Considering Korean age is +1, at Wiki it's 18 (2nd grade High school), so 17 internationally. While Jiyoung is said to be age 21 Korean age (so 20).
Speaking of age, some are saying Kayden is over his 40s?!
If I'm not mistaken Kayden said the Jiyoung is just a little older than Jiwoo so she's in her early 20's. Some says she's 21. She may looks older because of her responsibilities in the company as she's one of the strongest awakener in SK and she became her brother's parent at a very age.
Her and Jiwoo's relationship has always been there. I mean, it's very obvious especially Jiwoos golden retriever attitude with her but it's wasn't emphasize since it's not the main genre of the story.
I'm not sure what u mean about not liking the progress since it's inevitable that while the story is progressing, the characters are also improving especially Jiwoo. It's actually exciting to see him getting stronger and getting recognized by all the awakeners all around the world as Kayden's trustworthy student. And if your actually reading the story, Jiwoo's friends not appearing in the recent chapters was because they're training as they mentioned it after the fight with Giselle's subordinate.
Just have to ask, how old was our jiwoo when he met jiyoung? I dont mind bland romances because god when you read stories like these? Its bound to happen but why it feels so off to me is because jiyoung felt like a much older character to me? Like shes 23-30+ years old vibe and jiwoo was a highschooler- still is? so that gives us the fact that hes very young. Thats why its so weird to me.
I am also kinda sad cause i remember jiyoung being taller than jiwoo? I know hes a growing kid but i kinda feel like they made him taller just for the romance trope?
Ill be honest with you, this story had me on a chokehold from the start because the main plot was amazing and fun like fighting, powers, pets, friends, family and learning kindness with that darkness happening in the back thats bound to happen…now i barely see the cats, i barely see friends, i barely see him just enjoying his life as a teenager or something. Like i get that he has to experience all this but they took away what i fell in love with in the first place. Just personal opinion, still like the story overall.