Sorry but I have to just say this: had Jooan said anything else but what he said, I don't think people would have been upset with Jooan. He did not need to say I love you too or whatever, just recognize that Seojun loved him and he never realized - or something along those lines. Not the "let's be lovers if that's what you wanted just come back and work for me again"
Nor the "I don't know this feeling" shit. He should have already known. Or at least I don't know if this is love or what is love, all I know is I need you. Because at the least the whole time he was wallowing and shit, he recognizes that he needed Seojun - more than just his secretary. And he could have not offered to take him back as an employee, at least just back as his friend.
It's no different from an employer offering all the benefits in the world thinking that's enough or money was the only reason the employee left. But the same thing will happen if he came back, employee will still be spit on, thrown stuff on, etc.
And Seojun has always been considering Jooan's feelings, rather he's always dumbed his feelings for Jooan's sake. He's at Jooan's Beck and call.
I can't belive some of ya'lls comments... sure this is fiction, but the situation and dialogues are quite realistic. The fact that he didnt immediately go "oh yah I think I love you too" is what makes this a good story!! disagree if you want, but glasses guy is in the wrong here. He held onto his feelings for 12 years, felt disappointed and hurt all by himself, finally confessed to the guy and ghosted him immediately without any consideration for HIS feelings and thoughts. He was too consumed by his own pain and cutting ties with blondie and disappearing like that was selfish imo. No matter how much you like someone, they are not obligated to like you back!!! but yes sometimes it means having to leave them if your romantic feelings aren't reciprocated and you can't stay friends either... i guesd that's anothet thing that makes this realistic. People hardly communicate in situations like this in real life, so glasses guy did what you'd normally expect someone to do in a heightened state of emotions. I really like that blondie's response was to take some time to figure out what exactly he's feeling. That's the right thing to do imo!