beta
Idk what messed up sexual relationships have created distorted standards for some of you, but Taehan is objectively, intentionally manipulative. He's not the worst person out there, but his behaviour has been bad.
An experienced person who's considerate and honest would NOT suggest to be fuck buddies with someone whom he KNOWS is utterly inexperienced and clearly has feelings for him, while the former is also actively blurring the boundaries of that relationship to keep Danwoo into it, despite knowing he'll get hurt down the line. Ofc Danwoo is responsible for his choices, but Taehan is responsible for being contradictory with him with his actions and sending mixed signals on purpose. That's the reason why many readers dislike him, bc he's intentionally leading Danwoo on. Not bc he doesn't want a commited-romantic relationship. Also, if Danwoo learns abt Woori's feelings and doesn't cut off the sexual aspects of their relationship if he's not into him the same way, it'll be just as wrong.
Even IRL though, some mess is understandable when figuring things out in relationships and in our feelings, it's just that Taehan has been exploiting the situation at Danwoo's expense and that makes him most unlikeable. Still, readers can like him despite all that (they could like him even if he was a full on red flag, who cares in fiction), let's just not pretend he's not doing anything wrong.