its not that simple, it's said that in the start of the chapter haebom has been working and helping and getting the cheapest things so she would'nt have to worry.
Also, he lacks confidence and he's afraid, he spoke up and he got beat up, why would he want that again?
He cant even talk to the teachers (korean school is really that bad?), record video/sound file to protect himself? He lacks confidence to even make friends to be stronger and glad? When the money was taken, he can even go to the police :/
He doesnt want the ajuma worry but he doesnt try to do something to solve his own problem. And lucky for him, Taesung was here like Haebom knew it and keep being so weak.
As far as i know when theres a bulliyng case in Korea its like this or worse.
A couple of months ago i saw the news or a girl that was beaten up with chairs and others thing by five classmate. The case got to police because luckily theres was a camera near the place the beaten happened.
Now for this webtoon, you have to remember that he feels like a obstacle for them, because they arent family by blood. He just thinks that complaining or being selfish will cause problems for the mom, and thats the least he wants because he is so grateful to her, that he doesnt want to bother her in the least
As person said above, he thinks that he'd be a bother to the family for making any kind of uproar. Even if he did want to elevate to a police report, I'm sure the bullies would make it hard for him to be able to gather any proof. Plus, we gotta' remember that Korea is a foreign country and their police may handle things differently (disclaimer : I know nothing about the Korean justice system). I think English speaking territories are much more vocal against bullying matters than the rest of the world. Also, I read somewhere that many Korean schools restrict students from having a job.
As for sticking up for himself, Haebom did that one time with the gold envelope. It got him punched in the face, and if he had fought back, he would've lost for sure.
As for making friends, there're two things to consider. Firstly, the event with Taesung claiming that he didn't want Haebom as a brother seemed to traumatize him, even a little. They used to be best friends, but after hearing Taesung say that, Haebom literally pissed himself. Secondly, all of his classmates are shown to be aware of Haebom's relationship with the bullies. Every time they do something, they stay out of it (and Taesung's friends are even shown not to really care). That aside, who would want to associate with the class bully's lackey?
I think the Manhwa is realistic when it comes to building up Haebom's character. When it comes to real life, victims hardly fight back, the system (school/justice) isn't of much help, and bystanders typically don't defend others.
Bulliyng cases is happened in (mayby) every country, in my country too, not just Korea but I know Korean and people dont ignore this. The students will be protected and learn how to protect themself. So why, the author dont let it be? Why Haebom doesnt talk to teacher or do anything? There's so many reason you can explain but it's not a good character of him and he need to change, but until now, he doesnt change to protect himself. So what if a kid in real life be bullied and acts like him? Maybe, there isnt a "Taesung" for that kid.
I think the problem here is the author's trying to made him pitiful and made Taesung cool, be a hero for his love. It's her opinion but it's make Haebom became a weak person, who can speak for himself or do anything like a student in real needs to do in his position.
We all know he doesnt want to bother ajuma, but his "actions" dont persuaded, because he lost her money (if Taesung dont take it back) and just ran away and promise to return it in future (it's not that we should do in our life). About the notebook of course Taesung will realize it, isnt he too innocent?
He just followed the bulliers and didnt fight for his right. Why you can accept that?
It's hard to say but I think the problem is the way the author made her characters, not about something in the story. Maybe you thought him ok, but I'm not.
I dont agree with the author in the way she/he builds up Haebom's and the classmate's character. If not in this class, Haebom can have friends in other class or the old friends, why he always being alone? It's his first problem. Korean (and all people) hate bully so much, a Korean actress even be boycotted because her brother was said to be a bullier. About the Korean police, they solved the student's case too. Taesung and a lot of classmates see the bulliers took the money, so why he cant talk to teachers? If they refused to help him (even surely they not), he can post his proof in social media to raise his voice. The problem here is he didnt do anything to protect himself, he just let it go and why we should accept that?
We knew in this story there's Taesung to for him. But in real life, there isnt, so I think Haebom's not a good character to for affecting the readers.
And about the real life and in my opinion, the violent bullying (Haebom's case) is easier to solve than the silent bullying. If someone hits you (even you dont do anything harm them), you can talk to school and he/she will be disciplined. But if they talk shit behind your back, ignore you and try to make you out of the loop, you cant so anything. And I think if Haebom in that case, it will be more reasonable.
Just stop reading
When you hate your boyfriend because he always being late or some tiny things, will you break up with him? Yeah, maybe I will stop reading someday I cant take it anymore.
Haebom made me angry.Why he can so weak, doesnt say/fight anything for himself (even a girl in shoujo manga can be stronger than him)? And he doesnt even make friend, why he became like that? The ajuma still treated him well so why he's so useless? He doesnt do anything to show his efforts to her, like worked part-time or had strong soul to solve thing by himself.
I love the art, the story but I cant take the uke's weakness, he's a man though :(
I dont know why many people can accept the way he acts when he's being bullyed. Maybe because you hope for Taesung to be his lover hero. But in real life, what do you think about a guy like Haebom? He always being bullyed and didnt do anything to protect himself, he's a coward. Will you like him like you did to Haebom?