An ABO novel where the characters act like people and not just animals.  It's just a nice, casual, sweet and funny rom-com.  Think sitcom level... more>> of humor.  <<less

Ok everyone knows how this is going to end.  It's just a hilarious train wreck to watch.... more>>

If you like this novel, Waiting For You Online is pretty similar (which I didn't add because I didn't really like the black belly ML).

PS.  I'm not sure if I'll ever think of pointy toed shoes the same way ever again. hmmm <<less

The main pair in this story are both in their 30s.  They've had previous relationships, each with their own problems.  But as mature adults they try and deal with their own issue without dragging other people into it.  Honestly in both their cases they are a bit too careful of the people around them, but that's also where they find their support in each other.  They are both interested in a relationship, but they are not in a rush to progress things, so a lot of the novel is one sounding the other out and the other not rejecting them, but not giving a whole lot of encouragement either.... more>>

There is a conflict point late in the novel that for a Western reader is a bit strange, but if it's bugging you about why the characters are making a big issue about it, I thought the reader comment section handled it pretty well.

PS why do so many Chinese novels act like 30 year olds are a old (and mature)?  It's like a 12 year old looking at a 30 year old and being like 'wow, you are so ancient!'.  What does that make 80 year olds?  Immortals? <<less

I'm liking this story.  The character does transmigrate with a cheat, but it's not used in a way that is extraordinarily flashy and it doesn't come up a lot.  The character is smart enough to know how to appreciate the advantages he's been given by his transmigration, but also humble enough to know that just because he is now in a previous era they won't necessarily be impressed by modern conceptions.... more>>

As per the title, the MC is studying for the imperial examination, and I swear it's like the author is too.  They sometimes get bogged down in the details of studying, but if your eyes start to glaze over (mine did), it's pretty easy to just skim over those parts.  On one hand I like that it's included because I learn stuff (or at least the rationale), but on the other hand I don't particularly want to feel like I'm in school learning ancient Chinese literary format either lol.  I'm sure it's probably not going to be the case later in the novel, but much of the MC's earlier success is based more on his drawing and business smarts more than his literary talent.

The story is fairly long, and the translation is around 1 chapter per week, so don't expect to get to the end any time soon.  The chapters are a decent length, so you can feel the story has progressed for reading just one chapter. <<less

*warning, probably dropped by translator*... more>>

I think the thing I like the most about this story is how the author uses traditional Asian monsters and ghosts.  They keep their authentic quirks from folktales, and that seems to be very uncommon for many stories.

The story can feel a bit slow while a particular story line is being set up, but it'll pick up once things start happening.

There is a fair bit of comedy paid at the expense of characters doing silly things or making incorrect assumptions.  It is usually pretty amusing, but be aware that there are a bit too many jokes that are directed towards one of the disciples who is black.  Fortunately he's cute, charming and resilient (and playful by nature, so he just rolls with stuff).  The only character that doesn't seem to fall into these pitfalls is the unshakable ML.  The MC, well, he has to have some reason or other that he offers himself up on a platter doesn't he? <<less

Brilliant white collar criminal(?) + fierce prison librarian.  It's well thought out but lets face it, these prison guards are kind of terrible at their jobs.  But it it's more interesting this way so don't get picky. ... more>>

The spiciest parts take place in their imaginations (and mine), but even if it's just a thought gone rampant and pulled back halfway finished, it's worth it. <<less

The novel is very narrative heavy.  They actually seem like lawyers rather than it just being their cover story.  I like it because it feels the story is more grounded in reality, but some people will feel the pace is too slow and heavy.... more>>

The romance is slow and typically Korean in it's pacing.  You can tell they are interested, but they keep ignoring it for their own reasons.  Right away the ML has a childish temperament, but it's explained that he's just hyper defensive and lashes out a lot.  Either he's not quite as bad as he was at first or maybe I just got used to it.  He's an aggressive lover (can be a right bastard tbh), but also very caring.  The MC is very accommodating but lets the ML know when he's been pushed too far so their interactions are fairly balanced.   A lot of grief the MC suffers is because he provoked the ML enough that he finally explosively reacts to him.  The author really enjoys the buildup to their romance scenes.  It's not that their love scenes aren't explicit (it is smut after all), it's just that I think the kissing and caressing scenes are what they author is more interested in and are more charged.

I read the free chapters from WordExcerpt that are linked on NU.  They go up to ch79 and that is where NU stops tracking the story.  If you can stand watching ads and are willing to read the story on your phone I'd recommend reading the next chapters on Tappytoon because then you can read it for free if you watch a million (at least it feels like it) ads.  They don't cut the chapters as short on Tappytoon, so you can start reading from ch38. <<less

So we all agree that it's a terrible idea to cheat on your lover just because they cheated on you right?  Ok, but now in novel-land lets just see how it works out for these fictional characters. ... more>>

I'm not actually sure that this should be considered a smut story?  It's definitely mature, but it's not explicit. <<less

This is a good story, but I'm going to be very upfront, it's a dense, slow read.  Priest is very good at crafting a story,... more>> but this writing style is neither light, nor casual.   The translation is clear so that's not a factor.  <<less

So this one is a little bit more complicated because it's a historical drama mostly taking place in the back courtyard (aka the women's area of the residence).  There is heavy emphasis on etiquette and standing (rank and prestige) and stepping over rivals for tangible benefit. ... more>>

The main character is extremely beautiful and capable (unrealistically so imo, but it doesn't much matter for a book), but has an unfortunate background.  She's long since learnt that unless she is the center of attention and the best at what she does, she's not going to live an easy life.  She presents the facade of a gentle, dutiful miss, but is extremely calculating, manipulative, and ambitious.  She's the sort that it would be advantageous to know socially, but very hard to be close friends with.  She's not malicious or gossipy, but she only cares about her own comfort and personal gains and plays the long game to get them.

I think some readers can't sympathize with her, but if they're still reading and complaining about her at ch80 (with about 3 parts per chapter),  they're obviously enjoying the novel enough to keep reading it so their argument is a bit moot.  Personally, I think the novel might be accurate about the type of person who would actually end up in her position (which is a bit of a frightening thought lol).

You spend a lot of the novel knowing the destination, but not how it's going to end up getting there.  Also, expect some (tedious) slapping-your-own-face-because-the-protagonist-is-too-powerful scenarios.  Some people love those scenes, but I just want her to interact with the ML more.

tldr: the one-upmanship is strong in this one.  Do you like that sort of novel?  Then try it. <<less

This story completely takes place in the Imperial harem.  It focuses on the power dynamics and scheming between the Emperor's concubines.  There is little real love in the story, mostly just calculation, yearning, and self indulgence (read that as enjoying food, music, bed sports and tangible benefits).  There is no smut, just implied dalliances.  Oh and mu*der.  Can't forget about all the people randomly (not true, it's part of the plot) getting mu*derED.  The competition is truly fierce.... more>>

I noticed in the comment section apparently some readers were bothered by the Emperor continuing to have physical relations with the various women of the harem throughout the novel.  The author even felt compelled to move to a 1v1 setting for her future novels.  Some are calling him scum and accusing him of infidelity.   ... I'm really having a hard time empathizing with the complaints.  It's a historical novel written in a mostly realistic setting in a harem.  If you want lovey-dovey fluff you probably should avoid the mature/josei tag imo.  <<less

This story is a slice of life, a tragedy, and a chunk of it takes place in prison, so given all that prepare yourself for... more>> some dark/negative situations.  Even when they get out of prison bad stuff still seems to happen.  I thought the story was decent enough as I read through it, but the ending was truly very touching.  It definitely cinched it. <<less

Ah such a shame, it's fallen into the trap of the Korean publishers getting ticked at the translation groups and forcing them to stop.  It might be available elsewhere, but it won't be posted on NU any more.... more>>

The pacing is slowish, but I've stayed interested. The MC isn't s*upid, but she has been sheltered (and lied to), so she grows as a character.  The male lead is a bit OP (fighting/politicking, good at w/e he does) but so far it's mostly only been used for back story.

Is it weird to say that's it better than I expected? <<less

This is going to take forever to translate, but it's quite good.... more>>

A clever conman gets scooped up by an infinite flow live stream horror game.  He not only  has to deal with a game that is trying to mu*der all it's participants, but the game plots are slowly getting corrupted by an evil ancient god who is definitely getting more interested in pursuing our MC. <<less

A retelling of the classic A Christmas Carol, but replacing ghosts with monsters and ability users.  Oh and smut.  But in the tradition Korean story... more>> telling way of putting most of it in the extras.  I sure don't remember that happening in the last time I read Dickens. o.O <<less

Two professional gaming legends meet each other in a virtual reality game, but of course it isn't quite that simple.  Jiang Chen was cryonically preserved... more>> after succumbing to his illness at the age of 18.  He is thawed out 30 years later, right when the game he had played professionally has been made into a virtual reality full immersion game.  It sounds cheesy, but it's handled well and is a huge part of the plot.  The story is very funny and is mostly the MC and ML interacting in the game, doing typical MMO stuff.  The ML is likeable and tries very hard to catch the MC's heart. <<less