Story Link: Begin Again || ChanBaek
Author Profile Link: taeyangsae5

Review of Begin Again || ChanBaek by taeyangsae5

Poster/Graphics

• The poster is fantastic but I noticed some phrases behind Baekhyun. Are they significant to the story line? If yes, I think there should be more emphasis on those phrases unless you intend to keep a mysterious vibe around the poster. I love the white and red roses which symbolise a pure and true love.  

Opening Scene

• I like how you started the story off with a fifteen-year-old Chanyeol recounting his memories, ‘beginning again’, if you will. It starts off in the right setting by revealing Chanyeol’s tendency to protect others.
• You certainly hooked me in and consequently future readers.

Characterisation and Motivation

• You wrote Chanyeol and Baekhyun’s characters very well; they felt real with distinct flaws and virtues.
• Chanyeol wanted to be by Baekhyun’s side as a friend and later on, a lover. When I was reading, I expected Chanyeol to confess earlier than reality and that was his flaw, his shyness and fear of rejection and that kept me reading.
• The characteristic relationship between Chanyeol and Baekhyun was very believable and wasn’t rushed which result into the careful development of their personas and characters as they grew up, especially Chanyeol.

Plot and Conflict

• The conflicts of both characters are well defined and believable (the story’s shortness being one of the reasons): Chanyeol missing Baekhyun and confessing to him, Baekhyun’s mother dying and moving away. In chapter four, when Baekhyun’s mother passed away, I loved that reference to Chanyeol’s musical side.
• You maintained tension throughout the story, even after the resolution which is unusual in terms of a narrative structure. Your work is certainly a page-turner.
• The plot twists were unexpected, excluding the part where Baekhyun moved away. Because it was obvious that Baekhyun and his mother share a close relationship (evident when his mother threw that birthday party and how devastated Baekhyun and Chanyeol were [Baekhyun’s mother must have been an outgoing person and developed a sort-of friendship with Chanyeol] so a reader would have thought about it and come close to saying that Baekhyun may not live in the place where his mother died which would revive memories that he would rather keep at bay) _{sorry for that montage.}
• And yes, I believe that the characters reacted properly to all events throughout the story.

Pacing

• Even with the shortness of your chapters, I gotta say that you are progressing the story rather realistically-slow and in a compelling manner. I’m sure it is because you wrote in the format of a recount or dairy.
• Every scene adds up to the story and seem very important because it appears as if Chanyeol is reliving the most important events of every year since he met Baekhyun.

Setting and Word Building

• Your descriptions are very vivid although they come in short bursts. There are so many scenarios that can come out of a line such as, “it was my first time in your room” (Chapter 2). A reader can imagine what they did in that room as freely as they want to, alluding to the fact that every time a memory is relived one small or large detail is altered and that the brain is recalling a memory of that memory, if you will.
• I think you’re writing this story perfectly.

Dialogue

• There is very minimal dialogue which is for the best because I’m sure you are striving for the readers to experience Chanyeol’s point of view and memories.
• Those rare lines from Baekhyun are very effective and would keep a reader glued to the screen. Chanyeol’s reaction to those lines reveal more about his character as well as Baekhyun when he spoke them.

Craftsmanship

• Because Chanyeol is reminiscing his memories, you should write everything in past tense. There are times where there is tense confusion. This can potentially keep readers away who are very strict on grammar.
• Sometimes, the font of some chapters would change. I suggest you keep the font consistent as it can affect the way a reader perceives your story.

Overall Impression

• I really loved reading your story because you can keep coming back and relive it effectively in a short amount of time and Chanyeol’s thoughts are very interesting.

Additional Comments

• I will keep a close eye on this story; it’s very interesting.