I'm making this post because I'm currently reading Non Tua and it's so amazing. I thought I wouldn't like the male lead (assumption based on the cover arts) and would root for the second male lead, but I've caught up with the fast pass and I cannot get enough of this series. The Male lead is so well written he feels like a real person to me.
Like a story with potential romance is more fun when the male leads exist beyond being a love interest and have their own life. Like all the guys here have iconic unique personalities, which only adds chemistry with the female leads more. It makes it fun to ship them. And in the case of Non Tua, its giving tragedy š so I cannot WAIT to see how the leads fall in forbidden love š«. And ofc it helps they are good looking lol. I hope i could express my rambles and thoughts ell enough. I have a lot of other favorite male leads but I'm picking from webtoon and what I remember currently.
Giving recommendations and hoping to fangirl together over how well they are written, maybe share recommendations!
Im guessing it's for easier self- insert because of the power fantasy elements.Ā I think amongst the ones I've read, am reading or at least tried to read, [The greatest Estate developer] and [The Return of the blossoming blade] stands out.
Edit: I don't know if [The Ember Knight] is shounen but it's also absolute peak. Definitely recommend this
OFC I WOULD. My first reddit post ever was me obsessing over PW and asking if anyone else is reading phantom whispers (ghostly songs back then) more than 2 years ago.
And I am so loving the direction it is going. I'm guessing Cain was a member of the arc or some cult like association with people like him with ghost abilities. He was either suffocating or he was exiled because of his abilities (maybe why Linda was afraid of him idk) and he moved to get a new start in fl's city...trying to live an ordinary life with corporate job....but alasš¤£
And his chemistry with Noah is š«š i don't know if this has romance but them getting together in the future just feels so right
I'm not sure, Im pretty sure she later realized that isnt the case upon seeing their faces. I'm leaning toward either Cain having special backstory, or that Linda was just bluffing to keep Noa with her. Idk. Only time will tell.
I was literally on my toes while reading about noah and her perspective. But when I started getting to know cain, it somehow turned from supernatural horror to 90s' slapstick comedy
š¤£Yeah i especially love how the trio works. It's amazing how the author is pulling off comedy and light hearted moments in a supernatural thriller involving a serial killer so well
stop cause iāve started reading coincidentally on the 12 year anniversary and have already gotten to 25/301. iām so conflicted yet he drags me back to learn more
In the bleak widwinter, the characters are all so emotionally complex. It's a robowar romance.Ā
Not a romance as the main story, but I will recommend Tacit to everyone because I love the depth of the relationship between our mc's dad and his neurodivergent friend over the backdrop of zombie survival.Ā
The Garden of Secrets! āThis series is so refreshing because the story is told from the ML's perspective.Ā
You rarely see this kind of dynamic where the FL is a widowed mother and the ML is a former mercenary turned servant.
š«¶It's one of my faves ever too! And that's a good point you bought up. One of TSIYE's greatest strengths is that it forces even surface level readers to first see Erkin and Kaya as individuals first and then as each other love interestsšš I really hope the artist works on more projects in the future man dang
Same. He's by far my most favorite male lead ever. A very interesting character and I wish more authors used his characterisation as a blueprint of sorts....so at the very least we wouldn't have a sea of bland forgettable male leads.Ā
Agreed! Also, if u r looking for smth like CITT, Imo checkout Kare Kano (shoujo anime+manga). I believe the author got the inspiration of CITT from there. Theyāre not really alike, but youāll understand that the most base plot themes+characteristics of characters are more or less very similarāØ U could say CITT is a more well developed and very elevated version of Kare Kano.
Mid 90s to early 2000s shoujo mangas always hit me just right! The art , the emotions , all of it! I donāt even really like romance anymore but even then
I second this. He had his own goals, morals, and principles even before meeting the FL. He may look very strong and composed on the surface, but the way the writing keeps undercutting his composure in small moments makes him a lot more layered. He has so many vulnerabilities inside him, and the more the story progresses, the more we get to see his layers. He has a very different mindset when it comes to people than Serena. I really love his growth as a character so far , both as an individual and as Serena's husband.
I love the moral complexity of the ML in The Tyrant Wants to be Good. You really see both of the leads make missteps and grow together. And from my recollection he had a well developed personality too.Ā
I feel like often authors choose the more boring character for the ML, I suppose to avoid controversy? Iāve found most second leads to have way more personality and far better banter with the FL than the ML
Iāve been enjoying Duchess in Ruins. Laslo is pretty great. He actually cares how the female lead is feeling and started out pretty hands-off. Heās certainly not the boring ācold dukeā archetype.
I was hesitant to read it at first, especially since I had finally caught up with āMy In-Laws are Obsessed With Me.ā But this was a good read, Laslo is such a sweetie and totally looked like Aizawa at the beginning. Well, to me he did.š¤·āāļø
OMG CAIN! I really love him and MC's dynamic so much, it made me crave for similar thriller webtoons with the same dynamic as those two. Was just thinking about Phantom Whispers today and see if it has been updated too š Tho I hope the artist and her baby are doing well. I'll patiently wait for the manhwa for as long as it takes.
I don't know about other leads, but I really agree with your statement in regard of yu jung from cheese in the trap. He is one of the best written character, not like those typical leads who are just in the manhwa for their looks. Most of the leads don't show any character development, they just revolve around fl and that is their life.
iām trying to think of ml in other stories and some of them do have a good personality and are interesting personality wise but they donāt develop or exist outside of the female lead, we donāt ever see them without the female lead and Iām just now realizing thisšš
Yu Jung has to be my one of the most fav character. I get why most ppl hates on him bt his character is such an intricate mix of crazy and calm, it feels very human. it was pleasant to read how his character changed bit by bit after meeting Hong.. Ik some ppl mark him as a sociopath bt I never felt it tht way. To me he felt like a very calculative person who had to be tht way to protect what he deemed precious.. He has emotions bt he was taught to not show it and somehow with time it became his default. I wish I could read the story for first time again
He puts on a persuade of charisma while manipulating other people. He purposely set up Beak to get his hands crushed he was a pianist because he was annoyed by him. Very Tonya Harding . Psychopathic behavior
Heās yandree male lead type thatās what all yandere types do, but he didnāt do any harm to other ppl unless heās provoked and he didnāt do anything beyond limit like harming other ppl or killing like other yandree. But since heās so smart and always one step ahead, his actions seem more wicked. He manipulate ppl who are going to be a threat to either him or his beloved ones. Here comes another one Inho can do nothing wrong Baek Inhoās the victim of Jung, whereas Inho himself is the one who caused his own misfortune. Has this thought ever crossed in your mind that if Inho didnāt belittle other ppl, wasnāt arrogant and knew when to shut his mouth and didnāt make enemies around himself, none of this would have happened. There were always ppl who hated him and seek to harm him and revenge on him, he was safe only because he was protected by Jung before and bec heās Jungās friend. So when Jung stopped caring about him, enemies that he made all along because of his arrogance and the blabbering mouth that never knows when to shut up, everyone took the chance to harm him. Even thought he didnāt deserve it, the kid who broke his hand is one at fault, that kid is always dangerous, he always wanted to harm way before he even talked to Jung. Jung isnāt perfect but Inho is also who has victim mentality, canāt see what heās down wrong and blame anyone but himself.
I have read it- and i've read fangirls that make excusive for predator male in comics, especial the romance ones, for years. From the rapist male leads to the trafficker, male character sad you guys give free pass
"I have read it- and i've read fangirls that make excusive for predator male in comics, especial the romance ones, for years. From the rapist male leads to the trafficker, male character sad you guys give free pass"
So this is giving big negative reading comprehension skills and incel energy. I'm up for discussion if you can elaborate in what way Jung compares to litaral human predator, rapists, and trafficker male leads, since you've read it. Id appreciate examples. And don't use Ai :3
Im not saying Jung is a rapist or human trafficker- **you lack reading comprehension.** I said FAN GIRLS- so people like you pookie, who make excuse for predator male leads in romance comics since that's like standard shoujo/josie fan girls lol. "Reading" a person means calling them out š. You going to quote be without even comprehended what the words mean lol
I said he was a psychopath because he is, he is charismatic on the surface and manipulates and blackmails others into getting what he wants. Oh no , you have AI derangement syndrome lol. Well maybe that's why you didn't read what I actual said
The most obvious example is the first arch where he puts Sul in danger with a deranged homeless women and she learns he did it on purpose because she hurt his poor feelings by not liking him lol. Its confirmed like 100 chapters later where its confirmed he had malicious intent to harm her.
From what I remember, heās not the one who put her into danger with deranged homeless woman. It was the other girl whoās jealous of Seol and set up he even called security guard when he knows sheās in danger. Did you read the story till the end?
Other people harming Sul don't take away from Jung action- who is the character I was talking about. First you write a short essay with fetish language now you want to minimize his action because "other people are also bad". But no it was Jung plan specifically, he only got the secruity guard because his "revenge" had gone to far. The only thing Sul did was public state she didn't like him that much.
If someone shots you in the stomach then takes you to the hospital its still assault pookie, they don't cancel each other.
You really are a Ted Bundy girl, excuse for abuser for days.
Is āinsulting other pplā your way of holding arguments when you canāt accept others opinions? Calling me pookie Tedd Bunny girl just to argue about fictional characters is a reach . Like I said Jung is yandere male lead type, no oneās dating yandere in real life, ppl read Yandere story just for entertainment. And no Jung didnāt absolutely plan it to make homeless woman to insult her. If thatās what you thought you need to re-read again or you lack media literacy and it shows. Jung is a red flag, no oneās denying it, but the story sometimes made it seem like he did the things that he actually didnāt including this example. The story tricked the audience by making it seems like he did plan initially by showing the panels he was talking to homeless etc etc, when he actually didnāt, the girl just did it out of jealousy. The story use different angles and unreliable female narrator to twist the situations sometimes , while some of them are his actual schemes some of them are just misunderstandings. For example: when theyāre preparing for the university party, Seol narrative and POV made it seem like he was trying to sabotage her he was being evil, when he was just chilling and trying to help her all along. The biggest sin that he had done to Seol is he gave advice to that stalker, although itās debatable and left to audienceās interpretation to how much extent his intention was, whether he was aware of things will turn out into stalker situation or not . And he also tried to make up for what he did, he tried to help Seol in many ways there were moments his presence and his words have positively influenced Seol and made her at ease. For the schemes that he did to the bad guys, itās up to audienceās perspective. He planned the schemes, but if they werenāt bad guy, they wouldnāt fall in his traps either. Like the bully guy senior, he warned him and tried to ignore what he did to Seol and everyone, he didnāt stop until Jung planned to revenge him back.
I mentioned your were a Teddy Bundy girl because their the arcetype of people that make excuse for abusers, just like Teddy Bundy;s fan girls Which is what you have done through the entire conversation- its not an insult if its the behavior you have displayed pookie
Anyway bringing up your butt hurt feelings is irrevant.
Your fetish for abusive tropes like calling Jung a Yandre
and You making excuse for him putting Sul in danger because "other people do it too" <-- are all characteristics of making excuse.
Also Cheese in the Trap is not done solely from Sul's perspective. The story continuously switches persecutive showing, Jung POV, the other college kids and the Baek siblings. The characters don't need to be real for a viewer to use common sense to understand what the action on the screen are depicting.
So you once again do anything possible to just avoid any genuine rebuttal or addressing Jung's psychopathic behavior. You know the comment you replied to defend Bundy girl ? It also isn't the "audience perspective" its basic human morality/ethics if you think mutilating someone on purpose is acceptable or not. Its not self defense because he isn't actively in danger so their is not excuse- other your fetish. Which you already pointed out you have by using the euphemism of romantical abusive characters before.
Cowardly OP blocked me so- here's my reply to the abuser kinkster below.
Wrong- their are several chapters that are not from Sul's perfective. You seem to not comprehend the fact that because Sul is the protagonist that doesn't mean ever scene is about here lmao.
Anyway this is more moving the goal post form you.
I mentioned how Jung set up a person to be assaulted and after you mentioned your fetish by calling him a Yandre you have yet to debunk if that happened or not just made excuse like "it was someone else fault".
Also their is no acceptable reason to assualt someone Bundy girl :)
If you rape someone, I dont need to see the rapist POV and the victim, turns out its very cut and dry when you assualt someone on if they did it or not. Unless the person is druged or mentaly ill their testimony isn't innnaccurate even if its from one POV.
So abuser apologist your have * continued to deflect and support abuser just like I pointed from point 1 at fan girls
Lied about the story switching POV
Made insane ethical floundering, like defending someone being assaulted if "someone else did it too, now your falsely claiming abuse victims cant be believed . Its not a personal attack ppokie- you are defending Jung's abuse this whole time and i've read your for filth and describe YOUR direct actions each time.
Ive been wanting to read it ever since I realized how based Non Tua is. I knew it was exellent but put it off with all the tragedy tags. I've kinda read the author's magic witch webtoon too.
Unpopular opinion: male lead from Non Tua was never a red flag or bad person to me. This is a hot take but If you read carefully, heās the kindest person and the most logical one in the series. But since heās a non-virgin male lead / a prostitute, readers despise him like heās a non redeemable war criminal as soon as he appeared in the first few chapters. The way that he hated women initially also made sense, cuz there was no woman around him who never insulted him, didnāt use him as an object and respect him as a human being. If the role is reversed and the FL hate men for the same reason, she would be praised
This should be a more popular opinion. And I didn't see him as a red flag for the reasons mentioned b
ut more because I kinda sensed he was involved/predicted with the princess early on in the story. Exellent points that you wrote.Ā
Omg, fellow Non Tua enjoyer here! I read WhaleStar after discovering Non Tua and I'm just going to say: I know the author is going to serve a Michelin five star meal with thier newest work, Like i just know it. Regardless of how the story will play out, I loved seeing Leonides being written as an actual person who has his own personality and who actually clashes with the female lead due to the difference in class and beliefs. It made their entanglement much more interesting. He assumes Vibia is a naive preistess and meanwhile, there she is playing 4D Chess to survive. Perhaps, if he knew the extent of her intelligence, he'd fall for her even more because her being exists more out of just being the object of somebody's love (ironic, since she believes she belongs to Vesta until her service her ends).
And Cain from Phantom Whispers sort of reminded me of Monoma from My Hero Academia (lol maybe it's just Cain's empty grins we sometimes see), but nonetheless, I loved the chemistry he has with Noa
If you have better well written males leads to suggest I'm waitingš.
Erkin is a very well written character. Other threads on The Spark in your Eyes explain it well. He's even arguably the protagonist in the beginning too. Idk what you are on bruh
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u/No_Arugula_8912 Jul 02 '26
Especially in the more shounen-leaning webtoons/manhwa where most MMCs that I've seen feels like the plankest of plank wood I have ever seen