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No Moral (Novel) #1

No Moral Vol. 1 (novel)

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Yoonshin is a lawyer who defends the weak and powerless for the public good. Sehun uses underhanded methods to gain the upper hand and come out a winner.

They end up working as partners. But they don't fit. They're like fire and water. Yoonshin doesn't agree with Sehun's ways, and Sehun seems to doubt Yoonshin's competence to get the job done.

But perhaps working together is just what they need to learn more about themselves and overcome each other's differences. And when they do, Sehun finds himself opening up to Yoonshin.

252 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 23, 2020

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Tehanu

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5 stars
134 (50%)
4 stars
80 (29%)
3 stars
41 (15%)
2 stars
9 (3%)
1 star
3 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
Profile Image for Dilushani Jayalath.
1,067 reviews200 followers
July 13, 2023
I am so happy to express my satisfaction with regard to this book. Its plot took me by surprise, as it is a rare find within the genre of Korean novels, diverging from the prevalent reliance on romantic themes. While the book is marketed as a BL romance novel set in a law firm, it admirably portrays the genuine workings of such a corporate setting. The characters, contrary to instantly succumbing to infatuation, nurture their emotions in a manner that authentically mirrors reality. I have noticed that in my recent reviews, I have increasingly employed the phrase "realistically maturing." Evidently, as I grow older, I find myself increasingly drawn to narratives characterized by a more sophisticated plot progression, independent of other themes. This novel effectively embodies all of this, presenting characters who, fortunately, conduct themselves as ordinary individuals in a professional environment, gradually unearthing romance within their own selves.
Profile Image for Bear Reader.
3 reviews
December 21, 2022
This is right on point for slowburn lovers
The way the characters blend in their personalities with each other is just perfect to me, that grumpy x sunshine trope iykyk

I love how the setting is stage in a law firm showing all the practical in court process ets (though some may be true and some for me are quite skeptical) but anyways the way the author presented it really gave a new breather throughout the read

Truth to be told i read the manhwa first but as soon as i heard it was an adaption i just HAD to get my read on the novel

I love how Sehun had lots of development in the novel though he technically still is the same but the way he treats Yoonshin just gives me butterflies all over. Should i say that it was quite of a toe curler too actually with how flirtatious and daring Sehun is.

I definitely suggest you to give it a reader for a fresh not wholly enemies to lovers but more or less kind of feel
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Rebecca.
4,645 reviews69 followers
April 21, 2022
3.5 rounded down because Sehun definitely verges on the unbearable at times. We're given good reasons for that - he's clearly got roughly two tons of emotional garbage that he's toting around from his past - but his actions often plainly make Yoonshin uncomfortable until almost the end of the book, and that's an issue. Otherwise this is a pretty good slow-burn with a lot of interesting detail about the South Korean legal system (how accurate it is I cannot say) and I'll definitely finish the series.
Profile Image for Shan.
372 reviews21 followers
December 3, 2024
The translation quality between WordExcerpt and Tappytoon is so different. Do not buy the Wordexcerpt version! I made that mistake because it was cheaper. their translation sounds so overly formal and rigid, as if it was run through an AI grammar checker. I hate that the only other option is Tappytoon. Tappytoon’s pricing system is borderline exploitative. Unlocking all the chapters cost me around 26,000 coins that’s equivalent to buying three ebooks. Ridiculous. Their coin system for novels seriously needs a revamp.

Tappytoon Version:
"I wanted to know what appeals to you so I can work on that area. I know you find me unsatisfactory, but as long as I choose to remain here, I need to work under you, and I really want to do well.”
"You’ll regret it. I’m very selective. I won’t give you points so easily.”

WordExcerpt Version:
"I simply wish to fathom your preferences to improve in those areas. I understand I fall short of your expectations, but as long as I choose to remain here, I must work under your guidance, and I earnestly aspire to excel."
"You’ll regret it. I’m exceedingly discerning. I won't readily award you points."

I mean, who even talks like that? 🤷🤷🤷🤷
Profile Image for ✨Meli the bookworm✨.
217 reviews24 followers
December 28, 2022
He was arrogant, avaricious, and heartless. If it had even a semblance of legality, he happily traded under the table with anyone. Sometimes, he betrayed his professionalism and resorted to shortcuts.

A solid 4.5 but I am rounding it to 5 because I must definitely gotta give extra love to a book about lawyers; that particular breed, and about how extremely sexy is when characters with quite questionable standards and morals bicker in the most intelligent manner, unwilling to let the other have the last word in an argument, because they know best. Yes, I am talking about you, Senior Attorney Sehun Kang.

Sehun Kang is a smartass, he knows it, he has the brain and skills to back up his attitude and won't hesitate a nanosecond to make you feel like you need to bow to him for the magnanimous act of giving you a fraction of his very expensive time to put you in your place. Yeah, he had me the first moment they described him ridiculing another attorney in his impeccable 3 piece suit.

And then we have Yoonshin Do, altruism and idealism condensed into a person. Someone who has the better judgement than to make friends of Senior Attorney Kang willingly.

The sexual tension that arises from their clashing point of views is splendid. None of them is absolutely wrong. Neither of them is willing to cave. And this is exactly is what makes the experience of reading No Moral absolutely delightful.

Sehun's life always adhered to a logical structure. Nothing bypassed it. From a young age, he had nothing to his name, so he had to teach himself how to survive on society's battlefield. Once he tasted a proper victory for the first time, it felt so thrilling that he studied all the ways he could win and tenaciously clawed his way to his current position. Everything he did had a start, end, cause and result. Every time Yoonshin was involved, however, Sehun felt his logical structure blur.

Just my cup of tea.

Big kudos to the translation team, because as someone who is quite familiar with the legal environment, it was surprisingly gratifying to read how well the translation of the legal terminology was done.
Profile Image for Rebecca Maki.
6 reviews
July 9, 2022
I can't wait for the next two volumes! Sweetly compelling.
Profile Image for Whitney.
26 reviews
November 24, 2022
I enjoyed the book and how everything is being laid out so far. I can't wait to see what Sehun next move will be when it come to Yoonshin. Looking forward to Volume 2 to be published in english
1 review
May 2, 2023
The story is very interesting, the slow burn and the tension between them is really no joke.
Profile Image for Catherine Pikula.
Author 1 book7 followers
Read
July 14, 2023
Oh. my. god.

For anyone that has ever played Ace Attorney and shipped Phoenix x Miles.... this series is 100 percent for you.
Profile Image for Bea.
188 reviews5 followers
February 6, 2025
Three and a half stars, rounded down.

There is a serious lack of licensed Korean BL novels, so when I saw that WordExcerpt finally finished this series and released all the volumes as eBooks, I made sure to snatch them all up, if only to express that there is interest in more Korean BL novels. I think that this is actually quite a highly regarded series, and while this volume drags a little bit, I can definitely see the potential for the series to be great in the next few volumes.

I'll start with my biggest issue with this work, which is the language. I'm not sure if it's the author's writing style or if it's just the translation itself, but the language used - especially in the dialogues - feels so stilted and unnatural. Even if our characters are lawyers, I can't really imagine people in real life speaking this way. An example of dialogue towards the end of the volume is as follows:

"You incessantly captivate my attention. No, I surreptitiously steal glances at you because I'm disturbed by the thought that you might seclude yourself somewhere and weep... The idea that something beyond work preoccupies my mind troubles me greatly. It's driving me insane."

Whereas, in the official manhwa translation, the same piece of dialogue is translated as follows:

"You keep catching my eye. No, it's more like I'm constantly checking to see if you're off somewhere crying again. I hate how my mind is occupied by something other than work. It's driving me insane."

That sounds more like how normal human beings would speak, right? The unnatural-ness of the writing in the novel translation sometimes leads me to actually consulting the manhwa in order for me to get a better idea of what is actually being said. Again, I can't really say if this is a result of the translator or the author's natural writing, but it can get really excessive sometimes.

Other than that, I like it so far. The slow burn is burning slow indeed. This first volume sets the stage for the tension - both professional tension and sexual tension - between our characters, Yoonshin and Sehun. What I appreciate about the characters is how they subvert your typical character tropes. The rich and privileged man who gets a job via nepotism is actually the "nice" character, and the man who is orphaned and was once marginalized is the asshole. Their motivations and the reasons for their actions and behaviors aren't spoon-fed to the reader; it's up to you to dissect exactly why Sehun acts the way he does, not just to Yoonshin but also in general.

The legal aspect also takes the passenger seat in the series (with the romance being in the driver's seat). The characters being lawyers isn't just some whim made up by the author; there is actual legal work described in the novel, and the external conflict is shaping up to be some sort of big legal battle as well. There might be parts of Korean law - especially the ones around marriage and divorce - that may frustrate readers, but those instances in this volume are easy enough to brush off.

Nothing big really happens in this volume, hence the lower rating relative to my other reads. But the tension is there, definitely! In fact, the volume ends in such a way that reassures a dynamic shift in the early parts of the next volume. It's good to read about a drawn-out push-and-pull once in a while.
Profile Image for clarkeackerman.
602 reviews
January 13, 2025
This waa sooooo good. I didn't read the novel but the manhwa included it's second season. I reviewing Vol 1&2 togethrr bc of that.

God, THE SLOWBURN AND THE BANTER IS DELICIOUS. Puff. Sehun was in since minute one. But, oh boy isn't he the best tsundere I've encountered. Hes so distinct. And sweet, cute Yoonshin was so lost in. the beggining, he's such a pure soul. But. He was also so bold simce moment one. He was not afraid to always show his feelimgs. Like, I was shoocked that everytime Sehun teased him with th he gave an earnest answer. Sucj a brave baby.
And I really liked his relationzhip with his sister.

The art of the manhwa was great. And now that I've read the novel as well I can say is a perfect adaptation. I liked it evrn more that the novel, and made want to know more of the story to switch to the LN


The law part was engaging. I was really hoocked to the cases, and the drama at the firm. Specially regarding what Yoonshin 's presence meant for Sehun and Minhee. I'd loved tp know more about her. She's ruthless but kind. But since Sehun' s so closed-up he wasn't involved in the partner' s drama. And the sister's case, Inkyung, in Vol. 3 was my favourite. I loved learning about the Korean law system, specially about divorces. Since the society's so conservative it makes sense that the laws are too and the precedents as well. It was also intersting to see how the public' s opinion influences the veredict, and the importance the media has when portraying the parties, (the women's always go lose) specially when a conglomerate's involved. Chef's kiss.

MY ONLY COMPLAIM IS THAT THE MANHWA IS CENSORED. And the conversations the had in the meantime were relvan to the character' s portrayal. I'm mot a fan of unnecessary smut, so whem it's key to the story it feels so wonky when removed.

That said, I could've read so many more volumes of this. I was fucking hoocked to the pages. I almost had a heart attack trying to find Vol. 4. I'm gonna miss it. Took me totally by surprise, but first fav of 2025. I have reas many manhwa, but I mever expected that one would become fav read
43 reviews
February 5, 2024
THEY'RE LAWYERS. MEN IN FUCKING SUITS. THE PLOTLINE IS ACTUALLY GOOD TOO
Profile Image for Lia Sokolov.
185 reviews22 followers
December 24, 2022
No Moral Vol. 1 (1 al 10)

Calificación: ★★★


description

Aunque leí la novela hace tiempo, pensé que tenía que actualizar, ya que se divide en aprox. 6 vol. que se incluyen historias paralelas. Comencé leyendo el manhwa que es una joya porque tiene todo lo que me gusta, vamos a comenzar con los tropes/tags:

-Slow Burn
-Vibes de Rivals to lovers
-Grumpy (Sehun) x Sunshine (Yoonshin)
-ALTA TENSIÓN GARANTIZADA
-Odio a todo el mundo menos a ti
-Romance en un bufete de abogados
-Adaptación a manhwa


No sé que más agregar, simplemente diré que Kang Sehun es uno de mis tops favoritos, es tan enigmático, odia a todo el mundo, y se siente atraído por Yoonshin. Con los siguientes volúmenes, extenderé la reseña, pero por el momento, creo que los tropes te dicen el resumen.
Profile Image for demi.
180 reviews
December 31, 2024
So far I really enjoy it and I love the tensionnnn. Can’t wait for the next volume
Profile Image for Idalis.
305 reviews4 followers
July 26, 2026
Mấy năm rồi mình mới tìm đọc được một tiểu thuyết BL Hàn tuyệt vời đến mức khiến mình đọc đi đọc lại nhiều phân đoạn đến vậy! À không, không chỉ tóm gọn trong tiểu thuyết hàn, No Moral thực sự là tiểu thuyết BL xuất sắc và ý nghĩa nhất những năm gần đây mình đọc.

Mình bắt đầu với bản manhwa trước, sau đó mới đến bước đọc hoàn chỉnh novel, thứ tự đáng lẽ nên ngược lại.
Nói về bản manhwa, rất lâu mới đọc được một manhwa có cốt truyện trọn vẹn khi vấn đề đặt ra đều được giải quyết triệt để cũng như nhân vật xuất hiện đều mang vai trò và sức nặng riêng, và họ hoàn thành tốt nhiệm vụ được đặt ra. Nét vẽ đẹp, tỉ lệ cơ thể cân đối, biểu cảm khắc hoạt tốt, cảnh làm tình “tình” đúng nghĩa, không trở nên thô tục. Mình rất thích bản manhwa này. Thời điểm mình đọc manhwa chưa ra ngoại truyện nhưng mình tin artist vẫn sẽ làm tốt phần truyện đó và đưa tác phẩm đến đọc giả với chất lượng cực kỳ ấn tượng.
Đến bản novel, cảm nhận đầu tiên là bản eng khó đọc hơn so với mình nghĩ 🙂, trải nghiệm đọc của mình không vui vẻ lắm vì phải liên tục tra từ vựng về một lĩnh vực mà bản thân không hề có chuyên môn, tra từ manhwa đến novel quả không dễ chịu. Không chỉ có thế, bản novel khó tiếp cận hơn manhwa, mình đã phải khổ sở để vượt qua giai đoạn đầu của bộ truyện vì phải làm quen với cách hành văn quá “gọn”, nhịp độ ban đầu không ổn định chút nào, về sau mới có được sự cân bằng chắc chắn.
Qua được giai đoạn khởi đầu, quen được với giọng văn của tác giả thì bộ truyện này trở nên cực kỳ cuốn hút. Như mình đã nói, cốt truyện bộ này quá trọn vẹn, cả ở chính truyện lẫn ngoại truyện, không tồn tại chi tiết thừa dễ phát hiện như các tác phẩm khác, tác giả lên ý tưởng và triển khai chắc tay vô cùng.
Tóm tắt sơ qua nội dung tiểu thuyết: Kang Se Heon - Luật sư hàng đầu Hàn Quốc nổi tiếng máu lạnh, không từ thủ đoạn để giành được chiến thắng trong các phiên xét xử, tính cách khó gần nên không có bất kỳ luật sư tập sự nào làm việc cùng được, đã phải tiếp nhận Do Yoon Shin - một luật sư chuyên nhận các vụ án nhân văn không màng lợi nhuận vào vị trí này vì các yêu cầu, thoả thuận phía công ty đưa ra. Hai người với tính cách như nước với lửa, trái ngược hoàn toàn làm việc với nhau đã xảy ra không ít vấn đề, mâu thuẫn trong suy nghĩ và hành động của họ rất khó để có thể hợp tác và tình cảm nảy sinh là chuyện không ai đoán được.
Ngay khi đọc mình có thể vạch ra ngay 3 lý do khiến mối quan hệ giữa Yoon Shin và Se Heon rất đáng theo dõi:
1. Tác giả xây dựng mối quan hệ theo hướng slow burn. Thay vì để tình cảm nảy sinh đột ngột, tác phẩm dành đủ thời gian để hai nhân vật quan sát, va chạm, hiểu lầm rồi dần thấu hiểu nhau. Chính quá trình tích lũy từng cảm xúc nhỏ khiến mỗi bước tiến trong mối quan hệ đều trở nên thuyết phục.
2. Mối quan hệ yêu đương công sở, cấp trên cấp dưới, còn cùng sống trong khu nhà công vụ, tính cách trái ngược, bên ngoài cư xử bình thường, ở riêng thì làm đủ trò ân ái. Sự mập mờ, nửa kín nửa hở, che đúng nơi, lộ đúng chỗ này rất thu hút. Đặc biệt, công việc của cả 2 là luật sư nên cách giao tiếp, lời ăn tiếng nói hơn thua nhau rất nhiều nên khi theo dõi cứ tự nhiên mà bị cuốn vào lúc nào không hay biết.
3. Cảnh làm tình, cảnh làm tình, cảnh làm tình. Mình cần nhắc lại 3 lần là cảnh làm tình bộ này cực kỳ thú vị, điên hơn mình nghĩ rất nhiều. Nhưng khá hay ho khi nó không hề phản cảm dù nổi bật được ham muốn, dục vọng lẫn tình yêu. Những sự kiện xảy ra trong quá trình làm, tư thế cũng như biểu cảm của hai người cực kỳ lôi cuốn, kể cả quan hệ bình thường hay thô bạo đều để lại những dấu ấn riêng trong câu thoại, trong cách nghĩ hay trong cách cơ thể phản ứng.
Khi theo dõi bộ truyện, mình biết thêm quá nhiều kiến thức về luật, ngành mà mình thấy khá khô khan này trở nên thú vị hơn rất nhiều. Một người ngoài cuộc chưa bao giờ tìm hiểu về luật như mình có thể hiểu toàn bộ nội dung được truyền tải, nên mình nghĩ tác phẩm này rất đáng đọc và thích hợp với đa dạng đối tượng đọc giả.
Nhân vật chính bộ này được xây dựng siêu hay ho, khai thác được cả sự đối nghịch lẫn hoà hợp. Tính cách ban đầu và sự thay đổi dần dần dành cho đối phương đối với mình được xây dựng với điểm 10 tuyệt đối.
Cảm xúc trong bộ truyện được đẩy lên rất đã, chạm được tới mọi cung bậc của nhân vật cũng như người theo dõi. Drama được xây dựng hợp lý, ảnh hưởng phù hợp và giải quyết hiệu quả.
Ngay cả phần ngoại truyện, những diễn biến xảy ra cũng được đầu tư nghiêm túc, khiến mình đánh giá rất cao toàn bộ tiểu thuyết. Kết thúc của bộ truyện cũng thoả mãn mình khi bỏ thời gian đọc.
Thực sự muốn kiếm nhiều điểm để chê cũng khó.
Sau khi đọc cả bản manhwa và novel, tư duy của mình đã thay đổi hoàn toàn so với trước đó. Từ xưa đến giờ, mình luôn cố giữ quan điểm bản gốc sẽ là bản tốt nhất, vì tốt nên mới có các bản chuyển thể và điều đấy đúng với hầu hết tất cả các trường hợp mình trải nghiệm. Tuy nhiên “No moral” bản manhwa hơn cả những gì mình có thể tưởng tượng, nó đảm bảo sự đủ đầy, trọn vẹn của novel, không những vậy còn phát triển tốt vượt mức về hình ảnh, cảm xúc. Manhwa này với mình thực sự tuyệt vời, rất rất lâu rồi mình mới đọc một bản chuyển thể cho mình cảm giác so với nguyên tác có được sự hoàn chỉnh.
Vậy nên mình recommend đọc cả 2, vì bộ truyện này thực sự xuất sắc và nên được biết đến nhiều hơn.
Profile Image for Vivian Lu.
Author 1 book12 followers
January 4, 2023
My library app recommended "No Moral" to me after picking up "Look at Me" even though I didn't love it. "No Moral" was too slow-burn for me and took me way too long to finish because I forgot about it and had to place a hold on it all over again. The second time around, I read it pretty quickly. The story becomes interesting once I get over how annoying Sehun is at times. The chemistry is there, and there is an emerging side plot with Yoonshin's sister. So, I am curious enough to possibly check out the next book, but I'm not jumping at it yet. 3.3/5 ish~ I was intrigued enough to get to the end, even if it took a long time.
33 reviews1 follower
May 6, 2025
🎶 I want to punch Sehun in the face 🎵 (but because he's such an embodiment of a typical corporate lawyer). But despite being borderline unbearable in the beginning halfway out he becomes better. Yooshin on the otherhand, very good person and emotionally mature. Although he hasn't defined his emotions yet, he's an adult enough to face it and confront Sehun about it which make this novel easy to read.
Profile Image for noa A.
618 reviews4 followers
November 9, 2025
I enjoyed the book up until the epilogue — from that point on it was completely unnecessary. Basically: sex, sex, sex.
But aside from that, it’s a great novel. I liked that the characters have depth and that there’s an actual plot around them — not a complicated or deep one, but definitely fun to read.
3.5 stars.
Profile Image for Yen-Mei.
22 reviews
November 19, 2025
veryyyy slow burn and half the time i kept questioning why the mc even liked the ml at all because he's so fucking annoying and such an asshole most of the time

i kept reading because you eventually warm up to the assholery and it does get better! perfect example of a trope where the ml is good to only the mc and no one else lmao
1 review
May 18, 2026
Literally a work of art although ive noticed that the romance kicks in the later volumes(ive read the manhwa version) its still amazing. I was literally debating whether I should re read it halfway through. No joke, please give this a read if you're into a good office romance and an amazing plot.
Profile Image for Anna Bee.
56 reviews3 followers
October 8, 2022
Well... It was intriguing. Very VERY slow burn. Well written. I'm really looking forward to the second part, I hope there will be more action.
Profile Image for Neha D'souza.
247 reviews49 followers
January 18, 2024
Sehun can be vicious at times but book one is definitely the best of the series.
Profile Image for N.
42 reviews
April 2, 2024
i love their chemistry
Profile Image for Asya.
193 reviews
October 29, 2024
This started so good I can see it becoming a 5 star read in the upcoming books 😭 the tension is tensioning
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews