period! i'm reading bc i wanna see how it ends, but u made a lotta points here
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I absolutely love it for two key reasons: I genuinely don't know who Haesoo will choose (unlike so many rival/love triangles where endgame is often painfully obvious) and while the characters themselves are unlikeable/bland, the dynamics between the three of them have me mesmerized.
I can (and have) written a mile-long list of arguments for why Haesoo could choose either Seme. I also have a theory that in addition to it being a Love Triangle, there's also a one-way Mindreading Triangle (Haesoo > Joowon > Taekyung > Haesoo) which leaves me screaming after almost every conversation. This story does really creative stuff with The Rival, The Love Triangle, The Slutty Uke, and The Mindreading Seme tropes. That's why I love it.
and that's totally valid! at the end of the day, the likeability of a story is subjective. i don't enjoy those tropes and therefore I obviously am not going to like the story. however, if those tropes do it for you, then this may be the greatest story ever (for you).
You don't? Well, then that would definitely explain a lot, ha ha. But I like just about any BL story that tries to do new/interesting things with tropes. I appreciate any story that feels like it pushes the whole genre forward and I think Love or Hate qualifies.
Buuuuut I can understand people thinking it's boring (because I only found it interesting once the Mindreading Triangle clicked for me around Ch 50) or disliking the characters (because all 3 of them are infuriating in unique ways). I am curious what you're referring to in your "pointless drama" comment though.
I feel like the conflict is pretty organic because it's about 3 unlikeable and incompatible characters who are perfectly suited to pissing each other off. These three knuckleheads have no choice BUT to conflict.
That's true, the characters compliment each other disgustingly well. Like matches made in hell. However, I personally believe that a lot of the conflict could have been avoided had the characters been better at communication, for example. Well, the bottom line for me is I think there were many ways to resolve a lot of the drama yet the creator chose to drag it out. Like I said, I already think love triangles are unrealistic. So the abundance of drama added on becomes melodramatic for me.
I am curious about how the story will end, however. But I think the problem for me is no matter who he ends up with, I will be left with a sour taste in my mouth. The only exception is if he ends up by himself, however, that is unlikely. I feel like no matter how much drama a story holds, for me to say it was a good read, it needs to have a satisfying conclusion. I don't see myself getting one with how the stories going.
LOL. "Matches made in hell" is a perfect description.
Oh, but their communication is the best part! Because it isn't just typical BL bad, it's bad in an incredibly interesting way. Each of the characters is super manipulative and calculating.
The way Haesoo has these lengthy boxes upon boxes of inner thoughts and then only utters a few words aloud shows that while he acts all moody and aloof, he has a very active mind and is always working some kind of angle. People give Joowon a lot of flack for being toxic, but it's rarely mentioned that Haesoo MADE HIM that way. Haesoo knew what he was doing. He even confessed to it with the whole "Because I craved an obsessive love" comment.
And just like how Haesoo has played Joowon all these years, Taekyung has been playing Haesoo throughout the series, most obviously by trying to manipulate Haesoo into writing about the sex tape.
And while the audience has seen very little of Joowon's inner thoughts, the dinner scene with the three of them was just a giant pissing match with Joowon on the offense toward Taekyung. Joowon knows exactly how to needle Taekyung, and Taekyung even admitted Joowon's success in the newer chapters with the "he's getting to me" comment about an observation Joowon said about him.
I completely agree that a lot rides on how it concludes. If this is a more typical Rival story and he ends up with Joowon, then the audience needs some kind of guarantee that the two of them won't just be repeating the same bad behaviors over and over again. If it breaks the trope and he ends with Taekyung, we'll need proof that Haesoo and Joowon are officially over each other.
I think a satisfactory conclusion is possible. Like all romance stories, whatever obstacle keeping the couple apart needs to be overcome due through character development. Perhaps that's why I'm reading the new chapters with bated breath. I keep waiting for a definitive sign but I don't think we'll get one until the very last minute.
am i the only one who doesn't like this?? Like I just don't think the characters are likeable (realistic does not equal unlikeable, I love realistic characters but these ones just annoy me). Just cause they have sad backstories doesn't make them good characters. I am someone who believes characters drive the story and let me tell you, the car ain't starting.
Not to mention, love triangles in general and very unrealistic. I'm sure that there has been media in the past that somehow made it work, but taking an already melodramatic situation (a love triangle) and then adding even more pointless drama makes me go like,, huh,, okay,, ??
Not to mention, if this had an ugly art style, I know for a fact it wouldn't receive the same amount of praise. Art is important, don't get me wrong, but it can only take you so far. Truly great manhwa have an equally good and compelling storyline.
This is the same creator of Fools (one of my all-time favourite BLs) so maybe my expectations were too high. If I went into this without any preconceived notions or biases, I may not be as disappointed. But I digress.
Well, if you're looking for something melodramatic, somewhat predictable, and an artistic story with a love triangle, then this may be for you. I, however, felt as though it wasn't worth my time. Remember, it's just an opinion. If you think this is a masterpiece, great.