Odd Love

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Story - It's starts with a typical BL plot starring around showbiz, with plenty of sex scenes which one may get used to. Yet that's the charming point of Odd Love, as it unfolds the complexity of the story of the two characters and the warped time-line/history both has. Such as around late 10s of chapters we get to see Jaehan's true intentions towards being acquainted to Heegyeom being much more twisted. As the story builds to early twenties of the chapters, where the big event where both characters confront each other, the tone of the story harshly shifts to a hopeless and desolate ambience ... I've seen set in a BL. This change in tone doesn't shift back till the far end chapters and that solidified Odd Love as being not a typical BL story in my experience. It faces an endless spiral of longingness onwards the chapters, as we feel the desperation Jaehan is facing by being tied up in a twisted, complex relationship with Heegyeom. One of the strongest execution of character-driven plot in BL I've laid eyes upon. The story devolves into a character story of the main character loosing control and gives heavy depth onto him as a character. As the twos slow burn, slight misunderstanding develops. 9/10

Characters - This is the rare cases of well-written and well earned character development I've uncovered of the main character in a BL. Jung Jaehan starts off with the typical trope seen in BL often as the toxic, aggressive CEO archetype but with the it's tonal shifts of the plot. More of his internal turmoil is unravelled, seen in his melancholic monologues being more common after chapters in the late 10s. Exposing his truthful nature, the sense of mistrust he feels and the thoughts that almost eat him alive. Which often leads to most readers to have an almost guttural expressions, either of sympathy or empathy. The internal conflict he faces with overcoming his distrust of others such as Heegyeom is well executed, as the back and forth actions or hot & cold attitude he has is often caused by his internal confusion whether to believe in someone or not. As well as that acknowledging that he in fact is a very unhealthy person, seen with the confrontation where he admits the relationship he has with Heegyeom is twisted and sad, is one of highlighting scenes showing his growth as a character. I'm not exaggerating when saying this is one of the best downward spiral I've seen a main character faces, making him much more layered as a main character than other mcs in BL. Not only does the main character tackles his internal conflict, yet also develops due to holding himself accountable for his actions. Shows that he is very well-written for a character introduced with a stereotypical trope assigned to him. Yet incredibly fleshed out. 10/10

Enjoyment - I wouldn't lie but reading this made me not feel very fulfilled to experience, the sudden tonal shifts to a much bleak story and atmosphere definitely intensified the story. The constant misunderstandings both faces can feel frustrating yet expresses very well what the characters may also face, as well as the tone the writer was trying to execute. As an enjoyer of slow-burn thrill of romance stories I may admit I felt heavy joy when reading the story unfold as the longingness and desperation was heavily felt. Not only that the nature of the manhwa quite common in BL has topics that are quite uncomfortable with the nature of characters being varied in toxicity, mainly Jaehan at the start. So if you are interested in well written slow burn angst and can handle uncomfortable topics, I’d recommend. 8/10

Art - As well as the character development, the art development of the story was heavily evident if you compare the later chapters to older chapters. The use of better line art can be evident and easily spotted later on the story, yet prior chapters still had satisfying art as well to not leave me disgusted. Yet the nuances of better colouring and use of finer line art can be easily spotted. The only issues I had is the excessive blushing the artist would draw. 8/10

Overall - If you're getting bored of the BL genre or want a new experience in BL manhwas, Odd Love is a great BL that will keep you enjoyed if you're looking for surprising tonal shifts, character-driven plot and well written main characters.

Not sure how this has a rating of a 7, the story has lots of TW!
Has rape of a side character, and from the talks it sounds like the MC has raped others in the past, it also has TW of physical violence, of a side character which we see in the 1st (or maybe it was the 2nd chapter.)
The MC is married so warning for NTR & cheating.
The MC is just a trash character there is nothing cute about this story, and it's quite dark at least the first 6 chapters I read, probably read a bit more but I ... dropped it once I found out he was married.

Not a story I recommend, and the art could be better, the MC gets drawn nice in some panels then ugly in others.