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Manhwa Review | Aporia by Seontae

Title: Aporia

Author(s): Seontae

Artist(s): Seontae

Goo Ja-wook is hopelessly in love with the infamous Yoon Gyum. Their relationship began by pure chance. Ja-wook just happened to be scoping out the exclusive club for BDSM enthusiasts, not because he was interested in BDSM, but because his company was being hired to design the space for an upcoming renovation and subsequent event. Ja-wook innocently took a seat at the bar to take down notes and sketch up plans when he was approached by none other than Gyum. Gyum was immediately smitten with Ja-wook, assuming he was a club patron as well, and intent on finding out how compatible they are in the bedroom, invited Ja-wook up to his room. Far too enraptured by Gyum to realize what he’s walking into, Ja-wook happily agrees.

After a steamy night, Ja-wook wants nothing more than to be with Gyum, but rather than be asked out officially, Gyum has a different arrangement in mind. Gyum intends to form a dom-sub relationship with Ja-wook. The main stipulation? They never pry into the other’s personal lives. What Gyum doesn’t realize is that Ja-wook has no interest in being a sub, much less a masochist, but he does have a vested interest in Gyum. Ja-wook agrees for no other reason than that he wants to be with Gyum in any way he can, even if at the risk of his pride and health.

So begins Ja-wook’s nosedive into the world of BDSM.

Title: Discover My Secret

Author(s): Gesshi Natsumura

Artist(s): Gesshi Natsumura

Takumi and Akihiro (Aki, for short) have been good friends for a long time. When they found out they would go to the same college following high school, it was an easy decision for them to move in together. As they expected, their lives as roommates go super smoothly. They share responsibilities, take turns fixing dinner for each other, and are just overall glad to spend time together. Aki loves this setup, though it is a bit painful, as it’s a stark reminder that this is as far as their relationship can go. Aki has been secretly harboring an unrequited love for Takumi for as long as he can remember. Aki is supposedly fine with their friendship, happy to just be close to Takumi and live this platonic domestic lifestyle with his best friend.

That is until his birthday. Aki has finally reached the age where he can drink, and his friends, Takumi included, take him to a bar where he tries as many drinks as possible. By the time the day is done and they’ve opened all the gifts, Aki is completely sloshed. Takumi takes Aki home and tries to put him to bed, but in his drunken state, Aki can’t hold back his feelings anymore. As Takumi gets close, Aki kisses Takumi, leaving him stunned. Will their relationship be able to survive this sudden revelation? Or has Aki’s drunken honesty ruined their friendship forever?

Title: I Love my Best Friend

Author(s): Washio Tobi

Artist(s): Washio Tobi

Yoichi has been in love with Shige for as long as he can remember. Shige was the first person he came out to in high school, and though Shige was accepting and Yoichi also planned on confessing his feelings at the same time, Shige also made it clear he didn’t understand why a man would love another man. Knowing that confessing to Shige would probably mean the end of their relationship, Yoichi buries his love. If he can’t be with Shige romantically, he at least wants to maintain their friendship. It’s painful, but being with Shige any way Yoichi can is worth it.

But his efforts are dashed when Shige approaches him with an odd request: “Let me eat your dick.” Apparently, after suddenly noticing the man in the porn he was watching, he wondered if the woman actually enjoyed giving oral sex or not. Wanting to see for himself if it’s as enjoyable as it seems, Shige wants to try it out on the only person he believes he can trust and who might enjoy it: Yoichi. To say Yoichi is shocked would be an understatement. He’s so shocked that he can’t resist when Shige goes on with his plan.

After all is said and done, can Yoichi continue to be friends with Shige? Or has this physical relationship gone one step too far? One thing’s for sure: No matter how hard he’s tried, his love for Shige has never been buried.

Title: Stigma

Author(s): Marloong

Artist(s): Marloong

Sehyun’s life is shrouded in darkness. He has little to no hope due to the terrible trauma he has experienced at the hands of his guardian, Michael. The only way he can find any semblance of peace is by plunging into the dirty underbelly of the city he lives in, having unsafe sex with strangers, and confirming to himself what everyone believes: he’s trash. He has come to accept this lifestyle until he runs into Boris.

Boris is rude and standoffish, but when he finds a line to an open stall where Sehyun is being endlessly assaulted, he can’t just walk away. Stepping to the front of the line, Boris fights off as many waiting men as possible. Once he’s cleared them all out, he takes a worn Sehyun to a nearby hotel and lets him rest there. It is then that Sehyun admits that he wanted that to happen, which disgusts Boris. Still, Sehyun can’t help being drawn to this bristly white knight.

Sehyun is far from a damsel in distress, but could he still be someone worthy of Boris?

Title: A Stomachful of Secret Delights

Author(s): Tsutako Tsurusawa

Artist(s): Tsutako Tsurusawa

This is the sequel to Saving My Favorite For Last.

Melo suffers from intense anxiety. His anxiety is so strong that he suffers from chronic hematuria, which puts his health on a major decline. The reason for his anxiety? It could be anything, but the main culprit is his lover, Noris. They’d been together for as long as Melo could remember, having been childhood friends since their families were close. From the moment Melo saw Noris eat his food with a smile on his face, Melo made it his mission to marry Noris.

So far, so good, until Melo catches Noris smiling at his new coworker. Melo has never had competition before, having thoroughly monopolized all of Noris’s affection for himself. Melo’s anxiety has reached a fever pitch with a few new suitors hanging around. Not even his meds can stave away the stress anymore, and with the increased pressure, so follows the steep decline of his health. Will Melo be able to keep his one love to himself, or will he die before he even gets the chance?

Title: Wouldn't It Be Nice

Author(s): AM

Artist(s): AM

Hyobin and Gichan have been best friends for a decade. There are no signs that that will change anytime soon, especially when another girlfriend dumps Hyobin. As usual, there is Gichan to pick up the pieces and help Hyobin nurse his broken heart. The two are nearly inseparable, and they know everything there is to know about each other. At least, that’s what Hyobin thinks.

What Hyobin doesn’t know is that Gichan has been fostering a secret, unrequited crush all this time. From the day Gichan met Hyobin, he loved him. Though it’s painful to see Hyobin get his heart broken repeatedly through the years, Gichan is happy to be by Hyobin’s side until Hyobin catches Gichan kissing a man. Realizing that he may not know everything about Gichan, Hyobin feels compelled to take their relationship beyond friendship.

But once they cross this line, will they ever be able to return to the close relationship they’ve had all these years?

Title: I Didn't Mean to Fall in Love

Author(s): Suzumaru Minta

Artist(s): Suzumaru Minta

Yoshino is nearing his thirties and has never been kissed, much less had sex. He’s not totally innocent, though, as he has been playing solo for a long time now. But it’s just not enough anymore, and with Christmas on the horizon, he’s desperate to experience the real thing at least once before he reaches his lonely thirties. So, after listening in on a conversation between his coworkers, he discovers a gay bar and makes his way over after work on Christmas night, which is also his birthday.

While there, he finds himself pretty popular among all the regulars. This bar is unique, though, with two separate sections, one for platonic drinking and fun. In the back, though, is a place for anyone looking for hookups. Before Yoshino can even make his way back there, a silver-haired young man named Rou jumps up to join him. Rou is charming and relaxed and gives Yoshino all the feelings. It isn’t long before they head upstairs for a steamy night together.

With the deed done, Yoshino assumes that would be the first and last time he’d ever have with Rou. Even as he’s accepted this, though, he can’t help but be drawn back again and again for the warm college kid he shared his first time with. So, is this what love is, or is it simply lust?

Title: Talk to Me Tenderly

Author(s): SingSing

Artist(s): SingSing

Gabriel Kee doesn’t know what he wants to do with his life. Having graduated without ever confessing to his crush, his best friend Ray, and still in the closet for the most part, he escapes to the military before coming home and taking a dead-end part-time job at a bar. Realizing his life is going nowhere fast, Gabriel decides if he’s going to be alone, he might as well do something with his free time.

So, he buys a special vibrating toy to help stave away the loneliness and his backdoor virginity. Unfortunately, though, the moment he takes his new playmate out for a spin, it dies on him. In the throes of sexual frustration, Gabriel calls the customer support line for the website he purchased from, only to find his lust reignited by a sensual voice on the other end. He ends up doing just fine without the vibrating toy, thanks to the mystery voice man and finally understands the allure of toys.

However, due to his enthusiastic session, he finds that his little soldier doesn’t want to stand up anymore. Fearful that he’ll never get an erection again, he goes to work and mourns his short and lonely sex life. To his surprise, though, while working the bar, he runs into the very man who put him into this predicament in the first place: Luke, the customer support guy with a sexy voice. Thankfully, all it takes is hearing that voice again to stir those feelings. Now that he knows exactly who this person is, Gabriel must do all he can to make that voice his.

Title: Raveled Tightrope Knot

Author(s): Ship Hita

Artist(s): Ship Hita

Natsuki has carried a torch for Haruomi since they were in high school together. Unfortunately, due to his own insecurities, Natsuki rejected Haruomi when Haruomi confessed to him, and from that point on, they never really spoke again. Years pass, and at a wedding, Natsuki runs into Haruomi. However, Haruomi is no longer the shy, nerdy kid he knew in high school. Instead, Haruomi has become alluring and hypersexual. He’s nothing like the innocent Haruomi he tried to protect by rejecting him all those years ago.

To make up for lost time and for his regret over rejecting Haruomi, Natsuki is determined to get close to Haruomi once again. Though Haruomi still cares for Natsuki, he’s no longer the shy and innocent boy. He’s got jealous lovers Natsuki has to contend with, plus Haruomi is quick to put up a wall between them. Can Natsuki win back a distrustful Haruomi’s heart? Or will a decision he made in high school ruin any chance he has with his long-lost love?

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Manga Review | Discover My Secret by Gesshi Natsumura

Manga Review | I Love my Best Friend by Washio Tobi

Manhwa Review | Stigma by Marloong

Manga Review | A Stomachful of Secret Delights by Tsutako Tsurusawa

Manhwa Review | Wouldn’t It Be Nice by AM

Manga Review | I Didn’t Mean to Fall in Love by Suzumaru Minta

Manhwa Review | Talk to Me Tenderly by SingSing

Manga Review | Raveled Tightrope Knot by Ship Hita

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