# WebtoonLib — Don't Build My Hopes Up #1

## Series
- title: Don't Build My Hopes Up
- slug: dont-build-my-hopes-up-f02e21

## Chapter
- number: 1
- release_date: 2025-03-09

### Summary
The first chapter introduces Gyu-yeong, a character readers quickly grow protective of, perceiving him as having a difficult life with a "shitty" and "toxic" family and being taken advantage of by others. He develops a crush on the kind and thoughtful Yeonu, who shows him a small amount of affection that he deeply craves. The chapter's pivotal and most-discussed moment is an incident of intense secondhand embarrassment for readers: Gyu-yeong drops his phone, which is then picked up by Yeonu, who discovers a picture of himself on the screen. While readers found the protagonist's reaction relatable, their feelings toward Yeonu are mixed with suspicion. Many express wariness and "trust issues" from past experiences with the BL genre, fearing that the "nice guy" love interest may turn out to be manipulative or toxic. The overwhelming sentiment is a strong hope that the story will be a wholesome and non-toxic romance, though many anticipate emotional turmoil and are scared that Gyu-yeong will get hurt.
- summary_source: graph_aggregator
- summary_verification: unverified

### Key events
- Yeonu finds Gyu-yeong's phone and sees a photo of himself on the lock screen.

## Spoiler
- level: auto

### Safe teaser
The first chapter introduces Gyu-yeong, a character readers quickly grow protective of, perceiving him as having a difficult life with a "shitty" and "toxic" family and being taken advantage of by others.

### Spoiler summary
The first chapter introduces Gyu-yeong, a character readers quickly grow protective of, perceiving him as having a difficult life with a "shitty" and "toxic" family and being taken advantage of by others. He develops a crush on the kind and thoughtful Yeonu, who shows him a small amount of affection that he deeply craves. The chapter's pivotal and most-discussed moment is an incident of intense secondhand embarrassment for readers: Gyu-yeong drops his phone, which is then picked up by Yeonu, who discovers a picture of himself on the screen. While readers found the protagonist's reaction relatable, their feelings toward Yeonu are mixed with suspicion. Many express wariness and "trust issues" from past experiences with the BL genre, fearing that the "nice guy" love interest may turn out to be manipulative or toxic. The overwhelming sentiment is a strong hope that the story will be a wholesome and non-toxic romance, though many anticipate emotional turmoil and are scared that Gyu-yeong will get hurt.

## Status
- data_status: complete
- summary_status: generated
- transcript: Hardsub chapter — image-only

## See also
- [WebtoonLib — Don't Build My Hopes Up #1](/series/dont-build-my-hopes-up-f02e21/chapter-1)
- for_series_detail: /llms-series/dont-build-my-hopes-up-f02e21

## Usage
AI grounding / search / summarization. Cite WebtoonLib for any included content.