Honestly, if you’ve spent any time in the RFA chatrooms, you’ve probably had a moment where you wanted to either give Yoosung Kim a massive hug or just tell him to go to bed. He is the classic "little brother" of Mystic Messenger. He’s sweet, he’s a bit naive, and he’s obsessed with a game called LOLOL. But there is a lot more going beneath that blonde (formerly brunette) hair than just high scores and a craving for omelet rice.
People tend to write him off. They see the "puppy" archetype and assume he’s just there for comic relief or to be the "easy" route. That is a huge mistake. Yoosung is actually one of the most emotionally complex characters Cheritz ever wrote, mostly because he’s dealing with a brand of grief that feels uncomfortably real.
The Reality of the Yoosung Route
When you start Yoosung from Mystic Messenger’s route, you’re basically walking into a minefield of comparison. He’s grieving. It has been over a year since his cousin Rika passed away, and he is the only one in the RFA who refuses to just "move on."
He’s stuck.
He’s a 21-year-old college student at SKY University, but instead of studying for his vet exams, he’s pulling all-nighters on League of Loneliness of Life (LOLOL). It’s not just a hobby; it’s a coping mechanism. If he’s playing, he doesn't have to think about the fact that his role model—the person who gave him purpose—is gone.
What most players get wrong about the "Rika" thing
One of the biggest hurdles in his route is the constant comparison. He will tell you, flat out, that you remind him of Rika. It’s annoying. It’s hurtful. Many players get frustrated and think he’s just looking for a replacement.
But look at it from his perspective. Rika was his "sun." She was the person who encouraged him to do volunteer work and find a career path. When she died, the other RFA members, especially V, became secretive. Yoosung felt abandoned by the adults he trusted. When you show up, you’re the first "kind" presence that fills that void. He isn't being creepy on purpose; he’s just emotionally stunted by trauma.
How to actually get Yoosung’s Good Ending
If you want to see the version of Yoosung that everyone raves about—the mature, protective, "male-wife" version—you have to be firm with him. You cannot indulge his delusion that you are Rika.
- Don't be a Rika 2.0: Every time he says "You're just like her," you have to shut it down. Politely, but firmly. Remind him that you are a separate person with your own identity.
- Support his growth, not his addiction: You should encourage him to study, but don't be a nag. He needs to find his own motivation.
- Trust V (mostly): This is the hardest part. Yoosung hates V because V hides the truth about Rika. If you side with Yoosung’s anger, you’ll likely hit a Bad Story Ending. You have to be the voice of reason that helps him reconcile with V.
- Participation is key: Like any route, you need to be in those chats. Aim for at least 50% participation, though higher is always safer if you want those guests to actually show up to the party.
He has some of the most dramatic branch points in the game. In one of his bad endings, he basically becomes a yandere-lite, which is a wild departure from his usual sunshine persona. It just goes to show how much "darkness" Rika actually left behind in him.
LOLOL and the "Gamer" Lifestyle
Cheritz really nailed the depiction of gaming as an escape. LOLOL is clearly a parody of League of Legends, right down to the character he plays (who looks suspiciously like Taric).
But it’s also a metaphor. In the game, Yoosung is a hero. He has status. He has friends. In real life, he’s a student with failing grades and a messy apartment who can’t even cook for himself without nearly burning the place down.
When you start his route, you see him slowly trade the virtual world for the real one. It’s not an overnight change. He struggles with it. He gets "withdrawal" symptoms where he’s cranky or tired. It’s a very grounded take on how young people use digital spaces to hide from life’s pressures.
Why Yoosung is actually the "Bravest" Member
There is a moment in the route—no spoilers, but if you know, you know—where Yoosung steps up in a way that puts even the secret agents like 707 to shame. He goes from being the protected "youngest" to the protector.
He loses his literal "eye" for the cause.
That shift is what makes him a fan favorite. He isn't born cool like Jumin or naturally talented like Zen. He’s a regular guy who has to work twice as hard to overcome his cowardice. When he finally tells the MC that he wants to be a "man" for her, it feels earned because you’ve seen him crawl out of the pit of depression to get there.
The "Puppy" Evolution
By the time you reach the After Ending or the Valentine’s DLC, Yoosung is a completely different person. He’s a vet. He’s professional. He’s still sweet, but he has this quiet confidence that replaced the frantic energy he had in the early days.
He’s also incredibly devoted. While Zen is busy with his career and Jumin is... well, Jumin... Yoosung is the one who most naturally fits into a domestic life. He wants to cook for you. He wants to support you. It’s that sincerity that keeps people coming back to his route even years after the game's peak.
Final Thoughts on the RFA's Youngest
Yoosung Kim represents the transition from adolescence to adulthood. He’s messy, he’s emotional, and he makes a lot of mistakes. But he’s also the most human character in the RFA. He doesn't have a tragic "secret agent" backstory or a billion-dollar company. He’s just a kid who lost someone he loved and didn't know how to deal with it.
If you’re playing for the first time, don't skip him. Don't listen to the people who say he’s "annoying." Give him a chance to grow. You might find that the "gamer boy" is actually the most reliable partner in the whole app.
To secure that Good Ending, focus on building his self-esteem. He doesn't need a new Rika; he needs a reason to believe in Yoosung Kim. Once he finds that, he’ll do anything to keep you safe.
Start by checking your chat participation for the first four days. If you haven't secured enough "green hearts," you'll likely end up on the Common Route or someone else's path entirely. Keep your answers focused on his future, his health, and your unique identity.
