repraze 1

Let's start with the positives, although I'm scraping the barrel here. At it's most basic level, this is a "plot-what-plot" (PWP) p*rnhwa manhwa and if you're into that, this is perfect as there are many many chapters in this manhwa.

The single light in this whole story was probably the manager of the establishment actually showing the most care towards Hel. Hell, I was probably looking forwards to chapters with him and Hel alone as it was quite tender ... in some ways given this manhwa.

I'm really not sure how I managed to finish this. You really have to put aside your brain to "enjoy" this manhwa. There was also some BDSM themes which is absolutely not my style at all.

Towards the end, it turns out the two caretakers of Hel (since he was a child!) also want a piece of him as an adult. I have no words to describe the ... insanity that this story took.

I really loved this manhwa. The side-stories were extras that I didn't know I needed in my life. The guide-verse in the side-story could have been a stand-alone story by itself. Both main characters, Baek Yooseong and Koo Hojin are beautifully drawn. This wasn't just a PWP story. It had a decent plot and drama and some parts had me screaming like I was part of the story!

Hojin is ... a saint. If I had his patience and the way he looks at life, I would not be an angry little rabbit ball half of my life. The way he told the loan-sharks that he'd love to know where his brother is as well for stealing all his money before disappearing and saddling Hojin with this debt, he would. When he describes how he feels about Yooseong despite the violence (we'll get to this soon), it utterly broke my heart.

Yooseong is ... messed up, to put it politely. It's almost like domestic violence is his love language? He kidnaps Hojin but then takes him as a hostage when Hojin initially declines. Then after forcing Hojin to sign the contract, he locks Hojin up in the apartment expecting him to not leave for a year? That's just the start. He kicks and slaps Hojin a bit, especially in the early chapters. It's all really not my style hence the deduction of one star in the rating.

Despite me just raining negatives about Yooseong, don't let this put you off. There are so many more elements to this manhwa that still kept me reeled in. For example, I love the "Hati Hati" t-shirts all around. Especially the one that hides the middle finger in the pocket. ( ◡‿◡ *)

The side-stories as mentioned above is just perfect. There's a few different alternate realities presented in the side-stories and I just cannot pick a favorite. The two with kids just makes me want to punch my pillow and squeal with happiness. There is still some angst in the stories but it's not as much as the main story.

The stand-out side-story has to be the guide-verse. It has lore and world-building. Of course it features our two beautiful main characters and how they come together. I really wished the author created another full 60+ chapters just in this world. I CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF IT, OK.

Got lazy typing up a summary because I want to quickly get to the part where I can talk about why this manhwa is one of the best.

Initially, I was apprehensive about reading athlete BL. Couldn't tell you why but I decided to give this a go as the reviews were really selling it and I'm glad I gave it a go.

Han Ju-Won initially gives off this "gangster" vibe because of his terrifying facial expressions when he's shy. He accidentally touches Park Jeong-Min's chest multiple times in the early chapter and he wants to apologize but he's so shy (and with his terrifying expression) that it didn't quite get there.

Both of them somehow awkwardly manage to have dinner together and on one of those dates where Ju-Won said it was his treat, he got super drunk (he's a light-weight). So Jeong-Min ends up paying for everything, carries Ju-Won back to his apartment, cleans up his vomit and gets him to bed. Ju-Won wakes up in the middle of the night thinking it's another one of his wet dreams with Jeong-Min in it and decides to tap. that. a*s. It was hot. (*/▽＼*)

Then Ju-Won wakes up in the morning, got embarrassed that he got really drunk, but forgetting he did the tango with Jeong-Min, and makes a very quick exit. I was screaming on behalf of Jeong-Min. How dare you do that to my boy, Jeong-Min?

Things work out for the better and that wraps up Season 1. The next (and final) season introduces another misunderstanding. Jeong-Min himself doesn't really speak a lot throughout this whole series and so Ju-Won has a major misunderstanding in S2. I really like how we finally see Jeong-Min's side in the latter half of S2 - when he first saw Ju-Won and came to like him, what he thought about the many accidental chest-groping from Ju-Won in early S1 ... all of that.

This whole manhwa made me want to go back to high school and experience those first loves (but with hope this time) again. The story it tells is quite realistic about awkward interactions with your crush and juggling relationship with studies and their relevant sports.

This is a short story based on an absolutely ... fantastical premise. Tae-Yang and Hee-Tae have been close friends for many years. It's more that Hee-Tae is so clingy to Tae-Yang that it's borderline attachment issues on Tae-Yang's part.

One day, Tae-Yang's breast started leaking milk and no matter what he does including pumping them himself and putting plasters over them, it doesn't stop. Hee-Tae notices that Tae-Yang has not been hanging out with him as often since Tae-Yang is hiding his "breast milk" situation.

Hee-Tae has no concept of personal spaces and so demands to know what is going on by breaking down the toilet door to see what is going on with Tae-Yang. This whole breast milk situation leads to them having s*x and at the end of this very short story, Hee-Tae declares his true feelings he's held for Tae-Yang all these years and they lived happily ever after.

First of all, this whole premise for the story is so beyond reality that I found it hilarious. At no point did any of them thought perhaps seeing a doctor would be much better than trying to pump or having s*x. Combine that with Tae-Yang's absolute clingy-ness and it's just a wild story.

I did actually enjoy this short story by putting aside my common sense. The art is well drawn, the characters are crazy and the plot line is wild that it all just ... comes together naturally.

Do give this short one a go as it's very light on brain power!

Woo Jong-Woo is a teenager in his last year of high school. He's recently orphaned and sitting in the snow outside a shop that used to be owned by his parents. Bae Chang-Deok was walking past when Jong-Woo recognizes him as a past regular customer. Jong-Woo makes a desperate offer to Chang-Deok that he'll cook for him and in return, allow him to stay with Chang-Deok as he has nowhere to go with his parent's passing.

Domestic life seems good for a while but Chang-Deok notices Jong-Woo doesn't eat regular food when they have dinner together. Turns out Jong-Woo is a half-vampire! Chang-Deok is actually OK with that fact and S1 shows how Jong-Woo fell in love with Chang-Deok and seeing how Chang-Deok manages Jong-Woo's feelings as Jong-Woo is still in high school.

The first thing that made me want to read this manhwa was the art. There is beautiful art and then there's beautiful art and "After A Meal" is drawn beautifully. There are a few stand-out panels where I am still screaming at how gorgeous the characters are drawn. I also really like how in some panels, Jong-Woo is drawn with a much younger face to portray "puppy face" and other times, he's drawn like an older teenager with sharper jawlines. With Chang-Deok, he's drawn with stubble the first few chapters and after he shaves it off, he's looking 10 years younger! Miracle.

Of course one of the apprehension I had was hoping this book did not have that underage tone to it. But S1 is definitely not and in fact, Chang-Deok actively discourages Jong-Woo from continuing to declare his feelings. Towards the end of the chapter, Chang-Deok also makes a bet with Jong-Woo that encourages Jong-Woo to find a girlfriend instead.

I started reading this manhwa thinking it was already completed but alas, it was only S1 and now I will have to impatiently wait for S2 to come out in the next year. S1 gives more of a "real-life" touch to it in that it's about a teenager who was suddenly orphaned. Where would they live? How would they survive? S1 navigates it in a "gentle" way, I suppose. The last few chapters where Jong-Woo goes to visit his parent's grave on Parent's Day really broke my heart. Then Chang-Deok somehow realizes it's very far and possibly dangerous for Jong-Woo to be so far away without reliable transport and goes to meet Jong-Woo.

Min-Woo is secretly a werewolf and he has to navigate school life with this secret. I'd go so far as to say he looks less like a werewolf and more like a huge dog in the manhwa, I'm not complaining.

Jae-Min accidentally discovers Min-Woo's secret and the fun begins!

Let's start with the negative stuff out of the way because we like to end on a sweet note. When Jae-Min confronts Min-Woo about this werewolf business, Jae-Min tries to blackmail Min-Woo into doing the deed with him to "test" him. The chapter ends on that and so you won't know that this blackmail was a test by Jae-Min.

Why are we doing blackmail business in such a good story up until then? And then it turns out it was just a "test"? I was thoroughly disappointed at this stage. We do not support blackmail in any form including reality or fictional. (￣︿￣)

The second disappointment was when Jae-Min broke-up with Min-Woo because he wanted to protect Min-Woo from his own crazy ex-boyfriend exposing the werewolf secret. We were so sweet until then and you thought the best way to proceed was to say hurtful things and break up? And then I was disappointed when Min-Woo just took him back after an apology! I would have made him beg and crawl for a month before I eve consider taking trash like that back in my life.

With that out of the way, let's talk about the two main characters. Overall, I adored Min-Woo way more than Jae-Min. Min-Woo is open, accepting and absolutely adores Jae-Min, ready to scream it to the world. Jae-Min was burned by his ex-boyfriend about being in a gay relationship hence struggles to show public affection with Min-Woo.

Because of Jae-Min's past with the asshole ex-boyfriend, that's perhaps why he does this "trial" dating scenario with Min-Woo. Min-Woo being the blessed soul that he is just takes this opportunity to show Jae-Min he's the one instead of calling out the rubbish that it really is - trial dating.

In the side story, I felt like for the first time, I could see that Jae-Min actually loves Min-Woo just as much as Min-Woo does love him too. Most of the story was Min-Woo always accepting and showering Jae-Min with love. Where can I get my own real-life Min-Woo please? I've been waiting for many years now.

I would have loved to see more of the (possible) side couple of the cafe manager and Jae-Min's friend. We get hints that they may have hooked up after their fateful meeting but you don't see more of it to confirm and I wished Magoo had a small side-story about them as well.

The art is well drawn, it's definitely my style and I love the chibi panels. I absolutely love the panels where Min-Woo is drawn as a wolf, it's so adorable. There is one scene where Min-Woo (werewolf form) is in the passenger car seat with his head out the window, enjoying the car ride. I love that panel.

The main story follows Seol Beom, who due to unfortunate circumstances earlier in his life, is now stuck trying to repay a huge debt by doing X-rated gigs on web-cam. He's a great streamer, rakes in the dollars and is super hunky. The most appealing physical feature is his very big chest. And that's how Sa Dowon got reeled in to watching Beom's stream - for his very big chest.

Sa Dowon is Beom's real life neighbor who is rarely at the apartment as he's a traveling author. Through some unfortunate circumstances with incorrect package delivery between the two apartments, Dowon realizes that Beom is his real life neighbor and the fun ensues.

However, my favorite story is actually the first half of the side story focusing on Sa Dojin (younger brother of Dowon) and his romantic pursuit of Yoon Taeju, his childhood crush. The setting follows roughly like the main story where the big-chested hunk (Taeju) has some personal issues that the Sa brother helps resolve and everybody lives happily ever after.

Even though Dojin is mostly focused in the side story, I absolutely love his character and story. He's a walking red flag but I love my red flag boys (only in a fictional setting, not real life please). He's just so ... cool. He's a lawyer for some shady billionaire character and thus, is very loaded and very connected. He's a bad boy, what can I say. I love bad boys.

When you realize he's only ever had eyes for Taeju since he had a brain ... OH MY GAWD. SUCH DEDICATION AND LOVE. GIVE ME. Even though he's quite a bad boy, his chase for Taeju sometimes seems quite child-like and rather cute as he is younger than Taeju. It's almost like both Dojin and Taeju are playing cat and mouse with each other.

Dowon on the other hand is a sea of green flags. Because of his circumstances, Beom is very reserved and difficult to get to know. Instead of Dowon proceeding with the chase as per normal manga style, Dowon is instead very understanding and mature in how he deals with Beom. He understand Beom's hardship and doesn't just throw money at Beom to easy his plight as he understand that will push Beom further.

Dowon and Beom's relationship definitely is a bit more substantial (obviously, since they are the main story) but it's really nice reading characters that are ... relatively normal in a sense. Dowon is a more light-hearted / comedic character than Dojin.

The final thing is the chibi panels and characters spread across all the chapters, perfect. I love how Dowon is portrayed normally but maybe with a little snake tongue to show his sneakiness or a pair of white tiger ears on Beom when he's unsure or shy. A full chibi panel to just show the absolutely ludicrousness of the situation. It's just fantastic and I lapped up everything!

This takes place in the Joseon era and we're immediately introduced to Lord Ahn Geum-Hoo. He's rich, he's beautiful and he's in need of a butcher to help obtain blood for his sickly brother's medication. So him and his assistant goes off to the village and chooses a village nobody.

This guy is such a nobody that he doesn't have a name so Geum-Hoo decides to call him Beom. No, it wasn't because he's a beom in bed ಠ‿↼ but he is, I mean, who's counting. Beom is from a lowly class but very humble. He's so much of a nobody and from such a low class that even regular villages go out of their way to avoid / insult him - except for the widows who love having a roll in the sack with him cause he's that good apparently.

Geum-Hoo initially sells Beom's "night services" to another guy who reported back that Beom is excellent. So Geum-Hoo decides to give it a go the next night and he bleeds as Beom is very large. Instead of pushing, Geum-Hoo is surprised as Beom suggested another way to lessen the pain. Geum-Hoo is taken aback by the surprising gentleness and this starts off their relationship.

The story tracks their many trials and tribulations to be together despite being in an era where it's forbidden. Ironically, Geum-Hoo's previous lover was another high-ranking male official and that's alright. But it's not alright with Beom as Beom is a very low-class nobody. I'm still struggling with that aspect of the story so I'll need a minute accept this premise.

Overall, it's a beautiful story with beautiful art. Historical setting isn't my usual cup of tea but I'm glad to give this one a go as it didn't drag on about "historical this" and "Joseon that". This was the setting and we get right to the story. Even though there are 70 chapters to this story, it didn't feel like it was being dragged out.

The smut scenes aren't just there to showcase male anatomies in detail. I would go so far as to say that these scenes are when you can see the communication between Geum-Hoo and Beom. It progresses the story. And with that, you get all types of delicious smuttiness which I have zero objections to. ღゝ◡╹ )ノ♡

The ending was ... OK. I mean, the main story ending was positive. But I felt the true ending in the side story was depression in a cup. After 70+ chapters of telling this love story, I did not expect such an ending. I wanted them to go live happily ever after as Lord Ahn and Lord Beom. But alas, they went and died! I wanted to throw my phone across the room! THIS WAS NOT WHAT I SIGNED UP FOR.

But the last few side stories where the characters were transplanted into the future but somehow they could remember bits of the past, that soothed me a little. That kept me from hulking out at 100% level. I'm still dissatisfied with the ending. I demand a re-write immediately.

Moving on, I need to dedicate a whole paragraph just to discuss the art. It is beautiful. The characters are beautifully drawn, the clothes are beautifully drawn, the sceneries are beautifully drawn. My absolute favorite panels were Geum-Hoo in a fight scene cause the panels displaying his costume was fantastically drawn. It makes me want to wear what he was wearing. Made him look damn regal. He could be my knight in shining armor anytime. I would re-read this webtoon just for the art.

The main story is mostly told from the toxic PoV of Jung Jaehan. He's understandably that way since he's rich and people only connect with him when they want his money ... though I have no excuse for his cruelty in the first few chapters. He has two side issues (unable to orgasm and insomnia) which is where the other main character, Yoon Heegyeom, comes in and "helps solve" through quite a bit of horizontal tango'ing.

In the main story, Yoon Heegyeom comes off as relatively normal and you cannot understand why he keeps going back to Jung Jaehan despite everything Jaehan puts him through. This is all explained in the side story where you realized that both characters are just ... off their rockers. If these characters existed in real life, I would highly recommend a therapist, each.

Moving on to the art, I thought it started off slightly rough but progresses well in the later chapters. Loved the introduction of chibi panels later on! When female characters were first introduced, I unfortunately thought it was a man dressed as a woman. But the female gets slightly "softer" looking in later chapters.

Overall, this manhwa isn't my normal cup of tea. The character, story and art is far off the beaten path for me. Hey, can you blame me for loving "vanilla puff princess" light-hearted type of story? The characters are way too twisted for me to want to tuck them away in my cozy closet. I'm glad I followed one comment that said to "ignore the first few chapters of toxic" cause I would have dropped it when Jaehan was about to de-face someone with a broken glass bottle as they couldn't make him orgasm in one minute. The whole premise of those few panels is nothing short of what-the-fuck for me.

The story behind why Jaehan couldn't orgasm anymore follows this trope where once you're a bottom, you can only be a bottom. I mean, really? OK. ┐(￣ヘ￣)┌

I also got really confused with side characters in the early chapters. I think they were introduced so fast with no explanation that I just ignored them when they came up. The notes in the later chapters does help a bit with the different characters.