I think the point is that he isn’t powerful. I have a theory that Cheongdo is the reason Ian and the others go nuts. They’re attached to him and influenced by him, but Cheongdo doesn’t feel emotions. It’s going to get them into to trouble at some point. However, I suspect that that is the real change he’s going to go through to change the past: gain empathy.
I LOVE your theory, if what you say is even half right it'd be so interesting. It'd make sense. Didn't Cheongdo's mom say something along the lines of Ian being Cheongdo's brother? Or related to him somehow?? If so, your theory would make a lot of sense since Cheongdo's lack of empathy could be something that causes them to go nuts.
I don’t recall his mother say they’re related, but I do think the his mother knew Ian when they were younger and expect Cheongdo will meet his younger mom. Also, remember that future Ian knew about Midwood and was trying to stop Cheongdo from using it? I’m pretty sure that’s because Cheongdo was the one who messed everything up somehow. I’m hoping history doesn’t repeat itself. We’ve been shown the future can change. Cheongdo just hasn’t clued in that that also means Ian and the others aren’t killers yet and might not have to be. But I’m also worried that Cheongdo is going to mess things up regardless.
Oh, and if you look back to chapter one with the picture of Ian’s group of people who turned on everyone, the person in the back with the long brown hair looks suspiciously like Cheongdo, which is why I think Cheongdo was always meant to go to the past, but is also why everything in the past happens. Like a time paradox.
I am glad we have a protag that is kind of... mid??? When it comes to being powerful that is. I really hope something happens to where he gets super powerful, like some sort of revelation or something eventually because I really want to see our mc succeed. Idc if he's op or just powerful enough to protect himself and his mother, I just want him to be able to be his snarky self for as long as possible!