Just want to point out

The difference is called consent.

At first, Jesse and Chase were consent to the teacher as well. And don't people say that underage can't give consent ?

But Joel and chase never did anything

so going on a "date" with your son's friend is ok? Should we wait until they start dating to call him a pedo ?

But it never was a date? Yeah maybe chase thought it was, but Joel never thought it was anything more than a buffet. To say he is a pedo is overstepping it a bit

The moment he dates Chase then he is a pedo to me. And spoiler already says that they are a thing. He goes on a buffet and Chase said it's like a date, he admitted it's a date ( tho he doesn't mean it in Chase way but still). He is flirting with the kid even tho he has not recognize it yet.He is a police officer and he is wandering on the thin line of law right there. ╮(￣▽￣)╭. Creepy af. The teacher is disgusting, but Joel is close to that level. Cherry pick just because Joel is one of the main character is not cool. I know this is just fiction but damn, in real world, people would call out all of those red flags. He is still a pedo to me

You just point out another characteristic of your average pedophile, they manipulate the younger to make them think everything is their fault, "if you say what happened here your mother/father will be so disgusting of you, knowing you are such a bitch, they never will love you again", the adult choose their VICTIM, not a partner, they choose someone who doesn't know how to defend themselves, someone who are abandoned, or doesn't have a good relationship with the adults in their lives. Even if Joel is older than the teacher, their relationship is totally different.

Also, underage is a legal speech, maturity happen in some people before or after, in Korea you are a child if you don't have 20 yrs old, but in my country, you have a sexual consent when you reach the 16 yrs old, also if you have 18 yrs old and your partner has 13 it doesn't count as rape (legally speaking, of course). I know, bc my sister was abused when she has 13, and I accompanied her in her path of recovery. SPOILER ALERT: she had never recovered.

Joel is giving false impressing just like how the teacher did. The teacher is disgusting but Joel is no different to me. You say that maturity happens with different people, and I agree. But there is a reason why even if you consent, it's still illegal to do. Chase lost his parents, he could easily mistake that as fatherly love. Who knows if he is responsible enough for that. What Joel did is still flirting to me. Like how people storing underage porno. They are still pedo, even if they don't do involve/ dating any minor

Also, I'm sorry about your sister. She didn't deserve that. It was terrible. And my point is Joel is safe from being called a Pedo. I never ever say the teacher is not. Because HE IS

Well if Joel and chase do date, in my country, as long as they don't do anything SEXUAL its all good. Handling hands and things like that are good here, and even if it's a pack its seen as cute. Although if it goes any farther than that, I completely agree with you. Honestly this conversation reminds me of a debate on the topic of a youtuber who dated a 17 y.o when he himself was 23 y.o. ik it's off topic, but I just had to say it reminded me of that lol

Peck**

yeah, but the dude is 23 and 17 so like 6 yrs difference. Joel is 37 and he is a police. Nothing will change my mind on this. The fact that he is 37, a father, a police who is dating a high school kid, who is your son's friend. ╮(￣▽￣)╭

How old is chase tho?

And they're not dating yet

Chase is 19, he mentioned in one episode, so like 18 yrs apart. They are in the end game. People already spoiled.

oh shit, I just realized he called Chase kiddo and will date a "kid" .... If have underage porn is a pedo. Dating one is a pedo.

If he is 19 he is already bigger, in Korea the majority is 19, so whatever or if Joel is 37 or not, they decide. I think it all depends on maturity and consent.

And really, I never played Joel with mean attitude, I don't think he sees Chase as a potential dating, for him Chase is friends with his son and a dongsaeng that he befriended and likes, you have to remember that Korean culture is different, older people can go out and treat younger people with food, they use the word date, but it doesn't mean dating but two people who meet and meet to eat, talk and so on.

Maybe Joel's gaze may change during the development of the story, we don't know and we will only have an answer when Joel makes a move that is a chant for Chase or if Chase confesses his feelings. We'll have to wait until then, it may not even happen. The only person who is feeding feelings and desires right now is Chase who from the beginning said he liked Joel, who he thinks is Jesse's brother.

And Joel befriended Chase because he got into other people's affairs, so Joel saw Chase as a good person to be friends with Jesse and help him improve, stop fighting or go bad at school. Parents do this, when they no longer see a way out for their children, they try something different to help, even befriending a classmate.

So what you are saying is that it is ok to hang out with your son's friend alone ? Then when the kid suggested it's like dating, you say yes, to give him hope ( even if it's a joke ? ). Chase is very much a child and behaves like one. He got himself into the teacher then can't forgive the teacher and take on revenge ( well, that pedo deserves it). Treating Jesse like crap, using him to get closer to Joel. Joel seems can't get himself out of trouble either. First, get involved with an old woman and hid his age, which makes a single mother. Now, get himself involved in a minor. They did mention Joel was 18 when he had sex with Jesse's mom. Now, Jesse, is 19 => Joel is 37. Korean culture is different? They are very much strict about gay culture. Look at the school, students look completely fine seeing people dating males. And seriously, no parent in Korea would do that.

My own conclusion, people are giving Joel a free pass because he is one of the main pair. They want to ship it, so people are making up reasons to make it less of a trouble. Then compared to the teacher who is worse, they feel better about Joel. When in real life, he is pretty much alarming. I'm not even taking into account that he is doing to his SON's friend. Later on when they are dating, what do they expect Jesse to treat Chase as? His step father ? His friend ? His sister- in - law ?

Oh what lmfao? Chase is 19? Thought he was 17 or something; I have no problem with this whatsoever. If Chase is legally an adult, then it is none of my business; he can chose for himself what to do.