ForeverAStorm
↝ FRIEND - 1: a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, typically exclusive of sexual or family relations. 2: a favored companion. ↜
↝ LOVER - 1: a person having a sexual or romantic relationship with someone, often outside marriage. 2: a boyfriend, girlfriend, or significant other. ↜
One might see the relationship between Kim Jinhong and Shim Hongseob as strictly platonic, or as extremely close. And yes, while the second part is correct, the first is not; their relationship is anything but platonic.
Shim Hongseob, having grown up in a religious and homophobic family, knew that he had to take care to keep any and all relationships he had a secret (as his family would most likely disown him). However, since he cared for his family very much and didn't want to disappoint them, he never truly got into a relationship and kept to himself his whole life.
Until he met Kim Jinhong, of course.
Jinhong, having grown up in a loving and supportive family, didn't mind letting the other members of 24K know his sexuality. But, despite this, he never found someone willing to look past his so-called "not putting enough effort into the relationship" and find that he did truly care, focusing more on small, meaningful things.
That is, until he met Shim Hongseob.