i think the mixed feelings people feel is because of the author's amazing writing. and unlike the other bad guys in this story he's the one we actually get to see things from his side/perspective. it makes it more personal? i guess. like this isn't just some guy; it's a character we get to know.
not saying that makes him worthy of a happy ending though, you are correct that others suffered too. at the end of the day he's not a good guy.
I agree, sorry, I just wanted to let off some steam in my post because that was really overwhelming.
You can pity him and still think he's a terrible person. You can pity him and still think Bongchon and Soongap have more tragic pasts. Those things are not mutually exclusive. People who pity Pilgyeon just recognize that his possessive and destructive behavior is a product of his childhood trauma. It's sad that a seemingly sweet child grew up to become such a monster.
I don't get the people who say they pity that sorry piece of sh*** of a brother. Like even if he saved him, he was the one who led him to suicide like... should he feel grateful for that then? He's just a selfish man who deserves all that happened to him. Even if you think his past is sad, all the other characters suffered as much, or even more than him. Look at the ML for example, I don't think he would go against the MC's wishes to keep him by hs side, when he loves someone, he prioritizes his wishes before his own. That's what I would consider love.
Not some kind of ugly possessive obsession, as if the MC was just a toy that belonged to him, that brat.