I think it's unfair to judge a story so harshly when only one chapter has been released. A first chapter is usually meant to introduce the world, characters, and setting, not reveal every plot twist immediately.
What I liked about Song of Wasteland was the atmosphere and the potential it showed. The art creates a unique mood, the setting feels intriguing, and there are already hints that the characters have more depth than we currently know. Not every story needs to move at the same pace, and sometimes the best character development comes later.
It's completely fine if the story isn't someone's taste, but criticizing it as if the entire plot has already been revealed after one chapter seems premature. I'd rather wait and see where the author takes the story before making a final judgment.
To the author: thank you for sharing your work. Creating and publishing a story takes a lot of effort and courage. Please don't let early negativity discourage you. There are readers who appreciate your art, your ideas, and the potential of your story. I look forward to seeing how the characters and plot develop in future chapters.
Comment by I LOVE FEMBOYS on Song of the Wasteland - Chapter 1
I have read way too many yaoi manhwa
I'm a girl
12 Replies
@I LOVE FEMBOYS I don't care how the story goes it's INSENSITIVE to write abt this période of history and to romanticize it with the futur romance. The fact that Jaxx couldn't even bother to make a face for the black people or that the introduction of the 2nd male mc is him calling himself "a humble slave" is VERY TELLING. Like you said the 1st chap is the base of the story and for now, all I see is that this is going to be really bad. If you can't understand that, learn about the civil War cause that's should be basic historical knowledge.
@I LOVE FEMBOYS let me guess you're white
@I LOVE FEMBOYS so your fine with racism and slavery?
@Muqal_y
I understand why people are uncomfortable with this period of history, and I agree that topics like slavery and racism should be handled carefully. However, I don't think it's fair to assume that the story is glorifying those things based on a single chapter.
A story can be set during a dark period of history without endorsing what happened during that period. Portraying slavery, racism, or unequal power structures is not automatically the same as romanticizing them. Many historical works include difficult subjects precisely because they were part of reality.
As for the character calling himself a "humble slave," we don't yet know the context, his character arc, or how the author intends to develop these themes. One chapter isn't enough to determine the message of the entire story.
If future chapters do end up romanticizing slavery or treating it as something positive, then criticism would be completely justified. But right now, I think it's more reasonable to wait and see how the story develops before making that judgment.
@s3lbstm0rd
Nah dude I am not white.
@Muqal_y nah fr tho do people not read about history? Like slaves were abused and raped and they have 0 knowledge of that on top of that its literally racism 😭💔
@Hihi
Nobody is denying that slavery was horrific. Everyone knows slaves were abused, dehumanized, and treated terribly. The question is whether this story is glorifying that or simply taking place during that period of history.
So far, we've only seen one chapter. A historical setting containing slavery does not automatically mean the author supports slavery. By that logic, every story about war would be pro-war.
If future chapters romanticize slavery, racism, or abuse, then I'll criticize it too. But right now, people are making conclusions about a story that has barely begun.
You don't have to like the manhwa, but calling it racist before we've even seen how these themes are handled feels premature.
@I LOVE FEMBOYS whats really unfair is millions of HUMANS that have lost and are loosing their lives to something thats now turned into a trope/plot and fetish…. the book doesnt have a life so why do u care so much if its rightfully criticized?? have some empathy for ppl in recent times that are being lynched and hung because of racism instead of typing words ppl wont listen to.
@namster
I don't understand why you're acting as if anyone who disagrees with you automatically lacks empathy.
You care about the people who suffered because of racism, and that's completely valid. But I can also have empathy for an author who has released only one chapter and is already receiving massive hate before the story has even had a chance to develop.
The fact that I'm discussing this story doesn't mean I don't care about real-world issues. People are capable of caring about more than one thing at a time.
I'm not saying the story is perfect, and I'm not saying racism or slavery should ever be romanticized. If future chapters actually glorify racism or treat slavery as something cute, then I'll criticize it too.
What I'm saying is that one chapter is not enough evidence to declare the entire story racist. Criticism is fine, but assuming the author's intentions and attacking them personally before the story has even unfolded is not.
Please stop acting as though everyone who disagrees with you is uneducated or lacks empathy. We simply have different opinions on whether the story has earned this level of criticism yet.
@Muqal_y Let me clarify, do you consider the comment about the lack of facial detailing of minor characters a fair criticism, considering that the author used the same technique for the characters of soldiers and servants of the house?