Thank you! I keep saying he's been manipulating her too and I literally had someone ask when and if the manipulation is in the room with us. I was like yes it's the giant bright pink elephant of manipulation taking up their whole relationship! He literally used his power as her boss to stop her seeing people when she tried to start dating. But no it's romantic when the ML is the one manipulating her. Now he's not respecting anything she says.
yup! it’s a bit concerning how so many readers are blind to his incredibly textual scheming. like you mentioned, there’s definitely the matter of a gigantic power imbalance which the ML had no qualms against using; and PLUS, he lied to her about her father’s whereabouts??! i NEED him to get off of her for like 20 more chapters at least
i just don’t find the “persistent ML” trope charming AT ALL! it’s vile how these stories basically groom women and girls into thinking that it’s romantic and desirable for men to be grade 5 clingers who don’t give their partners any room to grow.
like, this man has been manipulating FL since the beginning of the manhwa and just when i thought her america arc would show both leads growing up and coming to terms with their past on their OWN, SINGLE terms, this nonsense is what i’m hit with?!