echo-story
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Latest Posts by echo-story
the suhosieun & bakugotak parallels are actually insane if you think about it
maybe it's just me projecting because they're my favourite pairs from the show but there are just too many similarities to brush it off as coincidence!!
1. soulmates to the grave: suho & sieun. baku & gotak. suho & sieun are each other's best friends & soulmates. baku & gotak are the same for each other. they protect each other, they bicker, they laugh together. baku sleeps at gotak's place when he has a fight with his dad.
2. guardian angels: suho has always been the protector. baku is the protector of the whole school. they’re both the unspoken shields of their best friends, always showing up when things go sideways.
3. crippling guilt: sieun’s greatest wound is suho getting hurt because of him. and baku's greatest wound is gotak getting hurt because of him. they both carry the unbearable weight of believing it’s their fault. even if it wasn't.
4. the obsessive third wheels: beomseok's fixation on suho. baekjin’s twisted obsession with baku. they're the reasons suho & gotak actually got hurt.
5. the combat athletes: suho the boxer. gotak the taekwondo prodigy. both reduced to tragedy after a fight. suho ends up in a coma. gotak is forced to quit his taekwondo career.
6. they don’t want to fight—but they will: suho and baku both hate violence. suho's always asking people to stop when the fights get too serious. and baku has a no-fighting policy for eunjang. but when it’s for their friends? they will. suho's calm shatters. baku’s restraint burns. and they fight.
7. crossing the line for love: suho breaking youngbin’s hand because he hurt sieun’s. baku almost choking someone to death with his bare hands because they laid a finger on gotak. when it's them getting hurt, suho & baku — who never the cross the line — actually end up crossing the line.
8. "he only exists for him": jihoon saying “gotak exists because baku exists.” the director saying “suho solely exists for sieun.”
9. their weaknesses: baekjin uses gotak to manipulate baku into joining the union & threatening to harm suho to torment sieun. everyone knows where the soft spot is.
10. the colors say it all: suho & baku often seen wearing red. sieun & gotak usually in greys & blues.
so like, please get on the bakugotak agenda, because they're literally suhosieun adjacent.
Potentially unpopular opinion but I think this discussion came from a panel of the season 1 and 2 cast and director of the show where they discuss the differences in the motivations for Baku and Suho's actions. Baku does everything he does to protect everyone while Suhu does everything he does for Si Eun. And they were saying that the latter is more moving and sweet but personally I disagree.
To be clear I love both these boys but imo doing whatever it takes for the happiness of someone really close to you is expected. Because viewers are so attached to these characters and they were here first it's ofc gonna be seen as the more endearing. Like I get it, however, there's something about completely, selflessly putting your ass on the line for everyone in your life, Gotak, his dad (who sucks) , Si Eun and Jun Tae (who he'd known for like what a month, maybe two), and literally the entire school. Mind you this isn't all good people he's protecting. He's doing it for the bullied, the bullies, the bystanders he's never even spoken to. He did everything he could to keep them out of the Union, protected them when the Union messed with them for it, and when he was forced into it, he didn't move like the Seong je and them making others participate in it. He alone would do Baek Jin's bidding and hide behind a smile to his friends and everyone at school that he was fine. That mf was constantly running, fighting, and taking literal crowbars to the temple, just to protect his friends.
Idk dude it's just something about being so unabashedly good, that I find endearing. Again both boys are great but I just think looking beyond the Suho x SiEun of it all that Baku deserves his flowers especially.
done with the "came back wrong" trope. what about came back American
Akin and his Disorganized Attachment Style with Jin
(No spoilers from ep9)
If you don't know what a disorganized attachment style is, it is one of the four attachment styles (Secure, Anxious, Avoidant, and Disorganized), often stems from childhood experiences resulting in inconsistent and unpredictable behaviours in relationships.
People with this style of attachment often find it difficult to trust people, have mixed feelings, and have negative views of others and themselves. They seek closeness and then withdraw to avoid getting hurt.
Akin, the most huggable (or sexiest) man and the winner of so many Best Actor awards comes across as cold and detached at first. But then we see how caring and considerate he is of the people around him (arranges food for the whole crew, helps a newbie with his acting, and even deals kindly with his stalker). He is emotional (the hundred times he cried) and most importantly he is a perfectionist. Even though that helps him in his acting career, he tends to bring the same in his relationship with Jin which worsens their already existing issues. Perfectionists need a certain amount of control over whatever they do and when they cannot have that, they either procrastinate the task or abandon it completely.
Akin suggests breakups whenever he feels like he's at fault because he fails to control the situation.
-> He starts freezing Jin out when he doesn't win the Sexiest Man award and feels even worse about feeling the loss. The breakdown that day was not from jealousy. No- when he couldn't maintain the perfect Actor/Celebrity status he’s expected and worked to be, he broke down. To stop projecting that bitterness onto Jin he acts cold.
-> He wants to break up when Johnny happens and he believes he was at fault. He lost control and there's nothing he can do/be to Jin to make it any better or perfect as before. During ep7 when Jin confesses his love, Akin’s instant response is, “That's why want to break up with you “. Meaning- ‘I did something wrong, I can't be perfect for you so let's end this’.
But he doesn't bring breakup during the whole stalker headache. He knows he's not completely at fault (he says the same thing in ep8) and knows there’s something they could do to control the issue.
-> He wants to break up again (not spoiling for those who didn't watch ep9, but you're going to see a lot of Akin’s need for control there). He's losing control, he cannot ensure the perfect love life for Jin if things continue this way.
But what does Jin want?
Jin only wants Akin. He wants to be there, good or bad. He doesn't care for awards or titles. He’d praise his boyfriend openly, even when he's the winner, consequences and ego be damned, and wants to share every happiness with him.
-> He throws himself out of the car immediately when Akin storms out in distress in ep5. He doesn't hesitate a second to run behind his man, lets Akin cry and gather his thoughts by himself and then kisses him to apologize for not understanding him.
-> Even though he leaves Akin alone in the parking lot after the Johnny thing, he goes to watch Akin’s play, when he himself said he wouldn't chase Akin anymore. He's not ready to abandon their relationship and goes to investigate the truth of it. Again there's no hesitancy in Jin to apologize for leaving Akin alone and not be with him that day.
Now Jin is not perfect, none of us are, but he is perfect for Akin’s disorganized attachment style.
Often people with this type of attachment are the first to initiate breakup as a means to control the situation. But do they really want a breakup in the first place? No. Underneath all the pain, and fear of abandonment they need someone to fight for them and be with them even when they are not perfect.
(None of the GIFs and images are mine. All credit to the creators)
So. If I try to talk abt everything this show made me feel at once it would be a whole book. Hence: we’re breaking it down. First stop: Hu-min and Hyeontak.
I’m a big fan of the webtoon and I’m gonna do a little compare/contrast at the end but first I wanna focus on solely material from the show. Slight background for those who don’t know though, Go Hyeontak (Alex/GoGo) and Park Humin (Ben/Big Ben) are THE ultimate BROTP in the webtoon so I did come into this rly pulling for the show to keep that element of their relationship, and I think for the most pert they delivered.
The scene that sets the tone: Their mutual trust.
First instance that made me go “hell yes this is gonna be good” is during Ep. 2 (32:12 ish) where Gotak and Juntae have been fighting and Baku enters. Gotak is curled up in a defensive fetal position on the ground but the *second* he hears Baku’s voice echo through the tunnel he relaxes. Full on slumps down, drops his arms, and just lays there, it almost looks instinctive. He knows as long as Humin is around he’s safe. It’s such a small thing and so far I haven’t seen any reactors point it out which is understandable. But the fact that this is the first scene that they’re in together, essentially their first interaction, albeit slightly indirect, and the camera is purposefully not on the faces of the thugs surrounding Gotak (although we do hear them voice their fear) but on Hyeontak’s absolute relief in Baku’s presence I think not only sets the tone for their relationship (in fact I believe this is arguably the most important scene btw them) but also very demonstrative of how they want us to view Humin’s character. [I have to clue how to do GIFs but I need someone to do this scene PLS TT]
Yes he’s coming in guns blazing, but our immediate focus isn’t supposed to be the terror of his adversaries, but instead the release from his friend. It immediately sets him up as someone who protects those close to him. He isn’t violent for the sake of violence, he has a purpose, and that is preserving the things precious to him. In this case, his platonic male-wife Gotak. This is making me realize I’m gonna do individual character analysis for everybody lol.
But while Baku is concerned for Gotak, he obviously trusts him enough to have handled himself, even though he’s “weaker” than Humin which I really appreciate.
So the second tenant in their relationship: They way they keep each other in check.
At the beginning of ep. 3 we see Hyeontak begin to apologize to Sieun without any prompting, but it’s clearly a bit hesitant and he seems unwilling to fully admit he was in the wrong/crossed the line (haha I’m so funny). Which is when Baku steps in and “forces” him into a bow and begins to “help” Gotak apologize to Sieun while also essentially trying to pull Gotak out of potential hot water by saying ‘ah yk he’s a bit dumb so pls forgive him’. Later after they’re called into the office together we see Baku again prompting an awkward Gotak to give a much more genuine apology to Sieun. The whole interaction very much implied to me that Baku and Gotak had a whole convo abt how he was going to apologize and what he would say which I love. Mom friend Baku said ‘apologize to this nice young man’. They even simultaneously provoke but also regulate one another in the principles office.
While Baku seems to help Hyeontak with his quick temper, Gotak seems to help him reign in his….exuberant social skills. We see this several times: most notably with Sieun. first when Gotak interrupts Baku messing w/ Sieun’s hair, pulling him away and saying “know when to stop” (ep. 3 10:34), and the second in ep. 5 @ 13:40 when Baku slides into Sieun while he’s studying. Gotak comes in behind and actually kicks Baku (who retaliates ofc) to get him off Sieun a bit and then says “You’re bothering Sieun again, you punk”. The fact that it’s clearly a consistent pattern for Gotak to help regulate Baku (someone who clearly gets excited and while being emotionally intelligent, either willfully ignores or misses some social cues) is extremely endearing to me.
In a slightly more serious tone, later in ep. 5 (31:56) during a conversation with Sieun, Hyeontak says that this isn’t the first time Humin has gotten into a fight and “when he gets back, I’ll knock some sense into him”. Of course it’s obvious Gotak could never beat Humin in a true fight yet Gotak is absolutely assured that he’ll be able to get Baku to listen, implying to me that they’ve done this dance before, and Baku truly does hear what Gotak has to say.Hence even small phrases like this really emphasize how much Baku respects and appreciates Gotak. The king of Eunjang High, this incredibly powerful kid, truly listens to his friend.
The most powerful example of this is probably ep 7 starting abt 4 min in, where Baku is choking a Union member who was involved in severely beating Gotak and Juntae. Gotak immediately rushes over and begins pulling on Humin’s arm, yelling at him to stop and that he’s done enough. Unfortunately, Baku is clearly out of it and barely even seems to register Gotak’s presence. This scene may also be the first time we see Hyeontak refer to him as “Humin” rather than Baku. Eventually Baku is snapped out of it by Juntae coming over with news about Sieun, so while Gotak isn’t the one to ultimately get through to Baku, I think the scene is another important sign of their devotion to one another. Baku, when he does notice Hyeontak is clearly angry that he’s trying to stop him, even yelling “let go of me asshole”.
In many shows the characters next move would be to bodily throw their friend away. Yet even in the midst of this rage/disassociation, Baku doesn’t lay a hand on Gotak, proving that Gotak’s blind trust in getting all up in the business of his raging friend was warranted. There is no universe where Baku forgets himself and lays a serious hand on Hyeontak.
The idea of Baku’s hands on Hyeontak brings me to point three: The clinginess
There are way too many example scenes for me to go through and time-stamp all of them, ya’ll will have to look yourselves. But in 9/10 scenes that these two are together, Baku is touching Gotak in some way. Most commonly it’s an arm around the shoulder (see gif above lol). But they’re also shown to be constantly roughhousing, and at one point (ok I am time-stamping this bc it’s so specific: ep. 5 12:50 ish) Gotak almost seems to be playing with Baku’s hand that’s hanging over his shoulder. Now Baku is clearly an affectionate person, he spends a significant amount of time hanging off of Juntae and Sieun as well (don’t even get me started on him gently caressing Juntae’s face during ep 7) it does seem particularly pronounced with Gotak.
In fact, during my watch through notes (it was serious for me y’all) I legit wrote: “The way Humin has an arm around Hyeontak at all times, its rly serious for this man. Must tough beside or die”. And that was only by ep. 3 lol. IDK as someone who is also a very touchy person, specifically w/ my bff, this rly resonated with me. The actors just did such a great job making it feel so natural. Ofc Baku has his arm around Gotak, this is how they always are. Gotak never even stumbles or resists when Baku reaches out for him, he just molds right into him and I love it sm
*Clicks to Powerpoint slide number four*: The way they know everything abt e/o
Alright I admit, this one is a bit of a filler section, but tbh I just rly wanted to talk abt the scene where Gotak recognizes Baku’s underwear (ep 6 23:55) bc what-
Like I ADORE my bestie. We’re essentially married. We have a tally going of people who’ve asked it we’re gay for e/o. And yet. AND YET! I would not recognize her underwear?
Which leaves us with two options: either Gotak is just routinely seeing his bros underwear (and this also means Baku is unironically wearing tiger briefs)? I mean tbf idk how guys do friendship this could be par for the course.
or he bought Humin the underwear as a gag gift, and then Baku proceeds to legit wear them. Both options are absolutely hilarious and I love any and all implications of this scene.
I don’t even wanna know why the hell Baku has his underwear just hanging on the wall
But on a slightly more serious note, earlier in the same episode at around 8:52, Gotak tells the other two boys that Baku used to stay at his house whenever his dad got drunk. Couple that with how completely unsurprised Hyeontak is with his father’s behavior the entire scene, and it becomes obvious that Gotak knows all about Humin’s struggles with his dad. In fact, at another point (I’m not looking for this time-stamp sry) Gotak reveals that he knows Humin and Baekjin were childhood friends, so Baku clearly has no reservations telling Gotak about all the painful parts of his past.
Of course, throughout the plot of the show Baku does hide things from Gotak and even outright lies about where he’s going on a few occasions, but the fact that Hyeontak seems only slightly suspicious and then accepts his answers really seems to affirm the idea that they’re generally completely transparent with one another or maybe im reading too much into this
Yeah no I just love that they seem to know everything about each other, and that their trust goes beyond physical protection, but extends to faith that the other will protect their emotional wounds as well.
Speaking of protectiveness, our fifth discussion point: The way they’d kill for one another
Like they are INSANE about each other. Gotak consistently gets pissed when people imply that he’s Humin’s lackey. In the first confrontation we see Gotak have with Choi Hyoman, it can be easily interpreted as a hot headed kid pissed he’s getting called someone else’s henchman. But as we watch the show and get more and more context about them, I really don’t think that’s the reason he’s so upset. If Gotak is Baku’s lackey, than that means that Baku’s is the same as the Union people he’s fighting so hard against. I truly think that Gotak isn’t offended for himself (or at least not solely, Im sure that does sting the pride a bit), but more so upset about the implications for Baku’s honor. The idea that he would have or even need lackeys is unacceptable to Hyeontak, and he makes sure to set everyone straight.
While of course Hyeontak is protective of Humin and routinely gets into fights on his behalf, the real guard dog in this relationship is clearly Baku. That man does not mess around when it comes to Gotak, and everyone knows it. In fact, Baku’s absolute devotion to Gotak makes him a target for people trying to get at Baku. Unfortunately many of them fail to realize they’ve essentially signed their own death certificate.
In ep 4 during the confrontation btw Seongjae (?) and Gotak we learn (and see briefly in flashback 14:30) that Hyeontak has been greviously injured by him before, more on my opinion of this plot point in a Gotak centric post and at the beginning of ep 5, Baku elaborates on this in conversation with Sieun, explaining that Gotak used to be a taekwondo athlete, but had to quit after his knee was seriously injured “Because of hanging out with me” Baku says, which could mean it was either a targeted attack on Gotak to upset Humin, or simply a casualty of getting in a fight to help his bestie out. Either way, it’s clear that Baku felt, and still feels (by looked like he was abt to cry thinking abt it), responsible for Hyeontak’s injury.
I like to think the reason he showed up with such perfect timing in the underpass during ep. 2 is because he made Gotak download Life360 or some equivalent tracker
The most obvious instance of Baku’s mile wide protective streak for Hyeontak is when Baekjin sends guys to beat him up explicitly to get a reaction out of Humin. And what a reaction it was. I mean look at this:
That is the face of a man who is not messing around with the implication that u hurt his bestie/husband/soulmate etc. Baekjin was abt to become one with the lamp. He doesn’t even have confirmation that anything is wrong atp. All it took was a mere SUGGESTION that someone might have gone after Gotak and *boom*. True cinema right there.
I mean the look on his face in ep. 7 @ 3:50 when he sees Hyeontak (and Juntae) horribly beaten on the ground? A delicious mix of horror, disbelief, and absolute rage. Seriously, big props to the actor for his nuanced facial expressions the whole show. His frustration with the union and Baekjin finally exploding when he learns Hyeontak and Juntae are in danger (ep. 6 28:48 ish)? Like the fact that Hyeontak getting hurt is essentially he proverbial straw that broke his back? Scrumptious. And then ofc I’ve already mentioned how he goes absolutely apeshit on the guys who beat up his babies. I mean he literally takes a crowbar to the back of the head (at speed?!) and then immediately proceeds to punch through a motorcycle helmet. Hulk who? Baku doesn’t play when it comes to avenging his people (and ofc specifically Gotak).
Ofc I have to mention ep. 8 at minute 4:28 when Baku scolds Gotak for jumping rope bc “You’ve got bad knees already man” and then looks away with a face full of resigned guilt and regret. And Hyeontak just glances at him and sighs, with an expression that just so clearly says ‘I’ve told you before it wasn’t your fault, how long till you believe me idiot, I could never blame you for anything, you sweet stupid man stop worrying about me’. maybe that’s a bit much to interpret from his face but I believe in my powers of perception ok
Then we have later on in ep 8 during the big fight at 29:19, where Hyeontak can barely walk, and yet he’s going to challenge Baekjin, because Baku is still vulnerable on the ground, and like hell is he going to let the guy who’s been tormenting *his* Baku win.
Like this devotion just- I can’t handle it they make me wanna scream
We’ll finish of with a lighter idea for our final section: The fact that they fight like an old married couple
I mean seriously. In their first on screen exchange, Gotak asks Baku if he has hot sauce in his hair (ngl I though he pulled the red of nicely TT) and proceeds to crack himself up although that may have been the concussion
If they’re not calling each other names, you know something is wrong. The absolute epitome of “Bastard (affectionate)”. It’s even funnier because while they do occasionally use a playful insult with Juntae or Sieun, it’s much rarer. Like it really is just their version of pet names and I love that for them. I particularly love the scenes at ep 3 starting at minute 7 with the slap fight, the “all grown up? I’ve always been taller” from Gotak (which I find especially funny bc its not like he towers over Baku or anything) the unrelenting headlock from Baku that turns into what’s almost a protective hold when he spots Sieun and Juntae. Now ofc he’s exaggerating and acting over the top as he does, but at this point all he knows about them is the rumors about Sieun, and the fact that he was in a fight with Hyeontak and didn’t seem particularly receptive to the attempted apology. So I’m sure there was just a slight bit of apprehension, and although “are we under attack” sounds like a joke, he was most likely serious in the intention behind it. Idk I just find it sweet that the minute it stopped being a safe little bubble of ‘Baku and Gotak’ and there was a potential outside threat, he gets in this (overdramatic) defensive position *around* Gotak.
The constant jabs at e/o’s intelligence are perfection, and I, like everyone else (including Sieun! the baby smile hdjskfdhg) adore the scene in ep 3 around 16:20 when they’re just getting into it over Baku’s attempt to pick up girls lol
—————————————————————————————————
That’s all I have for an analysis solely using the show, now I’m gonna do a brief compare/contrast with the webtoon bc I’m a huge fan of it. I 100% recommend it to everyone who enjoyed the show. There are some big differences, so it’s not at all like you’re going through the same plot twice, and the friendships are genuinely some of my favorite in all media. And I mean books, movies, tv shows etc. This webtoon manages to do relationships so so well.
Since I’m recommending it and ik a lot of ppl who watched the show haven’t read it yet, I’m not going to be too in depth or spoilery here, just covering things you would already expect to happen after having watched the show, and some panels to emphasize my points.
[reminder that the Eng. translation changed some names, so Baku = Ben and Gotak = Alex]
WEBTOON Analysis:
So in the webtoon Gotak (who gets called GoGo by Baku and the others, one thing I truly mourn lol) and Baku are the ULTIMATE duo. There a a million fantastic friendships in the comic, but they consistently stand out. The show did keep a lot of that feeling, but if you go read the webtoon, expect it to be dialed up to 11. True husbands honestly
They’re also childhood friends, a plot point given to Baekjin and Baku in the show still don’t know how I feel abt that, and are essentially inseparable. The whole “teacher asks one where the other is” gig, except it even extends to their friends lol. One simply does not appear without the other
I mentioned earlier when talking abt the show that these two tend to keep each other in check, both physically and in terms of social blunders. This is also a trait present in the webtoon, with Gotak often apologizing for or managing Baku’s extreme dumbass energy, and Baku in turn curbs Gotak’s intense “fight first ask questions never” tendencies.
Several times while watching the show I thought to myself, “Biblically accurate Baku and GoGo”, specifically in relation to the entire premise of Gotak being Baku’s trigger. In the webtoon, “use Hyeontak to get to Baku” is a strategy employed by the Union several times, and Baku’s reaction is just as good as in the show. In fact I even have it written down in my watch notes: “Biblically accurate Gotak getting beat into a pulp”. Like the poor guy has a giant red target hanging over his head. Just like in the show however, he doesn’t care as long as he gets to stay by Baku and support him.
Baku’s reaction to seeing Gotak injured:
In more serious situations Gotak is Baku’s anchor in a similar way to what’s shown in ep. 7, albeit a bit more successfully lol. In fact, at one point another character narrating literally calls Gotak “Baku’s brakes”. He truly is the only one that can get through to Baku when the rage consumes him, especially if the reason Baku is turning someone into dust is because they went after Gotak.
Gotak is also shown to be a bit more actively supportive in the webtoon. In the show it’s Sieun that really leads the charge to bring Baku back, which I don’t mind in the context of the show, but webtoon!Gotak would never have let him walk away in the first place. The stress and pressure put upon Baku as a result of being the only one standing between the Union and Eunjang is a big focus in the webtoon, and smth Gotak takes seriously.
like in the show, GoGo goes after anyone talking about Baku behind his back, whether that be insults, skepticism about his fighting prowess, or insinuations that Gotak is his “minion”. He’s so serious about being the best possible support for Baku that he takes up boxing in an attempt to get stronger (which is where I assume they pulled the taekwondo background from for the show. I don’t mind at all that they did that, there wasn’t enough time for him to have a training arc in the middle lol).
The best part about them though is that they’re still the same old goofy, antagonistic besties/married couple they are in the show. The writers really did a great job keeping that levity and hope that characterizes the webtoon
There is one aspect of their relationship: Gotak’s knee injury, that is VASTLY different from the webtoon, but I want to keep this post relatively webtoon spoiler free, and also I’ve been working on this for abt 3 and 1/2 hours now….so that’ll be another post
even in death, I search for you
𓈒⟡₊⋆∘ Weak Hero Class 2 (2025)
The power Weah Hero Class hold against a fujoshi like me
3 new ships in the span of 8 episodes with only 35 minutes an ep. BASED 🙌🙌
Psycho x Psycho
Never been better. Feel like i'm back to my Evilive and Strangers from hell hyperfixation era again.
Not a big fan of best friend to lover but... grumpy/sunshine with no personal space, i guess i'm in lol
THEM 😭😭😭 My new toxic doom yaoi couple
I hate childhood friends trope so much but their relationship kinda reminds me of one of my long time OTP Grindeldore, both learned from each other, leaned on each other and had the same way to survive in life but ended up separated, pathed way into opposite direction and can't never go back.
a Kat 🐈 rambles post
I apparently have a lot to say about Top Form, but in respect for the limited time I have, I'm here to say:
Jin's redemption is in giving Akin what he needed - even if it wasn't what I, as the audience, wanted.
Discussion of Top Form episode 6 and 7 under the cut. TW for discussion of SA.
I have a whole unwritten post in my head about The Nightmare Jin / Akin Heart Rending Fest at the end of episode 6, and how Jin, who has been a magical unicorn of giving Akin what he needs all along, failed Akin.
I have A LOT of feelings. I wanted groveling. I wanted to see Jin feeling all the shock and horror of understanding what he did. Of how he stomped on Akin in his moment of greatest vulnerability, of how broken and wounded Akin was in the garage, and how Jin - the one person Akin NEEDED to love him and hold him and comfort him - shattered what was left of Akin. I wanted epic level groveling and amends making. I wanted Jin to metaphorically rip his own heart out of his chest and lay it at Akin's feet. After the opening of episode 7 I wanted blood to run in the streets for that man. I was ready to go vengeance demon for Akin.
But what I wanted, is the exact opposite of what Akin needed.
Jin's biggest failure in the series was how he got so caught up in his own feelings in episode 6, that he couldn't SEE Akin and therefor wasn't able to give Akin what he needed. In episode 7, he could have repeated that mistake. I do think Jin was remorseful. I think he -WOULD- have groveled, and would have spent the rest of his life trying to make it up to Akin. I think he would have delivered Johnny's (metaphorical) head on a platter. I think he would have burned down the theater and his career and raged in defense of Akin. That man has shown us, and Akin, repeatedly that he is in it for the long haul.
There is a great irony in that as much as I wanted a bigger and better apology, I think that Jin apologizing in that way would have been another way to fail Akin. Because the big apology would have been about Jin's feelings, about making himself feel better. But I think his true was redemption is that he was able to step out of his own feelings, and once again see Akin and what Akin needed.
Jin apologized, but Akin didn't want it and couldn't tolerate it. Akin didn't need Johnny's head. Akin didn't need Jin to set the world on fire in anger and vengeance. Akin didn't need an apology. It causes me great pain that despite all MY anger and rage, that Akin wasn't angry. Akin didn't blame Jin. Akin wasn't mad. Akin was heartbroken. Akin blamed himself. Akin was full of shame.
Jin gave Akin everything he needed. Jin gave Akin his body back- by giving him the knowledge that he had not been violated in the way he feared most.* Jin gave Akin his innocence back- by giving him the knowledge that he hadn't done anything wrong. Jin gave Akin his heart back - by giving him the knowledge that he was loved and cherished.
Hello!!
As I am desperately absorbing any speck of Top Form content before the new episode tomorrow, I’d love to hear your thoughts on how Akin and Jin might possibly resolve their current rift/misunderstanding/situation. I have not seen the original anime, but I’m cautiously optimistic for how the live adaptation will handle this. (I desperately need at least one solid interaction where Akin has an understanding and compassionate audience)
I’ve found that I tend to fixate on moments in shows where characters encounter misunderstandings or friction, as the various paths to resolution fascinate me.
Anyway! Apologies for the long ask ♥️
Oh, we're so close to the next episode!
And I do think they could resolve this very well, though I cannot say that I trust the show to do that. But I do trust the show more than the fanbase at this point? Maybe?
I mean, all it takes is Akin telling Jin that he didn't consent to whatever happened and Jin believing him. It takes Jin calming down, realizing he needed to hear Akin out and then listening when Akin speaks to him. That's all it would take!
Will we get that? Ehhhhhhh. EHHHHHHHH.
I want to believe.
I want to be so, so hopeful and to see them resolve this like the 2025 show they are and have it be made clear that Jin reacted poorly and that Akin isn't to blame and that once they talk they can understand each other and be happier and then the Jin claiming Akin scene can be beautiful. Because that scene being about Jin and Akin, together, reclaiming Akin's body? Could be gorgeous. Could be everything.
I do not guarantee this.
I have also not seen the original but it sounds like this problem and dynamic might have been changed for this specific remake as well so how it could be handled and solved is up in the air.
Anyway.
I really, really hope the show sees that Akin doesn't deserve any of the blame and only deserves to be loved and comforted and held and chosen and lets Jin do all of that.
But I worry that societal pressure is going to say that Akin shouldn't have been drinking and that he's going to apologize to Jin and then Jin is going to reclaim him in a way that just... won't feel satisfactory.
I always, sincerely, worry when a show tries to solve a conflict with sex. But the honey scene was well done and well layered so hopefully they can continue that into this and not fall into victim blaming. They changed the original encounter with Jin and Akin so... fingers crossed.
But I do worry about this. This would not be the first show to ruin itself for me by deciding that this kind of assault just Didn't Matter if the two people are gonna fall in love later.
When you were young and spry, did you guys ever think that you'd be on a cruise in a hot tub with the rest of your throuple for the purpose of processing a pregnancy scare by eating Hostess cupcakes? The cupcakes are unexpected.
Avery Morgan, Tristan Silva and Max Bankman in Doctor Odyssey (2025)
hey, it’s me again, your favourite chronically ill writer mutual.
so, my second MRI to help determine whether I have cancer in my spine is this coming monday and I just found out that it’s going to cost me nearly 1500$.
after that, I’m going to have to get a biopsy, and then either have surgery or radiation to knock it out.
I’m currently working three part-time jobs, but I may have to quit one or more in the aftermath of this, I have no idea what recovery is going to look like.
I’m not asking for free money, I want to write for you.
please let me do that.
commission me | tip me
reblogs appreciated, tags under the cut. (fandoms tagged for fic commissions, not spam)
@l-tyrell @rumpleteasa @striving4mikey @uhhhhmanda
@friendlynbhddevil @jehan-d-art @koreanthrillerenjoyer @absolutesuffering
@jingooism @jwdsmysaviours @endof-vanity
@efadefoks @quillinhand @her-soliloquies @lordoftheempty
@totallysilvergirl @inevitably-johnlocked @helloliriels @loki-lock @shitelock
@ohwatson @theofficialinternetloner @gaypiningshit @bs2sjh @queerholmcs
@beesholmes @whatnext2020 @gregorovitch-adler @londonlock @peanitbear
@fr-wiwiw @kdramastrix
@gayautisticraccoon @cherryinnie @absolutesuffering @tortibomb
@echo-story
@apparently-i-am-an-adult
@frankensteinmutual @victorianpining
everyone: the pitt is great! so nice to have a medical show that’s not all about who’s sleeping together!
me: it’s all very simple collins and robby are in love with each other but collins and dana are platonic girlfriends who kiss and have sex but are straight which is different to perlah and princess who also do this but are bi and robby has a thing for that dunkin donuts doctor that’s purely sexual and a thing for abbot that at its core is a deep desire for a strong firm father figure to treat him like a babygirl to offset his anxiety about having to be everyone else’s big strong father figure and it’s deeply sexual but abbot is playing 4d chess trying to get mohan to tie him up in a basement meanwhile langdon is beaming his own deeply sexual father figure crush on robby completely one-sided but also langdon and mel are having a dark fantasy romance smut novel 2007 she’s all that romcom wattpad nerd x jock adultery lost focus and had a consensual workplace relationship except mel might just forgo all of that for a class president x troublemaker exploratory sex with girlbestfriend trinity meanwhile trinity is one ‘can i do the intubation?’ away from being eiffel-towered by two of the hottest older lesbians at the hospital meanwhile whittaker is gonna have a farm wedding with that hot nurse in the next 2 to 3 business years where she’ll peg him on the wedding night and mateo is going to give my girl javadi head so good that it’s gonna solve her mommy issues
Rudimentary Fangs of Fortune romantic/sexual relationship chart based on the first seven episodes.
like okay i know i said that kant would be just as unhinged as style this ep because he knows bison won't actually hurt him now and like he was! boy was he!
but i think the real moment you can see how much kant KNOWS that bison won't kill him isn't even any of the moments that he's joking with him or annoying him in the way style does. for kant, his true moment of proving he knows bison loves him and won't hurt him is the penguin scene!
cause like i thought at first maybe it's a test, but no. kant is so, so certain bison won't hurt him. he's so calm the whole scene, and even with bison telling him to shut up over and over again, kant keeps confessing and telling bison the truth of his feelings. and bison points the gun at him and he smiles. because he knows, he knows bison is getting emotional because he's getting to him, finally he's listening even if he doesn't want to.
and the gun doesn't scare him. he doesn't say penguin for himself. he says it for bison.
like. this is the face after he says it the first time.
he's not scared. the gun hasn't been a real worry for him the entire time - and certainly not when it's not even pointed at him. that's proven when bison pulls the trigger! he was aiming above kant's head the whole time. and kant knew that.
kant doesn't have to worry about bison killing him. but what is a worry for him is bison - crying and refusing to let them talk it out and continuing to pretend he's actually going to hurt him.
and that kant can't let continue. he can't let bison keep hurting himself in this game. because that's all this really has been. bison torturing himself under the guise of torturing kant.
so he says their safe word. and bison listens. because he loves kant and he doesn't actually want to hurt him. and kant knew that the whole time - he was just waiting for bison to realize it too.
I LOVE SAFEWORD USE IN NONSEXUAL SITUATIONS I LOVE THAT KANT HAD A WAY OF TELLING BISON THAT HE WAS CLOSE TO CROSSING A LINE I LOVE THAT THE SAFEWORD WAS ACTUALLY USED IN THE STORY I LOVE THAT BISON SAW THE SINCERITY OF KANT'S PLEA AND LEFT I LOVE THAT KANT WAS HONEST ENOUGH TO COMMUNICATE THAT BISON COULD DO A LOT OF SHIT TO HIM BUT THERE WAS STILL A LIMIT I LOVE IT I LOVE IT I LOVE IT
Kant using his safeword to signal he is scared and wants Bison to stop was sooo unexpected. Mind-blowing honestly.
There’s nothing I love more than stellar analysis 💜💜💜
Hello!! First, I just want to say how much I love all of your THK posts and breakdowns! Your perspectives on Kant/Bison have been really refreshing to see/read ♥️
On to me question/questions: if Kant/Bison were ever comfortable enough to breach the topic of BDSM again, what ways could you see that playing out? Even disregarding the massive elephant in the room (The Betrayal ™️), Bison’s inexperience/hesitance and Kant’s trust issues/control issues/reluctance is such and interesting dynamic, and I’m honestly disappointed at how underutilized it is within the plot. I could talk for hours about my opinions on Kant’s willingness to d/s.
I think, under different and healthier circumstances, Kant might have been more open to such arrangements. Given his trauma, early Parentification, and the lack of control he has with regard to Captain, it’s rife for interesting ways his dynamic could be explored (given proper care and comfort).
Apologies for the long ask/rant! I’m practically foaming at the mouth for someone to talk to this about 🤣
Best 💜
awww thank you! i'm v happy to hear that 🥰 and don't at all apologize for the long ask, i love getting asks like this!!
the bdsm dynamic is fascinating to me for a number of reasons. i haven't written much on it in terms of analysis because i feel like we haven't gotten enough in canon for me to chew on, but it's sooo very interesting to me for all sorts of reasons. which, while i do wish we had more scenes to work with when it comes to looking at the dynamic, i think the fact that we're only really given episode three and only hints at it other than that is very intentional. because like you said, the circumstances are not super healthy and while again, we've had hints at it, i don't think they've actually explored that dynamic a whole lot post-drugging incident. they've slept together since then clearly, but they also haven't been back to bison's place together, and while it's possible they've used other things, it also makes sense if after that last nightmare incident, if bison is hesitant to use anything but the proper tools/setting for it, yknow? cause even though we haven't gotten to see them talk about it, i'm willing to bet that bison does feel guilty for being an unsafe dom in that instance, if how attentive and caring he was in the tattoo parlor is anything to go by.
i did already say this in my tags on this poll but to reiterate, i do believe we'll absolutely be returning to the bdsm dynamic - it just won't be until POST-clearing the air, which will presumably be happening next episode if the bison making kant a servant to him and crying on the beach tells us anything. which, i do figure we will get a sex scene next episode, but again, i figure it'll be post-all of that as well and probably a lovely little love-making/forgiveness situation alla sandray ep9. yknow the one.
soo, with that in mind, that gives eps 9-12 bdsm potential, and like. obviously there will be drama and plot to deal with as well but i'm sure those kinky freaks will figure it out, i'm not worried about. (though i will say. if my babe dying theory holds true, specifically that it's keen that kills babe while kant and bison are away figuring their shit out, i think we'll find that out either end of ep8 or beginning of ep9. so bdsm might take a backseat for a bit. but nevertheless we will get back at the very least by ep11 or 12! i AM certain of that)
BUT finally getting to what you actually asked me in terms of how i see it playing out, i do hope that they have another discussion about it like they did in ep3. i think now with the air cleared, they'll have to. not just so kant can admit he IS actually into the idea and it wasn't a total lie, but so they can set firmer boundaries now that kant does trust bison. because i think while kant was hesitant of it at first, i again think he was into it to a certain extent - it was just the fact that he didn't trust bison and he wasn't actually able to practice it in a safe way either time they tried. plus, they're both, in reality, very new to the dynamic. kant, who didn't even realize he was into that kind of thing until bison introduced him, and bison, who has done all this research but never actually gotten to dom properly. so, i think they will definitely need to take it a lot slower (which, to be fair, bison seemed far more apt to do that before he was drunk and drugged! i don't doubt his ability to be a good dom and take things slow. i think he was not at all in the right headspace or mindset to be doing anything like that, so obviously he was just acting on his deepest desires. hell, he literally told kant that he hopes he doesn't use his safe word! i do not think a sober and clear headed bison would have even thought to say something like that.)
so, with that in mind, i don't think any other bdsm scenes we get will be quite as intense as that first one from the end of ep3 - unless the much needed conversation happens as soon as ep9 and we get more after that and/or we get a time skip. which, i wouldn't be surprised if we do tbh, at least in like ep12. time skips to show the happy ending is such a common trope, i almost expect we will have one tbh.
but regardless of intensity, i do think the dynamic will be very interesting. i've said it quite a few times, but kant is a character that not only has severe control issues, but also has always NEEDED to be in control. he has had very little actual say in his life, but he has also always had to make a lot of big decisions and be in charge, so in a lot of ways he doesn't actually know how to hand over that control. i think it'll be difficult for him to actually do it, but i think in the end, it is ultimately something he wants and would be good for him. whereas bison is someone that has had very little control in his life and is desperate for it. so, i think it'll be such a good dynamic for them once they are able to talk it out and establish it healthily. it'll be good for kant to be able to get go of his control in a safe environment, with someone he loves and trusts, and it'll be good for bison to be able to have that control he wants so desperately and be able to exercise his clear interest in sadism without truly hurting someone. wins all around!
Rudimentary Fangs of Fortune romantic/sexual relationship chart based on the first seven episodes.
ZYZ + ZYC (49. …out of necessity)
(asexual-ZYC attempts to make an advance on ZYC, out of what he feels is necessity, hurt/comfort ensues ♥️)
I cannot tell you how much joy this prompt gave me, thank you so much! It took a while to get this story down the way I wanted to, I hope you enjoy 🖤🩶🤍💜
Zhuo Yichen isn't blind. He has long since seen the eyes Zhao Yuanzhou makes at him when he thinks Yichen isn't watching, or even when he is. He has heard the flirtations (the same as directed an Wen Xiao), has heard Yinglong say zhiji, he has noticed the others giving them space to be alone, creating chances for him to confess.
It's not that he doesn't like Zhao Yuanzhou. Most of the time the demon is sharper, funnier, more interesting, more true to his own nature than anyone Zhuo Yichen has ever seen. He wants to spend time with the demon, he wants to be the one sitting next to him, wants to feel as comfortable around the other as his friends seem to be– as Wen Xiao seems to be, despite the demon's endless stream of flirty comments.
Except…
Love is a confusing thing, to Zhuo Yichen. He loves (present tense, always present tense) his brother, his father, loves his friends. Only that doesn't seem to be the kind of love that makes people do ridiculous things. The kind of love that makes young people foolish and old people feel young, the kind of love that inspires so much art and poetry and song– This kind of love is not something Zhuo Yichen feels. Well, that or he is the most sensible person the world has ever seen.
Regardless, he likes Zhao Yuanzhou. In a way that feels different to the way he cares about his family and friends, he really likes that annoying demon. And the demon seems interested in him. So according to all the great stories, the songs, the poems (he has done his research, thank you very much), if two people like each other then they kiss. And that's how you're sure that it is love, and not just like.
And that's how he ended up here, waiting for everyone else to retire after their dinner on the veranda, hoping Zhao Yuanzhou doesn't go to bed before the others do. It is late, and they've already collectively bullied Bai Jiu into going to bed, with placations and lies that they too are about to sleep. Pei-daren may even have been telling the truth, for she retired soon after. Ying Lei is still talking, going on about this divine feast he was invited to some decades ago and about how he wants to recreate a specific dish. Wen Xiao knows him better than anyone, and winked at him when she left, claiming she had some more studying to do.
Zhao Yuanzhou has been eyeing him all evening, and Zhuo Yichen has never before had cause to wonder if this is what a piece of fruit on a market stall might feel like. He's not sure he likes the feeling of waiting to be picked, of being judged, or perhaps of being assumed to be something delicious– anyway.
Ying Lei yawns halfway through his meandering description of herbs he'd need to grow, and stands from the table. "I'm heading to bed as well, you two night owls behave yourself!"
"What do you-"
"We always do," Zhao Yuanzhou answers over Zhuo Yichen. The mountain god snorts and shakes his head as if they were children and not an ancient demon and a human more responsible than their little runaway god himself.
With Ying Lei gone this would be the perfect time to make his move. The only thing he needs to do is to turn to Da Yao and… kiss. Just kiss him. Somehow the songs and the stories failed to mention how hard that next step would be. Zhuo Yichen stares at his tea cup, and finds himself wishing for something stronger. The tea stares back at him, growing cold in accusation of his inaction. The silence loudly proclaims his failure to act, the night sky moving inexorably on to morning.
"Zhuo-daren?" Zhao Yuanzhou's questions startles him, and he turns to the demon. "You've been preoccupied all evening, am I really so very distracting?" He knows the smirk the demon will be wearing before he even turns to look at him. When he does it is hard to look away from those lips.
"No," the lie is painfully obvious to Zhuo Yichen, and of course the demon notices too. For the first time Zhuo Yichen can say he is grateful for the fact that Zhao Yuanzhou is such a flirt.
"Did you know demons can sense lies, Xiao Zhuo-daren? Why don't you tell me what's really on your mind-"
"-Can I kiss you?" The words are out of his mouth before he knows it, and he cringes at how silly, how earnest, how innocent he sounds. His cheeks are burning, and he'd give anything to be elsewhere right now. Perhaps the earth can open up to swallow him, perhaps enemies can beset the capital, hordes of demons attack the Bureau, absolutely anything… Anything would be better than sitting under the stars by the light of a few candles as Zhao Yuanzhou stares at him.
Surprise is the first emotion that flashes across Da Yao's face, but amusement follows it swiftly enough. Close behind it is a hunger Zhuo Yichen doesn't have a name for. Is that what love is, or even lust? A hunger? It seems strange, but Yichen doesn't have the time to think about that now. The silence stretches too long, and Zhuo Yichen is about to start making excuses, blame the food, the time of night, even an imaginary fever or poison.
Then the demon is moving, swift as a blade, and Zhuo Yichen almost tries to block and evade until he realizes: he asked for this. Zhao Yuanzhou lunges for him like he is attacking, but grabs him as soft as one would hold a flower, one hand snaking around his waist and the other around his neck. His lips meet Yichen's in a soft greeting, asking without words to touch him and yet being so much more eloquent about it. It's… strange. People do this for fun?
The lips against his own are warm, and while not unpleasant it's a little weird. People use their mouths for eating, and talking, and breathing– and then they also want to touch their mouths together? For extended periods of time? It isn't bad, per se, and Yichen is no poet or artist, but this does not seem like something that inspires such great art.
"Xiao Zhuo?" Oh gods. He's been thinking too much, and Zhao Yuanzhou has noticed while kissing him that he… doesn't care for kissing, apparently. "What's wrong?"
How does one explain to the person you just asked to kiss you that no, thank you for the scientific experiment, I'm not actually interested in doing that. In hindsight Zhuo Yichen realizes how awful his question was. He got the demon's hopes up over nothing, only to disappoint him. Li Lun's words about humanity's cruelty echo in his mind. Zhao Yuanzhou's eyes are searching his face, increasingly concerned with his lack of answer. He is still holding Zhuo Yichen ever so gently, their faces still close enough to feel the demon's breath ghost across his skin.
Zhuo Yichen shrinks back, breaking that gentle hold, trying to hide himself from those kind, concerned eyes. "I'm sorry."
Da Yao reaches for him, this time slowly instead of knife-fast, and lays a careful hand on his arm. The weight of it settles with the weight of a thousand expectations and Zhuo Yichen stares at it like it is something fearful. Whatever Zhao Yuanzhou reads in his gaze makes him retract his hand quick as lightning.
"I'm sorry," Zhuo Yichen repeats. He might be apologizing for either of his actions, or both, or for even waking up and thinking this was a good idea. He's honestly not sure which one it is. Perhaps running away like Ying Lei did is not such a ridiculous action after all. Especially because the ground isn't obligingly opening up and swallowing him whole. He focuses his attention on his abandoned tea cup, because he can feel Zhao Yuanzhou's eyes searching his face.
"I'm not sorry," the demon announces, and it's such a weird thing to say that it makes Zhuo Yichen look back into those dark eyes. "I got to kiss my favourite human, so whatever it is that you've done: I don't mind." His smile is entirely cheerful mischief and is such a 180 from moments before that Zhuo Yichen knows he is acting, and reacts accordingly to roll his eyes.
"There, that's the infamous Zhuo-daren I know," Zhao Yuanzhou drops part of the mischief-mask, but keeps his smile. He returns to his own seat instead of being so terribly close, and waits patiently for Yichen to sit upright and collect his thoughts. "Now, if Zhuo-daren would tell this lowly demon what he has done wrong, perhaps this one can forgive him, hm?" He makes it sound so easy, Zhuo Yichen thinks. He makes it sound so tempting, as well: forgiveness.
Zhuo Yichen stares at the demon for a long moment before deciding to put away his pride. It's the least he can do for leading the demon on like that. "I… have never kissed anyone," he begins, and resolutely looks away from the smirk Zhao Yuanzhou lips curl into at those words. "All the stories say people kiss, but I've never understood why? It just… has never seemed interesting."
"And it was interesting enough to ask now?"
"I wasn't sure– so I thought I should check, because kissing seems to be how people tell if they…"
"If they like one another?" Zhao Yuanzhou completes the words that Zhuo Yichen cannot make himself say.
"Yes," he admits, looking firmly at the table.
Laughter is probably the last reaction Zhuo Yichen expected, but Zhao Yuanzhou is laughing. "Ah, Xiao Zhuo, I have good news: there are many more ways to tell a person you like them besides kissing."
When the demon says it it sounds so simple, so obvious. Zhuo Yichen wonders why he hadn't thought of that, why the stories are so full of kissing if there are other ways to show love. Still, he feels the need to check: "You don't mind?"
"Mind? That I was given your first and last kiss? Why, Zhuo-daren I am honoured-oof," Zhuo Yichen punches him in the shoulder for that, but stays to wait while Zhao Yuanzhou gets them the wine he offered earlier. They've got much more to talk about.
Squid Game Season 2
Soooo… I have a lot of ideas and I need some direction….
I’m itching to write something for this show (strangely did not have the same urge after the first season)
