I’m so confused like what are people talking about how Taku showed his « true side »...

You are not wrong, but not fully right either, dude.
When I read this for first time, I saw through Joowon and Taku. I thought Joowon was asshole with good intention, and Taku was "clearly" a smooth manipulator.
But then I read the comments about how bad Joowon was and how "sincere" Taku was (sure also there's a lot of other perspective too). And I read for like nth times while considering from the eyes of other perspective, it's true that we could also see Taku as sincere, in early chapters and Joowon indeed could be seen as that bad (I'm saying from other perspective).
Then now a lot of people finally can understand Joowon's pain or intention. Not only focusing on him being asshole. And there's also people start seeing Taku « true side ».

While you are right, I can see Taku like what you said "He’s always been like that and been knew" too since beginning. But I overlook the most important part: character development that keeps unraveling as the chapter goes. I hope that answered your first question(?)

How is Taku a smooth manipulator? I don't necessarily disagree i'm genuinely wondering.

Okay, I will give you some reasons why I think Taku is a smooth manipulator. But if you still don't think he is, then it's fine, you don't have to think like me, ok? ;) perceiving someone's character is really personal so we can have differ pov here. This gonna be long *sigh*.

I assume that you already know that T has prosopagnosia and he wanted to be interviewed by H bcs he's interested in Haesoo's face and his writings about J.

First, in the first encounter with H, T told him that he filmed a porn video before. I indicated 3 things from here: he wanted to make strong impression, he wanted to tell H about his sexuality, and he wanted to play H a mind game. By telling his secret he kept from public the most, he indirectly gave H a moral burden, would H expose about that or not? H was quick to catch on, if he gave the card to H, then he must have ulterior motive, right? Yes, he told H to be his model! But at first H thought that T only wanted to sleep with him.

Second, he knew about H relationship with J, then Leo gave him photo that comfirmed their relationship. He played mind game again when he said "You can use me, in fact I prefer that way". Remember that H didn't know anything about T at this point, yet T knew eveything, the knowledge imbalance is beyond creepy. It's easy to manipulate in this position. Then T kept telling H what he wanted to hear, like that H needing change, that he loved him, telling him sweet and soothing words, indirectly feeding his anxiety about J. He even didn't deny that he told H what he wanted to hear. I think all of that is manipulation, whether T is aware or not.

He wanted to capture "losing beloved one" from H face (and J too), bcs he thought that H looked pretty in it. I mean he might not mean it as intentional, but it's clearly intentional, like why would he suggest that theme while the he knew H (and J) was in that condition irl?

And he used to say that he couldn't differentiate between "like" as lover and as art object. But, maybe T finally knew now and his feeling is now sincere idk.

Hmm thats interesting. What were his motives behind manipulating him though then? Was it just to pass the time or to receive his emotions? Or was it for him to like him back?

What you stated is indeed what happened but the word « manipulator » obviously has a negative connotation. But the thing is at the end is Taku evil? Does he have bad motives? I guess that’s how it all started but there hasn’t been enough development about his « motives » Specially at the time but based on the recent chapters there seems to be a drastic change and that just wouldn’t make sense to me that manipulating haesoo was his plan all along.

A smooth manipulator is the best definition that we can give to Taku...

I dunno? Hahaha
One thing for sure is he wanted Haesoo to be the model for his personal exhibiton (and he succeed!).
The relationship between H and J piqued his interest so he wanted to be in it. But I guess that's only because he's genuinely interested in Haesoo (as art or for unknown reason at first maybe), and later he's catching feeling for real. I kinda like their relationship development tbh (but I still think that T's a manipulator!).
But I still don't get it why he went such length to fight Joowon, or tell H sweet things like he would forever stay by Haesoo's side. Like seriously for what? Did he really think he could love H more than Joowon? Will he? If yes, then alright if not then I don't know what's all of that for ..

That’s ok lol everyone sees it their own way. And tbh I couldn’t care less about what happens next I was always rooting for Taku because I disliked jowoon in the beginning but at this point whoever wins well... cool (づ￣ ³￣)づ

Oops you weren’t talking to me lol i got so confused with the thread anyways ╮(￣▽￣)╭

I am sorry I've just seen your reply lol noooo, saying someone 'evil' is very strong connotation tbh. And it's obviously like disney or crappy drama where there's villain and hero. You can't be all bad or all good, we're all mixed of it. I would say that it's Taku bad part, but I don't hate it.

*not like disney

I don't mean to give a definition for Taku :(( yes, indeed he's manipulative ... but he's not just a 'manipulator', he's a good guy, and he's more than just than that ... I hope people will like Taku, but acknowledge his flaws too. I love three of them equally tbh♡♡

Taku is more than a stalker/manipulator, Joowon is more than an asshole, and Haesoo is not a slut. They are all beautiful characters :((((

Agreed(⌒▽⌒)

If you put it that way you are right. They all have deep personalities and I think that they all deserve love. I also think that J love H very deeply and after the last chapter I´ve confirmed what I thought since the beginning, that J lied to H when they were young and tried to keep him away from him emotionally because he wanted to protect Haesoo´s heart... but his choices were not the best...

Agreed (⌒▽⌒)