Trauma responses are not simple. They are not easy to understand, and everyone’s way of coping is different. Where Dan gets quiet and spirals, Jaekyung is filled with anger and puts up walls. They’ve both suffered, but you CANNOT expect Jaekyung to act like Dan. He would really benefit from some therapy, but unfortunately right now in the Mingwa universe the focus is love.
I’m seeing people say that he should be more empathetic towards Dan since he went through some of the same things, but there’s a specific type of anger/detachment in this scenario that can get in the way of that empathy — it is not that simple. It’s a feeling close to superiority (for getting out of that situation), but in a sense, not quite. It’s not about being an asshole. Sometimes these ugly feelings and complexes arise and you don’t even realize.
•Although it sucks, and I love Dan, liking someone puts them under absolutely ZERO obligation to like you back. Jaekyung was an ass about it, but he didn’t need to reciprocate any of Dan’s romantic feelings. They had an “agreement” (but yes, Jaekyung took advantage of Dan in that moment and made him agree).
•Jaekyung’s past does not excuse his actions, but rather, makes them easier to understand.
•I kind of want to see Jaekyung eventually tattoo Dan’s initials or something (later on, of course) since he can’t wear rings as an mma fighter).
Well said
Whoa you put it perfectly!
This was probably the most well-fitted backstory for Jaekyung, because it explains his comfort with older folks (which can stem from the Director helping him out, but also a subconscious feeling of ease around people who are “less powerful” than him or that he can maintain control around). Plus, his anger with Dan’s drinking, him recognizing the “stench of poverty,” why he can’t express love or recognize it, and his desire to be at the top (for his mom, to prefect himself, and to prove to his bullies that he is not weak).