iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Honorable mention: the entirety of chapter 32.

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TJ’s expressions are always so packed in the peak of each plot line. This one panel itself is so telling. The symbolism behind showing only one eye in this panel can mean several things. It can signify a part of TJ that is full of greed. His want and longing for binding YW to himself.

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Being incredibly true and earnest with each other. TJ’s willingness to open for him after everything they’ve gone through takes shape as his eyes take on a slightly green shade.

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It’s a long shot, and I am only theorizing here. Even though DY-nim may have had no intention in this, maybe TJ’s slight change of eye color in ch.59-60 is not a coincidence. This encounter is the most vulnerable they have been with each other.

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It is not only the presence of his eyes in the shot that’s meaningful but also when DY refrains from drawing them. In ch. 16-17, when he is confronted in the hospital, we don’t see his eyes until he meets with YW. Exhibiting shame, fear, and regret and eventually courage.

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Even the glint in his eyes is used to indicate different emotions; the absence of them represents a deep sense of worry and loss (or the fear of losing YW). This is probably one of the few times (or perhaps the only time) that we witness his eyes go blank. (ch.55)

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Aran @0813820a.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

TJ’s eyes are very telling throughout the story. He has an expressive face that plays a significant role in his characterization and storytelling. I will go through some of these moments that really spoke to me. #WetSand #웻샌드

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I love your insights on this. to add something to all the points u mentioned, this scene also reminded me of tjian. the way he watched her from afar, and the way they gradually blended in with each other is so THEM

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Aran @0813820a.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

I am OBSESSED with TJ’s facial expressions but I can’t ever get over him looking so smug when he smiles at Youngwoo like this

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He feels a deep connection with Toby and her situation, yet his astonishment shows how much he did not expect her stepping in to defend him.

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Meanwhile, we know that Toby makes Ian think of his mother. Toby's circumstance has brought her to his mind; thus, there may be an implicit connection between the two in his thinking. (however there is a chance that Ian is aware of this connection) +

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We see in this flashback (and other instances in which Ian has talked about this) how his mother used to physically abuse him. Growing up he was neglected, and he dealt with a lot of guilt. A part of this guilt can be due to the conflicts with his mom and the men, where she wouldn’t defend him. +

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Aran @0813820a.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

I noticed a subtle change in Ian’s expression in chapter.65 after Chris was lashing out at him. Toby standing up for Ian was such a shock to him. This is due to his experiences with his mother and the men she hung around with. ——a short thread #WetSand #웻샌드

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”represent your devotion to someone on the other side.” #웻샌드 #WetSand

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+ Perhaps YW feels that acceptance too. He may not only run to TJ for help, but also to find home. #웻샌드 #WetSand

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+ TJ sensed how that scared YW. He felt him slipping through his fingers and tied him down with debt to prevent him from running away. It’s clear that TJ’s need to have YW by his side used to surpass everything else. However, maybe a part of him also realized that YW could not + #웻샌드 #WetSand

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+ He could only clean up the mess with TJ’s help. If he has really called Chiwoon in ch.70, then it seems to me that this time he is running *to* TJ. TJ always understood YW’s guilty conscience; he knew that YW needed to feel like he is making amends, + #웻샌드 #WetSand

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