Efforts Never Betray

Synopsis

Jae-kyung, who grew up under a perfectionist father, must keep first place in the entire school. (Source: Naver Corporation, translated)

Academic pressure can be devastating, but Noryeogui Gyeolgwa travels further across the stages of anxiety, and there's a fascinating question that's insinuated, to what extent is Jae-Kyung's life fiction. Unfortunately, my personal theories about possible worlds don't elevate this story's existing capabilities, and it's merely lucky to have stumbled upon an intersection of perfectionist contagion effects. The narrative is rather simple, constructed atop an imminent rush of suspense, and there are very few extended segments that don't ultimately amount to a confrontation, usually ending with Jae-Kyung falling deeper into acute stress. He's controlled by fear, but at a certain point, the source is no longeronly his father's guilt-tripping, a far more serious divide in mental isolation is born. The scenes involved in escalating the situation effectively sell the premise, although barring despair, the character writing is shockingly dull. Notably, the relationships develop a one-note disposition regarding educational perspectives. It's apparent that author Akpa's intentions are restricted by a lack of experience, so the strict separation of talent versus hard work is a stopgap measure for lengthening Jae-Kyung's descent, and they maneuver around multiple thematic setbacks for a chance at tension, a vital part of the storytelling's success in criticizing the damage of false reinforcement. Nonetheless, it's difficult to fully commend a work that understands its goal but struggles to use the means to justify its conclusion. I found the abrupt final chapter inconsistent with the central conflict, hasty sensationalistic closure that is disconnected from Jae-Kyung's bewildered characterization. Akpa never foreshadows anything surrounding where the fate of the characters in question is headed, but the reader's gradual interest in the overlapping dynamics is blatantly ignored given the absence of substantial pretext in the closing moments. My qualms considerably reduced the effectiveness of the social message, however, Noryeogui Gyeolgwa holds merit in its use of visual metaphors. The unrefined sketchy art is monochrome, exhibiting thick lines, and one can never go wrong with an Oldboy reference (ants). An indictment of performance anxiety from unrealistic expectations.