Kirai's manga / #unrequited love(24)

Synopsis: Kim Dan (MC) is struggling to pay off his debt and his grandmother's hospital bills. One day, he lands a job as a personal physical therapist for Joo Jaekyung (ML), a champion mixed-martial artist with a horrible personality. Because of a jinx Jaekyung believes in, he has to have sex before all of his matches to guarantee victory, and he decides to make Kim Dan his next sex partner. Review: The biggest thing one should be aware of before diving in is that the male lead is exceptionally toxic. To make matters worse, Kim Dan is a complete doormat. I am looking forward to an arc in which Jaekyung grovels for Kim Dan.

Review: Since I'm not a fan of substitute relationships, this one was particularly painful for me to read, especially when the delusional male lead slipped up about who he was actually pining for. The toxic relationship implodes and afterwards begins a satisfying grovelling marathon.

Synopsis: Saddled with his father's debt and his dependent little brother, Euihyun (MC) tries to drown himself in the ocean. However, his suicide attempt is thwarted by the sudden appearance of Taeju (ML), a gangster who takes a sudden interest in him. Euihyun may be an omega, but he is ill-tempered and feisty; there's just something about him that draws Taeju in more than he realises. Review: When a relationship begins on the premise of a gangster coercing sex from a suicidal, debt-ridden single caretaker, you know that it will be toxic as hell, but this changes surprisingly fast. Taeju quickly develops a possessiveness for Euihyun, then actual feelings, and then guilt. Their dynamic for the majority of the manhwa is that of a shameless wife guy and an angry sugar baby, which I find super entertaining. Euihyun's little brother is also a prominent character who I don't find annoying at all. Throw in gang action, and you're in for a treat.

Synopsis: Kanade (MC) is the sort of trash who womanises, gambles and mooches off his partners. One day, he meets his high school classmate, Haruka (ML), who has been harbouring affections for him for a long time. An accident sends them to a world where women no longer exist and men have developed secondary genders. Now an omega, Kanade finds himself falling for Haruka. Review: Haruka is a good boyfriend to Kanade, and Kanade grows quite a bit after living with Haruka. Their reactions to the concept of omegaverse is funny, and I also like that they return to their original world near the end of the plot. Plus, it's good to see Kanade fight back against assailants; even though he is an omega, he is not meek. The faces are drawn well, but sometimes they lack expressiveness. As for the story, it pivots often to the next plot point and the pacing is uneven because of this.

Synopsis: When the MC's crime organisation goes under, he is approached by the ML, who buys his body. MC is suspicious of this man who's willing to shelter him from the law, but it turns out that ML is merely in love with him and, perhaps, a little unhinged. MC only manages one outing without notice before ML decides to trap him permanently. Review: A small-scope manhwa with crisp art, decent smut, a rough MC and a deceptively soft-looking ML. This manhwa ends on an ambiguous note, without the MC reaching the point of falling in love or developing Stockholm syndrome.

Synopsis: Learning that he's an omega, Asahi (MC) shares the news with his best friend, an alpha named Kei (ML). However, Kei deduces that he and Asahi are not fated pairs, and in anger he rapes Asahi. Many years later at a class reunion, Asahi realises that he's in love with Kei. This triggers his heat, prompting Kei to make Asahi his permanently. Review: The art is decent but both characters are rather shallow. The ML is sadistic and toxic during the time he thinks he cannot have the MC, which so happens to be the majority of the story. Amazingly, MC falls in love with his ex-best friend even after getting raped then ghosted. They both forgive each other upon learning that their love is requited. That side character friend is not paid enough for this.

Review: Kind of boring.

Review: Dropped because I got a bit bored of the slow pace and school life setting.

Synopsis: Growing up as an orphan in an abusive foster home, Kwon Heeseo (top) finds his solace in the anonymous person sponsoring him. The day he sets the home aflame is the day he finally meets Cha Taekyung (bottom). Although Taekyung tries to maintain a distance between them, Heeseo is obsessive and neurotic, willing to do whatever it takes to keep Taekyung by his side. The truth behind the death of Heeseo's mother unveils bit by bit, but at the climax, a fight causes them to separate. Seven years later, Heeseo kidnaps Taekyung, while the plot stemming from his mother's death continues… Review: This manhwa has a fantastic plot surrounding the mystery behind the death of Heeseo's mother. The cast of characters is tight and memorable, and there are many elements that return to relevance later. As for the main pairing, Kwon Heeseo is undoubtedly a toxic person who needs therapy, but he is only interested in Cha Taekyung. In a way, this gives Taekyung a concerning amount of power over Heeseo's psyche, but he's not equipped to handle such a troubled mind. I hope that their relationship improves!