jang’s gang! It was TJ’s choice but Ian was his reason. Again he was 15 years old. A young dumb kid!!!
3 years under Jang’s gang, we know he dealt with drugs and illegal fighting ring. TJ made him a lot of money through sports betting and caught the attention of Jason who thought it was a waste to have TJ working for Jang. While Ian caught the attention of David Kim. In their initial meeting with David, David expressed interest in Ian and dragged Jang away to discuss him. Jang even said, no boss not him, he’s a good worker. Because he knew what David was capable of. And Jason confirms this by thinking about the last kid David fucked up. Jason knew Ian was going to have it rough before anything even happened. They are both around 18/19 years old at this point. Legally an adult and officially aged out of the system and deemed old enough to survive on their own. How many 18/19 year old do you know who are capable of living on their own in America? We still got people in their 20-30s living at home with their parents but I digress.
Anyways at some point Jason approached TJ to join his gang and he declined. Because he was living and working with his best friend/crush./family. Why would he abandon ship when things were going well. But all of that changed when David got his hands on Ian and drugged and raped him and passed him around. Jang who is their boss and leader didn’t protect Ian. He basically gave David the green light to abuse Ian. Now we have a problem. We have two powerless kids whose safety and survival is not guaranteed under their current boss. What can they do? Run away together? Where would they go, how much money do they even have? Where would they live? Who’s renting to 2 kids with no education and no jobs? TJ is talented in MMA fighting. There are pro coaches coming to his matches to possibly scout him but nothing set in stone. Even if he got scouted would they provide him with money, food and shelter right away? What about Ian? This option isn’t ideal because there’s too many uncertainties and the clock is ticking. If time wasn’t a factor TJ’s life trajectory would’ve been different.
Ian went to rehab to get clean. He’s safe from Jang and David for now, but he’ll be discharged soon. What’s going to stop David from continuing to abuse Ian once’s he’s back home and under Jang’s rule? Nothing! Ian will be coming back into the tiger’s den and TJ is powerless to stop that from happening. So what can his 18 year old self do? He remembers that Jason asked him to join his gang. He goes to Jason and asked if the offer was still valid. Jason asked him why he changed his mind all of a sudden?
The truth he didn’t vocalize (I need to protect my best friend and family from being drugged and raped when he gets out of rehab)
The half truth/lie that he spoke (I want to make a lot of money) Because he learned that having money also meant having power. And David Kim made TJ understand how little power he had. And how much power David had because he was rich and famous.
Jason knew TJ was lying but he got who he wanted TJ and agreed to accept Ian too, but TJ needs to prove himself first. He needs to make his first kill.
Can you imagine how hard his resolve had to be to agree to kill someone? He was 18 years old!!! This isn’t peddling drugs, this isn’t fighting in a ring. TJ needs to take someone’s life to ensure that both he and Ian can survive when he is released from rehab. So he gave up on the fight that wouldn’t changed his life for the better to choose to make sure his best friend and only family can survive to have a future to live.
Who was already in a gang when they met? Ian
Who did TJ join Jang’s gang for? Ian
Who did TJ join Jason’s gang for? Also Ian
And you can’t drag someone into the gang life if they’re already a part of the gang! They just joined another gang!
And that is the reason why Ian feels indebted to TJ. Because he knew TJ followed him because he likes him. He knew TJ forfeited his mma career for him. He knew TJ had to join Jason’s gang to protect him from Jang and David.
Ultimately these were TJ’s choices but Ian was his reason and Ian KNOWS this.
If Doyak had written the story in chronological order this wouldn’t be hard to understand.
From start to finish the only one MC remotely had any interest in was the younger bro. There was no conflict about feelings, just obligation about his job and the physical nature of it. Like it was plain to see who he would think of first when he’s in danger.
The story is mid from start to finish.
Bro is so stupid. You’d rather be sick and passing out every other day instead of focusing on rebuilding your health and actually being well enough to take care of your child. Now you’re inconveniencing everyone around you. I fucken hate these type of stupidly stubborn characters.
Also 2nd ML is a weirdo. You don’t know him well enough to be acting this obsessed and possessive. It’s creepy.
Taking a leave of absence just to teach them a lesson seems unnecessary. He’s forfeiting all the work he’s done in his classes so far plus delaying his graduation. Like this is dramatic.
Anyways Josef are you available cause you’re my type.
I love how he’s always jumping onto his man like a monkey. He manages to get cuter and cuter as the story progresses.
Ugh I can’t stand a weak and dumb MC. Like are you that oblivious?!?! Please grow a spine or something!!!
Yeomin is known to be a good student. He’s known to be a hard worker, working multiple part time jobs and never having time to be an actual college student. He is more than worthy of this scholarship. Now they’re complaining that a smart hardworking student who actually fucken needs a scholarship shouldn’t get it. Fuck all of them to hell.
UTGL was an average bl. Nothing in there indicate to me that JAXX will using this theme of slavery for nothing more but a backdrop for some smut. Annoying af. Mixed and native but have blue eyes.
I have read plenty of story that I absolutely hated or was super disappointed in. You know what I did once it was over, I moved on to the next story. It’s that simple. So if you’re a Jo stan that absolutely hate the story and the author, go find another story to read. Why are you staying miserable for months on end for? What are you gaining from bitching and complaining on the internet for. Literally why are you still here just to insult her, threaten her, inciting each other to review bomb her story on ridi and get her to block you. That’s such loser behavior and it’s really quite embarrassing. Have you no shame? Cause I’m embarrassed for you. Doyak was right I calling you out and telling you to go find another hobby cause why are you still here? There are plenty of better stories than Wet sand. There’s no need to linger in a fandom you don’t belong in.