Jreadsall's Favorite

It's amazing how some ppl claim Taku was with Haesoo out of the goodness of his heart, and wanted to "save" him from an unhealthy relationship i- like what now?? Reading comprehension where???
Taku got interested in Haesoo after seeing his story about his step brother: he wanted to mess with that relationship. Taku's exhibition themes were: Loss / Love —a choice he thought Haesoo would be so *perfect* for due to his relationship with Joowon. No, it was never about Haesoo's wellbeing lol. There’s literally a scene where he implicitly tells Haesoo to think of Joowon for the photoshoot, right after their breakup, and thinks: “I knew he was hurt, but I wanted to see something more”. He wasn't trying to make Haesoo feel better, but instead he was intrigued & captivated by Haesoo’s hurt and pain over Joowon. He even admits in the end, after he grew attached to Haesoo: "From the start Haesoo only had eyes for one person. Perhaps those unwavering eyes were what I loved most” -- proving how transfixed he was by Haesoo's feelings for Joowon.

Taku says in his character interview from the start that he's "opportunistic" when it comes to relationships. Example: him comforting Haesoo crying... it parallels Taku's ex-bf being comforted by him & getting upset cause Taku is just PRETENDING. It's the same w/ Haesoo. He didn't do that with genuine feelings, but just as a "habit" like Haesoo says. Taku also said, “it felt good to see you sad” and how he knows hes selfish but its cause he likes to feel needed. So him chasing after Haesoo wasnt sincere, but self-interest & intrigue (“I wanted to see the kind of story he writes when im gone” HELLO??).

There's multiple metaphors about it too (lmaoo not me writing about the metaphors when ppl can't even get the blatant text of Taku saying MULTIPLE TIMES how he's "not a good person" and that he likes Haesoo for selfish reasons... but anyway the metaphors are interesting to me <333). First his photography: Taku always focused on the frozen images and what's within the lenses, instead of life in the present. He captured what he wanted & ignored the rest. Second: the candy. He says all relationships are the same to him: just "sugar/additives despite the different colours". He doesn’t like the taste of bitterness, only the sweetness. It ALL shows how Taku only wanted the good and superficial things in life. He selfishly liked to be needed by someone else, but without any of the burden of real feelings. It’s only through letting himself get attached to Haesoo & realizing Haesoo’s pretend love isn’t enough for him, that he describes Haesoo’s kiss as "bitter".

Honestly I know how upsetting it is to see your ship sink. But if you step back and read carefully: you realize that Yeongha literally built Taku's character to GET HEARTBROKEN and experience the bitter things in life,, because he'd been so numb to that feeling otherwise. (It makes me curious abt Taku's backstory honestly. like what made him this way??)

Taku is not in love with Haesoo he’s in love with The Haesoo who is in love With Joowon. It is something that he cannot have and will probably never have therefore it makes him infatuated with Haesoo. He likes the brokenness of him and the complex feelings in Haesoon eyes and in Haesoo‘s actions. It is an infatuation and obsession and if they do get together in the long run and Haesoo is no longer in love with joowon ... taku will get bored. And you might say well he said that is something that he never felt before yeah it is something that he’s never felt before because it’s something that he wants... the relationship between Haesoo and Joowon the connection that Haesoo has with Joowon is what he wants that’s why it bothers his mind and he confuses it with love.

I mean that’s how I see it .

I honestly can appreciate Taku as a fictional character because I do find him interesting and layered. But I am TIRED of ppl claiming he was incredibly sincere and cared about Haesoo so much. Idk if some of y’all skipped these parts, or chose to ignore it... but pls do see the following examples of Taku's manipulative and selfish behavior, and taking advantage of Haesoo:

Exhibit 1 - He wanted to use his sex tape to guilt trip Haesoo in their relationship. He said: “I hoped that guilt would bring you to me”. It only didn't happen cause Haesoo turned down publishing the sex tape. It was not that Taku backed away and stopped himself because he realized how fcked up his actions were. It made Haesoo uncomfortable and weirded out too,, pretty sure this can count as sexual/workplace harassment lmao

Exhibit 2 - In chapter 96’s flashback Taku says "i just want to read the story he writes about me when i'm gone” (his friend calls him an asshole too lol). This is a throwback to Leo telling Joowon over the phone about how Taku uses his models for his work, and then tosses them aside with little regard. He was planning the same with Haesoo, until he later got “attached”. that’s karma ig~

Exhibit 3 - Haesoo expressed that he was unsure/not ready for a relationship. Yet literally RIGHT AFTER his quasi breakup with Joowon, Taku is pressuring him like, "I'm still waiting for an answer". It's weird cause Haesoo's wounds are fresh from his breakup, and Taku is NOT stupid. He knew this and persisted. Haesoo shouldn't have agreed and that's his own fault (HS is not entirely a victim here lets make that clear). Meanwhile Taku? He was flat out taking advantage of Haesoo's broken emotions.

Exhibit 4 - Quote: “It must have been painful for him no doubt, but I still wanted to see more". This was Taku's thought during a photoshoot with Haesoo, which later made Haesoo cry at the exhibition (Chapter 92/93). Taku told Haesoo: "think about having sex with someone you love, but you can never see them again". This was RIGHT AFTER Joowon and Haesoo's big separation. To inflict emotional pain in your partner, and then say you were interested in seeing more? Bruh no… just no.

Exhibit 5 - Quotes: “Every time I saw how sad you were, it felt good.” “You were lonely. You need me because of your unhappiness.” —Chapter 58. This is from Taku's monologue of how Haesoo’s unhappiness made him feel good, because he felt depended on by Haesoo for comfort // hs get away from this man pls haha

Exhibit 6 - Another quote: “If I can’t beat him [jw] one-on-one, then I at least want you [hs] to feel bad” —Chapter 66 ...Can Taku stop wishing for Haesoo depression, like he's already sad jfc

Exhibit 7 - "I want to bury inside the void he [jw] left in you. And later I'll push him aside however I can." ...honestly this quote struck me as Taku taking advantage of Haesoo's heartbreak and being hella 'opportunistic' (btw: Taku called HIMSELF that in his interview in chapter 5 so I mean... lol). Maybe that's just me though idk.

Exhibit 8 - In Chapter 84 when Joowon's scandal broke out, notice how Taku starts texting "are you okay?" to Haesoo, then deletes it and instead tells him to stop caring about Joowon? This moment said a lot to me, because it's the fact that Taku is SO AWARE of how Haesoo must be feeling, but he purposely chooses to ignore that and cares more about winning and keeping him away from Joowon. Kinda struck me as the opposite from Joowon's phone call after Haesoo's modelling news dropped in chapter 68. JW asked Haesoo to not do the exhibition because he knew its not what HS wanted (he is right: haesoo always wanted to be known for his writing not his face, and felt crappy abt it all day). But when Haesoo said he was fine, JW told him he'll always be on Haesoo's side even as a hyung/friend. He made it so clear how he cares the most about HS simply being okay, even after Haesoo left him.

Exhibit 9 - Taku tells Haesoo he hopes he has a hard time with Joowon after their breakup (Chapter 99). It felt wrong to me cause Haesoo genuinely apologized and gently let him down in their breakup... but Taku tries to make Haesoo feel worse. I honestly understand being spiteful towards exes who mistreated you in some way. HOWEVER with this relationship: it seemed to highlight Taku’s selfishness. Taku is out here acting like Haesoo wronged him for simply not liking him back in a 1 month TRIAL relationship. As if he wasnt the one who initiated and *insisted* on their relationship. As if he was unaware of Haesoo’s feelings for Joowon. As if Taku didnt say it was better that they use each other. Him wanting to make Haesoo feel bad over this is wild considering all the conditions of their relationship and his past manipulation too.
((Also, Taku in this scene to Haesoo: “Sorry I told you I'm not a good person” … Like sir, if you know you’re not a good person, THEN FIX IT. Joowon spent almost 40 chapters self-reflecting n trying to correct the mistakes he made, when he never *intentionally* wanted to hurt Haesoo lol. Meanwhile some Taku fans: “omg he’s a good person that was wronged. haesoo never deserved him!” lmaooo))

///end of examples

Anyway I’m gonna have to start sending this to some of y’all who selectively read Taku’s character to all hell. He was really manipulative with Haesoo and had some bad intentions. And when Taku grew to stop being a robot and showed “real feelings” getting all attached to Haesoo and liking him more than he expected, he was STILL selfish and wanted Haesoo to suffer for him. He didn’t get enough development to stray away from that, but imo that’s exactly why he’s the second lead
╮(￣▽￣)╭

Ahh I see there's still some clowns spewing the most stupid and outdated shit such as, 'tHey wEre STep bRoTheRs!11!", and "jOoWoN iS mAniPulaTive aNd aBusiVe!111!1". Bitch don't you think you misattribute those traits to him instead of Taku? How, for God's sake HOW THE FUCK is Joowon manipulative when fucking Mophead is the one who:

1. Basically stalked Haesoo by arranging a meet up specifically requesting to be interviewed by him and planned to TOY with him while he's staying in Korea with the aim for a quick fling in mind, just like how he USED and MANIPULATED his models for his own gain and broke things off with them once he reached his ends leaving them broken and devastated. He was planning to do the same to Haesoo. He thinks of relationship as candy, something that he could keep moving on from for a new one once the sweetness and pleasure from the old one is gone.

2. Tried to play a sick mindgame with Haesoo when he told him he had a porn online and encouraged him to look for and watch it just to get him interested. What a fucking creep. If it were me I would've fled the scene in a matter of seconds like my life depended on it.

3. Later on it was revealed that he told Haesoo about that porno of his so that Haesoo may use that to write an expose about him and so he in return could guilt trip him with it and force the poor guy into dating him. Taku had planned everything to snatch Haesoo from the very beginning and was even willing to use a guilt-trip card to achieve his end and if that isn't enough manipulation to you then idk what is

4. Continued to manipulate Haesoo the entire goddamn time when he attempted to evoke emotions from Haesoo for the interest of his job.

5. HAD DUB-CON SEX WITH HAESOO NOT ONCE BUT TWICE

6. Emotionally manipulated him by begging and pressuring him into a fake sad trial relationship even after he initially refused because Taku is selfish and couldn't respect Haesoo's choices and feelings.

7. Knows damn well Haesoo has 0 (zero) feelings for him and is still in love with Joowon but is still UNWILLING to let him go because he's only thinking of himself that GRADE A SELFISH BASTARD

8. Is attempting to tie him down in the fake relationship by buying him a ring for his unstable PRETEND relationship. Seriously Taku's guilt tripping game is ON POINT I am perplexed.

Taku is a literal representation of a sociopath and you STILL think Joowon is manipulative??? Y'all need glasses and actual reading comprehension skills. And I wouldn't even bother addressing the step brother "issue". The story has made it very clear since chp 1 what their status is now and at this point you're just making a clown of yourself by nitpicking because you're out of good reasons to bring JxH down and support your problematic unhealthy af ship. Pathetic.

NOW A JOOWON STAN HERE

The first time I read this, i couldnt care less how it would end because i hated all their attitudes (especially haesoo). The comments about who willbe endgame, J vs T made me have interest once again in this manhwa so i’ve read it again, this time slower and scrutinizingly. Joowon is heavily ‘villainized’ (The overused word being ‘toxic’ in the comment section) because the majority of the story is unfolding in Haesoo’s point of view. I tried to look at this most objectively, and while i believe there are multiple factors why Haesoo’s attitude and actions are like this, I’ve come to realize how Joowon is actually the most well-written among all of them.

After rereading this also, I also understand why Taku as endgame seem to be dominating but honestly, I find his attitude among all of them as most unrealistic. He is the most enigmatic among all of them but I can’t find myself rooting for him because his intentions towards Haesoo cant be called ‘pure’ if that makes sense. He entered Haesoo’s life knowing it has baggage and emotional trauma yet he insists on Haesoo (saying that he loves him) because he perhaps finds it thrilling?

Try it, read this again from the top and see how our image of Joowon is actually distorted by Haesoo’s internal conflict of love or hate for him..

When it comes to him he wanted love between him and Haesoo that’s all he wanted but after they got found out he decided to act in the way saying do not fall in love with me because he saw The damage it could’ve done to Haesoo if he lost that relationship with his mother so therefore he had to become the ass and that’s what he did. His mother was one of the most important people in his life and he never wanted to disappoint her yet alone be shamed by her so he let go of the relationship to save their relationship. He thought by staying away would do the relationship good but it didn’t because there was still the feelings that they had for each other and he didn’t know how to confront it neither did Haesoo so they just let their relationship take whatever form even if it was toxic because it meant that they would still be together in some shape or form.As to why Joowon became an actor is because he wanted to be seen by Haesoo even though Haesoo was no longer in his line of vision physically he wanted Haesoo to always see him one way or the another so he became an actor and it was a perfect way for them to reconnect.No when they finally reconnected Haesoo was on a spree of sleeping around because he felt empty and wanted to fill that void that was left by the relationship and Joowon did not mind that because he knew the reason why he was doing that was to fill that void and at the end of the day that Haesoo was going to come back to him then Joowon started to become manipulative and possessive and to me when he did those things it’s given to me “notice me notice me”even though it was not the healthiest way to do it. But because they didn’t want to be vulnerable to each other because they never sat and talked about anything they were not willing to change the relationship that they had with each other because it was addicting. Do you want to act in this way because it Kept him close to Haesoo yet far from Haesoo so they wouldn’t cross the line and try to enter into a relationship cause that would cost Haesoo his relationship with his mom.

I have a lot of other things to add but I can’t go any depose lmaooa anyway that’s what I think I still wanna talk about Joowon behavior and haesoo( he is not a victim because even though the relationship was emotionally draining he enjoyed it secretly and he could’ve spoke up if he didn’t like it because he never had any problem speaking up about anything else that he needed to say but he knew if you did that would be the end of them if you really think about it) Haesoo also had parts in their toxic romance.

Why is everyone acting haesoo is a victim cause he is not. Taku is not an angel and Joowon also has faults. Joowon didn’t cause all of this Haesoo is just as toxic as Joowon ....I honestly cannot even go into details about how complex these people are and I don’t understand why some of y’all cannot see why the characters are like this. For me it’s like everyone will forgive anyone else but Joowon it’s weird.