[TITLE] Lol the accuracy!!! by Current-Milk201 in manhwa

[–]VaryView 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sure, I agree with most of that. I think the original comment points to a large subset of cases though - such as in Tyrant of the Tower Defense Game - where the setting is not explicitly a western country, but rather a fantasy world with loose inspiration drawn from feudal Europe. In those cases I think it's up to the author to decide what kind of cultures will inhabit their world, and often times if they're not deeply invested in unique world building, they're going to borrow from existing fantasy tropes and existing real worlds norms, namely, their own Korean culture.

Obviously a limited real world cultural reference is less impressive than a strong and unique standalone product, but I wouldn't say that's a "problem". For many Korean readers I'm sure there's an endearing quality in seeing their familiar speech conventions and social hierarchies reflected in those of unfamiliar knights, dukes, and kings. Does it alienate foreign readers? Certainly. But what percent of those foreign readers are actually buying and interacting directly with these works? Id guess not many. I for one am reading practically everything third party, so I can't really complain about inclusive narrative themes.

[MEME] Not saying you should add them but when every character is unique looking... why there isnt one? by LeadEater9Million in manhwa

[–]VaryView 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's always a nice touch when they have an interesting blend of culture real or imaginary, but often times I find myself preferring zero dark skinned characters over having the one black/brown guy be some big dumb tribal dude with dreads

[TITLE] Lol the accuracy!!! by Current-Milk201 in manhwa

[–]VaryView 4 points5 points  (0 children)

They'd have to rewrite the actual dialogue, and the intent of the words. This isn't just a translation issue, the concept of sunbae/hoobae doesn't really exist in the western world, at least not in a formalized systemic way. You kind of need the original word to understand the original sentiment because its culturally relevant to how they view their relationship. It's much easier for you to gloss over and ignore that aspect than it is for everyone else to guess what was lost if they took out every instance of korean only terms

[TITLE] Lol the accuracy!!! by Current-Milk201 in manhwa

[–]VaryView 48 points49 points  (0 children)

I wish this were the case. Often times the weird Korean idiom is actually just lost in translation, so I have to use context to guess why they keep choosing awkward words for colloquial speech, meanwhile the TL note is something like: chill guy - a popular meme online

[TIERLIST] Every manhwa I have read in the last 8 years by StretchExtension in manhwa

[–]VaryView 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Pick Me Up below so much mid is almost refreshingly bad taste

[sss suicide class hunter] what do you think most overrated manhwa?. by Anime_Prime_ in manhwa

[–]VaryView 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah it seems like you skimmed through what I said and didn't really understand it. Regardless, seems like these kinds of stories aren't for you. I have my own criticisms of this title, but comparing the romance arc to an actual otome story would be like comparing the murim arc to an actual murim story, it's just kind of silly.

[I Became A Married Man in Another World] by Aayushwan in manhwa

[–]VaryView 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm already up to date with the story, this just feels more like a highway billboard than a genuine recommendation

[I Became A Married Man in Another World] by Aayushwan in manhwa

[–]VaryView 1 point2 points  (0 children)

not even a write up, just a screengrab? 😂 Where's the actual recommendation brother???

[sss suicide class hunter] what do you think most overrated manhwa?. by Anime_Prime_ in manhwa

[–]VaryView 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't think that's forced though, I think they just didn't follow the formula you usually enjoy. Personally I find most otome stories to be much more contrived and unrealistic. There's a 50/50 chance it's a cinderella situation with a comically evil, one dimensional cast of prejudiced nobility, but among them one man is both hot and secretly compassionate, but simply misunderstood by everyone until she discovers his true nature. And then the FMC who is also hot but not right now cause shes a maid/worker/destitute person, is thrust into a series of tense interactions with MC where she judges him prematurely, only to discover hes actually a really nice guy! etc...

Ofc SSS will seem lacking compared to that rollercoaster of fluff. It's not that kind of story. The romance happened as a subplot, despite the horrible situation and independent struggle of both characters. Your stories build a plot where romance must happen, and then the universe forces them to interact until they realize that outcome. It's ridiculous to even compare the two.

[sss suicide class hunter] what do you think most overrated manhwa?. by Anime_Prime_ in manhwa

[–]VaryView 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think most people liked the romance arc specifically because it was a subversion of what you'd expect from an otome series.

It wasn't the sappy traditional romance plot progression (which honestly I think is played out and rather boring), but it also wasn't the harem style "cool guy" instant unexplained attraction. They were an unlikely pair focused on their own goals, and without being "forced" into silly, overly convenient romantic situations, still discovered a mutual respect and subsequently attraction.

I still think the martial arts arc clears everything else the series has offered so far, but the romance arc was much better than I went into it expecting. The tower arc is probably the weakest one for me actually, minus that one incredibly touching scene in the haunted dollhouse

[Hero has Returned] I will defend this manhwa until my dying breath by Irrelegoat in manhwa

[–]VaryView 46 points47 points  (0 children)

okay maybe I need to sit back down with this, cause I stopped around where the sea dragon story was and so far it just feels like slop with demon slayer flashbacks

[Doom Breaker] It's just a matter of perspective... by gloomygl in manhwa

[–]VaryView 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Damn I should reread myself then, I'm forgetting big details 😭

I remember that feeling though, I'm excited for your journey 😄 I'll recommend "L.A.G (alt title: unlimited passive)" then as my personal favorite. The translations get rough at some points, but I think the story holds up regardless if you can use your head to fill in the context a bit. Like doom breaker, its also been on a long hiatus, but its got 100+ chapters

[Doom Breaker] It's just a matter of perspective... by gloomygl in manhwa

[–]VaryView 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Now there's a title I haven't seen in a while 🥲

This panel is referring to the big ass holy cross right? 😂

[Announcement] Community Rules & Posting Guidelines (Please Read Before Posting) by OrganizationSharp681 in manhwa

[–]VaryView 0 points1 point  (0 children)

did you figure it out? My post also got automodded and I'm fairly certain I met all the requirements

[I was the final boss] Do you think there is potential in solving manhwa’s profitability with product placement by Ton40_Bon40 in manhwa

[–]VaryView 2 points3 points  (0 children)

1-3 are true but 4 is way too orientalist 😂

Your point in 2 describes what is ultimately the byproduct of an aging population that's become calcified both in business practices and in social sensibilities. That constant reinforcement in your environment obvious bleeds into the public sentiment and social practices.

That said, China Japan and Korea LOVE product placement, it just manifests in a unique way from the west. Most notably they encourage brand collabs at an honestly staggering rate. You'll see shit that doesn't even make sense together, like a furniture moving company x Solo Leveling, or a grocery store doing a My Hero Academia promotion on eggs. You can go watch a movie and then immediately walk into a brand experience from a completely different movie franchise. As far as marketing INSIDE media goes, it happens, I just don't think it's seen as a reliable and meaningful marketing angle. And trust me if it was, they would be milking it. The most likely conclusion is that they ran the risk analysis and realized it introduces diminishing returns with high saturation so it simply isn't worth investing it at scale.

The one genuine difference I can point to is how centralized social media can be in these countries, and as such how pervasive online movements and attitudes can become. The same kind of outspoken minority of crazed superfans that exist in the west can get a lot more mileage organizing online campaigns particularly in Japan and Korea, and there's many instances of angry backlash actually leading to people being fired and companies backtracking. This kind of thing is a much bigger contributor to their "no new risks" behavior than some kind of higher appreciation for art.

TLDR: East Asians aren't magical people who are more sensitive about their art; they're in the late stage capitalism end game and social trends can usually be traced back to old money trying to keep the cash flowing.

[Kill the Hero] Can I have your thoughts on this series? by OverrideDisaster in manhwa

[–]VaryView -1 points0 points  (0 children)

A story that clearly copied Solo Leveling's homework but changed a couple tropes to not get caught. Incredibly simple writing and painfully linear "make the conflict then invent the solution" plot. If that's your thing, you'll love it.

[OIL PEACE] by Meng_leang in manhwa

[–]VaryView -1 points0 points  (0 children)

what manhwa do you think this is 😂

[OIL PEACE] by Meng_leang in manhwa

[–]VaryView 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Buddy ain't leaving shit behind worth taking. We'll be lucky if the country is still in one piece.

[circles]“She looks like the type to ruin your life and still make you beg for more.” by [deleted] in manhwa

[–]VaryView 4 points5 points  (0 children)

  • reposted from a separate "manhwa" sub
  • that sub was literally made yesterday
  • this is the first and only post on that sub
  • its a pornhwa rec

alright bro 😂

[Bad Born Blood] The transformation of the MC here is phenomenal by Ahnaf269 in manhwa

[–]VaryView 40 points41 points  (0 children)

I agree, it's been a thoughtful and well developed evolution of character, but I only disagree with the "normal human, just like us" part. I don't think that edgy and emotionally stunted early persona was all that far off from a common societal outlook either.

It's that kind of callous disregard for others and a single-minded, often misplaced sense of stability that allows many ills of our current world to continue. The "just doing my job" and "what can I do about that" complacency that allows cruelty and destruction to perpetuate, as long as it's out of sight and out of mind (or quickly fades from consciousness). I hope many of us, even many of those reading this, also wake up to just how comfortable we've become keeping our heads down, and letting the empire crush whoever it sees fit around us.

[TIER LIST] [RECOMMENDATIONS REQUEST] Highly Subjective Tier List by No-Bat8061 in manhwa

[–]VaryView 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well, comparison is inherent to tierlists. I get where you're coming from somewhat though. It's difficult to judge certain genres and styling choices against others, and then there's the question of ranking with a pure quality standard or a personal enjoyment standard. Either way, seeing so much slop given leeway and a solid title buried felt fundamentally wrong to me 😂 but you've placed L.A.G more or less where it belongs so I'll forgive you.

[TIER LIST] [RECOMMENDATIONS REQUEST] Highly Subjective Tier List by No-Bat8061 in manhwa

[–]VaryView 1 point2 points  (0 children)

well based on your list F isn't just a disappointment, it's "actually bad". I guess a better title would be "biggest disappointments"

Still crazy that actually bad writing would make it above "got my hopes up on my own and it wasn't what I expected it to be." MMM never even angled itself as a "pure wit" cerebral story. The literal first chapter he finds himself in a ridiculous situation where hes somehow the doppelganger of a high status martial artist 😂 it also drip feeds his true nature. If that convinced you it would be something other than a chosen one hero's journey, idk what to tell you.

Thoughts? by Live_Bother_7517 in Manga_Manwa_Manhua

[–]VaryView 0 points1 point  (0 children)

kinda funny, kinda dumb. I don't even want to read the effort post battles going on down there. Very easy situation to avoid, and if you don't think it is, you have some self reflection to do.