an interesting way to put this story in order, yeah i honestly think that's the case with both of them, taesung seems to have an unpleasant past too making him this way, i honestly would prefer that guy with the pretty face (forgot his name) in a way he seems less irritating and actually do care about soyoung in a less abusive way, an opinion of mine ofcourse still rooting on how things will turn out for both of them
Thank you for this!
Great analysis!
I agree in how the author has a great way of setting the tone of the sex scenes. Looking though they're not doing anything to crazy, or anything they haven't done before. But there are scenes where the sex feel inherently violent and uncontrolled. He's lying there thinking "why do I like this?" while being horrified of the situation as well as the constant flashbacks to his ex.
It's super interesting that when we see Sooyoung from the perspective of outsiders, he see's like relatively confident, friendly and kind person. Even with the cane, physically he appears completely competent and able to act fast in risky violent situations.
This totally gets flipped on it's head when its at the perspective of himself or Taesung - he's weak, both mentally and physically. Susceptible to influence and domination. Is completely lost on his own and has no anchor. He "wants" to be controlled and taesung "wants" to control him. I feel this lines up well with your fantastic points about trauma.
The romantic dynamic is obvious to us as viewers, as we get to see this happening. But from an external perspective (as it is in real life, its absolute madness). I think toxicity and abuse gets brought up heaps in yaoi. But this is a really great time I've actually seen an author depict the weird psychological hold that keeps people together in these unbalanced and unstable relationships.
I agree... I srsly want sooyoung to end up alone, so that he can analyze his traumas and everything else... I honestly do not like minhyuk he is too sus and absusive, I can never forget what he did to his ex partner and to sooyoung when he was drunk...
Dude the way you explain their dynamic is so much more eloquent in much fewer words lol I was clapping throughout reading your reply. I love how you point out the dichotomy between how Sooyoung is portrayed in regular settings vs. more intimate settings between him and Taesung (especially concerning how people view him). It's why some of the more intense moments between Sooyoung and Taesung feel so jarring, it's very good characterization on the author's part.
Fuck, I didn't even think about how this is also shows Taesung's vulnerabilities. On the outside he is this dominant and confident mob boss but his possessiveness shows how deeply insecure he is too tbh, this chapter really highlights the desperation he shows when he feels like Sooyoung is falling through his fingers. A truly secure man would not feel that way about their lover or brutalize them to keep control, they literally feed each other's weaknesses. (btw describing Taesung as his anchor has so many double meanings, it's the exact the perfect word to describe him. Sooyoung is sinking but damn is Taesung a solid and somewhat stable force in his life).
The consistent flashbacks of Ji Song is a good point too because in a way it's the author creating a parallel that kind of supports what we're speculating. It's absolutely not a coincidence that they have made that connection!
I also am so happy to see these topics seriously explored. Honestly I think abuse is often handled poorly in yaoi and it's refreshing to see an honest lens on those issues since they are often misunderstood irl (especially concerning gay men). But as a writer it's just more interesting to go balls deep into the psychology of abuse instead of dismissing the abuse and just using it for drama you know? Totally agree that showing the deeper reason why toxic relationships are so irresistible to some people beyond the shallow idea of "love conquers all" is so important.
I love analyzing BL omg, it's an art form like any other and I think it deserves more serious analysis sometimes.
He's equally abusive in a different way imo. In a way he's more dangerous than Taesung actually. Taesung is rough and brazen, he can't hide his shitty ways for long because he is insecure and prideful all at once. Look how fast he turned to his abusive habits when he felt anxiety around controlling Sooyoung, didn't take much to trigger that in him. He doesn't feel the need to be as secretive about his intention and, let's be forreal, he's not a psychopath. Like you said he's more so someone who clearly developed toxic traits through his own forms of past trauma (not excusing him, just saying it explains his actions more clearly I think).
Minhyuk on the other hand scares me more. Something about him is more psychopathic in nature (at least stereotypically). He's pretty, charismatic, and MUCH more calculating. Notice how long it took Taesung to break down Sooyoung's guarded nature yet Minhyuk did it in half that time. Minhyuk is very good and utilizing his positive traits to get what he wants. Look how easy it was for him to get Sooyoung in a vulnerable position to sexually assault him, he immediately jumped to taking advantage as soon as he had the chance, that's classic predatory behavior.
Minhyuk is purposefully written (and designed) to feel less threatening, that's why we have not seen the full extent of his madness. But imo the author is giving us a lot of clues to his true nature, I mean look at the web he's creating in the political world right now to take down Taesung and betray him. That shows just how much more calculating he is that Taesung. Look how he has treated his past lovers, he would act cold when they "acted up" and had no problem with controlling their emotions for his own gain. He's not less abusive, he's just more insidious and, honestly, more careful than Taesung. (Honestly he reminds me of this Korean dude I used to mess around with TMI I know but bruh they are too similar so I'm bias maybe lol)
Not saying you can't like Minhyuk btw, I think he's more interesting that Taesung as a character personally. I just can't help but see him as equally bad in a different and more dangerous way. I do agree that Taesung be getting on my nerves too tbh XD
Tbh that would be the only true happy ending T-T I also think neither is good enough for him. Once you rape someone you're trash and it's over, plus he has an even more fucked up side that I'm scared af to witness (but also kinda want to see out of curiosity ngl). You pointing out how he treats his past lover is so on point tbh, that absolutely gives more perspective to how he really is as a partner. Very good point!
I wouldn't mind a tragic ending personally but a happy ending is Sooyoung x Therapy
Love this comment!! Hahah I'm the same I love exploring yaoi and its themes because it's often depicted as quite a shallow genre which is so not the case.
You're completely right, they're both so completely unstable they're grasping on to each other. As viewers it's uncomfortable and violent, but it doesn't make it insincere. So massive props to the author for capturing that tightrope. This is why people don't (can't) choose to leave. They're bound in the confines of trauma and have developed unhelpful learned behaviors to cope with feeling out of control.
Also super agree with your analysis Minhyuk. The relationship between Taesung and Sooyoung is legitimately fucked and makes me uncomfortable to watch, but it is definitely real. Minhyuk is completely the opposite. His desire to control, to dominate, and to gain Soonyoung is wrapped up in a super pretty and happy-go-lucky facade. Like you said we're treated to subtle shows in how he manipulates and uses others for his gain with seemingly little remorse. The author is really great at using perspective again. In the scenes with Minhyuk's perspective, we're treated to the physical difference in size between the two, how huge and muscular his body is. He definitely seems to view Sooyoung as soft, vulnerable, and inherently sexual (dehumanization??). He wants to mess Sooyoung up....cause he's a manipulative pervert and thinks its fun.
Sooyoung sees none of this beyond a friendly dude with a pretty face. Kind of reinforced how Sooyoung perceived "helplessness" is not at all physical. Actually, yeah just reminded me - just like how he refuses to attend his physiotherapy sessions to improve his leg, just adds to that. Anyway i'm rambling haha this was a good discussion
It really was! And once again I love how you analyze the character's different perspectives so well, I hope to see your POV on future chapters ヾ(❀╹◡╹)ﾉ~
It seems like these two have a very unhealthy co-dependency on each other. Now I realize why most of the sex scenes between Taesung and Sooyoung feel so dubious. It makes so much sense that Sooyoung would feel the way he does. This is honestly a surprisingly accurate depiction of a toxic relationship. This author is low key good at writing trauma imo.
All Sooyoung's life he's had traumatic things happen to him repeatedly that were not in his control. Sometimes when people experience repeated trauma they spiral into a feeling of being lost and not having agency over their own body. For Sooyoung every time Taesung forces him to give up the reins it's probably strangely relieving for him. It's like how subs find comfort in the idea of someone else controlling them, there's a freedom in submitting your body to another. You feel like you have a choice in the violent thing happening to you.
It's a similar reason to why so many rape survivors like BDSM. They can re-experience their rape in a controlled environment in which they know what's going to happen to them, unlike the actual rape that happened without them having any control over the matter. Sooyoung and Taesung are NOT doing BDSM mind you, but the expression on Sooyoung's face after he was choked reminded me so much of how subs look when they are in subspace.
That subspace that he feels every time Taesung fucks him is what he's addicted to, it's his unhealthy coping mechanism. The consent is still dubious but Sooyoung is beginning to learn what does and does not set Taesung off, I think to some extent he feels comfort in the pattern that they have created in the relationship, in the predictability of it. It's beginning to feel like a game where they are equals in his mind, he has some actual control over Taesung's actions and emotions. It's not like Ji Song who began abusing him unexpectantly and trapped him unexpectantly into repeated trauma.
What I'm trying to say is it seems like he's beginning to find a twisted comfort in being Taesung's 'little puppy'. He's beginning to accept the dehumanization of it because he also gets to finally give someone the reins by his own will (at least he thinks it by his own will, that's what makes this sad, he doesn't realize he is being manipulated). A pet is seen as lower than their owner but a pet also lives a comforting life where the owner takes control and satisfies it's every need and want. For someone like Sooyoung who has always felt lost and chaos it's probably something addicting about giving his agency up to someone as dominant, confident and unflinching as Taesung. Taesung knows how to force him out of his own head and indulge in his animalistic desires more than anyone else.
It's beginning to make him feel secure but it's still him falling back into an abusive lover's hands at the end of the day. It's the perfect depiction of how some trauma victims use unhealthy outlets to cope. Maybe this webtoon goes more deep than I first thought. This is all speculation of course, I could be wrong lol