Significance of Matching t-shirts

The matching t-shirts that Young buys for himself and hyung are symbols of hyung's sense of superiority and his toxic need to control Young. Young believes he is buying a cute gift for himself and his boyfriend and imagines the two of them wearing the t-shirts together, but when hyung sees them, he chastises Young because the shirts have the American flag on them. He lectures Young about "American imperialism" (89) and Young feels ashamed. "I stood ready to change my entire value system for him" (89), Young recalls. Hyung does not respect Young, nor does he seem to care for him as a person. Young does not recognize this, and feels willing to change himself so that hyung will like him more.