Does anyone else feel like the pacing of the manga isn't very good?
Don't get me wrong, this isn't a hate comment. I think Given is beautiful. It's just an observation.
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.
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.
I really wish I liked love triangles because I adore the art but they make me want to end it all so I'll just wait for Fools remastered to come out.
I'm re reading this and I completely forgot how much second hand embarrassment Heesu gave me at the beginning like chile calm downn
I just wanna read about the first couple so can someone tell me which chapters TO AVOID
I mean I don't feel bad for him, and it's hard for me to believe that people do. It's not that I lack empathy, but all the choices this sunnovabitch made were of his own volition. I think what really rubs we the wrong way is how selfish it is. It's not the type of selfishness that stares you down or the type that just jumps out at you. No, it's hidden. It's underlying. Even at the end, he wants to be with this person in their next life. The harm he has caused cannot be undone. It's not that simple and yet, and yet, he still assumes they are somewhat fated. It's delusional and it's terrifying.
Maybe that's one of the reasons I never liked this story as much as anyone else. As someone who has witnessed abusive relationships multiple times throughout their life, the fact the creator tries to get us to sympathise with him even towards the end is simply manipulative, detestable and just plain wrong. I wrote a topic a while ago explaining why this actually may not be as wonderful as people make it out to be. Don't get me wrong, you are completely allowed to like whatever you want to. But this story really reminds me of A Little Life (the novel) in the sense that it's very emotionally manipulative and for no reason. Although, I feel as though I took far more away from A Little Life than I did with this because at least that novel didn't try to make us feel bad for the abusers.
But I digress, I know I am of the unpopular opinion and I'm not claiming my opinion is correct. But I am slightly surprised that I have yet to see ONE person criticise this besides myself.
Don't get me wrong, this is absolutely hilarious. However, if this all ends up being queerbaiting I'm gonna be so annoyed.
thanks for the comment so im gonna wait and see before i dive in to drown
Can someone give me recommendations like this?
Guang Xiang. It's by the same dudette as Here U Are, except I hate that one. The art isn't as good but it's the same kinda wholesome.
Should I read this? Does it have a love triangle or something?
ah sorry I meant to like but its pretty good
It’s my alltime favourite! It has a mystery supernatural vibes to it with a lot of things left to uncover but it doesn’t overpower the couples! Also it has alltime best seme San :)))
If the creator turns this into a love triangle I will be fuming. The original was so beautiful and didn't have unnecessary drama but istg I refuse to read this if the creator does that.
did love or hate traumatize u bc same
that's exactly what happened LMAO
I can power through love triangles by will power, but indecisive MCs and no clear end game just hurts my heart too much. I want to read Love or Hate but I don’t know if I can take it. . .
READ IT U COWARD shdjcjk im kidding im kidding but seriously read it only when u think ur emotionally ready bc it doesnt just talk about romance, it also involves family relationships and whatnot. and if ur v sensitive and emphatic lemme just tell u right off the bat youll be needing therapy after reading it like the rest of us so be ready for that as well lmao (also i think the story's almost finished)
ASGD;L ╥﹏╥ I AM A COWARD!! I can read tough subjects no issues but love triangles that are very touchy that aren’t clearly one-sided and MCs who go back and forth just gives me anxiety !! My heart! Σ(っ°Д °;)っ
I, personally, do not like Love or Hate. If you like drama and love triangles and shit, you'll probably like it. However, that's just not for me.