This story is unique in that the plot isn’t really there but it’s still intriguing and...

agreeeeeeeeeeee. Like I see that they're trying hard to make a car mechanic like.close to the gang shits, but they could've done better for his story, make him more of an independent character without ruining their chemistry and plot

I'm curious about your stance so here's a question : what do you expect from a car mechanic?
Not to be rude but he has no power nor initial connections for him to dominate the gangs so him being "dragged around" makes a lot of sense based on his story.

I never had expectations of him dominating the gangs. My main point is that the plot itself is the head scratcher here. Where is this going? Everything is implied, after 80 chapters Jake is still a mystery. Shin’s presence sometimes is like the authors POV of the surrounding, I feel like they wanted to create a gang story but wished to have MC stay true to his integrity yet somehow it makes him “weak” considering he’s the protagonist yet still he’s an obstacle to Jake. I just don’t know. I’ve been paying for each chapter for a long time and now it feels like I was paying more for the impressive art

I cant believe this is how you interpreted but personally shin’s ‘integrity’ doesn’t make him “weak” it makes him human his struggles, his resistance to being pulled fully into Jake’s world, and even his flaws are what make him a compelling protagonist he’s not just there to serve the gang story his inner conflicts and growth are central to the narrative. If anything, shin being an obstacle to Jake highlights how he challenges Jake emotionally and morally, which is a big part of why their relationship feels so layered and real.and with saying shin is “weak” because he stays true to his integrity?? this take is way off the mark. shin’s moral struggles and refusal to fully conform to Jake’s world are what make him strong and interesting he’s not an obstacle to Jake in a negative sense he pushes him, forcing Jake to confront his own lies, control issues ,manipulations ,and messy emotions that’s not weakness that’s shin being a fully realized character who’s not afraid to stick to his values, even when it complicates things. as for Jake being “still a mystery” well, duh that’s the point he’s living a double life as an undercover agent while trying to balance his feelings for shin his secrecy is part of what makes the story intriguing we’re meant to unravel him along with shin the layers of secrecy, tension and deception.

As a Shutline lover since day 1, you've perfectly summarized how I feel about this story and for that I love you. This reply is perfect & I wouldn't have said it better. Shutline is so much deeper than what seems like.

I think my criticism may have been misunderstood a little. Of course it's good that he challenges Jake's worldview (dunno what his worldview is) and that it adds layers to the story. What I meant was "weak" was Shins involvement in the grand scheme of things due to his "stalling". He's placed at the center but it feels superficial. It's cool he's grappling with his moral code but after 80 chapters it's come at the cost of progression. He was a passive observer in the beginning, understandable as a normal civilian but there's still no meaningful development.

As for Jake's mysteriousness, it's not "duh" for me. There's a balance between a characters intrigue and intentionally dragging it for the sake of preserving his surface-level cool and tough persona. I think I've read enough over the decade to recognise when an author is trying to keep the enigma as a storytelling tool to keep the carrot dangling for the readers. Usually that means after he's unravelled, it won't lead to anything substantive.
And their dialogue is....not special. I often feel many characters in Shutline serve as props to reinforce that gang-life aesthetic. Cool, but I'm kinda regretting my wasted coins. But it's nice you like it.

I’m sorry this story didn’t quite match your preferences, but feel free to delve into others that focus more on actionpacked narratives.

Honestly, calling Shin a ‘passive observer’ misses the point of his character development he’s not just sitting on the sidelines he’s navigating this dangerous world while trying to stay true to himself It’s realistic for someone in his position, especially a mere mechanic with no prior experience in this kind of undercover operation , It’s like, what more could shin have realistically done he was street mechanic, and suddenly gets thrust into a situation out of his control . His “passive” nature isn’t a flaw it’s part of his realistic, grounded character he wasn’t meant to be a dramatic, action oriented character who just jumps in and starts taking charge of everything that’s not realistic forcing him into some mold that doesn’t fit his character It’s much more realistic for him to react to the situations he’ thrown into rather than suddenly becoming a violent, action driven character just for him to move the “plot” forward that’s not who he is he’s a guy trying to survive and maintain sense of self in a world that’s trying to drag him down the conflict for shin Is about him staying true to himself despite all the darkness around him and that’s what makes his journey so compelling. his “no meaningful development. “has been more about navigating his moral compass and figuring out how to handle the chaos that keeps finding him, without losing himself in it. it’s about him learning how to balance his morals, relationships, all while maneuvering in a world that’s out of his control that’s trying to drag him into the gutter that’s what makes it so realistic watching someone with real flaws and complexities finding their way through tough situations, and come out the other side changed I’d like to mention Shin is a great example of a character who is not passive by choice, but by necessity he’s trying to avoid crossing the line and becoming the very thing he despises what’s ‘passive’ on the surface is actually him trying to maintain his integrity and not get dragged into the chaos his moral grayness is key to his character he struggles with his decisions, and when he does act, it pulls him deeper into danger his ‘passivity’ isn’t a flaw, it’s selfpreservation and it makes the times when dose he act all the more impactful. not just diving headfirst into action his involvement comes from being dragged into situations, not out of a need to stir things up it’s about him learning how to live in this dangerous world without becoming a part of the system he despises. His journey is less about action and more about preserving himself and his values, even when everything around him is trying to break him figuring out how to keep his identity intact while dealing with the internal and external pressures balancing his own moral code, to protect his humanity, while making hard choices and questioning how deep he should go into the world he’s found himself in.

This comment misses the point entirely. shin’s “stalling” isn’t a flaw it’s part of his character arc he’s not just blindly rushing into chaos he’s trying to stay true to himself in a world that keeps pulling him deeper into it his hesitation and internal struggles are his development! He’s constantly weighing his choices, trying not to lose himself

now regarding shin being “barely doing anything,” I think you might be missing the point the story isn’t about shin being this grand orchestrator of chaos, it’s about him reacting to the situations he’s thrown into he doesn’t needs to start the drama sometimes, he’s just in it, and he has to navigate difficult circumstances while balancing his own moral compass and his complicated relationships so, yeah, shin isn’t out there causing a storm every chapter, but that’s the essence of his character he's just a magnet attracting danger he’s complex, he’s struggling, he’s figuring out who he is in a world full of danger at every corner.The whole “other characters drag shin into things” complaint is??because… hello, that’s kind of the point. shin is thrown into chaos, reacts to it in his own way, and his choices end up shaping the story.

I’m glad my thoughts resonated with you it’s always great to connect with someone who acknowledges shut line on a deeper level this story truly has so much to unpack.

loved this analysis, especially on Shin’s characterization. I feel like shutline seems flashy on the outside bc of the gang themes and all the violence but underneath the layers, there’s so much nuance and foreshadowing going on that can be overlooked if you breeze past the storyline.

I literally love you so much I could kiss you PLEASE.

I'm so thankful we have articulate people like you to put each of my thoughts into words because this was PERFECT & summed up everything I wanted to express.

Like.. "navigating his moral compass and figuring out how to handle the chaos that keeps finding him, without losing himself in it" YES!!?

It truly is great, finding people who just.. get it ☆

YESSSS OMFGG!!!
rereading is a MUST. ESPECIALLY after understanding Jake's identity.

You're so right too : the plot & their relationship & growth are all so wonderfully unraveled.
KYOU is just too good.