This thing happens in real life actually. It's not just a trope in fiction.
Well we're in a gray territory. Anyways, On some cases it could not be exaclty predatory but it's still weird. At least in my opinion, there's no line between "aww it's pure love" and "it's weird". It's always "it's weird".
In this case, it's kinda hard to root for the older guy coz first, he saw seo in as a kid and spent time and even created a bond with him. Seo in saw him as some sort of the adult figure(at least that's wut I think). [I'm not really good with words]
Hmmm...let's go with this. Hypothetically, If you have an adult person that knows you since you were a kid and you lowkey treated him as an older brother of some sorts. You had bond with them. They saw you grow up. But when you became 20 they suddenly became interested with you...will you not be weirded out by that? (let's say, he doesn't see you as a romantic partner when you're a kid but when you became adult, they started to notice you and be attracted to you.) [Personally, I would be scared and kind of feel betrayed]
and it's extra weird if it's the older one who pursues first.
P.S. note really good with words. Can't explain what I feel cohesively. I hope you get my point. This is just my opinion.
Anyways, this is fiction we are free to have our own feels abt the characters. And as I said, we're in a gray area. Exact right or wrong doesn't exist. They are complex characters. (This is purely my opinion)
Omg, it's Yeongwoon mb (I really need to sleep)
Ty for rp ! I’m not good with words eitherrr TvT I totally get why it would feel weird or even betraying from the younger person's perspective. That shift from seeing someone as a bro/family figure or even as elder friend to a romantic interest later on is def complicated to say the least. What makes me extra conflicted is the older person's self awareness in these situations. Like if they're genuinely a good person that guilt probably eats at them right ? they know society would judge it as wrong, they remember them as a kid or helping with homework or whatever and now they're having these feelings? That internal conflict must be brutal TvT well I get society's disapproval isn't just arbitrary it's because these relationships often carry imbalances even when both are adults.
Your scenario hits the nail on the head ngl If I were in that position, I'd probably feel weirded out toooooo no matter how pure the older person's feelings are now. And that's the paradox the older person might truly believe it's love but the younger one can't un know that this person watched them grow up. That alone creates a psychological barrier that regular relationships don't have. But IMO If the older person acts ethically no harm intended, respects boundaries, backs off, distance themselves upon recognizing the younger person's discomfort, then I think it’s safe to say this isn't grooming.
I'm really looking forward to see how the author gonna handle TG and YW's situation. I know it's fiction TwT since I’m a biggggg fan of deep stories like 'Form of Sympathy' this one is also deep as that so
I honestly don't think TG is a bad person morally so let’s see his next moves, his thoughts about YW and his whole pov. Zaddy better be real
Gotta admit I've started liking him more than Seoiin...might be a little biased here lol
There’s a power imbalance
Yeah it's not grooming. One search in the internet and one will know that it doesn't exactly check the boxes
Lol bias is so real when he's aging like a fine wine but Yeah I wanna know how this will progress too. I'm biased with Seo in but his actions are kinda ermmm...so I'll let the author cook.
Guys I want to preface this by saying I'm absolutely not a fan of grooming, pedo or anything remotely related. This’s purely a hypothetical question out of curiosity.
If an adult knows someone from childhood and at that time, the adult genuinely saw them only as a child, no romantic feelings, no ulterior motives, zero weirdness, just wholesome support, just kindness. but later, when both are fully grown adults, the older person develops romantic feelings for the now-adult individual...
Is it inherently wrong to have those feelings? Does this even happen IRL or is it just a trope? How is this different from grooming, which is clearly manipulative and intentional from the start? I'm trying to understand the ethical lines here, since grooming is about predatory intent, whereas this scenario suggests feelings developed after both parties reached adulthood. Like where’s the line between “the purely form of love” “This is weird, This feels off” ?