Dohyun was initially hired to spy on isolated/bullied 14-year-old Wooyeon, earn his trust, and report back to his mother about what was going on with him. While I do believe this was the story intended from the start, there are major storytelling issues with the way this was (n't) set up...

• Danny also having been a spy for his mother, and Wooyeon knowing but choosing to stay friends with him anyway, wasn't revealed to readers until the exact same chapter. Wooyeon has way too much narration about his relationship with Danny for that to logically be omitted. This info would've planted the suspicion in our mind... and would've also been in Wooyeon's mind (if not back when he found out Danny, then at the very least once he realized Dohyun lied about being an alpha--which was intentional, turns out!)
• Dohyun angst/conflict was not shown adequately. A few lines about "I'm not as good as you think, " doesn't work when they're only ever uttered in the context of s*xual tension and the implication is 'alphas are so beastly' (as in every other ABO.) We needed way more indications that he was actively hiding the truth about his background.
• More childhood backstory needed to be brought up in the beginning or trickled throughout, not dumped at the end. It completely changes the context of Wooyeon's loneliness and neglect as a child, the trauma he is set up to have prior is downright lighthearted compared to, "my mother imprisoned me at home to hide me from the world, every aspect of my life is controlled, I have zero privacy, and have no genuine relationships with anyone I can trust."

ML's POV kind of ruined the story for me. Aside from the deception aspect, Dohyun didn't just recognize/remember him, he knew everything about him and his past, and was playing mind games the entire time. That even the Yeon-a nickname is a contrived manipulation on his part and not a cute misunderstanding is nauseating.

I expected the 'kind persona is an affectation' cliche, but the smug self-satisfaction he gets from Wooyeon's childlike adoration, knowing that this kid is lonely and desperate for affection, is just way more black-bellied than I was prepared for. It recontextualizes all their earlier flirty interactions into being about satisfying his ego instead of actually developing feelings for Wooyeon. It turns out he didn't actually start having feelings for Wooyeon until so much later in the story than I would've guessed. And finding out he was actually getting off on it and encouraging it way back when they were 14-15 and 18-19 makes this feel 100x more groomer-y (NOT helped by how many times in the side stories smut Dohyun describes his body and mannerisms as being childish, I got the ick ngl.)

I can't root for a relationship where the ML was maybe going to deceive him indefinitely if he hadn't been caught? This whole thing would've been so different if at the halfway point, prior to the "I like you" he had confessed. Or before they had s*x. Or instead of rushing to A-mother to ask her not to tell Wooyeon before he did, he could have spent that time telling him.

Even his apologies feel so self-centered, and it's written as if we're supposed to blame the mother for revealing it, when prior to that he had so. many. opportunities. to. I'm pretty sure Wooyeon ended up apologizing more for misunderstanding that he was dating him under her orders and still reporting to her (a reasonable fear!! And what a terrifying one to have!!) than Doyun apologized for the years he actually spent reporting to her and the months since reuniting he spent lying to him.

The forgiveness was so rushed, and came way too soon. It felt like the author wanted to take a shortcut by using the "orphan has trust issues that make him kinda sociopathic" cliche to brush everything off. You'd think for how realistically devastated Wooyeon was shown to be, the author would take more than a couple of days of Dohyun harassing him to cave, but... nope! I would say it feels really inconsistent with how strong-willed Wooyeon has been up until that point, but I guess it is pretty consistent with someone who's been manipulated so heavily by ML since the age of fourteen.

as for him acting as an informant for MC's mom, that was back when they were young, he was hired to do that out of concern for MC being bullied, it was never malicious. And he never did that once they reconnected and he did plan to tell MC the truth, it's just that the mom jumped the gun and spilled the beans first.

it makes NO sense for a super rich, super powerful parent who supposedly loves her child, to let that child be bullied for 3 years without doing anything about it. I don't know any parent who wouldn't try talking to the parents of the bully to address their behavior, and/or talk to the school to take measures to make it stop. You're telling me MC's mom knew, and instead of doing something about it, all she did was hire a tutor similar in age to MC to give him someone to talk to? That's ridiculous. If she's that powerful, the bullies' parents should be quaking in their boots and slapping their s*upid kids upside the head for messing with the wrong person. And the school should be kissing MC's ass to get more donations. You know, chaebol stuff 😂

I took the time out of my day to read ahead the korean raws and was so incredibly disappointed and appalled that I just had to write this review. I guess they weren't kidding when they said "Alpha Trauma." Dohyun turns out to be one of his horrible mother's planted aides, someone who knew everything that was happening and lies like nobody else. Even if the author somehow manages to resolve this within the 20-ish chapters left after ch74, I just cannot see their relationship the same way anymore. I ignored their age gap and how young Wooyeon was when they first met because it seemed to be one sided and platonic, at least until Dohyun alludes to him bailing because he was catching feelings or something. But it's so much worse that he just can't be the same character from Omega Complex. If the twist was properly set up earlier, or the synopsis/tags hinted at a darker story, I wouldn't be this upset. He really embodied the stereotypical teacher in this teacher-student relationship. I feel like I've been duped. I've enjoyed more darker stories but not like this.

Reached latest chap, chap 68 (11.12.2024)

I'm really enjoying the novel, I don't really care if ML is kinda manipulative and shit, actually, I like that. MC is very cute, he's mostly neutral when interacting with others (so he likes them, can clap back at them), but when he's with ML he melts, it's so cute.

Also liked seeing how ML was teasing MC, with his words and actions that at the starts aren't sincere, but are more true and real (I hope) later on. He acts jealous, and caresses and dotes on MC, which I find cute (too).

Still, I can't wait to see stuff explode in ML's face for a bit. I want to see the extras, or even just ML's POV so bad.

I like how despite being super polite and stuff in Omega Complex (I only read the manhwa), we get to see another side of ML here, a bit meaner we could say?

Anyway, I enjoyed it and I'm waiting for more, whenever that is.

---

Reached special side story chap 15 (30.12.2024)

I actually like this novel, really. I'm glad we got to know more about Dohyun, his past, the trouble he hides, how caring he can be, but also the ugly feelings of inadequacy and jealousy he hides inside. I really liked reading about his sister, Jinah, that shows more of his struggles and past, and also shows how much he actually loves his family (that is, his sister). It was so cute that she had the same habits and gestures as him, because they're siblings :,).

I know people say Wooyeong forgave him too quickly, but I honestly think it's in character. He needed to know that the feelings were real after all, that not everything was because of his mother And he did see that, and that's what allowed him to open up to Dohyun and trust his love, trust that Dohyun will take care of him, that he will be honest.

And the spoils I saw in the reviews when I first read the novel were wrong honestly. I don't think he was so bad, or that he solely blamed Wooyeon's mother, what are they saying??? He's angry with his mother at first, yes, but he also recognises that he should have talked earlier, that he hurt Wooyeong by doing that, and that pains him deeply. So much so that he lowers his guard and shows more of his true self to him. He made a grave mistake, and he paid for it, because he lost Wooyeon's trust. But Wooyeon is such a loving, loyal character, that seeing that Dohyun was honest about his feelings was enough for him to accept him back.

I also don't think Wooyeon's mother is such a badly written character. She doesn't want to be close to Wooyeon because in a way she hates him for taking away her wife. And yet, because of what happened to her wife, she goes way out of the way to keep him "safe", putting him only in danger by not allowing him to explore the world, make his own choices. She also doesn't ever speak to him in a motherly way, showing the care she holds only when speaking to those that spy on Wooyeon for her. She is not a good mother, and I'm happy Wooyeon got to do what he wishes thanks to Dohyun's support.

The relationship between the two MCs is right up my alley. I love how Wooyeon is cute, expressive and so obedient with Dohyun, who indulges and dotes him because he loves to do that (I'm a sucker for the older partner indulging and caring tenderly for the younger one *stares at SVSSS and Paper Plane*). The way Wooyeon throws himself into his arms and nuzzles on his neck and hand, and the way Dohyun hugs and caresses him so caringly and lovingly. The way they slowly stared to understand each other more and more, because they were finally able to communicate without having lies and secrets to hold them back.

They're just so cute, as soon as they get together they're so cute, I'm crying. They're so soft and they make me so soft, I love them. Can't wait for the manhwa to reach the later chaps.

I loved Wooyeon pining after Dohyun, his teacher, his seonbae, his hyung, his everything. And I loved Dohyun slowly but surely loving him too, liking the attention he got from him initally, and yet still caring for him and wanting Wooyeon to have something good, despite the guilt he feels; and in the end the affection he feels for him is wholehearted and centered on Wooyeon instead of his own feeling good about it (doesn't mean he doesn't like the fact that Wooyeon is so into him, or that he doesn't jealous and possessive, but I do think he mostly focuses on what he can do to make Wooyeon feel good).

Dohyun is not really what people say about him. If you really try to read and understand in his pov you won't get really mad at him.

Yes, he did become (spy?) of yeon's mother but after meeting each other a few times he said it himself that he was always looking forward to meet him and he's feeling for him and the guilt is growing that why he left. And even after they meet again, he has a good intention. He didn't become a spy again in college.

Dohyun's POV (which I'm sure is supposed to make the reader symphatize with him) only serve to confirm my suspicions of him as a manipulator because he not only know everything from the start, he also basically played with Wooyeon and used the fact that he knew everything about Wooyeon to basically make Wooyeon chase him when he's the one who left first.

Lowkey the only reason why Dohyun isn't a villain is because Wooyeon's Alpha mother is like. Ten times worse and even more unstable. I don't think its emphasized enough how f*cked up it is that Wooyeon's whole life is so utterly devoid of warmth and genuine human connection that he gave his entire life to the first person that was remotely kind to him to the point that Wooyeon is incapable of even trying to put some distance between them after what should have been a traumatic, life-changing realization/revelation.

And Wooyeon ending up apologizing for very rightfully getting pissed off???? I was so mad

Dohyun was intentionally placed in Wooyeon's life as a spy. He tutored Wooyeon at his mom's request. Dohyun would relay all of their conversations to her. Also, even before Wooyeon confessed his feelings, Dohyun knew Wooyeon was catching feelings. Instead of taking a step back or setting boundaries, he let Wooyeon fall for him, because he liked the feeling of being loved so much.

When they briefly broke up, though Wooyeon told Dohyun that they couldn't be together, he didn't make any real effort to cut Dohyun off. He let Dohyun convince him to have lunch. He let Dohyun put his new number into his phone, because Dohyun's old number was known by Wooyeon's mom. He let Dohyun stay near him and pursue him. It didn't even feel like a breakup because if you exclude the physical contact, nothing had really changed between them. Their so-called breakup didn't even last that long.

Dohyun was abandoned as a kid and then adopted so he developed a habit of trying to be perfect and being what the person around him needed him to be. His biggest fear was being abandoned, so he's constantly holding back and bottling up his feelings, which was a constant problem throughout his relationship with Wooyeon. When he realized he was in love with Wooyeon he was afraid of being honest and losing him.

this work made me think that it's possible to have a realistic relationship based on love when there is a background of filthy rich-political characters in modern times, without all the confusing money marries into money, or childhood fiancé bullshit, even if the power dynamics are vast and different, but I guess what made it simple was that the omega was the one with the stronger dynamic, (makes it seem like a female in real life that has a very strong backing and power structure and the male is the one getting into the relationship, this makes it so where the man is never seen as a gold digger, or otherwise). But the simplicity and rosy colored romance in such life is not always so realistic. Even so, it was quite enjoyable in this ABO dynamic and South Korea cheabol industry.

the ML is very diplomatic and genuine, and he is def not toxic, objectively he is a green flag. I guess many readers see him as a red flag due to the age difference and the empathy that they have towards the MC. Whatever happened that made the readers see him as toxic, I completely blame it on the mother!! He is an orphan, that was old enough to remember his original family, realize the moment that he was left alone that he was abandoned, realized that survival depended on how others see him as favorable, and how he should always leave a good impression on others. Even when he got adopted, he had to play a very thin line not to make his new family ever abandon him or throw him out. And when he witnessed that the whole reason he was chosen was only a means to achieve a goal, he knew that he was just a tool, never really loved or seen as a child. This feeling is quite devastating and lonely, since he was 6-8 yo, when he first was left on the orphanage doors. He needed to learn to survive, learned that he has to be perceptive, pleasing, calculating, always good optics, manipulating, but in all of this made sure that others will never be harmed by his actions, when he is in control, even when it goes out of his control he realizes quickly what he needs to do to fix the situation. He always weighs down his pros and cons in every place and situation that he is in. He knows which people he can push back with, and which he should pull with. ML matured early and developed a very high EQ and IQ, and like what his sister said he learned to be a pushover through trauma, always pleasing others, so that he could not be dispensable. And even then he never treated the MC wrongly or ab*sed him, and when the MC, pushed back and left the ML humbly left the situation for the MC to be in control, and decide how their relationship should go on to.

The MC is very likable, very domestic, very compliant, and powerless, or at least that is what he believes in. But if u realize that the moment he was introduced as, we see him as strong headed, clearheaded, decisive and honest even trained in self defense and combat style. He can read through people immediately, he can gauge the situation, he can tell other people's intentions towards himself. This is due to his background and the trauma of his childhood and lacking of family or human interaction. He was isolated, cutoff from the world, and very easily imprint-able, and to manipulate. He has no idea of familial love or familial worry, he is alone and abandoned (here u can see the similarities between the ML and the MC) whereas the ML, had first years of childhood to build on, the MC had nothing but a strutted facility of staff and personnel, all that approached him were for goals and personal needs. He was cautious, and withdrawn, and yet the simplest acts of kindness shown towards him makes him imprinted on the persona that showed concern for him, which provided the sculpted structure of the ML as his savior and love interest. Which is very contradictory if u think about his later personality, and next relationship with his friend Danny.

even though their first meeting was when the MC was 16 and ML was 20, (the 4 years of age difference that is always repeated), MC being a minor, the ML realized albeit late, that he can't continue to interact with him. The span of their first meeting seemed that it only lasted for a season, it was never clear if it was one or two, but it definitely was not more than 6 month. Here is where u realize that the MC is quite easy to latch on to someone, that he believes has nothing to do with his mother, yet in hindsight when the MC looked back onto it, he realized that the signs were there, he just didn't want to admit it, specifically when at the end of their encounter the ML was not trying to hide it, he was only trying to let him down gently, that them being together is never gonna happen. It was a story where two lost, lonely and abandoned souls met each other, and life put them together as a fit.

the climax of the story which happened nearly at the end, was a punch to the MC, since he started to believe and trust the ML, but as u read along, u start to piece together that he was only trying to be in the now and the high of the relationship, without delving into each others life. Here is where I think that both saw the relationship as something that will come to an end eventually. And when it happened they both realized that they can't live without each other, and this conflict needed to happen since both of them were really guarded and manipulated into the relationship. I think this is where the realistic factors come in, and makes u think of them as human.

I am also intrigued by the communication that happens behind the scenes, that the readers never get to be a part of, where friends come into context, and u see the human dynamics between them, makes u realize that this is NOT only ML and MC world, and that the others are part of the relationship, they push the CP together or incase of the mother away from each other. Yet when they get together the ML pushes the relationship of the MC and his mother towards a positive direction, and the MC helps the ML realize that he can choose to be part of his adoptive family, at least with his sister.

this was a rant, but I just wanted to give a perspective that, even if they hadn't met as a minor and the other barely an adult -Korean age-, that both of them would fall in love with each other. Not necessarily for the ML, cause he never acknowledges love with out an agenda, or a reason that someone would love him. While the MC was just very unguarded towards ML, because ML was the only one that acted out of kindness's towards him. This is where many readers view the toxicity of the relationship, but the time skip served it just right where both of them now are 20 and 24, and can fall in love as two adults. Developing a crush when your 16 on a 20 yo is a cannon event, that all teenagers go through a semblance of. And the fact that the crush lasted for 4 years even when they had no contact whatsoever, is a tell sign that it was a destined/ fated love kinda thing. Besides who wouldn't be able to fall in love with the MC, he is soooo likable, and his personality is straight forward, and he is sooooo pretty. Anyone would want him!!

leading up to Dohyeon's proposal was.

So as a character, Dohyun feels a bit manipulative? I know his backstory affects him and all that but still... the age gap and the difference in title itself gives him a weird authority so sometimes I just don't get Dohyun.. like for example when he lied to Wooyeon that they've slept together??? I've seen people talking about how he isn't like himself in Omega Complex and I feel like that's the whole point..? Cause the author is doing this on purpose (?) Somewhere in the story it talked about Dohyun being a perfectionist and putting up a facade which I think is perfectly reasonable considering his backstory, and how he is extremely remorseful for what he did to Wooyeon? He goes on blaming and isolating himself because of this so yes he does change as he matures. Though I still don't understand why he did what he did in the beginning like prior to the him exposing Wooyeon. So honestly speaking Dohyun got a great character development towards the end which is the only reason why I'm enjoying this because if he hadn't change then dont even talk about it.. Wooyeon's character on the other hand a bit inconsistent? Yes he's strong-willed and independent at times but when it comes to Dohyun it just flips???? Other than that I'd actually enjoy if there was more scene about Kim Dohyun's family and backstory. Like how Wooyeon is going to be introduced or stuff like thatt..