It's quite the impressive analysis you got there, and I'm happy to see I'm not the only hopelessly obsessed with this genius romance story ^___^
It certainly is one of the best story I've read regarding character development and complexity and you've demonstrated it perfectly.
I have to say I love reading smut stories with the stereotypical forceful/dominative seme but they are nothing more than that, much like PWP fanfics, a (not so) guilty pleasure.
What is so interesting in TC is that the characters' emotions are always at the center of the story and you can always infer their acts from them. Come to think of it, where else can you have a full chapter centered only on a dialogue between two characters. And such a chapter at that.
Your characterization of Ewon is really accurate, and I think it's obvious for anyone who reads TC, even if they didn't put it in words. After all, no one has been surprised by Ewon's reaction or the fact that he "suddenly showed backbone" because well, it's not sudden.
However, I'll abate the depth of Mookyul's weakness. I agree with what you wrote, the seemingly dominant one is the most insecure and emotionally immature of the couple but we must not forget one of Mookyul's strength, as I see it, his ability to recognize, accept and speak his feelings up and to act upon them.
As forceful as he's been towards Ewon, he has never hesitated to show him how deeply he cared for him and how much he needed him. He is the one who continually confesses to him, whether by saying the 3 words or the dozens of other expressions of his love "Are you really staying with me only for the money?" "I'll give you my ears, my eyes, my heart..." etc And to be willing to relentlessly chase after someone after being rejected that many times takes a lot and Mookyul has never spared his efforts, even willing to give up his pride, him, the arrogant prideful bastard. "You want me to get you roses? Okay I'll do it, I've already made an ass of myself" or "What do you want to do when we're together? Tell me I'll do anything!"
He makes his need of Ewon blatant and is never shy about it.
Only once has he pretended to not give a damn about Ewon and that's when he offered him "the deal". But that attitude was prompted by the keen understanding he has of Ewon's fear of getting attached and break off his independent and lonesome life. He may have his own issues but he's pretty sharp himself when he wants to and it's thanks to his affections that he managed to break the barrier Ewon had erected around himself, which is a feat in itself.
All this long, endless rant to say, the last chapter may very well have given final proof that the relationship wasn't a stereotypical seme/uke but that doesn't mean that the situation is completely inversed and that Ewon is somehow the real seme now. They're just getting, hopefully, towards a more healthy and egalitarian one.
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Date: 23 Aug 2008 08:07 am (UTC)It certainly is one of the best story I've read regarding character development and complexity and you've demonstrated it perfectly.
I have to say I love reading smut stories with the stereotypical forceful/dominative seme but they are nothing more than that, much like PWP fanfics, a (not so) guilty pleasure.
What is so interesting in TC is that the characters' emotions are always at the center of the story and you can always infer their acts from them. Come to think of it, where else can you have a full chapter centered only on a dialogue between two characters. And such a chapter at that.
Your characterization of Ewon is really accurate, and I think it's obvious for anyone who reads TC, even if they didn't put it in words. After all, no one has been surprised by Ewon's reaction or the fact that he "suddenly showed backbone" because well, it's not sudden.
However, I'll abate the depth of Mookyul's weakness. I agree with what you wrote, the seemingly dominant one is the most insecure and emotionally immature of the couple but we must not forget one of Mookyul's strength, as I see it, his ability to recognize, accept and speak his feelings up and to act upon them.
As forceful as he's been towards Ewon, he has never hesitated to show him how deeply he cared for him and how much he needed him. He is the one who continually confesses to him, whether by saying the 3 words or the dozens of other expressions of his love "Are you really staying with me only for the money?" "I'll give you my ears, my eyes, my heart..." etc
And to be willing to relentlessly chase after someone after being rejected that many times takes a lot and Mookyul has never spared his efforts, even willing to give up his pride, him, the arrogant prideful bastard.
"You want me to get you roses? Okay I'll do it, I've already made an ass of myself" or "What do you want to do when we're together? Tell me I'll do anything!"
He makes his need of Ewon blatant and is never shy about it.
Only once has he pretended to not give a damn about Ewon and that's when he offered him "the deal". But that attitude was prompted by the keen understanding he has of Ewon's fear of getting attached and break off his independent and lonesome life. He may have his own issues but he's pretty sharp himself when he wants to and it's thanks to his affections that he managed to break the barrier Ewon had erected around himself, which is a feat in itself.
All this long, endless rant to say, the last chapter may very well have given final proof that the relationship wasn't a stereotypical seme/uke but that doesn't mean that the situation is completely inversed and that Ewon is somehow the real seme now. They're just getting, hopefully, towards a more healthy and egalitarian one.