beta
Am I the only one who is sick of the worthless “turns out they were long lost childhood friends” trope? It just always seems so pointless and irrelevant. The fact that Tae Oh was nice to mc when they were both only a couple years out of diapers doesn’t change the fact that he is selfish, inconsiderate, entitled as an adult. It just seems like a weird detail to include or bring up. So this guy has been a major asshole with no regard for the mc for 40+ chapters and the relationship has issues with unhealthy power dynamics, a lack of communication, unnecessary deception/lies, and rampant toxicity, but they were super tight as first graders so it’s obviously destiny.
Even when the relationship isn’t negative or toxic, it still seems like a pointless add on. 9 times out of ten, one or both of them don’t actually remember until long after the relationship (and ensuing drama) is established. If only the bottom remembers, it either means that it’s completely irrelevant, or the reason they are pining for someone who is obviously unavailable or uninterested, and therefore willing to put up with a ridiculous amount of toxic bs because childhood feelings go thump. If only the top remembers, they will either say nothing while punishing the bottom in various toxic ways because they’re butthurt about being “forgotten”, or they realize it well into the relationship during their “redemption arc” which triggers them to finally treat their partner better. Whatever happens, 99% of the time it’s contrived and stupid.