Rihanan and Cesaire. If you’ve spent any time on webtoon forums or TikTok lately, those names probably trigger an immediate reaction. I Just Wanted to be Loved by You—also known by its literal translation I Only Want to be Loved—is a story that thrives on making its readers deeply uncomfortable. It’s not your typical fluffy "happily ever after" romance. Far from it. This is a gritty, psychological dive into obsession, trauma, and the kind of toxic dynamics that make you want to reach into the screen and stage an intervention for the protagonist.
What Actually Happens in I Just Wanted to be Loved by You?
The premise sounds like a standard historical romance trope at first glance. Rihanan, our protagonist, lived a life of misery. She was neglected, unloved, and eventually met a tragic end. Standard reincarnation or "second chance" setup, right? But the author, Myung Rang, twists the knife. When Rihanan returns to the past, she isn't suddenly a girl-boss with all the answers. She’s a broken person trying to navigate a minefield laid by her half-brother, Cesaire.
The central conflict of I Just Wanted to be Loved by You revolves around Cesaire’s suffocating, obsessive "love." This isn't the charming, protective brotherly love you see in The Monster Duchess and the Contract Princess. This is dark. It’s possessive. It’s psychological warfare.
Most readers find the story through the manhwa adaptation, which features stunning, almost ethereal art that contrasts sharply with the heavy subject matter. The artist uses soft lighting and intricate lace details to mask the fact that Rihanan is basically living in a gilded cage. It’s that contrast that keeps people reading. You’re waiting for her to break free, but the narrative keeps pulling her back into the cycle.
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The Psychological Weight of Obsession
Why does this story get under people's skin so much? It's the realism of the emotional manipulation. Even though it's set in a fantasy kingdom, the way Cesaire gaslights Rihanan feels eerily grounded in reality. He isolates her. He makes her feel like he’s the only one who truly understands her or wants her.
The title itself, I Just Wanted to be Loved by You, is a tragic irony. It reflects Rihanan’s original desire for familial warmth—a basic human need—that was twisted and weaponized against her.
Let's talk about the "love interest" debate. This is where the community splits. Some readers are holding out hope for a redemption arc or a "true" ML (Male Lead) who can save her. Others argue that the story is intentionally a tragedy and that looking for a "ship" misses the point of the psychological horror elements. Honestly, if you're looking for a wholesome romance, you're in the wrong place. This manhwa is for the readers who liked the tension in The Pale Horse or the toxicity of Who is the Prey.
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Key Differences Between the Novel and Manhwa
If you've only read the manhwa, you're missing some of the internal monologues that make Rihanan's choices make sense. The web novel goes much deeper into her state of mind.
- The Pacing: The manhwa moves fast. It hits the high-drama beats but sometimes skips the slow-burn dread of the novel.
- The Violence: The novel is considerably more graphic. The manhwa sanitizes some of the darker moments to fit platform guidelines, but the psychological weight remains.
- The Ending: Without spoiling too much, the novel's conclusion is polarizing. Some call it realistic given the trauma involved; others find it deeply unsatisfying.
A lot of the "hate-reading" phenomenon surrounding I Just Wanted to be Loved by You comes from the frustration of seeing a protagonist struggle so much. We’ve been conditioned by the "Rebirth/Villainess" genre to expect a character who becomes an overnight mastermind. Rihanan isn't that. She’s a victim of chronic abuse trying to find a reason to breathe. That makes her "weak" in the eyes of some readers, but arguably more human than the typical invincible manhwa lead.
Is It Worth the Read?
That depends on your triggers. The series deals heavily with themes of incest (though framed as obsession rather than a healthy romance), emotional abuse, and suicide. It is not a light read.
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However, if you appreciate stories that explore the darker side of human attachment, it's a masterclass in tension. The art in the manhwa adaptation is genuinely top-tier. The way the artist draws eyes—Cesaire’s often looking predatory and Rihanan’s looking hollow—does more storytelling than the dialogue ever could.
How to Navigate the Controversy
The series has faced criticism for "romanticizing" abuse. While that's a valid concern in the broader context of the genre, a closer look at the narrative suggests it’s depicting a cycle of abuse rather than endorsing it. The "love" Cesaire offers is never portrayed as something the reader should want. It’s depicted as a cage.
When people search for I Just Wanted to be Loved by You, they’re often looking for a release—a moment where Rihanan finally wins. But the story asks a harder question: Can you ever truly "win" against someone who has spent your entire life breaking you down?
Actionable Steps for New Readers
If you're planning to dive into this series or are currently struggling through the middle chapters, here’s how to handle it:
- Check the Tags: Seriously. Look at the content warnings on sites like Baka-Updates or Anime-Planet. This isn't a "soft" drama.
- Read the Novel Translation: If the manhwa feels like it's missing context, find the web novel translations. The internal monologue is essential for understanding Rihanan’s passivity.
- Don't Expect a Power Fantasy: Go into it expecting a psychological drama. If you want a character who destroys her enemies in chapter ten, go read The Remarried Empress instead.
- Engage with the Community: Subreddits like r/OtomeIsekai have massive threads dedicated to analyzing Cesaire’s behavior. It helps to process the heavier chapters with other readers who are just as stressed as you are.
The fascination with I Just Wanted to be Loved by You isn't because it's "good" in a traditional, feel-good sense. It’s because it’s a visceral exploration of the desperate need for affection and how that need can be used to destroy a person. It’s uncomfortable, it’s dark, and it’s one of the most talked-about series for a reason.