ryu si-o never had the privilege of choice
realistically, actions are always a choice, and are completely their owner's responsibility. but for anyone to heal, there must always be two things:
a willingness to change for the better [something si-o definitely displayed]
a resource/guide to give you a sense of direction, to help you help yourself (a therapist, a friend, or through any kind of writing/media β but there must be an external source to take your outstretched hand)
-> this was even highlighted by the writers themselves:
what happened when hwaja β a girl from a life of crime β got the chance to be loved by an emotionally & financially supportive mother figure?
she decided to completely give up all crime, and live a decent life.
all she'd wanted was the bare minimum, and now that she had it, she had the privilege to choose what sort of life she would live β something that ryu si-o never got.
