Okay, wow. I was a little wary when I started this because I couldn't get a good read on where the story was going or the characters personalities, anOkay, wow. I was a little wary when I started this because I couldn't get a good read on where the story was going or the characters personalities, and I was exasperated with reading another workplace romance story that had one character overworking the other and/or one character taking advantage of the other. But manwha continues to surprise me, and truly never disappoints me, and by the end I was treated to a spontaneous three chapter long sports arc, our MCs being forced to share a room, a mildly erotic bandaging scene *foams at the mouth* erotic hurt comfort and bandages are SO up my alley like OH MY GOD I could not BELIEVE what I was seeing WHAT A TREAT!!!, and the very last page which made me burst out laughing.
So yeah, I really enjoyed this lol
Somewhere in the middle, Isaku Natsume's note about Onoe and Kaburagi from her manga Candy Color Paradox popped into my head: "two very schoolkid-like adults." And that is exactly how I can describe Seo Hyunsoo and Baek Youngchan -- two adults who are, ultimately, very schoolkid-like because of their bickering and general immaturity. And I really, really love that about them and like that as a dynamic but considering that Onoe and Kaburagi are my favorite relationship of all time, that tracks lol. There is just something so fun about watching two characters that are observant, reflective, and competent... but that also butt heads and bicker in an extremely immature way. It's compelling to me in a very specific and indescribable way, and it makes me so excited to see what develops between them next, especially considering Seo Hyunsoo's complete misunderstanding of what was going on at the beginning of the story and Baek Youngchan's very clear interest in, protectiveness of, and jealousy over Seo Hyunsoo.
...oh my god I just realized that in addition to being schoolkid-like adults they're also golden retriever x black cat, chat I am so fucking cooked with this pairing oh my god,,,,,, ...more
Finally!!! Finally!!! A BL where the character being bullied/harassed/overworked just fucking SNAPS and can't take it any moreHahaha... Yes... Yes!!!!
Finally!!! Finally!!! A BL where the character being bullied/harassed/overworked just fucking SNAPS and can't take it any more and there isn't an ~actual good reason~ he's been overworked and the character who overworked him realizes he's in the wrong!!!!! I know it's such a simple thing to be excited about but I have wanted to read this format for so long!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Okay, my delight at that aside, I am loving this so far. The characters are complex enough where I'm not 100% on either of their sides and their relationship is so messy in a way that excites me to see where it goes. Like, they both have so much growth to do, and I'm actually pretty pleased with the way this volume ended; it feels like their relationship has been completely scorched and they are now on an equal, desolate playing field, where Jihyuk can actually try to win over Eunkyum (instead of whatever the fuck he was doing before) and Eunkyum can start to see Jihyuk as more than just a pretty face.
Very excited to read more. Definitely one of the better manwha I've read recently....more
It's hard to not read this and constantly compare it to other red string of fate stories -- especially Akira Yoshio's Red Thread series now that the aIt's hard to not read this and constantly compare it to other red string of fate stories -- especially Akira Yoshio's Red Thread series now that the ability to remove rings has been introduced. And, unfortunately, whenever I'm thinking about Akira Yoshio's series, I just wish I was reading that instead.
I don't dislike Tied to You, but it is a bit exhausting to read a story where it seems like every character (aside from Wooseo) is acting selfishly or manipulatively, and it's hard for me to completely, or at all really, root for Jigeon and Wooseo given that Jigeon is downright manipulative and controlling.
I'm not usually one to dislike more "toxic" concepts in fiction (my BL manga reviews speak for themselves), and I can't even fully understand, myself, why this one is hitting different, but if I had to take a guess I think it would be that Jigeon is just fixated on winning Wooseo at any cost, without taking the time to actually try to build an authentic relationship with him, which doesn't seem like it would be to hard to do, all thing considered. We do get moments of Wooseo and Jigeon interacting and seemingly growing closer, but those moments end up being undercut by the moments where Jigeon is actively plotting, trying to be a Jiseok stand in, going behind Wooseo's back to control him (like with installing the tracking app), and ignoring Wooseo's wants, agencies, and emotions.
This is all to say... idk, the jury's still out for me. I am interested enough to keep reading because, even though all of that is happening, I want to see how their relationship evolves. I really hope Wooseo catches on to what is happening and Jigeon has to change his ways, but even if he doesn't... I hope their relationship resolves in a satisfying way.
The art is still kind of meh to me, but it does feel better than the first volume, with a bit more movement and body to each scene. And this was a small thing, but I really loved how in this paperback copy, non-dialogue text had a color fade on the text -- like the sentence would fade from a dark purple to a lighter shade, or visa versa. I don't know if it was just a stylistic choice, but text that is styled like that is pretty helpful to people with various reading disabilities, so that was really cool to see....more
This is so stupid and yet so compelling what the hell is going on....
On one hand, the entire premise and the fact that Seon-woo keeps confessing his dThis is so stupid and yet so compelling what the hell is going on....
On one hand, the entire premise and the fact that Seon-woo keeps confessing his desire to solely have sex is just wack to me, as someone who does not experience sexual attraction.
On the other, I am so extremely compelled now by tragic backstory Tae-moon originally just punishing Seon-woo with sex (for blackmail I am still not sure actually happened?? Did Seon-woo blackmail him?? He didn't right? Tae-moon, in his infinite ability to misunderstand the situation, just straight up made that up, right??) and then accidentally catching feelings for real for real. Like?? That is a good concept, and I cannot wait to see him continue to fall harder and harder by pure accident.
I also hope Tae-moon helps fix Seon-woo's fashion sense. Like PLEASE help him. PLEASE. ...more
You know a series has me hooked when I stay up too late reading it and then finish it the next morning before going to work.
I'm still super enjoying You know a series has me hooked when I stay up too late reading it and then finish it the next morning before going to work.
I'm still super enjoying this. I loved getting to see a more 'cold' side from Eui-joon, and I loved the comment about him being able to cut anyone out of his life if he needs to -- he's kind, but he won't let himself be taken advantage of and hurt, and I really liked that added layer to his character. He's emotionally stronger than people give him credit for (and the reader may give him credit for, given how often he's in tears lol), and it makes perfect sense given his family background and struggles. He's strong in that way a person needs to be strong to stand on their own two legs. And I love that.
Also Gunwoo falling first??? Love to see it. Loved the sections from his POV, and that ~drama~ seems to be impending. I'm waiting for the next volume with baited breath....more
I've been on a manwha kick lately, and this is easily the best one I've read, or rather, the one that was most to my tastes.
I loveOh, I ADORED this.
I've been on a manwha kick lately, and this is easily the best one I've read, or rather, the one that was most to my tastes.
I love the slow build going on between Eui-joon and Gunwoo, and how we're slowly learning more about them as they learn about each other. It's really nice that their relationship is built on a loose kind of friendship, and that their interactions are consensual.
I love Gunwoo in general (a dangerous older man who is secretly kind to and protective of one specific person and also covered in scars???? he was made for me), but I especially like how he is clearly trying to be kind to Eui-joon but is bad at showing it (clearly) and has to check himself at times. I really hope we get to see more of his dangerous side, and he gets more opportunities to directly protect Eui-joon, 'cause I live for hurt/comfort and protecting/saving a love interest.
I also really like Eui-joon in general. I like his personality, his background, his struggles, and his worries, and I'm really excited to learn more about him and see how he develops as he is exposed more to Gunwoo's world....more
Thoughts: - Seon-woo, baby, please get a better fitting suit, who the fuck even let you buy a suit that baggy, jfc.There is so much going on in here.
Thoughts: - Seon-woo, baby, please get a better fitting suit, who the fuck even let you buy a suit that baggy, jfc. I'm going to find it and set it on fire. - The miscommunication is UNRIVALED. It's amazing. They're speaking the same language, using the same words, and having a conversation, and yet they are drawing wildly different conclusions about each other and their intentions, actions, and truth. It started out as annoying, especially with Tae-moon just completely misunderstanding Seon-woo and basically creating an entirely fake version of him in his head, but by the end of this volume it had gotten so ridiculous I couldn't even be actively mad anymore. Also, because, even though it's taken to an extreme, it still kinda makes sense? Like yeah, your previous relationships and understanding of how the world works does impact how you interpret people's words and actions, so it makes sense they're misunderstanding each other. - The miscommunication is so bad that I, as a reader, ended up questioning the truth. Tae-moon says Seon-woo blackmailed him so many times that eventually I was like did he??? Did he and I just missed it??? No, I didn't, and he didn't. Tae-moon just made up that version of reality and is sticking to it. I'm actually really excited for when, if, they actually sit down and sort things out. - Another reviewer called this epitome of the tag 'plot what plot' and I could not agree more. Really hope we get a real plot in later volumes. It's really pretty though!...more
Interesting so far. I really like soulmate and 'red string of fate' tropes, and I thought this one was a very unique take. I like how rather than it bInteresting so far. I really like soulmate and 'red string of fate' tropes, and I thought this one was a very unique take. I like how rather than it being explicitly romantic, Rings are tied to sleep and you can only sleep if you're with your ring partner. It adds a severe degree of weight to the whole concept that I really like, in the same way I am partial to Hanahaki AUs.
The love triangle thing going on, though, is a bit frustrating, especially since it seems like all the drama coming out of it is completely due to characters not communicating. Like, I get why Wooseo won't tell Jiseok, but I feel like Jigeon would be much better received (by Wooseo) if he was open about his feelings about Wooseo and took the time to court him properly. I also can't understand why they're not just telling Jiseok, especially since it's pretty obvious to me that he also likes Wooseo, and I'm pretty sure Jigeon knows it too -- and I get the feeling that Jiseok would understand and back off if he knew Jigeon and Wooseo were ring partners. Though I get Jigeon not wanting Wooseo to know his love is actually reciprocated... URGH. I am in for a ride based on manipulation when I could have a sweet, slow romance. I'm not mad about it though -- this was a super engaging page turner and I know I'm going to be caught hook, line, and sinker the whole time.
The coloring is super beautiful, so it's fun to read, but ngl, the art is kinda not doing it for me. The proportions of characters are off sometimes, and most of the panels feel empty and lifeless. Like, there isn't a good sense of flow or connectivity or movement to most panels, and sometimes a character just looks there unnaturally, instead of there like they're a fluid part of the scene. I look forward to seeing how the art evolves over the course of the series though, and I really like how What draws characters smiling. Yeah, it's the same expression over and over again, and it's the same smile on multiple different characters so it's not just unique to Jiseok (even though he does it the most), but it's really fox-like and I think it's cute....more
Huh. For how well known and seemingly well loved the animation is, I expected a lot more from this. Like, a full plot with extensive character developHuh. For how well known and seemingly well loved the animation is, I expected a lot more from this. Like, a full plot with extensive character developments. So I was surprised when this arrived and I picked it up and is was... extremely thin, with no signs of it being the start of a series.
But despite my expectations, I didn't dislike this. It's not the fully built up story one would expect to read, and I suppose it would be more accurate to call it a one shot, as it really just reads like a snap shot, a moment in time, for these characters. And when thought about like that, I kind of liked how it was told.
I liked the flash backs between the present day and the past and how these flash backs portrayed their budding feelings. They, along with the intricate use of color and repetition, made the whole thing have this soft, dream-like quality to it that I have a real soft spot for.
However, there is a lot in here that is left unanswered, most notably the smoking (an odd development given the character's health) and the ring -- the latter of which many people have said you need to watch the animation to learn more about. Truthfully, it was everyone's comments around the ring that now have made me hyper-focused in on it too, as during my first read through, I just assumed that Seonho had the ring either to make people think he was taken (so no one would approach him while he was waiting to see Myeong again, and to use as a test to see if Myeong was annoyed/upset at seen it, to gauge if he was still interested) or that he brought the ring specifically to give to Myeong, which, bold choice my dude, but go for it.
Either way, it is a bit annoying to have these things brought up and then not addressed, but again, this story is a snapshot -- so it makes sense that there are a lot of things we don't get to know. It can be annoying for those expecting a full story, but if you take it for what it is, it's fine....more
When reviewing manga/manhwa series, I normally leave one mass review on the first book and call it good, but this time I decided to break tradition anWhen reviewing manga/manhwa series, I normally leave one mass review on the first book and call it good, but this time I decided to break tradition and leave my review on the second volume, because the second volume is where I came to this important conclusion:
I think I hate this manhwa.
Which feels so strange and wrong, because this is right up my alley -- I am huge omegaverse fan and finding a published omegaverse story that ACTUALLY has a pregnancy and a child in it is so rare. I should love this story simply because it exists! But I don't.
I also usually don't hate anything I read. I can usually find something to like about it, or realize it just wasn't for me, or find something that is objectively good, but man. It's hard to find something redeemable about this series. I've read the first and second volume of Seven Seas' publication, and I have the third volume sitting on my shelf, waiting for me to read it, but I just feel... absolutely no motivation to do so.
And why is that? Because all of the characters... kind of just suck. Like, after reading these two volumes, the only character I have a positive perspective on is Dojin, because he literally just seems to be trying his best to do things right and be a good person.
However, he's stuck with Hye-sung -- a character that seems to have a TON of potential for development... except after two whole volumes, there is no development to be had. And I am interested in Hye-sung developing; he's shown, multiple times, to be really smart when it comes to math and numbers (although he is literally unbelievably stupid when it comes to anything else) and I'm waiting with bated breath for something to come out of that -- maybe he gets a good, steady job with numbers, or uses his skills in a way that is valuable and significant to those around him. However, at this point, I don't really have any faith that the author is going to have this set up pay off in a way that is meaningful and interesting.
Because after these two volumes, Hye-sung has not changed. He's completely stuck in his head and beliefs that he can't see reality unfolding around him, and because of that, he's extremely resistant to changing his perspective. Like, he's literally a poster child for confirmation bias at this point -- he falls for and believes things he wants to be true and ignores a ton of evidence and facts that point in the other direction and instead latches on to that one moment or that one comment that confirms what he was already thinking. Which, in a sense, makes him an extremely real character, as there are people who live like this. But it also makes him an unbelievably frustrating literary character, because he's driving the plot in circles and keeping everything stagnating....more
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