blatantescapist's Favorite

For the people dissing Shige let me tell you that guy has sacrificed so much for Shin. It’s true no one told him to,not even Shin, but he still did to protect Shin. We need to understand Shige’s character. Shige is a guy who was always expected to play the character that matched his looks even before he became an actor. Everyone expected him to be a prince which he is not. Shin saw through that but still accepted him. Shige,who admired Shin’s acting, also fell in love with how Shin is in real life as well as while acting. Shige was the one who fell in love first. He had to work to make Shin fall in love with him. Shin wasn’t romantically interested in Shige to begin with. It is often said the one who falls in love first loses because they are often said to love the other person more. That can be seen true in Shige’s and Shin’s case. Shige till now is obviously the one more attached and in love and he himself knows that too. Shige knows how innocent and oblivious Shin is. He knows how easily people can take advantage of him. He also knows just how talented Shin is in acting. He wanted Shin to reach his full potential without any worry that’s why he became an actor himself to protect Shin. Becoming an actor was not what Shige wanted for himself. We see that multiple times. He often questions himself why he’s there in the first place. Shige loved manga and maybe wanted to do something in that field but he didn’t because he wanted to protect Shin. He threw the profession of his choice away for Shin. Shige wanted to further develop his relationship with Shin physically but when he saw Shin being afraid and not liking it he gave up on the idea instantly. Shin was content with not having a sexual relationship and Shige saw that so he told himself to be okay with that as well for Shin’s sake. He threw his desire for a deeper physical relationship for many years to protect Shin. Shige doesn’t enjoy acting and isn’t that good at it either. He gained popularity quickly because of his princely face which he himself dislikes. Due to his quick popularity many troubles followed him which Shin is unaware of. His agency also criticised him very harshly when one of his dramas didn’t do too well. Shige while doing a career he’s not happy in, while facing the troubles that come with his quick popularity, while tolerating the criticism of his agency, while trying to maintain a facade of everything’s fine in front of his oblivious lover as not to worry him, while constantly only worrying about his talented lover instead of himself, while thinking that he has to one day separate from his lover for his sake, while constantly being insecure about his relationship because he knows anyone can fall in love with his innocent and naive lover, now has to face some mole ass punk telling him to breakup with his lover and basically threatening him about the media. You tell me can a person really go through all this and not even lose their cool once? It’s a miracle in itself Shige hasn’t gone crazy because of all this. I know Shige shouldn’t be rough with Shin but it’s not like he’s hitting him or anything. Sure he’s being rough but he isn’t being that rough that it effects Shin physically and mentally also Shin himself is accepting it and is okay with it. Shige is going through a lot at once. He faces problems at every corner when all he wants to do is be with Shin. Shin’s obliviousness is to be blamed for some things as well. Tatara that mole ass punk has no right to say those things to Shige when he doesn’t even know about their relationship and to what extend Shige has gone to, to be with Shin. If he wants to warn them to be careful there are much better ways to do it. All he wants is for Shige to lose and give under the pressure so he can have Shin for himself. He doesn’t care about their well being at all. He only cares about himself.

Analysis on the ring and the lighter:
*Contains a bit of spoilers for the following couple of chapters* This is long, so sit tight!

The ring: As we’ve seen before with Joowon (and as is reinforced by the latest chapter), he doesn’t do things for the benefit of others but more so for the benefit of himself. This publication deal looks like it would be beneficial for both parties right, but that’s only if both came to a consensus and agreed, and in this case, Haesoo looks absolutely miserable and wants nothing to do with it. And this leads me to the ring... Let’s think about an engagement ring. When someone proposes, the other party always has a choice; ‘yes, I’ll be with you’ or ‘no’. In this case, Joowon is known to never be one for choices, as it’s either his way, or him coercing Haesoo to have this way. Joowon is going to give Haesoo that ring, but he’s going to give it to him as means of ‘you are mine, and I have already decided for you’. Really, no is not an option. And this leads me to the conclusion that in some way, the ring is kind of like the collar that we see around Haesoo’s neck in the cover art. Joowon (I’m sure seeing from how he posted on social media hoping that Haesoo would see it) would love nothing more than to outwardly show that Haesoo cannot escape from him. The ring is beautiful, but that’s all there is to it— it’s cold, it’s rough, and honestly, Joowon seems to treat it like it’s nothing (he throws it in the seat of his car like a candy wrapper). More importantly, dominance is what’s attached to it, not love.
Moving on to Taku’s lighter!

The lighter: Unlike rings that are worn outwardly, Taku’s lighter is usually hidden somewhere in his pocket, like his own little memory, little secret. As will be revealed in the later chapters, this unassuming lighter has family tied to it, and that’s why Taku always keeps it around even though he doesn’t smoke. Now let me take it a step further and personify the lighter as Haesoo: Haesoo suffers from horribly low self-esteem, and he doesn’t find himself or his work all that important or significant. The lighter is plain, it doesn’t look to significant, and it’s use isn’t that groundbreaking of a deal either. But when the right person opens it up, it’ll light a small but beautiful flame. It only takes a spark to burn down entire cities, and I find it fascinating how Taku always like to open and close the flame. He appreciates the flame because of the meaning behind it, not because it’s useful to light stuff, but because of it’s story. Haesoo thinks that in order to be special, he needs to be useful and make it big, because right now, he’s just a plain ‘loser’ writer stuck in a rut. But worth isn’t based on what we do, how we look or the things we accomplish. Only you can decide that, and that’s why Taku is very important. Unlike Joowon, Taku has always let Haesoo decide for himself (‘he’s not ready yet’), and he always takes what Haesoo wants into consideration. Haesoo has never experienced this sort of warmth before (remember how he said how he’s always cold lmfao), and with Taku, he is finding comfort away from his constant stress and anxiety. We’ll see it in the next chapters, but Haesoo is going to seek out Taku. Haesoo is slowly but surely trying to break free from that leash, and I think Taku will be almost like a mentor to him ( this guy is young and hella wise!) and give him the push he needs to finally step away from his dangerous relationship with Joowon.

Alright, I want to talk about something that has been on my mind for awhile. It’s about Doyun’s aggression towards Taehan.

As we know, it all started when Taehan addressed Doyun as an alpha. That one misunderstanding turned their initial friendly relationship upside down. But what confused many was how all the other alphas also called Doyun an alpha. It irritated him, but he didn’t blow up like he does with Taehan. The difference is obvious- he got angry at Taehan because he likes him. But I think it’s a bit deeper than that.

When Taehan called Doyun an alpha, it seems harmless, and our poor cinnamon roll Taehan didn’t know any better, but to Doyun, that was a form of rejection. The alpha he likes sees him as an alpha and isn’t interested in him as an omega. I think what furthered his aggression towards Taehan was the fact Doyun literally couldn’t prove he was an omega. He didn’t have any pheromones, no heat, and he has the body and strength of an alpha. He couldn’t do anything about it. And going outright and saying he was an omega, without having a way to prove it, would make him sound insane. Doyun’s heat only started because he was jealous of Taehan trying to flirt with another omega. He was acknowledging another omega, but he wasn’t acknowledging him. Deep down, he wanted Taehan to see him as an omega, as HIS omega, and that’s what made his heat start. But, as we know, Doyun doesn’t KNOW he likes Taehan.

From what I’ve seen in other omegaverses, omegas don’t become truly sexually active, or interested, until they have their heat. Doyun was interested in Taehan, but in a way he didn’t understand. Now that he’s had his heat, all these emotions and desires are suddenly rising to the surface and he doesn’t know what they are nor how to deal with them. I do agree, he’s definitely stubborn, but I don’t think it’s just his stubbornness that is making him deny his feelings. I think he genuinely doesn’t understand what they are.

A little bonus as for why Doyun is so ignorant about omegas. I think it’s because, as he saw his peers going into heat and nothing was happening to him, after a while, he thought nothing ever would. The longer he didn’t go into heat, the less he cared about learning what it is to be an omega. Foolish, but, in a way, it’s quite realistic. We all have our moments when we think “oh, that won’t happen to me” and as usual, life has fun proving us wrong, am I right?

But yeah, I do get that Doyun’s stubbornness and denial can be irritating at times, but, like I said, I don’t think he’s doing it on purpose. It doesn’t excuse how he treated Taehan, he definitely could've handled the situation better, but it does make it understandable. Our poor boy just doesn’t understand what’s going on. One minute he’s perfectly fine, the next, he’s, well... a sex addict! ε=ε=(ノ≧∇≦)ノ

There’s a stigma around ones sexual promiscuity and so far this manga is showing exactly that. When I look at the comments, the uke is branded as slutty for having multiple partners in the prologue. Which was smart because first impressions leave an impression, regardless of his circumstances, readers will remember his first appearance.

It made me think about the double standards of women being sexually promiscuous in comparison to men. For instance a woman could have ten sexual partners and be branded a slut, yet a man could have ten sexual partners and be branded a legend.

The same goes for the uke in a lot of manga, when they sleep around. There’s a huge power complex between the giving and receiving roles in sexual relationships. I’m not sure if that’s part of the message the author is trying to convey but from the first few chapters and reading the comments, the stigma around sexual promiscuity will always shame the one who receives but never shames the one that gives.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Taku’s ultimate goal was to get both step-brothers as the subject of his camera shoot because the illicit, taboo, and toxic nature of it is so twisted, human, and intimate.

Looking at Taku as an artist who “undresses" his models with his lens (be it his eyes or camera), laying them bare emotionally or physically, he’s already seen through to the truth of Haesoo’s article and his enmeshed relationship with Jowoon. It clearly both excites and inspires him. (See his dogged pursuit of Haesoo as a model and sexual partner, whom he presses for details of losing his virginity to his step-brother during their first sexual encounter).

Haesoo as a subject isn’t complete without his equally dishonest and obsessive counterpart, Jowoon. They both made each other what they are. And I think that’s what Taku is drawn too — this obsessive desire both of them have to control, wound, and hold the other that leaves them distorted and hurting, but ever circling.

Taku’s behavior thus far isn’t that of someone who wants to break that cycle, but of someone who wants to observe and potentially participate. And while I don’t think this is an appropriate relationship between a professional artist and his living subject and makes me very uneasy from an art industry perspective, it’s just twisted enough to match the twisted relationship of the two brothers.

Love and Hate is shaping up to be one of the most literature adjacent webtoons to date for its pacing, character flaws, motivations, and relationships. It’s gonna be *peak* messy and I am l i v i n g for it.

[SPOILERS] & My honest thoughts.

I have to write this out.

It's 3AM and my heart is pumping wildly and my emotions are a mess. I'm so conflicted. I feel nauseous. My hands and arms are trembling, as they were when I read through the manga.

This is amazing work by the mangaka for something so psychologically twisted. It's way up my alley. The torture (physical, mental); the lust portrayed, character's background that offer insight into their psyche is incredible. It's extremely messed up, every direction, every sense of the phrase.

The author's portrayal of fight between Shintani's lust and his rationality is masterful. When we get introduced to Shintani, he seems like the perfect average joe. He rejects the bribe of money. The reader gets a hint of his personality. Righetous, probably? However, his depravity is peeled back, layer by layer.

In the beginning he picks up Kikuchi to keep an eye on him, have some measure of control - or so he says. Sudou correctly guesses (or maybe he recognises the twistedness in Shintani that Sudou too himself has) that Shintani has ulterior motives. Did he initially? We will never know. The reader is presented a question. Shintani feels sympathy, at least. Yet his eyes when meeting Kikuchi while investigating how he plans to pay the debt - are calculating, and betrays him.

Kikuchi's backstory is introduced early, and it is clear the author wants us to feel pity. Kikuchi is the underdog, the victim, starved of affection - and just like a stray dog which the author regularly draws a parallel too. He has a (skewed) moral compass, as shown in the first or second chapter where he defends Shintani against accusations of theft.

Kikuchi longs for acceptance. He falls for the slightest bit of kindness the colleague who he just had sex with against his will. It is rape, blatantly so. Yet the circumstances of his lifestyle forces him to ignore the non-consent, and press on with the main problem at hand. A rape that is already over is a smaller matter as compared to an insurmountable debt (that may result in more torture). Moreover Shintani was drugged, and had been dragged in against his will it is clear Kikuchi does not consider him an accomplice.

Over the course of Vol.1 Sudou develops an interest in this slightly meddlesome Shintani. He recognises that they might be cut from the same cloth, and creates opportunities for him to trigger and nurture that side of him. Sudou knows exactly what buttons to push, and how to flip the switch. Shintani's lust consumes him, and he knows naught of immoral as he literally uses Sudou as fap material. It is clear towards the end that Shintani's rational side does not love Sudou. Shintani rejects Sudou when sober. Yet it seems as though Shintani feels no remorse for his lust-drunkeness towards Sudou, nor regret, as time again and again they find themselves in the same situations. And if this manga had no Kikuchi in it maybe Sudou and Shintani would have gotten a lusty (happy) ending.

Although I say that Shintani does not love Sudou I too question the authenticity of his love for Kikuchi. It is apparent that Shintani treats Kikuchi tenderly, incorporating him into part of the family. In Vol2/3 Shintani learns Kikuchi's first name, and they make love. But each time Kikuchi is vulnerable, and that is precisely what Shintani is attracted to about him.

Sudou has not had a happy life. It has moulded him into a crude shape, and even though he goulds Shintani into sex with him, to him sex is a form of affection and release - not to mention how gently Shintani treats him as compared to how his Yakuza master does. It is clear Sudou gets a kick out of flipping Shintani's switch. He is battling his self hatred, and yet he yearns for love - just like Kikuchi, he is a stray looking for absolution. Sudou uses Shintani to make himself feel better. And when Shintani rejects him, he self-destructs, however this time he wants to make the two others feel his pain. If he can't have happiness, why should they?

Vol3 ends in a threesome (in the loosest sense of the word) - it is a battle, truly, between Shintani's lust and logic. Unfortunately Sudou has won that battle, and Shintani must deal with the consequences.

I feel pity for all 3 characters. My own personal preference wants me to root for only one one pair, one couple to love. I disapprove of Sudou's actions, although I can sympathise. Shintani is only a man, but his inclinations may be, do not take away the betrayal of his actions. It's just tragic that his inclinations swing that way.

I feel better after writing all this out. If anyone has made it through the vomit of my words, thank you for reading. Please link Vol4 so I can erase this feelings of guilt, and anxiety for these 3 characters. I only wish them well. （/TДT)/

The first sex scene. Pretty abrupt right? I think it wasn't just a matter of the seme being horny or smth. The uke was separating them. Calling himself a horny fucker all year round and the seme a righteous hero. I think that was a way of the seme trying to cross the lines the uke made. To show that he isn't a righteous hero and that they're one in the same. I might not have phrased this the best i could but its just my 2 cents.

Freud is very influential, and his theory of the uncanny, for instance, is one I really like. But just pointing out, many of his theories have been discredited and disputed. His ideas about sexuality and gender, particularly, come from a very different time (the 19th century). Remember, this is the guy who believed that all girls and women suffer from "penis envy," because we all subconsciously know that men are better.
Regarding the afterword, I think it's dangerous to apply such a heteronormative way of thinking to non-heterosexual love/sex, and it runs the risk of being very dismissive. Unlike most other animals, humans are NOT driven only or even mostly by the biological imperative to reproduce. Our social psychology and social lives, including our sexuality, have moved far beyond that. Sex has way more of a social function for us, rather than a biological one. So the idea that a sexuality which can't produce offspring causes psychological angst in and of itself is wrong, and frankly kind of insulting. Just my 2 cents.

So I re-read this and noticed a key detail about the poem written by Scholar Inhun Nakyum treasures that I missed the first time. Lord Yoon, the second he sees it, recognizes it as plagiarism of another scholar/ poet’s work to the extent you couldn’t even call it an homage. Later, when he visits the Scholar in the mountains, he picks up one of Inhun’s books Inhun then snatches away.

I firmly believe Lord Yoon’s trump card over the Scholar Inhun isn’t withdrawing his financial support, but revealing his acts of plagiarism, utterly destroying his future as a scholar of merit or worth. Moreover, revealing the plagiarism will destroy the worth of the poem in Nakyum’s eyes as he believed it to be the original words of a man he admired and loved. And now those words are empty mimicry. Who hates a plagiarist/ copycat more than an artist?

Scholar Inhun may claim he deserves position and power due to his moral integrity — to the point he disparages Lord Yoon’s fortune because of his homosexuality —but he too is guilty of deviating from the "moral" path in claiming other’s work as his own to bolster his reputation. Moreover, his acts of service to the poor are nothing but calculated ambition. He knows that by *appearing* to care for them and teach them to be literate he comes off as kind, enlightened, and generous to any Lord or government official. But he has already admitted to Lord Yoon he does little if any teaching because the place of the poor is in the dirt.

I will laugh so hard if Scholar Inhun’s downfall will be the plagiarized poem he gave as a throwaway to the infatuated child of a kisaeng house — thinking the boy, his art, and the poem were nothing.