*SPOILER* (kind of? what happens in Ch. 21)
TLDR: Eui Joon, Geon Woo's interest in you is not a requirement for him to take care of you during sex. That should happen regardless of what his interest in you is.
I'm sad that Eui Joon thinks he can only receive care during sex if people are interested in him. Eui Joon baby. Romantic interest isn't a requirement for treating you kindly and with respect. As a person you deserve to be treated with care and that means removing your watch to make sure you don't get hurt during sex. You need to not let anyone in any situation treat you less than that.
I am starting to get tired of this theme where the protagonist thinks that if the other person isn't romantically interested in them then they wouldn't treat them kindly or care for them. Or in Eui Joon's case, where he doesn't think he needs it because he doesn't think him and Geon Woo are going to be together anyways. It perpetuates this idea that people don't need to try to be caring and respectful of boundaries during sex (and other areas of interaction) unless the other person is their romantic partner. For example, one night stands. Like no that is basic human decency and everyone should be treated with care and respect regardless of who they are to you and in every situation. Eui Joon you need to demand that regardless whether it is a serious relationship or a hook-up.
The flip side of it is when people assume romantic interest if a person shows them kindness and care, which can lead to its own set of problems and misunderstandings. Care and respect should be shown because the other person is a human being and shouldn't be used as indicators of romantic interest imho. Because too often people don't do it because "I'll do that if they are my significant other." If someone wants to know if the other person is interested or not then communication is key!
Sorry for my rant lol I feel very strongly about this. For anyone who has read this to the end, thank you!
I don’t normally post things, but this bothered me a little. Ok this is probably not a popular opinion and maybe a lot of people might not agree with this. *SPOILER ALERT*
I’m not that fond of Woojin. He seems to be a decent guy when it comes to people he likes. I’m not saying Woojin is bad, but did anyone else feel profoundly disturbed that he watched a rape video and said it was boring???? I’m not saying he has to care for Siwon, but shouldn’t he feel a little uncomfortable or disturbed? It’s not normal to see someone being raped. Like was boredom the only feeling he felt? Even Taemin felt bad watching it. I mean I felt straight up queasy and nauseated when I realized the original Siwon was raped. Probably because I actually know someone in real life who has been raped, so my heart just felt so heavy. I’m kind of low key unsatisfied that topic wasn’t addressed more and that the original Siwon suffered so much he felt like the only thing he could do was commit suicide. I wouldn’t want my friend to be pushed to that point. Jiwook is straight up a trash human being, but he is the product of his environment and he needs fucking therapy and to go to jail.
Wait aaah how do I do the thing where it doesn’t show the whole message at once and you have to press the + button to show the rest? I kind of thought it would do it by itself? But that’s not how it’s appearing with me aah!!
i read this when i was really young and it left such a horrible taste in my tounge and i cant remember their relationship much because all i remember is how i felt about the story? I hated practically everyone except the mc because i was repulsed by the actions of his abusers and the bystanders and now when i see people talk about this story i feel like i missed something, i really didnt like Woojin and reading your comment makes me feel relieved knowing that i wasnt insane to think that way
also i would reread it but idk if i'll be able to go through all that again so
it does it by itself, dw
Aah thank you for your reply. I thought I was the only one so I am also relieved to read your reply. And to reply to your later comment, I don’t think you would miss out by not re-reading especially if you don’t think you will enjoy it. There are so many other things to read instead. Like “Sign”, that one I really like! I actually went to reread that to kind of relieve the heaviness I got from reading this webtoon.
Also tbh I also think that Woojin was a little pushy and didn’t respect Taemin’s boundaries. I mean I get it, he wants to be close to him and he does show his kind sides, but that doesn’t undo how terrible he treated Taemin. He basically beat him up for looking at him funny before he realized it was Taemin in Siwon’s body. And he never apologized for that.
yeah, it's nice to know that there's someone out there who felt the same way. i dont really plan on rereading it, i honestly dont think i would enjoy much so.. also, sign is really good!! i loved it a lot, i'd take rereading that story over this one any day of the week. it's a lot more chill and soothing, so that's good. mhm woojin was a little(being generous here) trashy at times and his desperation doesn't justify shit, people need to chill sometimes. that definitely deserves an apology woah
I'm so glad someone else actually caught that! he beat Taemin up and never apologized, they both just moved on from it. He was problematic in so many ways, but I like to think it's a result of his upbringing, how he was raised to that point. Honestly, most of the named people in this story need therapy. It doesn't excuse his actions or attitude, but it's part of why I don't completely hate him.
I just wish justice was found for Siwon. at least it's there in the fanfictions.
It’s a common theme I see in a lot of BL manga, where a problematic behavior occurred, but later on it is never discussed again. I just like to imagine the discussion did happen, but it wasn’t illustrated in the story.
Yeah I agree with you that a lot of them need therapy and a lot of their behavior and attitudes is a product of their environment, the circumstances around them etc. if I really think about it they are all still teenagers so they’re still growing and learning so I’ll just imagine that they are working on their self growth and will become better people in the future.
There are fanfics for this story? At least Siwon got justice there T_T I just really found it sad the topic of rape was never seriously discussed in the story at all
Yeah, not a lot of fanfics, but the ones I found were mostly great. I just hate that something so huge was brushed aside. Not only was the rape completely ignored by the end, Siwon's parents will never know that one of their sons died, and the other became a psychopath, because I don't see anyone telling them the whole story. Their kid committed suicide and they would never know.
Aah yes the parents T_T they really will never know. And the only people beside Siwon’s side as he died were strangers and Woojin who is not exactly comforting. The more I think about it the sadder it gets
Thank you tofu for your translations! You did a great job! I don’t know if you’ll see this comment, but wanted to let you know all the same.
I also wanted to say that the meaning was very well conveyed in the last chapter of Hiromichi’s revelation. Especially the words “it’s not even funny” I think that truly hit the message home about him realizing it. I’m not a gay guy, but it truly tore at my heart strings to see Hiromichi cry and say the words “I slept with a man”. Aah it was such a bittersweet moment. The realization and joy he might have felt about finding out he wasn’t crazy and his sexual identity was real. But then there might also be despair because of what it would mean for him and his family. So many complicated emotions and feelings. Sorry for my ramblings, these thoughts just went through my head when I read that part.
Thank you for your kind words! And i agree with you, it's a complicated scene, both sad and hopeful at the same time.
Aah I am happy you replied! Hope you have a good rest of your weekend!