I love psychological stuff but I’m not a huge fan of this. I clocked that Jihwan was going to be just like Gyujin (worse actually) when he went over Soo-youngs house unannounced for the first time. I clocked it.
I do love that Soo-young isn’t playing that shit and called Jihwan and Gyujin out on their shit.
I can see this ending a few ways:
1. Soo-young kills himself. Which would suck because he deserves happiness BUT it would show the repeating cycle of abuse. It would solidify how Jihwan is just like his damn dad. Destroying the person they “love” the most.
2. Jihwan kills himself or Soo-young kills Jihwan. I hope it’s the latter. This would be my preferred ending. I just can’t see Soo-young being truly free unless Jihwan is dead. Even if he gets locked up, I feel like Jihwan would just get out and start stalking him again. His ass needs to die.
3. Soo-young attempts to commit suicide but fails. Jihwan comes to his goddamn senses and lets him go. I would also be okay with this ending. Sadly, I just can’t see Jihwan letting him go or getting “better”.
4. Soo-young will pity him after hearing about his sad ass backstory and Jihwan “redeems” himself. This would be the absolute worst cliche ending.
Any other endings you guys can see happening? What ending do you think the author will go with? I hope it’s an unexpected (in a good way) one!
I just want to start off by saying that Kael has one of the prettiest ML character designs. Just gorgeous and expressive. And the outfits eat down.
On the other hand, I’m going to need this big ass reveal to speed the fuck up because why is this misunderstanding lasting longer than 25 chapters? No more than 15-25 chapters max for me for misunderstandings. Don’t get me wrong; when it’s well written, a misunderstanding can be a fun trope but not in this case. I actually love the misunderstanding and her being in the dark but I’m ready for it to come to the light.
I would still say this story is pretty unique (ish). MC has somewhat of a personality. She stood up to her sister and said, “listen here bitch. You knew I was being mistreated. And grow the fuck up. Your mom’s death was not my fault.” I also love that she is questioning who the Archduke is. She has some fire in her. I looveeee Sarah as well. Kind of want more of her backstory.
Overall, it’s decent. The pacing just needs to pickup and the unnecessary “third ML” needs to not happen.
Misunderstanding are so annoying
This is actually pretty good! It definitely gives you John Wick vibes. The art is spectacular. The fights scenes are drawn quite well which I know is hard to do.
I honestly think his wife is alive and he had to pretend that she’s dead to protect her. If he pretends she’s dead, no one can use her for leverage. I do think she’s in critical condition though. If she’s not alive, then their baby is. He needs to get rid of his enemies in order for them to live a normal life.
If you guys want to read something similar, I’d recommend Killer Peter!
Look, don’t drop this story because Amy is an annoying and selfish sniveling little rat. Honestly, you hardly see her until the recent chapters and I do think she has grown. She still has a ways to go but she does have a conscience.
I also dropped it initially because I cannot stand misunderstanding tropes. The whole fake boyfriend/girlfriend thing that the author is still making a plot device annoyed me. I do think the author did a good job with not having Amy around and letting Shirone develop his own friendships and get accustomed to school. For example, him declining her help with learning teleportation and him not telling her that his classmates were being major assholes and learning how to stand on his own two feet.
However, it’s still such a small plot device and doesn’t fuck with the story too much in my opinion.
The story is definitely worth reading. The art is beautiful. The friendships are wholesome. Overall, the story is pretty good. Instead of focusing on the small stuff, I’d give it a shot because the story is much bigger than Shirone and Amy’s “romance”.
The only person I can really see reconciling with Olivia is Estella. MAYBE Jade. At least you are able to see Estella and Jade feel bad and it’s not for selfish reasons. In the beginning, Jade was being selfish but I truly think he’s going to start repenting. They came to the realization of what they said that hurt her as well as the happy memories.
Estella truly felt a sisterly bond and so did Jade. He just listened to the bullshit his older brother and father and staff members spouted from a young age and ran with it. Prior to their mom dying, Jade clearly loved and cared for Olivia and was happy that she was his sister.
The eldest brother hated her from jump. It’s hard losing a parent and people want to have someone to blame even if it doesn’t make sense.
Agree or disagree but Estella is also a victim. Also, Jade to an extent.
I don’t feel bad for the eldest brother or father. I also hope the imperial family suffers.
Ten whole ass years ago? I get that hurt people hurt people, but seriously, let it go. Get help. It's wild that grown adults are getting involved in a teenager’s love life... with another teenager. Bombastic side eye. If she were spiraling (bad grades, acting out) I’d get it. But both of their parents are in the loop and totally chill with it, so… make it make sense.
That said, I’m definitely looking forward to the villain origin story .
On a brighter note: I love the friendships in this manga! It gives off strong Kono Oto Tomare! Sounds of Life vibes. Less romance-forward, more friendship-driven, but still with some heart-fluttering moments. Highly recommend checking that one out too. There’s an anime for it on Hulu!
Oh! And speaking of anime: The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity anime is dropping on Netflix, September 7th in case you missed the news!
This story definitely takes heavy inspiration from The Remarried Empress, and while that might turn some people off, I don’t see anything wrong with it. Many great stories borrow ideas or follow similar themes.
Personally, I really enjoy the main character so far. Compared to the MC in The Remarried Empress, I find her a bit more expressive and layered, even if others might disagree. Her emotions come through clearly, and that helps me connect with her. That said, it’s still early in the story, so it’s hard to say whether it will continue to improve or lose its momentum.
One thing I can say for sure, though: the character designs are absolutely stunning. Easily top 3 for me when it comes to favorite FL and ML visuals. The art is just gorgeous, captivating and beautifully detailed. The FL, in particular, is breathtaking.
Maybe or maybe not. I don’t think remarried empress was the first to come up with the concept. This is a colored Japanese manga if I’m correct(?) and manga stories have been doing plots like these for several years now. If anything, the whole transmigration historical story, started out in Japanese manga, then Korean manhwa authors were inspired by it. Makes sense since manga has been around as paper books and manhwa has only been around for as long as digital screens on phones were available. That’s why you see majority of manhwa are designed in scroll format.
I definitely think the blonde haired guy is the prince and honestly, Eunice deserves it! Her twin sister is such a bitch and a snake and her mom is an opportunist.
FL/MC has such a refreshing personality. She’s sweet but also doesn’t take any shit and I love that.
This is one of those stories where shit just doesn’t made sense. I hate to be nitpickey, but let’s break it down.
You’re telling me she was the top prostitute in her establishment but she blushes like a little school girl? I’m not saying she can’t have a crush and be infatuated, but cmon now.
You’re also telling me that the prince is the ML? The same guy that abandoned her in the beginning? From where I’m sitting, Raul should’ve CLEARLY been the ML. It would make so much more sense. They seem like they would actually have more chemistry and more in common. He literally offered to save her from a life of prostitution in her previous life. And she just forgot him? Hmmmm.
Half-sister was dumb. I would’ve liked to see a little more cat and mouse.
Overall, it’s decent. It’s a quick little read.
No I definitely agree and was thinking the same things. How the heck did she forgive him so quickly?? Even to marry him..? But I do remember her saying that her current body isn’t used to the price. Which is why she blushes so much. But I also wish Raul was the ML since he was there for her in the pervious life.
Right!! Im so tired of stories romanticizing this level of abuse and having the FL forgive and forget, ive dropped so many stories that had so much potential but ended up like this story.
Everyone is the problem. Let me explain.
Let's start with Nanjo. He's the most innocent person here and is clearly a victim. HOWEVER. The way he went about "protecting" Sunhwa was completely wrong. Point blank, period. He's rich. If he genuinely thought Mok-yeon was dangerous, he could've sent some goons after him instead of...whatever that was.
I also firmly believe Nanjo is a little delusional. Unless future chapters prove me wrong, I don't think Sunhwa ever outright told him he was being abused. I think Nanjo heard what he wanted to hear and saw what he wanted to see. Sunhwa probably said something like, "I have this friend who gets a little rough sometimes," and Nanjo's brain immediately translated that into, "He's definitely being abused." Nanjo is an idiot, and no one is changing my mind.
Now, Sunhwa. He's not taking his relationship with Nanjo seriously. He clearly sees how much Nanjo cares about him, and he's taking advantage of that. Now, Sunhwa has every right to be furious with both Nanjo and Mok-yeon—especially Mok-yeon. That last threesome was weird, uncomfortable, and downright humiliating for both him and Nanjo.
That said, based on everything we've read so far, Sunhwa has never really given Nanjo the impression that they're exclusive. They regularly have threesomes. At the same time, Sunhwa has consistently shown that he cares about Mok-yeon. He's done plenty throughout the story to support that. Mok-yeon, on the other hand...I'm sure he cares too, but he hasn't exactly been winning "Best Friend of the Year."
Overall, Sunhwa has been pretty consistent about the kind of person he is. I don't think he's pretending to be anything else. But I could be wrong. Maybe he's feeding Nanjo a completely different narrative and framing everything as abuse. If that's the case, he’d be the worst person in this story.
Now for Mok-yeon.
Mok-yeon deserved to get his ass beat. I said what I said. A tragic backstory doesn't erase the awful things he's done. He humiliated Nanjo in every possible way and, as of right now, he's easily the worst person in this story.
I know he's probably endgame with Nanjo, but he better earn it. I need a redemption arc that actually feels earned. Not one where he dumps his sad backstory on Nanjo and suddenly everything is forgiven. That would be the biggest cop-out imaginable.
I agree with pretty much everything but I think that Sunhwa has not been truthful. Well, he's been consistent in what side of himself he shows to mokyeon and nanjo. Like to mokyeon he shows his true side of just wanting to get fked roughly and not giving a shit about nanjo's wants in a relationship, but to nanjo hes only ever shown the fake innocent image of a pure boi who just wants to have a nice threesome, which is probably what fuels nanjo's delusion or assumption that sunhwa is a victim of mokyeon's rough sex.
I think there were some times where sunhwa would say that he wanted rougher sex, but he has never pushed to correct nanjo whenever nanjo would insist on being gentle. because then sunhwa would have to drop the act of being an innocent and pure boi, which he does not want because that's what nanjo likes about sunhwa and sunhwa likes his money.
Really enjoyed your comment. Well said. I was happy to see Mok-yeon get his ass beat because characters in manhwas seldom face enough punishment! Nanjo laid into him harder than I thought. I thought it would be just one punch but I'm glad he went off. He really did humiliate him and constantly pushed him. Now we enter the groveling phase, let it be lengthy and agonizing!! I hope for some self reflection and communication going forward smh.
"Maybe he's feeding Nanjo a completely different narrative and framing everything as abuse. If that's the case, he’d be the worst person in this story."
Same, this part ain't convincing for me. Cause if Suhwa does make up stories about Mokyeon to Nanjo to make himself appear abused, Nanjo would be questioning him why he likes these lil get togethers they have or why they are even friends to begin with.
The one thing I would add is that "abuse" is a loaded word. I don't really think Nanjo believes anyone is abusing or being abused, I think he genuinely doesn't want to hurt Sunhwa, and believes that Sunhwa only tolerates rough sex and not enjoys it. At least that was his impression in the beginning, and I think when the perception started to change, is why he ultimately agreed to Mokyeon deal. Nanjo can't wrap his head around someone enjoying being hurt, especially Sunhwa given the image he portrays. Cause yes from our point of view Sunhwa has been consistent, but he hasn't been honest with Nanjo at all. Either way your post was spot on and Mokyeon def deserved an a$$ whipping... People don't realize that he made himself the villain in this story, he also fueled Nanjo delusions about his and Sunhwa relationship dynamics. So good for him.
In the beginning, Nanjo says that the way Mok-yeon is treating Sunhwa is considered abuse and that abuse doesn’t just mean physical violence. So he definitely thought Sunhwa was being abused in the beginning. That might’ve changed as the story progressed and he saw that Sunhwa enjoyed it. I totally agree that Nanjo just can’t wrap his head around it! Especially if Sunhwa gives off this “please save me” vibe. That’s why I’m really hoping we get a POV from Nanjo. Hell, maybe even a POV from Sunhwa. I’ll take that too.