Do Korean authors really think that giving a sad past to an abusive character changes anyt...

Some people who suffer abuse feel like they have no options. This is very real in many, MANY real life scenarios. You would be a fool to say that is not what is ahooening here. Being good is learned skill, just like how being a sack of apathetic, unable-to-see-another's-POV, and ignorant to how abuse affects child development is also learned. You wonder why Kim Dan acts so nice and wants to help others? Because his folks did, and he learned it from them.

So what did JK learn? He learned how to beat people up. He learned his folks will leave him with depression, neglect, or with untreated injuries. He learned he can get rewarded by fighting. He had NO, ZERO, NADA idea on what I meant to be loved. When he's never learned to do it, never felt the softness of love, can you really say he had an option? You can see how he came to like older people from that one woman's kindness, but who else do you see in his childhood teaching him how to tenderly love someone? Hm?

I don't think they're asking you to forgive his deeds by showing things. I think they want you to know where he's coming from and how Kim Dan might now approach a way to rehabilitate him into the world using ways he understands. Or perhaps show that tmhe has a reason for every terrible thing he did.

Here's some example of why I think you should cut JK some slack. You can tell me they aren't the same... but they are.
• John wants to go to Manhattan. He can only drive there or walk there... except he has many other options. He did not consider biking because he does not know how to bike. He did not consider the train because he's never been on one. He did not consider carpooling because of distrust or perhaps because he already has a car.

• Tom takes credit for Sarah's ideas in meetings. She thinks she can only confront him or stay silent and whine to her friends... except she has many other options that she failed to see. She could talk to HR, but she does not know their number or that they exist for her company. She could ask other people if they had similar issues, but she's only even focused on herself—she doesn't know who to ask. She could also revamp her own ideas to make them more noticeable and more popular than the plagiarized ones, but she never learned graphic design.

• JK wants to keep Kim Dan by his side. He thinks money and a flexible work environment will allow Kim Dan to tolerate his own work style and jinx. JK did not consider having a loving, caring relationship because he never experienced one in all of his years living. Jk did not consider apologizing, because his father never showed him how to. JK does not appreciate any other gifts from Kim Dan because he might be manipulating him or he might leave like his own mother did.

.... do you see what I'm getting at?

(Late night rant to get my energy out, not personal)

Nothing about your past can make up for or explain your current actions. Lots of nice people were raised in shitty households. As an adult, you no longer are able to blame your parents for not teaching you something.

thank you for this take, satan.

OP, it's definitely not just korean authors

I'm not going to read the whole text but making an essay to say that he needs someone to teach him to be a "decent human" is funny, he learned everything from life in poverty and wealth except that raping someone is horrible and cruel and he himself suffered from it. It is interesting to know that the story has no depth and that serious themes will be discarded with the explanation that "someone bad just needs to find love to change". But I'm a mere reader with a point of view.

Thank you for your cohesive words Satan.