Ohhh this analysis is good... Comments here were throwing trash to this couple but I really like them (I like them all tbh).. Communication it's hard, people always say "just talk to each other" but irl that IS hard and people irl no realize their mistake that quickly. Unfortunately there's people like the aunt that never change and even after death their damage it's still alive
Yes I fully agree with you, it's been frustrating to read because it's actually so close to real life this is the kind of story that doesn't let you escape when reading haha but it's written so well with such fleshed out characters like you said that you've really gotta give it to the author. Hats off to them
she creates really complicated, fleshed out characters who's motivations and ways of being, love languages, obsessions, neurosis, even sexual habits stem so much from their background, environment and family etc. and in doing so she doesn't shy away from how "ugly" people can get and complicated human relationships can be. i think for the most part she rarely writes "bad" characters instead they're almost always a reason for why they acted the way they acted through their pov
but she also is able to write about how there are certain "flaws" that ppl need to grow from - if only to stop harming the people they love. and how loving people really does change you EVEN as her depiction of love so far is about radical understanding and non-judgement. finding someone who will embrace you and SEE you and make you feel safe to be yourself. at the same time not foreclosing growth and being better. that's why someone who is as kind as Norman may seem a bit boring fictionally but is GODSEND irl...esp for someone who is depressed like sungtaek is.
which is why i'm excited for minwoo/cheoljin esp bc cheoljin's fear of vulnerability is truly insane/he's the most "let people see what they want to see" type person in existence. meanwhile minwoo is stubborn and can be very projecting in his own way bc of his own insecurities. the payoff is gonna be sooo good i trust the author to get us there.
anyways i just think this author's writing is very true to life and underrated in that way. i do think it's probably not suited for commercial BL readers as the audience which is a shame lol