My Problem With The Gen 0 Arc

Although the arc has only just started and will probably go on for a bit since we're still dealing with Yamazakis occupying South Korea and not their main force, so I hope this issue changes in the future.

Firstly, I'd like to emphasize that I like the character interactions and the characters themselves. Gen 0, especially the main 4, are some of my most favorite characters in the series.

Now, the biggest problem of this arc in my opinion, is the lack of a sense of urgency and stakes. This isn't due to the fact that we know the Yamazakis lose. No, the main culprit so far is this:

Gapryong Kim is too strong.

As much as I like him and as much as I like him being as strong as he is for the sake of tier lists and powerscaling, but for the sake of the arc's quality, his strength is too much.

One issue that has already arisen as many have already pointed out was his fight with Elite. Taesoo, while one could argue may not be reliable, claimed that Gapryong overcame his limits to beat Elite.

However, as another post pointed out, Seonji's own overcoming of his limits against James was much better. One could even argue that Gap didn't surpass his limits at all. We could not feel any struggle from his part, the importance here is "feel" and not what we see. We see that he was pushed back by Elite, was overwhelmed by his speed and unique skills, etc. but we could not "feel" any struggle, any urgency, any desperation coming from him.

And this is because of one thing: conviction/overcome

From what one can see, Gapryong already seems to have mastered conviction/overcome, even if it's not the case. From a reader's perspective it does, from his portrayal and constant use of conviction/overcome, it almost seems like his "innate strength" that Kitae was said to inherit was replaced with it.

There was a simple solution to this, however. Making Gapryong EARN his conviction/overcome ability, just as Jinrang did.

Make him develop it from a sense of desperation against an opponent stronger than him because so far no one is stronger than him and protecting those he cares for.

Because, aside from Jinyoung's copy, all users of conviction/overcome have something they wish to protect. But Gapryong currently doesn't have that, he also has a dream or wish to save the world.

One could argue that he's protecting that dream, but then that basically means that he's protecting his dream, not those around him, unlike his successors, unlike the Gapryong Kim we knew from the stories around him of protecting his followers and even saving Busan.

I honestly wouldn't mind seeing Gapryong struggle and even being the underdog, it put more depth into his character. How rose to become the strongest of Gen 0 and potentially of all time, not being born or appearing as the strong man that we have now, but rising, no, "overcoming" the challenges around him. Making the reason why Reporter Kim never hearing of him because he has yet to overcome those challenges.

Anyways, I hope more is shown as the arc progresses and this is just my own two cents. I trust that PTJ knows what he's doing and will give him a struggle that isn't Shingen Yamazaki. Either way, Lookism is mostly just a turn-off-my-brain and enjoy the ride manhwa for me, something to enjoy and not take too seriously. Just though you all might enjoy my thoughts, peace!