I think that the unfortunate reality, the reality of poverty and living in slums is that he probably would not have had a normal life or relationship nor gone down a "good path." From personal experience, he would have gone back to sex work and ended up w his ex (who he left for a reason) or Mary (who seems obsessed w fucking and not particularly loving of him). This was probably his best out, he's gonna be making shit tons of money and getting fucked by the person that he loves the most (and loves him, albeit in a freaky way). IDK, it would be cool if he went elsewhere considering the progression of the story, but realistically is very unlikely to happen in real life.
I'm sorry to hear you speak from personal experience! I hope all is well for you. I actually wasn't thinking of reality much when I was reading this and you're right - chances are extremely slim he could have a normal life. But that doesn't mean impossible! And at least he was not trapped in prostitution already so he had a small possibility of an out if he looked for it. Mary is actually written like a pretty nice guy for what he does. This is my first time reading about someone filming someone doing sexual acts for money and they DIDN'T blackmail him. Ofc Mary is always DTF with Hyungdo but he has never threatened him or ever crossed Hyungdo's boundaries, and I think he's written in a way that makes this clear. Is that realistic? Definitely not. But it is some of the only comic relief we have in the story - the author did a lot for comedy in her other work and it's definitely her touch to leave some humor. This is the best out but if he somehow found a good person that could change his mind it could be different
It's sad because Hyungdo could have had a normal life. He did run away when he built feelings in past relationships which is immature but I think he could have matured and gone down the right path in a relationship with a good person eventually. Unfortunately he lived in the slums and has seen the dark side and fallen down the rabbit hole. If he tried to model or act he could have lived a normal-ish life.
I think actually King Cobra (that should be his real name) does care for him in his psychotic way in the only way he knows how since he's shut off to his own emotions and who knows how much he'd learn to care for someone through someone pure in spirit like Hyungdo. I think though his ego is too large to realize he is falling for Hyungdo and has put them both in danger through all his evil deeds and lifestyle. He doesn't realize the way he treats others (Charlie, the evil people he has business ties to) and his dark world will be his downfall.
PS. My fav character is Mary! A sincere pervert! Refreshing character.