I agree with you on that the MC is not completely broken to the point he thinks he’s in love or that the ML is in love with him, all the way through the end he knows he just can’t escape from his situation, every time he tried to call it love or lovers he couldn’t even in the end he couldn’t, he’s aware is an abusive relationship, but he also admits that leaving this person is scarier bc we know that person will drag him to hell if he tries or even say something about leaving, right from the start he never had choice, even if asked the ML not leave him we know is bc feels like there’s no place for him to start anew!
The author just gave him a shitty situation with loan sharks looking for and the ML being an obsessive jerk but at least with the jerk he can somehow please it by playing along that ML. Is just a shitty situation, but I don’t think he’s still attracted to him but rather bc of the hot and cold attitude the ML has towards him is difficult for him to fully hate him or want him out he’s life completely and he also knows how dependent he has become of him due to the ML conditioning!
I wish I could edit my comment bc of the grammar mistakes
I wish I could edit the grammar mistakes
i agree lol, he still loves him. they are in a relationship, but the power inbalance is so drastic that u cant call it a normal relationship. to mc, this relationship is both surviving and living
Arghhh I get this feeling so much! I also wish we could upvote comments because I totally agree with what you said! Let me reply to that comment instead :)
Yes to everything! I believe it is not love nor affection, it's choosing the lesser evil according to his current circumstances. Perhaps it IS affection, albeit a twisted kind. What I do enjoy is knowing MC KNOWS how abusive and twisted the whole situation is, and that ML is delusional for even considering what they have as a 'loving' relationship (as in, of romantic nature). That's also why I really want to see if MC will do anything at all, even if it takes a LOT of time, to get himself out of that situation... or if he chooses to stay and manipulate ML so he has the upper hand instead. We'll see! ლ(´ڡ`ლ)
I might be reading this wrong, and I also can't help but agree with everyone who says it's definitely Stockholm syndrome, but there's something about MC's eyes when he looks straight at ML whenever he's expressionless. ML calls it "being pretty," but it is also when MC is coldly analyzing ML and reevaluating his own situation.
If we weren't privy to his thoughts, I'd think it's just a case of Stockholm syndrome, sure, but I don't think that's the case. Not entirely, at least.
I'm not sure where it'll go from here. But it feels like, although MC is STILL attracted to Kangwoo, he is also sober. He also understands he has no choice at the moment but to follow this lunatic's logic if he wants to survive. At the same time, I can't shake this feeling that MC won't just stay put forever. If anyone has spoilers, they're more than welcome! Lol.