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대리화가 총7권
이름을 빼앗긴 대리화가와 욕망에 사로잡힌 스폰서의 만남!
그림에 천부적인 재능을 타고났지만 가난으로 인해 부모에게 버림받은 이안.
한 화가에게 팔려 감금당한 채 그의 그림을 대신 그리며 키워진다.
어느 날, 초상화를 의뢰하러 온 신흥 상인 레이먼드는 진짜 화가가 이안임을
우연히 알게 되고, 그에게 흥미를 갖게 된다. 이안 역시 레이먼드의 초상화를 그리며
그에게 역시 알 수 없는 감정을 느끼는데….
무명의 화가와 속내를 알 수 없는 부유한 상인의 아슬아슬한 러브스토리.
그림에 천부적인 재능을 타고났지만 가난으로 인해 부모에게 버림받은 이안.
한 화가에게 팔려 감금당한 채 그의 그림을 대신 그리며 키워진다.
어느 날, 초상화를 의뢰하러 온 신흥 상인 레이먼드는 진짜 화가가 이안임을
우연히 알게 되고, 그에게 흥미를 갖게 된다. 이안 역시 레이먼드의 초상화를 그리며
그에게 역시 알 수 없는 감정을 느끼는데….
무명의 화가와 속내를 알 수 없는 부유한 상인의 아슬아슬한 러브스토리.
- GenresManhwaHistoricalRomance
ebook
Published November 17, 2020
28 people are currently reading
427 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
June 19, 2021
Capítulo 24 y enganchadísima a este culebrón. Ian es un amor que debe ser protegido a toda costa.
March 26, 2021
It's one of the best story i've ever read. I can proudly say that's a very well constructed work in all aspects; beautiful art, smooth and natural plot, a heart touching love story.
This story is full of a 'human' characters; love, revenge, doubt, hurt, greed, forgiveness. So rational yet sewn beautifully.
A true masterpiece
Years after, I'll still come back to read it.
Thank you for giving us chance to enjoy your exquisite work, munamu-san.
This story is full of a 'human' characters; love, revenge, doubt, hurt, greed, forgiveness. So rational yet sewn beautifully.
A true masterpiece
Years after, I'll still come back to read it.
Thank you for giving us chance to enjoy your exquisite work, munamu-san.
June 9, 2021
Nice enough story about a painter Ian who was abused by the menacingly Bardi family who “bought” him and then eventually gets rescued by the dashing uke merchant himself, Raymond. I will admit though it did drag on like it is 75 chapters but nonetheless, it’s a pretty alright read to waste time on for the happy ending..
June 7, 2022
I'm so so sorry i couldn't enjoy it at all. I've tried but i still couldn't enjoy it. The art was pretty but the story was tragically bored me. This manhwa just not for me.
April 4, 2021
Não dá pra ser feliz nessa vida! Outro BL decepcionante, só estou dando duas estrelas porque o início foi bom, mas a partir do capítulo 38 o webtoon desandou. Uau, hots sem necessidade e romantização de abuso psicológico? Temos! Sinceramente, cansei de procurar algo decente pra ler nesse ramo, os únicos boys love bons que eu já li foram: Tadaima Okaeri, Kirai de Isasete e Heartstopper, o resto é baboseira.
March 18, 2022
de mis bl favoritos de lejos 💞 los personajes son humanos, se equivocan y no son perfectos pero al final del día terminan asumiendo y remendando sus inseguridades. el epílogo me encantó, una obra de arte de total <3
February 13, 2022
So good omg historical BLs just hit different.
February 19, 2022
Ian ha tenido la inspiración de pintar todo lo que veía a su alrededor desde que era niño. Desafortunadamente, su padre no alentaba esa pérdida de tiempo, así que lo vende a un hombre interesado en el talento de su hijo. Ian cree que ha llegado a un paraíso donde puede pintar cuanto quiera, pero el hombre que lo compró, padre de la familia Bardi, solo desea explotar su talento para obtener renombre a su costa, esclavizado y oculto. Hasta que el comerciante Raymond descubre el secreto de la familia y lo rescata. El problema es que Raymond tiene planes propios para los que necesita el talento de Ian.
~~~
Los primeros capítulos de esta obra estuvieron en descuento y el primer capítulo me intrigó lo suficiente para animarme a comprarla completa en Tappytoon (Si se animan a comprarla, asegúrense que es la versión Mature, que se encuentra en la web, esa contiene escenas explícitas. En la aplicación está la versión soft o para todas las edades).
El arte recuerda un poco a los mangas de mediados de los noventas, que tal vez no es lo más atractivo jamás creado, pero el artista tiene la suficiente maestría para transmitir las emociones de los personajes (y es agradable el contraste entre una historia sobre un mundo lleno de arte expresivo y emocional y que nos la cuenten en blanco y negro. Demuestra el lado menos llamativo del arte). Su estructura de viñetas apiñadas dificulta un poco la lectura, pero no entorpece la fluidez de la trama.
Aquí estamos frente a una historia cruda. Ian es un pintor dotado que es explotado laboral, física, emocional y sexualmente. El que creyó que era un benevolente filántropo, resultó ser un hombre sediento de poder que buscaba aprovechar el talento de Ian y hacerlo pasar como arte de su hijo para ganar conexiones, dinero y renombre. El pobre Ian ha perdido hace mucho la pasión por pintar, solo trabaja en lo que le ordena el señor Bardi y teme las represalias si no cumple con los plazos (que igual llegan aunque cumpla). Pero es precisamente con el encargo de un retrato de un mercader rico que conoce al que será su "salvador", el señor Raymond. Pero este hombre no es el buen samaritano que aparenta ser. En cuanto descubre el engaño de la familia Bardi, planea una forma para liberar a Ian y ganarse su confianza y usarlo para sus propios fines. La venganza es su único objetivo, pero conforme Ian va recuperando poco a poco la alegría de vivir y Raymond convive con él para alentarlo a que vuelva a pintar, descubre que tal vez no es venganza lo que necesita para ser feliz, sino darle una vida mejor a Ian y corresponder sus sentimientos. Pero cuando se ha pasado 20 años planeando el castigo para sus opresores del pasado, ¿cómo puede olvidarlo todo por un chico con el que no tiene futuro, cuando está tan cerca de su objetivo?
Mucha de la psicología de los personajes está construida sobre la sociedad en la que viven. En este país ficticio mezcla de Francia/Inglaterra/Italia de los 1700, la realeza impera por encima de las necesidades o deseos de los civiles. Un título nobiliario equivale a ser intocable y pisotear a los menos favorecidos. Tener dinero no es suficiente si no va acompañado de sangre azul. Raymond, un acaudalado mercader, es visto con desprecio porque su fortuna proviene de ser un prestamista y especulador. Ian es maltratado y abusado por ser pobre, solo es una herramienta. Solo cuando demuestra su talento en el arte, respaldado por la fortuna de Raymond, empieza a labrarse un nombre. Y eso es lo que Raymond necesita de él. Ser el patrocinador de un joven talentoso le abre las puertas a un círculo social que le era inalcanzable, a unas personas de doble moral que fueron las causantes de la tragedia de su familia. Hay una simbiosis pacífica en su relación. Ian puede volcarse en el arte en su máxima expresión y Raymond obtiene prestigio por asociación. Pero el equilibrio se rompe cuando Ian busca una conexión más profunda, que Raymond no puede darle. Desprovisto de amor durante la mayor parte de su vida, Ian empieza a sentir afecto y atracción por ese hombre que lo llena de atenciones. Es esa sociedad reprimida la que orilla a Ian a buscar amor donde pueda encontrarlo, algo susurrado en la oscuridad, oculto a ojos de todos, porque aún cuando Raymond le toma cariño, ambos saben que su relación NO tendrá un felices para siempre.
A diferencia de como suelo hacer con los libros que me gustan, leí muy pausadamente esta historia, unos pocos capítulos al día. Llega un punto donde la relación de Ian y Raymond se estanca y es muy frustrante ver el daño que Ian se causa a sí mismo para poder seguir al lado de su salvador. Es una relación desbalanceada y tóxica con mayúsculas. Mientras progresa la trama del clima político que engendra rebelión en el país, Ian y Raymond son forzados a enfrentarse a una decisión dura: ¿Debe Ian dejar atrás a Raymond para que cumpla con su venganza o debe forzarse a ser un amante oculto? ¿Debe Raymond olvidar todos sus planes o buscar una relación real con Ian? Sufrí y sufrí, pero seguí leyendo. Y lloré de dolor y enojo, pero también de alegría.
Nadie es super bueno, ni super malo. Todos son humanos y tienen motivaciones y metas, y eso los lleva a no tomar las mejores decisiones para sí mismos. Afortunadamente hay evolución de todos los personajes y lo que podría haber sido una tragedia tiene un final satisfactorio. Hago mención especial de un personaje secundario: Nicholas, que al principio buscó a Ian para beneficiarse de su talento como pintor, pero terminó convirtiéndose en un amigo y defensor de su maestro. Es el mejor hombre que conocemos, y me encantó el progreso muy gradual que tuvo su romance con cierto personaje, que también pasó de ser una niñata mimada a una mujer madura y muy centrada. Sin su ayuda, no habría sido posible el final feliz.
Creo que es una historia que vale mucho la pena. Y deben olvidarse de si el dibujo no es super bonito (será que es mi estética, pero a mí los personajes sí me parecen atractivos, no sé a qué vienen tantas reseñas de que están feos). Lo que importa es la historia y eso cumple con creces.
Nivel de Ingles: Intermedio
¿Qué Disfruté?
La trama está bien balanceada entre el romance, la evolución de personajes y el trasfondo de arte y política del país.
¿Qué Prefiero Olvidar?
Lo egoísta de Raymond. En serio que provoca darle unos golpes más de una vez. No se le perdona lo que hizo, pero al menos compensa un poco y comprende lo que es mejor para él, al final.
Citas
What use is revenge anyway... When you have to live the rest of your life deceiving yourself?
In the past, even when things were going exactly as I planned, I felt like I was doing something wrong. But that was because I wasn't doing what was right for me.
~~~
Los primeros capítulos de esta obra estuvieron en descuento y el primer capítulo me intrigó lo suficiente para animarme a comprarla completa en Tappytoon (Si se animan a comprarla, asegúrense que es la versión Mature, que se encuentra en la web, esa contiene escenas explícitas. En la aplicación está la versión soft o para todas las edades).
El arte recuerda un poco a los mangas de mediados de los noventas, que tal vez no es lo más atractivo jamás creado, pero el artista tiene la suficiente maestría para transmitir las emociones de los personajes (y es agradable el contraste entre una historia sobre un mundo lleno de arte expresivo y emocional y que nos la cuenten en blanco y negro. Demuestra el lado menos llamativo del arte). Su estructura de viñetas apiñadas dificulta un poco la lectura, pero no entorpece la fluidez de la trama.
Aquí estamos frente a una historia cruda. Ian es un pintor dotado que es explotado laboral, física, emocional y sexualmente. El que creyó que era un benevolente filántropo, resultó ser un hombre sediento de poder que buscaba aprovechar el talento de Ian y hacerlo pasar como arte de su hijo para ganar conexiones, dinero y renombre. El pobre Ian ha perdido hace mucho la pasión por pintar, solo trabaja en lo que le ordena el señor Bardi y teme las represalias si no cumple con los plazos (que igual llegan aunque cumpla). Pero es precisamente con el encargo de un retrato de un mercader rico que conoce al que será su "salvador", el señor Raymond. Pero este hombre no es el buen samaritano que aparenta ser. En cuanto descubre el engaño de la familia Bardi, planea una forma para liberar a Ian y ganarse su confianza y usarlo para sus propios fines. La venganza es su único objetivo, pero conforme Ian va recuperando poco a poco la alegría de vivir y Raymond convive con él para alentarlo a que vuelva a pintar, descubre que tal vez no es venganza lo que necesita para ser feliz, sino darle una vida mejor a Ian y corresponder sus sentimientos. Pero cuando se ha pasado 20 años planeando el castigo para sus opresores del pasado, ¿cómo puede olvidarlo todo por un chico con el que no tiene futuro, cuando está tan cerca de su objetivo?
Mucha de la psicología de los personajes está construida sobre la sociedad en la que viven. En este país ficticio mezcla de Francia/Inglaterra/Italia de los 1700, la realeza impera por encima de las necesidades o deseos de los civiles. Un título nobiliario equivale a ser intocable y pisotear a los menos favorecidos. Tener dinero no es suficiente si no va acompañado de sangre azul. Raymond, un acaudalado mercader, es visto con desprecio porque su fortuna proviene de ser un prestamista y especulador. Ian es maltratado y abusado por ser pobre, solo es una herramienta. Solo cuando demuestra su talento en el arte, respaldado por la fortuna de Raymond, empieza a labrarse un nombre. Y eso es lo que Raymond necesita de él. Ser el patrocinador de un joven talentoso le abre las puertas a un círculo social que le era inalcanzable, a unas personas de doble moral que fueron las causantes de la tragedia de su familia. Hay una simbiosis pacífica en su relación. Ian puede volcarse en el arte en su máxima expresión y Raymond obtiene prestigio por asociación. Pero el equilibrio se rompe cuando Ian busca una conexión más profunda, que Raymond no puede darle. Desprovisto de amor durante la mayor parte de su vida, Ian empieza a sentir afecto y atracción por ese hombre que lo llena de atenciones. Es esa sociedad reprimida la que orilla a Ian a buscar amor donde pueda encontrarlo, algo susurrado en la oscuridad, oculto a ojos de todos, porque aún cuando Raymond le toma cariño, ambos saben que su relación NO tendrá un felices para siempre.
A diferencia de como suelo hacer con los libros que me gustan, leí muy pausadamente esta historia, unos pocos capítulos al día. Llega un punto donde la relación de Ian y Raymond se estanca y es muy frustrante ver el daño que Ian se causa a sí mismo para poder seguir al lado de su salvador. Es una relación desbalanceada y tóxica con mayúsculas. Mientras progresa la trama del clima político que engendra rebelión en el país, Ian y Raymond son forzados a enfrentarse a una decisión dura: ¿Debe Ian dejar atrás a Raymond para que cumpla con su venganza o debe forzarse a ser un amante oculto? ¿Debe Raymond olvidar todos sus planes o buscar una relación real con Ian? Sufrí y sufrí, pero seguí leyendo. Y lloré de dolor y enojo, pero también de alegría.
Nadie es super bueno, ni super malo. Todos son humanos y tienen motivaciones y metas, y eso los lleva a no tomar las mejores decisiones para sí mismos. Afortunadamente hay evolución de todos los personajes y lo que podría haber sido una tragedia tiene un final satisfactorio. Hago mención especial de un personaje secundario: Nicholas, que al principio buscó a Ian para beneficiarse de su talento como pintor, pero terminó convirtiéndose en un amigo y defensor de su maestro. Es el mejor hombre que conocemos, y me encantó el progreso muy gradual que tuvo su romance con cierto personaje, que también pasó de ser una niñata mimada a una mujer madura y muy centrada. Sin su ayuda, no habría sido posible el final feliz.
Creo que es una historia que vale mucho la pena. Y deben olvidarse de si el dibujo no es super bonito (será que es mi estética, pero a mí los personajes sí me parecen atractivos, no sé a qué vienen tantas reseñas de que están feos). Lo que importa es la historia y eso cumple con creces.
Nivel de Ingles: Intermedio
¿Qué Disfruté?
La trama está bien balanceada entre el romance, la evolución de personajes y el trasfondo de arte y política del país.
¿Qué Prefiero Olvidar?
Lo egoísta de Raymond. En serio que provoca darle unos golpes más de una vez. No se le perdona lo que hizo, pero al menos compensa un poco y comprende lo que es mejor para él, al final.
Citas
What use is revenge anyway... When you have to live the rest of your life deceiving yourself?
In the past, even when things were going exactly as I planned, I felt like I was doing something wrong. But that was because I wasn't doing what was right for me.
July 28, 2023
It’s very good story
Read
July 25, 2025DNF
October 18, 2025
I really liked the ending, just too much suffering along the way till the end. Peak, just ....painful.... but definitely peak...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 7, 2021
This engaging manhwa starts out as a ho-him, formulaic BL whose clunky, old school art is tolerable, at best, and irritatingly ugly, at worst (more on the art later). But as the chapters pass, plot elements accrue, layer on top of layer, until the characters are involved in a multifaceted story that goes from simplistic melodrama to a more sustained study in character and culture. While there’s not much that’s new or noteworthy here, it’s still a skillful narrative that kept me reading way past my bedtime.
The story revolves around Ian, a child prodigy whose paintings stun viewers. He’s abused by his father and eventually sold, ending up in the attic of a renown artist who seeks to exploit his talent. Beaten and raped, he’s forced to paint religious paintings for aristocrats, which are sold as the creations of the artist’s no-talent son. The entrepreneur Raymond Aiden decides to use Ian’s talents for his own ends and rescues him. Raymond, the seme, is a wealthy thug whose drive for vengeance makes him sociopathic, except with his closest servants and, eventually, Ian, the young, frail artist. The reason he seeks revenge unfolds slowly over the course of the story, as does the events in Ian’s life.
Nicholas, Ian’s heterosexual apprentice, is an interesting character. A true friend to Ian, he’s brash and bold even though he has no cultural capital to wield - no money, power, connections or significant talent beyond copy work. Still, he stands up for himself and manages to force the world to make space for him as he is. No wonder Raymond doesn’t like him; their personalities are too similar. But Raymond is a thug and bully, whereas Nicholas’ goal is to grow as an artist and have friends who are authentic.
The country in which the manhwa takes place seems to be a mash up of the 18th century French art world relocated to an Italian-esque nation. We learn there is a well-developed art economy centered around the aristocracy, as in 1700’s France, but the coinage used includes the ‘denari’ (a gloss on Ancient Roman denarii) and the soldis (the word used by Italians when talking about money in everyday conversation). The country’s name is vaguely Italian, Carlino, and it’s more powerful neighbor’s name, Francia, is, well, obvious.
What this manhwa needs is artwork that supports the tone, pace, and setting off the story. The way the characters are drawn is uneven, and the hideous profiles - look up the word ugly and you should find these profiles shown as exemplars - cast an unsavory pall over the entire series. Equally awful is the line work. More than anything, the entire series looks like it was hand drawn using a Sharpie fine line marker. Worse, it’s soaked in an undifferentiated medium-light screentone, the grayness of which saps and shrivels any visual delight I might be tempted to take in the visual narrative.
Rather than evocative contours and descriptive edges that enhance the setting, action, or mood, we find dull outlines applied in an unthinking, uninspired way. It looks like the work of a bored and brain-fogged office worker churning out bland images simply to fill a soul-crushing quota. The line weight is so determinedly even everywhere you look that it’s difficult to decipher a visual hierarchy, thus undermining an important tool for communicating ideas visually. Instead of illustrations that feed and nurture our inner imaginings of this BL world, we’re given coloring book art executed as if by a plodding, robotic algorithm.
All that said, the visual pacing of the work is quite good, and, despite the ugliness, the art is sufficiently effective to bring the story alive in our minds. Sure, close-ups of faces give us blank stares rather than the depiction of emotion, but the storyline keeps setting us up to expect the plot to go one way only to go off in a completely unexpected direction. Engaging and thoughtful, the characters and storyline overcome the art’s limitations to give us a satisfying experience.
The story revolves around Ian, a child prodigy whose paintings stun viewers. He’s abused by his father and eventually sold, ending up in the attic of a renown artist who seeks to exploit his talent. Beaten and raped, he’s forced to paint religious paintings for aristocrats, which are sold as the creations of the artist’s no-talent son. The entrepreneur Raymond Aiden decides to use Ian’s talents for his own ends and rescues him. Raymond, the seme, is a wealthy thug whose drive for vengeance makes him sociopathic, except with his closest servants and, eventually, Ian, the young, frail artist. The reason he seeks revenge unfolds slowly over the course of the story, as does the events in Ian’s life.
Nicholas, Ian’s heterosexual apprentice, is an interesting character. A true friend to Ian, he’s brash and bold even though he has no cultural capital to wield - no money, power, connections or significant talent beyond copy work. Still, he stands up for himself and manages to force the world to make space for him as he is. No wonder Raymond doesn’t like him; their personalities are too similar. But Raymond is a thug and bully, whereas Nicholas’ goal is to grow as an artist and have friends who are authentic.
The country in which the manhwa takes place seems to be a mash up of the 18th century French art world relocated to an Italian-esque nation. We learn there is a well-developed art economy centered around the aristocracy, as in 1700’s France, but the coinage used includes the ‘denari’ (a gloss on Ancient Roman denarii) and the soldis (the word used by Italians when talking about money in everyday conversation). The country’s name is vaguely Italian, Carlino, and it’s more powerful neighbor’s name, Francia, is, well, obvious.
What this manhwa needs is artwork that supports the tone, pace, and setting off the story. The way the characters are drawn is uneven, and the hideous profiles - look up the word ugly and you should find these profiles shown as exemplars - cast an unsavory pall over the entire series. Equally awful is the line work. More than anything, the entire series looks like it was hand drawn using a Sharpie fine line marker. Worse, it’s soaked in an undifferentiated medium-light screentone, the grayness of which saps and shrivels any visual delight I might be tempted to take in the visual narrative.
Rather than evocative contours and descriptive edges that enhance the setting, action, or mood, we find dull outlines applied in an unthinking, uninspired way. It looks like the work of a bored and brain-fogged office worker churning out bland images simply to fill a soul-crushing quota. The line weight is so determinedly even everywhere you look that it’s difficult to decipher a visual hierarchy, thus undermining an important tool for communicating ideas visually. Instead of illustrations that feed and nurture our inner imaginings of this BL world, we’re given coloring book art executed as if by a plodding, robotic algorithm.
All that said, the visual pacing of the work is quite good, and, despite the ugliness, the art is sufficiently effective to bring the story alive in our minds. Sure, close-ups of faces give us blank stares rather than the depiction of emotion, but the storyline keeps setting us up to expect the plot to go one way only to go off in a completely unexpected direction. Engaging and thoughtful, the characters and storyline overcome the art’s limitations to give us a satisfying experience.
May 13, 2025
A Painter Behind the Curtain is probably my favorite BL manhwa I’ve read this year. I binged all the main story chapters in, like, a day and there was nothing more satisfying than immersing myself in a world that speaks to my reader (and fujo) soul. This is easily the most complex BL manhwa I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading, it’s multi-layered in that it heavily builds up both the characters and the setting/plot, and just elicits very visceral emotions from the reader. This definitely was not a light read though, a lot of the scenes were dark and Ian, the MC, was suffering through different types of stressors throughout most of the story. As someone who isn’t an artist and is a casual admirer of art, it was interesting seeing Ian come to terms with what he feels about his art, if it’s something he finds comfort in creating or does it just further remind him of his past trauma.
Ian goes through many journeys in this manhwa, and is introduced to a wholly new world from the tiny room he used to be locked in. And through Raymond, the ML (who isn’t necessarily a good man but is good to and for Ian), Ian starts to slowly understand what a home truly is. Their romance definitely wasn’t easy, Raymond is very ambitious and saves Ian for his own reasons, but seeing him slowly thaw for Ian was the best (and now he just spoils Ian in whatever way he can; the manhwa extras honestly made the story all the more satisfying). And beyond the romance aspect of the story, lies a complex web of politics, classism, art history and revolution that I am so impressed that Munamu-nim took the effort to properly explain and detail.
Although I am happy with how Munamu-nim wrapped A Painter Behind the Curtain up, I am so sad that it had to end. Literally mourning the fact that the artist has no social media thus leaving me with no avenue to stalk them regarding their next works. cries If you’re looking for a BL beyond a quick smutty read and want something with content that’s a little heavier but reads intelligently, then I cannot recommend this enough. (Shout-out to Kris for getting me to read this because BLess. It was an amazing experience.)
Ian goes through many journeys in this manhwa, and is introduced to a wholly new world from the tiny room he used to be locked in. And through Raymond, the ML (who isn’t necessarily a good man but is good to and for Ian), Ian starts to slowly understand what a home truly is. Their romance definitely wasn’t easy, Raymond is very ambitious and saves Ian for his own reasons, but seeing him slowly thaw for Ian was the best (and now he just spoils Ian in whatever way he can; the manhwa extras honestly made the story all the more satisfying). And beyond the romance aspect of the story, lies a complex web of politics, classism, art history and revolution that I am so impressed that Munamu-nim took the effort to properly explain and detail.
Although I am happy with how Munamu-nim wrapped A Painter Behind the Curtain up, I am so sad that it had to end. Literally mourning the fact that the artist has no social media thus leaving me with no avenue to stalk them regarding their next works. cries If you’re looking for a BL beyond a quick smutty read and want something with content that’s a little heavier but reads intelligently, then I cannot recommend this enough. (Shout-out to Kris for getting me to read this because BLess. It was an amazing experience.)
February 18, 2022
The Ending Ian Deserved
I think one of the reasons why I was so unsatisfied with the ending is because I didn't feel like Ian changed that much. He lacked the character development I would've liked to see in him at the end of the story or even in the middle. I mean yeah, it's great that he's happy now, but...Ian is still dependent on Raymond in a way and still insecure that he might leave him or regret choosing him over the princess one day.
I think the ending I wanted to see was seeing Ian cope with his heartbreak and depression, slowly heal from it, and move on with his life; realizing that he didn't need Raymond to find his own happiness. That even if he wasn't with him, even if he chose the princess over him, that didn't mean that he wasn't good enough. That he wasn't capable of being loved. It was simply just Raymond's choice.
And then actually SEEING Ian learn how to take care of himself, be kinder with himself and love himself more. Become more self confident and relaxed enough to tease his friends. To be able to EXPRESS his anger and stand up for himself when people hurt his feelings. I wanted to see Ian become ALIVE as a character, not just staying the same, timid and insecure person he was. I wanted to see him GROW. So when I didn't see that change, it left me unsatisfied and upset. Cause Ian deserves better.
I'm probably the 0.1% majority that feels like this though :\
I think one of the reasons why I was so unsatisfied with the ending is because I didn't feel like Ian changed that much. He lacked the character development I would've liked to see in him at the end of the story or even in the middle. I mean yeah, it's great that he's happy now, but...Ian is still dependent on Raymond in a way and still insecure that he might leave him or regret choosing him over the princess one day.
I think the ending I wanted to see was seeing Ian cope with his heartbreak and depression, slowly heal from it, and move on with his life; realizing that he didn't need Raymond to find his own happiness. That even if he wasn't with him, even if he chose the princess over him, that didn't mean that he wasn't good enough. That he wasn't capable of being loved. It was simply just Raymond's choice.
And then actually SEEING Ian learn how to take care of himself, be kinder with himself and love himself more. Become more self confident and relaxed enough to tease his friends. To be able to EXPRESS his anger and stand up for himself when people hurt his feelings. I wanted to see Ian become ALIVE as a character, not just staying the same, timid and insecure person he was. I wanted to see him GROW. So when I didn't see that change, it left me unsatisfied and upset. Cause Ian deserves better.
I'm probably the 0.1% majority that feels like this though :\
January 28, 2022
I found this story very well thought out. The pacing was just right, and the character development very good. I also appreciate how the author took time to develop the romantic relationship between the two male leads, and did not make it forced. I must say, this story for me is way better than "Painter of the Night." Although they do have their differences, one that stands out is that the romance between Ian and Raymond is believable. I can see how some people would be put off by the art; though I am not an expert, it does come off as a bit impractical to read and not as pleasing to the eye as other stories like POTN. But the development of the story and richness of the characters makes up for that. As for historical accuracy, I also cannot say much about that as I am no expert, but let's just picture it as a romance fantasy set in a make-believe world made to look like an 18th century European country. In any case, I don't think historical accuracy is what people look for when searching for yaoi content.
TW: This story does have elements of sexual assault, but it does not involve the two male leads.
TW: This story does have elements of sexual assault, but it does not involve the two male leads.
April 16, 2022
4.5 ⭐
"A bird that spends its entire life inside a cage cannot dream about the skies."
I was so scared of starting this one, just because A. It's not really my scene and B. I've heard that many of these manga have very explicit (read as: rapey and unnecessary sex between the MCs), which I'm not at ease with.
However, this actually had a structured and complex plot. It flawed quite well and I enjoyed it a lot! And can we talk about the art? It was amazing. Also, it gave me male!Cinderella vibes for some reason haha
My only issue was the amount of time and lying that Raymond did to Ian. Ian was basically a punchbag for most of the narration and it pissed me off to no end. I was about to give a lower rating for that very reason because it was too much Stockholm Syndrome for my taste. Anyway, the author actually redeemed Raymond a little bit. I don't justify the deceiving but both Ian and Raymond had quite the trauma as young kids.
PS. Nicholas, my love, you are the best.
PPS. When I talk about "rapey scenes", I refer to the non-con sexual scenes that authors wrongly address as consensual.
"A bird that spends its entire life inside a cage cannot dream about the skies."
I was so scared of starting this one, just because A. It's not really my scene and B. I've heard that many of these manga have very explicit (read as: rapey and unnecessary sex between the MCs), which I'm not at ease with.
However, this actually had a structured and complex plot. It flawed quite well and I enjoyed it a lot! And can we talk about the art? It was amazing. Also, it gave me male!Cinderella vibes for some reason haha
My only issue was the amount of time and lying that Raymond did to Ian. Ian was basically a punchbag for most of the narration and it pissed me off to no end. I was about to give a lower rating for that very reason because it was too much Stockholm Syndrome for my taste. Anyway, the author actually redeemed Raymond a little bit. I don't justify the deceiving but both Ian and Raymond had quite the trauma as young kids.
PS. Nicholas, my love, you are the best.
PPS. When I talk about "rapey scenes", I refer to the non-con sexual scenes that authors wrongly address as consensual.
May 18, 2021
Sorpresa.
Leído en día y medio.
Buscaba leer un manga histórico y siendo sincera: me picó la curiosidad con el título.
Y de largo es una de las mejors historias que he leído en formato manwha (en el que no soy muy prolífica). Algo que sorprende de A painter behind the curtain es que sin tratarse realmente de un relato histórico, pues no está basado en ningún hecho real, tiene una sólida construcción de universo basados en un hipotético reino con un transfondo que puede asimilarse sin problemas con la Francia pre-revolución.
Una historia de venganzas y reconstrucciones personales fluida, sin golpes de efecto molestos, donde la historia de amor entre los protagonistas no siempre es el argumento principal, sino un aspecto más que empuja o dificulta, que aporta o estorba.
Tomo nota de la autora, espero leer mucho más de ella
Leído en día y medio.
Buscaba leer un manga histórico y siendo sincera: me picó la curiosidad con el título.
Y de largo es una de las mejors historias que he leído en formato manwha (en el que no soy muy prolífica). Algo que sorprende de A painter behind the curtain es que sin tratarse realmente de un relato histórico, pues no está basado en ningún hecho real, tiene una sólida construcción de universo basados en un hipotético reino con un transfondo que puede asimilarse sin problemas con la Francia pre-revolución.
Una historia de venganzas y reconstrucciones personales fluida, sin golpes de efecto molestos, donde la historia de amor entre los protagonistas no siempre es el argumento principal, sino un aspecto más que empuja o dificulta, que aporta o estorba.
Tomo nota de la autora, espero leer mucho más de ella
March 3, 2023
One of my favorite BL manhwa this year, along with Count Tachibana and Beware the Ides of March.
I'm glad I found some good BL manhwas so early in this year hehe.
And I'm preparing myself (well, my wallet, to be precise) to purchase its physical book and merchandises!! Wooohoooo~
Anw!
Sebenarnya agak sedikit kecewa dengan plot yang terlalu cepat dari adegan terakhir Raymond dan Ian terpisah di kota pelabuhan ke adegan (hampir) pernikahan Raymond dan Tuan Putri.
Saya harapnya strategi pemberontakan itu berlangsung 3-4 eps, tahunya cuma 2 eps. Cepeeeett amaaattt. Keburu-buru amaaaattt.
Tapi gak masalah, toh semuanya terbayarkan di Side Story hihi!
I'm glad I found some good BL manhwas so early in this year hehe.
And I'm preparing myself (well, my wallet, to be precise) to purchase its physical book and merchandises!! Wooohoooo~
Anw!
Sebenarnya agak sedikit kecewa dengan plot yang terlalu cepat dari adegan terakhir Raymond dan Ian terpisah di kota pelabuhan ke adegan (hampir) pernikahan Raymond dan Tuan Putri.
Saya harapnya strategi pemberontakan itu berlangsung 3-4 eps, tahunya cuma 2 eps. Cepeeeett amaaattt. Keburu-buru amaaaattt.
Tapi gak masalah, toh semuanya terbayarkan di Side Story hihi!
November 22, 2021
This is one of the best. I cried, smiled, laughed, broke my heart, and became genuinely happy. I can't think of words to explain how much I loved and enjoyed this. I couldn't stop reading it and now, I finished it. The story's so good even the art. This is such a masterpiece, for me at least. I'm so glad that precious Ian and handsome Mr. Raymond got a happy ending. I'm crying it's marvelous! It's beautiful! Idk. My words will never be enough to emphasise how great this is. This is getting redundant. I just love it so much.
February 27, 2022
Rating: 4.25 stars
A flawed but stellar piece.
I would say this is like gay Bridgerton if it was written by more talented people. The world and the art is engaging and immersive. The themes are consistent. The two main characters - particularly Raymond - are very captivating. It is flawed in the sense that the ending lacks the kind of bite I thought the story was going for as well as the fact that some side characters could've been written better.
But overall, this was a thoroughly captivating binge-reading experience.
Easily recommended if you want something good to read.
A flawed but stellar piece.
I would say this is like gay Bridgerton if it was written by more talented people. The world and the art is engaging and immersive. The themes are consistent. The two main characters - particularly Raymond - are very captivating. It is flawed in the sense that the ending lacks the kind of bite I thought the story was going for as well as the fact that some side characters could've been written better.
But overall, this was a thoroughly captivating binge-reading experience.
Easily recommended if you want something good to read.
July 1, 2022
I honestly don't know how to feel about this manhwa, but I do know that I clearly did not enjoy this as much as others seemed to. There is one reason for that - Ian and Raymond. Those two made me question whether or not this was worth the read because of how frustrating they were (and how unhealthy their relationship was...).
If you want to check out my full review, you can find it here on my blog!
If you want to check out my full review, you can find it here on my blog!
October 3, 2021
The artwork is amazing, solid plotline with depth of emotion. I can't stop myself from crying at chapter 62. It's toxic and miserable relationship from beginning, but Ian selfless love win him over. I just love their dynamic and how they never bother to hide their PDA among friends that know about them 🤣
February 21, 2023
Una història preciosa amb una trama complexa i elaborada, personatges molt humans i creïbles i unes il·lustracions ben boniques. Tot i no ser gaire fan dels drames d'època, aquest està molt ben fet i m'ha robat el cor. El passat dels protagonistes és rellevant i està ben integrat a la història i el BL neix d'una manera força creïble. Patint fins l'últim instant, però amb final feliç ♥
May 20, 2023
3.5 ((◍•ᴗ•◍)✧*。
At one point I was scared I would end up in a tragedy but it did. It took me so long to finish bc i continuously forgot I was reading it... I don't get me wrong IT IS A VERY GOOD STORY (for me ofc) but I still prefer fluffiness/silliness/lightheartedness in my bl and this was kinda hard for me to read at times.
At one point I was scared I would end up in a tragedy but it did. It took me so long to finish bc i continuously forgot I was reading it... I don't get me wrong IT IS A VERY GOOD STORY (for me ofc) but I still prefer fluffiness/silliness/lightheartedness in my bl and this was kinda hard for me to read at times.
August 6, 2021
4.5 de hecho. Pero dudando si no merece un 5. Es que realmente sentí que era problemático como a Raymon le valía todo y se iba a casar con la princesa. Pero, era otra época. Idk, de todas formas si la disfrute
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2022
amé muchísimo el romance, drama y detalles de ambientación, pero lo que más disfruté fue el espacio que le dieron a ian y su relación con el arte. definitivamente es una manhwa que merece más atención
February 14, 2022
That was beautiful!! The characters are very well written and the story itself has a nice pacing. The author does a great job of portraying different emotions in each individual character. Honestly, reading this story felt refreshing and soothing and by the end I was left feeling at peace.
October 18, 2022
4.5; Oh that's really nice. Splendid and such a warm experience. The tones of revenge and kindness worked really well here. The politics are not that deep but it was fun indulging myself into it. Such nice read.
March 10, 2023
It was a roller coaster ride and Ray was near unforgivable in my books. But still, it was a happy ending. Ian is just a Mary Sue character, it was painful watching him, them. It was still a nice read.
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