Dating Seraphs (Ch1 Remastered)

We keep talking about character development, but goddamn, I think we need to talk about writer development as well.

I think most people have already heard of Okay’s series. It’s great. Very horny. Which makes sense, considering who wrote it.

But I am so delighted with how well he’s taken the remastering of his first chapter. It’s made obvious how much Okay has developed as a writer, how he’s taken a story- which had a more lighthearted tone- and redefined it according to a new vision.

Maybe it’s reviewing what you wrote after having further paved out the story. A moment of retrospect, where things become clearer in hindsight. Regardless, this is a sign that something very special is lined up for us readers, and it’s got me jumping in anticipation.

Compared to the first edition, the remastered masters (pun intended) some very key things in storytelling. The emphasis on each story beat- changing the details to give more weight to each scene, making them mean more in terms of the greater narrative. That’s worldbuilding, with all the answers you only realise were there once you’re too deep in to back out. You learn the dynamics. You establish the characters. You telegraph for the readers what’s going to happen in the plot, but remove all the details so that there’s still something to be invested in, something to further read.

And the tone. Everything is more serious, every goofy moment now underscored with warnings and danger signs. This is so much more well established as a complete story it’s kind of boggling.

Definitely worth your time. And the rest of the series (on tumblr?) as well. It feels like Okay’s really grabbing the plot by the reins this time, and if this is what we can expect? I’m more than seated. Oh and I’m going to gush about the little points below, because I can. Spoilers (for the whole series)!

SPOILERS AHEAD

Okay, like, starting that story with that first line? If that isn’t just outright saying that Chaewon’s gonna be emotionally ruined over the course of this plot, I’m a duck but call me goose.

You understand MC’s whole shtick in the first scene alone. He’s kinda a gooner, hella down bad (Okay in a nutshell), but he’s endearing in the sense that he’s passionate. You’re introduced to the other players in this narrative. Zuha, Kkura. Okay lays out exactly how they are going to create problems, plot points, and he’s really good in translating emotions in the subconscious actions each character does.

“She closes her eyes and presses her forehead against her knees, taking in a few deep breaths, letting each out slowly.”

“she lifts her head and drops her legs flat.” Now that is interesting.

And what’s more interesting is tossing MC directly into a love rectangle where things are inevitable going to become incredibly messy.

Powerful premise, great details, and yeah, I already know how the plot goes for the next few chapters, but I’m still asking, what’s next?