Wooseo Jin, a student, shares an apartment with brothers Jigeon and fellow student Jiseok Kang. Wooseo has hidden feelings for his childhood friend Jiseok, but in a society where destined partners find a red thread ring on their ring fingers, binding them for life, Wooseo’s Ring Partner turns out to be Jigeon. They can’t sleep well unless they are together, and their connection grows stronger the more time they spend together.
One night after a few drinks, Jigeon suggests that Wooseo think of him as a younger brother. This leads to a kiss between them, leaving Wooseo even more conflicted. He starts researching online on how to remove the ring, without telling either brother. Jiseok appears to be concerned about Wooseo and starts arguing with Jigeon. There are hints that Jiseok may also have feelings for Wooseo, despite Mina’s presence. When Jiseok, drunk, hugs Wooseo, Wooseo’s confusion deepens.
Jigeon has ended his relationship with his boyfriend Jinho, who is unhappy with Wooseo’s presence in Jigeon’s life. On his way home from university one rainy night, Wooseo meets a stranger who offers to share an umbrella. Meanwhile, Jigeon waits anxiously at the apartment for Wooseo, who is late.
The manga, when adapted from a webtoon into a book format, needs a strong story and art to engage readers. Volume 2 of Tied to You may not fully deliver on these aspects. The artwork is decent but not exceptional, lacking the visual appeal of other BL manga titles. The color palette is often dull, with occasional pops of color. The similar names of the characters and their physical resemblance can be confusing for readers, disrupting the flow of the story.
The narrative, focusing on Wooseo’s dilemma between the two brothers, feels somewhat predictable. Jigeon’s controlling behavior and stalking tendencies are concerning, while Jiseok’s fluctuating attitude towards Wooseo adds to the confusion. The constant use of flashbacks may be off-putting for some readers.
The translation and lettering in the full-color edition by Ize Press are well done, with good paper quality. Volume 3 is set to release in November, with a final fourth volume planned for 2025. Despite some shortcomings, the series may appeal to teen readers looking for a Boys’ Love story suitable for their age group.
Overall, Tied to You Volume 2 offers a mix of drama and romance, but the pacing and character development could be improved. Readers may look forward to Volume 3 for a potentially smoother reading experience. The series has the potential to delve deeper into the Ring Partners system and reveal more surprises in the future installments.
