The story starts off putting the reader in the perspective of Deculin, who had a sword thrust right into his chest. A woman in front of him twisted the sword within his chest with no hesitation, and yet Deculein still remarked her to be beautiful. Though, in response to the cold expression of the woman in front of him, his final words were consistent with calling her a bitch. What a way to go.
Though, all of this was just in Woojin-ssi’s tests for lag. Deculein was a mid-game boss that could be killed either in the beginning or do cunning acts to get stronger and eventually get beaten in the first 11 hours of the game, which was relatively pitiful.
Yoo Ah-ra, Woojin-ssi’s former girlfriend, came into the room. After an introduction pertinent to the tests, Woojin-SSI asks how her boyfriend was doing, resulting in an awkward exchange of words that can be remarked as rather detestable.
There was a clear divide in their relationship, the male part being rather slouchy and the female counterpart is more of a workaholic. In their conversations, it was eventually revealed that Deculein’s character was, partially on looks, based on Woojin-SSI himself. This may have happened when the author of the story saw him while strolling along one day. Following a further series of awkward conversations, Woojin-ssi’s ex eventually leaves the room while holding in the temptation to say something, their dynamics are rather neatly done. Woojin-SSI did say goodbye, though it was said far after his ex had left the room.
Woojin-ssi, in an attempt to make Deculein a little less of a loser, changes the traits and personality descriptions of the game. He also made the model a bit more handsome, and neat. The foreign author of the game messages Woojin-ssi to ask if he was still working and after affirming that, an exciting event happens that defines the rest of the series.
Woojin-SSI looked out of the window in accordance with a command, and a strike of lightning hit!
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- Part 1: Understanding the Introduction to The Villain Wants to Live
- Part 2: Main Theme of The Villain Wants to Live
- Part 3: Exceptional Translation Quality in The Villain Wants to Live
- Part 4: Conclusive Remarks
Part 1: Understanding the Introduction to The Villain Wants to Live
The beauty of the introduction derives from the fact that it lays the groundwork for a good chunk of Woojin-ssi’s motives in the beginning. The conversations he had with his ex-girlfriend and her inculcation of mockery, his pitiful state, and his general resemblance to one of the losing characters in the AAA game gave him a sense of realization.
This realization fuels Woojin-ssi to change the direction of his fate, and in turn, to change the direction of Deculein’s fate. Deculein loses a total of 999 outcomes out of a thousand. Though, the very existence of that one instance where Deculein survives is a driving force, one that enlightens both Deculein and the reader.
It’s an exceptional technique that drives emotional investment to a great extent.
However, the jump from the prologue to the first chapter was rather confusing, in an objective sense. The lack of explanation as to what the situation did leave the reader wondering how they should interpret the information presented to them when they should not have to, though this didn’t take away from the beauty of the rest of the series, thankfully.
Part 2: Main Theme of The Villain Wants to Live
The Villain Wants to Live adapts very mainstream and generic genres of Korean novels, though that isn’t necessarily a negative by any means. The fantasy setting of Deculein’s character is very intricately performed, the world-building is a tad better than most other novels and the fantasy genre really fits the setting.
With the element of fantasy comes the use of various terminologies that are relevant to a setting. In the case of this novel, generic Isekai roles like wizards, knights, demons, and aristocrats. It is appreciable that these roles don’t exist within the world for the sake of being there, and are used properly to advance the story.
Comedy is also exceptionally well done and a common trope throughout the series. This was first seen in a subtle way with the awkward conversations between Woojin-ssi and his ex-girlfriend and seen in a direct manner as his ex-girlfriend’s mockery is followed by Woojin-ssi’s monitor showing Deculein’s last words, “Damn bitch.”
Comedic moments like these are observed generously throughout the novel and do not take away from the serious moments.
It can be said that gaining a sense of self is one of the main themes of this novel as well, considering that Woojin-ssi, as Deculein wants to attain a place in his own fictional world after he felt something lacking within him from his breakup.
Part 3: Exceptional Translation Quality in The Villain Wants to Live
This novel, in the English rendition, is a translated version of the original Korean novel. It was unexpected, considering some of the past novels I’ve been through, though the translation in this novel and in turn the writing were of exceptional standard and elevated the story in a sense.
This is especially complimented by the fact that the person responsible for translating this was mostly experienced in Japanese translations, yet we still received a novel with better writing quality than many others.
Speaking of the writing, it befits the stylization of the novel’s fantasy setting well. Words, tenses, and general grammar are fitting and perfect in every sense of the way. While the writing definitely has space to improve, that space is very limited and overall, it does indeed elevate the enjoyment you can derive from the series.
Part 4: Conclusive Remarks
The Villain Wants to Live is one of those fantasies that aren’t especially unique or innovative in any sense. However, their execution has a certain personality trait dropped in by the author. That is exactly the case for this novel and it amplified my enjoyment of it tenfold, despite the idea itself being simplistic.
The worldbuilding is a fine piece of art, the characters are interesting (some being more interesting than others) with the concept of a harem applying which may or may not be your cup of tea. The comedy is finely crafted and the action, while not exactly plentiful, is amazing in its own way.
The Villain Wants to Live is a worthwhile read that speaks for itself, with a villainous character just trying to live. Check it out!
