y'all i just finished the novel's main story and i can tell you you're judging too fast, give this a chance, genuinely one of the best korean novels I've ever read.
when did i say it's justified?? stop putting words in my mouth lol I'm just saying that the title "my beloved oppressor" go for both of them and if you actually read it you'll find out but y'all rather to just hate and drop it. and hey, i can't stop u but I'm warning you that you're missing out on one of the best written novels. not everything has to be morally good and pure for it to be good.
i really hate that the manhwa doesn't really show heiner's internal monologue, his character would make so much more sense to manhwa only readers.
Where can you read the novel?
https://www.patreon.com/posts/my-beloved-91230758
It does explain his pov better as a complex character but it doesn't excuse what he did, in any way. Just leaving this here in case people have expectations.
I never said it was justified, it's implied. i shouldn't have to clarify it every time i make a comment about heiner and his character development and depth. and also, not only heiner isn't justified, Annette also isn't justified for choosing to live in ignorance, in case people have the expectation that the novel is going to depict her as some no-fault-saintess, in fact she's the one with the best development of the two, genuinely one of the strongests FLs out there.
Never said you did, i said I'm putting this right there for people who may make the assumption after reading your comment. Also you never 'have to' do anything. You choose to engage.
As for Penelope, she doesn't require justification, her ignorance didn't in any way directly nor indirectly affect the events ml and others went through. She had no power. Also, her ignorance wasn't by choice. She was bred to a tool, a woman her father raised to eventually marry off. She never was put into a situation that would give her an inkling over what she should do or learn until it was too late. And that's a fact.
***Annette not Penelope lol