I think it was interesting how the author (intentionally or not) depicted Eunsung being taken advantage of as a high schooler. Like there was definitely a maturity gap so I want to say that Hyunwoo was a more grown, and with Hyunwoo’s coworker making that comment abt “ooohh you have a teenager following you around” it felt like Hyunwoo was an adult (20-24). Eunsung was a young, innocent high schooler who had his feelings taken advantage of because he was convenient to use, to which he didn’t know any better because he was never given love growing up. So yeah it’s def easier to sympathize with Eunsung. When I hate Hyunwoo, it’s not because he’s a cheater, but because of how he used Eunsung’s feelings.
While the story had its strong points, its weak points just yank it down for me. There’s a saying that goes, “if you have a gun hanging in the first act, fire it by the end of the third” and I feel like it perfectly describes what this story lacks. It has a lot going for it, but it feels like it just doesn’t explore it enough (2nd dead body, childhood trauma, maturity gap, etc). And the ending could’ve been better, I feel like a bad ending was interesting but a good ending where Eunsung breaks free rlly would’ve been unexpected and satisfying (message and all). Interested to see how the author grows and how their next work will goooooo!! :D
I really enjoyed reading this, like the art is absolutely beautiful, the plot is intriguing, and the world building is so convincing. I‘m unsure how I’m supposed to feel about the rape in it; I’m disturbed by it and it might be meant to be disturbing?? Like how it’s also meant to be disturbing that the townspeople were lowkey taking advantage of the children. Idk if the author wanted the rape to be viewed as romantic or not, but I’ll choose to view it as disturbing. Also before anyone wants to argue, yes that was rape, the Miko was saying no and was trying to reject him but the dude still went ahead and did it. I think the Miko still went towards him after he turned into a fiend because they’re friends. Anyway, it’s a really interesting story!!
I definitely think it was meant to be more disturbing than anything else, though I believe the author is moreso trying to show what terrible circumstances can make people do. They both cared so much for each other that at the end when Atsushi turned into a fiend, Miko said that he probably would have done the same thing if Atsushi had been the 'miko' of that generation.
Definitely disturbing, but moreso showing a mixture of desire/good intentions gone wrong.
Hey to all the people who are on the fence abt the incest in the story, I understand why you might feel uncomfortable but I’m here to say that the story definitely doesn’t promote it. It uses it as a tool for the story, with the sex having multiple layers of symbolism. This story is definitely the type where you can’t read it at surface level. Just because a story has something uncomfortable in it doesn’t mean that it’s a bad story.
Like I said, I understand why some might feel uncomfortable especially with the amount of times incest is glorified in a lot of mangas, but trust me when I say that this manga isn’t just throwing it in there for the lols. Please give this story a chance!! If you’re confused on the meaning behind the incest sex, there’s someone in the comments who wrote out a really good explanation!! Give the manga a read and add on your own interpretation :D