As someone neurodivergent who grew up and works in east Asia, I don’t think the members were portrayed unrealistically at all. I’m am very much like Eden, a blunt individual, and holy shit did my old workplace hate me for being that way. I was always told for being in the wrong for speaking up about what is wrong about things, which pisses me off because if it weren’t for me, they would’ve been constantly beating around the bush and waste everyone’s time???
Because people were raised to be “polite” in East Asian society, whenever someone says anything that may hurt people’s feelings even if it’s just pure honesty, they can’t take it and take full offense to it without trying to understand why that was even being said in the first place.
Thankfully, not everyone is unreceptive to bluntness. I have found friends who appreciated my personality and so has Eden with his music producer friends who treats him well because they know Eden is a really good guy. It just sucks that Eden’s teammates only started accepting Eden because of the system’s interference. If it were me, I would’ve just left the group because why should I bother hanging out with people who can’t accept me for who I am? But the system forces Eden to stay there so I feel so bad for Eden _(:3 」∠)_.
Maybe it's bc I'm a south East Asian but genuinely they are portrayed unrealistically imo, most asians and locals where I'm from and have been to (other SEA countries) are all taught and socialized into a very blunt ( all be it in a less aggressive tone ) way of speaking to everyone. Also I've been to Korea and have Korean locals as friends and legit they'll never be this soft especially Korean men maybe we're in different parts of Asia or smth (Asia is big asf) but I'm also coincidentally another Neurodivergent person lol , and yea sometimes I myself have gotten in trouble for my tone of speaking and stuff but definitely not as frequent as Eden cus he's getting blasted for every word
I'm a very big fan of the whole novel also the manhwa so I really wanted to clarify this. I think you guys are the one misunderstanding the whole story and each of the members connections, diversity, and personality.
First of all, I wanted to claim that i love Eden SOOOO much he basically my bias. And as I'm a novel reader, no, author NEVER hated Eden. I even think Eden is author's favourite. The author basically made him a very charming, talented, funny, and confident person, who has a bad tongue and rude but is extremely good at heart and is more sentimental than he seems.
(His real character will be revealed more as the story goes, and Eden is so charming that its impossible for anyone to hate him)
There are proper reasons WHY the system "forced him" to be like what he is now.
If you dont mind a little spoiler... please do read this.
1. This one is not a spoiler. The story literally begins here. He announced his leave on THEIR annivesary, suddenly, without telling the member and discussing about him leaving to the members. Basically he is selfish and is arrogant when he decided to left because he was already a famous songwriter. He didn't think of what his and reve's fans was feeling when he did this on their anniversary. If you still think Eden did nothing wrong after reading this, i think you don't have to continue reading because you would not understand the rest of it.
2. From the start he never had a good relationship with the members, because,
A. To yehyun, all he ever said BEFORE was "yo you have no skill, you just have your face" without knowing how HARD yehyun works to improve himself. Even yehyun himslef knows that his biggest charm is his face so he's taking sooooo much care of his appearance and the group's diet etc. (Like not allowing them to have fast food etc)
B. To Dobin, who is used to be bullied by being called "names" he hated how Eden always called him "dobby" and continued to do that even though he already said not to. He also misunderstood eden's rudeness as "evil" because Eden NEVER actually thinks about how other people feel about him.
C. To Hajun, Eden make a big mistake and basically help his enemies. Plus Eden is so insensitive and ignorant of what he did. Hajun also thinks Eden as precious friends but he thought Eden didn't think much of him.
D. To jaehee... well not much. Jaehee is the smartest of all, and the one that admires Eden the most. He really likes Eden, but Eden didn't like Jaehee as much. He never tried to KNOW who Jaehee is, and never cared.
Basically, he put a HUGE wall between him and the members. He hated how in the past the one that makes the group rise is Yehyun's face that HE insulted as the only thing he have. Its back to his prideful side. Continued by how he never thought of building any realtionship with them, never spends any time with them while still saying a lot of hurtful things to them. If you still think this is super normal, I don't think you are a very good friend.
3. Of course its not as if the other member did nothing wrong. They did too, but the system stays in Eden, so they tried to make Eden CARE more about the team. They made Eden realize how he should treasures his members and his fans, and Eden was very glad of it. Eden ended up happier once he "change" his true self but bad side (because he also has TON of good qualities) that is insensitive and rude and uncaring. Because Eden started to change, other members did too.
4. Idk in your country, but in my country UNLESS you are close enough, rude words are off limits. Lets remember this. Reve is a group of bunch people that are strangers. They are, as you said PROFESIONALS and coworker. And you are bound to be more sensitive to what people you are not close to yoj saod than to your close friends.
Imagine you are at work and suddenly your not so close coworker said "you have no skills, you must entered through some kind of backhanded means arent you?" Or if your coworker called you names that YOU didn't like every single day.
Contrary to what you listed, i think the members are potrayed VERY realistically. Good for you if people around you are never as sensitive as that, and you too, are not sensitive. But just know that probably means you are another Eden and maybe some people out there that afe not close enough to you are misunderstanding your intentions.
If you pay attention, Eden dis say "i never think about whata other thinks of me cuz I hangs out with people that like me". Cu they're 100% friends that are created through interest. While Reve, are a bunch of strangers that NEEDS to works together despite whether or not their personality matched each other or not.
To me, Eden is charming precisely because he IS NOT perfect. The has flaws, changed them, realized his mistakes and become MUCH better he became the best boy to ever exist. This is the Eden that I love and I would never defend on his or members past mistakes. Not just Eden, everyone in the group grows up as they got closer.
The author didn't make Eden the bad guy, he DID make a mistake. Does the members free of mistakes? Not they aren't. But the systems resides on Eden. They can only make EDEN change, and Eden himself can only change himself, not others. Other people change too eventually but its because they see how eden changed for better, not because Eden CHANGED them.
You said here that yehyun was putting the blames on Eden by telling him "you should've told him that". You really think a person who thinks of himself as "nothing much" in that person eyes would have the audacity and courage to ask "bro wdyt of me?"
Yehyun didn't blame Eden, he is basically telling Eden how there's misunderstanding and through Eden actions, Hajun didn't understand how much Eden treasures him and told him to convey that properly through words. HOW IS THAT BLAMING?? HOW IS THAT MAKING EDEN EVIL? Its an ADVICE given by Yehyun of all people. You saod that eden wasn't even rude although his words are indeed bad, but you said that yehyun giving Eden's advice and realization is making him evil... like, isn't that kinda double standard?
And Hajun is indeed sulking, and even him sulking is part of his characters, it was what create a conflict between people. Like, still the same. You can let Eden stay true to himself but being rude but Hajun isn't allowed to sulk?? Like he is just sulking, he is not hurting anyone. Its like you guys have never had an argument with your friend and have a bit of cold war.
Sorry i make a bad sentence on the first point. Iy was very bad and would definitely cause misunderstanding.
When I said
"without telling the member and discussing about him leaving to the members."
I meant he didnt tell the members or discussed with him that he would say he was leaving the group because his contract ended on their 7th anniversary celebration. And he even did that on purpose.
In your words yes it does come off that way , but wholeheartedly THIS DOESN'T COME ACROSS THE SAME WAY IN THE MANHWA. if it did , I woulda been getting wayy more people defending the author in the comments, but really while Eden IS FLAWED, I NEVER SAID HE WASN'T. the "punishment" he got for his flawed VERY HUMAN behaviors are wayy too much. And that's what I commented on, I'm not saying he shouldn't be reprimanded or despised for his blunt and sometimes rude words, I'm saying HE IS UNJUSTIFIEDLY PUNISHED. in this story, multiple times other characters and people have been rude to him equally if not ruder but they were never crucified for what they did unlike how Eden is.
Personally, Eden wouldn't be my bias and that's bc I simply don't indulge in having biases and stuff like like, I don't Stan and I don't live my life with much interest in idols or artists, so from my perspective the "punishments" and penalities are genuinely insane. And one point Abt professionalism : when one is faced with fiery and a blunt personality like Eden, dyk what's the professional route against that? COMMUNICATION, you would first state ; "oh this specific thing you did is in my opinion unprofessional and I wouldn't tolerate that kinda words to me again in our next interactions"
But EVERY SINGLE CHARACTERS in here doesn't do that, they'll say this instead " you seriously don't understand what you did wrong?" WHICH IS WEIRD, AND THEN THEY SULK AND FIGHT AND I'D ARGUE THEY'RE ALSO NOT BEING PROFESSIONAL.
so pardon me if I genuinely think the writing is ass, bc it is quite appalling that it's just gassed up.
You are judging based on their pure reaction and didnt consider their characters at all. You didnt consider how they are feeling when they are facing someone like Eden. It was indeed not written because sometimes, IT DIDNT NEED to be written or HAS NOT YET been explained. Not that the writing is ass.
Because Eden probably keep doing those overly blunt rude things REPEATEDLY, without feeling any remorse despite seeing their members didnt like it. He thinks he is the right one. And its not to my writing, the story itself is like that??? All I said comes out of the story, it was not my headcanon. The story and characters are not shallow at all thats why I know.
He was being punished by the system, yes, but it was all for avoiding doing all of them REPEATEDLY. And in the end, he did lost everything because he never learned his mistake. Eden is stubborn. If not by doing things like this, he may not realize his mistake. Little spoilet but this bad behaviour even in front of camera made him suffer and mass would not believe in him when rumours about him start circulating. So youre clearly not thinking far enough on the consequences that Eden HAD FACED in the future because of how had he behaved as he likes.
For example, think in Yehyun's shoes. Hey, Eden himself used to be extremely unprofessional on daily basis. He would tell Yehyun off and Yehyun would explode in front of him and they would fight all the time. Not once but A LOT OF TIMES. This should be enough to show how Eden is not just blunt but kinda rude and didnt care if he hurt someone (Oh and it was TOLD inside the manhwa btw, it should be enough hints btw.), which means Yehyun has EXPRESSED his dislike and was ignored by Eden.
And would people who was insulted on daily basis, and had probably shown their dislike towards the action by getting angry and get ignored, still have energy to say things in a super proffesional way and politely, when Eden himself is not polite? You are calling them unrealistic, I think you are the unrealistic one for hoping such a polite communication on a casual coworker relationship (not a fully proffesional one) like theyre living in the same DORM. Communication didnt work for eden. That was how bad Eden was. He was as stubborn as a mule and only by coercing him, he can fix his flaws that could be BAD for him if it wasnt fixed.
And its not like the punishmemt was anythinh too extreme. It was pretty docile, like adding -nya at the end of his every sentence, it was VERY DOCILE. He was struck by electricity a few times but nothinh was actually bad for his body. It was like an asian mom slapped u because ur being a spoiled brat.
In Hajun case, theyre not strangers with Eden like the rest of the members. Still, they have a wall between them. Theyre just awkward, and its not like Eden is doing anything either when they had they cold wars? He didnt even take action to ask Hajun first, until Yehyun come and told him the misunderstanding. Why? They both SUCK at communicating. Thats kinda the whole point.... Their friendship is an awkward one. Eden is weak to Hajun, he never thought anything that Hajun did is unforgiveable. While Hajun just thought Eden didnt care. Have you really never had a fight like this with ur friends or family? Or is it when you did you just gave up?
What I understand is that this story probably isnt suitable for you if thats still ur opinion after reading this far and yiu are not.planning to change that mind

Is it just me or is the story REALLY emphasize that Eden is always the "bad guy" is most situation when literally he isn't and it's just him being himself?
Even from the start, it honestly reads to me like this is a torture fantasy written by an idol sasaeng after their bias left the idol world for producing music.
Let's break stuff down from my pov;
1. Eden being labeled like an asshole bc he plans not to renew his idol contract in the past to pursue his actual interest, producing. Which is hella weird bc why are you so affected with a coworker choosing to better their life?? I get that it was an asshole move to bring it up in their anniversary Livestream but other than that, it's completely unwarranted for the system to force him back into the idol life when he CLEARLY doesn't want it and have been spending years building his music career??? AND THE "PENALTY" FOR DISAPPOINTING FANS AND LITERALLY JUST CURSING IS DEATH??? THAT'S FUCKING INSANE. NO FANS IS ENTITLED TO THEIR IDOL'S LIVES. NONE AND I STAND BY THAT FACT. ITS WEIRDDDD.
2. Eden is pretty blunt and some times rude with his words but I guarantee you that is completely normal and most of the time HE WASN'T EVEN RUDE. Like legitimately irl Korean culture & language is always a little aggressive-sounding and literally most asian countries do the same. I'm telling you the author wouldn't survive one day in my home country if they think speaking bluntly warrants the penalty. Also the group members in this story is portrayed hella unrealistically. They're wayyy too sensitive on wordings and stuff , they don't feel like how real people act and behave .
3. There's multiple times where Eden legitimately isn't in the wrong but the story portrayed him as the one at fault but I'll use our latest conflict as evidence. Eden is literally obligated to interact with that Ex-friend hajun is so jealous of, THEY'RE RECORDING A SHOW TGT. Eden can't NOT interact with him, that'll only make stuff worse . And even when Eden clearly make it known that the Ex-friend apologizes and he asked if hajun was okay, hajun immediately makes it known that he genuinely doesn't care anymore but then he turns around and lashes out on Eden Infront of their whole group? Mind you this isn't just a friend group, they're literally professionals working tgt . They're coworkers, it's so weird that hajun would do this kinda thing and js not communicate what's wrong to Eden, AND EDEN ALREADY TRIED ASKING AND STUFF, but for some reason everyone look at this and portrayed it like "oh Eden you should've told him he was a precious friend yada yada" BRO WHAT WHY IS IT ON EDEN TO COAX A GROWN ASS MAN WHO'S SULKING OUT OF NOWHERE???
there's more , really but you get what I mean, in every turn the story always portrays Eden as "problematic" when really it's just him being him. And I think that's genuinely INSANE bc there's literally artists irl who does literal crime but the one who's getting penalized is someone who js wanna change career and have a new start? Weird ...