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Rating(3.6 / 5.0, 168 votes)
5    39% (66 votes)
4    23% (39 votes)
3    14% (23 votes)
2    10% (16 votes)
1    14% (24 votes)
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Every 112.5 Day(s)
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[Graph]
Weekly Rank: #1448
Monthly Rank: #3024
All Time Rank: #4182
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On 2481 Reading Lists
Monthly Rank: #2733
All Time Rank: #3536

Description

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A woman’s pale shoulder and back appeared in the dark. Soon, a scalding iron brand approached her skin. The iron branded her skin with ‘娼’ to indicate her stigma as a prostitute. With this stamped on her body, she was now branded as a prostitute and could no longer escape this status for the rest of her life.

Amidst the pain burning into her flesh, she remembered. The man who had ruined her family. The man who had killed her family. The man she had once loved. She would have her revenge.

***

EunSeo’s eyes widened in astonishment and fear.

After she had decided to accept her fate as a prostitute, she knew that she wouldn’t be able to reject anyone.

However, not this man. She would accept every other man in the world, but she could never give herself to this man.

“I…” He opened his mouth and spoke in a low, grave voice. “I bought you.”

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낙인
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Recommendations
The Man’s Perfect Wife (1)
Rolling Love (1)
Bloody Romance (1)
When the Witch is Imprinted (1)
Peeking into the Future (1)
Recommendation Lists
  1. better than revenge
  2. Smutt~~
  3. screaming crying perfect storm
  4. PRETTY COVERS #2
  5. Korean R18 Completed

Latest Release

Date Group Release
04/29/20 NoveltyReaders epilogue (end)
04/28/20 NoveltyReaders c5 part2
04/28/20 NoveltyReaders c5 part1
04/27/20 NoveltyReaders c4 part2
04/27/20 NoveltyReaders c4 part1
04/24/20 NoveltyReaders c3 part3
04/24/20 NoveltyReaders c3 part2
04/23/20 NoveltyReaders c3 part1
04/22/20 NoveltyReaders c2 part2
04/22/20 NoveltyReaders c2 part1
04/21/20 NoveltyReaders c1 part2
04/20/20 NoveltyReaders c1 part1
04/17/20 NoveltyReaders prologue
Write a Review
46 Reviews sorted by


Vim
New Vim rated it
April 13, 2024
Status: --
Three stars is generous but honestly would rate this one or two if it weren't for the good translation and promising writing. The author almost had it. It would have been a 5 star if she didn't force the HE route and threw all that good angsty build up for that s*upid bland second chance white picket fence ending that is so fragile--- ... more>>
Spoiler

FL decided to play happy family with the ML and their child in a remote village they sought refuge as fugitives

[collapse]

It's just a pity bec just like the other commenter have said, if the FL had been successful in her revenge, the story ending in tragedy would've been a better and satisfying character development for the ML and wrap-up to the theme of the story. It would have hammered author's point across the readers that revenge is not the solution, but instead harms more people leaving one exactly becoming the enemy that they viciously despised of. By then revenge becomes pointless and just perpetuates with no clear end.

ML is a s*upid pos that doesn't deserve a HE. There will never be a justification for r*pe. Readers shouldn't be fooled by his lousy justification and 'manifestation' of his 'love'. They've known each other for 6 months at most, all while planning this grand rebellion on the side. It's almost unrealistic how s*upid he is (by trusting one guy) as if the ML was intentionally written passive, watching all this unfold without doing anything just so there could be tragedy to the FL.

Not all characters need to be redeemed. It would have been a good story about a woman being fuxked literally and figuratively all because she and her brother chose the wrong man to trust. 'Impressions could be deceiving', 'dont readily trust a man you've only just known', that would've been a good moral lesson to readers if the author didn't choose the cliche second chance HE route. <<less
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IIyich
IIyich rated it
May 5, 2020
Status: epilogue
2.5 stars: Dark themes don't bother me but I despise how the author tried to redeem the male lead. I would rather this have been a tragic ending because the male lead was a f*cking idiot and their "happy" ending seemed to invalidate the suffering that occurred. I realize the author was trying to portray that revenge is a cycle that must be broken but easily could've done that with a different ending.

... more>>
Spoiler

EunSeo finds out that the reason her brother dies during the rebellion was really because some General Oh trapped him there when the brother was suppose to retire that day and miss the rebellion altogether. The male lead, who basically headed the rebellion, did not know her brother was going to be there and had entrusted the Oh to keep him safe. Oh also lies about EunSeo having to become a prostitute, which she ends up being anyway. Here is my opinion: what a bunch of f*cking bullsh*t. The male lead is s*upid af. You basically are the face of the rebellion but can't make guarantee the safety of one guy that was unrelated to the whole thing in the first place? He also couldn't make sure the woman whose life he just f*cked over would at least be able to escape. All because he trusted some random person to keep their word. I would have preferred for her to continue to be bitter and after killing General Oh and telling the male lead her last act of revenge was making him watch her publically get executed, to reveal that she was also pregnant with their child. That would have been better than them suddenly running away hand in hand and then bam! They have a kid in the distant future in a village they take refuge in.

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anonanemone
anonanemone rated it
December 10, 2020
Status: epilogue
Summary: Yoo EunSeo is a fallen woman. The beloved daughter of a distinguished family, she was sent to a brothel after the successful coup and the subsequent enthronement of a new king. Embittered by betrayal and tragedy brought on by none other than her fiancé, she vows to have her revenge. Heo SeoYoon is a man in hell. Blinded by revenge and a fierce desire to avenge his father's death, he only had his eyes on the neck of the very man who betrayed his family. By a cruel twist... more>> of fate, their paths continuously crossed, effectively weaving their lives together. Drowning in guilt and sadness, SeoYoon tries his best to right his wrongs, but is it too late?

Warning: As you can tell from the other reviews, s*xual assault is a lingering theme in this novel. The novel also has very graphic deaths. The scenes are very graphic and truly uncomfortable to get through. It's just... It's very hard to get through. It will definitely be triggering. Definitely.

Review: I can't tell you how many times I had to stop reading this novel in order to take a few deep breaths. The plot slowly suffocates you with the grief and tragedy oozing out of its characters. The male lead isn't the sharpest tool in the shed. From the very beginning, I could tell that this man was drowning. Bumbling around, gasping for breath, struggling to stay afloat... but he's slowly sinking deeper into the murky waters. Everything he does is futile, like trying to hold water in your hands. As for the female lead, she's a trapped bird. Having had a taste of happiness and love only to be thrown into the confines of a brothel, she has understandably become very, very bitter. Objectively, a tragic ending would make more sense and flow better with the story. But... you can't help but want these two to find happiness. All in all, I found this novel very poetic and thought-provoking. The desire for revenge is a very human reaction to tragedy and injustice, but this novel definitely questions its effectiveness. In the end, is it worth it? Looking back on this novel, it's not a happy read. However, I think this novel and its message will definitely stay in my heart for a long, long time. <<less
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cheelchan
cheelchan rated it
April 17, 2020
Status: --
The person who gave a 1 seems pretty judgmental, given that only the prologue has been uploaded so far. By the way the plot was introduced by the translator, it seemed very promising and interesting. Furthermore, this was chosen after the translator gave us options to choose which novel she should translate next. If it weren’t the case, I’d change my review in the future. For now, I’m giving it a 5 bc it’s unfair to give it a 1 when it hasn’t even started yet.
15 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Kurobito
Kurobito rated it
April 29, 2020
Status: Completed
This novel is definitely not my cup of tea. Not because of the rap*. Not because of the translation. But because of how short it is that it didn't give me time to accept ML and felt like he is redeemed. If I were MC shoe. I would definitely torture him. I don't feel he is redeemed at all. The other part that I find it nonsensical is how easily she killed general oh. Like wth man. That is a general. Not some p*ssy guy. The other question in my... more>> head would be, what the jesus christ happen to the maid of MC. Died? Missing in action? Like author just make her disappear after MC ask her to look for a man.

All in all, an unlikable novel for me. <<less
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YoriMei
YoriMei rated it
July 8, 2020
Status: Completed
It's a pretty short story, but a very good one. If you're in to heavy tragedy and regret romance stories, this one is for you. I truly enjoyed seeing both perspectives of the ML and MC, the contrast of their happy past vs the fury tinged tragedy of their present is delicious. I really like MC, how happy and cheerful she was in the beginning and how she proactively went for her revenge, even her revenge plan is quite smart. ML has a lot of mixed opinions but honestly I... more>> like him, and his mindset made sense to me. It doesn't justify why he r*ped her and its still absolutely wrong, but I can understand at least his mindset on why he does it.

The author was fantastic in her way of writing emotional punches and the vengeful fury. That said, I do admit as great the emotional punches and writing was, the plot is a little threadbare. Although it's still very good, it barely touches on the politics and the scheming is mostly off screen. It heavily focuses on the how MC and ML's relationship, while the plot is more just a backdrop of why they're so torn apart.

Overall, it's a fantastic story and if you like tragedy romances with a happy-ish ending, this one is for you. Do heed the warnings, there is r*pe. The ending does divide people, because some feel she should never have forgiven him or completed her revenge to the end, but I was satisfied. <<less
9 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Bardura
Bardura rated it
April 29, 2020
Status: epilogue
The translation is amazing and the story is ok but I hated the ML and the r*pe scenes. I mean he didnt even apologise for the r*pe. I dont care what you went through dude, you were a beast and a bastard. All that humiliation, disgrace, and hatred and what MC forgives him?!! I HATE HIM TO THE CORE. The author totally white washed this guy!!

I cannot appreciate this story because it was so twisted. I mean, its not even the good kind of twisted. Its about pure love turning... more>> into a twisted love, ML satisfying his selfish desires and MC forgiving him.

For the first time in my life I wanted a tragic ending : ( <<less
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Sonata123
Sonata123 rated it
June 22, 2021
Status: Completed
It's not the stuff I usually read, I just cl**ked it randomly but I was interested. I think I find the first half of it really powerful, even though very bitter. It would be great with a tragic end. But then they reconciled? Just like that? I don't know, it seems to me a bit... disgusting. The guy is scum, and if the heroine is okay with staying with him... good for her, whatever, I don't care anymore. Anyway, I think it might be perfect stuff for those who enjoy... more>> such things. <<less
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adz
adz rated it
October 16, 2020
Status: --
Never have I ever been more infuriated with a work of fiction. I was beyond disgusted with the r*pe scene, which I don’t mind the usage of r*pe for plot development as long as the trauma is being depicted correctly. The author has done a wonderful job of writing this, don’t get me wrong, but you can’t ever justify or “redeem” the ML when he’s a rapist. Let’s call him for what he was. A rapist.

Him leading the rebellion which accidentally led to her family’s death be damned, he should’ve... more>> die from just being a rapist. <<less
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EmpressRouge25
EmpressRouge25
June 19, 2020
Status: Completed
Lmao I just started and the first thought that came to mind after the first chapter was "what the f*ck am I doing here, I spent the whole day looking for fluff, how did I end up here?". Oh well. Gonna continue. It's very well written and the translation is amazing. I still don't know if the author can redeem the hero bruh.

Edit: Nope. I hate the hero. Period. (I wrote a much more longer edit but It disappeared and I'm too lazy to retype).
7 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
jenniilex3
jenniilex3 rated it
April 25, 2020
Status: Completed
I went and bought the korean OG ver off google playbook and read the MTL version of this

I have really complicated feelings about this story...

Spoiler

Seoyoon sends off his younger brother to live elsewhere with his war booty so his brother could live comfortably...

Seoyoon wanted to stay with eunsoo so he didn't leave

they both survive and do get together in the end but they're outlaws on the Run...

Eunsoo's revenge was to kill General Oh who helped aided the rebellion and kill the bad Current evil Emperor and make the young prince take over the throne

But General Oh had a grudge against Eunlib because he wasn't there to guard and protect the late emperor (father of rebellion leader prince)

Eunsoo learned that General Oh manipulated the events so that he could get Eunlib involved in the rebellion seige and therefore Seoyoon and Eunlib had no choice but to fight against one another...

If general Oh died, eunsoo would surely be executed and this was her revenge against seoyoon

In the end eunsoo and seoyoon run away and they manage to escape

I think Eunsoo sort of ended up forgiving Seoyoon and they live in a super rural village with one child years later

In a way it's a happy ending but considering all the tragedy it took to get there the novel has a rather bitter remorseful ending IMO

They're together and living somewhat normally as wanted fugitive criminals and I don't know if Seoyoon ever gets to see his little brother again....

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estoejia
estoejia rated it
August 16, 2022
Status: Completed
I'm not even sure where to begin. First and foremost, my opinion is my opinion. Whatever my thoughts about this story does not reflect how I feel about the translation. The translation itself was well done, but with that said the story is complete bs.

One of my biggest pet peeves in FL characters is when they have no conviction. EunSeo was such a promising character up until the climax. The plot twist does not redeem the ML's disgusting actions in any way. The fact that he wanted her to live... more>> on even in hatred to which he uses as a means to justify his disgusting behavior towards her is reprehensible.
Spoiler

He claimed to love her and yet didn't even have the decency to clean her up after the first time he r*ped her. As well as proceeded to remind her that she was a prostitute who had no freedom of choice as if he didn't have a hand in putting her in that brothel

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SeoYoon, in my opinion, did not deserve the happy ending he got. The whole time he wanted for her to fulfill her revenge and when it came down to the moment, he couldn't even give her that. His martyrdom and insistence for her to get away in the end was selfish. Did he think that his death would absolve him of his actions? It was patronizing the fact that he felt his actions would be redemption enough.

The better ending would have been if EunSeo proceeded with her plan and died in front of him. His punishment knowing his blind pursuit for revenge caused irreparable pain and irreversible damage to an innocent family that would haunt him for the rest of his life is a better character development than giving him and EunSeo their HEA. It just made EunSeo's family's deaths senseless and in vain. <<less
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
HitchHiker
HitchHiker rated it
May 9, 2020
Status: Completed
What I really liked about this story is that it talks about all the innocent people who get killed in the name of collateral damage. The political stories usually focus on the Kings, Princes and Generals and ignore the soldiers who know nothing about the conspiracies and get killed simply for doing their jobs.

... more>>
Spoiler

I don't understand people claiming that SeoYeon shouldn't be forgiven coz he killed EunLib. We already saw that's not what happened. SeoYeon did not strike EunLib until he was practically dead with multiple arrows and a spear stuck on him and one arm cut off. SeoYeon did everything he could to make sure EunLib will not be there when the rebellion takes place and when he found him there, he took off his mask and tried to calm the situation down. But there was nothing he could have done from the very beginning since General Oh had made sure EunLib will be there and placed archers with arrows on the roof to take him down.


The only thing you can blame SeoYeon for is him joining a rebellion just for his personal revenge and not caring enough to fully understand what General Oh was after, who will become the next King or what that King would do once he comes to power. He didn't care about all the other soldiers who would be killed protecting the current King or the people who would be killed just for being there at the wrong place at the wrong time.
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It's a good story, but I have to say the r*pe in the beginning was totally uncalled for. I feel like the writer added it just to create interest in the story. <<less
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darkcrystal
darkcrystal rated it
April 28, 2020
Status: c5
Honestly I like it as a short story and characters are not that extraordinary op unlike unnecessary long stories with unbelievable op characters precisely to say the story and characters is very much down to reality there is no reincarnation or second chance whatever it is in current lifetime only it's merely on the main characters decision what kind of life they want in the end happy or tragedy and yes it's happy ending both FL and ML deserves it I know many rant over the fact of r*pe but... more>> read the novel first u can understand the situations unlike many novel where r*pe or tortured used as first step of love or showing off ml's pride it's not the case here from the sypnosis FL is suffered a lot but ML himself is pitiable but he truly loves FL (their 1st sight in love) to the point can do anything for her sake even before taking his revenge he planned everything for fl's family's protection but poor him don't know he falls for someone's trap n from their revenge plot of FL started. But yes both of them equally deserves happy ending. And obviously don't just fall for negative comments tried it 1st to read complete novel and judge urself plus translator really done a appreciating worth job. <<less
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nouhr99
nouhr99 rated it
December 7, 2020
Status: epilogue
I had to give to give a 5star rating because it was a short, intense and complete (if I may say) story. At the end of the day all we can feel for the main characters is pity because life was fair and easy for none of them and we can't blame any of them not even the male lead because he was used.

r*pe is never justifiable but I still can't bring myself to hate the ML because he has suffered more than anyone else.

I felt suffocated reading through the... more>> chapters because it was so painful and pitiful but the ending was good and satisfactory. <<less
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Cecelia9000
Cecelia9000
July 3, 2020
Status: Completed
This story is quite heavy plot wise. The romance is very subtle in comparison to the dark themes. I find ML pitiful. Like the translator said he wasn't the brightest yet also the most realistic. I wish ML did things differently though but whatever not my story. I seriously thought the ending would be super tragic surprisingly I was wrong.
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
yuki_no_hana
yuki_no_hana rated it
January 13, 2021
Status: Completed
REVENGE BEGETS REVENGE.

This is the tragedy of stigma. The message is to forgive and forget... it may be controversial but I liked it.

My problem was the unnecessary r*pe in the first few chapters. We could have gotten the same story if not better if our EunSeo wasn't compromised so pitifully.
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
blueraw
blueraw rated it
September 24, 2020
Status: --
it’s funny that the r*pe part wasn’t even the worst thing but his mentality! he is a selfish tr*sh and a fukin psychopath

most of MLs in novels when they appear like a$$holes at first they still had some good side and we still can get a character development but this one here...

... more>>
Spoiler

he said that he cried a lot for what he did but at the same time he said that if he can’t have her love he at least will have her body and will fuk her till she have her revenge and kill him... bruh what ?????? he’s a fuking selfish a$$hole psychopath he doesn’t regret what he did not even a bit because if he did he won’t have done and said what he said

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it’s my first time getting so pissed off about a novel I've never thought that I can get this angry over a nonexistent character. the only way the author could make this a good novel is by letting the FL kill this mf because literally there’s nothing NOTHING can justify what he did noThInG <<less
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Pffftttt
Pffftttt rated it
July 21, 2020
Status: --
This one is a tragedy through and through (;´༎ຶД༎ຶ`)...... it kinda have a dark atmosphere throughout the novel....I don't know, is it only me that saw this whole novel in faded colors with a dark atmosphere surrounding it while reading it??.... it gave me dark vibes... it was creepy at some points.... but it was a good read
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Novelana
Novelana rated it
July 10, 2020
Status: epilogue
Bravo! It was a really good read. I got a little bit emotional with some parts especially when they've talked about their true emotions.

No complaints here on my part~

Well if you say so there's one, guess I want the handmaiden to fell at ease and know Eunseo's alive.

... more>> That's all!!!

Thank you very very much translator-sama and your team! And especially author-sama!!!

A great story to be shared with a lesson to be learnt~!

Revenge can only bring heartache for those who wield it to their hearts~~~

So if you can, spread more love and less hate! Mwah! <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
yoongisstarship
yoongisstarship
May 22, 2020
Status: Completed
I recommend this novel for readers who don't mind a little eye-opening every once in a while.

The plot was pretty tragic. The characters were complicated in a way that could only be simple. I also didn't like how the story started out but as it progresses, you find yourself getting attached to the characters since they were built to be very humane. I love the message that it gave to the readers and I'm hoping there will be more readers that will appreciate its controversial nature.
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