Chew and Swallow
Being in love for high school students should be easy, fun, and tinted with rose colored glasses. However, for Minjae, love came stemmed from abuse from those around him. Within there, he found Taehwan, someone who he thought could save him from the loneliness that plagued his life. As the two fall in whirlwind of angst and love, the fear and darkness surrounding them slowly catches up. The story is filled with intense drama, abuse, and emotions that leave your chest feeling heavy. Still, it is told chaotically, just as if it is real life- mistakes, regrets, and redemptions.
Boku o Warui Ko ni Shite
The beginning was hard to stomach because of the drama and rape scenes. However, the story becomes more palatable as it progresses. The uke and seme are both children of abuse and their scars run deep. They find solace within each other but still have to work through miscommunications and overcome their individual pains. I didn’t like it had the typical yaoi-trope of “I got raped and fell in love with my perpetrator,” but it was well written and the artwork is very pretty.
Camellia