This is definitely going into my Favorites list even though I have some problems with the series. I have not finished the third couple story (which receive their own AU alternate series in Love is an Illusion however:

SPOILER ALERT don't read further if have not finished
First, the somewhat best fleshed out couple was the second couple! (ex-stalker and glasses). Their past was more covered, reasons for being the person they are today, and it also explained why ex-stalker was working instead and not going to campus. I wish however the story covered more of ex-stalker's past, and I wish we got chapters from his point of view. (NOTE: I have yet to finish the series, so maybe the author does this). I loved how much of a contrast their personalities were as a couple.

Second, I think behind the scenes Hyung-jo from the first couple did a lot of reflection, but as they had pointed out, Minjae forgave them very easily....I wish they had dedicated more chapters to the first couple....it was so much angst that got resolved so easily...too easily.... I liked how Hyung-jo changed into a more kind and cute personality type towards the end of the first season so that was a plus compared to all the past angst.

But as I see it, it seems that the author could only cover so much because they wanted to do three couple stories in one series alone, and not stand alone spin-offs. Perhaps this was better? Who knows, maybe spin-offs with too many chapters would have just dragged the story out and become a drag to read.

Overal, as a debut series it was really solid! For what it contained.

... Last updated on April 12th, 2023, 6:20pm

First couple is disgusting af
Minjae is so weak, small , dumb, angel and girly I want to throw up
The other dude keeps saying oh u are pretty, small, u look like a girl, I'm like oh stfu, it's not like all girl 3x smaller than u mf and I'm like author just make him girl at this point. He blush every sec basically ALL THE TIME he is read, BLUSHING and teary eyes, ugh 😩
The dude he like is an abuser but oh he changed suddenly and become a perfect guy so he forgive him for all abuse 🙄 disgusting, hate both of them so much.
+ Fr why both of them without a family lol

I like second couple far better, even they kinda weird too but at least they got family, they got bg and hell they look like boy/man 😭
I like how kisan is younger but the mature one in their rs. Jinhan is the mature kind adult everyone love but deep down he is a broken child who can't live without mock life and even himself, he kinda remind me of Yashiro, both charming , fuked up and destructive. He seriously need someone to depend on.
Kisan try to be the one he can emotionally depend on, he can see that lonely kid in Jinhan.
7/10 just for second couple

... Last updated on May 24th, 2022, 1:36pm

Fargo, Fargo, Fargo... How much can an artists work say about themselves? Quite a lot in Fargo's case. The common elements between "If You Hate Me So" and their more popular work, "Love is an Illusion" tell many tales. Well... Maybe. I don't want to stray into determining what their own personal preferences are, but they certainly seem to like stories involving characters with ambiguous moral virtue.

The thematic consistency across Fargo's work so far is an exploration of love that shouldn't exist. Or more specifically, domineering lust in place of rational love(1*). It's why the omegaverse was a good setting to place "Love is an Illusion" in (also apt title...). I've always been of the mind that omegaverse fiction partakes in allegorical maximalism. Where darker elements of sexuality and romance are taken and made hyper-extreme for the sake of their exploration. There is no vague expression of sexual interest in the omegaverse. Everything is birthed from the deep, dark chthonic ooze of nature.

Unfortunately "If You Hate Me So" doesn't have the excuse of "biology duh xD" to explain away the confusion involved in love birthed from sexual coercion, assault and just general assholery...

Not that I'm a puritan! I do defend contentious depictions of sexual and romantic relationships in fiction (refer to my BJ Alex review teehee). Even in instances where they seem to be sexualising abuse. However, this playbook has gotten old in the yaoi genre. As a gay male myself, said "community" does appear to have norms of sexual behaviour and exploration that would make many a boomer blush vigorously. But is aggression, abuse and violence so common as to warrant such an EXTENSIVE exploration by those who create manga about "us"? Have enough male bodies been puppeteered to play out the raunchy sexual inclinations of the (primarily) female heterosexuals who create these stories?(2*)

So on this backdrop, is "If You Hate..." good? Errrrrrrrrr...

Like, I'm not sure these characters would be likeable even if they weren't acting like total sleazebags. Minjae might have a bit of an arc about standing up for ones self and self-determination. But it's also very hard to take that seriously when his action is in favour of two people who have really done nothing but act in ways that are detrimental to his well being. The climax of the romance, everything apparently resolved, feels disgusting as a result. Generally mediocre presentation salting the wound.

"Oni to Tengoku" is an example of a story with another morally reprehensible character who is likeable despite his existence being one that would be immediately behind bars. The characterisation is just heads and shoulders above "If You Hate...", in fewer chapters at that.

In conclusion "If You Hate..." lacks the compelling elements that would make up for it's sins. I generally come to romance for characters that I myself would like to be wrapped up with (take all the connotations lol). Lovely Complex, Shirayukihime, Cheese in the Trap, All About Lust and Roommates (and so on...) all offer this, and for both characters in the romance at that. "If You Hate..." fails in both regards, and then makes even those outside of our binary distasteful individuals. I'm obviously not enough of a glutton for punishment.

1* I recognise that many wouldn't consider love "rational". But certainly there is more rationality involved in love birthed from pleasant interactions with someone you find sexually attractive versus those from DEEPLY unpleasant interactions.

2* I type this point with slight amusement. Anyone who has read any amount of raunchy female fiction knows that the sort of themes common in yaoi are also found there in their hetero-flavour. I also know NOTHING about Fargo. Not even their basic bio. Because I am what!? Lazy.

If only I can rate the stories separately.

The second couple story is 8.7/10 if not higher. Loved the character of Jinhan so much, the backstory, the character development, everything. He deserved to be happy and get over his trauma, thank god for Kisun's existence (loved him so much as well) they both balanced each other out and the bossy mature side of Kinsun was much needed in Jinhan's life. Loved them so much, I would re-read their story anytime.

Noooow let's give a bit of attention to the first couple, the one the main description above is about. The whole relationship, the characters and the story were TERRIBLE. I read a lot of unconventional, psychological, dark, toxic stories before and I liked them because simply they were conveyed exactly as that, conventional, dark, toxic and deals with psychological aspects. But this one was not that at all, it went from r*pe and assault to "wow you're so pretty you look like a girl I guess I like you" and " oh really, I guess I forgive you and I like you too uwu" It was awful, terribly written and painful to read. 1/10

I hate that the two stories are clamped together. I guess I'll skip the rating for this one.

I love this manhwa, i read this few years ago.. at first this manhwa hurt me so much, ugh the few first chapter makes my maso heart suffer but need moar at same time lololol even this hurt so much, but still i finished this, this manhwa good tho and im maso.. and the art is kinda different with his other work.. but still good, in this manhwa we can see how manhwaga developing his art style, but my fav one work from this manhwaga still love is an illusion.. Dojin and hyesung its soso adorable both in this manhwa or in 'love is an illusion'

Honestly, I don't even know what has been happening in the first couple story. How could anyone think that all the rape was fine and they can be happy later? Minjae has a Stockholm Syndrome, seriously. This was just wrong.
The second couple though, that one was interesting. Jinhan was a crazy character, broken in so many ways that even he wasn't taking himself seriously. Yet, he still wanted Hyung-jo to be happy,

Still, I like Hye-sung and Dojin's relationship the most. I wish it had a proper side story series, not an alternative omegarverse story. The couple from this universe diserved better!

I wonder if there really will be a 3rd season, just like the mangaka wrote.

... Last updated on June 9th, 2020, 3:20pm

Despite the first couple being born of misunderstanding and rape, I found them very compelling. (See Himeowchama’ review for why, because I agree with it!). Second story, not so much. I’m not big on slutty ukes, even ones with backstories. That second story was way too angsty and melodramatic for me and I think it would have been much better just leaving that story off.

It's unfortunate the nice art is wasted on such a heinous plot. I don't think I've encountered such a painfully drawn out rape storyline. I've been tired of this theme and this story really just pushed me over the edge.

Like the other commenter said, this manhwa DOES get a lot better (the main couple starts as explicit rape).

I found the secondary couples much more interesting. Their backgrounds are much more fleshed out and their storylines are more intriguing, imo. I liked Jinhan and Kisan?s story but my favourite was Hye-sung and Dojin?s story.

... Last updated on April 9th, 2018, 2:55pm