Thread of bls that had me binging the entire story in one go
(doesn't automatically mean rlly good, just that they were super easy to keep reading.)
1. Lost in the Cloud
I'm actually glad Lost in the Cloud showed Cirrus' extreme attachment in this panel, because it implies that Cirrus' dependence on Skylar is unhealthily intense.
It's a symptom of all the things he's been through but it's also not romanticizing his clinginess(So far, who knows?)
One thing that I don't see ppl talk abt much is how well LITC conveyed the homosexual experience of thinking a close platonic relationship is something else.
The desire for something more, the bubbling hope that they feel the same way, and accepting the fact they never will.
So we're all noticing how Skylar is mirroring (or returning to) his old-self right?
(I wna talk a little bit more about what this could POSSIBLY mean too)
So ironic cause Paskim obviously put a lot of thought into the bl aspect.
ppl are accusing Paskim of homophobia when they're one of the few bl manhwa authors to make a convincing story of a gay person ACTUALLY BEING AFFECTED BY BEING GAY. I can't stress this enough.
I don't like posting because I don't want to talk about my work, but it seems a bit harsh lately, so I'll write a few words.
Recently, readers who are dissatisfied with the lack of certain characters are saying that I am a homophobe. Are you really serious?
One thing that makes LITC great is how it centers around vulnerability. A lot of the conflicts escalate (from trauma) and are resolved (through opening up) by the characters' emotional vulnerability.
It's almost melodramatic. But Paskim is so good at visual storytelling, that-
It really stings when Skylar asks how Cirrus can love if he's never grown with it.
The line shows he:
- Acknowledges Cirrus' trauma exists
- Has it in mind during this scene
- Knows Cirrus is only happy with him
- And argues that it means his feelings aren't REAL
With this new chapter finally hitting this plotpoint, I wanna talk about Chan-Il and Cirrus' friendship.
(This'll be hastily structured, bare with me) 1/7
#lostinthecloud
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Skylar's mother knows he's gay yet he still goes the extra mile to hide his relationship from her. The source of his anxiety interests me. Not only is he scared of displaying his sexuality, but he's pribably also considering that his Mom would get anxious given-
I actually really like Minwoo as a character.
Skylar's story in Lost in the Cloud sends a powerful thematic message of homosexuality in a conservative society.
Minwoo's internalization of these social norms was strong enough to outweigh a seven year friendship. It was enough-
I want to callback to Paskim's interview where she said Lost in the Cloud 's narrative is designed to expand on Cirrus' character.
Recent events of the story make that WAY more clear. I think Paskim wants Cirrus to hit rock bottom so he can truly grow.
#Lostinthecloud
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What really gets me about this chapter is the fact that after EVERYTHING so far, only now does Cirrus go to Ri-in instead of Skylar.
It means whatever happened is SERIOUS business and it probably has something to do with Cirrus' history with Ri-in too.
SERIOUSLY WHAT HAPPENED?
Since it's hiatus week, I want to talm about some of the ways Skylar and Cirrus' dating problems stem from their trauma. Simply put, their trauma responses are at conflict.
Skylar's manifests more like a fear of attachment. For Cirrus its more like a fear of abandonment.
It's interesting that the general plot (and Skylar's development) revolves around Cirrus' actions:
- He found the photos
- He forced himself on Skylar and made his trauma resurface
- Which also in turn made Skylar come to terms with his lingering feelings for Minwoo+
I can see why people are worried but I rlly think that what we're seeing in this newest LITC chapter is just Skylar's knee-jerk emotional reaction to new information.
Once he's able to process his feelings a little more, he'll probably choose to trust Cirrus. Especially since-
I swear Paskim's lighting makes things looks 10x more gut-wrenching than usual.
I can't read Korean but guessing from the visual context, Skylar knows Cirrus' past, I can't imagine the catharsis I'll feel when I finally get to read this in English
Guys this just means we're gonna get the getting back together trope and when Skylar finally realizes he loves Cirrus it's gonna be the most beautiful thing ever.
#Lostinthecloud
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All the signs pointing towards the newest chapter being about Candy.
First off, the newest chapter is the only time since leaving his home that Cirrus reached out to Ri-in. This means whatever Cirrus is dealing with probably relates to Ri-in in some way.
I get the impression that ever since he was SA'd, Cirrus has always wanted comfort from others.
The fact that he bottled everything ever since he was a child and only felt comfortable telling Skylar means he didn't feel like he had a safespace to tell anyone all this time.
What really gets me about this chapter is the fact that after EVERYTHING so far, only now does Cirrus go to Ri-in instead of Skylar.
It means whatever happened is SERIOUS business and it probably has something to do with Cirrus' history with Ri-in too.
SERIOUSLY WHAT HAPPENED?
I am genuinely so fucking enthralled with the way they portrayed Cirrus' anguish. Can you imagine how CATHARTIC it must be to go through domestic AND sexual abuse and not being able to even talk about it for so long??
Skylar gave him the space to finally cry, and cry he did.
Just thinking about all the shit Cirrus has been through and how he's had to bottle everything up for so fucking long and then getting THIS panel?
Oh my God Paskim you outdid yourself.
The whole "Skyrus didn't communicate" argument doesn't work for me because whether they did or didn't talk to each other before they got to Cirrus' apartment, they're still trying to work things out.
Personally I see this ch as them not yet knowing what words to say but+
I miss the vibes of the early second season. Skylar was getting real friends, he was starting to warm up to Cirrus, and there was a lot of wholesome stuff.
Now everytime there's a new chapter I wanna pull my hair out ๐ญ
The fact that Skylar's future with him is now his dream because Cirrus has never had the chance to explore his own ambitions or what makes him happy before meeting Skylar-
And- and- ๐ญ๐ญ๐ญ
I think the parallel betqeen these two panels is intentional.
And as for what it means, I'm leaning on the more optimistic conclusion that Skylar's processed the emotions in the time between Chan-Il telling him what Cirrus did, and meeting him outside the hospital.
I think out of all the photos this one's my favorite because it shows that Skylar is willing to do cringy lovey-dovey things with Cirrus LMAO
Like this the same dude who panicked cause they were eating together at mcdonalds ๐ญ
Now that the dust has settled I think I can say I'm not a big fan of the writing choices this ch.
Not a single character is approaching this situation rationally.
And before ppl tell me it makes sense. It does, but that doesn't automatically make it a good story choice lol
Just thinking about all the shit Cirrus has been through and how he's had to bottle everything up for so fucking long and then getting THIS panel?
Oh my God Paskim you outdid yourself.
Pay attention to Cirrus' expressions too.
The first time he was HOPING for Skylar to say he cared. The second time it's like he believes Skylar does not. Even though deep down, Cirrus probably still knows he cares.
I still stand by the idea that if Skylar just breaks out of his shell a little more he'd become really popular at school.
Also becoming popular and interacting with more people would just let him realize how much he actually likes being around Cirrus and I wanna see that
Skylar's story is definitely still developing as everything goes on and I'm glad to see it since they spkntaneously decided tod ate.
He's experiencing a proper relationship for the first time and it's evident that he's learning and appreciating Cirrus more as things go on.
The series will end during Skyrus' trip, they'll deal with exams, the conflict with dongsik first
And when they finally get to their trip in the mountains or the beach, they'll look to the clouds and say "I was lost in the cloud till I met you"
HAHSHAHSHS
Every damn time Chan-Il shows up I'm reminded of how important he is.
Has everyone noticed yet that the inciting incidents for the MCs' arcs almost always relates to Chan-Il?
He doesn't have much agency but Chan-Il's not just some side-character and I love that.
for him to recontextualize their entire relationship as disgusting.
That's incredibly fucking tragic and it's why I adore the way Paskim characterized him cause he's so blindly and ignorantly following the social norm, that he didn't even TRY to understand Skylar's position.
I'm seeing people talking about if Skyrus is one-sided, and I honestly think the question itself is faulty.
It's true that Cirrus seems more affectionate but the fact is, they both wanted this. Skylar doesn't know WHY but he's obviously interested. Isn't that enough?
I feel like Cirrus responds to aggression indirectly because every single time he's been honest with his feelings and opened up, it never worked out for him :'))
What's worse is that it seems like Cirrus really takes Skylar's words to heart.
Skylar says he probably doesn't know what love is and now he may actually be doubting his own feelings and maybe even if he's capable of love...