Lex's manga / #Realistic(49)

Ever since high school, Sang Hwa has had a crush on his seemingly perfect best friend, Ryuh Han. Feeling both inferior and lonely, he delved into Lessa, an MMO slowly declining in popularity and an escape from Ryuh Han. In game, he stumbled across newbie “Mighty Mirae” – real name Gwon Lee Gum – and the two become fast friends as “Idealize”. Sang Hwa helps to train him and invite him to his guild. Yet, Mirae hyung still remains a distant, mysterious person until they decide to meet in real life. ---------- I really like the way that their relationship was built. The pacing feels very natural and i right away felt as if Sang Hwa and Lee Gum had a connection. I love how we get both characters' perspective on the relationship's evolution as well as many in-between scenes. It makes the pacing so much more flowing and enjoyable. Like they actually really know each other and fell in love so naturally over a period of time starting from a special friendship to something slowly more intimate and meaningful to each of them. Both Sang Hwa and Lee Gum's character growth are very interesting to read. Not to mention that the Art's top-notch! I feel like the writing got a little lousy towards the end, and that more chapters could have been added, but overall as a fluff read it was good as is.

When almost college dropout Jensen attempts to drink away his problems, unemployed Nathaniel suddenly pukes on him and ruins his night. As an apology, Nathaniel offers to help Jensen with his studies. Despite Jensen's difficulties in getting along with people, the two become friends and something deeper begins to grow between them. ---------- I absolutely adore this one! Niel and Jensen both have such loveable personalities. Actually interesting characters! I loved how everything came together, how nothing felt unnecessarily added to the plot. The Art's beautiful to look at, the characters are all so expressive. This made it to the top of my most liked BLs list right off the bat! Jensen & Niel's relationship is such a sweet, healthy and realistic one. They fall for each other slowly but surely. It show that the Author's put a lot of thoughts into working on both characters' perspectives and struggles. Also, the fact that the author went to the extent of mentioning bisexuality and pansexuality, of showing Jensen's character trying to figure out a label which suits how he's been feeling... Bringing Eugene's character back into the story in order to resolve past issues and wounds, all without attempting some cliche and boring drama! I love it! I didn't mind Rissa's character use either, she actually felt like an entertaining one (a tad bit annoying at times though, I do admit it). In all aspects, it's an amazing read! Special points for the extra-checking for consent too. Always love that!

Eunho, the little neighbor boy that always asked Jaeha to marry him is all grown up now. Jaeha never gave little Eunho a second thought until one day, years later, Eunho suddenly reinserts himself into Jaeha’s life. Will Eunho forever be the little neighbor boy to Jaeha? Or will Jaeha finally see Eunho for the man he’s now become? ---------- The plot's a really interesting one, the Art's pretty and the characters are all interesting to follow. I can't stop to say just how refreshing it is whenever I read a story where the third man of the story isn't unnecessarily made into an *sshole. Hanjun's character is a very interesting and loyal one. I really appreciated how upfront and earnest he was in this story. He obviously had feelings for Jaeha for a very long time, yet he respected his boundaries, as well as his feelings for Eunho. We seriously need more secondary characters like him in stories. Jaeha's character is also a very fascinating one. His personality's a very complex one, and seeing his growth as it is being influenced by Eunho was truly intriguing. Eunho's character's also a pretty intriguing one. And I really like his personality shifts, and how he can go from seeming simple-minded, to being really serious and intense. Also, lots of consensual action in this one. Can't get enough of that. Give me more of those healthy and well-developed relationships. I am, though, very disappointed that the end was cut-short. I was looking forward to seeing the build-up from the moment when they got back together, to breaking the news to Eunho's family, especially since I felt like it'd be very moving and positive... And... The wedding! The whole story was based on that. How am I supposed to feel like this was complete with only a few snippets here and there?

Conor, a Korean-American, lives in a city where same-sex marriage has been legalized, but where racist and homophobic hate crimes are still frequent. He joins a band with the blonde hair, blue-eyed Simon and the two go on to create their own “dark heaven” in an abandoned church. Feelings develop between the pair, but light cannot dwell with dark, and their time together will soon come to an end. ---------- This is such an emotional roller-coaster. I've lost count how many times I got sad, angry, anxious, ... the list goes on and on. The characters are all so tangible. I kept on getting triggered at all the racism & homophobia in this one. It made me want to throw fists so much. It's such a beautiful and realistic story, but dang, does it make me angry at the world. This is so well-written in its depiction of unfairness, xenophobia, racism, homophobia, abuse, white privileges, .... The list could go on and on. But as it is so well-written, that's what keeps you motivated to keep reading it. It brings up such harsh topics and doesn't hold back for a second. The characters are all extremely well thought-through and fascinating as well. Especially Connor & Simon. Their relationship is such a deep one that I couldn't help but get invested in. It just feels so real. You can truly feel their feelings for each other the entire time as you read through each and every chapter. They complete each other, their love is such a strong one, and the author does an amazing job at displaying it. The Art's also one-of-a-kind. I've never seen anything quite like it before.If you want to read this, be aware that it's extremely triggering. But it's also absolutely worth your time. It's been quite a while since I've seen a work that'd bring up real-life problems so well. And also one that'd depict love so bluntly and honestly. I was really taken aback by how much of a masterpiece this was.

Eungi has been in college without being engaged with others. One day by encounter, he finds the secret of underclassman Jeongwoo. Why are you so nervous to forget? A love story that’s both easy and difficult. ---------- Please don't kiss people in their sleep. A sleeping person can't give you their consent. Other than that, This story is so beautiful. It's a really slow, relaxing read. Filled with emotions. Eungi (Edward) & Jeongwoo (Justin)'s relationship builds over time slowly in a very natural way. You get to see their highs and lows, as they grow both individually and as a pair. It's really refreshing to read such a heartfelt and earnest story. But I have to say, Jeongwoo's ex did trigger me quite badly a few times. He was rejected once, face to face, a second time on the phone, the very same day. But he kept on pressuring Jeongwoo and tried to get his way. He was far from being as bad as most exs' representations you get in BLs, but it was still sickeningly pathetic whenever I had to read his parts. This character just felt really pitiful. But it was still a very well handled one. All in all, a really very pleasant and satisfying read.

The main character, Seung-hee, looks like an ordinary student, but he is homosexual and likes crossdressing. He lives a quiet life at school, meets people in Internet gay communities, and tries to find his true connections, but it is not easy. One day, Seung-hee meets a man of the gay community and eventually scuffles with him. To make matters worse, he will be witnessed by Park Seung-taek, a classmate of his. ---------- This BL really hit differently. Every character had so much depth. Seunghee's character was especially fascinating. There's something about him that just draws you in and makes you root for him the entire ride through. Suhyeok's character felt a little lacking at times, but he was still a very interesting one to follow. But above all, Kyubin & Seungtaek's dynamic was such a breathtaking one, First of all, the author really took me by surprise by handling their story first. A huge change compared to most BLs in the way the 'second couple' trope was handled. It got me to be even more invested in their story, as well as being filled with anticipation regarding Seughee's story's arrival. I'm also really glad that they chose not to dwell on the two adult characters (forgot their names, sorry). Maybe as a side story it may be interesting, but I feel like had it been included within this one, it would have spoiled the plot's main focus, making the story drag on uselessly. Inbeom's character was a really interesting one as well. Instead of causing useless drama within the relationship, he grew as a character and learned from his mistakes. I don't condone his past sexual and physical assault acts towards Seungtaek, but he did learn from these mistakes he committed. And decided willingly to step back and change his ways. That made him all the more interesting as a character and made me want to root for him to get back on track. His earnest friendship with Seunghee's development was also a really endearing one. Seeing those two damages and hurt characters fill in each other's voids was really interesting. Finally, Seunghee & Suhyeok's relationship felt hectic at times, and it also came off a little forced at it's beginning, but after we got the flashbacks & explanations for Suhyok's feelings for Seunghee, it then all came together and felt just right. Making their relationship feel real and filled to the brim with chemistry. I really quite liked how it developed over time. I would have loved for it to be lomger. Especially for their College years' arrival. After Suhyok also came out to his father and Seunghee's relationship with his started to change, I feel like there's some unexploited potential left here and there that could be worked on. Making this even more interesting, as well as showing us further character growth in the process.

Sex can be amazing, not to mention ecstasy inducingly mind-blowing. And Eunsung knows that because 7 years ago, she had good sex (an understatement). She felt the universe crack open to show her its secrets. Too bad she hasn’t had a decent orgasm since. It’s been a long journey, but everyone knows, before you get to “P,” you have to go through “O.” ---------- Honestly..? A huge surprise is what I'm going to say. It made me laugh so much. It was both funny and cute at the same time, the characters are all so interesting. The plot's predictable yet so enjoyable. I really loved Sera & Minsuh's pairing, they had really nice chemistry. Okjae just straight-up made me laugh 'til my stomach hurt so many times, and finally, Eunsung's such an interesting and fun character. I loved reading her story, and her dynamic with Johan was such a good one. Their relationship's so healthy and cute. Seeing Minsuh's toxic ex and Minhee reap what they'd sowed was beyond satisfying as well. I do feel sorry for Minhee's character, but he really needed a wake-up call. And some seriously intense therapy sessions... I liked seeing his character growth following said wake-up call. To stay onto his character, but also go back on Minsuh's character's topic. Whilst I loved Eunsung's character and seeing her strength of character, as well as her growth, I have to say that Minsuh & Minhee's characters wereequaylly as fascinating as hers. I loved seeing them ad they battled their inner demons and struggled with self-doubt. They've both grown in many ways throughout the entire story's timeline. I found myself feeling sorry for them, pitying them, being angry at them, feeling happy for them. They truly gave me quite the emotional roller-coaster. Their issues felt so real, they were almost tangible. Next is: That. Trio. Seriously, this Eunsung-Minsuh-Okjae, Three Musketeers, kinda deal was so fun to read, and Sera's addition to the group as the story progressed became the cherry on top. I really loved their friendship and how well the author managed to display how tight it actually is. Overall, relationships between every character felt very realistic and had some serious work put into it. Of course this was the most obvious with the main couple: Eunsung & Johan. But it very well applies to both the romantic and platonic other relationships being tackled within this story as a whole. And the author not going for the easy plot device of creating unecessary drama in Eunsung & Johan's relationship using Ho-Eun's character's come back, but instead have her participate greatly in Minhee's growth, as well as help moving the plot forward for the main cast was really refreshing! Such a fun read! The Art's also such a sight for sore eyes. I loved how the author didn't shy away from giving her characters such a wide range of emotions and facial expressions. It really made them feel all the more alive.