kei_k's manga / #Love Square(6)

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's a very nice story and realistic to the point where it worries me. Now I question love's limit again. Surely, Youngwon fell in love at first sight for Jihyo and his feelings grew as they got closer. He truly treasured her for 3 years . But then he came across Say's broadcast and he somehow felt more connected to her. He got interested. And when he met Say, there was an irresistible connection he felt. But he had a gf and she had a bf. They even became friends. They were both aware that the moment they kept their meetings secret, they're somehow betraying their lovers but they can't resist because they felt like they can truly be themselves around each other. But because of their relationships, it was complicated. I understand that Say wanted to end it soon with Junhui but he kept delaying it despite knowing how Say felt. But Youngwon's another case.. He's already guilty bec he knows Jihyo is a nice girl yet he's doing what he did. He did well, trying to set aside his feelings for Say first to try and mend his relationship. Unfortunately, he couldn't get the feelings he had for Jihyo before so he decided to really break up. I believe that Jihyo's suicide attempt is a reality check that not everyone can be happy, at least not immediately. Love begets sacrifices. You're bound to hurt others, but you have the choice who to protect. Them breaking up for Jihyo, despite painful, was necessary for Jihyo to give up on her own. I'm sorry that Youngwon acted cold to her despite being with her but I think he did well bec he didn't give her false hopes. Even if Say and Youngwon continued dating at that point, they'll only feel guilty and paranoid thinking Jihyo might do worse. That's why their separation was necessary. Well, anyway, I'm glad that Say at least felt remorseful bec in the beginning, she just kept going on her own pace despite knowing the consequences of her action. She seemed to be aggressively trying to win him over despite claiming that they're just friends... I saw how she was worried about being left as well bec Youngwon was able to do it to Jihyo despite dating for 3 years. I'm glad that they at least felt human. The ending felt lacking, especially because they can finally be together. I wanted to see more of them.

late marking. read long time ago, not sure if I'll re-read anytime soon. [translations seem on indefinite hiatus] Ch 20// Skimmed through the raws.. Glad that Park Ha showed remorse towards his faults. Seol Hui was annoying until the end. Mega Princess Syndrome who wanted both and ended up with none. It was really annoying when she pulled that "something happened last night, don't tell me you don't remember" stint. At least Park Ha only put up with it for a bit and chased Jin Hong immediately. Really. He's one of the few violent and arrogant dudes who truly repented and showed remorse after hurting the female lead. Appearance wise, I liked Hee Won better, and his personality is actually good, until he felt scary for the kidnapping case in the end. Well at least he didn't really hurt Jin Hong. I liked that in the beginning, he stood up for his belief that he didn't want to date Seol Hui when he didn't see her as a woman because she'd only end up hurt, then gave in to Park Ha's constant blabbering, and at least tried to date her. Too bad, she just couldn't get out of sister-zone. Oh well, it's her fault too because she kept on dragging Park Ha even when she had the chance to finally be alone with Hee Won. This manga is good in a way that it clearly shows not to be too greedy or else you'll end up losing what you're supposed to have.

27

Too bad it was kind of open-ended but it was heavily implied who the couples will be.. It was kinda sad that Yuuki and Sekiya didn't happen and Sekiya's been more conscious of Kasai bec of the kiss. It's annoying how it seems like an unspoken rule that whoever steals the heroine's first kiss, even if she hated him to the core, would be her love interest... Well Kasai wasn't exactly bad either, just that Yuuki was closer to my type. And Himemiya, well, she wasn't that annoying. She's even stronger than the MC. I guess in a way, she's more likable because she really speaks her mind even if she's hated, instead of going around being "kind" and not wanting to look bad.