I wouldnt say it's the main plot, but in The Villainess Turns The Hourglass, the FL's mother was a prostitute who used her beauty to marry a Count. She brought her daughter (FL) along although she could've easily abandoned her. In the manhwa, it's still far from the mother's story. But in the novel, the mother finally claimed freedom from the Count who had never actually respected her as the Countess. She also wiped away all the Count's wealth too. It was awesome.
Too bad that she is a side character in a supporting role. I think she is more interesting or has more potential than the MC.
I didn't like the plot of The Villainess Turns The Hourglass that much since the typical cold perfect superior ML threatens and bully the MC into loving him....
Oh noo don't worry. The ML was trying to approach her, but because she doesnt know him, she feels threatened. The ML is actually not cold at all, he was genuinely interested in her because of her intelligence but she mistook his intentions. She never really gives him a chance to speak anyway. If you read the manhwa here, i believe it already got to the part where he gave her lilies but she dropped it to the ground. The lilies represent the empire as in he's interested in her as a crown prince, but FL misunderstood it as he was being hostile and secretive by giving the empire's flower instead of his own house's (every house has a flower representation, but a noble who gives lilies instead of their own flowers meant to show patriotism).
But he did manhandle her at their first encounter. And after that he keeps teasing her and she can't do much about it because he is stronger than her and deep down she is still a typical receptive maiden.
I did read the first 10 chapters of the novel and webtoon + Spoilers. The story is not exactly my cup of tea.
I really appreciate your arguments but I prefer "Tearmoon Empire Story" . Mia the MC is a funny conniving self-serving bitch with a redeeming heart who can dominate many situations. Her survival and motivation is not underminded by any MLs.
Is there actually a femme fatale or a prostitute who isn't just evil or psychotic in Korean novels/webtoons?
High Class Courtesan Veronica from "ARTE" is a smart and kind woman who knows how hard/harsh the world is towards women and that is why she use men with her skills to survive. At the same time she takes care of her own family. Instead of fighting or sabotaging other women because of one man, she gives them the advice: "Don't fall in love when you make a big career. You become too foolish vulnerable and lose everything"