I Refuse To Be a Supporting Character: Vol. 1

by 姜离远 [Jiang Liyuan], Kitty J. (Translator)

What If You Became The Novel's Supporting Character?

Gu Jin, your average day-to-day worker, crossed into a novel as the supporting character and best friend and cousin of the female protagonist, Cheng Xin, who was frequently surrounded by men of status and quality. The two cousins believed they’d enjoy this friendship for a lifetime.

But soon, Gu Jin discovered that the body she had crossed into had memories of future events beyond the novel’s plot, including finding out that her marriage would end in utter failure. Her husband, the second male lead named Shao Chong, would neglect their marriage because of his infatuation for Cheng Xin. On the day that, Gu Jin was kidnapped and beaten to death, her good husband stayed by her cousin’s side and accompanied her to the hospital.

When Gu Jin transmigrated into this novel world and learned of the truth, she refused to waste this new life as a supporting role for her cousin the way the previous soul had done. She refused to live her life as a spectator in someone else’s love story. No. She would be the protagonist of her own romance in this new life.

Genres: China

173 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 14, 2020

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I Refuse to be a Supporting Character is another one of those web novels that does what it says on the tine - Gu Jin, somehow transported into a novel she once read, has zero interest in playing out the tragic life assigned to the heroine's supporting character. After all, why bother? She already knows the plot and the pitfalls, so is there anything wrong with becoming the heroine of her own life? As far as some of the other characters are concerned, probably, but Gu Jin has no plans to listen to them, and before too long she finds herself embarking on a (borderline creepy) relationship with one of the side characters while trying to launch a life that will both work for her and do the original Gu Jin proud. It's very, very soapy, but that makes it hard to put down, and while the writing isn't amazing, both it and the translation are by no means barriers to reading. As an added bonus, publisher WordExcerpt provides cultural notes for those not familiar with Chinese idioms and social practices, and I have to admit that I like that better than Americanizing the whole thing. (And I love that one of the two given euphemisms for periods in Chinese slang is "the relatives came for a visit." And, for that matter, that she gets her period at all, something I can't recall seeing in any Japanese light novels. Destigmatize!)

It's not a great book, but it is a fun one, and since it basically just stops, I'm looking forward to seeing how Gu Jin gets around her icky ex showing up at her dad's birthday party in volume two.

[Lexie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the full book, need to read vol 2

I want to make it clear - this does not end, so much as come to an abrupt stop. I think based on the fact the 2nd volume is out, and how these webnovels are usually structured, it was just awkwardly ended with the intention being "read vol 2 for the full story".

I'm fine with that, but as this book doesn't say as much it might be confusing to readers.

As for the book itself, this is a cautious 3.5 that I bumped up to 4 bc I'm enjoying Gu Jin and Mingcheng (despite being lauded as a cold hearted man) is at least willing to admit when he overreacts. Not to Gu Jin, but to himself and that's rather unique for hus archetype.

I'm cautious in my rating however because I don't know how this will end. A pitfall of having it broken up the way it is. Generally it appears to be heading in a direction I find pleasant, but truthfully this genre of webnovels is high on drama and unexpected situations.

You can liken them to American soap operas; if suddenly Gu Jin has amnesia and gets lost at sea only to marry Mingcheng's business rival...I wouldn't be shocked.

The translation, with the footnotes sprinkled throughout for some less easy to identify cultural turns of phrase, is pretty good. Its hard to balance correctly, so it doesn't come out too Westernized, but there's occasionally moments when those unfamiliar with this category of book might get confused by. A bit too literal translation at times that feel incongruous with the flow of story. Mainly in descriptions (several mentions of Mingcheng's bony hands had me side eying if this guy really was attractive), as it also becomes a bit too repetitive.

Again this may be due to the nature of the source material (an author often wants to make sure a reader has every relevant fact for the scene, so if they're reading quickly or skip around they don't lose the plot). Webnovels/light novels are mesnt to be quick reads that are largely easy to digest (like the dime store detectice novels or pulp fiction of earlier years). The intent is not to frustrate the reader, but quickly engage them and keep them immersed in the plot.

Only once was I truly annoyed with the book however. Gu Jin transmigrated from our world to this novel's world. While she retains the Original Gu Jin's memories, she us not in fact her. This has helped her navigate a way to avoid the tragic, heartbreaking end of "Gu Jin". Standard transmigration book stuff. At some point this also happens to Shao Chong and somehow Gu Jin knows this? Its never made clear how she realizes this as she purposely was avoiding him before he regain those memories. After he regained them he sought her out and she just...knew.

Otherwise I'm looking forward to the next book and how this all resolves.

[Géssika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Está divertido, embora sempre me faça rir com o clima 50 shades of Grey sem todo o sexo hahahahaha. É um livro dividido em dois, então o fim desse aqui é bem abrupto hahahahaha.

[elli elli · Rating 1 out of 5]

Primeiro, a única coisa boa desse livro: a protagonista. Ela é inteligente, fala na cara e me deu orgulho. Agora o resto é um lixo, a história é preguiçosa, cheia de buraco, os personagens são desperdiçados. Nunca ficamos sabendo do passado dos protagonistas de uma forma satisfatória, os vilões não são desenvolvidos e mal participam, o casal não é bem desenvolvido também e o relacionamento começa literalmente com ele tentando abusar ela e ficando p*to porque ela bateu nele se defendendo. O enredo em geral parece resumido e preguiçoso.

[A · Rating 3 out of 5]

The thing is, you have to like the style of C-dramas, I think. Otherwise, the pacing might be a little unorthodox. I did appreciate the translator notes. Although the main character had some minor repetitive elements, she also had some relatable points I appreciated (the high heels thing, the period, etc.)

[Abi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't completely vibe with the romance in this but it's overall pretty soapy and fun. I'm glad I'm reading it in Kindle Unlimited and not buying it though. 3.5 stars.

[Jennine S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting!

I came for the plot synopsis and stayed for the cool insights into Chinese High society culture and language! Very cool!

[Christy Stewart]

https://www.novelupdates.com/series/i...