WEBTOON THINGS I HATE

Summary

The video script is a candid critique of common tropes found in webtoons and Korean dramas, particularly those targeting a female audience. The speaker humorously addresses their pet peeves, such as the overuse of 'ugly' characters who are barely distinguishable from others, the prevalence of love triangles, and the unrealistic portrayal of characters, including the 'loser protagonist' and the 'perfect second lead.' The critique also touches on the uncomfortable depiction of 'loli' characters, the concerning themes in boy love (BL) comics, and the lazy use of miscommunication as a plot device. Despite these criticisms, the speaker maintains a lighthearted tone, acknowledging their continued enjoyment of the genre and the appeal of attractive characters. The summary concludes with a reminder that fiction is just that—fiction—and encourages viewers to separate fantasy from reality.

Takeaways

• 🤔 The speaker expresses frustration with the overuse of certain character tropes in webtoons, such as the 'ugly' character who is only distinguished by minor features like glasses.
• 🧐 The speaker challenges societal stereotypes, suggesting that glasses are not nerdy or unattractive, and can actually enhance a character's appeal.
• 😒 There is a critique of the 'same face syndrome' where characters, despite being different, are visually indistinguishable from one another.
• 😡 A dislike for love triangles in romance webtoons is expressed, with the speaker finding them cliché and unrealistic.
• 🙄 The speaker mocks the common portrayal of male leads in webtoons as wealthy, troubled individuals with 'daddy issues', often suffering from PTSD.
• 😌 A secondary male lead is often depicted as perfect and lovable but financially unstable, which the speaker finds to be an unrealistic and unfair portrayal.
• 😕 The portrayal of the main character (MC) in some webtoons as overly young or 'loli' looking is criticized as uncomfortable and inappropriate.
• 😓 Concern is expressed over the prevalence of violence and abusive relationships in BL (boy's love) comics that go viral, suggesting they may not be suitable or healthy for younger audiences.
• 😠 The speaker is critical of 'loser' protagonists in webtoons, arguing that they are one-dimensional and lack depth or relatability.
• 😒 Miscommunication is identified as a common and frustrating plot device that the speaker dislikes, as it often leads to unnecessary conflict and story prolongation.
• 😖 The art style of a webtoon is deemed crucial by the speaker, stating that an unattractive art style can deter readers even if the story is engaging.
• 🧐 The concept of a 'self-insert' protagonist is criticized for being unrealistic and for not allowing the character to develop independently from the author's own experiences.

Q & A

What is the speaker's opinion on the portrayal of characters labeled as 'ugly' in webtoons?

The speaker finds it odd when characters are labeled as 'ugly' but appear almost identical to other characters, differing only by minor features like glasses or pimples. They argue that such portrayals are unrealistic and do not reflect genuine diversity in character design.

Why does the speaker dislike the concept of 'same face syndrome' in webtoons?

The speaker dislikes 'same face syndrome' because it lacks creativity and variety in character design, making it difficult to distinguish between different characters, which can be confusing and unengaging for the audience.

What is the speaker's view on the common trope of the 'CEO or wealthy heir with mommy/daddy issues' in romance webtoons?

The speaker finds this trope to be overused and unrealistic, as it often portrays male leads with stereotypical cold and brooding personalities stemming from unresolved childhood traumas, which they feel is a red flag and an unhealthy representation of relationships.

Why does the speaker criticize the 'love triangle' trope in webtoons?

The speaker criticizes the 'love triangle' trope as it is predictable and cliché, often involving a perfect second male lead who is financially unstable, which the speaker finds to be an unrealistic and shallow basis for character relationships.

What issue does the speaker have with the portrayal of the female lead in certain webtoons?

The speaker takes issue with the portrayal of female leads who are designed to look and act much younger than they are, which they find uncomfortable and inappropriate, especially in the context of romantic relationships.

How does the speaker feel about the content of certain BL (boy love) comics?

The speaker is concerned about the content of some BL comics that go viral, as they often involve violence or torture, which they believe is not healthy and may appeal to a younger audience with certain emotional issues.

What is the speaker's opinion on the 'loser protagonist' trope in webtoons?

The speaker finds the 'loser protagonist' trope to be uninspired and unrelatable because these characters often lack depth and their entire personality is centered around romantic choices rather than personal growth or interests.

Why does the speaker dislike the use of miscommunication as a plot device in webtoons?

The speaker dislikes miscommunication as a plot device because it is often used as a lazy writing technique that leads to unnecessary conflicts and can be resolved quickly with proper communication.

What is the speaker's stance on the importance of art style in webtoons?

The speaker believes that a good art style is crucial for a webtoon's success, as it can compensate for a weak storyline and attract readers who are interested in the visual appeal of the content.

How does the speaker feel about self-insert protagonists in fantasy novels and romance webtoons?

The speaker dislikes self-insert protagonists as they often feel unrealistic and lack flaws, making it difficult for readers to relate to them or find them interesting as characters.

What advice does the speaker give regarding the consumption of webtoons and the understanding of their content?

The speaker advises readers to be aware that webtoons are a form of fiction and not to take the unrealistic portrayals and tropes too seriously, reminding them that true love and relationships are more complex and nuanced than what is often depicted.