Let Dai by Woon Soo-yoon

     What first caught my attention about this korean love story was the contrast between the main characters Jaehee and Dai and how their love for one another almost seems like an unhealthy obsessive desire fed by the pain their relationship brings to those around them. Jaehee is a normal college-bound teenage boy who is a good friend and son. When he first meets Dai, it was not under normal circumstances. While walking home he sees a young woman, Yooneun being mugged by the Furies gang. Dai, being the leader, hits Jaehee, however they feel a force pulling them together. After their first meeting Dai forces Jaehee to become a member of their gang, but when given the chance to leave Jaehee becomes unable to. From here on out the story has the opportunity to become cliche, yet it uses Yooneun, who develops a crush on Jaehee, to force Dai and Jaehee apart. Her relationship with Jaehee makes Dai extremely jealous and pushes him to a point where Jaehee has to make a choice: be with Dai or push him away. At first he chooses the latter, yet his choice makes him extremely ill and mentally unsound. He yearns and craves to be with Dai until finally they meet once again. The story is tragic since they cannot be together in Korea. However, in a way it ends happily, because they each find their own way back to each other.
     However, my biggest critique is why does Jaehee get back together with Dai, after the gangster leader tries to kill him? Wouldn't you stay away from an angry gangster leader who enjoys beating the teeth out of someone's head with a rock? And I've read the beginning at least ten times and don't understand how they go from victim and tormentor to lovers. Where does that happen? One minute Jaehee is getting his brains kicked out and the next Dai is kissing him. I don't understand! Although, my favorite character has to be Dai. His anarchy views on society and his actions, verging on sociopathic behavior, makes him an interesting character to trifle with. Not to mention, he does not care at all what people think about his relationship with Jaehee. Quite frankly I think he'd just flip them off or kick them in the face.
     Let Dai was a very good read, although long. However, there are so many characters effected by Jaehee's relationship with Dai. It's nice to see the different point of views on their love. I would recommend Let Dai as a second read and if any of you understand how Dai and Jaehee suddenly became lovers tell me! I really need to know! I give this story a 7.8/10