Yunjae’s perceived lack of empathy—and the mistreatment that comes with that perception—provides the background for the most prominent theme in the novel. If one defines empathy as the ability to feel what others feel, then Yunjae certainly lacks it, as he cannot even understand or define his own feelings, let alone others. Yunjae overcomes this gap, however, by forming his own version of love and understanding for others. Especially when contrasted with more empathetic characters who nonetheless act cruelly, this demonstrates the novel’s thesis that empathy might be useful, but it is not necessary for human connection.

Throughout the novel, other characters treat Yunjae’s lack of empathy as a personal failing that makes him less than human, including Yunjae himself. While it is true that sometimes Yunjae’s lack of empathy leads him to behave strangely toward others—as when his classmate falls, and he watches her cry instead of helping her up—it does not make him a bad person. The novel interrogates and unravels the idea that empathy is equivalent to good social behavior by contrasting Yunjae with Gon. Both boys struggle with social interactions and fitting in, but their experience of empathy undermines their mutual assumption that empathy is inherent to being a good person.