Have you
ever wanted to go back to a specific moment in your life? In KOWLOON
GENERIC ROMANCE, the mysterious walled city of Kowloon represents that
idealized escape, created by the pain and guilt of its protagonists, especially
Kudo, after the loss of the original Reiko. This place appears only for those
who carry deep regret, not simply out of nostalgia.
Regret vs. Nostalgia: The Real Reason to Enter Kowloon
Characters
like Kudo, Xiaohei, and Miyuki arrive in Kowloon fleeing from their own ghosts.
Kudo blames himself for Kujirai B's death, Xiaohei longs to feel comfortable in
his body, and Miyuki still mourns her mother's absence. Although Yaomay was
never in the original Kowloon, she also seeks in the new city to escape a life
marked by a domineering mother and unresolved conflicts. Kowloon is, at its
core, a place to evade pain and fear of the future.
More
than perfect refuge for Kudo
For Kudo,
Kowloon is a sanctuary where nothing changes or advances. He maintains his
daily routine, his job, and a friendly but stagnant relationship with Reiko,
without risking losing her again. This lossless, risk-free world allows him to
hide from his guilt and the pain that has plagued him since the death of the
original Reiko.
The
transformation that breaks the cycle
Cracks in
Kowloon appear when Reiko begins to forge her own identity and Yaomay decides
to face her problems with her mother. While both seek to be themselves
without hiding their emotions, Kudo remains trapped in her Kowloon built on
guilt and stagnation.
The
price of living in an illusion
Kowloon is
a city that repeats the same summer over and over again, a seductive haven for
those who wish to linger in an idealized past. However, as Yaomay discovers,
living hidden from oneself prevents one from achieving one's true identity.
Only by facing pain and accepting change is it possible to grow and move
forward.
Kowloon
collapse, the beginning of a new stage and conclusions
When Reiko
shows interest in new experiences outside of Kowloon, Kudo is bewildered. This
break with monotony awakens emotions that he had repressed and causes Kowloon
to collapse around him. At that crucial moment, Kudo recognizes that there is
no reset in life: he cannot eternally flee from the past or the future. By
accepting your pain, you can finally break free from your emotional prison.
Nostalgia
can be a tempting refuge, but to live only in memories is to stop in
time. Kowloon Generic Romance shows us that true freedom and
growth come from facing pain and uncertainty. Only in this way, as Reiko,
Yaomay, and Kudo do, can authenticity be achieved and life on.
