I agree with you about the language, along the lines of it being reductive and inappropriate. It’s terminology for a younger generation, though. Probably most people reading are younger and not very experienced, but I don’t think having strong feelings about the characters is necessarily a sign of immaturity, or vis versa. There are no right or wrong answers when it comes to fiction; it’s not a standardized test. Of course, there’s author/artist intent, but once a work is born into the world it takes on its own life dependent upon the reader/viewer.
I completely agree with you. I kind of tried to make a similar case a while back but I don't think I put it as eloquently lol. Some of these readers often immediately tag something as "toxic" just because the way the characters handle their feelings for one another doesn't meet some kind of status quo or their standard of what a romance should be. I think the author has done a pretty impeccable job of showing how hard relationships can be and how complicated humans and their emotions are. People keep calling Tai's feelings for Haesoo "obsessive" but that's just kind of how you act when you're head over heels for someone. He's honestly kind of relatable in that aspect. Having people comment on how his work is more romantic his work is with this gallery is a sign the author is saying he truly likes Haesoo. As an artist myself, a lot of times our emotions come through in our work. Even if he may be acknowledging he may not be Haesoo's top priority, his willingness to stay with Haesoo until he cuts off their relationship himself is very, very human and shows his vulnerability in the whole thing. He wants to make things work but he's waiting on Haesoo to tell him if he wants to or not. At least he's making an effort. In my opinion, it's a little unfair to call this effort and his feelings an "obsession" because when you like or love someone enough, you sometimes do stupid things and act irrationally. Then again, I may be speaking from a stand point of someone who has been in somewhat of a similar position I'm not a Taku stan or anything, honest.
I do like that Joowon is kind of coming to terms with things on his own and that definitely shows growth. It does seem like he's the more obvious choice because Haesoo obviously also loves him and they were just dealing with things the wrong way. That doesn't make him toxic, you're right. Both of them were, yet again, just acting on instinct because the love each other and both of them did things that hurt each other, but if this story started out with them both already having sorted themselves out, it wouldn't be much of a story would it? Lol. Also, some of the strongest relationships are the ones that have been put through the most hell. They weren't only fighting the fact that their relationship was wrong because they're both men in a country where it's still widely taboo but also because they were step brothers. Not to mention the endless cycle of denial. If they come out of this together, they'll come out of it stronger as long as they can simply accept the fact they love each other romantically.
Sorry! My fingers just kind of possessed me and I just kept going lol. But yeah, in short I agree with you and these characters are indeed only human. None of the three of them are bad people, just humans making bad decisions.
Thanks for posting that, I needed someone to say it.
I've read this manwha in something like 3 days (and not less because I stopped myself, wanting to enjoy it more) and I really loved it. The love between the three main characters is so complex, it feels so real, so human, even raw.
And then I went in the comment section and saw many people throwing the word "toxic" without explanations or anything. I was a pretty disappointed to read such a reaction, but as someone else said, I also think most of those people are young and use this word without really grasping its meaning.
So, yeah, it needed to be said.
People are throwing around the word 'toxic' but judging by how they use it, I don't think they even know what it means. I also don't think the people throwing around heavy terms like that have ever had real IRL relationships (aside from like middle school crushes lol).
Relationships are complicated. People are flawed -- often VERY flawed -- and often do bad things. That doesn't mean there is no hope for them or their relationships, it means growth and change is needed, and that they have to apologize and do better going forward. Acting as if Taku/Joowon are both evil devils in Haesoo's life is a very childish way of looking at it, because both of them are complex, flawed beings who do shitty things, but are capable of doing better (at least Joowon is, idk about Taku（￣へ￣）), and Haesoo is not a victim, he's equally at fault for allowing all the shit w Joowon (sleeping w others to egg him on, even) and using Taku as a rebound for Joowon when Taku clearly only sees him as an temporary obsession he'll eventually discard.
They're not toxic, they're human, and they're the nasty type we pretend we aren't. If you're so bothered by the drama and the ''''''toxicity''''' is too much for you, go back to shounen-ai fluff and stay out of the drama tag lol.