It's not about help. It's about turning every harship Yeomin suffered into meaningless. ML literally told him that it's MC's fault for being so poor and pathetic. It's not true help or love at all. ML may have feelings but they are twisted.
If he had just sincerely urged MC to let him help him and tell him to repay it later through job, it wouldn't be that bad.
But not only did he crossed the line, he broke Yeomin's pride and almost decades of struggles into meaningless "it's all your fault, you're pathetic". How is this any help at all?
Imagine taking so many jobs and studying, running away from loan sharks, having a traumatised childhood, craving stability and love, having such a large debt, only to be told by his own crush that he's pathetic and it's his fault for everything. ML truly needs to suffer.
What he feels for MC is a twisted love. It's not that he doesn't know how to love. He just doesn't have that kind of pure feelings. He sees MC as less equal and more like a pet. A fav toy. Someone who's endlessly kind and adorable and never dislikes him like others do. It boosts ML's ego a lot. He just wants a submissive partner.
So yeah, pretty much, he just needs to suffer and develop true love towards MC.
It's not about help, it's about trust, a rift between their two different realities and morals, and Tae-seo robbing Yeomin of agency by going behind his back. It doesn't really matter if his intentions were to help, especially since he clearly didn't think to protect Yeomin's reputation or emotional well-being while doing so, as evidenced by him acting in a way that let the rumours spread. Actually, he seems unaware that this would be a problem in the first place. And I also think Yeomin's very keenly aware that Tae-seo has never considered them equals now, and that he disdains things Yeomin's way of living/surviving, which is a key part of who he is.
At the heart of it I'm sure Tae-seo didn't want to see Yeomin suffer, but he kept everything a secret because he already knew Yeomin wouldn't like it. And he neither understands why Yeomin doesn't like it, nor does he seem interested in understanding, so this just comes across as him knowingly wielding his power and Yeomin's thoughts don't actually matter to him.
Their entire relationship was founded on lies/misunderstandings, and only one of them can see why that is not good.
Those are my thoughts anyway.
Sometimes I feel so dumb bc I don’t understand the conflict. ML is helping MC. I really don’t get the big deal. Sometimes ppl help you out even if you say no. It can be annoying, but I can clearly see jeomins life improved so much bc of mr yeon.
I feel like the moment he liked him he invited all of mr yeons weird generosity. I don’t see why it’s a problem or why yeon was keeping everything secret.
If there’s secrets usually relationships dont last very long at least I know that much.