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The Villain Wants to Live / Злодей Хочет Жить
Ким Уджин перевоплотился в злодея из игры, одним из разработчиков которой он является. Теперь его имя Деклейн, самый ненавистный персонаж в игре, об убийстве которого мечтают многие. Как выжить в мире игры, где по сценарию твой персонаж умирает в 999 случаях из 1000?
- GenresFantasy
5000 pages, Unknown Binding
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29 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 8, 2023
If to judge by the worst part - 1 star is max.
If to judge by the best part(s) - 5 stars.
After reflections, all in all, at the end... 4 stars.
A few emotional parts. A few interesting twists. And a bunch of creative ideas.
If to judge by the best part(s) - 5 stars.
After reflections, all in all, at the end... 4 stars.
A few emotional parts. A few interesting twists. And a bunch of creative ideas.
January 25, 2025
I do like stories about antiheroes, hidden plot and non-OP characters.
November 28, 2022
‘The Villain Wants to Live’ is a book about a programmer transmigrating into the game he is finishing. He transmigrated into a character that he was just working on; a villain that was destined to die no matter what path it took. The character’s name was Deculein. This character was cold, emotionless, and cared very much about his image as a well-known genius professor. He was a character that would do anything to keep this title. And just as the name of this novel, Kim Woojin, the programmer, wanted to live.
This web novel is very intriguing and detailed, the only downside of it being the lack of romance; in other words, the lack of a successful relationship between the main character, Kim The novel has plotted many knots in the plot from the very beginning to be unfolded later on. The knots being secret characters of great importance, new villains, upcoming problems, and death traps for the main characters. Clues and mentions of these characters or events, that effects the major rising action of the plot, are often covered with obvious foreshadowing.
This causes readers to forget these clues and focus on the content of the foreshadowing instead. When a major character appears or a major event occurs, it becomes unexpected. As a result, I focus even more when reading; to catch on to these hints and clues. Not only does this make the novel intriguing and interesting, but it also allowed me to notice the effort the author has put into writing the details and background of the novel.
This web novel is by the author Jee Gab Song, who has been very detailed with all of his writing that I’ve read so far. Since the setting of this novel is a world of magic with technology that matches the ones from our present world, a lot of explanation is needed. And Jee Gab Song doesn’t take this lightly.
To make the novel seem realistic, the author has added not just explanations for how magic worked, but discussions of elder magicians, knowledge Kim Woojin had as a programmer, history, formulas, and theories behind most -if not- all the magic spells mentioned in the novel, even precise methods for calculation for something like the density of magic in an area.
Although a lot of the time readers don’t understand this as this specific information really isn’t important to reading comprehension. I mean, even though I don’t understand most of the theory since I do not use magic, but, such efforts have really made this world inside this novel seem real. This has evoked quite a bit of my appreciation for Jee Gab Song’s hard work and is one of the reseasons I’ve reread this 362-chapter novel, twice. The only thing that frustrates me is the romance in this novel.
I do not want to spoil much, so I’ll be very vague. There are so many female characters that the main character, Kim Woojin/Deculein, had a chance with. But did he take it? No. He either broke their hearts, was too scared of creating a new pathway to death, or just didn’t even bother to give them a chance. If he was a little more aware and brave he would have had 3-4 lovers. As a reader seeing both Kim Woojin/Deculein’s thoughts and the other party’s feelings, the romance in this novel hasn’t been really satisfying.
This web novel is a great novel to read, especially for those who like deep plots, complicated relationships, and magic action. This novel really isn’t simple; you can’t easily determine the bad guys without paying close -enough- attention. But this novel does have a strong main character and doesn’t have too much romance. In conclusion, it’s a 4 out of 5 web novel set in a magical world inside a game that wouldn’t waste a fantasy fan's time.
This web novel is very intriguing and detailed, the only downside of it being the lack of romance; in other words, the lack of a successful relationship between the main character, Kim The novel has plotted many knots in the plot from the very beginning to be unfolded later on. The knots being secret characters of great importance, new villains, upcoming problems, and death traps for the main characters. Clues and mentions of these characters or events, that effects the major rising action of the plot, are often covered with obvious foreshadowing.
This causes readers to forget these clues and focus on the content of the foreshadowing instead. When a major character appears or a major event occurs, it becomes unexpected. As a result, I focus even more when reading; to catch on to these hints and clues. Not only does this make the novel intriguing and interesting, but it also allowed me to notice the effort the author has put into writing the details and background of the novel.
This web novel is by the author Jee Gab Song, who has been very detailed with all of his writing that I’ve read so far. Since the setting of this novel is a world of magic with technology that matches the ones from our present world, a lot of explanation is needed. And Jee Gab Song doesn’t take this lightly.
To make the novel seem realistic, the author has added not just explanations for how magic worked, but discussions of elder magicians, knowledge Kim Woojin had as a programmer, history, formulas, and theories behind most -if not- all the magic spells mentioned in the novel, even precise methods for calculation for something like the density of magic in an area.
Although a lot of the time readers don’t understand this as this specific information really isn’t important to reading comprehension. I mean, even though I don’t understand most of the theory since I do not use magic, but, such efforts have really made this world inside this novel seem real. This has evoked quite a bit of my appreciation for Jee Gab Song’s hard work and is one of the reseasons I’ve reread this 362-chapter novel, twice. The only thing that frustrates me is the romance in this novel.
I do not want to spoil much, so I’ll be very vague. There are so many female characters that the main character, Kim Woojin/Deculein, had a chance with. But did he take it? No. He either broke their hearts, was too scared of creating a new pathway to death, or just didn’t even bother to give them a chance. If he was a little more aware and brave he would have had 3-4 lovers. As a reader seeing both Kim Woojin/Deculein’s thoughts and the other party’s feelings, the romance in this novel hasn’t been really satisfying.
This web novel is a great novel to read, especially for those who like deep plots, complicated relationships, and magic action. This novel really isn’t simple; you can’t easily determine the bad guys without paying close -enough- attention. But this novel does have a strong main character and doesn’t have too much romance. In conclusion, it’s a 4 out of 5 web novel set in a magical world inside a game that wouldn’t waste a fantasy fan's time.
November 27, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up. This review is for the Webtoon "The Villain's Survival Route" (available on Tapas), which is currently on hiatus after season 1.
I really enjoyed this! It has a lot of typical fun tropes, but often with a fresh flair:
- an MC with weird powers that makes them sort of OP in their own special ways (the 'appraisal' style skill), and then a better understanding of magic that makes them more efficient/skilled with less overall power.
- The MC is also a villain/villainess destined for death, so they have to try hard to overcome the inertia of their characterisation. I especially liked the fact that Deculaine genuinely seems like a dick, not just a misunderstood loner; the MC, Woojin, has his work cut out for him changing his image without having a complete personality change. And he still keeps the same kind of cutting/aloof demeanour.
- a magical school setting, except that the MC is the teacher, not a student, so there's a nice twist to the typical rivalries and competitions and duels and battles that we know and love from that setting.
- a transmigrator's knowledge of the future and thus ability to manipulate it, but also a slightly patchy knowledge because he didn't make the whole game, only parts of it.
- unresolved mysteries and things the OP doesn't know about that keep you engaged with the overall plot.
- (I've seen a few comments about this turning into a harem storyline, but I haven't seen any evidence of it? Lots of female characters, but they're not in love with the MC or anything.)
My favourite part of this story is the very subtle romance subplot. Woojin never forgets his origins as a game designer, and thinks frequently about getting home and missing his ex-gf (another of the game's designers) and interacts with the easter eggs that she left behind in the game. That makes it even more satisfying when it becomes apparent that she's also been transmigrated into the game.
The art is also excellent - very polished and consistent. It looks like it's done by a studio. The MC, in particular, is always aesthetic.
The biggest thing this is missing is an overarching storyline that is more compelling than just "don't die" - I want the MC to have more of an idea of what he wants, and to tell us. He knows what the game's storyline is, but hasn't clued the reader in, so instead it's very episodic with the MC just defeating one death flag after another, not actually moving towards a goal, or trying to get home or anything like that. It would be more fun to see him actively trying to save the world, or trying harder to get home.
Overall, this was really fun. All the tropes I know and love, but with fresh takes to keep it interesting; excellent art; solid storytelling, and fun characters.
I really enjoyed this! It has a lot of typical fun tropes, but often with a fresh flair:
- an MC with weird powers that makes them sort of OP in their own special ways (the 'appraisal' style skill), and then a better understanding of magic that makes them more efficient/skilled with less overall power.
- The MC is also a villain/villainess destined for death, so they have to try hard to overcome the inertia of their characterisation. I especially liked the fact that Deculaine genuinely seems like a dick, not just a misunderstood loner; the MC, Woojin, has his work cut out for him changing his image without having a complete personality change. And he still keeps the same kind of cutting/aloof demeanour.
- a magical school setting, except that the MC is the teacher, not a student, so there's a nice twist to the typical rivalries and competitions and duels and battles that we know and love from that setting.
- a transmigrator's knowledge of the future and thus ability to manipulate it, but also a slightly patchy knowledge because he didn't make the whole game, only parts of it.
- unresolved mysteries and things the OP doesn't know about that keep you engaged with the overall plot.
- (I've seen a few comments about this turning into a harem storyline, but I haven't seen any evidence of it? Lots of female characters, but they're not in love with the MC or anything.)
My favourite part of this story is the very subtle romance subplot. Woojin never forgets his origins as a game designer, and thinks frequently about getting home and missing his ex-gf (another of the game's designers) and interacts with the easter eggs that she left behind in the game. That makes it even more satisfying when it becomes apparent that she's also been transmigrated into the game.
The art is also excellent - very polished and consistent. It looks like it's done by a studio. The MC, in particular, is always aesthetic.
The biggest thing this is missing is an overarching storyline that is more compelling than just "don't die" - I want the MC to have more of an idea of what he wants, and to tell us. He knows what the game's storyline is, but hasn't clued the reader in, so instead it's very episodic with the MC just defeating one death flag after another, not actually moving towards a goal, or trying to get home or anything like that. It would be more fun to see him actively trying to save the world, or trying harder to get home.
Overall, this was really fun. All the tropes I know and love, but with fresh takes to keep it interesting; excellent art; solid storytelling, and fun characters.
June 3, 2025
Dear Jee Gab Song,
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for The Villain Wants to Live.
The story was not only touching but also incredibly funny. The main character's clean, sarcastic, and sometimes comically blunt personality made me laugh so much — especially in his interactions with Epherene, who quickly became one of my favorite characters.
I truly appreciate how you balanced emotion and humor in a way that felt natural and genuine.
And thank you for giving the story a proper and satisfying ending. I loved it.
Even if this message never reaches you, I just want you to know that your work brought joy and comfort to a reader far away — all the way from Brazil.
With heartfelt thanks,
Boaz Santos
From Brazil
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for The Villain Wants to Live.
The story was not only touching but also incredibly funny. The main character's clean, sarcastic, and sometimes comically blunt personality made me laugh so much — especially in his interactions with Epherene, who quickly became one of my favorite characters.
I truly appreciate how you balanced emotion and humor in a way that felt natural and genuine.
And thank you for giving the story a proper and satisfying ending. I loved it.
Even if this message never reaches you, I just want you to know that your work brought joy and comfort to a reader far away — all the way from Brazil.
With heartfelt thanks,
Boaz Santos
From Brazil
November 29, 2025
4.5
This book is really good in my opinion because of its special magic system and plot. I loved Deculein’s, the main character’s traits and how it played together with Kim Woojin’s as the story progressed. However, i feel like the ending was a little imperfect and rushed as there could have been a little more to be added.
This book is really good in my opinion because of its special magic system and plot. I loved Deculein’s, the main character’s traits and how it played together with Kim Woojin’s as the story progressed. However, i feel like the ending was a little imperfect and rushed as there could have been a little more to be added.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews