I agree. I think this might be an unpopular opinion. Those kinds of characters for sure do not have to be redeemed as it feels so off-putting to have a character like that attempt redemption. There are times when the character doesn’t say it outright but you can tell they don’t care if the other character likes them or hates them as long as they’re together, and I would say they’re usually not redeemed
(And let’s not pretend that sometimes they’re characters people like *cough* Ceasar *cough* *cough*)
I think one of the characters that is just like that is the male lead from Palace's Bardo. That man didn't change lmao, he just tolerates more than he did before. He's obsess about the mc and just the mc. Man doesn't even give a fuck about his own son lol
Even if I would have prefered a soft yandere, who doesn't actively hurt his uke ; I find interesting the dynamic between the king and Sam Myeong. I am a sucker for obsession in fiction... and this story have a really nice fuck up in the head obessive seme XD !
I also don't care about the redeeming part. I think a character capable to say "Hate me, fear me, even try to kill me if you want... I don't care because at least you will think to me" doesn't have to be redeemed. I fact I will be quite disapointed if in the end suddenly the king became nice and lovey dovey and Sam Myeong act the same. I am here for the drama XD !