While his peers prepared for college entrance exams, Lee Yoohan was drawn into a dangerous world of crime while working for a loan shark. When his reckless lifestyle leads to a devastating act of revenge against his family, Yoohan is forced to confront the consequences of his choices. Years later, after attempting to atone and live quietly, he encounters a powerful figure in the entertainment industry who offers him a chance to settle old scores. Pulled back into the underworld, Yoohan must decide whether revenge will finally free him—or consume what remains of his humanity.
Payback is a dark, character-driven BL that treats revenge not as empowerment, but as a lingering wound. Lee Yoohan isn’t a glorified antihero—he’s a man haunted by guilt, regret, and the irreversible damage of his past actions.
The story excels at portraying emotional restraint and internal conflict, with romance emerging not as comfort, but as tension layered atop unresolved trauma. The criminal world feels grounded and oppressive, reinforcing the idea that escape always comes at a cost.
This is a mature, emotionally heavy read best suited for readers who appreciate psychological depth, flawed characters, and BL stories that don’t shy away from consequences.
