If you include bad things in a story without ever showing that those were bad, readers have every right to complain. The glory and majority of other korean media includes bullying but never portrays it nicely. E
Even when friendship forms from bullying, either the story or some character always shows the severity of bullying.
Was there in any point of story, it was addressed how bad R, blackmailing was, was the R and blackmailing portrayed as disturbing or merely a plot part bad boy and cheap romance? No, it just tried to shrug it off and ended to make them a cutesy couple.
Then readers aren't surface level, it's the author.
True, especially based on the year it was published. Yaoi was known for started from either rape or hate
Sorry, the year doesn't excuse it. There are many good yaoi before 2017. It would've been if it was in the early 2000s.
I don't understand why are you guys quite short brain regarding this R scene. Most often only look at the surface, if you look at the psychological and behavioural issues and the year it was created. This is very common thing that happens on high schoolers. Both were abused as child and one goes until highschool. Teenagers can be wild without proper adult supervision or growth. Emotionally stunt/abused/traumatized, additional of abandonment and attachment issues can create one hell of a kid.
Let's be real, how many issues of r*/sa-ed/harassment had happened during school time? S*x/dating underage? One child is abandoned thinking no one cares about him. Other abused to believe that he has his father left and stayed despite the abuse. Remember the first chapter? Mc told 'he would do anything as long as the Ml keep quiet of the issue' and for high schoolers who never felt such power, of course they go wild. 'Jump of the roof', 'k*ll yourself', 'lick my feet and crawl', 'drink my piss'.
You guys probably never been bullied before. Go watch a korean drama 'The Glory' that's how harsh bullying can be. It's a blessing that this both still have their own inner-child kindness and found at that time.