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I really wanted to like this manhwa but BIG YIKES
Although I do understand the themes of the story: BDSM Smut in a college setting and Hyesol growing up and maturing (according to the author) BUT good lirdddddd this was a horrible representation of BDSM. Don't even get me started on the lack of consent, safewords and aftercare. But I can always ignore them red flags for some kinky fun times. And its low-key hinted they do decompress/chillout after sex by hanging out naked. But liiiiikkkkeeee
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The first half of the manga was pretty great. I enjoyed the friendship of the siblings with the crown prince. And the fact she was ready to throw hands when provoked. I thought the start of the second half had a shaky start and pushed through cause I did like the lil romance going on. But then it became the sole focus of the story. With heavy focus on the fashion and god awful pacing of the story/romance
I kinda understand why the story went to this direction?? The current FL is technically a different person from her previous life. But when the author took the time to establish the connection and the retained skills/knowledge of her previous life..... The FL has now just become disappointing. I can't even find the energy to support the "late bloomer, teenager being a teenager/love makes you stupid" argument. Miss ma'am has lived 2 lives and is currently & mentaly 51yo. Plus there she used to be an empress with a trusted advisor, she should be able to navigate the political world a little bit more finesse. And the author could have taken the time to flesh out the FL's story with her trying to charm nobles to side with thecrown price.
I do like the fact she kinda has lost to the empress though in the recent chapter. Gives some drama and spice to an overused trip for max lvl girl boss protagonists tropes. And it really establishes the empress's as an antagonist. *BUT* for someone who rose to the top as an emperor in her previous life, who had to deal with her siblings that are probably similar to the empress.........this was disappointing. One can argue FL probably solved most of her problems with brute force in her previous life. But she's been established as someone who's clever enough to have contingency plans so she can protect her lazy life style. And maaaannnn what's the point of the meeting she had with her people. No matter how nervous she is for her brother.. she's proven before she can technically work under pressure even. Idk just disappointed by the choices even though it could have been a good story arc for her character growth.
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Yuhhhh the on going joke of how Helena's just mentally more mature than her bother and the prince was really funny when they were kids. Plus it was great that she was able to spend this life being able to experience being a kid. (the ghost in the basement story was really cute)
it would have been a better if this conflict was explored even more before her jumping into the relationship so quickly. Its giving "I'm dating you just because this was the first time someone confessed" And it feels like a rocky foundation for a relationship.
I really wished their story was more of a slowburn with a fake dating trope thrown in and Helena FINALLY saying yes to a relationship with the Cesar when he's actually seated on the throne as the Emperor, when he's in his late 20s/early 30s. I'd like to think that would have offset the age gap imo and actually let her see him as Cesar rather than keep comparing him to his ancestor, Erez. Idk. The story really had a great set up for more political intrigue + power struggle but the 2nd season is a mess with sloppy romance.
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I like the occasional romances with red flags but like..... this was alarming to read. JFC. The art is pretty but whew I could not stomach any of the characters and twas just really hard to read through/root for them.
I found both the leads so frustrating.
1. ML just SA-ed and humiliated the FL daily because of his grudge towards the FL's twin sister. And I get the motivation, I love a good revenge story~. But I just couldn't get behind the act as revolting as . There are other ways to humiliate a person (ie. A very public trial that leads to an execution, especially since the twin is known for being a shitty ruler or just for her to be his personal maid and make her the most asinine tasks or do hard manual labor of repairing the castle. Idk. Did had to be the only plot point just because the genre s Josei smut
2. After all the SA, FL just forgives him because they had a history and he had become nicer to her. I totes get that she's under the curse or whatever. But Stockholm syndrome is soooo not it.
3. And she's just soooo naive and ignorant about her sister and the ML's situation, it gave me an aneurysm. All that reading and visits to the library but still lacks critical thinking. The mentality she had "he's in-love with his tormentor and only uses me as a substitute" gave me such an ick. I'm sorry but ma'am. Ma'am please. Stop projecting. Your man's clearly going through something traumatic JFC.
I have more to say about the story but NGL skimmed most of it because I kept losing braincells.
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Man I don't understand why can't the daughter be the one to take over instead of her bf. But also it might be some kind of cultural/patriarchal thing where only men can run an izakaya. *shrug*
The story isn't as great as the other manga. But I am sticking around for the world building
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No, I think it's more because she doesn't really have the skill and passion to inherited the shop.
I think she like prefer baking to cooking. Or she just like cooking for herself not much to become a steady job.
Or the father knew that she like her other job more than run a izakaya, so he doesn't want to force her into take over the shop.
There's many reason, but I don't think it because patriarchal thing.
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I agree with @simply absurd
I really don't see any desire or passion for the daughter to cook and run the shop by herself. She also just started baking but not as a serious career goal.
I think her dad was in an unsure situation as to what to do with the shop. Even though he clearly loves his work.
Even the younger daughter, though serious and level headed, she also doesn't display signs of being passionate about cooking.
The family loves the restaurant because of all the memories attached to it. So it was difficult for everyone to even think of closing up and letting go of the izakaya.
I'm so glad the comments section is back ʕ ꈍᴥꈍʔ
I just skimmed the raws and Cheong GF is a psycho. she makes a startling debut at Ch25-27
Rookie is just a red herring and so far is giving girlcrush
EDIT: read up to Ch45 of the raws and she sux.
Any sort of romance development between glasses blue hair guy and siru?
I didn't bother Google translating the raws so take my observations with a grain of salt.
Can you give me the link to the raws pleasee
Nvm!!
Were you able to find it?
Yes!!
omg could you give me the link