This. I'm actually Korean light novels fan due to Japanese LN translations having problems with describing who is talking, and CN LN being too long and too repetitious.

Them being like junk food is a perfect analogy.

Of course there are exceptions as well, but they are generally easier to read and don't require as much energy to read.

also the feel is just totally different like you said. The themes and tropes are so much more weirder and more specific than western novels.