Kirai's manga / #unrequited love(24)

Synopsis: Cha Kwonwoo (ML) is an S-rank esper who works his on-call guide, Kim Dowon (MC) to the bone. Experiencing his cold demeanour firsthand, Dowon believes that Kwonwoo hates him, but when an incident turns Kwonwoo into an amnesiac, his attitude changes completely! It's hard to reconcile this lovestruck, smiley fool with the infamous Cha Kwonwoo, but Dowon has to guide him intimately in hopes of restoring his memory, and Kwonwoo is happy to oblige. Review: The chibis are pretty good, but most of the art feels a bit stiff. At least Cha Kwonwoo's face is drawn with lots of care! It's interesting that Kwonwoo's personality has changed so drastically from stoic CEO to puppy dog; it makes you wonder why Kwonwoo has become the way he is. Meanwhile, Kim Dowon acts more like a regular guy, but he doesn't seem to comprehend that Kwonwoo is hard gunning for his hand in marriage. A decent read for when you want a pathetic love interest.

Synopsis: One day, MC realises that he is a mob character in a world that runs on BL logic. With event flags hidden in every corner, MC vows to protect himself from falling victim to yaoi tropes. Review: A must-read for all fujin! This manga pokes fun at a lot of BL tropes, and it's fun to watch MC avoid or comment on the gay situations that keep happening around him. I also enjoy how MC's role of being a mob character plays a major part in potential storylines. Also, if you're interested, this manga has a live-action adaptation that ends with MC getting together with one of the BL characters.

Synopsis: Kuga Senri (MC) constantly fights with his room mate, Igarashi (ML). One day, their hands get physically stuck together! Igarashi (non-consensually) figures out that making the both of them ejaculate at the same time allows them to separate, but the incident keep repeating whenever they touch hands. Kuga comes to like Igarashi, but that's when Kuga discovers that their bodies now repulse each other. He sets out to discover a way to fix this phenomenon once and for all. Review: The premise is based on a whacky yaoi idea, but what can I say? I love forced proximity. Plus, their forced separation is solved very quickly, which is a bonus. Kuga is a bit of a slob but, surprisingly, he's able to take the initiative. Igarashi criticises Kuga's lifestyle often, but he is secretly in love with him. I think I'd enjoy this even more if there's more content of their being stuck together, but this manga is complete as it is.

Synopsis: Han Seojoon (MC) was once a supporting actor for the famous and talented Choi Seunghyun (ML), but he quit acting because of inferiority complex. Three years later, Choi Seunghyun finds him drowning in debt, and coerces him into returning to showbiz… and his bed. Review: Although this manhwa had a lot of potential, most of the story is wasted on dubcon smut. Furthermore, although they used to be lovers, MC only angsts about being back in ML's shadow, so the rekindling of their relationship doesn't get a narrative spotlight. I liked how ML is fixated on making MC sincerely say "I love you," but the payoff feels lacklustre due to that lack of much needed development between them. In fact, ML seems to suddenly switch personalities, between an adoring lover and a trashy male lead—no transition whatsoever. Plus, neither MC nor ML communicate their feelings until the last chapter, in which the plot ends with an abrupt happy ending.