Right now (Season 2), we’re still in the island arc. After the last assault scene (the tattoo part), the upcoming scenes are already consensual, though still tied to Taekjoo’s survival. This arc is mainly about Taekjoo struggling and trying to bargain his way out. Nothing romantic is happening here. Even if Zhenya shows small moments of kindness, Taekjoo never sees it as love. He’s fully aware he’s stuck and is just adapting to survive. He never romanticizes anything and is always planning to escape. And he does escape. But then he gets framed and becomes wanted in both Korea and Russia. When Zhenya finds him again, Taekjoo doesn’t stay out of love—he stays because it’s the smartest way to survive. He uses Zhenya just as much as Zhenya wants him. That’s where their “situationship” starts.

In this one people need to stop treating this like a typical fast-burn romance. Taekjoo staying came with conditions. He was always ready to leave if Zhenya crossed the line. Over time, he benefits from the arrangement—he clears his name, regains control of his life, and keeps his autonomy. And by the end of Part 1 (after a year), they’re barely even together most of the time. Zhenya stays in Korea, helps Taekjoo in the background, even checks on his mother—but none of this is openly romantic yet. It’s slow, subtle, and built on actions, not feelings. The actual emotional shift only starts yeaaaaars later (that's where in the part 2 novel), and Taekjoo doesn’t even fully acknowledge his feelings until the end of Volume 5.

So yeah this is not a cliché enemies-to-lovers where they fight, get dramatic, and suddenly fall in love. This is a slow burn built on survival, negotiation, and gradual emotional development—if you’re expecting instant romance, this is not the one you're expecting.