I know it's egoistic of me, but I still support JoowonxHaesoo.
I like both Joowon and Taku. I've ever said that that Taku is manipulative, but I actually don't think that it's a bad thing. He's interested in Haesoo ever since met him in bookstore and read his writings. Then he arranged to be interviewed by Haesoo, I think it's just his way so he can meet Haesoo. I know he's been playing mindgames to Haesoo (manipulate him) to make him as his muse, to capture his forlorn looks, or to win his heart. I don't think it's a horrible things to do, it may be a little mean, but it's alright. It's not a sin to try to get close to someone you're interested. Haesoo knew he's manipulated and he thinks he's been using Taku too (tho he didn't know what inside Taku's mind UNLIKE US READERS). Morever, he, who never loved or cared deeply to someone before, who's flipant and thinks love the same as a lolly--sweet in the beginning but it doesn't last, start to feel a deeper feeling for Haesoo.
Still, I don't deny his ego and selfishness, that he never cleared the rumor about him to provoke Joowon (when he clearly can assure Joowon by answering it), he wants to win from Joowon, that he wants Haesoo for himself and pushes Joowon (who's been with Haesoo for 10 years) aside.
But I love the character development of his. It breaks my heart too, if he'll ever be heartbroken, morever it's like his first time ever he ever loved deeply.
I can't with people saying that Taku has no place in between Joowon and Haesoo, that he's only character device to make Haesoo and Joowon realize the problem in their relationship and resolve them. When he's clearly someone signifact for both's self-development.
While Joowon, I don't think people spent time enough to appreciate his growth. I admit that he made a big big mistakes in the past, like 'why would he kiss Haesoo first even for a joke?' (Tho, Haesoo who leaned forward to make it a real kiss and they both didn't want to stop PLUS IF HE DIDN'T DO THAT THE WHOLE STORY WOULD NEVER HAPPEN), and saying 'don't fall for me' when it's clear that Haesoo has already fallen for him, by saying 'you can't live without me', etc.
But please, I can't with people saying that Joowon guilt tripping him into sex or raping Haesoo. They HAD CONSENT for f sake. I know that car's bj was horrible, but he didn't know that Haesoo's been starting to abandoned him all this recent years. He thought that everything is fine with Haesoo and thought it as they playing their usual games THEY BOTH AGREED. Imagine how's hurt and disappointed it is to be Joowon? And Haesoo contstantly thought him as victim and never tried to understand Joowon, he's been feeling loney but it's always Joowon who contacted him first, he said to 'stop, stop', but he's still doing it anyway with Joowon. Until he's finally saying it to stop with Joowon at hotel room, and never once he contacted Haesoo again, except bcs he's worried to Haesoo.
His character development is clearly designed to be 'being bad at first then gradually becomes better at the end', actually it also happens to Haesoo and Taku. But if people only focused on his past, then what's the point of reading this manhwa?
I hope people don't double standard Joowon and Taku :(((( they're all my babies :( Give them room to groooooow for f sake!!!
But why I still support JxH? That's bcs of my own selfishness and I don't need to apologize for that. In the end of the day, it's just manhwa and it's up to the writer how this story's going.
He acted all tough and stern in front of his little brother, when he's actually an adorable softie. I wanna protect him. God.