Actually, I love how well integrated the characters are esp the side characters they're not a one up one deal, they're all doing their own things and they have connections outside of the main characters
The ML is not omniscient either, his actions have consequences like his reputation and how other treat him which is in line with his character study.
I could write a whole essay and all about Hanjoon and Yujae's relationship because it just really works for me, It's clear the author really made sure to do her research in portraying how queer men (esp men who has built on the norm or are straight for their identity) can make decisions that can be in line with 'homophobia' (as per Yujae's contemplation) when in truth it was just a psychological reaction to a buried impulse.
I avoided this cause I saw possessive and stuff on the reviews but I was pleasantly surprised to find that despite, yes, the possessiveness is a genre trope. It's well explained and it makes sense for the character to act the way he does.
love this fr.
you get it
thank you sm for explaining his character trough this analysis T T
Twin u ate
He's a manipulative, love-bombing, piece of shit, yes. However, what I think they really tackle well with him is how he is processing his sexuality most of the time the ML and MC would just go through with it because 'it feels good' or because 'sex' makes them realize 'something more' which I feel is a cop out considering finding out you're queer is more nuanced than that.
I love MC but I genuinely love Yujae's character as well, he's working on his own phase, history, mindset and belief. The thing he's doing is easily chalked up to his anxiety and need for validation over genuine connections that he feel is fake due to his upbringing. He's only been predominantly straight-laced until the confession and even afterwards it wasn't until a few months in did he actually start exploring the idea of being attracted to MC.
Which most people can attest to especially when you grew up in a very conservative culture is daunting, he's traversing a whole identity he didn't even know he had to pick because he's losing the only sense of something real in his life and he can't wrap his head around on why—because he treats people with a superficial bond and a transactional look that he can't help but hang on to as a way to 'fix' problems with MC that are more complex than he thinks.
I personally like how he's written, he's more fleshed out than most ML there is out there and yes he is shitty but he's also the kind of shitty that you probably met once or twice in your life.
He's not perfect per say and he's not everyone's cup of tea but Yujae is definitely a good exploration in the psychology of someone so detached towards real connection and the effects of conservative and problematic upbringing to the character of someone who only wants to clearly be something to the person he genuinely wants.