Is the hype around BJ Alex deserved? This manhwa seems to be everywhere lately, and the gorgeous art caught my eye.

As a romance aficionado, I wasn't sure if it would be for me. So, I took the plunge, and let me tell you...

It is FILTHY.

In almost every chapter, there is sex, sex, sex. And while the plot is still there, I do think it's pretty average.

I could just go into detail on how BJ Alex is a beautiful mess. But before that, it's still worth getting into the plot!

BJ Alex Summary

Dong-gyun is a super fan of "Alex," the BJ or Broadcast Jockey who streams NSFW content. (I know what you are thinking, and you aren't exactly wrong!)

It's not just Alex's body that Timid Dong-gyun admires; it's also the candor with which he shares his sexual experiences.

During a networking event at school, Dong-gyun drinks too much and passes out. Fate leads DG to discover that a very well-regarded and kind sunbae, Jiwon, is actually his beloved Alex!

My Personal Review of BJ Alex

The moment I started this manhwa, I was hooked! The plot was new to me, and the art style was stunning.

Reading the first half is a bit of a struggle. And if you're like me and get secondhand embarrassment super easily, there are definitely some cringe-worthy moments.

I initially found Jiwon's behavior towards Donggyun frustrating and hard to watch. But seeing Donggyun finally stand up for himself was incredibly satisfying.

I hate to admit it, but the aftermath of their breakup might actually be my favorite part of the whole story! It's kind of what you'd expect to happen, but the author really nailed the raw emotions, especially Jiwon's side.

Mingwa-nim's portrayal of flawed characters who grow throughout the story is remarkable. Jiwon and Donggyun feel like real people with relatable struggles.

The exploration of their pasts and how those experiences shaped them is fascinating. Jiwon's growth is a highlight, and I love Donggyun's role in his development.

I also have to give props for how Minghwa handled the toxic stuff between the main characters. They acknowledged it was messed up and even took a break from each other!

The side stories are enjoyable, and I wish we had more about MD and Chanwoo's adorable relationship! The inclusion of contracts, consent, and safe practices in the BDSM aspects was thoughtful and responsible.

Is Jiwon A Red Flag?

Now, onto the million-dollar question: Is Jiwon a Red Flag? Well, he was. Then he threw that red flag away and replaced it with a green one.

At first, Jiwon was a total asshole. Like, he's every cruel seme trope rolled into one, basically. But somehow... he's not that bad. I know, I know, it's messed up.

Let's all be real here. Jiwon is hot, charismatic, and strangely compelling. And I guess that's why I can't help but root for him!

Sure, there were a few times Jiwon was pretty harsh to DG, but it's pretty tame compared to some of the wild stuff you see in yaoi.

But in all honesty, I respect that Alex is upfront about their relationship. From the get-go, he had already established that he did not want a relationship. He's not pretending it's anything more than a FWB situation, either.

However, his chasing arc was absolutely satisfying. It was nice to see him grovel, all apologetic and wanting Dong-Gyun back. Serves him right!

The better part of all of this? Jiwon changes from a red flag to a green flag. The catch is you have to trudge through 30 chapters of his asshole behavior before it happens.

But trust me, the payoff is oh-so-worth it!

Is DG Faultless in All This?

At first, we all hated him for how he treated Dong-Gyun. But if you think about it, he had set boundaries that Dong-Gyun violated multiple times.

Dong-Gyun... I love you, but you're kinda delusional. You want this FWB thing to turn into a real relationship, but you guys aren't even friends!

And that scene where he walks in on Jiwon streaming, which is technically him working? The secondhand embarrassment is REAL.

It's frustrating to watch how pushy Dong-Gyun was. But the boy was just so in love he couldn't help it! Which makes it all the more satisfying to see Dong-Gyun put his foot down and show some self-respect.

Is BJ Alex A Good Read?

If you're looking for toxic yaoi with a lot of smut, this is the yaoi manhwa for you! It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I do see how other people might enjoy this.

The smut is drawn really well. So much so that it compels you to continue reading, but once you push past the initial awkwardness, you'll find that it's actually quite an enjoyable read.

You'll especially love the side stories and special episodes if you love seeing BDSM in manhwas. There are a lot of steamy scenes, as well as Dong-Gyun's friend and Jiwon's streaming rival!

Another thing you might want to know is that BJ Alex's main story is all in black and white. Only the side stories are colored. I didn't even know Jiwon had green eyes up until then!

Some people might find this discouraging, but personally, I don't mind. After all, I've read a few mangas, so a black-and-white manhwa is no sweat!

What are your thoughts about BJ Alex? I'd love to chat all about it at the Otaku Community!