Age gaps are common in both Korea and the U.S. but that doesn’t mean they’re free from critique especially when the younger person is 18 and the older is 22. In this case, there’s a clear power imbalance. Dohyun used to be the MC’s tutor when the MC was still a minor, and we can still see the effects of that dynamic in how much the MC idolizes him. Their interactions also highlight a noticeable difference in maturity levels, so I think it’s completely fair that the friend warned Dohyun not to pursue anything with someone who’s 18. And it’s even more serious given that the MC was drunk at the time. Drunk people can’t give proper consent, and even though Dohyun was also drinking, he was clearly the more level-headed one in that moment. He should have known better than to act on anything, even if the MC initiated it. The fact that the MC doesn’t remember what happened the next day makes it even worse. So while I’m definitely interested to see how the author explores this kind of dynamic, I think the concern by the friend was valid.
Well yeah I know people are free to criticize as they wish. But sometimes people take the behavior to far and it can become harassment. People these days accuse someone older in a consenting relationship with two adults immediately as a predator or creep. Which is just WEIRD. I hope that doesn't happen in this story :( and yeah the friends concern is valid. But it can become too much very quickly.
And they were both drinking at the time so none of them were of clear mind but the one drunk person really can't consent so I'm glad he kept level headed and respected our MC although he have in to his base instincts because smelling MC's pheromones made him "help" him out with his "problem". Then there's the whole Omegaverse aspect of things which make them more vulnerable to base instincts and scents involved so in a way we can but can't impose IRL human stuff on their behavior lol cause they're not human. Male humans can't have children, no human can mark another and we don't have scents or secondary sexes.
I think the age gap here is a bit more nuanced because of the power dynamics and the difference in maturity between the characters. But I do agree that since they’re both legal adults, they have the freedom to make their own choices about the relationship.
Regarding the Omegaverse aspect, I get that instincts and pheromones definitely blur the lines of consent in certain situations. Still, I think it’s important to recognize how omegas are often put in vulnerable positions, especially when it comes to unwanted advances or coercion. The system itself is built in a way that makes them more susceptible to that kind of treatment. Even though it’s a fictional world, the story explores themes that parallel real-life issues, so I think it’s worth examining how those ideas are portrayed.
That said, I do acknowledge that Dohyun was also affected by the MC’s pheromones, along with the fact that he had been drinking. That does adds another layer of complexity to the scenes, showing how much influence pheromones have over the characters' actions. I’m curious with how this particular incident is going to be addressed later on when the MC finds out.
Dohyun man.. I respect him. He only did what was asked of him and consented to. And didn't try to sleep with a drunk person because drunk people can't CONSENT fully. He's got patience and resolve. I'm glad we FINALLY have progress in our future couple. The scene where he bit his lip and you see him lose control for a second so he starts releasing pheromones lol. You just know his bed smelled like him even after he left. Anyway I get it that his friend warned him don't mess with someone younger than you but their age gap isn't that big and it's normal to see age gaps in relationships in Korea. It's VERY common so to be honest it just felt out of line and weird for me. It's honestly not their business if he does. But with age gaps relationships normally power imbalance come up along with the fact he's his senior in school and the club leader. So I get where the concern comes from but at the same time I don't think it's that big of a deal. Especially with how common it is in their culture. Now as for our MC he lived a while in the US was it?? Or was it Canada? I don't remember but culturally he probably also sees it differently.