
It was never going to be TJ
BUT— his reason for choosing the gang over Ian is actually pretty sad. He doesn’t know a life or have a trade outside of being a gangster. His feelings have a huge root in anxious attachment. He’s terrified of leaving the group and terrified of Ian leaving him. Insecure about how desirable as he is, he feels the need to validate the affection from Ian through the power money he gets through the gang.
He would need to fix his trauma before being able to have a relationship with Ian—but he’s too afraid.
TJ is going to end up alone.
Also everyone needs to calm tf down. Both mls are hot and awesome and valid choices.

But this part of Taegu isn’t shocking or even that horrible imo.
He was a gangster— he didn’t know the kid except for as a form of collateral. So he wasn’t going to feel sympathy for him in the beginning. Pacing, pacing.
But as he goes on and you see him observe Yw, you see his affection and his sympathy start to grow from him. Also, YWs dad beating him is an important part of the story, they aren’t going to have Taegu run in and ruin one of the plot devices.
I SMELL A SIDE COUPLE