The story begins inside the cramped, filthy apartment of , a socially isolated young man with a diagnosed mental illness (he is on medication for a personality disorder). Bum is obsessed with Oh Sangwoo , a popular, charismatic, and handsome man from his high school days.
Before Ethan could react, a sudden crash shattered the silence. A heavy, metal pipe—exactly the one from the photograph—hit the floor with a sickening clang, skittering across the paint‑splattered tiles. Victor’s hand tightened around the brush, his eyes narrowing.
You are looking for a happy romance, you are triggered by domestic abuse or confinement, or you are under the age of 18. This series has been linked to romanticizing abuse among young readers who mistake the horror for passion .
Bum does not try to escape when Sangwoo attacks him. He doesn’t scream for help. He apologizes. This is a textbook trauma response from someone who has experienced neglect. The chapter hints that Bum’s past abuse makes him vulnerable to Sangwoo’s control.