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Started as a manhwa reader, got impatient, and read the novel on a whim. Suddenly became a die-hard fan of the Passion series. I think the manhwa is GREAT, but it also left out a lot of details that really deepen the characters and the story. Ofc, it’s difficult to adapt every detail, but reading the novel totally changes A LOT about my initial opinion of the story. Though it was ROUGH start in Passion, Diaphonic symphonia and passion: suite shows great progress of their relationship and sweet moments too.
[Novel]
The best way to describe the novel is that it really plumbs the depths of human nature, it’s psychologically nuanced and it’s so fucking addicting to read. Never have I ever loved and understood characters (mainly Taeui)so damn much. Hard to believe it was written more than 20 years ago. And those who called Taeui naive and stupid clearly either don't understand human psychology or the story well enough.
Taeui (MC) was a lot more miserable in the novel; just as the title ‘passion’ meaning sth like ‘suffering’ in Korean suggested, I can clearly feel his pain and confusion. What you see in the manwha is just the surface.
The novel displayed more of those tiny yet significant details of each character, and their feelings. Every one of the characters is really well written, realistic, and rich in character depth, fitting the harsh environment and story setting. Every character is much more in-depth in the novel. Although Ilay was an absolute menace to society and did terrible unjustifiable shit to both Taeui and other people, Ilay probably got the most character development along with Taeui.
People often complain that they DON’T UNDERSTAND the story/plot but it’s mainly because we’re seeing it from Taeui’s pov who was also confused as he was undervalued all his life, living in his genius brother’s and uncle’s shadows; he just got discharged, unemployed; his brother left their home leaving Taeui all alone; then suddenly he got thrown into a power struggle by his uncle, unknowingly being used for benefits and treated unfairly and like an object by people, including his very own uncle! Or sometimes people read illegible translation or just lack reading skill. Plot slowly unfolds, ladies and gentlemen, not given to you from the start.
Getting ridiculed for nepotism eventhough his uncle put him up to it and got shunned/hated by almost everyone just because he was doing his job for a man people hated. Thinking he’s building good relationships only to find out one(Xinlu) approached him for benefits(lucky charm) and out of hatred for someone else(Ilay) (refusing to lose to Ilay) and another (Ilay), whom he thought actually liked him for being himself, actually considered him like a toy for amusement or sex, kept him bc he’s Chang-in’s nephew/Jae-ui’s gilsangcheon, and knowingly watched as he was amused Taeui got played like a puppet in his uncle’s grand scheme.
The amount of mental/physical exhaustion and betrayal one after another started to really drive him insane as he desperately tried to calm himself down every time. He always tried to look on the bright side rather than hating people because he said it drains him more to hate than to like someone.Taeui slowly and finally broke down in the novel was much more painful than it was in the manhwa. The scene where he had a head-splitting headache from realizing the truths really broke me bro He kept taking painkillers(still can't sleep and can't stop the pain), mumbling in pain ‘my head hurts it hurts…’ , then running into Ilay just for Ilay to laugh at him and tell him THAT HE’S OVERLY SENSITIVE AND TOLD HIM NOT TO EXAGERATE TO MINOR ISSUES? BRO— Ilay kissed him gently after saying those words to him as if it was nothing! Taeui realized that his whole existence and feelings were not taken seriously by this man after Taeui had somewhat believed that Ilay kinda was fond of him.
Throughout the first novel, I noticed details in Taeui’s thoughts where Taeui had always liked Ilay in some way and always had some hope/beliefs in him. Just for Ilay who wasn't even aware of his own growing feelings, to push Taeui to his absolute limit because he was both intrigued/confused about why Taeui cared about him and decided to depend on the assumption that Taeui would never hate people being the people lover he was. Taeui was more disappointed in Ilay than he was in Xinlu. Though Taeui knew not to have faith in an inhumane guy, he still unconsciously did. Ilay went ahead and literally shattered every hope and faith Taeui placed in him.
When s.1 suffered so much while bottling everything, they’ll eventually break down even at the seemingly tiniest things. Taeui snapping, running away really gave himself an actual break FROM EVERYTHING and made Ilay realize how valuable Taeui actually was to him. Ilay was so confused why Tae hated him when he treats him so well (by his own (Ilay) standards), but slowly make an effort to try harder to understand Taeui which is NOT sth he normally does. Later, Taeui get used by his uncle AGAIN to find Jaeui, kidnapped, forced into sex, being confined, losing his dignity in front of Gable, people fighting over him regardless of how he feels, getting threats, hating himself for liking Ilay and struggling to understand both himself and Ilay( I have an explanation for this), getting confined/insulted by Rahman, finding out his brother’s hidden struggles, get labeled a fugitive, and going back to Ilay just to get gloves shoved in his mouth… It’s a ROUGH life for Taeui. ╥﹏╥
I would say Ilay is both worse and better in the novel. His actions contradict his words, his expression contradicts his words, his behavior contradicts his inhumane trait, his desperation contradicts his care-free traits/threats…I find it enjoyable scrutinizing every details. I could even say that most people who loves Ilay are because he’s a hot madman or you’re falling in love with ‘Ilay’ from Taeui’s pov; Ilay only treated Taeui well you see… (and he’s still terrifying from Taeui’s pov). Imagine seeing from others' POV a wealthy powerful German madman covered in blood cracking people’s necks with bare hands with a smile on his face in a 9v1 with you as his next victim. Idk why but I feel like his angry voice was already intimidating enough in English but imagine angry Ilay speaking German, a language that sounds even rougher and more intimidating. (⊙…⊙ )
His character is really complex to put into words, but it fits so well with the story and is consistent, too. The novel shows a lot of details of his character, actions, and feelings despite being an inhumane guy. As you read, you hate the character but simultaneously, you also understand them and their human nature. This is how Taeui felt towards the people around him eps towards Ilay.
[Chang-in]
Actually, the novel describes way more about Chang-in. I feel like his character was indeed manipulative but Taeui and possibly Jaeui, too, sort if knew and feel how his uncle was scheming things and only follow his uncle because Taeui’s a kind guy who trusted his uncle because they’re family. While Jaeui probably didn’t know what else to do anyway, going to a place where he can research was better and plus his uncle seem to wanted it, too, so he just goes along with it. He’s def the selfish type who prioritizes himself and his position at work, but his character is much deeper than just that. I don’t think they included it in the manhwa, but novel describes how Chang-in grew up as a genius and was disappointed in himself when he got in a gifted education program or sth and he felt like he was just was on a mediocre level among other geniuses. But his second disappointment in himself when he witnessed just how great of a genius Jaeui was. Uncle was envious and so does everyone including Taeui.(Taeui said he was envious too but more towards the luck part.) But uncle and Taeui still loves Jaeui. Chang-in goes on to mention how much burden he himself felt with HIS LEVEL of intelligence, but seeing Jaeui’s LEVEL, Chang-in wonder how much burden Jaeui feel and vowed to help him with whatever path he choses. But ofc his work probably comes first. Oh, I also discovered that Kyle went to the same gifted school? Wtf I didn’t not know that. Then Ilay is probably gifted or smart, too, based of how Ilay can understand Jaeui’s blueprint at ten years old, calling it impressive.
Anyway, there’s a lot more to each character than what’s portrayed in the manhwa.
[Manwha]
The manhwa, on the other hand, shows more of Ilay’s feeling through his expressions and eyes which we rarely get to understand through imagination alone using Taeui’s perspective. Most of the time, Passion is written according to what TAEUI sees. Ilay is an act of service dude, not a word of affection type of guy. Noticed how other people just kinda knew how Ilay was fond of Taeui without Ilay outright saying it? Even Chang-in, Kyle, Rita, peter kinda notice how different Ilay looked at Taeui. Or maybe Taeui was used to ‘that soft’ look from the beginning. Aside from the first name thing, I’m sure we all see how Ilay looked at Taeui from the manhwa with those gentle gaze from the start while Taeui was busy doing his own things only starting to closely observe the looks way later. (Ofc Ilay feelings intensifies later on too)
Thank you Gangjak-nim for the gorgeous art and great depiction of their expressions. The artist drew small details that even most reader overlooked. (I like to read one of the fan comment scrutinizing and explaining every chapter haha) I like to look at details like Ilay squinted smiling eyes, Ilay’s gentle expression, Taeui’s nice body, Ilay carefully holding up or tending to Taeui’s injured leg, a punch from the SUPERHUMAN ILAY that used his left hand instead of his right one to knock Taeui preventing him from going to Xinlu without bruising Taeui, Taeui's pretty crying face, Ilay’s karmic miserable expression…Man I love the art. I especially like how Taeui look during the mirror scene and Ilay when he was in the detention section or in the hotel lobby after finishing work in UNHRDO. Unlike the novel that depicts characters through words that are mostly left to imagination, the manhwa depicts Ilay’s expression especially well since he’s not a character that shows his feelings through words often but rather actions and expressions.
[Opinion]
People may ask struggle to understand why Taeui went back to or like Ilay. I think I can explain but that's too long. So maybe later. But I can confidently say that although Taeui developed feelings for Ilay, he never justifies the terrible things Ilay did to him nor does he ever forgive him for what he did to him. He always brings it up throughout the novel, saying that it's a bad memories that leaves a bad taste in his mouth. And would often frown or felt down when he was reminded of it.
I get where those who say ALL people who like PASSION support grape are coming from but they are not getting it right. I’m not speaking for all, but I can say that many read solely for the psychologically wrenching and well written characters/plot that depicts REALISM in that environment. Ilay def got his karma throughout the novels for what he did, suffering and feeling anxious/insecure about Taeui’s feelings even after years. It’s like liking a journal book that takes place in a harsh setting depicting terrible things that happened to them, only for people to say that you only supported what happened to them. I love Taeui with all my life. If I become a granny with dementia, Taeui would be a name that I would remember.
I mainly love how all the characters are so unique and CONSISTENT throughout the story (the novel depicts it really well with characters personalities/nature). Man, I’m amazed at how the author is able to keep the characters’ characters so consistent and they actually has their own personality and differences, making decisions that goes along perfectly with their character instead of writing just to please the readers. The characters development are befitting their human nature and personality too. I like how the characters don’t change overnight and instead it takes at least 1 whole book for changes. From terrible characters that most hate like Ilay, uncle chang-in, Richard, Rahman…etc. I would agree that they are DESPICABLE in many ways, but damn the characters are so well-written. Personally, I love characters with flaws that grew forward, because even actual human are imperfect beings to begin with.
Thanks for taking the time to read. I wrote all of this because I was bored and passionately obsessed. I just felt like encouraging people who might want to read the novel.