@article{ART003357339},
author={Eom Chae-min},
title={A Study on the Narrative Structure and Melancholia of the ‘Regretful Top’ Subgenre in Korean BL Web Novels},
journal={Journal of Popular Narrative},
issn={1738-3188},
year={2026},
volume={32},
number={2},
pages={387-419},
doi={10.18856/jpn.2026.32.2.011}
TY - JOUR
AU - Eom Chae-min
TI - A Study on the Narrative Structure and Melancholia of the ‘Regretful Top’ Subgenre in Korean BL Web Novels
JO - Journal of Popular Narrative
PY - 2026
VL - 32
IS - 2
PB - The Association of Popular Narrative
SP - 387
EP - 419
SN - 1738-3188
AB - This study examines the narrative structure of the ‘Regretful Top’ (Huhoe-gong) subgenre in Korean BL web novels, focusing on the narrative of loss experienced by the Top character and the resulting affect of melancholia. Within this context, the ‘Regretful Top’ refers to a character type that disregards the affection of the Bottom for various reasons, only to realize the importance of their presence and love too late. In these narratives, the Bottom eventually abandons their feelings and leaves upon realizing that their affection has been ignored. The regret experienced by the Top at this juncture leads to melancholia, offering the audience catharsis as they witness the Top, who previously held emotional superiority, fall into a state of inferiority through desperate regret.
This paper analyzes the structural characteristics of this narrative through Destiny by Gwendolyn, Sandcastle by Mosquemule, and Divorce Contract by Bomnarui-bokgiri, explaining the reversal of emotional hierarchy based on Sigmund Freud’s theory of melancholia.
This study is significant in that it serves as a concrete case study for BL web novel research—a field that remains relatively underdeveloped compared to other genres—while segmenting web novel studies by concretely analyzing one of the vast subgenres of BL web novels to demonstrate and academically define its unique narrative grammar. Ultimately, this work captures the dynamism of contemporary popular narratives while broadening the academic discourse on Korean BL web novels.
KW - BL Web Novel;Regretful Top(Huhoe-gong);Narrative Structure;Motif;Loss;Melancholia;Catharsis
DO - 10.18856/jpn.2026.32.2.011
ER -
Eom Chae-min. (2026). A Study on the Narrative Structure and Melancholia of the ‘Regretful Top’ Subgenre in Korean BL Web Novels. Journal of Popular Narrative, 32(2), 387-419.
Eom Chae-min. 2026, "A Study on the Narrative Structure and Melancholia of the ‘Regretful Top’ Subgenre in Korean BL Web Novels", Journal of Popular Narrative, vol.32, no.2 pp.387-419. Available from: doi:10.18856/jpn.2026.32.2.011
Eom Chae-min "A Study on the Narrative Structure and Melancholia of the ‘Regretful Top’ Subgenre in Korean BL Web Novels" Journal of Popular Narrative 32.2 pp.387-419 (2026) : 387.
Eom Chae-min. A Study on the Narrative Structure and Melancholia of the ‘Regretful Top’ Subgenre in Korean BL Web Novels. 2026; 32(2), 387-419. Available from: doi:10.18856/jpn.2026.32.2.011
Eom Chae-min. "A Study on the Narrative Structure and Melancholia of the ‘Regretful Top’ Subgenre in Korean BL Web Novels" Journal of Popular Narrative 32, no.2 (2026) : 387-419.doi: 10.18856/jpn.2026.32.2.011
Eom Chae-min. A Study on the Narrative Structure and Melancholia of the ‘Regretful Top’ Subgenre in Korean BL Web Novels. Journal of Popular Narrative, 32(2), 387-419. doi: 10.18856/jpn.2026.32.2.011
Eom Chae-min. A Study on the Narrative Structure and Melancholia of the ‘Regretful Top’ Subgenre in Korean BL Web Novels. Journal of Popular Narrative. 2026; 32(2) 387-419. doi: 10.18856/jpn.2026.32.2.011
Eom Chae-min. A Study on the Narrative Structure and Melancholia of the ‘Regretful Top’ Subgenre in Korean BL Web Novels. 2026; 32(2), 387-419. Available from: doi:10.18856/jpn.2026.32.2.011
Eom Chae-min. "A Study on the Narrative Structure and Melancholia of the ‘Regretful Top’ Subgenre in Korean BL Web Novels" Journal of Popular Narrative 32, no.2 (2026) : 387-419.doi: 10.18856/jpn.2026.32.2.011
