Ah yes, because if someone doesn’t scream “YES” with a neon sign flashing “CONSENT,” it must mean they were pressured. How dare the story show a nuanced relationship where consent is checked in on repeatedly? Hwayoung asked Gyuwon multiple times if he wanted to stop—“Do you want to stop?” “Is this okay?” These weren’t throwaway questions; they were genuine check-ins. If you think that doesn’t count as giving him agency, I’m not sure what “agency” means to you.
And let’s talk about the power imbalance. Yes, Hwayoung is from a powerful gang family, and Gyuwon is his subordinate. But acting like that automatically invalidates every choice Gyuwon makes? That’s peak “I skimmed this story” energy. Hwayoung didn’t exploit his position; he actively worked to counteract it by checking in on Gyuwon’s emotional and physical well-being. Chapter 83 makes this crystal clear—Hwayoung genuinely cares for Gyuwon. This isn’t manipulation; it’s care.
Now, sure, their early interactions might not have had all the BDSM safety measures in place. But relationships evolve! Boundaries and safe words were established as trust grew. Just because they didn’t start perfectly doesn’t mean consent was absent.
So here’s my question: What do you want from this story? A neat package where power dynamics magically disappear and everything happens perfectly? Gyuwon had agency, chose to continue, and was cared for deeply by Hwayoung. Dismissing this as coercion because it doesn’t fit your idealized view of consent is just lazy.
Maybe engage with the story instead of forcing it into a box it clearly doesn’t belong in. Just a thought.