Nakwon raped Mokhwa because Nakwon is a rapist. No ifs, ands, or buts.
Nakwon is not a “gray character” with a “fucked moral compass”, that moreso applies to Mokwha.
Nakwon is just a bad person. He knows right from wrong. He didn’t rape Mokwha because he was confused or because he couldn’t help it. He did it because he wanted to hurt him. He did it because he’s a bad person.
You’re not supposed to start off rooting for the MC, and I completely understand if you don’t want to continue reading. But the reason that I, personally, am still reading and enjoying this story, is because, unlike the vast majority of BLs with rapist semes, the story does not excuse nor justify the MC, nor make the uke out to be overreacting or dramatic for reacting to being raped.
The bar is low, I know.
But it’s just so refreshing to see a character that’s unashamedly morally bad, and then to see that character gradually become morally good.
This story did not just write rape in just to quicken a relationship and have the MC eventually be forgiven to move things along (like so many shitty BLs).
I wouldn’t mind a MC that is just evil, just fucked, and if the rape is added to show how evil the MC is then ok, but I do mind the fact that down the line I’m supposed to believe in a “love” story btw a rapist and his victim especially.
I do like Mokhwa’s character though, and I would have liked to see his development, but yh, too bad
I wrote “especially” but I meant to delete that word
Also it’s good that you find it refreshing but I think a good thriller BL, a dark BL, without rape would be also very very very refreshing, and yh I was disappointed but anyway, I’m going to read something else !
I agree I feel like the rape was uncalled for, seems out of character for someone like Nakwon to me, but the author controls the narrative I guess. But I agree the rape was not needed and you can write a story without adding that shit as it just soils the story to be honest
Why the rape. The tension was already there..he could have pushed Mokhwa’s buttons by doing something else, even just pretending he was going to assault him to see his reactions, that’s toxic but the MC has a fucked moral compass, but why did he have to rape him…Look at Shutline for example, there is tension and yet, no rape ! Yes it CAN be done, you can write a good BL with no rape !
What was the point of the rape ? Like come on, and the fact that Mokhwa doesn’t seem to realize what was done to him is like…okay, but is that supposed to make it better ? are we supposed to gloss over the fact that the MC is a rapist because Mokhwa doesn’t realize what happened or doesn’t care ?
I get that the MC has a fucked moral compass and I love grey characters but I’m not gonna root for a rapist and his victim.
I’m disappointed cause I was looking forward for another thriller like BL.
(I’m aware some of you are gonna say “don’t read if you don’t like it” but I kinda was hoping that MC wouldn’t be a rapist, that’s my bad I guess)