Synopsis:

Wooseo has finally found a way to remove the Ring. The catch? Doing so erases all memories related to one’s fated partner. While he loathes being a burden to Jigeon, for some reason, the thought of losing him hurts just as much…In the face of Wooseo’s uncertainty, Jigeon decides to make a gambit—by revealing he is irrevocably in love with him! But all risks come with consequences, and Jigeon’s actions have pushed his brother over the edge. No more sitting on the sidelines…Jiseok refuses to let his best friend be stolen away, even if it means dropping a truth bomb of his own!

Volume three of WHAT/Chelliace’s Tied to You keeps rattling on, with Wooseo wrestling with the idea of getting the ring removed and losing all his memories of Jigeon, and Jigeon still carefully manipulating the situation to force Wooseo to ultimately see and accept that he’s his fated partner, and nothing else compares…

And of course, even Jiseok’s part of that plan, his confused jealousy boiling up and making him rash — I would sympathise more with him and think that Wooseo probably would be better with him, if he hadn’t physically hurt Wooseo because of the rivalry between himself and his brother. That’s just not okay: it’s clear that Jigeon, too, would resort to violence — but he’s never behaved that way toward Wooseo, his desired romantic partner, while Jiseok has.

You end up kind of rooting for Jigeon, despite the manipulation and stalking. He would take care of Wooseo and make him happy, because he’s so desperate for Wooseo’s love. It’s impossible to feel totally at ease in rooting for that, though, because… well… manipulation and stalking.

I wanna be really clear that I am absolutely not recommending this as a romance, for that reason. It’s intense and fascinating, but definitely not any kind of fluffy romance, despite the soulmates concept.

Rating: 4/5 (“really liked it”)