Finally read the main story (haven't read the extras) and I can say overall Dear Doors is a decent read, even pretty damn funny at times. Now I'm giving it a solid 3.5/5, while it is easy to read, the smut is great (a bit too much of it at times) but always a pleasure. Some aspects will always bring a story below a 5 is the use of rape for no damn reason and then still making that character misunderstood or forgiven (Sid and Satan). One I am not a fan of incest storylines so having SatanxMika really just (⊙…⊙ )...yeah no I'm good. And he raped poor Kyung Joon in front of Cain, what is this Berserk?!
Then Sid...while his ending "sacrifice" was beautiful. I still don't like him, his intentions were always weird and selfish and the shit he put Jin Young through is unforgivable. Also his sacrifice isn't fulfilling for me, I am not a fan of the "dies for you" moments and then the next chapter the character is very much alive. Like don't be afraid to make people sad. His death was needed for him to break free of Metatron and bring balance back to everyone he harmed.
Now the story all together is still fun. I freaking loved Jin Young and Ben's hatred relationship! It was funny and down right my fav chapters. Plus not gonna lie BenxJin ship can get it! Overall I still enjoyed Dear Door and happy I read it, but I do hope for a future where writers/authors can try to use less forced sex and SA to hurt main characters. That's all for my take!
I won't knock the artist for her "idea" of character development because it's her story after all. But re-read the whole season after taking a break after episode 35 (which honestly broke my brain a bit). I'll explain why...
1) Character Traits and Personalities
Never once can I understand Jaekyung or Dan's choices and traits. I understand Jaekyung's past is a "mystery" for season 2 to discuss but I should be able to read something other then anger and aggression on his face. I like that he has a resting bitch face but not that it's his only emotion you can read. I hate that I can't tell if he's interested, annoyed, happy or content, or even curious. The only time we get a small sense of humanity is when he was drunk as a skunk.
Making Dan always grovel at everything Jaekyung did to him and still "fall" for him doesn't make any sense. Never once was he treated with a single grain of humanity.
That flashback he had when he finally leaves of that ONE TIME they played board games had me full on laugh out loud like that had to be the saddest thing I've ever seen...they shared nothing but Sex, forced sex, drunk sex, and drugged sex...but Board games are what made him realize Jae can be a "good" man.
2) The falling in love
It's not believable on both their parts: Dan shouldn't even fathom being around Jaekyung outside his Jinx and Jaekyung never once tried harder to be seen as human to Dan. I will say when I re-read it I can see a small glimpse of 'bothered' behind his eyes when he first looked at Dan but after that it just reads as mean and sexually driven.
Overall...Jae is not a "black" flag but never once does he try to be anything but a bad partner and asshole. Also I still say the author's choice to make his jealousy show as possessive and borderline rapey in that chapter with Heesung will always be the dumbest choice ever. That choice alone makes me hate Jae as a human being let alone boyfriend for Dan.
That's so messed up and the fact I'm not sure how if Dan ever finds out will he forgive that man is beyond me.
I guess season 2 will truly make of break it for me.
I bet Jaekyung can't even come up with a reason why he's "annoyed" with Dan. I reread this manhwa just to see if I can see something behind Jaekyung's eyes that seem like anything but anger or annoyance. But no and he's still sucks butt lol
I'm not even a fan Kim Dan either cause I hate cry baby leads most of the time, but at least he's tolerable and has more then one thought process. The fact Jae couldn't believe Dan left when he didn't even realize he was missing for his first half of recovery after he didn't even give him the benefit of the doubt.
Dan still blaming himself for everything also needs to change cause it's such a drag to see him never realizing that Jae is/was the problem 95% of the time.
He's egotistical and possessive...he wants full control of Dan, he has yet to care about Dan's well-being because he genuinely felt at least bad for him. It's always "I did it for me, I did it for your grandma, I did it cause you were annoying me..." that's absolutely sad. I just can't wrap my head around Dan "loving this man" when he's yet to even take his feelings into consideration outside of that time he was drunk...WHICH DOES NOT COUNT!
Jae has so much to change that it's hard for me to even see him as a "good" boyfriend one day...(￣∇￣")
"That wasn't the real me" Hahahahaha Oh Ash sweetie... you're only gaslighting yourself here (≧∀≦)
We all know that you were very much in your prime last night. Now I'm not saying it was all you, some of that was just pent up hormones obviously from ignoring your ruts but some of that talk was definitely your feelings. But I believe Lyle knows and accepts all of that.
Ay Yo! My poor Lyle isn't gonna walk straight for weeks man! ╥﹏╥...that panel with the color changes to prove they were in bed the whole time is crazy! Someone said it before I could but he better get some witch hazel and hemorrhoid cream cause his ass finna be burning lol
Damn Ash I said I would tag in for Lyle so he can get a break, why you using him up like that man ヾ(❀╹◡╹)ﾉ~ lmao
Taesung is the green flag girlies should be raving about!! He's attentive, passionate, loving, protective in the healthy way, and gorgeous as well! I was so invested in Haebom and Taesung that I found myself giggling like I was reading smut for the first time! 10/10 recommend for those times when you need a break and refresher of what healthy love can be.
I enjoy all of their moments; I really love that even the "bad" guys were handled quickly without coming back like kdrama villains. Though I will say I was shocked about Dowan...not saying he didn't deserve a slap or two but his story ending was a interesting choice...but I digress.
Jin forever trying to get some Matthew D ...sir like you didn't get enough from the night before to last you at least a month??? Bro almost tore you a new hole (≧∀≦)
I can't help but love these two horny ass men
Oh Ash is officially in my top 5 dominant tops ლ(´ڡ`ლ)
Next to Mr. Kim in The New Employee, my god does he have a way with words. This whole rut sequence has me feeling like I'll tap in for Lyle. So Lyle sweet if you want a break let me know (๑•ㅂ•)و✧ I'll take one for the team! Lol
Why sis fucking gushing like a damn faucet from bro mouth fingering her like damn girl(⊙…⊙ )
So I found a fan translation of the finished the novel and read it; not perfect but definitely able to read and understand it enough. I will definitely spoil it a bit, so if you don't wanna know more please skip my response.
If you're not able to handle non consensual sex/SA I must encourage you to skip this manhwa and novel entirely. It does not handle Zhenya redemption well because it chooses not to change him. Which in a small way I respect because the man is pretty much a damaged villain that has attachment issues, so I understand that murderer like him wouldn't just become a walking green flag in reality. But I do wish we learned more about him to bring our some humanity in him better. The novel barely scratches the surface of his childhood and what could be the opener for me to have liked him more as a person.
Also he still is a son of a bitch to Taek Joo when shit doesn't go his way and will #－.－) let's say have his way with him even when he's not conscious...it can be annoying to read when you are so far into this novel and both him and Taek Joo's relationship is still at stage 2. But Taek Joo is written a bit weird too because he subconsciously knows being with Zhenya isn't good and with all the BS that man does to him he wants him around...so stockholm syndrome?? I don't know. But Taek Joo at this point is definitely consenting for the most part...I think...
Anyway it ends with them together and actually happy. Zhenya at least cares at him, says his feelings better and calls him "my rabbit" which is a tad cute if you like murderers ╮(￣▽￣)╭ and Taek Joo definitely has feelings for Zhenya and tends to him often and always worries about him. So there's mini moments of humanity there but it's not perfect ladies, gents, and nonbinary friends.
The bar is def in hell with these two lmao
Overall the story could have been better, the sex (the consenting ones) were def nice to read, and there's sweet moments. I would give this a 5/10...could have be a easier read without the constant SA
This story honestly lost me at times. I felt like the overall plot could have been better and fleshed out. I think skipping into Jaehyun and Seojin relationship was too fast, I think it would grounded me more had I saw how much Jaehyun relied on minwoo more. It would have made me understand the drive for him to try and be free of that controlling bastard. Plus the man literally pushed that young man into traffic and we get nothing about that being at least attempted murder?! Also I could barely connect to Jaehyun as a character at times because he never once acted human. Sure his hyper sexuality is a form of defense but I don't know...it didn't come off like a young man trying to hide his fear but more of a natural prick that uses anymore for his benefit. There is so much missing, Seojin's mother and her significance to why he even gives a fuck about a man he barely knew, The Chairwoman and why she gave a fuck about Minwoo (Is it Controlling? Love? Hate?). Also the relationship between Jaehyun and Seojin and hell even Minwoo was confusing. He said he loved Minwoo but like did he?? It felt like he was using that man's power just as much as Minwoo was using him for gratification. And Seojin and Jaehyun never had softer moments except for the end and it didn't catch the heart like I thought it would. This story needed more polishing, sadly I wouldn't read this again.
It's a cute story, short and to the point. I enjoyed the aspect their "big" problem was solved relatively easy with the fact both characters communicated healthily. I def could read this when I just need a break from toxic relationships.
My only minor complaint is, I do wish it was tad more in depth, I just felt like I really don't know Seunghyun and Do Hun as people and the ex showing up to do nothing was unnecessary if he really was just all talk and no bite. But that's not something I really care that much about.
Oh! My bonus point definitely comes from the fact the author only made the "threesome" a dream/nightmare lol. I maybe in the minority with this opinion but I knew Do Hun would never be okay with letting Seunghyun fuck his ex let alone have a threesome with him. Plus Seunghyun would never force that kind of situation on him either (that much I could tell from their character traits).
I would say, you should definitely read this if you need a serious mental cleanse from shit shows like Roses and Champagne, Codename Anastasia, Passion, Jinx, etc
╮(￣▽￣)╭
Oh I can not get enough of Seunghyun and Jongchan or better yet Mr. Woo and Mr. Kim because the amount of blushing I did was too much for a woman my age. But Mr. Kim me out here freaking out about how dirty he is my man is a freak! And I love it! He's attentive and a hard worker plus the man build like a god under that suit...that bonus chapter with the phone call had me done! "That's a good boy" oh sir...do not get me started!! Ahhh! I just adored it.
I found myself wanting a longer story for Boris and Seyun. The encapsulation of self harm, trauma, sex work, and rape is done well. I knew immediately why I loved Seyun, the idea of emotionally hating yourself before others can is a perfect mimic of victims of trauma. If I hate me first no one can hurt me more.
I am not a fan of Michael walking around freely though. The man and his psycho "friend" just causally kidnapping Seyun again just to rape him and try to break him all over again really had my eye twitching. I wanted Boris to come swinging with a bat. I also loved the ending monologue to Tracy from Seyun as a thank you *chefs kiss*.
Also the artist really needs to be hugged for giving a beautiful color cast representation of young black folks. It made me so excited to see them as characters as a black women myself!!
It was a comforting read. I enjoyed my time with Yeowoon/Ed and Glenn/Creed. It was a sweet ride into the relationship and the sex scenes felt...real honestly. Something about the way the looked at one another felt real. The only thing that sucked was Chang Liu, I hated that instead of finally maturing and just admitting his feelings for Yeowoon like a good man, he resorted to SA him. Like ugh...such a stain of what could have been a bittersweet ending to his one sided affection. Like his grandmother being cruel to him sucked but for him to do that to the only person by his side showed how cruel he really is.
Other then that, it was a enjoyable read!
I can say for sure this is by far my favorite romantic/melodrama BL manga I've read in a long time. I loved every moment with each character except for Young Dei (I have my reasons). I enjoyed how much Yoon, Taejoo or Taejung (the manga kept changing it), and Kwon-Ju were as individuals and lovers. I adored how well spoken all of them were and all of their reactions were correct, honest, heart breaking, and honestly fulfilling to read. It's so hard to find BL Mangas that take the time to let you grasp the characters as a whole. The situation from the beginning was devastating to read and how it unfolds encapsulates how hard losing and letting go of love can be. I could absolutely read this again and all honesty if this ever takes off in popularity I would love to have a series about this.
And my distaste for Young Seo is simple. I do not hate him for loving Taejoo and I do not hate him for wanting to hold onto a man he watch break over and over again and just as he puts him together the one person that could do it again comes back. I hate him as a individual, I am not fond of those the cling so endlessly to what's already not truly yours that you lose yourself in the making. You could argue that Yoon was also clingy but you would be over looking that fact this man was in a coma for 5 years and that 5 years felt like yesterday to him. Young Seo was carelessly mean to a man that just wanted his life back and was just grasping his new reality that will never be. If he had just accepted that Taejoo was his in that moment and push his selfish feelings to the side he would have probably been able to salvage his relationship but that's also assuming Taejoo would have stay anyway of course.
Anyway I highly recommend
Just binged...one Ash is a dreamboat ヾ(☆▽☆) he is so attentive and so damn attractive in bed that even I was flustered with Lyle. Lyle has to be downright the most adorable Alpha that I've ever read about. He's so innocent and sweet that my teeth hurt!
Now...last chapter update: Lyle Sweetie...please tell me y'all got a lot of lube, cause your man gonna ravish the hell out of you lol poor thing so innocent he can't even tell his man hitting his rut. Plus...Ash really is a whole snack
Oh Lord...Ian Jesus (づ￣ ³￣)づ
As an adult that's been in a lot of situations or seen them. I know one of dearest friends who was in a relationship like this. It was so hard to help her realize that that relationship would be the death of her. It took years of this constant push and pull for her to finally push him away.
So Ian reminds me of my friend, I just want him to just take a good look at the mirror, if TJ is what you want then you need to be a big boy and stop saying "just one more time, then I'm done." It's not ever just one more time with a person like Ian or TJ.
Remember guys, Ian is a former drug addict, he's definitely using his toxic relationship with TJ to get his fix. But he has realized just how far he's sinking.
I hope this would be the end, but I'm prepared for a long up hill battle, I just hope Jo will be there in the end for Ian, but since I am a good person...I honestly hope Jo actually gives up on Ian before he also loses himself. But love can be very twisted ╥﹏╥
I love that by season 2 the nails were addressed because my fucking god! He stuck that damn knife into Noks poor little butthole I cried on the inside lmao as a woman I could never imagine a man fine or not sticking what is two inch needles into me! Be gone you demon!!! Lol
I'm happy they explained him carving them down for Noks pleasure, a nice touch.
I will say Jae Shin is very interesting, I enjoy his constant idea that he doesn't want to love or even like humans but he never even questioned how easily he feel for Nok.
As whole this is probably the most beautifully detailed manhwa I've read into a long time. Jesus Chris even their well... appendages were perfectly colored and veined (⊙…⊙ )
Just the attention to coloring and character art is immaculate. I couldn't keep my eyes off of Jae Shin... he's absolutely stunning along Lee Nok as well...the han boks were also captivating.
Anyway I look forward to the next level of growth for them in season 3!!!ヾ(☆▽☆)
I'm happy that this is one of maybe two omegaverse storylines that I actually like the couple and storyline a lot. I'm usually not into omegaverse, but I find Theo and Seth adorable together. Plus I always love a beautiful brown skin representation of characters which this story has a abundance of! (⌒▽⌒)