Jobs start level and why it is bad to start so high

[Endariel]

I think the issue is not leveling

but how the journey of leveling, like many Korean MMO it include endless meaningless grind, gather a group of mobs and kill it, repreat. This is terrible way to slow down player progression

But if the leveling progress involving learning lore of an area and background of my job, and sharpening the character skill tree, then the leveling progress could be very interesting.

FFXIV seem to be more focus on end game, reaching 90 is only the beginning, and the rotation only start to mature when you get near level cap

Hot take
Personally i'm not against grind as long it's satisfying. Something like BDO, LAO, or diablo / poe. Where, as you said, you gather a bunch of mods and just enter the bloodfest. High apm, flashy skills etc.