r/webtoons • u/MysterPrincess • 57m ago
Discussion I feel like a lot of manhwa readers aren't ready for morally gray stories
I love morally gray stories, especially the ones that leave you feeling bitter after a chapter. Maybe a character got a fate they didn't deserve, maybe someone got away with something terrible, or maybe nothing worked out the way you wanted. Sometimes, though, that's exactly what makes more sense for the story.
I've noticed that a lot of manhwa readers (not everyone though) seem to have very specific expectations when they start reading something. When a story goes against those expectations, they criticize it harshly without even giving it a chance, simply because something makes them uncomfortable.
Not every author wants to please their audience. Sometimes, a story is meant to make you angry, disappointed, or uncomfortable. Not every character needs to learn their lesson, face the consequences they deserve, or get a redemption arc. Real people don't always do those things, so why should fiction be obligated to?
Of course, criticizing writing is perfectly valid!!! But there's a difference between pointing out flaws and deciding a story is bad simply because it doesn't follow the narrative or moral direction you wanted.
I'm curious to know if I'm one of the only ones who thinks this way; I understand that some stories are really bad too, okay? I mean more about stories that are really well-written, but people don't even give them a chance because of something.
However, it's important to point out that if you have well-defined limits on what you read, that's perfectly fine too!!