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빅 애플 The Big Apple #1
The Big Apple Vol. 1
A gorgeous and full-color BL webtoon/manhwa (comic) about a man leading a double life--and his handsome lover who will stop at nothing to save their relationship. The Mature-rated supernatural thriller comes to print in English at last!
Joachim has a deadly secret: he’s a hitman for the SIA (the “Secret Intelligence Agency”): a covert organization whose operatives possess special abilities. Working in the shadows, Joachim is a trained professional assigned dangerous missions that he executes to perfection. Yet, despite his aptitude for the job, Joachim hates it! He’s constantly caught up in daydreams about quitting his risky life and trading it all for peaceful bliss with his handsome and generous lover, Juergen Eisler. But quitting the Agency is easier said than done.
When Joachim’s latest mission goes awry, he determines to do whatever is necessary to keep Juergen safe—even if it means breaking off their relationship and going dark. Except Juergen isn’t ready to give him up so easily.
Joachim has a deadly secret: he’s a hitman for the SIA (the “Secret Intelligence Agency”): a covert organization whose operatives possess special abilities. Working in the shadows, Joachim is a trained professional assigned dangerous missions that he executes to perfection. Yet, despite his aptitude for the job, Joachim hates it! He’s constantly caught up in daydreams about quitting his risky life and trading it all for peaceful bliss with his handsome and generous lover, Juergen Eisler. But quitting the Agency is easier said than done.
When Joachim’s latest mission goes awry, he determines to do whatever is necessary to keep Juergen safe—even if it means breaking off their relationship and going dark. Except Juergen isn’t ready to give him up so easily.
280 pages, Paperback
Published November 12, 2024
10 people are currently reading
211 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
November 23, 2024
This was very much a introductory volume. The world building and incorporation of supernatural elements is intriguing, but I have more questions than answers. I like the main couple, even if there isn't much depth to their relationship yet. That's intentional on Joachim's part though, as he has a life he has to keep secret. Despite that, he relies on Juergen for moments of respite in his exhausting, often depressing, world. It's clear Juergen has his own secrets though, and it will be interesting to uncover them.
February 14, 2025
A very interesting start to the series and I'm looking forward to picking up Vol. 2 when it releases.
March 3, 2025
I unfortunately was getting bored.. probably won't read any further.
I think I just read it at the wrong time, when thinking about it more.
I think I just read it at the wrong time, when thinking about it more.
December 28, 2024
Nothings really happened in this volume but like to see where the story goes.
November 18, 2024
Reviewer's note: rating is subject to change based on the continuation of the series. based on this first volume alone, I am giving it three stars, but that is based exclusively on this volume and knowing nothing else about the series.
A truly... confusing... volume.
It moved at breakneck speeds and buried the lead so successfully that I was honestly surprised when both the Knights Templar and magic were introduced into the plot -- a plot that I truly don't know what to think about yet, as it seems like a lot of pieces have been set up, but nothing is really in motion -- to the point where the summary on the back of this volume is technically incorrect, because Joachim has not yet decided to break off his relationship with Juergen and go dark. I was waiting for that turning point all volume! But it never came. I can only assume that it will happen next volume because this volume was certainly leading up to that point, and I can only assume that they included it on the back cover of this volume because... nothing really happens in this volume?
Please don't take this the wrong way -- I am interested in seeing where this series goes. The plot and world building pieces that have been set up are interesting. I want to know more about the magic. I want to know why Joachim is a sniper for an organization where everyone else seems to have magic abilities. I want to know why Joachim is a sniper despite his unwillingness to kill. I want to know what is up with Juergen (because he obviously knows SOMETHING) and if his relationship with Joachim is authentic or was established in order to get close to him. I want to know more about the side characters in the SIA and the Knights Templar and discover what their motivations are. I want to know more about the dragon???????????
I am interested. But I am also underwhelmed. I just don't think this volume, by itself, is strong enough to introduce the series. Which makes sense, given this was a Webtoon and not originally written to be a first volume of a series. As such, I am trying to give it the benefit of the doubt that the pacing/plot problems I'm seeing here will quickly be resolved as the plot starts rolling in the second volume, which I will be picking up. As I said, I am interested, and the art is really nice -- so I hope the rest of the series lives up to the hype!
A truly... confusing... volume.
It moved at breakneck speeds and buried the lead so successfully that I was honestly surprised when both the Knights Templar and magic were introduced into the plot -- a plot that I truly don't know what to think about yet, as it seems like a lot of pieces have been set up, but nothing is really in motion -- to the point where the summary on the back of this volume is technically incorrect, because Joachim has not yet decided to break off his relationship with Juergen and go dark. I was waiting for that turning point all volume! But it never came. I can only assume that it will happen next volume because this volume was certainly leading up to that point, and I can only assume that they included it on the back cover of this volume because... nothing really happens in this volume?
Please don't take this the wrong way -- I am interested in seeing where this series goes. The plot and world building pieces that have been set up are interesting. I want to know more about the magic. I want to know why Joachim is a sniper for an organization where everyone else seems to have magic abilities. I want to know why Joachim is a sniper despite his unwillingness to kill. I want to know what is up with Juergen (because he obviously knows SOMETHING) and if his relationship with Joachim is authentic or was established in order to get close to him. I want to know more about the side characters in the SIA and the Knights Templar and discover what their motivations are. I want to know more about the dragon???????????
I am interested. But I am also underwhelmed. I just don't think this volume, by itself, is strong enough to introduce the series. Which makes sense, given this was a Webtoon and not originally written to be a first volume of a series. As such, I am trying to give it the benefit of the doubt that the pacing/plot problems I'm seeing here will quickly be resolved as the plot starts rolling in the second volume, which I will be picking up. As I said, I am interested, and the art is really nice -- so I hope the rest of the series lives up to the hype!
November 20, 2024
Can't say I understood what was going on with the story, which progressed very little in this volume, but the art is super pretty.
Joachim is a Swedish-American sniper for New York City's branch of SIA ("Secret Intelligence Agency"). He works with (and against) a variety of people who have supernatural powers, such as ESP, control over fire or wind, etc. There's also a dragon who rules over the city itself.
There's no indication thus far that Joachim has any special skills, but for some reason he is the only sniper at the agency - or at least in New York. He got roped into this position thanks to his mother's terrible debts (a common theme in manga/manhwa), even though he'd initially thought he was just being hired as a regular security guard.
Again...really, really incomplete backstory. What even makes him so good with weapons? What was he doing prior to this job?
He's also leading a double life, keeping his real job a secret from the boyfriend he's been dating for what must be 2-3 years, since he's been with SIA for 3 years, and he says he met Juergen shortly after starting there. They're in love, etc, but barely know anything about each other.
It seems pretty obvious that Juergen is probably some sort of rival agent, or maybe a supernatural being (another dragon...? are his "beads" going to be explained at any point...?). But for now, Joachim is just trying to figure out how to maintain his double life without endangering his boyfriend too much. He's already sort of given up on his own likelihood of longterm survival.
The story itself is honestly a bit on the boring side, and it badly needs some actual plot and worldbuilding, and scenes between Joachim and Juergen that aren't just the two of them having sex. But maybe the story will pick up in later volumes. And the art really is gorgeous.
Joachim is a Swedish-American sniper for New York City's branch of SIA ("Secret Intelligence Agency"). He works with (and against) a variety of people who have supernatural powers, such as ESP, control over fire or wind, etc. There's also a dragon who rules over the city itself.
There's no indication thus far that Joachim has any special skills, but for some reason he is the only sniper at the agency - or at least in New York. He got roped into this position thanks to his mother's terrible debts (a common theme in manga/manhwa), even though he'd initially thought he was just being hired as a regular security guard.
Again...really, really incomplete backstory. What even makes him so good with weapons? What was he doing prior to this job?
He's also leading a double life, keeping his real job a secret from the boyfriend he's been dating for what must be 2-3 years, since he's been with SIA for 3 years, and he says he met Juergen shortly after starting there. They're in love, etc, but barely know anything about each other.
It seems pretty obvious that Juergen is probably some sort of rival agent, or maybe a supernatural being (another dragon...? are his "beads" going to be explained at any point...?). But for now, Joachim is just trying to figure out how to maintain his double life without endangering his boyfriend too much. He's already sort of given up on his own likelihood of longterm survival.
The story itself is honestly a bit on the boring side, and it badly needs some actual plot and worldbuilding, and scenes between Joachim and Juergen that aren't just the two of them having sex. But maybe the story will pick up in later volumes. And the art really is gorgeous.
March 10, 2025
I was not expecting this to be a fantasy, but I am not disappointed! The characters are certainly different from the usual BL that I read, but I’m glad for this new one! I definitely think that Juergen is hiding something, may even be a member of the Knights Templar! I can’t wait to see where this goes!
December 22, 2024
3/5stars
This was a fun introductory volume into a new story. Nothing much really happened in this but it set up a lot of what is to come and I am interested to see where this story goes!
This was a fun introductory volume into a new story. Nothing much really happened in this but it set up a lot of what is to come and I am interested to see where this story goes!
January 1, 2025
first book of 2025, starting off right!
February 28, 2025
3 ⭐️
Was not expecting magic to be in this, I thought it’d be a spy mafia kind of manhua. Well, it is but it isn’t 😅
Enjoyed it, but not to an extent where I’d gush over it I guess. There are some sus ppl in this. That guys lover, surely he’s part of the dragon team thingy?
Was not expecting magic to be in this, I thought it’d be a spy mafia kind of manhua. Well, it is but it isn’t 😅
Enjoyed it, but not to an extent where I’d gush over it I guess. There are some sus ppl in this. That guys lover, surely he’s part of the dragon team thingy?
Read
November 18, 2024DNF
November 21, 2024
A good start to series, though this was mostly just a build-up and the events of the description didn’t happen yet. Then again, there’s an interesting plot building that wasn’t mentioned. The world isn’t described much, so I’m not sure if SIA is the good guys and Templars bad or the other way around, but there seems to be magic and dragons at least.
Joachim is the only sniper of SIA, a job he landed in because he has to pay off his mother’s debts. He’s never liked the job, but he can’t quit. Then a mission fails, mostly because it was a set-up, and he’s almost caught by Templars. His boss is relentless though, and he has to finish the job. But the Templars are on his tail and will capture him soon.
Juergen is Joachim’s boyfriend. He’s a rich and handsome businessman, and that’s about the only thing Joachim knows of him. Juergen doesn’t know about Joachim’s true job either. They’ve kept things casual for years, but Juergen is pretty much the only thing that still keeps Joachim going. It’ll be interesting to see what will happen, if the events of the description, Joachim breaking up with Juergen to hide, take place.
Art is full colour and great, but like with all these webtoons that I’ve read in print, the colours aren’t faithful to the original but a bit faded and disappointing. The publisher should really offer an e-book option too, or solely, because these prints aren’t doing them any favours.
Joachim is the only sniper of SIA, a job he landed in because he has to pay off his mother’s debts. He’s never liked the job, but he can’t quit. Then a mission fails, mostly because it was a set-up, and he’s almost caught by Templars. His boss is relentless though, and he has to finish the job. But the Templars are on his tail and will capture him soon.
Juergen is Joachim’s boyfriend. He’s a rich and handsome businessman, and that’s about the only thing Joachim knows of him. Juergen doesn’t know about Joachim’s true job either. They’ve kept things casual for years, but Juergen is pretty much the only thing that still keeps Joachim going. It’ll be interesting to see what will happen, if the events of the description, Joachim breaking up with Juergen to hide, take place.
Art is full colour and great, but like with all these webtoons that I’ve read in print, the colours aren’t faithful to the original but a bit faded and disappointing. The publisher should really offer an e-book option too, or solely, because these prints aren’t doing them any favours.
February 28, 2025
This was a fun, but chaotic, read. Based on the blurb, I thought I was reading a spy/secret agent/mafia/underworld/crime story; but then we took a hard left turn into magic and dragons and knights templar and supernatural powers. Which is not to say that the secret agency or the mafia disappeared, just that all of these things are happening simultaneously and it is as yet unclear how they all fit together. Suffice to say, as an introductory volume, there's a lot to sink your teeth into.
Of course, the window dressing doesn't matter if the romance doesn't hold up, and the dynamic between the two main characters is sufficiently engaging so far. They're cute together and have obvious chemistry, as well as an undercurrent of tension and secrets. There's clearly more to Juergen than what Joachim has bothered to uncover, and Joachim is obviously not as stealthy as he thinks he is.
I'll eagerly await volume 2 because I can't wait to see how all these story threads fit together. A reluctant sniper with debts out the wazoo, a literal dragon, a fire mage, an immortal(?) telepath, the chechen mafia, a 'normal' wall-street lover... who knows where this story will end up?
(Bonus points for this amazing couplet in Joachim's backstory: I felt suffocated by my boss, who kept ordering me to kill people. So naturally I started frequenting gay bars.)
Of course, the window dressing doesn't matter if the romance doesn't hold up, and the dynamic between the two main characters is sufficiently engaging so far. They're cute together and have obvious chemistry, as well as an undercurrent of tension and secrets. There's clearly more to Juergen than what Joachim has bothered to uncover, and Joachim is obviously not as stealthy as he thinks he is.
I'll eagerly await volume 2 because I can't wait to see how all these story threads fit together. A reluctant sniper with debts out the wazoo, a literal dragon, a fire mage, an immortal(?) telepath, the chechen mafia, a 'normal' wall-street lover... who knows where this story will end up?
(Bonus points for this amazing couplet in Joachim's backstory: I felt suffocated by my boss, who kept ordering me to kill people. So naturally I started frequenting gay bars.)
November 27, 2024
The art is excellent, but the story is.... something else.
A lot of it seems to be just bare bones facts about the main character, and it's kind of unsatisfying? I want to know more about the characters. I want to know more about the side characters. The art is incredible, sure, but putting in a nicely drawn sex scene (or 3) isn't going to make the story more compelling. If anything it makes it even more frustrating to not know anything about the characters. Why does the boyfriend have a "knot" and what is it's purpose?
I also feel, personally, that there were some consent issues happening which really pulls me put of the story, but it wasn't full on non-con or anything like that. It was more dub-con where a character would say stuff like "ow, stop, it hurts" and the partner would completely ignore that, which is a huge issue for me. Personally.
I would like to know more about the characters, although I imagine that this is building up to the boyfriend being a spy on the opposing team or something like that, making it possibly very predictable. But unless future volumes actually go more into the relationships and the characters, I don't really see myself finishing this series.
A lot of it seems to be just bare bones facts about the main character, and it's kind of unsatisfying? I want to know more about the characters. I want to know more about the side characters. The art is incredible, sure, but putting in a nicely drawn sex scene (or 3) isn't going to make the story more compelling. If anything it makes it even more frustrating to not know anything about the characters. Why does the boyfriend have a "knot" and what is it's purpose?
I also feel, personally, that there were some consent issues happening which really pulls me put of the story, but it wasn't full on non-con or anything like that. It was more dub-con where a character would say stuff like "ow, stop, it hurts" and the partner would completely ignore that, which is a huge issue for me. Personally.
I would like to know more about the characters, although I imagine that this is building up to the boyfriend being a spy on the opposing team or something like that, making it possibly very predictable. But unless future volumes actually go more into the relationships and the characters, I don't really see myself finishing this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2024
2.50 ⭐️
¿Qué pasa cuando en una licuadora metés Sr. y Sra. Smith, El señor de los anillos, Game of Thrones, Nueva York moderna, black ops, 50 sombras de Grey, mutantes, BL, una de coca, una fumada, un speed y mucho vodka?
Bueno, el resultado es esto, donde ya desde el primer capítulo nunca entendí qué estaba pasando.
Mi sorpresa fue que nunca sabía qué iba a pasar, pero eso también se volvió mi peor miedo en esta historia.
La terminé? Obvio que sí, porque el arte es exquisito y te encariñás con los personajes.
Ellos crecieron a lo largo de la historia? PARA NADA. Y con la fumantela con la que crearon esta cosa, claramente es difícil crecer como ser vivo si vivís en este manhwa.
Pero a veces hay que leer algo malo para disfrutar lo bueno, o al menos eso dicen.
Recomiendo esta bizarreada sin sentido.
¿Qué pasa cuando en una licuadora metés Sr. y Sra. Smith, El señor de los anillos, Game of Thrones, Nueva York moderna, black ops, 50 sombras de Grey, mutantes, BL, una de coca, una fumada, un speed y mucho vodka?
Bueno, el resultado es esto, donde ya desde el primer capítulo nunca entendí qué estaba pasando.
Mi sorpresa fue que nunca sabía qué iba a pasar, pero eso también se volvió mi peor miedo en esta historia.
La terminé? Obvio que sí, porque el arte es exquisito y te encariñás con los personajes.
Ellos crecieron a lo largo de la historia? PARA NADA. Y con la fumantela con la que crearon esta cosa, claramente es difícil crecer como ser vivo si vivís en este manhwa.
Pero a veces hay que leer algo malo para disfrutar lo bueno, o al menos eso dicen.
Recomiendo esta bizarreada sin sentido.
February 20, 2025
Mmm… no. The art was good, in a straightforward manga sort of way. The story was almost interesting, but then pivoted to sex to keep attention. The characters lacked depth, so their relationship followed suit, and the sex did not seem inspired. If anything it bordered on unpleasant. I had never heard of this title, just picked it up at a local manga shop that I wanted to support. I thought, “Oh, mature gay manga? Sounds fun.” Happy I supported that store, but would have preferred to save my money and have read this for free online. Only not a one star because I’m not upset that I read it. Would not recommend, though.
November 16, 2025
I feel like this had a lot of potential. The art is divine. The MC isn't some talentless pushover. The ML fooled everyone. I'm not sure why but the whole time it felt like nothing happened? The whole locked up arc took way too long. There were like next to no action scenes. Also I have no idea why the MC is working in an office given the nature of his job. Everything felt so pointless? The antagonists were nowhere near antagonizing enough. I wish we saw the MC's backstory because I still have no idea why he has debts to begin with. I really liked Esper and Wind Mage. I don't know the whole thing just felt like a lost opportunity. The art certainly carried.
December 5, 2024
It started off like a spy thriller and then bam hit me with magic when there was no hint of it in the beginning. If there was then it either flew over my head or I just did not pay enough attention. Our main character is a sniper that wants to quit the business. He fumbles a mission and stresses about it for almost the whole volume. Meanwhile he has a hunk of a man that he spends some quality time with😏 but also keeps his sniper life a secret from him. Yet there something fishy about his lover. I feel like he’s hiding something as well. Let’s see what’s to come in the next volume.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Currently reading
March 18, 2025The Big Apple (빅 애플; Big Apple) by Harusari, Ill. Hodot
Type: Manhwa
Genre/Tropes: BL, Mature, Dark, Yaoi, Fantasy, Obsessive ML, Toxic
Where:TappyToon
Languages: Korean, English
Warnings: Non-Con, Sexual Themes
Status: Complete
Description: Johan, a Swedish gay office worker has moved to New York to work at a small company. Unbeknown to everybody, he's actually an assassin who kills Wizards belonging to a secret society. What happens when he's caught by his lover, Juergen when he fails an assignment?
Type: Manhwa
Genre/Tropes: BL, Mature, Dark, Yaoi, Fantasy, Obsessive ML, Toxic
Where:TappyToon
Languages: Korean, English
Warnings: Non-Con, Sexual Themes
Status: Complete
Description: Johan, a Swedish gay office worker has moved to New York to work at a small company. Unbeknown to everybody, he's actually an assassin who kills Wizards belonging to a secret society. What happens when he's caught by his lover, Juergen when he fails an assignment?
January 14, 2025
I really like the premise of the novel, storywise. An assasin for a secret agency with supernatural abilities? Different from what I expected, but I can roll with it. Have an inkling that Juergen might be on the opposite side of Joachim's job. What if it's an eventual double cross? Curious because neither are being honest with each other.
Anyways, sex scenes are subpar. Love the art but not getting me excited. Maybe next novel will be better? I'm in it largely for the plot, at this point.
Anyways, sex scenes are subpar. Love the art but not getting me excited. Maybe next novel will be better? I'm in it largely for the plot, at this point.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2025
Overall I did enjoy the book. I'm curious to find out more about the characters and the conflict. I feel like the smut scenes were incorporated a bit forcefully, however; they felt unnecessary or too sudden. I would've liked to see those scenes incorporated in a way that actually felt important to the story rather than what felt like just adding sex for the sake of there being sex. Hoping to read Volume 2 soon.
August 4, 2024
3,5* jako cely online pribeh .... Jako takhle, kdyby se aspon trochu osekaly s€x sceny v prvnim volumku, tak by se to dalo zkratit na jednu knihu a mohlo to byt fakt dobry. Takhle verim, ze vetsina lidi to po prvni knize vzda a k tomu deji ve dvojce se nedopracuji. A pritom to mohlo byt tak zajimavy.
November 5, 2025
Okay like first what is with BL manga and characters acting like they’re not enjoying the sex? Maybe it’s just me but it feels so weird every time.
I’m intrigued by the characters being more than human but it barely gets explored in this volume so I’m hoping for more of that in volume 2.
I really hope that it turns out both Jeurgen and Joachim are assassins!
I’m intrigued by the characters being more than human but it barely gets explored in this volume so I’m hoping for more of that in volume 2.
I really hope that it turns out both Jeurgen and Joachim are assassins!
September 29, 2025
This was… not good. Laughably incorrect about NYC, random plot points coming out of nowhere, all of the sex scenes feeling very very pushy on the seme’s part. Just overall not a series I can get behind.
October 27, 2024
art is flawless 🫰
November 26, 2024
This was okay for what it was. I don't think I'll pick up the second volume, only because it's not quite my cup of tea.
December 29, 2024
This one is for all the BL and urban fantasy girlie's out there!
May 13, 2025
4 ⭐️ Very excited to continue this story! The art style in this one was great, and I’m so intrigued by the characters and looking forward to what’s next to come.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews