I just finished reading the novel, found out its a manhwa and came to read it. Didn't expect this much controversy. In the novel, the top is 19 going on 20(the legal age) based on the translation, and there is no conflict abt his age or the age gap nor feeling of taboo. In fact its barely addressed except maybe twice, as a means for the top to convince the bottom to let him stay(as in his experience most kids age out of help from outsiders and outsiders are less tolerant of them when they become adults). This happens so early on too, its like less than 10% of the novel. The reason he is underage is plot related honestly, which explains why he still stays with that trash abuser guy who is over the children and why he has a hard time leaving and doing things by himself(his status as a minor makes getting jobs hard). Imo its basically to answer the question as to why he can't just leave and go off somewhere and earn a leaving and get an apartment, he legit cant. Hes in that awkward stage of being too old for an orphanage or children's home and too young to actually live decently alone. Many troubled or orphaned teens that reach that age range (16-19) are kind of screwed no matter what country just based on this. So while I get the concern, I didn't mind it. Plus in the novel the bottom is objectively looking at him as beautiful, not in a sexual way. Its true they slept together the day he came of age, but its not like the bottom was waiting on it or even knew his bday at all or planned anything. He was legit having sex with someone else that day, obviously he had no plans at all. The top initiated it. And the bottom indeed has low morals, as once he knew the top was 20 he didnt find sex an issue. But he def didnt think about it before then, neither in behavior or thought. Later, the bottom even says smth along the lines of "would a good person have sex with someone the day they become an adult" which shows he sees his problem. But there's also a later extra that shows his pov from the first meeting. He rlly only invited him into the car in order to repay his own benefactor and also bc the depression and lack of will to live reminded him of himself. Yes the top is beautiful, but it was platonic admiration at the time. So personally im ok with it. Id understand if others aren't.
I just finished reading the novel, found out its a manhwa and came to read it. Didn't expect this much controversy. In the novel, the top is 19 going on 20(the legal age) based on the translation, and there is no conflict abt his age or the age gap nor feeling of taboo. In fact its barely addressed except maybe twice, as a means for the top to convince the bottom to let him stay(as in his experience most kids age out of help from outsiders and outsiders are less tolerant of them when they become adults). This happens so early on too, its like less than 10% of the novel. The reason he is underage is plot related honestly, which explains why he still stays with that trash abuser guy who is over the children and why he has a hard time leaving and doing things by himself(his status as a minor makes getting jobs hard). Imo its basically to answer the question as to why he can't just leave and go off somewhere and earn a leaving and get an apartment, he legit cant. Hes in that awkward stage of being too old for an orphanage or children's home and too young to actually live decently alone. Many troubled or orphaned teens that reach that age range (16-19) are kind of screwed no matter what country just based on this. So while I get the concern, I didn't mind it. Plus in the novel the bottom is objectively looking at him as beautiful, not in a sexual way. Its true they slept together the day he came of age, but its not like the bottom was waiting on it or even knew his bday at all or planned anything. He was legit having sex with someone else that day, obviously he had no plans at all. The top initiated it. And the bottom indeed has low morals, as once he knew the top was 20 he didnt find sex an issue. But he def didnt think about it before then, neither in behavior or thought. Later, the bottom even says smth along the lines of "would a good person have sex with someone the day they become an adult" which shows he sees his problem. But there's also a later extra that shows his pov from the first meeting. He rlly only invited him into the car in order to repay his own benefactor and also bc the depression and lack of will to live reminded him of himself. Yes the top is beautiful, but it was platonic admiration at the time. So personally im ok with it. Id understand if others aren't.