kei_k's manga / #Gender Bender(54)

My thoughts are quite overflowing that I want to write a separate entry for this one. Anyway, I have mixed emotions about the ending. I saw it coming, that she'd probably end up with him (Taehyun) since he was the first guy shown in the beginning, and we saw them interact more that the childhood friend (Jinhoo), and she was blinded 'til the end with the angelic facade of Heewon, who was actually a wild chick. It was dissatisfying, perhaps because until the end, we only got comedic parts from the main couple, and even the ending for Jinhoo was melodramatic, leaving us thinking that he still loves Joonha but he'll marry Hyejin anyway since she's been with him for a long time and he knows that she needs him so much. It just makes us feel more sympathetic towards him, when we should've shifted our feelings for Taehyun. I mean, man, I know they spent a lot of time together as partners, which totally made Joonha comfortable around him whether she acted masculine or feminine, but I wish we actually got to see more scenes where she shows her feelings more earnestly. Hey, sure she initiated some kisses towards the end, but like Taehyun said, they didn't even feel romantic or what. If only we were shown more of them, and show that Jinhoo has truly moved on before marrying Hyejin, then it would've been fantastic. Sure, I disliked Hyejin at times, but I still find it unfair to have him marry her just like that. I know he liked her, but he admitted that he didn't love her. Well, of course, he could just learn to love her afterwards, but having those lingering feelings for Joonha wouldn't help too much. Well, she's kinda desperate because she knew she could never win against Joonha so she'd grab the best opportunity to keep him regardless if she's truly loved or what, as long as they're together. It's like, she knows that she's liked, but she's still hoping to be his number one. Well, I just hope that things work out well for them, since I wouldn't want Jinhoo to pursue Joonha in the future after he's married. Imagine, if in the future, they meet again, and he knew her secret or realized that Joonha's truly a girl now, then his feelings came rushing back to him, losing his reasons and pursuing her. Man, that's be so bad. Not only would he be cheating, but he'd get in the way of the relationship Taehyun's worked so hard to build. If it were me, I'd tell him off, and say, "You had your chance before, but you blew it when you chose her over me. I can't blame you though, because that's the guy you've always been -- gentle, faithful and chivalrous. You can stay that way from now on, too. You've gone by without me for the past few years, you'll get by in the next years as well. This is it, you'll always be a part of me, as Kim Jinhoo, my forever friend, not as a man. I am happy now, building my life with someone who loves me after everything I've been through. He's been with me at my worst, and he made me feel alive again. I would not risk to hurt him anymore than I've had. Goodbye."

It was interesting, but feels incomplete. There are too many loose ends.

I liked Naru, but I think his character's development lacked in some aspects... I really had a crush on Shinah, though. He's good-looking, smart, and a gentleman. I was turned off when he let Juhi (the tutor) kiss him as she liked though, even if he claims he liked Ida since before. He's not good at fighting like Naru, and he seems to be a sadist/dominant male character, but if he were to be sincerely in love with me (and wouldn't even give others chance to flirt with him), then he's someone I'd really like to have. :p

Yandere alert! I dislike Yerim (Nurse) very much as she was the master manipulator of most, if not all tragedies in this story. I'm actually surprised that Gayun didn't deal with her sooner. Of course I'm very bothered about how they couldn't differentiate Song Yi and A Ul when she only changed clothes and pushed back her hair a little bit. Their height difference is noticeable too. How about their voice? Haha. It's kinda ridiculous, really, but anyway.. I thought Gayun will discover SongYi's secret sooner especially because he had a lot of "..." moments while observing A Ul. Urk. But really, it sucks to be popular, eh? This manga made me realize that even more. That there could be people who desperately seek their love to be reciprocated to the point of threatening the other with their own lives. Like, duh. He's not even allowed to live for himself? If he were to take responsibility for the life of one person who threatens to commit suicide if he doesn't go along with her, then what would happen if more people would demand that? Where would that leave him? Poor guy. It's such a burden to be popular. Anyway, unlike other HMR heroines, I can take SongYi more. I mean she at least has really good points unlike the other characters. We can see here how even when she's neglected, she tries hard to be look after herself and even A Ul. She even sacrificed her life to fill in for A Ul while he can't attend the school since their parents care too much about his reputation, too. She's strong. She may have been manipulated by Yerim and may seem so indecisive, but I'm glad that the conflicts aren't as dragged out. For example, when she chose Seryun after his confession as Yerim instructed, she let Gayun go but quickly went after him after thinking it over. It's good that she was able to catch up with Gayun and he accepted her immediately. I'm glad he's actually not a jerk to her. Even when he found out about SongYi. I'm glad he didn't make a fuss about thinking she's doing it for revenge or something. For once, I really liked Gayun, too. Especially when he thought it over and still accepted SongYi after all (suspecting that something happened with Seryun included). Seryun is hard to ignore, though. He's such a sweetie. I hope he gets someone deserving, because he's innocent and sweet.

Hmm.. not very satisfied, but it was interesting.. Strangely, I was quite fine when Da In kissed a lot of males, especially vampires. Perhaps because thinking that this is supernatural, I shouldn't expect the normal attachments? Anyway, the most memorable parts would be when Kang Hoo's memory was altered. Seriously, I just get hurt every time I remember and think about it. Like, what if it happens to me in real life? Let's say my lover loses his memory and another girl who likes him take advantage of it and make it so that he'll be her lover while saying bad things about me that'll make him hate me... Like, there's no telling if it'd be like in fiction where somewhere within him, he truly feels our connection. There's no telling if he'd remember me. Usually, in fiction, it's made as if as long as the person truly loves the other, they'll remember him/her no matter what... But I can't even cling on that hope because this is reality and we have no real control over things like that. So anyway, just thinking about seeing my lover with another person, him choosing her over me and even hurts me on her command, I can't help but feel my heart in pain. Like, will he ever remember me? Will he ever come back to me? Until when should I wait for him? Should I continue to lurk around him until he remembers me, even when he chases me out? What if, after I decide to move on and let him live in the present, he regains his memories and want me back? What if by that time, I have already found someone else to treasure? Will I really risk my present to continue the past I couldn't? Or will I live in the present but keep wondering in the future, what could've been if I chose the other? Life is short. There's no telling until when we'll live. If I'd only have a few days to live, with whom shall I spend it with? (Okay, I totally got carried away from the story, but this really just stuck with me.)

Wish to own the complete set of this manga! Too bad the art in the last few chapters changed (looked rush and less detailed)...

Hmm totally dissatisfying romance.. I mean, there were a lot of misunderstandings that need to be straightened out and I think they needed to spend more time together. I liked how Richard was not a playboy though. I wish his past was more tackled though. And that thing with Sara... Okay, so I hope that he's just guilty about her and didn't hold romantic feelings, otherwise, it'd suck to be seen as her even for a moment.. Anyway.. It was interesting and cute, but certainly needed more.

Ch 16 // hmm nice concept. The thought about revealing the truth which won't make anybody around her happy or just keeping things as they are is interesting. For a second, I thought, what if I'm faced with a similar dilemma? If I happen to know a truth that will destroy everyone's happiness and making me look like the bad guy, would I still reveal it? Or should I just keep a blind eye and let people be happy? Well, in the story, leaving things as they are isn't good because it's not like they won't do bad things again. If left as is, there's a chance that more people will suffer. Is it selfish to take away their short-lived happiness for the good of many, even if some of them are those we consider "family?" Doesn't it feel hypocritical if for instance, I knew that a family member did a crime and I turn him in? Others may say that as a family, we're supposed to protect one another, so I'm supposed to help him evade the law. However, I personally think that if I don't let him take responsibility, it will only get worse. I mean, of course I worry. For example, if it's my husband and I have to hand him over to the police. What if he's abused while in prison, or worse, killed? I worry about such things, especially because I know that other officials can give up their honor for fame or money. I find it hard to trust even those people who are supposed to protect us. So anyway, I may appear cold-hearted, but well honestly, maybe it would depend on the situation and the gravity of the sin? Anyway, back to the manhwa. I liked how it talked about the tale of the glass slippers... How pretending to be someone else or taking advantage of others for selfish intentions would only hurt them in the end.

Ch 4 //