Oh boy, here comes a rare long-ass review nobody asked for, from yours truly. (Disclaimer: If I’m not mistaken this was adapted from a novel but I haven’t read it. My comment is purely my opinion and also basically a rant on this manhwa. Also English is my 2nd language so sorry for any mistakes)
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️SPOILERS AHEAD️
Read at your own risk!
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So, first of, the intro. It was so rushed that it’s hard to empathise with Tia. Like “Yo gurl why you so submissive like dat??”. I wish we were shown more context about this world’s setting and Tia’s normal everyday life BEFORE jieun came into the picture. Like her relationship w her dad (Daddy u so hawt btw!), Ruve, the fancy ppl around her, and her duties. I wanna see how Ruve treated her in a normal daily routine setting before Jieun came, how her dad reacted to the treatment she’s received and basically any content that make me wanna cross into the 2D world with my non-existing sci-fi bs machine, and give her a hug and some cake or sth yenno. But no, what we got was rushed and keeping up w everything was confusing. The pacing really ruined the intro. This is a pity because as the story progresses, the pacing got wayyy better.
Next is Allen (Weed head). Well this guy.. i really like his early-stages characteristics. I mean, yandere 2nd ML? SMURN! (Sign Me Up Right Now) The author could’ve developed his character into so much moreee!!! But then, to be fair, based on the hairstyle, outfits, and screen time.. it’s like he’s basically holding up a banner that says “I’m the 2nd ML character that will never end up with the FL even if i’m the genius who cured cancer, ended poverty and found a new galaxy. Welcome to my ‘I think of you as a brother’ YouTube channel”. So yeah my hope for him was basically out the window at this point.
Third, is Sein (Carrot head). Yo this guy is omfg so hawt i swear! He’s cute, funny, sweet, strong, i mean Tia is really missing out on this one. I absolutely adore the way he understands that Tia didn’t have any feelings for him but still try to not make thing so damn awkward. I mean this mayn, he’s a keeper! Even towards the ending when he said Goodbye i went full pick-me girl mode simping for his hawt ass. And can we just take a moment to APPRECIATE his eyes? Like dayum boy u need to call Billie Eilish she’s got a whole song for your ocean eyes! I honestly think his character development was the most realistic and relatable compared to the others.
Next up is daddy Keirean. I could legit start a cult simping for this man. Like legit. I have nothing to say except for the fact that HE DIDN’T GET ENOUGH SCREEN TIMEEE!!! Uwarghhhhh!!!
Holy carp the review so freaking long. And yes i did say carp. Moving on..
Jieun. Goodness Jieun. You know like how in some manga like Tokyo Ghoul & AOT where the MC are just kinda like victims of the situation right, like they didn’t do anything but suddenly the world turned upside down for them and the only thing they could do is survive? Well i think the situation is similar to Jieun’s but we’ve never got to see that side of the narrative. Tia kept going on and on saying how Jieun took everything from her, but what about Jieun?? She literally got transported into a whole new world she knows NOTHING about. I wish before Jieun came to this world in Tia’s 2nd life we get to see a sneak peek of Jieun’s life as a normal student. I wanted to see her family, her friends, her school life.. i want to see her struggles as a student studying for exams, hanging out with the girls at a cafe tagging each other on instagram, going home and having to do chores. This was her normal daily life but then in the blink of an eye, she woke up only to realise that she’ll probably never see her parents, siblings, friends or even a glimpse of her old world. The only proof she had of her existence from back then is her school uniform. Now that, would make me feel way more relatable to her. Towards the end we did see Jieun’s POV on her struggles but to me that wasn’t enough. Because we weren’t given the chance to compare her new life to her old one, we didn’t get to see her cry because the only place she could see her parents or best friends again is in her dreams. We weren’t exposed to the fact that non of her new relationships can be sincere.. everything just has to be political, everyone has an agenda. It really was tragic for Jieun towards the end. This would have made much more sense as to the real reason why she saved Tia and used her wish, instead of seeing Ruve spout some bs nonsense about whatever. I feel like Jieun really is a good person. She tried to help the poor but when Tia notices the funds were being embezzled and misused, instead of really helping Jieun she just tells her a few hints and to figure it out herself. How can she say she’s concerned for the people when she’s turning a blind eyes to the person who really wanted to lend a hand. Jieun undeniably has a good heart, she was just never given the chance to be understood.
Oh gosh this is getting too long!
Last but not least, Tia. Honestly I don’t know what to say. Most of Tia’s dilemma is just in her head. She worries more than taking action, and she acts like the typical innocent lovable but not really airhead the world literally revolves around her type of FL. It disappoints me that i feel more for Jieun who has very little screen time compared to Tia. And she’s also supposed to be strong because she’s a knight right but why is her fight scene so little!? And why is it that it’s always has to be everyone else who has to sweep her off her feet and help her ass? I mean come on… our girl Jieun here has to go through living in a world where nothing makes sense here. Man up a little! And also side note, why in the name of hell did you burn your dresses? You could’ve sold it, donated or even repurposed the dresses. Give it to your maids as presents if you REALYYYY didn’t want them anymore. What a waste. Urghhh… So yeah basically i feel like the character development is honestly unsatisfactory.
Btw if you’re still reading this gosh idk man thanks but don’t you hve better thing to do? Hahahahah But this is the very basic of what i hve to say about this Manhwa (Honestly i hve more but too long too long tooooo llloooonnnngggggg) Anyways thanks again and do comment you opinion to my rant ahahahah, would love to see your thoughts on this as well. Oh and also, just gotta say the improvements on the artwork is so impressive! Keep it up author!
The Abandoned Empress