Sung Jinwoo x Cha Haein Rant. Kind of. It's long
Okay, just so things are clear first, I like JinHae. I don't like how canon or how most people portray them. I'll get into why I like them later. Rant first
Disclaimer: I'm not attacking anyone specific. If you feel attacked, uh, whoops?
Now that that's out of the way, I'll start off with canon because I have less to say about that. It's forced and rushed. That's mainly it. The author has Cha Haein be the strongest S-Rank in Korea, which is weird when he also has her be the only one knocked out and almost dying on Jeju (in the novel and not including Min Byungyu)? Be consistent plz. I also don't like the implication for her being the strongest is to be on par with Jinwoo? I get it, but it's very unnecessary. Plus, I think Choi Jongin is the strongest S-Rank in Korea aside from Jinwoo. He doesn't have the title of Ultimate Hunter for no reason. There's also not that much build up for JinHae? They met a couple of times, talked briefly, and suddenly they're perfect for each other? To be fair, the whole story felt a little rushed (manhwa wise), but even Juhee and Jinwoo had more backstory together. Esil and Jinwoo had a whole trip together. Maybe if they fought together instead of just watching each other from the sidelines, I would understand it more, but with the limited interactions, it feels forced and like Haein was written solely to be the love interest, which I dislike
Now for how the fandom portrays them. Whew, where do I even start? I usually avoid JinHae in the fandom because I don't like it, but the art is good. Very cute. It's mostly the fics and headcanons I have problems with. One problem I have is the idea that Jinwoo would be the one to initiate any kind of relationship between them. Man had a crush on Juhee for years and never made a move (author confirmed the crush, you can fight me on that), so what's going to make him start anything with Haein? He literally called her "a friend" on their date thing that he only initiate because he felt obligated to spend time with someone he cared about when the world was literally about to end. Was there attraction? Sure, but he literally waited for a whole war to start before starting anything himself. Haein was the one in the dungeon who was like "Hey, get back here and talk to me-" And not just when they first met, no. When she asked where Jinwoo was on the helicopter to Jeju, when she tried to join his guild, when she was delivering a message from Min Byungyu. If anything Jinwoo initiate that date because of Haein's determination to talk with him despite not being one to socialize much if at all (that's actually why I like them, which makes me dislike it when people have Jinwoo being the one to woo Haein even more)
Another problem I have with people writing them is when their strength in terms of power is heavily emphasized. It really feels like "Oh, they're the strongest hunters in the world! They're made for each other!" No, if you want the strongest hunters, that's Sung Jinwoo x Liu Zhigang, which has no place here in this post *gently brooms the ship away* I don't mind it being mention, but their relationship revolving around that? Zero sense to me. Jinwoo only became strong to protect his family, and Haein just wants a normal life outside of being a hunter (Jongin, take notes, learn to have a work-life balance). They both just want a quiet family life. Why would they make their lives revolve around hunter stuff more than necessary. Sure, they can sparring sessions and casually talk about hunter work, but it's not what their relationship is going to be built on, so it's weird when it's all that goes on in the ship. Maybe they just want to stay home and bake cookies (Jinwoo is the one making the cookies, Haein's just watching)
I also don't get Jinwoo flirting with Haein? Man can't flirt to save his life. Teasing, yes, all the teasing. Lots of cases of that. But being flirty and trying to seduce Haein? I'm gonna puke, but that's because I see Jinwoo the way Jinah sees Jinwoo, so. Yeah, the thought of it is gross to me. No hate if you're into that. Speaking of emotions, this is definitely a personal problem, but I don't get the idea of them having to show their vulnerabilities to each other and trusting each other with their flaws. I'm not saying it makes them weak or inferior or anything, but it's along the same line as focusing on their strength rather than the person that strength belongs to. If you want them to bond over their trauma, go to Lee Juhee x Sung Jinwoo, it's already written out for you. In the case of Jeju, Jinwoo was doing what any person with a shred of humanity would have done and tried to save her while she was still alive. If Byungyu was on the brink of death rather than already being dead, Jinwoo would have done the exact same thing for him
I'm also not saying they can't be vulnerable around each other, but they shouldn't have to be vulnerable for their relationship to be stronger. I think the thing I don't like about the idea of them having breakdowns where one comforts the other is because it doesn't seem realistic for them to do so? Like, if a tragedy happened, sure, they can cry all they want. But them being traumatized from their past and needing comfort from the other? In Haein's case, she was literally meditating after the Jeju raid. She's very capable of handling her emotions herself. Jinwoo, on the other hand, would never be one to open up about those kinds of negative emotions. He wasn't even willing to do so to his family, who he values more than anything. Would they speak about traumatic stuff? Yeah, they could, but I don't think it's going to be one where one of them ends up sobbing. I think they're more feel more emotionally drained by past incidents and just cuddle each other when tired, just happy that they're both safe and sound. They’re both very calm people who I think prefer to deal with venting out their stronger emotions alone before going to their partners to get relaxing cuddles
As for why I like them despite *gestures to the above,* it's because they have a quiet and mature kind of romance. Is it cliche? Definitely, but it's nice to see that kind of romance when it's being shown less and less in mainstream shipping. Couples who show their love through courageous acts is always great to see, but I think the more gentle and subtle kind of love gets overlooked. Jinwoo and Haein don't seem like the super romantic type. Like, they would do romantic things but nothing that would purposefully draw attention for the sole purpose of wooing their partner. They would do little things for each other, like making food, giving little gifts, go on super casual dates, etc. Sure, canon doesn't get into this like, at all, but that's what headcanons are for
Which is why I don't get the hate on JinHae as a ship? The way canon portrays them is indeed awful so I get that, but why are you bashing on the poor girl for literally just existing? Oh no, a female making a move for once towards the *main character*? What a nightmare... "Jinwoo would never get with someone like her" Well, Jinwoo would also never wear fashionable clothing yet that doesn't stop people from putting him in those kinds of clothes. Man would wear a T-shirt and sweatpants on the daily if he didn't live with two woman, one of whom is not going to be embarrassed by her mother's son. He literally only went out of his way to look presentable because he didn't want to embarrass his sister on her school. "Juhee/Esil/another woman" would be better. Maybe, but none of them went out of their way to start something with Jinwoo like Haein did. Juhee tried but got tired of leaving hints and waiting, which I think is fair. She wants something Jinwoo isn't going to give her because of their different preferences in a relationship. Both of them prefer having a partner that initiates rather than being the initiator. It's that meme of "And they both realized they were bottoms-"
Anyone still here? If so, you get a cookie 🍪 If anyone would like to debate any of this or anything else, I'm happy to do so. I enjoy debates. They’re fun. I usually don't though because people get their feelings hurt. We can go at each other while being civil. If you're afraid of getting your feelings hurt, why are you here? The only other thing I do other than rant is talk about ChoiBaek. Now there's a couple that is basically canon without being canon-
