Protected: Jinx: A Deceptive New Horizon 9️⃣🟩

November 27, 2024December 1, 2024 ~ Bébébisous33

Protected: Jinx: The Fragile Child Within 👶😭🔲-part 2

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Protected: Jinx: The Fragile Child Within 👶😭 – part 1

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Protected: Jinx: Fractured Symbols❌💢 , Hidden Struggles 💔 (second version)

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Jinx: Daily Jinx Advent Insight 18 📆😘💋

November 21, 2024November 21, 2024 ~ Bébébisous33 ~ 1 Comment

Please support the authors by reading Manhwas on the official websites. This is where you can read the Manhwa: Jinx But be aware that the Manhwa is a mature Yaoi, which means, it is about homosexuality with explicit scenes. Here is the link of the table of contents about Jinx. Here is the link where you can find the table of contents of analyzed Manhwas. Here are the links, if you are interested in the first work from Mingwa, BJ Alex, and the 2 previous essays about Daily Jinx Advent Insight 16 (podcast -locked) and Daily Jinx Advent Insight 17 The Shadows Cast By Numbers

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In this essay, I would like to focus on the doctor’s kiss in chapter 44. (chapter 44)

What does this gesture mean exactly?

One might reply that the physical therapist is kissing his cauliflower ear as a sign of acceptance. He likes everything about the champion, not only his handsome face (chapter 44), but also his wounded ears, his „imperfections“. One might add that by kissing the ear, Kim Dan is indirectly recognizing the champion‘s past and as such his previous fights. Therefore we should see this kiss on the ear as a gesture of admiration as well. However, I think, there is more to it.

First, it is important to question ourselves what incited Kim Dan to give the celebrity a peck kiss. Why did he caress and kiss his lover’s face so carefully? I believe that the young man’s action had been triggered by coach Jeong Yosep. (chapter 43) Note that he put some cream on his face in order to obtain his consent. He showed him that the athlete had nothing to fear from this surprise party and the cake. (chapter 43) That’s how the 29 years old man learned that the face symbolizes vulnerability, care and respect. Another explanation is that the protagonist was following his own heart, because he had given his consent to his partner. (chapter 44) In other words, this quick but tender kiss was the expression from the “hamster’s heart”. One might see this interpretation as a validation, when the young doctor came to this realization: (chapter 44) On the other hand, his words expose his previous dishonesty towards himself concerning sex. He knew deep down that sex could be the expression of love and not immorality and corruption. Sex is dirty. (chapter 20) His thoughts were definitely influenced by his grandmother. Secondly, observe that he is implying that this intercourse just looks like making love. On the one hand, this observation indicates the doctor’s low self-esteem. He can not imagine that the champion would make love to him. On the other hand, his words imply that Kim Dan was aware of the athlete’s drunkenness. Deep down, he knew that his soulmate was not true to himself. He was acting under the influence of the alcohol, though the readers should keep in their mind that in wine, there‘s truth. Nevertheless, the divulging of his vulnerability was not the star‘s choice.

The “strange love” between Doc Dan and Jaekyung

That’s how it dawned on me that the young man was acting for the first time as a selfish person. He was following his true desires. Therefore we should see this intercourse as the positive version of their “first Wedding night” together. (chapter 3) (chapter 3) And how did the celebrity appear during that night? Selfish, rough, brutal like a beast… or better said, like a leopard!! The gaze from the dangerous feline changed during that magical night: he appeared as a sulky cat. (chapter 44) Interesting is that the athlete reciprocated to his partner’s animalistic gestures: (chapter 44) Nuzzling often evokes imagery of animals displaying affection or seeking comfort, particularly creatures like leopards, or even wolves, which use gentle contact to bond with their pack or mate. So nuzzling like a leopard suggests graceful affection, a combination of power and tenderness. It reflects a careful approach, as though the young man is testing his lover’s response while still exuding vulnerability. But if you consider the star as a wolf, then the latter do it as a sign of trust and reassurance. Wolves are seeking comfort and offering unconditional love. This comparison highlights loyalty and the young man’s desire to feel close to his partner emotionally and physically.

To conclude, the peck on the cheek (chapter 44) and the ear (chapter 44) were mirroring the behavior of a “hamster” trying to get to know his soulmate, the leopard. 😉

He was testing his boundaries, as Kim Dan was carefully exploring his lover’s reactions. The shift from a cheek kiss to this more intimate gesture could indicate a desire to gauge comfort levels or test mutual affection. He was expressing his subtle vulnerability. A peck can signify a tentative step toward deeper intimacy, reflecting the young man’s own hesitations or the novelty of this dynamic in their relationship. Unlike passionate or dominating kisses, a peck is often gentle and exploratory. It suggests an effort to connect emotionally rather than to assert control or satisfy desire. Moreover, observe that he was taking his time, giving space for the other person to respond or reciprocate. And now, you comprehend why he let the champion make such an expression: (chapter 44) These kisses symbolized respect and care. However, since the other partner was drunk, Kim Dan was actually violating social norms. Above, I mentioned that he was just following his own heart, and the latter is a synonym for instincts. Yes, this sex session stood under the sign of animalistic love and not love between two humans who are equals.

But there exists another evidence that this beautiful night was a reflection from their first night. Both protagonists had the same desire and feeling. Both of them didn’t want the night to end: (chapter 44) versus (chapter 4)

It is important to realize this connection between animalistic behavior in their relationship and their separation. It explains why their relationship was doomed to fail first. The reason is simple. They were not treating each other like humans. Kim Dan’s low self-esteem was restraining the doctor from voicing his true desires, from becoming mature and as such responsible for himself. He never saw himself as a worthy person. As for the other, he just viewed the physical therapist as a tool and pawn. First, he was just a prostitute, later a PT, yet he still doubted his loyalty. The problem is that they were both following conformity which symbolizes lack of critical thinking and control. In other words, in order to reconnect with each other, the two protagonists must find the right balance between nature and civilization. Money shouldn’t replace integrity or happiness. IF homosexuality is a huge taboo in the MMA fighting world, it just exposes the society’s hypocrisy and intolerance. Homosexuality has nothing to do with lack of strength or masculinity.

Feel free to comment. If you have any suggestion for topics or manhwas, feel free to ask. If you enjoyed reading it, retweet it or push the button like. My Reddit-Instagram-Twitter-Tumblr account is: @bebebisous33. Thanks for reading and for the support, particularly, I would like to thank all the new followers and people recommending my blog.

Jinx: Daily Jinx Advent Insight 17 📆 0️⃣1️⃣9️⃣The Shadows Cast By Numbers

November 20, 2024February 22, 2025 ~ Bébébisous33 ~ 2 Comments

Please support the authors by reading Manhwas on the official websites. This is where you can read the Manhwa: Jinx But be aware that the Manhwa is a mature Yaoi, which means, it is about homosexuality with explicit scenes. Here is the link of the table of contents about Jinx. Here is the link where you can find the table of contents of analyzed Manhwas. Here are the links, if you are interested in the first work from Mingwa, BJ Alex, and the 2 previous essays about Daily Jinx Advent Insight 15 and Daily Jinx Advent Insight 16 (locked)

In the composition The Magic Of Numbers I demonstrated the strong link between numbers, characters and situations. This led me to focus on the number 7 and its signification in Jinx. [For more read Magic 7 : Navigating between Jinx and Luck]. Is it a coincidence that number has for synonym “figure”, which is also an equivalent for “character”, person”? I don’t think so. However, the biggest discovery has not been revealed yet. Thus if my avid readers look carefully at the new illustration now, they will detect the digit 1, 0 and 9. What do they mean in Jinx? I will answer to this in the following analysis.

Numbers and Characters

For that, it is important to look at the following chapters and their digits:

Chapter 1	Chapter 1	Chapter 10	Chapter 11	Chapter 16	Chapter 17	Chapter 20
Loan Sharks	Perverted Hospital Director	Heo Namwook/ the loan shark and his minions	Heo Namwook and minions	Heo Namwook and minions	Heo Namwook	Loan Shark and Perverted Hospital Director

Chapter 37	Chapter 46	Chapter 46	Chapter 47	Chapter 48	Chapter 49
Mysterious MFC agent	Heo Namwook and minions	First appearance of Choi Gilseok	Baek Junmin’s first appearance	Choi Gilseok meeting Kim Dan	Baek Junmin meeting Joo Jaekyung and Director Choi switching the spray thanks to his minions

What do these episodes have in common? The number 10 or better said 1 and 0. Let me give different examples. 11; 37 : 3+7= 10; 46: 4+6=10; 4+7= 11. What caught my attention is that the number 1 and 0 are strongly intertwined with the villains.

Before going any further, it is relevant to define a villain.

A villain in literature is a character who represents evil or opposing moral values and often creates conflict with the protagonist. Villains typically display malicious intent, seeking to harm, dominate, or oppose others for personal gain or twisted ideals. Examples include:

Darth Vader (Star Wars): A dark lord driven by a desire to impose order through domination.
Hannibal Lecter (The Silence of the Lambs): A brilliant but psychopathic serial killer.
Voldemort (Harry Potter): A dark wizard seeking immortality and control

This means that villains in Jinx are people resenting the main leads, they wish to harm or even ruin them. But let’s return our attention to my interpretation. The digit 1 announces the presence of a villain. One might argue about this perception, for number 48, 49 or 20 doesn’t mirror this theory. Nevertheless, Jinx-philes shouldn’t keep in mind that 8 embodies Kim Dan. Moreover, we should see it like that: 47= 4+7= 11, then 48=: 47 (Baek Junmin) + 1 Director Choi. Additionally, in 49, we have 4 persons involved in the scheme to kill the champion with Shotgun: (chapter 49) These 3 men and The Shotgun have to be seen as a team. Moreover, 4 is a synonym for death. Then, observe that the image from episode 20 contains two villains, the loan shark and the perverted hospital director. 1 +1 = 2. So when we see the number 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18, we could perceive it as an allusion to Heo Namwook, the villain.

However, another objection could be raised. What about episode 47? If you add the digits together, you have 11. So where are the two “villains”? It is clear that one is referring to the Shotgun, as for the other we could say, it is an allusion to the invisible involvement of Choi Gilseok. Then what about 11? One possible answer would be to say that the other villain in episode 11 was the representative of the association (chapter 11) and indirectly the persons involved in the redevelopment. However, I have to admit that I have a different explanation.

1 and antagonists

And this brings me to my other observation. In my eyes, the digit is not just referring to villains, but also to antagonists. You might ask about the difference between a villain and an antagonist.

An antagonist, by contrast, is any force or character that opposes the protagonist, creating conflict. They act as barriers to the protagonist’s growth or objectives, embodying stagnation or forces that resist transformation. Unlike villains, antagonists are not necessarily evil. For example:

The Party (1984): The oppressive government represents the antagonist but is not embodied by a single “villainous” character. The party embodies immobility through oppressive control, rejecting individuality or societal progress. It acts as a hurdle for Winston Smith, who seeks freedom and truth.

Miss Havisham in Great Expectations:: She is trapped in her heartbreak, she resists emotional healing and inadvertently thwarts Pip’s development.

As for Captain Ahab in Moby-Dick:, though a protagonist in his own story, Ahab’s obsessive immobility (revenge on the whale) becomes an antagonist force against his crew and their survival.

In other words, they create tension by opposing the protagonist’s goals. They test the main character’s resolve, adaptability, and resourcefulness. By clinging to outdated systems, ideologies, or personal fears, they symbolize forces that resist progress. Many antagonists refuse change, either out of fear, selfishness, or a belief in their own superiority. This refusal often highlights the protagonist’s drive for transformation or growth. To conclude, they embody hurdles to overcome, immobility, intern and extern conflict, resistance and regression.

Therefore for episode 11, one might think that the other 1 was referring to Joo Jaekyung, for the latter appears like a barrier which the young physical therapist needs to overcome. (chapter 11) Let’s not forget that in Jinx-Fandom, many Jinx-addicts calls him a “red flag”. Here, he was abusing his position. Furthermore, this theory could be seen as validated with the first episode with this image: (chapter 1) The main lead appears as a beast, triggering the doctor’s fears. He seems to be like an antagonist. However, I believe that it is just a deception. First, Mingwa has clearly stated that the champion is the protagonist of Jinx. As such, he can be neither a villain nor an antagonist. Secondly, though he seems to serve as a barrier, the reality is that Kim Dan is incited to mature and overcome his own fears. In fact, the celebrity represents the opposite notions of “conformity” and “immobility”. He embodies verity, maturity, transformation and progression. The evidence of this perception is the gradual transformation of Kim Dan as an inexperienced PT to a very professional and performant physical therapist. According to my interpretation, the Emperor works as the mirror of truth. He confronts the delusional physical therapist with his mental and emotional issues, like here: (chapter 20). Sex is not dirty, he is not an old creep. He is just 29 years old. He is pure and innocent like a baby. Hence we should see this discussion (chapter 45) as a good trigger for the 29 years old man to turn into a good PT. From that moment on, he only focused on the sportsman, and stopped asking the help from colleagues or listening to them. (chapter 42) He only relied on his hands. He was forced to become a serious and confident PT!!

On the other hand, there is no denial that the athlete shares some similar traits with an antagonist: his selfishness, the use of threats and an ideology (his jinx). Consequently, one might still contest my interpretation. Nonetheless, this hesitation can be removed easily, when we return our attention to chapter 1 again. (chapter 1) This image was not reflecting reality, but Kim Dan’s vision!! The following panel is the unbiased truth: (chapter 1) The star was just waiting, and not threatening the doctor. As you can see, Joo Jaekyung doesn’t appear like a threat or a monster. But this doesn’t end here. One detail caught my interest. The champion is associated with blue. It is his true color, whereas Kim Dan is “red”, like a sweet strawberry. So why does this young man ooze a red aura, when his true shade is blue like water (chapter 27) or the ocean. It is because he was under the influence of his hyung Park Namwook which explains why Mingwa introduced him like this: (chapter 1) Note the contrast to his “boy”. The red is not coming from Joo Jaekyung’s body (chapter 1), but more from the side which stands in opposition to the coach.

Thus I came to the following deduction. In episode 1, the MMA fighter appears as an antagonist, but he is not the real one, it is his coach and manager. The latter only shows his true colors at the end of season 1. This interpretation gets corroborated with episode 11: (chapter 11) The coach is yelling for Joo Jaekyung’s comment, yet the reality is that the manager didn’t treat Kim Dan at all. In fact, he feigned ignorance. Moreover, look at the champion’s t-shirt: (chapter 1) There is a spider on his t-shirt, which represents the manager’s personality and behavior. (chapter 26) In this composition, I compared the MMA star with a leopard and Park Namwook to a spider: Daily Jinx Advent Insight 12. This shows that the main lead had been copying his mentor’s behavior for a while. And the moment you associate 1 with Park Namwook, it becomes more comprehensible why he argued with his pupil in 17 (chapter 17) or in episode 46 (chapter 46) He represents regression or the hurdle to overcome.

However, we should consider the first episode as a combination of 1 and 0: 01. And who was missing in this chapter? Naturally, Shin Okja, the doctor’s grandmother. She is the other antagonist for our beloved couple: (chapter 11) (chapter 11) And I can prove my statement by showing the episode where she appears:

By looking at the numbers carefully, I suddenly realized what the halmoni’s true number could be. It is 11 which actually makes 2. Hence we have 20, 21 and 22 where she plays a huge role. One might argue for this hypothesis, for she appears in episode 5 and 7. However, combine these two numbers together, then you have 12. A combination of 2 and 1, which is similar to 11 and 2. Under this new light, it becomes comprehensible why the Webtoonist made her appear again, when Baek Junmin (the criminal embodies 5) entered the spotlight: 5 *2 = 10 or 47 = 11. But what does the number 1 and 0 mean.

1: Isolation, Ego, and Domination

The number 1 is often associated with leadership, individuality, and beginnings. However, its negative side can symbolize isolation, self-centeredness, and authoritarianism.

Isolation and Loneliness
- As a singular entity, 1 can represent someone who stands alone, often by choice or force, cutting themselves off from others. Park Namwook has always excluded the athlete from the “parties” (chapter 9) or other events like this one: (chapter 37) Buying in secret junk food.
- This isolation can stem from arrogance or a belief in their superiority, which distances them from meaningful relationships. (chapter 52) Hence he shouldn’t be seen as a true friend of the champion. He views himself as the better one: manners, temper and decisions. The reality is that he is never making any decision.
- In Jinx, the antagonistic figures, such as the surrogate parents, could embody this isolation by choosing control over connection, leaving the leads emotionally detached and alienated. Hence the grandmother keeps asking favors from her grandchild (chapter 11) (chapter 47)
Selfishness and Ego
- Negatively, 1 reflects the “me-first” mentality, where the individual prioritizes their needs, desires, and ambitions at the expense of others.
- In villains, this could manifest as manipulative behavior or exploitation, as they treat others as tools rather than equals. (chapter 1)
Domination and Tyranny
- In its extreme, 1 represents absolute power—one ruler, one decision-maker—leading to oppressive or dictatorial behavior. Hence Kim Dan could never get a job as PT at a hospital. (chapter 1) But it is the same for the champion who got his “gym” stolen from his hyung: (chapter 22) He is acting here like a tyrant.
- This can parallel the way antagonists in Jinx drain others emotionally and physically, exercising control in a way that leaves the protagonists powerless and diminished. They feel jinxed. That’s the reason why I added bats on the illustration. I came to this revelation thanks to this article:

The hidden vampires in Jinx

There are people who transmit very good vibes and fill us with their optimism to brighten our day. However, there are others who wear us down with pessimism, immaturity or selfishness. These are emotional vampires, people who extract our vital energy and use it to feed their negativity.

7 types of emotional vampires

1. Pessimistic vampires. This is the typical person who sees the world in grey, for them everything is negative and making them see that it is not really like that is an impossible mission since they always have an argument at hand to prove that their life and the world are not worth living. If we maintain a prolonged relationship with this person, they can end up making us adopt their negative and pessimistic perspective, robbing us of our will to live and our hopes. […]

6. Aggressive vampires. In this case, the person reacts disproportionately and violently to the slightest stimulus. Any word or the slightest gesture can cause a storm, so you feel like you are continually walking a tightrope. Being forced to measure each phrase and calibrate each gesture, interacting with them is deeply exhausting. […] Quoted from https://psychology-spot.com/emotional-vampires-types/

And naturally, these two descriptions reminded me of the manager from Team Black. He slaps or yells at the champion, each time he is frustrated. Then he trusts no one (chapter 52), spreading rumors, mistrust and doubts. (chapter 46) This would explain the champion’s emptiness and darkness: (chapter 29) As for the halmoni, she embodies the last type of emotional vampire:

7. Helpless vampires. This is the most difficult emotional vampire to recognize because they are not aggressive, on the contrary, they constantly need help because they are not capable of taking care of themselves. You feel so sorry for them that you put yourself at their disposal, but there comes a point where their problems have consumed all your energy. This is a person who steals your time, invades your space and damages your interpersonal relationships, but when you need them, they completely forget about you. Quoted from https://psychology-spot.com/emotional-vampires-types/

This description reminded me of the last conversation between the doctor and his grandmother. (chapter 53) The request for another sacrifice and promise. It is also possible that she represents a combination of another type, though we didn’t see her complaining too much in season 1:

3. The whiny vampires. This is the typical person who has the habit of complaining about everything, they complain when it rains and when it’s sunny too, when their economy is bad and when it’s good. You will never find support in them because any problem you have will always be infinitely smaller than theirs. In fact, they use you as a shoulder to cry on but they are never willing to listen to you when you need it. It is likely that one day you will approach them with a problem but end up comforting them because the grass in their garden has dried up. Quoted from https://psychology-spot.com/emotional-vampires-types/

Maybe the phone call during the night, her repetitive requests the next morning (chapter 21) and Kim Miseon’s reproach to Kim Dan could be seen as an indirect allusion. And if my interpretation about her number is correct, then we would have a good explanation why Kim Dan was unable to perceive her true nature, but also why she is so selfish.

11: The false spiritual guide

The number 11 in numerology is often referred to as a “Master Number,” carrying profound spiritual energy and potential for enlightenment. However, its heightened sensitivity and intense energy can also manifest negatively. While they are visionaries, individuals influenced by 11 sometimes struggle to transform their dreams into reality. Their focus on idealism or spirituality may distract them from practical implementation. People influenced by 11 may feel overwhelmed by their internal energy, leading to high levels of stress and emotional instability. Their sensitivity to external stimuli can make them prone to chaotic thoughts and anxiety when life feels out of balance. The number’s dual nature can create internal conflict, making it difficult for individuals to find stability. They may oscillate between extremes—hope and despair, inspiration and doubt. Despite their innate strength, they may overly depend on others for validation or support, sometimes at the expense of their own goals. This arises from their deep need to connect and help others, which can leave them emotionally exhausted or vulnerable to exploitation [for more read Numerologist.com ] Being a master number, 11 carries an intense energy that can be difficult to manage. People influenced by it might feel an excessive burden to achieve greatness, leading to burnout or feelings of inadequacy. This can prevent them from realizing their full potential, as they fear taking risks or making mistakes. This can lead them to remain passive. [Building Beautiful Souls] Finally, the number 11 would also explain why she is only focusing on herself. Emotional intensity, indecisiveness, imbalance and duality, overwhelm and pressure reflects the grandmother’s personality, as the latter always avoids conflicts and prefers running away from reality.

And that’s how I came to the following conclusion. Season 1 stands under the color of red. Note that the halmoni is always seen wearing red or dark pink clothes in the past (chapter 48), just like Park Namwook is wearing a red t-shirt with Team Black on it. These were the vampires who were draining out their “boys”. However, in the last episode, Park Namwook is no longer wearing the red t-shirt, but a blue one. (chapter 53) Only the logo is red. (chapter 53) It is important, because it announces the manager’s resignation. He doesn’t want to become responsible for the mess. Unconsciously, he is no longer claiming to be the owner of the gym. Furthermore, notice that the grandmother desires to return to the West Coast in order to see an ocean of “fire”. (chapter 53) This shows that she is longing for warmth and red colors. Yet, the color of the sea is rather green or blue. As you can see, everything is pointing out that the couple had to overcome the antagonists from season 1, the emotional vampires, who were so close to them than none of them realized that they were the origins of their suffering. And now, if you look at my table again:

Chapter 1	Chapter 1	Chapter 10	Chapter 11	Chapter 16	Chapter 17	Chapter 20
Loan Sharks	Perverted Hospital Director	Heo Namwook/ the loan shark and his minions	Heo Namwook and minions	Heo Namwook and minions	Heo Namwook	Loan Shark and Perverted Hospital Director

Chapter 37	Chapter 46	Chapter 46	Chapter 47	Chapter 48	Chapter 49
Mysterious MFC agent	Heo Namwook and minions	First appearance of Choi Gilseok	Baek Junmin’s first appearance	Choi Gilseok meeting Kim Dan	Baek Junmin meeting Joo Jaekyung and Director Choi switching the spray thanks to his minions

you will realize that the villains’ shades are blue, black and green. (chapter 35) In episode 16 and 17, the presence of the sun is a reference to the MMA fighter, it is announcing his arrival. This corresponds to the color I had detected with the first scheme: MFC with the blue “ring” embodies this pigment, just like the ocean. In other words, blue should be the dominant color in season 2, and in Taoism blue stands for YIN! On the other hand, Kim Dan also represents red with his name. Moreover, if you look at the numbers of the quoted episodes again, you will realize that the villains are strongly connected to the number 10 and as such one and zero. Thus Director Choi Gilseokf’s phone number is 010-1…. (chapter 46)

0: Emptiness, Neglect, and Obliteration

The number 0, often associated with nothingness and potential, has a shadowy counterpart that embodies destruction, void, and futility.

Emptiness and Neglect
- 0 represents a void—a lack of presence, empathy, or nurturing. Antagonists or villains embodying this aspect may not just harm directly but leave a gaping hole in the lives of those they affect. (chapter 10) Here, the manager showed no empathy or understanding in front of the champion. (chapter 37) He never complimented him for his hard work at all.
- In Jinx, this could reflect the emotional neglect or apathy the antagonists or villains show, as their actions drain the main leads of energy, motivation, and a sense of self-worth.
Annihilation and Destruction
- As the symbol of “nothingness,” 0 can represent obliteration. It suggests an absence of growth, hope, or meaning, as antagonists and villains tear down rather than build up. (chapter 46) With these words, the manager creates a negative atmosphere, therefore there is no longer any trust and loyalty among the members.
- The destructive aspect of 0 mirrors how the surrogate parents or antagonists in Jinx consume and drain the leads, leaving them emotionally barren and mentally fragmented. (chapter 10)
Cycles of Futility
- As a closed loop, 0 suggests an endless cycle, often one of despair or entrapment.
- In the Korean Manhwa, this seems to symbolize how the protagonists are trapped in abusive dynamics with antagonists and villains (the loan sharks, director Choi, MFC and the way they treat their athletes like pawns) who repeatedly exploit and manipulate them, making escape seem impossible. The grandmother created the illusion that Kim Dan would be able to pay off the debts by working hard (chapter 18), until the champion confronted the protagonist with reality.

And if we analyze the number 46 (as a representative of 10), this is what we have:

46: Cycles of Dependence and Exploitation

4 (Stability/Control) combined with 6 (Responsibility/Dependence) often represents a dynamic of obligation and control, but when tied to antagonism, it takes on a darker tone: a cycle where the protagonist is trapped in an exploitative relationship, unable to break free due to misplaced responsibility or imposed stability. Thus in episode 46 from jinx, the champion tried to express his expectations about the manager and coach (chapter 46), however Park Namwook refused to accept such a behavior from his boss. Therefore he put his pupil under pressure.
- The surrogate parent attempted to enforce a toxic sense of responsibility (6) on the athlete, ensuring control (4) over his actions and emotions. However, the champion tried to escape from this by running away: (chapter 46) He avoided a confrontation. This number symbolizes how the lead feels burdened by obligations imposed by his oppressor, who positions himself as provider of “stability” while actually fostering dependence and draining his victim. And naturally, in the same chapter, we have a similar interaction between Heo Manwook, the minion and his hyung, the real boss: (chapter 46) Here, the director was reminding him of his mistakes and obligations. However, this time the boss chose to become proactive and responsible.

Since I linked season 1 to red, it dawned on me why Cheolmin or the perverted hospital director didn’t appear in that season. (chapter 1) (chapter 13) They are strongly intertwined with the color green and as such blue. In literature, art, and psychology, the color blue often represents calmness, loyalty, and introspection.This fits to the description made by the author concerning season 2. The latter would focus more on emotions and thoughts than on the plot. And now, it is time to reveal why in the illustration I added the number 9.

Number 9 and its significance

This number stands for “change and help”. In this part, I will only focus on the following numbers: 9, 18, 19, 27, 29, 36, 39, 45 and 49. In episode 9, the champion was asked to take care of Doc Dan. The latter needed help, for he was too drunk to return home on his own. (chapter 9) The leopard agreed and that’s how they came to argue about his home the next morning: (chapter 10)- So from 9 to 18, the story is focusing on the doctor’s home. In episode 18, Joo Jaekyung invites the poor physical therapist to his home. (chapter 18) In this episode, both main leads refuse the assistance from the other. Kim Dan is bothered that Joo Jaekyung paid off the debts, while the other dismissed the worries from the PT: (chapter 18) Then in episode 19, Joo JAekyung is not asking for his “help”, until he calls him. But even here, he is refusing to prepare his partner: (chapter 19) As for Kim Dan, the latter doesn’t feel truly needed as PT, hence he is already thinking about taking another job: (chapter 19) Then in episode 27, Kim Dan offers his assistance. (chapter 27) He encourages his VIP client to take a break by remaining by his side. However, this attempt fails, as in episode 29 , (chapter 29) the champion rejects the idea of resting for a day. Then after the incident with the article, at no moment Kim Dan offers his assistance to help the champion. He remains totally passive, (chapter 36) it shows his passivity and neglect. He doesn’t feel responsible for the champion’s career or safety. His concerns earlier were rather superficial. This explicates why he is also treated like a doll. Then in episode 39, for the first time, the doctor is requesting his help and assistance. (chapter 39) The problem is that it is related to a drug and sex. This has nothing to do with his job or career. Interesting is that in episode 45, for the first time, Joo Jaekyung voiced his needs to have him as a PT: (chapter 45). Without him, he can not do it. But here is the thing. In the locker room, the champion chose himself to treat his pain, he selected the pain relief spray over the doctor’s hands. (chapter 49) This means that in that scene, Joo Jaekyung refused to let Kim Dan treat him out of doubts and mistrust which were triggered by the manager’s words and the pictures. As you can see, the number 9 is strongly intertwined with help, but also with a change. The beginning of a new circle. Thus I am expecting in the new season, chapter 54, that for the first time, Joo Jaekyung will ask for help and support. But he can not ask Park Namwook or others from Team Black… he has only one true friend and that would be Cheolmin, unless he finds the protagonist immediately. At the same time, I would like to point out another observation. What is the opposite of 9? Naturally 6, which represents the end of a circle. And now, look at this:

Chapter 6	Chapter 26	Chapter 36	Chapter 42	Chapter 46
The end of Joo Jaekyung’s torment. He doesn’t need to chase after him.	Kim Dan is overcoming his fears. It is an allusion to Heo Manwook and his minions. On the other hand, the champion can not play with Kim Dan.	The end of a peaceful cohabitation, the return of fears from Joo Jaekyung (his jinx) the presence of a scheme	The return of the mint-goblin, and as such the doctor’s fears (low self-esteem) At the same time, we shouldn’t overlook the presence of a third person in that flat who could appear in season 2.	The villains are exposed: they are now targeting Team Black and in particular Kim Dan.

The number 6 is strongly intertwined with regression, negative influence, schemes, antagonists and villains. Moreover, I detected a link between 6 and green/grey. That’s the reason why I am expecting more than ever in season 2, the fight between two green: nature versus money, fun versus seriousness, justice versus crimes/schemes. But in order to take place, the main couple needs to reflect about their own true desires in their life. What do they want exactly? A PT or a friend, a lover or a partner, a family or a company, justice or a scapegoat, fame or happiness?

Protected: Jinx: Daily Jinx Advent Insight 16 📆 🥼🧥 (podcast)

November 19, 2024 ~ Bébébisous33

Jinx: Daily Jinx Advent Insight 15 📆🃏♦️♥️

November 18, 2024November 19, 2024 ~ Bébébisous33 ~ 2 Comments

If you pay attention to the title, you might have noticed the joker, diamond and the heart as emojis. This signifies that I will examine this panel once again. (chapter 27)

The 3 cards and its significance

Yes, a thought occurred to me, while I was writing the last analysis about this scene. In Daily Jinx Advent Insight 7, I interpreted that Joo Jaekyung had been in reality on the verge of winning the game, but due to the Joker, a wild card, he thought, he had already lost. Then I had added that the Joker card could be perceived as a metaphor for Kim Dan. The champion had lost his last game, for he didn’t utilize his PT properly. He mistrusted him, therefore he didn’t talk with him about his meeting with director Choi Gilseok. In addition, he did nothing to protect him from the public eyes. He never realized that this man was the synonym for secrecy and information. The protagonist knows everything about the athlete’s health and injuries (not just his bad joints, but also his insomnia). Therefore he should have been guarded and protected, making sure that nothing would be leaked. However, I believe that the Joker could represent another character from Jinx. The moment I saw these cards (Joker, 3 Diamond, 3 Heart) as a symbol for a character, I suddenly realized that both main leads were defeated by their enemies, because both didn’t use their cards properly.

The other person behind the Joker

And now, you might be wondering about the identity of the other Joker. The fact that Joo Jaekyung is holding the Joker in his hand implies that he has this person on his side. He is close to him. In my eyes, it is the mysterious doctor from chapter 13. According to me, it is Cheolmin hyung. The fact that he called him, when the celebrity desired to avoid the headlines with a scandal, is a sign that he is trusting this man. (chapter 13) He is definitely sure that this man won’t betray him. He is not judging him for his job or “sexual preferences”. He embodies fairness, tolerance and impartiality. And since in his cellphone, Doctor Cheolmin is registered under the name Cheolmin hyung, it exposes his closeness with this cute doctor. He is like a “brother”. (chapter 13) The conversation between these two characters in episode 13 shows that Cheolmin is not only a reliable person, but also a good friend. He assisted the star in a time of needs without expecting anything in return. There was no exchange of favors, hence Mingwa showed us his hand, when he said his goodbye. (chapter 13) This gesture with the hand implied not only that he was just looking forward to meeting him again, but also generosity. And if there was a request from Cheolmin, it was just about an information: (chapter 13) It had nothing to do with money and promoting his hospital.

As soon as I came to associate the Joker with Cheolmin Hyung, Joo Jaekyung’s only true friend, I suddenly realized why this mysterious doctor no longer showed up in season 1. He was treated like the Joker in episode 27. He was not used properly, and this in two occasions. (chapter 33) According to me, the man was calling his friend Cheolmin, because he truly believed that the actor had been hurt. The fact that he went to the rooftop in order to call the person is indicating that he desires to hide his contact from Park Namwook and Jeong Yosep. In other words, he was seeking secrecy, exactly like the actor. As you can see, the dragon and the gumiho had a similar attitude. They thought that the rooftop was the perfect place to hide a secret. So by calling Cheolmin who is working at a hospital, the MMA fighter was making sure that there would be no scandal. However, when he called him, he discovered the truth. Choi Heesung had faked his injury. Therefore how could he use his connection with Cheolmin, when there was no emergency? In his eyes, he would have abused his busy friend’s generosity. That’s the reason why the star chose not to intervene. If he had revealed the truth and as such accused the actor of deception, he would have no one by his side to prove the truth. It was one man against two. Secondly, by revealing his presence on the rooftop, he would have been forced to mention his close friend: Cheolmin hyung. His connection with the athlete would have raised some question. And because he didn’t utilize the Joker in that situation, he became a victim of a trick. It is important, because the champion’s decision to hide Cheolmin’s existence from Jeong Yosep and Park Namwook is a sign that deep down, he is not trusting his two other hyungs. In my eyes, it is related to his homosexuality. But there could be other reasons as well, for example he met this doctor, before he became a celebrity.

As for the second occasion, it took place at the restaurant. (chapter 33) For me, the doctor was the person Joo Jaekyung was talking to. Interesting is that contrary to episode 33, he didn’t leave the inn in order to talk to his acquaintance. In fact, he did it in front of the door. By acting that way, he didn’t attract the attention from the members. No one questioned the celebrity why he was talking on the phone for quite some time. They just imagined that it was work-related due to the selfie with a stan. (chapter 43) They didn’t even bother to wait for him to arrive before drinking and eating, though the man was the birthday child. He was actually the guest of honor. (chapter 43) This exposes violation of social norms and even the disrespect towards Joo Jaekyung. He is just seen as a cash cow, hence there was no thank you from them or even a short invitation for him, like Park Namwook and Kim Changmin had done it in episode 9. (chapter 9) (chapter 9) In fact, Joo Jaekyung was totally neglected at the restaurant, no one even paid attention to his actions. Under this light, I recognized why Mingwa created this incident: (chapter 43) It was not just to bring the two main leads closer, but also to expose the wrongdoers. If they had waited for him, the champion wouldn’t have drunk some soju from the glass of water, for Kim Dan couldn’t have used his glass. (chapter 43) That’s why the manager got red, a sign of embarrassment. He realized that they should have all waited for the birthday child. Moreover, don’t forget that the star was even paying the bill. And now, you are wondering if I didn’t diverge from my original topic, the Joker and Cheolmin hyung. No, as this new interpretation helped me to understand why Joo Jaekyung talked to his hyung in front of others. He already sensed that no one was observing him or waiting for him. (chapter 43) Moreover, it is possible that the mysterious caller desired to congratulate for his birthday or even to thank for his donation. Let’s not forget that just before his real birthday, the celebrity organized a charity event, and it could be related to Cheolmin’s work place. (chapter 41) Because I detected ingratitude, selfishness and rudeness from Team Black, I couldn’t help myself thinking that the other person must have behaved differently, which put the young man in a good mood. Therefore he overlooked the incident with the switch of glass: (chapter 13) Here we have a threat from the champion to which Cheolmin replied with a joke. Here, we have the same situation: a threat, but people got scared (chapter 43) before Park Namwook tried to relativize the incident. (chapter 43) Thus it dawned on me why Cheolmin was not introduced to Kim Dan in season 1. He didn’t belong to Joo Jaekyung’s inner circle, his only true friend. He didn’t trust him enough to introduce him to this peculiar doctor. And now let me ask you this? What is a joker?

The Joker has held various roles throughout history, rooted in society’s need for humor, critique, and balance. Historically, the Joker or court jester was a figure in royal courts who entertained through wit, music, or physical comedy. Yet, their symbolic role extended beyond entertainment; they served as a unique voice of truth, able to mock power and question authority without punishment. Their ability to navigate sensitive topics under the guise of humor made them essential figures for revealing societal flaws.

Symbolically, the Joker represents duality: humor and tragedy, order and chaos. It reflects society’s hidden truths and contradictions, often acting as a mirror to human folly. In a broader sense, the Joker embodies freedom and the subversion of norms, often challenging rigid structures or oppressive systems. This duality persists in modern interpretations, where the Joker is both a symbol of liberation and an agent of chaos, reflecting society’s shifting values and inner struggles. In other words, he rejects herd mentality and hypocrisy. He embodies seriousness, but also fun and laughs. And that’s exactly how Cheolmin appeared in chapter 13. He is a non-conformist, he treats his job seriously, but if he sees something wrong, he has no problem to voice his opinion and criticize the person: (chapter 13). Hence I believe that the other reason why our cute PT didn’t meet Cheolmin in season 1 is that he was not ready to interact with him. Kim Dan needed to mature, to free himself from social norms in order to accept such a man as a “role model”. That’s the reason why I am expecting the return from this mysterious doctor in season 2. In my opinion, he will play a central role in dethroning the king Park Namwook at Team Black, but also in helping Kim Dan to obtain justice. Keep in mind that according to me, the protagonist was a victim of many crimes committed by doctors. (The hospital director, Kim Miseon, MFC doctors)

The 3 Diamond and 3 heart

Since the Joker represents the only true friend from the Emperor, I came to the following deduction. Because Kim Dan is holding a diamond and a heart card, this means that he has two persons on his side as well. In other words, these 3 diamond and 3 heart represent the physical therapist’s friends. Anyone will immediately recognize the identity of his true friends: Choi Heesung as the diamond (due to his wealth and brillance) and Yoon-Gu as the heart. Let’s not forget that the actor was willing to intervene, if the PT needed help to “tame” the Emperor. (chapter 35) He offered his assistance, but at no moment the main lead thought of even asking for his help. (chapter 46) If he had voiced his struggle to Heesung, the latter would have understood him and “talked” some sense to the dragon. And it is the same for Potato. In the locker room, when Kim Dan was criticized for his sloppiness, (chapter 50) he didn’t ask from Potato to vouch for him. He could have reached to him, requesting from him to testify in his favor. Yes, I believe that not only the actor and the maknae are to blame for their passivity, the physical therapist is also responsible for his own suffering. He is not seeing that he has already gained two friends. However, he didn’t treat them properly. No wonder why Kim Dan ended up alone at the end of season 1. At no moment, he confided to Potato or other members about his struggles, he kept everything to himself which is similar to his soulmate.

But why does the protagonist behave like this? One might reply that he has never had any friend before. Therefore he doesn’t know how to have friends. However, I feel that there exists a deeper cause. In my eyes, it is related to his low self-esteem mixed with pride. Yes, deep down, Kim Dan feels some shame due to his social background and familial situation. This explicates why he only mentioned his grandmother once (chapter 30). Here, I am excluding the scene with his drunkenness. Nevertheless, from his words, Heesung couldn’t detect that he was raised by a single grandmother. He already had a hard time to “accept” the champion’s benevolence (chapter 18) He was brainwashed to rely only on himself. Why? It is related to his halmeoni and his childhood. The elderly woman gave the impression that she raised him without any help. She did everything on her own which is only partially true. The young boy was forced very early on to help her. (chapter 5) (chapter 47) Hence he was taught cooking. In addition, we can already envision that when he was a high school student, he had to take a part-time job. She definitely minimized his assistance, creating a debt towards her.

Observe that though he treated the fighters (chapter 7) and (chapter 23), he just acted as their “PT” and nothing more. In other words, he acted, as if they only had a professional relationship. This explicates why Kim Dan never talked about himself, in other words he never shared any information with them. However, I doubt that he just considered them as his “patients”. He was happy to give his assistance. For me, the fact that he never lowered his guard is a sign of his low-esteem. So they had a strictly professional relationship, except with Potato. (chapter 26) However, even here, Kim Dan never shared his cellphone number with the maknae. If Potato had it, he would have tried to contact him immediately. To conclude, though I criticized Yoon-Gu and Heesung for their indifference and neglect, I feel that Kim Dan is partially responsible for this too. He didn’t take the first step to improve their relationship. Friendship is a two-way Street!

To conclude, the 3 diamond and 3 heart (chapter 27) represents the PT’s friends. The moment he acknowledges that he has these two assets, he should recognize that he is not “poor”. He needs to realize that he is on his own, because he chose to. He simply ignored “people” around him.

On the other hand, it is important to relativize this aspect as well, for Shin Okja played a huge role in this mind-set. The best evidence is that the woman doesn’t have any friend. (chapter 7) She needs to pay a nurse to give her some company. Therefore she is forced to rely on her grandson. Then she doesn’t pay any attention to her grandson’s needs and circumstances, for she is only focused on her own suffering and “unhappiness” chasing after an illusion. (chapter 53) Because she has no one by her side except Kim Dan, she has no problem to move to a different place where she doesn’t know anyone. Her grandchild is her “home”. This move reminded me a lot to a uprooting. It was, as though the male lead was not allowed to settle for good. Don’t forget that her deteriorated home let transpire that she didn’t consider this place as her true home. It was just a stopping-place. Under this new light, it becomes comprehensible why Kim Dan could never get any friend. Through the cards, I could find more evidences about my past interpretation. The halmeoni is responsible for the protagonist’s self-blame, lack of confidence, suffering and isolation.

But in order to recognize the existence of true friends in his life, Kim Dan needs to find a good role model. And that would Joo Jaekyung with his hidden Joker Cheolmin.

Jinx: Daily Jinx Advent Insight 14 📆 🧶 🥔

November 17, 2024November 17, 2024 ~ Bébébisous33 ~ 5 Comments

Please support the authors by reading Manhwas on the official websites. This is where you can read the Manhwa: Jinx But be aware that the Manhwa is a mature Yaoi, which means, it is about homosexuality with explicit scenes. Here is the link of the table of contents about Jinx. Here is the link where you can find the table of contents of analyzed Manhwas. Here are the links, if you are interested in the first work from Mingwa, BJ Alex, and the 2 previous essays about Daily Jinx Advent Insight 12 and Daily Jinx Advent Insight 13

The topic of this essay is coach Jeong Yosep. It came to my mind that I had a little neglected this side character, though in a previous essay, I predicted that he could become a couple with Cheolmin. In the following panel (chapter 9), we discover the origin for Yoon-Gu’s nickname, Potato. The coach and sparring partner from Joo Jaekyung is the one behind it. However, this connection reveals a lot about the divorced man. He is actually a soft and tender man. Yes, in my opinion, Yosep’s nickname should be Potato.

Yosep, the real Potato

Is it a coincidence that this vegetable, when connected to a man, often symbolizes simplicity, resilience, and humility? Another important detail caught my attention in episode 9. He bowed to Kim Dan, when he was introduced: (chapter 9) This gesture oozes humility and respect. This contrasts so much to Park Namwook’s behavior during their first meeting: no bowing and no shaking hands. (chapter 1)

Potatoes, as staple foods, represent sustenance and practicality, embodying someone who is grounded, dependable, and essential in their environment. In literature or culture, a man compared to a potato might be seen as unpretentious, nourishing in spirit, or deeply rooted in their values and traditions. At the same time, the potato can represent love. This stems from its association with sustenance and nurturing qualities. Potatoes are hearty, versatile, and grow underground, symbolizing grounded-ness and resilience. Gifting potatoes can convey love, as they represent providing for someone’s well-being. The healing aspect comes from their nourishing properties, historically sustaining populations through hardship. This dual symbolism ties potatoes to the ideas of enduring care, connection, and renewal in relationships or life challenges. Jinx-philes could detect his caring nature right from the start: (chapter 1) He came right away, whereas the manager was busy with his phone-call and never asked later about the incident.

To conclude, potatoes are linked to earthy, “everyman” qualities—hardy, adaptable, and silently enduring through life’s challenges. This description fits the coach perfectly. Only in chapter 5, he exposed the circumstances of his divorce: (chapter 5) At no moment, he claims the champion as his boy or tries to attract attention from people for being the Emperor’s sparring partner. Thus each time the protagonist wins, he doesn’t appear in the ring contrary to Park Namwook. (chapter 5) (chapter 40) Yes, at no moment Jinx-philes can detect his presence. The bearded man embodies humbleness. As you can observe, this man doesn’t mind standing in the champion’s shadow. He already knows that fame and success are no guarantee for happiness, as he lost his wife. In fact, he knows that success means rather loneliness. This remark brings me back to his confession in the office. (chapter 5) If you read my previous analysis, you are aware of the strong connection between the cellphone and vanishing. So why did the ex-wife act like that? I suppose that Jeong Yosep led a similar life than the Emperor. He was racing against time, and was only in touch with his family through the phone. Thus I can imagine that one day, the former champion must have returned home and found his house empty, an older version of this scene: (chapter 53) So when he tried to call her, she blocked his calls. One of the causes for their failed marriage is that they had stopped talking to each other. [As for the other reason, I will expose it below] That’s the other reason why I developed the theory that the coach Yosep was behind this phone call. (chapter 19) He definitely knew about his relationship with Kim Dan, as he was the only one who was not surprised by this revelation. (chapter 22) This observation is relevant, for it indicates that the former champion must have listened to his manager as well. He never questioned the responsibility of his former coach or manager or organization. I am suspecting that he might have already been working with Park Namwook in the past, which would explain their closeness. For his divorce, Jeong Yosep chose to take the whole blame. Hence he kept his failure to himself. However, observe the manager’s attitude concerning this revelation. (chapter 5) He laughed, which indicates a lack of empathy. And if the man was working for Yosep before, then it exposes his neglect, ignorance and indifference. Secondly, he called the former champion “boy”, a sign that the manager feels superior to him. One might reply that the manager is just one year older than Yosep. For me, the scene exposes the true nature of their relationship. Park Namwook has the upper hand. Hence he can claim Joo Jaekyung as his boy (chapter 40) Interesting is that the idiom “boy” has historically been used to mean “servant” or “attendant” in certain contexts, particularly in colonial or hierarchical settings. For instance, it was often used during the colonial era to refer to male domestic workers, typically in a demeaning or racially charged manner. No wonder why though Yosep is the sparring partner of the Emperor, (chapter 37) he acts more like a servant. In my eyes, the last image displays the manager’s three “boys”: Yosep, Kim Dan and Joo Jaeykung. They are the former wrestler’s servants, while he can stand on the sideline and watch as a superior and guardian. (chapter 37)

Therefore such a remark “my boy” (chapter 5) is exposing the man’s arrogance and delusion. With these words, he is actually denying the hard work from Jeong Yosep and the Emperor himself. That’s how it dawned on me that this man doesn’t embody Teamwork at all. He is trying to steal the spotlight and success from others. On the other hand, the absence of reaction from Yosep shows the sparring partner’s lack of critical thinking. Yes, he is also very passive, just like the champion.

Yosep’s gradual maturity

And now, if you pay attention to Yosep’s evolution, you will notice a gradual transformation. He is getting more and more involved. First, he follows Park Namwook’s lead (chapter 26) (chapter 36). He even agrees to everything the man says and decides. (chapter 36) Yet, I see a turning point in the States. For the first time, he is seen talking on the phone, which indicates a certain responsibility. (chapter 37) However, till this scene, Yosep was treated like a “boy”, which I outlined above. The gradual transition can be perceived if you contrast the two following images (chapter 49) (chapter 40) In the States, he was not visible at all, he would even walk behind Oh Daehyun next to Yoon-Gu. In my opinion, he felt the need to be next to the maknae. However, in South Korea, he is standing right behind the protagonist. Moreover, note how Joo Jaekyung entrusted him with the charity event, another indication that the main lead was trusting more and more his sparring partner: (chapter 41) In addition, in the locker room, he is the one who made the decision to let the Emperor fight against Baek Junmin. (chapter 50) For the first time, he voiced his own opinion, yet his choice lets transpire the great influence from his “hyung” and MFC. His decision was influenced by money. Naturally, the high peak of his action is, when he announces to the main lead that he went to different authorities (chapter 52). However, it is important to recall that putting the whole blame on the manager and coach is not right either. How so? As a former athlete, he has more experiences and he should have realized that he should not just trust people blindly. Yes, I believe that his major flaw is that he is too trusting and doesn’t ponder deeply why his relationship with his wife failed. As you can see, he embodies the opposite notions of Park Namwook: faith in authorities and people. This explicates why in chapter 47, he didn’t say anything in the conference room. (chapter 47) He let his “hyung” and the other “experts” who were never in the ring do the talking. (chapter 47) Why did he let it happen? It is simply because he just views himself as a “sportsman”. The others act with their title (managers, advisors), as if they had more knowledge than the sparring partner from the Emperor. Another mistake from him is that he never looked at his sparring partner’s files. He let Park Namwook take care of this, thinking that he would pay attention to their star’s health and security.

That’s the reason why I believe that Kim Dan’s departure must have saddened him a lot. (chapter 52) Since he lost his wife and as such has no family, it is clear that this former champion views Team Black as a family. Therefore he participated in the surprise party. (chapter 43) Consequently, I come to the following conclusion that the last scheme made him realize his own wrongdoing. He didn’t protect his sparring partner correctly. He failed him. However, like pointed out in a previous Daily Jinx Advent Insight, Yosep was manipulated from his colleague. Therefore the coach didn’t meet Kim Dan in the office and couldn’t talk him out of it. This discovery exposes that one of the protagonist’s problem is that he was following his sparring partner’s lead as well. Because Yosep trusted blindly Namwook, his “pupil” did the same. And this remark leads me to the confrontation in episode 46. The true owner of Team Black warned his both hyungs: (chapter 46) This led the manager to give a task to the coach Jeong. (chapter 46) Why did he delegate it to the former athlete? Simply because that way, he could avoid responsibility. If something wrong happened, then “Potato” would take the blame. The hot potato was passed around. I am using this term on purpose. The reason is that “Potato” embodies harmlessness. And because Yosep comforted the manager and didn’t criticize him for his outburst and slap, it displays that the coach has not questioned the manager’s integrity yet. He is not doubting his trustworthiness. This explains why Joo Jaekyung returned home on his own, though he had an injured shoulder. (chapter 53) So we could say that Jeong Yosep is not entirely free from the negative influence from the manager. However, I have still hope for a true change in this gentle and caring man. How so? (chapter 26) It is because he is wearing a bird on his jacket. And what is the natural enemy of the spider which represents Park Namwook? The bird and the fish. For me, this animal announces his future liberation and transformation. According to me, Cheolmin is associated with fish and water (chapter 13) Interesting is that these two hyungs are linked to a similar color: dark green. This shade embodies hope and nature. However, since they are still living in the city and working for corrupted organisation (hospitals, MFC), they are not true themselves.

Consequently, I have the feeling that the cute doctor could help Yosep to emancipate himself from Park Namwook’s shadow. The latter stands for fun, joy and joke, which stands in opposition to the values MFC is promoting: wealth, fame and money at the cost of the own safety. Interesting is that Yosep’s hobby is knitting which he never showed to others. Knitting often symbolizes motherhood, as it evokes the nurturing and protective act of creating clothing or blankets for loved ones. It can also represent patience, creativity, and connection, as the intricate process of weaving yarn mirrors the effort required to build relationships or maintain traditions. Additionally, in literature and art, knitting can symbolize fate or destiny, as seen in mythological references like the Fates weaving the threads of life. Knitting is also associated with healing and comfort, offering a meditative and restorative activity. That’s the reason why I couldn’t help myself comparing Yosep to an obedient wife. This new connection explains why Yosep remained in the shadow of Park Namwook, whom appears so manly, caring and confident in front of others. In addition, this feminine side from Jeong Yosep made me realize that if Yosep came to marry one of his admirers, the wife might have grasped that she had not married a famous fighter, but a gentle and caring potato. In other words, through the marriage, the wife discovered the huge discrepancy between the image of a “hero and champion” and the true self of Yosep: caring, gentle and humble. She might have had other expectations: more strength, charisma and decisiveness. Under this new light, it becomes comprehensible why the coach chose to remain in the shadow after ending his career as “champion”. He experienced the negative aspects of “fame”: loneliness, illusion and superficiality. However, he didn’t lose hope. He still remained an optimistic person which explains why he trusts people so easily.

Therefore I come to the following conclusion: Team Black can only become a true family and team, the moment Jeong Yosep, Kim Dan, Joo Jaekyung and all the others are working together, protecting each other. Only that way, the “owner of Team Black” can be dethroned. He can no longer treat others as boys or tools. From that moment, they would be all equal, the opposite of this situation: (chapter 7) Note the absence of Yosep in that panel, a sign that his work and position were minimized. Nevertheless, this was just the consequence of his own decision. He chose to minimize his own value and to rely on his hypocrite partner.

Jinx: Daily Jinx Advent Insight 13 📆👮‍♂️🕵️‍♂️

November 16, 2024November 17, 2024 ~ Bébébisous33 ~ Leave a comment

Please support the authors by reading Manhwas on the official websites. This is where you can read the Manhwa: Jinx But be aware that the Manhwa is a mature Yaoi, which means, it is about homosexuality with explicit scenes. Here is the link of the table of contents about Jinx. Here is the link where you can find the table of contents of analyzed Manhwas. Here are the links, if you are interested in the first work from Mingwa, BJ Alex, and the 2 previous essays about Daily Jinx Advent Insight 11 and Daily Jinx Advent Insight 12

In this essay, I will talk about vanishing without leaving any traces. Anyone might think that the trigger for this analysis was the doctor’s departure in this panel (chapter 53). Because the latter is slowly vanishing into the light, it looks like the champion will have difficulties to find his soulmate. However, if you pay attention to this picture, you will perceive that Kim Dan’s shadow is huge. In fact, we have to envision that the closer he gets to the “sun”, the bigger his shadow becomes. This metaphor is implying that the cute hamster is leaving a trail behind. This represents the traces he left in Joo Jaekyung’s life and heart. The farer he is, the clearer the fighter can only realize the importance of his roommate in his life. However, I believe that though Kim Dan is about to become a ghost, the huge shadow is implying that Joo Jaekyung will be able to find him quickly.

The ghost in Kim Dan’s life

Funny is that the topic “Vanishing without leaving traces” came to my mind with a different panel, more precisely with this one: (chapter 47) You might find it strange, but everything started with the following question: where is the grandmother’s cellphone? One might argue that as an elderly woman, she doesn’t possess one. I can only reply that all the seniors I know (even my grandmother who is much older than Shin Okja) have one. Besides, let’s not forget that according to me, this image or this one (chapter 47) represent moments where pictures were taken. I doubt that the grandmother had a camera. Then in the last picture, Kim Dan was definitely too young to have on his own cellular telephone. Finally, observe that in this panel (chapter 47), people were taking pictures with a cellphone. However, since Kim Dan only recalled this moment in the bathroom, it exposes that the young man couldn’t look at the picture, as he desired it. In other words, he didn’t own this picture, but the grandmother did. And now, you are wondering how cellphone and vanishing are linked to each other. The reason is simple. Nowadays, the cellphone has almost become part of our own identity. If you watch the following videos

you will realize the importance of the cellphone and as such of social media. The best example for this connection in Jinx is Baek Junmin. (chapter 47) Before he was practically inexistent, only famous in the underground fighting ring (chapter 47), and notice that the champion had even forgotten him. (chapter 47).Interesting is that disappearing without traces implies the notion of “the right to be forgotten”. But why would people make such a decision? Either they want to escape from their environment (abusive husband, debts, …) or they desire starting a new life afresh. So when we look back at Shotgun, it becomes clear that his new identity is to mask his dark past. (chapter 47) It was, as if this man had not existed before. That’s how a star got born, or better said, he was a new-born man.

But let’s return our attention to the grandmother and her cellphone. One might reply that the elderly woman had a fixed-line telephone, like I detected in this image (red circle): (chapter 19) Nevertheless, since the readers are unable to see the cable, it signifies that the latter was coming from the front. I am deducing that the phone was placed on the small table. And now, look at the following images:

(chapter 10) (chapter 21) There is no landline telephone. Its absence seems to indicate that the senior switched to a different phone. She had to have one because of the authorities (school for Kim Dan, etc.). I would even go so far to say that the elderly woman changed her phone number. But why would she change her phone?

According to my theory, the fixed-line phone call symbolizes the moment the little boy was abandoned. As you can see, the phone call is linked to the vanishing of Kim Dan’s parents. (chapter 19) Not only it left a wound on the young boy’s heart and mind, but also on the halmoni’s as well. My assumption is that she internalized the phone with betrayal and abandonment. Moreover, my avid readers should keep in mind the remark from Joo Jaekyung: (chapter 22) He doubted her existence. Why? It is because he never heard Kim Dan talking with his grandmother over the phone. He had only mentioned her in his drunken state. (chapter 10) Finally, he didn’t see the picture from her on the night table, for the doctor had not placed the image there yet. In other words, she appeared like a ghost to the champion. Is it a coincidence that readers only know this terminally ill woman unter the name “grandma” in Jinx (English version). I am calling her Shin Okja, because the Japanese version revealed a name. Nevertheless, by having no name in Jinx, it reinforces the impression that this woman is like a ghost.

And this remark brings me back to the starting question: where was the grandmother’s cellphone? Notice that Kim Dan only received phone calls from the hospital (chapter 21) Thus I deduce that the elderly woman must have got rid of it. One might say that at the hospital, she no longer needed it. Nevertheless, such a reasoning is too superficial and simple. I am convinced that the grandmother had other motivations as well. First, that way she was putting the whole responsibility on her grandchild. Why do you think the association called him and not the grandmother? (chapter 11) There is no ambiguities that she was registered there as a resident. But if she got rid of her phone, the authorities are forced to call her closest relative. Secondly, observe that Kim Dan used the cellphone to pay bills and have a look at his bank account: (chapter 11) In other words, by refusing to have any phone, she dropped all the debts on her grandchild. He was now responsible for their household and expenses. Yes, the question with the grandmother’s phone led me to the following observation. Little by little, Shin Okja was vanishing which reminded me of the action from Kim Dan’s parents. At the same time, with no cellphone, she forced her grandchild to visit her, to keep in touch with her. Hence I can’t stop restraining myself from feeling that the grandmother used the hospital and the nurse to control her grandchild’s moves. No wonder why Kim Miseon complained to Kim Dan about his neglect (chapter 21) The senior could express her distress to the doctor, for she couldn’t see her grandchild so often. That way, Shin Okja wouldn’t appear as a whiny person. If my perception is correct, this means that the elderly woman utilized social norms and conventions to achieve her goal. The absence of a cellphone made her dependable on her grandson. Under this perspective, Jinx-philes can grasp why I am suspecting that her behavior is strongly intertwined with the abandonment in chapter 19. There is no doubt that with her illness, she could feel like she had become a burden herself to Kim Dan, and the latter could decide to leave her too. If you read all my previous analyses, you are aware of the existence of two theories concerning the parents:

They ran away after leaving the amount of debts, because they didn’t want to face the consequences. Moreover by being raised by such an immature mother, there is no ambiguity that the child could learn how to become selfish and immature as well.
They died by committing suicide.

No matters what their fate is, they definitely vanished into thin air. Therefore the male figure never tried to search for them.

How to Legally Vanish Without Leaving Traces: A Comprehensive Guide

Building a new identity requires careful planning and lawful actions. Here’s a detailed guide to achieving this while addressing all aspects of personal information.

1. Understand Your Current Identity

Your identity is made up of:

Personal Information: Social Security Number (SSN), date of birth, gender, and education.
Contact Details: Phone numbers, email addresses, and residential address.
Relationships: Ties to relatives, friends, and professional contacts.

These details define how companies and institutions recognize you. Begin by auditing your digital and physical presence to understand where their traces exist. This aspect is important, because Park Namwook will be forced to admit his ignorance about Joo Jaekyung’s private life. He might know where he lives, and have his cellphone number, but he never brought up his family and social background. On the other hand, Joo Jaekyung can find Kim Dan through the halmoni because he knows her name, probably her date of birth and her SSN!! (chapter 22) Yes, by paying the bills, he got access to this information. However, for that he needs a person who can have access to such information: (chapter 13) Cheolmin who is also a doctor. Medical professionals often use the Resident Registration Number (RRN) or equivalent patient IDs provided by hospitals to manage medical records. Access to sensitive personal data like RRNs is restricted and regulated under South Korean privacy laws such as the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA). This ensures that sensitive data is protected and only accessed when absolutely necessary for healthcare purposes. Only a doctor could detect the move to the Hospice “Light Of Hope”.

2. Inform Trusted Individuals

Before embarking on this journey, it is necessary to notify a few close friends or relatives about this decision. Without doing so, they might mistakenly report the person missing, which could lead to unwanted legal and social complications. The purpose is to prevent unnecessary investigations and keeps trusted contacts informed. This aspect made me wonder if this phone call (chapter 19) was not just announcing the abandonment, but also a request not to file a missing report. Maybe they “promised” that they would come back soon. And don’t forget that during the last incident, coach Jeong Yosep reported a crime to the authorities. (chapter 52) If the champion doesn’t return to the gym and moves to the place where Kim Dan is without informing Team Black, they could fear the worst. The champion is the target of criminals. Finally, it is important to recall that Heo Manwook only knew how to contact Kim Dan with his address. (chapter 1) He didn’t have his cellphone number at all. That’s the reason why he would come to his house to harass him. This explicates why he disliked so much the idea of Kim Dan’s move: (chapter 16)

3. Relocate and Start Fresh

Move to a different city or town, ideally a place where you have no connections.
Change your mailing address and inform relevant institutions confidentially.

The purpose is to breaks ties with your existing community and offers a new environment to establish yourself. That’s exactly what the grandmother is doing, she is imagining to start fresh (chapter 53)

4. Modify or Rebuild Your Digital Presence

Delete old email accounts, social media profiles, and cloud accounts.
Create new ones using pseudonyms or a new legal name if you’ve changed it.
Opt for encrypted communication platforms.

The goal is to prevent tracking, but also it offers better privacy. Don’t forget that Joo Jaekyung kept receiving calls from journalists and unknown persons. (chapter 48) Besides, these persons seemed to know about the champion’s habits (being awakened late, being home) I had already pointed out that “the cellphone” represents the negative side of “sharing is caring”. And now imagine that Joo Jaekyung decides to leave his cellular telephone behind or even he decides to switch his phone with the one from a friend.

5. Pursue a Legal Name Change

File for a name change through your local government.
Inform necessary agencies such as banks, employers, and the DMV.

The purpose is to establishe a lawful new identity. This aspect brings me to the champion’s identity. We know that many celebrities have a stage name, and they are hiding their true identity behind their stage name. Sure, many MMA fighters use their real name. But since they are artists as well, they can also decide to hide their true origins by using a stage name. As you can see, through this topic, I came to question Joo Jaekyung’s name as a celebrity. It is definitely possible that he took a different name because of his family background, for the relatives disliked his choice of career. Moreover, let’s not forget that the company Team Black (chapter 16) is an incorporated business. This means that Joo Jaekyung is the shareholder. So he is hiding his true power and identity behind Team Black. And since the Emperor was the victim of a hatred campaign in the media (chapter 52), his vanishing wouldn’t be surprising at all. It would be actually a normal reaction to be fed up of being online, and of being defined by the last match. What the schemers didn’t realize is that they pushed indirectly Joo Jaekyung to make the opposite decision than Baek Junmin. To disappear from the spotlight. But this can only lead him to create a whole new identity.

6. Reinvent Your Professional Life

Transition to a new career field or job role unrelated to your previous work. Here, I was thinking that the last crisis might lead the champion to act like the real owner of Team Black. So far, he hid behind his hyung, but in the future he could act like the director or even support Kim Dan to become a PT specialized for MMA fighters.
Avoid using professional references tied to your past.

The purpose of these measures is to ensures a clean slate in the professional world.

7. Build a New Social Circle

Engage in new hobbies, clubs, or volunteer activities to meet new people. Why? It is because if you keep the same interests, people will find you more easily. In our case, Joo Jaekyung could decide to focus on swimming, something he neglected before due to his job as MMA fighter. I had already speculated that the star might teach Kim Dan how to swim.
Though in reality, it is important to avoid revealing details about one’s past, I believe that in the champion’s case, the opposite would happen. He would be forced to reveal his true identity and past to the doctor. That’s how he would show his trust. As you can see, through the topic of “vanishing without leaving traces”, I came to make the connection between the champion’s vanishing and the revelation of his true identity and past. This means, Kim Dan will be the one who knows the fighter the best. As for the new social circle, everything will revolve around the physical therapist.

8. Manage Financial Privacy

Open new bank accounts in your new name if applicable. Kim Dan has already planned to pay back the champion and is not thinking of disappearing. (chapter 53) It signifies that Joo Jaekyung has a way to track him down. On the other hand, should the MMA use the black card, (chapter 24), his relative could detect his whereabouts and moves. That’s why it is important if you desire to avoid of being detected, you need to use cash or prepaid cards to limit traceable transactions. That way, it reduces the risk of financial links to your old identity.

9. Avoid Revisiting Old Patterns

Avoid traveling to places tied to your previous life. This represents another reason why the athlete can find his beloved PT’s whereabouts. Don’t forget that the athlete spent some time with the grandmother and it is possible that she talked about her youth and the West Coast. (chapter 21) Back then, many readers wondered about the content of their conversation. However, I believe, whatever it was, the champion didn’t forget her words. Furthermore, by joining Kim Dan’s side, the star will be forced to drop his routine and change his habits. And that’s how he will change.
“Resist contacting old acquaintances unless necessary”, Jinx-philes can already understand the person I am referring to. During his stay with the doctor, there is no ambiguity that the athlete will ignore Park Namwook and even phone calls from the Entertainment agency or MFC.

Since the purpose is to prevent accidental encounters or recognition, Joo Jaekyung will have to change his appearances so that no one will suspect him of being the Emperor. Under this light, it becomes comprehensible why Mingwa posted this image: . He is wearing piercing, jewels and rings, and his clothes don’t look like designer clothes. Finally, remember how Kim Dan imagined his soulmate: (chapter 32) Yes, clothes make the man, and as such through new clothes and hair dress, you can appear as a different person. That’s how it dawned on me why the Webtoonist created such a scene: (chapter 35) Choi Heesung made a terrible mistake, he attracted the attention from the guests at the café by covering his face. In order not to be detected as a star, the athlete has to act and dress like an average person: no fancy dress or car. And this leads me to my final point: using public transportation or the bike would represent a huge change for the Emperor. Once again, no one would suspect that a biker is a celebrity, similar to this scene: (chapter 21)

To conclude, I think that this research for Kim Dan will push the champion to vanish like thin air. Indirectly, he is following the grandmother. However contrary to her, he wouldn’t live like a ghost, quite the opposite. He would become a real man, no longer the celebrity. By acting that way, the champion would not realize that he is getting closer to his true self. That’s how Joo Jaekyung would become forgotten. That’s how I realized why Park Namwook was putting his pupil so much under stress and pressure, forcing him to race against time. It is because he is himself a “forgotten” national wrestler athlete. Naturally, I am not saying that the star will drop everything, it is just that he will take his time to take control of his life for good. Since I compared Baek Junmin with the grandmother and Joo JAekyung, I assume that Shotgun’s fame can only be short-lived, as he got terribly injured. However, there is no doubt that the Emperor will make a huge comeback exposing the truth to public.

As a final thought, I would like to underline this important aspect. The former CIA-agent pointed out how tough it is to vanish completely, as it is strongly connected with loneliness. Hence we have to envision that if Kim Dan’s parent vanished, they must have struggled too (if they are still alive). In addition, by joining the doctor, the champion won’t make such an experience, quite the opposite. He will discover the good aspects of life with a companion. The cute doctor has become his true friend and family. He can no longer live without him.

However, I am suspecting that the champion’s disappearance can not take place without any assistance. For me, people close to the protagonist will help him to find the doctor and even to take a break: Potato, Cheolmin and Choi Heesung.

Jinx: Daily Jinx Advent Insight 12 📆 🌃

November 15, 2024November 16, 2024 ~ Bébébisous33 ~ 1 Comment

Please support the authors by reading Manhwas on the official websites. This is where you can read the Manhwa: Jinx But be aware that the Manhwa is a mature Yaoi, which means, it is about homosexuality with explicit scenes. Here is the link of the table of contents about Jinx. Here is the link where you can find the table of contents of analyzed Manhwas. Here are the links, if you are interested in the first work from Mingwa, BJ Alex, and the 2 previous essays about Daily Jinx Advent Insight 10 and Daily Jinx Advent Insight 11

The starting point of this composition is the following image from chapter 53:

Sacrifice and responsibility

While standing in front of the huge window, Kim Dan makes the following resolution. He is sacrificing himself for the champion’s sake. Interesting is that in the same chapter, Kim Dan displays similar self-sacrificial behavior with his grandmother, prioritizing her well-being above his own despite the personal cost. It looks like he is giving up on his career as PT for her. Yet, deep down, he is doing it because he feels like he has no other option. (chapter 53) Nevertheless, this parallel emphasizes Kim Dan’s inclination to bear burdens and deny his own needs for others’ sake. In this chapter, he seems to be undergoing a form of penance, sacrificing himself repeatedly as if to atone for the perceived guilt of being a burden to those around him. His actions reflect deep-seated feelings of responsibility and self-blame, shaping his interactions with both his grandmother and Joo Jaekyung in his life. While he admits his responsibility for the last disaster with the injury and the tie, he was made feel guilty by his own grandmother. With this statement (chapter 53), she implied that she never got the chance to go to the West Coast because of him. It was, as if he had been a burden in her life (“life got so hectic”). This expression made me realize why Kim Dan came to live like a ghost. He embodies “life” for the grandmother: burden, responsibility, missed chance. It exposes her delusional mind-set. She is definitely chasing after an illusion. On the other hand, I detected that despite her words, she was not able to move her grandson’s heart. The latter was actually unwilling to leave the penthouse. (chapter 53) His decision was strongly connected to filial duty and not to “love”. Moreover, by fulfilling her request, he is one step closer to become free from self-blame and accountability.

Then the moment you realize that “sacrifice and responsibility” stand in the center of the final episode, you will realize that there was someone who was not willing to sacrifice himself: Park Namwook. (chapter 53) Neither for the doctor nor for his “boy”. (chapter 52)

I would even add that at no moment, he even thought like this: “It would be better for both of us if I just leave”. Yet, just before he had blamed the star for everything: (chapter 52) If he is that unsatisfied with the main lead and his personality, why doesn’t he “quit”? The thing is that he can’t leave, because he claimed that he was the owner of the gym. But in that case, he could decide to fire Joo Jaekyung. However, it is impossible either, as he is not the true owner of the gym. In other words, his “departure” would expose the truth. As a conclusion, he is trapped due to his lie. He can do nothing except let others take the burden. His deception represents his livelihood in the end.

Under this light, it becomes comprehensible why he can not think like Kim Dan at all. At the same time, the contrast between these two hyungs displays the true nature of the former national wrestler. He embodies self-preservation, selfishness, greed, cowardice and deception. That’s the reason why he had no problem to replace the protagonist immediately. (chapter 53) The latter would take the fall for the incident, a new version from the drug scheme in the States: (chapter 40) Though he lacked awareness in the States, for he was not present in the interrogation room, he can no longer claim to be oblivious. He knows about Kim Dan’s innocence. But why didn’t he call the physical therapist then?

The view and the doctor’s resignation

But before answering to this question, it is necessary to focus on the timeline. (chapter 53) Notice that before leaving the penthouse, the main lead was holding the resignation in his hand. This means that the young man had not informed Park Namwook yet. This gesture exposes that Kim Dan was convinced that the manager was his boss, the master of Team Black. Nevertheless, Jinx-lovers should detect that the “hamster” left the flat during the evening. This signifies that the PT handed out his abdication the next morning, I can’t imagine that it happened during the night, for the man has a family with kids. (chapter 53) By leaving the penthouse before going to the gym, it becomes clear that Park Namwook must have realized or even was informed that the doctor would no longer live with the champion, the opposite of this scene where he was caught by surprise: (chapter 22) That’s how I detected the second lie from the manager, lying by paltering. He just mentioned that Kim Dan was quitting, but kept silent about his departure from the penthouse. As you can see, Park Namwook was trying to reduce the main couple’s relationship to a boss-employee contract, while he was trying to act like a close acquaintance and relative from Joo Jaekyung.

But let’s return our attention to the confession from Park Namwook. (chapter 53) He portrayed himself as active and helpless. Yet the reality was different, for the physical therapist took his time to organize the athlete’s files (chapter 53). This signifies that he must have spent some time at the office. To conclude, the young man didn’t vanish quickly from the gym like a ghost, similar to the PT from episode 1. (chapter 1) Kim Dan didn’t return to the office just to give his termination. He stayed there for quite some time. It exposes not only Kim Dan’s dedication for the athlete but also the manager’s deception. In verity, he didn’t do his best to stop him from quitting. He had time to talk to him, but chose not. He didn’t see it as an emergency. Hence there was no call! The latter symbolizes need and seriousness. (chapter 1) (chapter 13) (chapter 20) I selected only three scenes in order to prove my point, but I could give more examples (16, 17, 19, 35, 48). This new perspective corroborates my previous theory: the manager is not so innocent like he appears.

Moreover, the way the resignation is exposed made me realize that it reflects the doctor’s departure. First, the champion is blamed, then the coach announced Kim Dan’s desertion. However, the doctor gave the letter in delay, not right after hearing the reproaches from Joo Jaekyung in the locker room. Park Namwook used this incident, because all the members could hear the celebrity. (chapter 53) He gave the impression that he was telling the truth. This incident was used to explain the doctor’s resignation. But here is the thing. If the doctor spent some time at the office in order to organize the files, why didn’t Potato stop him or tried to talk him out of it? That’s how I came to the following deduction. When Kim Dan came to the gym, the latter was empty, only the manager was there!! A new version of this scene: (chapter 23) Thus I deduce that all the members from Team Black were busy due to the discovery of the scheme: (chapter 52) Yosep was sent to investigate, Oh Daehyun took care of Potato. In other words, they were sent on errants. Moreover, I would like to outline the absence of Kwak Junbeom in the hospital room. The latter had observed the meeting between Choi Gilseok and Kim Dan (chapter 48), he was an important witness. Yet he is missing here. (chapter 52) Under this new light, I am suspecting that Park Namwook already knew about Kim Dan’s innocence, but he never revealed it to the physical therapist. He made sure that no one from Team Black met the main protagonist Kim Dan so that no one would stop him from quitting. That’s why there was no phone call during that week. As conclusion, I believe that Park Namwook used the members from Team Black at the hospital to have the majority on his side, to hide his passivity. There is no doubt that he feared to be blamed for his behavior in the locker room. (chapter 50) Moreover, he could be blamed for the spray incident, for he failed to protect his own athlete. That’s why there was no apology from his side.

However, he made a mistake, when he manipulated his “boy”, the way he announced the doctor’s departure. First, he blamed the champion, then he revealed his desertion. Observe the athlete’s reaction to this news: (chapter 53) Why would the physical therapist quit, if he is innocent? It is because Park Namwook said that Kim Dan did it because of the champion. It was, as if the man’s pride had been hurt:. The verity is that he was actually projecting his own thoughts onto the doctor.

However, the letter addressed to the champion is exposing the truth: at no moment the main lead blamed the athlete for his harsh words!! (chapter 53) He took his words to heart. Thus I come to the following deduction: Park Namwook already knew about the physical therapist’s innocence, but he chose to keep the truth from his boss to mask his own wrongdoings: his passivity and negligence. The reason is that the discovery of the scheme took place in the evening, and Kim Dan gave his letter in the morning. Moreover, some days had passed, when they showed up at the hospital. Potato’s vanishing injuries are the evidence. They waited for the right time to announce the terrible news, something similar to this: (chapter 48) “If we tell him now, it will only throw him off his recovery or his surgery”. Once again, he chose silence and inactivity. Thus no one called the champion or the doctor.

Yet, the best evidence is that Park admitted this: “I tried to talk him out of it”. With his own words, he revealed that he was the only one who faced the physical therapist. If Potato had been there, he would have tried to stop him either, a new version of this panel: (chapter 50) And what did the manager say to the protagonist? (chapter 52) He should have checked the facts. The letter is exposing the manager’s lie. He is expecting that Kim Dan vanished like the previous PT. However, contrary to the previous one, the “hamster” lived with the celebrity. Thus he left a letter to Jaekyung in the penthouse, and the manager had no way to know the existence of this message. And now, you comprehend why Kim Dan never received any phone call from Park Namwook. It is because he would have to inform him about the existence of the scheme. There was no emergency from his side, for he desired to hide his own wrongdoings (negligence, blindness and stupidity).

The true nature of Park Namwook

This signifies that the hyung copied the behavior from MFC agent in the States. He desired to sweep under the rug his own blame and passivity. But since he is not willing to sacrifice himself and as such to leave, I can only come to the following conclusion: Joo Jaekyung will be the one leaving. It is because he will see it as his responsibility to reveal the truth to Kim Dan. That’s how he will release the young man from his low self-esteem and guilt.

But why would the coach act like this? It is because his motto is to stand on the sidelines. This mirrors his actions at the gym: (chapter 36). No wonder why the man is passive. But his inactivity is the result of his indecisiveness (I had portrayed him as someone suffering from Decidophobia). Interesting is that making no decision is the worst people can do. Why?

In the end, the only bad decision is indecision, because it leads to inaction. And without action, there’s no data. No experience of life. No information to serve as fuel for evolution, connection, joy, progress. No growth. Just gray. Quoted from https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/awake-at-the-wheel/201305/the-only-bad-decision-is-indecision

This reinforces my interpretation about this character, he is responsible for the champion’s emptiness and “death”. Since in my previous essay, I compared Joo Jaekyung to a leopard, let me ask you this. Which animal represents Park Namwook then? It has to be an animal that embodies gain, self-preservation, death, passivity (standing on the sideline) and selfishness. (chapter 26) Yes, the spider!! Is it a coincidence that Mingwa drew him with a grey jacket with the arachnid? The negative aspects from the spider are the following:

The spider person has two speeds: motionless and lightning strike. The spider person can have a stinging bite when angered. Deceit is the negative side of spider personality. A web of rumors, gossip and lies can easily be woven. The person with spider energy may be ruthless and once incited to attack, the punishment is decisive and lethal.

The lesson of the spider is maintaining balance – between past and future, male and female, spiritual and physical. She teaches you that everything you do and experience now is weaving what you will encounter in the future. Quoted from http://www.pure-spirit.com/more-animal-symbolism/664-spider-symbolism

Fascinating is that Park Namwook acts like the spider, he does not much, but when he strikes, it is sudden and quite violent: (chapter 52) This signifies that the leopard had a spider on his back the whole time 😉. Each time the feline didn’t behave like the manager wanted, he just needed to strike him. At the same time, this metaphor explains the absence of retaliation from the athlete. A spider is so small, yet its poison can kill the heart and mind. Interesting is that the arachnid stands for balance, a sign that it rejects novelty and change. It is no coincidence that Kim Dan was encouraged to leave the gym, the place where Park Namwook spread a lot of lies and rumors about members and Joo Jaekyung: (chapter 46) In addition, this new discovery corroborates my connection between chapter 52 and 40. In my eyes, Park Namwook should be perceived as a representative of MFC. I had already compared the scheme in the States to a web and a spider, indicating that MFC is far from being a good organization. As a conclusion, the manager is an accomplice of the schemers, even if he was not involved directly. The reason is simple. With his inactivity and deceptions, he is assisting the villains. However, like explained in an earlier essay, the spider is not only connected to negative aspects. It represents wisdom, patience, creativity and even rebirth. Hence it is likely that this man will change or come to regret it at some point. Contrary to the halmoni, he has time in front of him and I am counting on the champion’s huge heart (for example like forgiveness).

The hamster and leopard’s maturity

But let’s return our attention to this panel. (chapter 53) Interesting is that this was not the first time that the doctor was standing in front of the window. (chapter 53) Look at this. Back then, he was thinking of taking another job, a sign that he was not taking his job as PT seriously. The cause for this is that he didn’t view himself as a real PT. Nevertheless, this shows that he was not judging Joo Jaekyung as a champion, but as a man obsessed with sex: (chapter 19) This comparison outlines the PT’s metamorphosis. Not only his perception of Joo Jaekyung changed, but also he has become a responsible and dedicated physical therapist. He defines himself as a PT too. Hence he didn’t leave a mess behind with the files (chapter 53). His decision exposes that this was not an escape.

And note that during the night in episode 19, the young man received a call from Joo Jaekyung: (chapter 19) Striking is that this conversation is strongly intertwined with emergency and racing against time. Back then, I had already developed the theory of the involvement of a third person in their relationship. Why would the champion think of sex suddenly after training for 10 days without any break? Jinx-philes can detect two common denominators: Break and responsibility. How so? In that chapter, Kim Dan was asked to become responsible for the “intercourse” (“I don’t feel like doing it myself, so get your ass ready”). As you can see, the contrast between these two episodes reinforces my hypothesis that the champion will be taking a break, though Park Namwook had not this in mind. The fact that he desires to hire a new PT indicates that he is already anticipating the return of Joo Jaekyung. (chapter 53) Since all the PT were treating him at the gym, I doubt that the manager has the intention to send the new doctor to the penthouse. The hiring of a physical therapist implies the return of the champion to the gym. In his mind, everything will return to normality. But he is totally wrong. The champion can’t accept the disappearance from his soulmate. And this raises the following question: Why didn’t the champion call the doctor right away, when he noticed his desertion? Why did he remain passive in front of the window? (chapter 53) It is because the doctor’s words reached his heart and mind. He must have realized that he couldn’t act like in chapter 1 (chapter 1) or (chapter 19) or (chapter 32). Here, he prioritized his own needs and desires, he rushed things. He never took his time to understand Kim Dan or discover his life. The letter made him realize that he knows nothing about his PT. He has only noticed just now that he is reliable and honest. He is trustworthy. He even listens to him, accepts his words (he took his words to heart twice: the blame for the incident and the Wedding Cabinet). The other reason why he can not use the phone is this. He also knows that he could get blocked. This means that he will ponder how to find and approach his fated partner. (chapter 53) Yes, in front of the window, the man recognized that he had misjudged his partner. The latter was not obsessed with money!! Kim Dan felt terrible, though he had become a victim of a trick. The paper let transpire his true nature: he was a lamb. Furthermore, they had more than a boss-employee relationship. Hence I come to the conclusion that the athlete must have grasped that his relationship with Kim Dan has moved to the next level, like with this doctor : (chapter 13)

The other reason for the absence of a call

I discovered another reason why during that night Kim Dan didn’t call the star. (chapter 53) It is because for Kim Dan saying goodbye over the phone is not proper. The reason is simple. He experienced it himself as a child. (chapter 19) And it hurt him terribly. I am suspecting that the person on the phone might have vanished without saying anything.

But my avid readers should go even deeper and ask themselves the following question: why did neither the champion nor the doctor contact each other? Why is there this huge silence between them? It is because Joo JAekyung had other worries: the bad PR, his injury and the tie. Secondly, he had imagined that Kim Dan would still be with the team. He was unconsciously relying on them. As for the doctor, the latter envisions that Park Namwook and the others were taking care of their athlete. Let’s not forget that he was left behind, while all the others followed the champion to the health center. So in his mind, everyone from Team Black would take care of Joo Jaekyung. He was not needed. This means, he envisioned that Team Black acted as a Team. That’s why he never asked anyone. He thought, the others would do their job properly. And now, imagine Kim Dan seeing Joo Jaekyung approaching him alone with his injured shoulder, similar to this scene: (chapter 53) He just left the hospital after a surgery and he is already carrying a heavy bag. No one is assisting him. There is no driver either. As a PT, Kim Dan can only get worried and feel bad. That’s how Kim Dan will realize that he is needed! (chapter 53) Even more than before!! Joo Jaekyung needs assistance and protection. From that moment on, he can grasp that his sacrifice was not the best for both of them, why his sacrifice was in reality pointless. He should have been more selfish and more confident.

Jinx: Daily Jinx Advent Insight 11 📆😄😾

November 14, 2024November 15, 2024 ~ Bébébisous33 ~ 2 Comments

Please support the authors by reading Manhwas on the official websites. This is where you can read the Manhwa: Jinx But be aware that the Manhwa is a mature Yaoi, which means, it is about homosexuality with explicit scenes. Here is the link of the table of contents about Jinx. Here is the link where you can find the table of contents of analyzed Manhwas. Here are the links, if you are interested in the first work from Mingwa, BJ Alex, and the 2 previous essays about Daily Jinx Advent Insight 9 and Daily Jinx Advent Insight 10

In the last essays I studied a lot the manager and coach from Team Black. Therefore I decided to focus on a different person today. And that will be our beloved Kim Dan.🐹🦆 The starting point of this essay is the following panel:

Doc Dan’s laugh and its symbolism

In my composition “A Summer Night’s Dream “ I described the doctor’s smile and laugh as a magical moment. The little bubbles of light reminded me of fairies and in particular of Tinker Bell with her pixie dust. Interesting is that this character from Peter Pan and her magical powder symbolize the magic of youth, joy, and the power of belief. Her dust, which grants characters the ability to fly, represents imagination and the freedom that comes from thinking like a child, unbound by adult limitations or fears. Tinker Bell herself often embodies loyalty and playful spirit, sparking wonder and adventure. Her presence reminds characters—and viewers—of the youthful joy, innocence, and boundless possibility that magic can bring into their lives, even in challenging or serious moments.

And that’s exactly what happened during that night, the return of youth and simple joy. Kim Dan’s fears and prejudices vanished immediately. Because the champion had asked for Kim Dan’s consent, the latter discovered freedom. He felt so free that he could voice his desires sensually. (chapter 44) He stroke his soulmate’s face, kissed his cheeks and finally his ears. His actions triggered a singular reaction in the star: (chapter 44) This made the physical therapist’s laugh. (chapter 44) His genuine laugh combined with the following realization (chapter 44) shows that in that moment, the physical therapist rediscovered his youth again. I would even add that Jinx-philes were witnessing in this panel how Kim Dan reconnected with his inner child. (chapter 44) The blushing is an indication of life and innocence. But if this young man’s childish nature was brought to the surface, who was Tinker Bell during this night? Naturally Joo Jaekyung. Under the influence of soju, the man could no longer hide his true nature. He has a childish side too. In other words, he was lowering his guard. Anyone has already heard from the quote “In wine, there’s truth” (the original quote comes from Latine: “in vino veritas”). As you can see, this beautiful night corresponds to this one: (chapter 10)

Chapter 10	Chapter 44
Darkness	Light
Tears	Laugh and Smile
Poverty	Wealth
Stench	Wonderful Smell
Money	Free

And what was the common denominator? Drunkenness. However, back then the champion did not choose to have sex with the young physical therapist: (chapter 10) Under this light, it becomes comprehensible why Kim Dan’s beautiful night became a dream, an illusion. The young doctor had done something wrong from a moral point of view. However, because the young man had treated the champion so well before, his reward was to experience what love is. (chapter 44) Thanks to Tinker Bell, he could fly: he was brought to Nirvana. (chapter 44) The problem is that the physical therapist was reducing love to sex (“making love”). True love has to be expressed in a lot of different ways (spiritual intimacy, experiential closeness, responsibility etc) and not just through sex.

Another common point between these two scenes is the doctor’s longing for companionship. And this brings me back to the protagonist’s laugh and observation. He compared the Emperor to a sulky cat. (chapter 44) Why was he thinking of an animal? Let’s not forget that in chapter 10, the very same person was confusing the celebrity with his grandmother. (chapter 19( The comparison suggests that Kim Dan still hadn’t fully recognized or understood Joo Jaekyung’s true character. Under this new perspective, it becomes comprehensible why Kim Dan still came to misjudge and misinterpret the athlete’s words and behavior later. Yes, even this night outlines the physical therapist’s flaws. Exactly like his soulmate, he still couldn’t love his partner properly. Nevertheless, this thought (“sulky cat”) divulges the doctor’s inner child.

Kim Dan’s sulky cat

Most children desire to have a pet at home, it is often either a dog or a cat. Cats and children often share a unique bond due to their mutual curiosity and playfulness. Cats can offer children a gentle introduction to empathy and responsibility, as children learn to care for a creature with needs and boundaries. The independent nature of cats also teaches children about respect for personal space. For kids, cats provide comfort and companionship, while cats, in turn, appreciate the warmth and attention. This dynamic can foster compassion and self-awareness in children, helping them grow emotionally and socially.

But what does a cat symbolize in literature and cultures? Cats have held various symbolic roles across history. In ancient Egypt, they were sacred and associated with the goddess Bastet, seen as protectors of the home and often honored in death. In medieval Europe, cats became linked to superstition and witchcraft, often seen as mysterious or foreboding. By the 19th century, authors like Carroll and Dickinson used cats as symbols of freedom and intelligence. In 20th-century literature, cats evolved to represent loyalty and companionship (for example French author Colette with The Cat). As you can see, this feline has always been associated with magic, supernatural and mystery (witchcraft, gods, death). So we could say that the cat Jaekyung was the one who helped Kim Dan to discover a lost world; his long forgotten and repressed inner child.

At the same time, cats also symbolize home and protection. This means that in that moment, Kim Dan felt truly at home. (chapter 44) For a brief moment, they were no longer in a boss-employee relationship. Hence I come to the conclusion that we should consider Kim Dan’s laugh and smile as a reflection from the champion’s hug and drunken confession: (chapter 43) Interesting is that in that scene, the protagonist couldn’t see his lover’s face. He couldn’t detect the glimpse of a smile and his warm gaze.

Another point is that he compared the fighter to a sulky cat. (chapter 44) On the one hand, this expression exposes that the main lead was not wearing any pink-tinted glasses and as such he was not delusional. On the other side, this idiom often represents independence, moodiness, and a desire for autonomy. In folklore and literature, cats that appear sullen or aloof can represent mystery, self-possession, or quiet resentment, emphasizing traits like defiance and emotional complexity. They might also convey an inner conflict or unspoken feelings, as their behavior reflects the subtle tension between closeness and detachment. This image often serves to remind us of the value of personal space, boundaries, and the instinct to guard one’s inner self. This means that with this discovery, Kim Dan was encouraged not to become clingy and depend on the athlete. Yes, I see this laugh (chapter 44) as a positive reflection from this night: (chapter 11)

The doctor’s laugh from the past and the present

By comparing both images, Manhwa-lovers can detect the differences. Kim Dan might have a wide open mouth in both pictures, yet there is no sound in the humble home. Secondly, his eyes are wide open contrary to the magical night. What does it mean? The absence of a laughing sound and a blushing are revealing that the little boy was faking his joy. He didn’t want to show his fear and sadness. Like mentioned in a previous essay, during that night, he was acting like a Teddy Bear comforting his grandmother. In other words, this memory from the main figure is exposing his delusion and suffering. A Teddy Bear doesn’t require any attention or care, as it is just an object. This explains why this toy was not treated properly (chapter 21). He was simply put on the floor. Yet small children usually treat such cuddly toys as treasures. While making this contrast, I realized why the halmeoni never took care of her grandchild properly. Observe what happened to the Wedding Cabinet and the expensive scarf she received from her grandson. They were all left behind or vanished, just like the little boy’s Teddy Bear. (chapter 53) They were literally abandoned, as they lost their sentimental value overtime. I am suspecting that they had become “useless”. Hence I am suspecting that by calling him a puppy dog, she didn’t truly mean it. (chapter 47) By saying that he was a puppy dog, she was implying that she would be responsible for him. Keep in mind that pet are linked to care and accountability. However, her wish is strongly connected to one single moment: (chapter 53) She is not thinking about the future at all. For her, it doesn’t matter, for her time is limited. Dog can be abandoned in the end, especially when the responsibility becomes a burden. That’s the reason why I believe that in verity, she was treating the protagonist more like an object than like an animal. Moreover, Jinx-philes should keep in their mind she used to describe him as a little boy, which also represents responsibility and care. Therefore I conclude that this scene didn’t stand for Kim Dan’s true home, it was just an illusion. (chapter 11) He was smiling and faking happiness in order to comfort the grandmother. That’s how he reinforced her mental issues and his own abandonment issues. Everything would be fine, as long as he acted like she expected it. At no moment she desired to be confronted with his own suffering or with reality. This was not a “magical night”, but a night where the boy got “cursed”, like Sleeping Beauty. This night is strongly connected to silence which stands in opposition to the magical night from chapter 44. On the bed, both tried to have a conversation (chapter 44), though the communication failed, for Joo Jaekyung was drunk. Moreover, Kim Dan kept most of his thoughts to himself, a sign that he was still guarded. Hence while Doc Dan felt at home during that night, it didn’t last long. The next morning, they became once again boss and employee. (chapter 45) Moreover, by comparing the Emperor to a sulky cat, he is indirectly thinking and behaving like his grandmother. A cat can be abandoned, the latter can find new owners. Nevertheless, I still think, this night left traces in Kim Dan’s heart and mind. He had grown fond of this place, almost at home. Therefore he struggled to leave the penthouse. (chapter 53) And compare his attitude to the one in chapter 19: (chapter 19) They were no deep lingering feelings towards the grandmother’s house. In fact, before leaving, he remembered an incident, a mysterious phone call which I consider as the moment, which broke the boy’s soul and heart. For me, he was almost glad to leave this place behind.

I pointed out above that one difference between these two laughs (chapter 11) (chapter 44) is the closed eyes from the main lead during the bright night. Since I interpreted the boy with wide open eyes as an allusion to deception, illusion and toxic positivity, the closed eyes should be perceived as the awakening of the third eye. Moreover, the young man’s mind and heart turned towards his inner world. Simultaneously, they also imply the absence of reality. Like mentioned above, Doc Dan is not truly perceiving the fighter for whom he is. This implies that there are aspects of Joo Jaekyung’s personality, motivations, or emotions that Kim Dan is overlooking or misinterpreting, which influenced their dynamic negatively so that they couldn’t relate to each other. However, I still think, Doc Dan was not really far from the truth. How so?

According to Mingwa, Kim Dan is a hamster and Joo Jaekyung is a wolf. So he sensed his animalistic nature. As you already know, I came to associate these two protagonists to other animals: dragon and his Yeouiju, Kim Dan as a DUCK! Hence it is possible that deep down, the celebrity has another hidden nature, like a cat.

The other nature from Joo Jaekyung

In my eyes, the champion is also a feline, more precisely a leopard. 😮 Remember the champion’s pajamas from episode 30: (chapter 30) The pajama pattern in the image appears to resemble a leopard print, which features distinct rosette-shaped spots that are commonly associated with this type of design. He also looked like a sulky “cat”. (chapter 30) And what was he trying to do here? To seek closeness to his new mate!

Leopards are wild animals and are generally not suitable for domestication. Though they are sometimes trained in captivity, they retain strong instincts and can be unpredictable and dangerous. Leopards often haul their kills up into a tree, out of reach of other carnivores, few of which can match a leopard’s climbing agility. They then leave the carcass and return at their leisure, safely enjoying a prolonged meal high up in a tree.

The symbolism and meaning of Leopard resonate through many cultures. Regarding the origin of the word “Leopard”, you’ll find the term comes from two Greek words translating as “Lion” and “Male Panther.” It’s a reference originating from a time when people felt Leopard was the child of both Panther and Lion.

In the wild, Leopards are stealthy, fast hunters, and strong enough to transport and hide their food. Their strength goes further into how Leopard protects its territory. Leopard does not appreciate the surprise guest and will go to great lengths to return to their lair, avoiding contact with anyone or anything when possible. Combine the latter-mentioned attributes, and Leopard becomes an emblem of swift movement, strength, isolation, and a home’s defender. Quoted from https://whatismyspiritanimal.com/spirit-totem-power-animal-meanings/mammals/leopard-symbolism-meaning/?srsltid=AfmBOor4wX5JaEaFzFfsB7Ofte3P6dU_rmudkvlLLfYdEAEUyrQMtZ8Q

This description corresponds a lot to the champion’s behavior: seeking isolation, bringing his prey to his penthouse (chapter 19), very territorial and disliking surprises. In literature, leopards often symbolize strength, courage, agility, and stealth. They are seen as solitary and powerful hunters, often representing independence or mystery. In totemic traditions, the leopard can symbolize resilience, adaptability, and personal power, often embodying a person’s inner strength and ability to face challenges.

In ancient Egyptian culture, leopards were revered, with priests wearing leopard-skin robes to signify their connection to the divine. Similarly, in African cultures, leopards are seen as symbols of royalty and protection. In the Chinese zodiac, the leopard (or panther) is associated with bravery and assertiveness, often symbolizing fierce guardianship and sharp intuition. Finally, leopards are historically associated with British royalty and heraldry, especially through their depiction as symbols of power and courage. In the British royal coat of arms, the “leopard” typically represents a stylized lion (often called a “lion passant guardant”)—a lion walking with its head turned to face the viewer. These symbols are often connected to English kings, with each “leopard” or lion reinforcing the monarchy’s strength, nobility, and bravery. This emblem has been used in military contexts as well, representing valor and leadership. To conclude, this predator is strongly intertwined with nobility and healing, as the latter was perceived to have a connection to the beyond.

Leopard as a Spirit Guide often comes to you after tremendous suffering. The Animal is a healer and counselor in such times. When all seems lost, Leopard comes to help you take back your Power; this is the time to look at the skills you have and appreciate them. Get rid of negative patterns and embrace fresh approaches on all levels of your being.

If the Animal Spirit finds you worthy, you are most fortunate. Leopard has many other virtues that you might call upon in rituals and spells. These include cunning, personal survival, psychic skills, problem-solving, bravery, and dignity. Quoted from https://whatismyspiritanimal.com/spirit-totem-power-animal-meanings/mammals/leopard-symbolism-meaning/?srsltid=AfmBOor4wX5JaEaFzFfsB7Ofte3P6dU_rmudkvlLLfYdEAEUyrQMtZ8Q

That’s exactly how Joo Jaekyung has been affecting Kim Dan’s life. He is bringing luck in his life, he is healing him and the symbol for this healing is Doc Dan’s smile and laugh (chapter 44). He is the only one who can bring him joy and happiness. Note that he smiled for the first time after their first sparring: (chapter 26) One might argue that he laughed with Potato and Oh Daehyun in the States. But are you sure? We never saw him laughing. Only Joo JAekyung heard their laughs, but did it also belong to the hamster? (chapter 37) Moreover, observe that during that terrible night, the athlete was wearing an t-shirt with a feline on it: (chapter 37) Puma was designed on it. As you can see, everything is pointing out that this man is a leopard which was mistaken to a sulky cat or a puma.

And now imagine that the young man is moving to the West Coast in order to watch the sunset: (chapter 44) That’s how the champion should reconnect with his true nature. Interesting is that leopards are adaptable animals that thrive in various environments, from savannas and rainforests to mountains and deserts. They prefer areas with dense vegetation for stalking prey, as well as access to water sources for hydration. Though leopards are not as dependent on water as some animals, they will drink when it’s available. They are often active at night or during dawn and dusk, making them well-suited to both sunny and shaded habitats. Their adaptability to different climates is one reason they have such a broad geographic range. It shows that the champion will adapt himself very well in a new environment. His hamster or duck has become his lifetime companion. He can no longer live without him.

One might reply that I am overinterpreting this story, because Mingwa only associated her characters with the hamster and the wolf. But I would like to remind my avid readers that there was a reference to chapter 30: (chapter 44) So since the champion was naked during this night, we could say that his true nature was slowly coming to the surface. As a predator, his annoyance to the strokes and kisses appears more normal and understandable: (chapter 44) Kim Dan is teaching him how to control his strength and discover playfulness. And now, imagine Kim Dan patting a leopard 😉 (chapter 44) and the leopard fighting a wounded and isolated hyena: (chapter 52) But what had triggered the champion? (chapter 52) Eye-contact! Making direct eye contact with a leopard can be dangerous. Leopards may interpret prolonged eye contact as a threat or challenge, triggering an aggressive response. In the wild, they rely on stealth and avoid open confrontation, so they may react defensively if they feel they are being stared at. This behavior is common among many predators, as eye contact often signals dominance or confrontation. It’s generally advised to avoid direct eye contact and back away slowly if you encounter a leopard in close proximity. Baek Junmin had totally underestimated the true nature of his opponent. This could explain as well why Park Namwook is wearing his glasses all the time and even avoiding eye-contact with the emperor.

To conclude, Kim Dan was slowly perceiving the champion’s true nature, his feline side. However, since leopard can not be domesticated and are extremely territorial, it signifies that the carnivore will be searching for his mate and master. In my eyes, thanks to the physical therapist, Joo Jaekyung will discover his second nature: raising cubs. Potato the chow chow (chapter 24), Oh Daehyun the eagle… (chapter 9)

Leopard mothers raise their cubs with care and caution. After giving birth, they keep the cubs hidden in dense vegetation or secluded rocky areas to protect them from predators which reminded me of the gym. The latter is not famous. The mother frequently moves her young to new locations to avoid detection by other animals. Cubs rely on their mother’s milk for the first few months, after which she gradually introduces them to solid food by bringing back small prey. The mother teaches her cubs essential hunting and survival skills, often for up to two years, until they can fend for themselves. In other words, Joo Jaekyung will train the remaining members of Team Black to develop their killer instincts far away from public eyes.

Jinx: Daily Jinx Advent Insight 10 📆 🤬❤️🖤

November 13, 2024November 14, 2024 ~ Bébébisous33 ~ 3 Comments

Please support the authors by reading Manhwas on the official websites. This is where you can read the Manhwa: Jinx But be aware that the Manhwa is a mature Yaoi, which means, it is about homosexuality with explicit scenes. Here is the link of the table of contents about Jinx. Here is the link where you can find the table of contents of analyzed Manhwas. Here are the links, if you are interested in the first work from Mingwa, BJ Alex, and the 2 previous essays about Daily Jinx Advent Insight 8 and Daily Jinx Advent Insight 9

If you pay attention to the illustration, you will notice that I switched the pictures in the photography album. However, assuming that you read all my previous daily insight compositions, you should recognize that I didn’t examine all the panels. The reason why I created a new illustration is that the topic for today was not related to the previous selected images.

The trigger for the new examination is the recently published article from Jennifer Delgado entitled Keinshorm Effect: why do we reject the ideas of those we can’t stand?

And now, you are probably wondering what Keinshorm effect is. The latter describes a cognitive bias where individuals reject ideas simply because they come from people they dislike. This emotional response clouds judgment, leading to a refusal to consider the content’s merits objectively. It often stems from the “horn effect,” where a single negative trait is extended to the entire person, or from cognitive dissonance when new information challenges deep-seated beliefs. This effect can lead to polarization, impeding constructive dialogue and personal growth. Who do you think is suffering from Keinshorm effect in Jinx?

Naturally Park Namwook. He is constantly silencing his boy with his words (chapter 36), slaps (note) and punches. But how do psychologists explain this creation?

That is, we form an unfavorable first impression based on some characteristic that we consider negative – which can even be physical. This means that we are already negatively predisposed towards that person and, therefore, also towards their ideas. Quoted from Keinshorm Effect: why do we reject the ideas of those we can’t stand?

As you can see, it is strongly linked to negative first impressions and as such to appearances. Mingwa let us know how the manager met the protagonist from Jinx: (chapter 26) He would destroy the arcade’s punching machines constantly, which led him to become blacklisted. This means that for the coach from Team Black, the young man was just a brutal and thoughtless thug and nothing more. He judged him based on his appearance and actions. Since he had money in order to open his own gym, he became a spoiled rich brat in the former wrestler’s eyes. But notice that the article is pointing out that the person suffering from Keinshorm Effect rejects any discussion from their counterpart because in truth, they actually dislike this person. This exposes the truth about Park Namwook: he actually resents the main lead. He only accepts him because of his success and fame. At the same time, this biased perception incites him to view himself superior to his pupil.

Under this new light, it becomes comprehensible why Park Namwook slapped his boy after the surgery. It symbolizes the summit of the Heinshorm Effect and as such the manager’s dislike towards the champion. Additionally, it is important to recall the trigger which led to such a reaction: (chapter 45) The Emperor had voiced his thoughts and emotions. This shows that he was trying to have a discussion with his hyung. He desired to be heard too: he voiced his powerlessness and questioned the coach’s intention behind his previous reproach.

That’s how I realized that we should see this argument as the negative version from this discussion at the penthouse: (chapter 45) While some readers still judge the athlete as a red flag and bad guy, they fail to realize that in a discussion, it is not about right and wrong. They are probably under the effect of the Heinshorm Effect due to the first bad impressions. 😉 In this discussion, both made valid points, yet both were in the wrong too. In reality, in a discussion, it is relevant to listen to the counterpart’s opinion and words. And that’s exactly what both did, though it hurt them too. But there is more to it.

First, it exposes that the manager never checked the facts about his own “boy”. (chapter 52) Why would he destroy the punching machines constantly? Hence I come to the conclusion that he has no idea about the past from Joo Jaekyung: (chapter 49) Like mentioned in a previous essay, I am suspecting that the athlete was a target of bullying and the perpetrators used his weakness and isolation to their own advantage. In other words, Park Namwook only saw the young man, once the latter had started training in order to protect himself. If he could ruin the machine, then it means that he had developed some strength. Thus I deduce that he never saw the future champion crying. At the same time, his negative perception led him to think that it was not possible to reason with him. He would only understand the power of the fists and nothing else. And this brings me to my next point.

Kim Dan represents the manager’s positive perception. That’s the reason why Mingwa created situations where both would argue. But because the hyung is much smaller and weaker, Joo Jaekyung was encouraged to voice his thoughts and emotions. Through their discussions (heated or not), they developed a mutual respect, which deepened their understanding of each other over time. Therefore I came to perceive these two scenes as a positive and negative reflections.

Though both hyungs have the same attitude concerning violence, their response diverges. Kim Dan is not condemning his boss openly. His emotional reaction is more moderate, there is no yelling and threatening. He is teaching gently not to use his fists. With such an attitude, he displays acceptance and tolerance. Thus I come to the following interpretation. The relationship between Park Namwook and Joo Jaekyung was not bad right from the start. Yet as time passed on, the Keinshorm Effect reinforced the negative perception from the manager leading him to silence his star and as such to disrespect him.

In reality, the Keinshorm effect is not so much a rejection of the person or group as of what they represent. Whenever someone rejects an idea, what they are really doing is denying constructive disagreement and mature reflection.

In the long run, the Keinshorm effect distorts our judgment and prevents us from properly evaluating information or ideas presented by people or groups we find unpleasant. However, when we indiscriminately close ourselves off to everything that comes from our antipode, we fall into mental rigidity , which prevents us from growing and making more informed or adaptive decisions. Quoted from Keinshorm Effect: why do we reject the ideas of those we can’t stand?

Hence at the end, he chose not to communicate with him anymore. This explains why the manager didn’t inform him about the desertion of the last PT. (chapter 1) The champion was confronted with this new fact, when he saw Kim Dan for the first time. It signifies that when the story starts, the Keinshorm Effect is already deeply rooted. No wonder why there’s only one message from the hyung during the whole season (chapter 45) This was the sign of a poor connection between these two characters. Whereas the gap between them grew bigger and bigger, the opposite happened between the two protagonists. Under this new perspective, Jinx-philes can grasp why Mingwa created so many scenes with arguments between the two main leads. They should be seen as reflections from the past.

However with the manager, the latter had less patience and understanding right from the start. Therefore he came to choose his hands to turn the sportsman into a “passive and obedient” doll. That’s the reason why I see a connection between these two images:

The letter is the highest form for communication. Putting thoughts into words means that the writer took his time to communicate with his counterpart. It stands for rationality and respect which contrasts to the manager’s slap. The latter acted on his negative emotions (anger, fears). The author from the article pointed out that Heinshorm Effect is nowadays widely spread. Why?

Unfortunately, we are living in a true emotiocracy, a dictatorship of emotions that feeds extremism, polarization and, of course, non-thinking. We act by letting ourselves be carried away exclusively by feelings of sympathy or animosity. Without thinking. And when this extends to all levels of society, it becomes highly dangerous. Quoted from Keinshorm Effect: why do we reject the ideas of those we can’t stand?

The moment I read this passage, it made me think of Choi Heesung and his k-drama: Extreme Worlds (chapter 29) (chapter 30) In the past, I used to think that this title were referring to the existence of two worlds: celebrity versus criminal world. But now I am thinking that these extreme worlds should be seen as “emotions” versus “reason” and “love versus hate” too. Idols are exposed to such extreme emotions (stalking, adoration versus hate). (chapter 36) In the second case, Joo Jaekyung could experience it twice during the first season. Whereas he got upset with the article from Shim Yoon-Seok (chapter 35), in the second one he was more composed. (chapter 52) He was already learning that the media were not reflecting verity. He was already distancing himself from social media. He had slowly realized that his image as star was not his true identity. At the same time, the letter contrasts with the short messages from haters. It outlines that Kim Dan’s admiration and recognition is sincere and deep. He didn’t get influenced by the media.

Hence I come to the conclusion that Park Namwook’s passivity and slap were triggered by the Heinshorm Effect. Yes, he was thinking like the media which distinguishes him from the cute “hamster”. (chapter 52) For him, Joo Jaekyung deserved to be suspended… he had punched his opponent at the hospital. Imagine the irony of the situation. Later, the manager used violence too, but it was excusable: (chapter 52) Consequently, it is understandable why Park Namwook didn’t fight against the suspension or organize a conference in order to save his star’s reputation. He had the same view about his boy. In addition, it exposes the shortsightedness and lack of reflection from Park Namwook. That’s why he shouldn’t be allowed to be the star’s manager. While he accuses his pupil of being hot-tempered, the former never checked the facts either: (chapter 52) Why was Baek Junmin place next to his opponent? Someone will have to confront this man for his negligence, unfairness, stupidity and incompetence.

But there exists another evidence for the presence of the Keinshorm Effect: (chapter 1) Due to his words, Kim Dan came to perceive the Emperor as a brutal and brainless man: (chapter 1) However, despite his biased perception about the athlete, he came to overcome all his prejudices about his boss and came to truly love the fighter. And this brings me back to this comparison:

The champion’s reaction made laugh many readers. He was so calm. However, the moment you contrast this image with the one from episode 53, you will realize that his reaction is exposing his final detachment from Park Namwook. He is not upset, but this means that he is no longer seeking his admiration and recognition. The slap puts an end to their ambiguous and toxic relationship. For me, the manager lost his position as his hyung and as such his “family”. This explains why he listened to his coach, and said nothing. (chapter 53) However, later the champion thought otherwise: (chapter 53) This shows that he is now making his own decisions and this in the absence of his mentor. It somehow implies that the champion also stops communicating to Park Namwook. Finally, notice how he reacted after reading the letter: he truly felt bad. He was already attached emotionally and mentally to Kim Dan. As a conclusion, the season ends with the switch of the position between Kim Dan and Park Namwook. The former has already come to replace the manager. Indifference versus guilt and pain.

After making this discovery, it dawned on me why Kim Dan was not included in the discussions concerning the imminent fights. (chapter 36) He wouldn’t have been allowed to voice his opinion. He would have been even suspected of spying and leaking information (lawyer and manager from the Entertainment agency). Kim Dan needed to realize and admit his love and admiration for the athlete. first in order to stop Keinshorm Effect. He needed to be a confident and competent PT and become a friend for the protagonist. Since Kim Dan stands for communication, tolerance, respect and openminded-ness, the former hyung embodies the opposite notions: silence, dislike, clouded judgement and mental rigidity. Thus I deduce that in the future, the discussions about fights will take place differently. Involvement from all the members, opening listening and Kim Dan as a PT will have the decisive right for allowing a fight or not.

Jinx: Daily Jinx Advent Insight 9 📆 🕳️☠️

November 12, 2024November 13, 2024 ~ Bébébisous33 ~ 5 Comments

Please support the authors by reading Manhwas on the official websites. This is where you can read the Manhwa: Jinx But be aware that the Manhwa is a mature Yaoi, which means, it is about homosexuality with explicit scenes. Here is the link of the table of contents about Jinx. Here is the link where you can find the table of contents of analyzed Manhwas. Here are the links, if you are interested in the first work from Mingwa, BJ Alex, and the 2 previous essays about JinxTo Give Or To Take? The Subtle battle between Love and Power in Jinx and Daily Jinx Advent Insight 8

Navigating the Dark Path: Choices and Consequences

The starting point of this essay is an image from episode 26 where Kim Changmin and Kwak Junbeom (chapter 26) are talking about Joo Jaekyung’s past. In this episode, Jinxphiles discover through the testimonies from Oh Daehyun (chapter 26) and Kim Changmin that Joo Jaekyung could have become a thug. However, the confession from the fighter with the beige t-shirt grabbed my interest, in particular the sentence “didn’t go down a darker path”. Notice that the innocent sportsman is employing the adjective dark in the comparative form. The usual expression is to go down on a dark path. So why did he say “darker”? Interesting is that by using the comparative, the sportsman insinuates that the protagonist didn’t make a good choice either. Why? It is because dark implies danger, corruption and chaos. It was, as if the man had still veered off course. It seems to hint that Jaekyung is still involved in some morally ambiguous or risky associations. This subtle implication not only complicates Jaekyung’s character but also suggests a tension between his ambition and possible hidden affiliations. This observation raises the following question: why would the sportsman state this?

Why a darker path?

It becomes clear through the conversation with Kwak Junbeom (chapter 26) that both fighters don’t know the star very well. During the sparring, the former judo champion is surprised the way the celebrity is treating Kim Dan. He is judging his actions based on his observation and feelings (it feels like…). He sees him in a rather positive light, a man amusing himself with a kid. This sparring is associated with fun due to the words “toying” and “kid”. This shows that the sportsman is only now noticing the protagonist’s childish nature.

As for his listener, it becomes clear that this young man is simply repeating Park Namwook’s words. The clues for this interpretation are two expressions: “we should be grateful” and “especially with that personality of his”. Only the manager and coach has been underlining the bad personality from the main lead. He has no manners (chapter 7), he is a maniac, (chapter 9) he is a stubborn workaholic (chapter 27) (chapter 27) (chapter 52) Then in front of Kim Dan, the latter would always voice his gratitude (chapter 9) (chapter 43) The moment this expression “darker path” grabbed my interest, I wondered why the manager and coach would employ such an expression. It implies that he still saw the athlete’s career as a dark path.

On the one hand, it could be related to MMA fighting which the hyung doesn’t view in a good light. It was, as though the athlete should have selected a different career like doctor or teacher. Nevertheless, my avid readers should keep in their mind that on the morning of the protagonist’s birthday the man sent a video with his kids. (chapter 43) The latter seem to be cheering on the star. The video exposes that Park Namwook has been portraying the main lead as a champion and as such as a hero. He doesn’t see his job as MMA in a negative light. If so, he would have never allowed his children to know about his relationship with Joo Jaekyung. In fact, the message and video are exposing the father’s pride. He is the coach and manager from the famous and invincible MMA fighter. Consequently, I don’t think that the man is truly condemning him for becoming a MMA fighter.

This conclusion leads us right back to the start. Why would he say “darker path”? One might reply that the purpose is to outline his role as Joo Jaekyung’s savior and luck. Nevertheless, I doubt that this man realized that with this little addition he was exposing his true thoughts. From my point of view, the comparative is exposing that the manager from Team Black is not totally oblivious of the connection between MFC and the criminal world. Since Baek Junmin’s path crossed the athlete’s in the past (chapter 49), it signifies that Joo Jaekyung could have become involved in this type of games: (chapter 47) And from my perspective, Park Namwook is aware of this. As you know, for me, Joo Jaekyung became the official face of MFC, the one covering up the dark side. He stands in the light to mask the true nature of that organization. For me, “darker” is the indication that the manager is aware of the connections.

Joo Jaekyung, a winner or a target?

And the other evidence for this hypothesis are his words in chapter 46: (chapter 46) In this picture, I detected a contradiction from the hyung. If the star is bringing a lot of money, why would he become a target? In fact, people would rather bet on the man, as his victory seems more probable than his defeat. No one has an interest to bet against him, unless the schemers are malicious and malevolent. The word “target” is not random, it implies the existence of a scheme. Hence the manager should have been even more prudent concerning his star’s safety. Yet, he allowed him to return home alone during the night and he had no guard by his side. (chapter 48) This remark outlines the manager’s neglect. His boy has no protection, though he had already become the target of a “malicious fan” according to the “fake investigation”. Moreover, in the office, Park Namwook is finally admitting the existence of illegal gambling, a topic which was never brought up before. (chapter 46) He is explaining this, as if that was something new. However, even the members from TEAM Black already knew about them. (chapter 47) Imagine that Joo Jaekyung has been fighting for a while, and only after so many years, the topic “illegal gambling and schemes” is brought up. In my eyes, everything seems to point out that the manager was aware of the corruption of MFC and even crimes, but he chose to close an eye to the truth. But please don’t get me wrong. I am not saying that he knew about the existence of the first scheme. From my perspective, the man is a silent accomplice. Moreover, he doesn’t need to know everything, he just needs to know a few facts, but by hiding them from the champion, he becomes an accomplice. Moreover, with this explanation, Jinx-philes can grasp why the coach and manager is portraying himself as the owner of the gym. That way, he can keep his pupil in the dark, a similar attitude than the physical therapist with his grandmother. He never brought up the truth to Shin Okja concerning the physical assault from the loan sharks..

Moreover, why would he avoid meeting director Choi Gilseok the week before the fight? (chapter 49) The drop of his face is not only indicating his discomfort, but also his lie. It is because if he had met the director from King Of MMA, he could have been suspected of being a traitor or a spy. Thus I come to the following theory: Park Namwook knew about the meeting between the director of Choi Gilseok and Kim Dan. Let’s not forget that the physical therapist encountered the villain right in front of the gym and Kwak Junbeom was a witness of their meeting. (chapter 48) This raises the following question: did he know about the anonymous message? (chapter 48) It is difficult to say, but this incident is revealing the manager’s complicity. How so? It is his job as a manager to protect his boy from the public. No personal information should be so easily accessible. He has to make sure that his cellphone number is not given to any random guy. Yes, his cellphone number was leaked not only to journalists, but also to rival gyms. I am suspecting that the leaking could be linked to „favors“ and free PR. One might say that the Entertainment agency could be behind the leak. However, my avid readers shouldn’t forget that the person who pushed Joo Jaekyung to sign a contract with the agency was Park Namwook. (chapter 30) He explained this choice by saying that many athletes would sign such contracts. His justification outlines his herd mentality. That way, he would delegate his responsibility to the agency. Hence Park Namwook is accountable for the signature of this contract. Thus it dawned on me that the manager has played the same role than the halmoni’s in the end. Both put a leash to their “relative’s neck”, though it had never been their intention. There is no ambiguity that these two characters were definitely motivated by their selfishness, greed and dream. Finally, we should question ourselves why the manager and coach is so obsessed with money and is treating his “boy” like a doll. His mentality was definitely influenced by his surroundings. However, at the gym, most of the fighters were portrayed as little kids who got corrupted over time. Since I detected similarities between the two main leads, I can only come to the deduction that Kim Dan is the champion’s emancipator. While the doctor needed money to get liberated from debts, the other needs to find a true family in order to be free from fighting restlessly. But there is more to it.

Park Namwook’s glasses

If you already read my analysis Who are you?”, the significance of masks in Manhwas, you are aware of the symbolism of glasses in Manhwas. The latter should be considered as masks too, where people hide their true thoughts and emotions. Thus the spectacles often embody hypocrisy, deceitfulness but also blindness. (Painter Of The Night, chapter 7) Jung In-Hun from Painter Of The Night is the perfect illustration. The latter had the impression to be superior to others due to his knowledge. He imagined to have fooled Yoon Seungho. Thus he envisioned that he had been able to manipulate the main lead, whereas the opposite had happened. Finally, the scholar had the tendency to dream big, which led him to his doom. On the other hand, since Matthew Rayner from Under The Green Light decided to wear spectacles in order to avoid rejection and fear, I deduce that Park Namwook represents a combination of both metaphors. On the one hand, he is hiding his true thoughts behind the spectacles. He also has high ambitions and he is not entirely honest to his “boss”, like I exposed it in the last composition. On the other hand, there is no doubt that the man is also motivated by fears. (chapter 53) They serve him as shield literally and figuratively. No one would punch or slap a man wearing glasses. Furthermore, he is protecting his own heart and mind that way. It was, as if he was closing his eyes to reality. That’s the other reason why I believe that the coach is not entirely ignorant about the existence of corruption in MFC. Yet, I couldn’t help myself noticing the absence of Park Namwook’s eyes, especially at the end of the season 1. Jinx-philes could only see them, when he voiced his anger towards his “champion”: (chapter 52) After that outburst, they vanished behind the glasses. (chapter 53) Is the author lazy to draw eyes? Or if not, why is this man portrayed eyeless even with glasses?

In literature and visual media, eyeless characters often represent themes of emotional detachment, moral ambiguity, or hidden motives, amplifying the eerie nature of a character who appears soulless or devoid of empathy. When eyes are covered, concealed, or even omitted entirely, it can imply an emotional blindness, a lack of self-awareness, or even a refusal to face reality. The saying “The eyes are the mirror of the soul” underscores that eyes reveal inner truth and vulnerability, allowing us to connect with others. So, when a character lacks eyes, it suggests a separation from these very qualities, making them appear either emotionally empty, sinister, or untrustworthy. Such portrayals can also indicate a person who hides behind a “mask,” unwilling to reveal their true self, as their concealed eyes prevent others from truly understanding or trusting them. In other words, by portraying the manager with eyes, Mingwa is indicating that this man symbolizes mistrust, lack of self-awareness and detachment.

In addition, in a darker interpretation, being “eyeless” can also imply a loss of control or identity, as if the person is a mere shell, lacking an inner life that grounds their actions or connects them with the world around them. And now pay attention to Joo Jaekyung’s portrait in episode 26: (chapter 26) The shadow is eyeless, mirroring his mentor’s mentality. In other words, the man with glasses symbolizes emptiness and lack of compassion and even morality.

To conclude, for Park Namwook in Jinx, this eyeless portrayal, combined with his glasses, intensifies his mysterious and unsettling nature. His glasses serve as a “mask,” hiding his thoughts and emotions, much like how characters in manhwas often use spectacles to obscure their true intentions. This concealment implies that Park is not fully honest or transparent, particularly with those he interacts with in his role as coach. (Chapter 52) By putting them back, he is displaying that he is acting again. His hidden eyes may also hint at an emotional or moral blindness, as though he either cannot or chooses not to see the deeper consequences of his actions or the corruption around him. And now, you comprehend why he stands for fake gratitude and fake compassion. His mouth is not reflecting his mind.

When his eyes are briefly shown during this moment of anger (chapter 52), they reveal a flash of his true feelings, but they quickly disappear behind the glasses again. This momentary exposure suggests that his mask slips only under intense emotion, reinforcing his general detachment and guarded nature. Through Park Namwook’s eyeless depiction, he is portrayed as a character who is both morally ambiguous and emotionally shielded, distancing him from both the audience and the characters around him. This shows that the coach and manager is not Joo Jaekyung’s savior. In reality I am more than ever convinced that the opposite happened. Thanks to him, the coach was able to make a living. Under this new light, you comprehend why the hyung utilized the comparative darker in that context. In reality, he is the one who brought him to the dark path, but he is in denial.

Before closing this essay, I would like my avid readers to remember this scene: (chapter 52) (chapter 52) Park Namwook removed his spectacles, when he cried. However, notice that he still protected his eyes by using his arm. A sign for his dishonesty in my opinion. Moreover, it indicates how guarded and mistrustful this man is. At the same time, it becomes clear why he had to remove them. It is because the glasses are a mask. The tears would not have been visible. I would even add that this man was mimicking a crying person, as his weeping stopped very quickly. He needed to awake compassion or sympathy, for he had acted like a ruffian at the hospital. He had used violence on a patient.

One thing is sure: Park Namwook is neither a savior nor a hero. He is the reason why Joo Jaekyung has not been living at all. Now, Joo Jaekyung is on his way to find the light of his life: Kim Dan, his true companion and soulmate. He chose love and Enlightenment over blindness, greed and ambition.

Jinx: Daily Jinx Advent Insight 8 📆 🥊

November 11, 2024November 11, 2024 ~ Bébébisous33 ~ 6 Comments

Please support the authors by reading Manhwas on the official websites. This is where you can read the Manhwa: Jinx But be aware that the Manhwa is a mature Yaoi, which means, it is about homosexuality with explicit scenes. Here is the link of the table of contents about Jinx. Here is the link where you can find the table of contents of analyzed Manhwas. Here are the links, if you are interested in the first work from Mingwa, BJ Alex, and the 2 previous essays about JinxTo Give Or To Take? The Subtle battle between Love and Power in Jinx and Daily Jinx Advent Insight 7

Since I am writing each day and I am still working as a teacher, you can imagine that I don’t have much time during the week to spend hours on the new analysis. Hence don’t expect a continuity in the examinations. Yesterday, I studied the significance of the games in chapter 27. Today, I will focus on a totally different aspect. And that will be Heesung’s injury and the coach’s apology. (chapter 31)

Park Namwook’s apology

The man with the glasses not only said “I’m sorry”, but also announced that Team Black would cover all the hospital fees and any kind of compensation, it signifies that the manager and coach was admitting his boy’s mistake. But actually, this was not the first apology from the coach. (chapter 31) As you can see, as soon as the actor was lying on the floor, the manager was already blaming his “boy”. This exposes that the man was not interested in the truth in the end. He had already given the judgement. But notice that Park Namwook chastised the protagonist for blocking the tackle. He reproached his star that he should have absorbed the comedian’s tackle.

Tackle or absorb?

I have to admit that I am not that knowledgeable concerning MMA fighting. But even for me this recommendation sounded weird, for it meant that the protagonist should have withstood the impact and allowed the actor to let him fall. Absorbing a tackle, especially at high impact, can lead to various injuries due to the sheer force on the body. Common injuries include concussions, joint injuries, fractures, spinal, neck and soft tissue injuries, as absorbing such force without proper technique can be damaging. In conclusion, a full-strength tackle in contact sports can exert a force comparable to that of a low-speed car accident or a moderate-speed bicycle collision.

And now pay attention to the way Heesung tackled the champion: (chapter 31) He used his whole weight and strength to take down his counterpart. This corresponds to a low-speed car accident and Mingwa let us see the effect of this terrible impact: (chapter 31) His facial expression was betraying him: he was in pain. This means that in verity the one who had caused an injury was not the champion, but Heesung. But there is more to it.

In most cases, blocking a tackle is considered safer and more effective than simply absorbing one, especially in contact sports like football or rugby. Blocking a tackle involves actively engaging with the force of the tackle, using strength, leverage, and positioning to reduce the impact on the body and redirect it safely. Here’s a breakdown of why blocking is generally better:

Control and Stability

When a player blocks a tackle, they use their body positioning to control the direction of the impact, often keeping a lower center of gravity and stabilizing themselves. This approach minimizes the risk of being taken off-balance, which reduces the likelihood of awkward falls and resulting injuries.
Absorbing a tackle, on the other hand, often puts the player in a passive stance, where they are simply bracing for impact without redirecting it. This can increase the chance of injury as the body takes on the full force of the collision.

Injury Prevention

Blocking a tackle can protect vital joints, muscles, and ligaments by transferring some of the impact force outward or downward. For instance, football players are trained to block using their hands, arms, and upper bodies in a way that reduces strain on vulnerable areas like the shoulders and knees.
Absorbing a tackle, where the body “takes” the hit, can concentrate impact on specific areas, which increases the risk of bruises, sprains, or even fractures if the player isn’t properly positioned.

Maintaining Momentum

Blocking a tackle can allow a player to stay in motion, potentially continuing the play or advancing. This is especially true for offensive players trying to avoid being tackled, as blocking enables them to avoid being completely stopped or taken down.
Absorbing a tackle, by contrast, often brings the play to an immediate halt, and the player has less chance to keep moving.

Energy Efficiency

Blocking tackles is generally less tiring in the long run because it involves proactive positioning and technique rather than bracing the body repeatedly against impact. It requires skill and training but helps preserve energy during a game.
Absorbing tackles can be exhausting, as each impact takes a toll on the body. This can lead to fatigue more quickly, especially over the course of a game, which increases the risk of mistakes and injury.

The choice and its signification

In some cases, absorbing a tackle might be necessary, such as in situations where the player has no time or space to block effectively. However, whenever possible, blocking is usually preferable due to its advantages in control, safety, and momentum. Because the Emperor could block the attack, my avid readers can realize that the athlete had made the right decision. In addition, it exposes the Emperor’s superiority over his mentor. He has already surpassed his master. The incident exposes that the athlete actually no longer needs Park Namwook as coach and advisor on the ring. What caught my attention is that absorbing is strongly intertwined with passivity and immobility (“passive stance”, “takes”, “immediate halt”). This represents the manager’s philosophy. He is against move, decision and mobility. Through this discovery, I was finally able to prove that the coach is the source for Joo Jaekyung’s inner passivity and anxieties. Simultaneously, it outlines why none of the protagonists could unveil the mystery behind the schemes. PArk NAmwook was encouraging his boy and star to do nothing EXCEPT mistrust the members from Team Black. (chapter 46) If the manager had been that worried, why didn’t he confront the fighters from Team Black directly? Instead, he sent Yosep on an errand. In other words, he did nothing.

But the mentor’s mind-set focusing on passivity is also visible in a different context, in the way Joo Jaekyung fights in the arena. Yes, I noticed that Park Namwook is encouraging his athlete to use his body as shield, to wait for a while before attacking the opponent. That’s his strategy, therefore the athlete has been so focused on training his muscles. (chapter 37) Look at this:

The tactic was always to wait. He always let the opponents throw the first punches and he protected himself by using his arms. No wonder why his shoulders were in bad shape. Notice that Park Namwook desired to use the same strategy in the last fight: “tire Shotgun out and finish him off with the decisive strike”. It was never about taking the initiative! So why did he hire so many consultants? However, due to Kim Dan, Joo Jaekyung changed his strategy and this twice:

Chapter 5	Chapter 50
	In the second case, the athlete had to change his strategy, for he was already wounded. In other words, Kim Dan’s mistake was to teach Joo Jaekyung to trust his instincts and as such himself. He needs to stop using his body as a shield, but as a weapon, like he did in the doctor’s home: become proactive and anticipate his opponent’s moves.

Moreover, the association between the hyung and absorbing exposes the manager’s stupidity and lack of expertise. He has no idea about the impact on the body. Let’s not forget that Park Namwook is a former wrestler and not a MMA fighter. Hence technically, he doesn’t know judo, jujitsu, karate, boxing and Muay Thai and other disciplines. No wonder why this man is too one-sided. That’s how I realized the huge contrast with the physical therapist’s attitude. (chapter 25) The latter desired to learn the moves from MMA fighting (chapter 25) in order to understand the involvement of the muscles and the possible consequences on the body. This scene displays the lack of expertise from Park Namwook. How did he become a manager and even a coach? Perhaps a crash course organized by MFC (chapter 22), but the latter is definitely influenced by the criminal underworld. This new observation reinforces my previous theory that Kim Dan will come to replace the manager and coach’s position. What distinguishes them from each other is their attitude to knowledge. Kim Dan keeps learning, reading and watching, whereas the other has the impression, he already knows everything. I guess, he has never heard from the concept “lifelong learning”.The latter promotes the idea of continuously acquiring knowledge and skills throughout a person’s life. This approach values education beyond formal schooling, emphasizing that learning can happen in various settings (chapter 42), including personal, professional, and community experiences. The goal is to adapt to changes, meet evolving job requirements, and stay mentally engaged. In Germany and other countries, lifelong learning is promoted to foster personal growth, social inclusion, and employability, especially as technology and society rapidly evolve. I am myself a follower from this concept. Hence I am still looking for new things (learning new cultures, new languages, reading about psychology, …).

Rough on his body

Since the athlete had expressed physical pain through his visage (chapter 31), the man with the red t-shirt should have noticed it. Observe how he joins the actor. His body is facing his “boy”, so he was not standing behind him. From his place, he could have seen that Heesung had done something wrong. It is important because through this incident, Mingwa exposed the verity. Joo Jaekyung is not allowed to voice his pain, but he has to accept to be rough on his body. (chapter 27) Yet, he was chastised. I had always stated the coach’s responsibility before, but I had only found indirect evidences for this interpretation. Since he should have absorbed the impact, it implies that the latter should accept the pain as a normality. However by blocking Heesung’s assault, the athlete had tried to protect his own body. Thanks to Kim Dan, the fighter was learning how to treasure his own body. Moreover, it displays another flaw from Park Namwook: his risky attitude by making a bad recommendation. I would even add that his slap on the fighter’s neck is revealing his recklessness and thoughtlessness. (chapter 31)

And now, you know why Kim Dan had to treat Joo Jaekyung’s neck for more than two hours on a Saturday. (chapter 32) Joo Jaekyung was finally receiving his treatment for his injury, the consequence of Heesung’s tackle. No one checked on his body, just because the other was faking his injury. While writing this, I can’t stop my blood from boiling out of anger. To conclude, I am confirming once again that Park Namwook is a bad coach and manager. He shouldn’t be allowed to become one for the other fighters. He would treat them like toys or even “punching bags”. Imagine that he would also recommend such a strategy to Potato as fighter. That would be very dangerous. In addition, why was he treating his star so badly and privileging the actor? It is because the latter brings money forgetting that the champion is the source of his own income! And this brings me back to the initial picture:

Park Namwook’s hypocrisy

Striking is that the Webtoonist portrayed him with two faces. Naturally, she desired to expose the movement of the manager’s head. At the same time, we should consider this portrait as the symbol for his hypocrisy. The expression double-faced signifies that the person is saying one thing, but does the opposite. And that’s exactly what the hyung is doing: (chapter 43) Interesting is the idiom is a synonym for deceitfulness. And this brings me to my next observation. Why did he add “whatever other compensation you need”? The moment I asked myself this question, I couldn’t restrain myself from thinking that the manager might have known about the true intention from Choi Heesung. Is it a coincidence that Kim Dan was used as compensation for the athlete’s mistake? Moreover, the latter was supposed to meet the actor on a Saturday, his own day-off. (chapter 32) And this proves that Park Namwook is the reason why the athlete never took a day-off. He was forcing an employee to work during his day-off and the latter wouldn’t even be paid for this. It was included in the “salary”. It was, as if the manager was using the PT as his servant.

Anyone could detect that the actor was interested in the PT. Moreover, I would like to add that Choi Heesung made this request (chapter 31) in the hallway, next to the meeting room and office. So technically, Park Namwook could have heard them talking behind the door, a new version of this scene: (chapter 36) Was he truly ignorant about the actor’s intentions with all this wooing and sponsoring? (chapter 31) In addition, he had heard the comment from the gumiho’s manager. (chapter 30) Just because we didn’t see this, it doesn’t mean that it didn’t happen. And maybe that’s the other reason why he was more than willing to use Kim Dan. The latter was bringing a huge client to the gym. (chapter 31) He would come on a regular basis. Naturally, I have no more proof for this theory than the remark “whatever other compensation you need” and its timing. Nevertheless, one thing is sure. Kim Dan was treated the exact same way than Joo Jaekyung, a doll and servant at his disposal.

And this remark brings me to my next interpretation. Why doesn’t Joo Jaekyung apologize or say thank you? (chapter 37) It is because Park Namwook had become his voice. And we can observe this with the apology at the gym: (chapter 31) First, the champion was silenced with the slap. Therefore he couldn’t apologize. His apology was expressed through the bow which the man forced him to do. (chapter 31) It was, as though the star had become an automat that had to obey to his owner’s orders. However, it becomes clear that the apologies and gratitude from the hyung (chapter 37) are just lip-services because at the end, he has no problem to replace Kim Dan. (chapter 53) That’s the reason why I have been wondering if the last incident was not the trigger for the coach to drop his “boy” and find a new “star and champion”. Since he is so obsessed with money and fame, I can’t help myself wondering if he will take a new pupil and torment him so that the latter only becomes a shadow of himself. Let me know what you think about this.

Thanks to this image (chapter 31), I could detect that Kim Dan embodies a different strategy in MMA fighting: change and movement, becoming proactive, trusting his skills and instincts and treasuring the own body. The reason is that he comes from the medical field where the body is treated like a living body and not like a doll or toy.

That’s it for today.

Jinx: Daily Jinx Advent Insight 7 📆 🃏

November 10, 2024November 10, 2024 ~ Bébébisous33 ~ 2 Comments

Please support the authors by reading Manhwas on the official websites. This is where you can read the Manhwa: Jinx But be aware that the Manhwa is a mature Yaoi, which means, it is about homosexuality with explicit scenes. Here is the link of the table of contents about Jinx. Here is the link where you can find the table of contents of analyzed Manhwas. Here are the links, if you are interested in the first work from Mingwa, BJ Alex, and the 2 previous essays about JinxTo Give Or To Take? The Subtle battle between Love and Power in Jinx and Loves me, Loves me not – part 1 (Daily Jinx Advent Insight 6)

Since I updated the analysis “Precious Puppy Pals”, I decided not to write the second part of “Loves me, loves me not”.

Here, I would like to focus on the following panel and its significance: (chapter 27)

Joo Jaekyung a bad loser?

They are playing cards, and the champion is on the verge of exploding because of the Joker in his hand. He is about to lose the game. Since he is swearing (“Goddamn it…” and his facial expression is revealing his frustration, the readers are coming to the same conclusion than the athlete. He lost this card game. Moreover, they could witness his losses before. (chapter 27) His fine motricity and his sense of observation were not well developed, hence he selected the wrong pieces in both games. (chapter 27) In order to win in such games,the players need to take their time and observe. Yes, playing such games are encouraging calmness and patience. Indirectly, it is promoting peace of mind, people can forget their worries and anxieties. And because the athlete had lost all the games before, there is no doubt that he was rushing for a victory. Let’s not forget that he had bet with the doctor, he could win so easily. (chapter 27) In addition, because of the previous negative experiences, I believe that the champion’s belief (being jinxed) got revived. How could he explain that he would lose to such a poor and small opponent? That’s why it is necessary to question ourselves what kind of card games they were playing. (chapter 27)

Cards and the Joker

Based on the image, where a Joker card and a pair of 3s are visible, it seems likely they’re playing a card game where the Joker holds a special value, such as poker, Rummy, or a variation of a game like “Old Maid” or “Chase the Joker.” However, given the characters’ expressions and the presence of a Joker, poker or a poker-based game might be the most probable, as the Joker is often considered a “wild card” in these games, which can dramatically influence the outcome and cause tension.

In poker, the Joker could potentially be used to complete a hand, making the game more unpredictable and intense—explaining the “Goddamn it” reaction if someone has an unexpected advantage due to the Joker. Alternatively, if they’re playing a simplified, casual game where the Joker simply “beats” lower cards or acts as a trump, that could also explain the reaction. The Joker often adds an element of surprise or disadvantage, depending on the context of the game.

Striking is that the Joker in cards is associated with “surprise” and “wild card” which contrasts so much to the champion’s philosophy: routine. Moreover, the game “Chase the Joker” caught my attention.

Coming in at number two on our list is Chase the Joker, a game where a Joker card is the star of the show. You play with just one Joker card plus a standard 52-card deck. Just like lots of other card games, you take turns playing cards that either match the rank or suit of the previous card played. If you can’t go, you must “chase the Joker” by picking up cards until you find a playable one. The fun part is that the Joker can pop up at any moment during the chase (much like an Exploding Kitten card randomly appearing in that game). But this time, it’s good news because the Joker serves as a “Wild Card”. The first player to get rid of all their cards shouts “Chase the Joker!” and wins the round. Quoted from https://luckandstrategy.com/what-card-games-use-jokers/

As you can see, the joker is good news in this game, though the title of the name makes it sound otherwise, as though The Joker were the target. So the moment you imagine that they were playing this version (“Chase the Joker”), you can’t help yourself laughing about the absurdity of the situation. (chapter 27) Jaekyung could indeed have won the game if “Chase the Joker” was played with the Joker as a “Wild Card” that helps rather than hinders. Since he had only one card left, he was in a prime position to shout “Chase the Joker!” and win, especially if the Joker allowed him to play strategically and discard his remaining card.

If Jaekyung’s misunderstanding led him to see the Joker as a losing or undesirable card, he may have felt defeated prematurely. This adds an ironic twist where he believes he’s losing while actually being close to victory. It underscores themes of perception versus reality, where the “wild” or unexpected (like the Joker) can be beneficial if approached correctly. This might mirror Jaekyung’s tendency to view “wild” and “interruption of routine” as threats when, with the right perspective, they could be opportunities or strengths. Hence we could say that the champion is not a bad loser, as he chose defeat and let the other win. The irony is that with this action, he boosted the doctor’s low self-esteem.

Evidence for this interpretation

Interesting is that in the same episode, Mingwa utilized a similar trick with Kim Dan. (chapter 27) Because the latter couldn’t swim, he jumped to the conclusion that he was drowning. (chapter 27) He had no idea that the pool was not deep. Look at the similarities of the images, for the perspective is similar: (chapter 27) (chapter 27) Joy and embarrassment masked behind frustration. This not only made me laugh, for Joo Jaekyung could have won, but also it dawned on me that during that day, both were put in similar situations. Because they were new to this, their past experiences led them to misjudge the situations. One more time it displays that people’s misery and anger is self-inflicted. It is related to their perception of reality influenced by their beliefs and past experiences.

Joker and its signification

But there is more to it. The moment you see the Joker as a metaphor for the physical therapist, you will recognize the true significance of this scene. It foreshadows his function in the story. Joo Jaekyung had not recognized yet that he was holding the “wild card Kim Dan” which would make him win his game. (chapter 37) Is it a coincidence that the doctor drank his drugged nutrition drink? No… The reason why both became a victim of the second scheme is that they were no longer communicating to each other. (chapter 47) They are no longer facing each other, the athlete was even turning his back on his precious roommate and PT. Joo Jaekyung had started keeping his distance from his soulmate because he had listened to his toxic mentor (chapter 46) who takes everything so seriously. In other words, he had suspected the joker to be the “wild card” to make him lose (chapter 51), while in reality the latter had protected his back. Interesting is that exactly like in the penthouse (chapter 27), the athlete deserted the room out of anger (chapter 51) leaving the doctor behind. It was, as if he had thrown away his Joker without realizing his true value. However, we shouldn’t overlook this aspect. The fighter’s words were not reflecting his true thoughts and emotions. He was acting impulsively and thoughtlessly overlooking that words can be as harmful as punches. And what is the common denominator between these two matches? Team Black had reacted impulsively. They made accusations and rushed decisions, while just like in board games, patience and observations are necessary to win a round. Yes, this connection between these two scenes displays that life is like a game… you should take your time, enjoy the moment, you can start afresh and play a new game. While the manager is envisioning to replace the doctor (chapter 53) and as such to change the cards, the wolf (chapter 53) decided to pick up the Joker on the floor and continue the game, as the round is not finished yet. His intention is to bring his Joker Kim Dan back in order to use him properly in the future. He will treat him with patience, trust, respect and care! Moreover, observe that the goal of “Chase the Joker” is to get rid of the cards. Consequently, I perceive this game as a metaphor for the champion’s future actions and decisions: he will have to get rid of certain cards like MFC manager, the Entertainment agency and the lawyer in order to become the true winner. He regains control of his own life. I am leaving out the manager and coach, for I believe that Park Namwook will stay there, but he will have a different position.

Jinx: Loves me, loves me not 📆 ❤️ 💔 – part 1 (Daily Jinx Advent Insight 6)

November 9, 2024November 9, 2024 ~ Bébébisous33 ~ 2 Comments

Please support the authors by reading Manhwas on the official websites. This is where you can read the Manhwa: Jinx But be aware that the Manhwa is a mature Yaoi, which means, it is about homosexuality with explicit scenes. Here is the link of the table of contents about Jinx. Here is the link where you can find the table of contents of analyzed Manhwas. Here are the links, if you are interested in the first work from Mingwa, BJ Alex, and the 2 previous essays about Jinx To Give Or To Take? The Subtle battle between Love and Power in Jinx and
Daily Jinx Advent Insight 5 🎀

Before starting writing the series “Daily Jinx Advent Insight”, I had already announced to release this essay. However, since my time is limited and I desire to keep my promise, I chose to combine these two series together. Hence the analysis “Loves me, loves me not” will have many parts. I can’t compose long essays each day.

During the first season, some Jinx-philes used to contact me and ask me the following question. Does Joo Jaekyung already love Kim Dan and if yes, when did he fall in love with him? As you can imagine, I will try to give an accurate answer in this series “Loves me, loves me not”. On the other hand, it is necessary to keep in mind that here, I will focus more on the emotional side of “love” than the one defined by Erich Fromm. Love is care, respect, knowledge and responsibility. Nevertheless, this raises the following question. How can we measure or notice his affection for the physical therapist? What are the signs for love? For that, we need to return to the beginning of the story Jinx.

The strawberry hamster and the mint goblin

What did Joo Jaekyung incite to drop the green-haired guy for the physical therapist? (Chapter 1) Imagine that he was in the middle of an intercourse. Yet he felt the need to have someone else by his side. It was, as if the grass on the other side was looking greener. 😉 Yes, in this scene, I detect parallels between Choi Heesung and Joo Jaekyung. (Chapter 33) On the one hand, the celebrity felt attracted to Kim Dan, on the other hand he had already sensed that the green-haired uke was greedy and even too passive. He was letting the celebrity fuck him. Yet there was neither real interaction nor sensuality between them. Hence the athlete could call Kim Dan during their sex. Funny is that the other didn’t mind at all, or in the worst case he didn’t even notice it. This shows not only the deafness and blindness of the mint goblin, but also the absence of communication and understanding in their “couple”. It was, as though the green-haired uke had submitted himself of becoming a sex toy. So by recalling the doctor, there is no doubt that the athlete couldn’t have voiced this change verbally. Why was he thinking of someone else during the intercourse? He was just simply not feeling it, the “great fuck”. In other words, Joo Jaekyung was attracted to Kim Dan by lust! In my previous analysis entitled Daily Jinx Advent Insight 3, I had pointed out the importance of “lust” in a relationship, as the latter represents the first step of love. As a source for this statement, I used this video:

Lust and love, though both powerful forces, differ significantly in how they manifest and endure. Lust primarily centers on physical attraction and thrives on fantasy, often fueled by an idealized version of the person rather than a grounded, realistic connection. While lust can feel intense initially, it typically weakens over time as the novelty fades. Love, in contrast, deepens with shared experiences, evolving into a bond built on emotional connection and mutual understanding. Unlike lust’s pursuit of excitement and thrill, love seeks stability, turning a romantic partner into a lifelong friend. Finally, love is selfless, focusing on the well-being and happiness of the other person, whereas lust tends to be more self-centered, driven by personal desires rather than a lasting commitment.

Since the green-haired uke only saw the athlete as a cash cow (“milking”) (chapter 42), it becomes clear why the athlete’s lust for the mint goblin couldn’t last. The latter was only interested in his money and not even in his body. Thus he didn’t try to bring thrill into their relationship or even seduce him. And now, you comprehend why Mingwa let us see such a scene in the beginning of the story. (chapter 2) He had never done it before. As for the champion, Manhwa-lovers can grasp that since their relationship was purely physical (not even accompanied with romanticism due to the athlete’s jinx), the lust from the champion’s side could only weaken overtime. When the athlete met the actor, he had not met the green-haired man before. Hence the sportsman was sitting at the bar looking more or less for a new partner. (chapter 33) So the relationship between the “prostitute” and the fighter must have lasted around 3 months, the same amount of time than with the physical therapist. The uke had put no effort, for in verity he was relying on the athlete’s jinx. The latter just needed him, and no one was willing to experience such a rough sex session. The reason why I gave the green-haired uke the nickname “mint goblin” is the following. He brought some fresh breathe in the athlete’s life, for contrary to his past lovers, this one didn’t run away. However, as time passes on, the mint taste couldn’t mask his corrupted mind and heart. He was passive and rotten deep inside. But there’s more to it. Thanks to the mint goblin, the athlete learned an important lesson. It was possible that someone could match his strength in bed. Yes, the latter wasn’t passing out like the others. Deep down, the star could sense that he was no monster, a criticism he had received from the actor.

Thanks to this new perception, it dawned on me why the athlete felt the need to reveal this secret to the mint goblin. Note that “lust” is strongly intertwined with “fantasy and as such romanticism”. So by exposing his odd belief, he desired to mask even his own attraction, so that the goblin wouldn’t notice that he was lusting after him. No one should know his type, his true weakness. Simultaneously, this revelation helped him to conceal and protect his own heart. He wouldn’t be exploited. With his jinx, he didn’t see himself as totally vulnerable, for he was actually denying the existence of a future close relationship. The uke could get replaced, he just needed someone and that was it. In other words, the revelation of the jinx was like a death sentence to their liaison. (chapter 2) There would be nothing left in the future, it was a work relationship. Under this new light, it becomes comprehensible why Kim Dan had to end their relationship at the end of the season. Because of his confession, their relationship was doomed to fail. It stood under the sign of “jinx”. We could say that the champion was receiving his karma for treating people like sex toys or surrogate fighters.

Joo Jaekyung and lust

The moment I made a connection between Choi Heesung and the green-haired guy, I had another revelation. Joo Jaekyung had criticized the actor for switching his partners constantly (chapter 33). The irony is that as soon as he saw Kim Dan (chapter 1), he got attracted to this pretty and cute new face. However, contrary to the comedian, he didn’t realize this, for the athlete is not someone who thinks deeply. He acts rather on his emotions, exactly like his mentor Park Namwook. Since lust is the first stage of love, the recipient of his “attraction” needed to give him a signal that he was interested in him. I doubt that the celebrity would have made a move on him, if the doctor had not made this mistake (chapter 1). Naturally, grabbing his phallus was the expression of the doctor’s masked sexual desires. This signifies that when the couple met for the first time, the grass appeared greener on the other side (medical world) for the first time. Since we have the first step of love in their relationship, we could say that the athlete was already in love with Kim Dan. While “lust” only represents the first stage in a love relationship, I decided to examine their relationship on this aspect.

Sex toy and lust

Since in the beginning of the story, the athlete was using his partners as sex toys, I detected a huge progression in chapter 33. This episode stands under the sign of LUST. The presence of the dildo is exposing the switch of the doctor’s position. The physical therapist is now treated like a human who can have his own pleasure. Under this new light, one might conclude that the actor was rather acting under the influence of “lust” in the car scene: (chapter 33) We have the novelty aspect (bringing thrill into their relationship) and the champion’s selfishness. The sex toy was utilized as a “punishment”, for the athlete was upset due to his jealousy. However, this perception is still too short-sighted. You will laugh, as soon as you read my new interpretation.

When Kim Dan started spending time with Choi Heesung, Joo Jaekyung feared that the actor could appear as the “greener grass”. He was generous, smiling and would compliment the young man. But more importantly, the fighter was tormented, because he didn’t know his soulmate’s type. He feared that the actor was totally the hamster’s type. The champion was exposing his insecurities, for he didn’t know if Kim Dan was actually attracted to him or not. Remember how the cute hamster kept rejecting his advances (chapter 8) (chapter 27) Consequently, the man had to bring up the deal constantly. Besides, their relationship started because of money. Finally, I would like Jinx-lovers to keep in mind the doctor’s lie: he had previous relationships with men. (chapter 3) As you know, I am quite certain that the athlete had sensed his lie (thus he utilized no condoms later). Yet, Kim Dan never came out with the truth either. This is relevant, for there could be lingering doubts from the MMA star’s side. Since the athlete had no idea about the doctor’s taste and physical attraction, Joo Jaekyung worried that his partner would start fantasizing the gumiho. Under this light, my avid readers can grasp why in episode 33, it was important for the champion to use the sex toy first. Initially it was to exhaust the doctor so that the latter would no longer feel attracted to Choi Heesung. Yes, it was to kill in him “lust”. Moreover, the moment the young man asked for his assistance (chapter 33), Joo Jaekyung had the impression that he was needed. Finally, don’t forget how this scene ended. Kim Dan was finally admitting that he was really sensitive to him: (chapter 33) However, this desire was accompanied with rejection and denial too. This explicates why the champion didn’t know how to interpret Kim Dan’s thoughts and emotions. (chapter 33) Was Kim Dan feeling the same way than him or not? Did Kim Dan desire him or not? And this leads me to the next sex session: (chapter 34) For the first time, the athlete was divulging his physical attraction and desire towards the doctor. He seduced him with his own body. Yet, in order to keep the upper hand in their relationship, he was the one who was determining how they would have sex: (chapter 34) As you can see, during season 1, it took a long time for the athlete to admit “lust and physical attraction” towards the doctor. One might reply that the celebrity had already admitted this to the physical therapist: (chapter 29) However, this confession is connected to the anus, and not to the doctor’s face and as such identity. Thus I don’t consider it as an admission that Kim Dan was his type. One might object too that he had already wooed the doctor before next to the swimming pool. (chapter 27) The divergence between these two chapters is that in the first scene, the athlete had not planned this. He was acting on his instincts and emotions, while in the living room, he was seducing the doctor on purpose. (chapter 34) I would even add that he gave more freedom to Kim Dan to decide if he would accept his offer or not. As you can see, Joo Jaekyung was learning to internalize the notion “consent and respect”. Here, the doctor could have refused… the evidence is his reaction at the gym, the slap on the athlete’s hand. That’s how I realized the strong connection between the athlete’s ignorance about his soulmate’s taste (partner type) and his consent. Respecting the doctor’s boundary meant to trust that the doctor was attracted to him and accepted him as a partner.

The signification behind the forgotten confession

And this brings me to my final thought. When Kim Dan confessed this in the States (chapter 39), this could only make the athlete happy first. He had the impression that he had finally discovered his soulmate’s taste and secret: he was also feeling the same… LUST. Yes, I am not writing love, but lust on purpose. Why? The irony is that the athlete was not recognizing that he was feeling more than lust for Kim Dan. He was already in love. 😉 However, so far he had only been busy focusing on Kim Dan’s type. Was the man also lusting after him or not? Under this new perspective, Manhwa-lovers can grasp why Joo Jaekyung asked this to Kim Dan in the dining room: (chapter 41) He didn’t expect a love confession He wanted to know if Kim Dan was finally accepting him as his partner, if he desired him too. Yes, gradually the possibility of dating was slowly emerging. Like mentioned in the introduction, lust is just the beginning of love. So should Kim Dan have remembered this night in the hotel room, he would have come not only to deny his feelings for the athlete, but also he would have reduced this “I love you” to lust, just a physical reaction due to the drug. A new version of the blue night, the only difference is that that night he kept his thoughts to himself.

In my eyes, it was important for the star not to know if the doctor was attracted to him, for the latter was making the same mistake than his frenemy: confusing lust with love. That way, their relationship wouldn’t have improved, as time passed on. They would have remained simply “fuck buddies”. Nevertheless, that’s not what the fighter truly desires deep down. He is also looking for companionship. Hence Mingwa confronted him with reality and forced him to make a choice: (chapter 45) What did the athlete imagine here? A fake love confession from Kim Dan, a stan trying to live out a fantasy. He was expecting “dating”, a notion he couldn’t accept, for he was confusing “lust” with “love”. That’s the reason why he couldn’t accept Doc Dan’s present and “gratitude”. They sounded like fake, especially since he was showing respect to the celebrity and not to the man himself! Yes, even in that scene, the PT was still hiding his own true emotions and attraction towards the handsome man. Joo JAekyung has no idea that Kim Dan views him as “perfect” (chapter 1) despite his injured shoulder: the muscles, the skin, the handsome face. He has never voiced such thoughts in front of his VIP client.He always kept them to himself.

That’s how I recognized why these two men stopped having sex after that time. Joo Jaekyung needed to learn how to distinguish love from lust. This explicates why the star got more upset with this departure (chapter 53) than with this one: (chapter 53) He let him go, for he anticipated that the latter would remain by his side. In addition, he didn’t feel the need to have sex the whole night, as his affection had already moved to the next stage. There was more than physical attraction and desire.

That’s it for today. In the next part, I will expose how we can see the champion falling in love. I will divulge the signs helping to identify that the wolf is under the spell of the cute hamster.

Jinx Daily Jinx Advent Insight 5 📆🎀

November 8, 2024November 9, 2024 ~ Bébébisous33 ~ 2 Comments

Please support the authors by reading Manhwas on the official websites. This is where you can read the Manhwa: Jinx But be aware that the Manhwa is a mature Yaoi, which means, it is about homosexuality with explicit scenes. Here is the link of the table of contents about Jinx. Here is the link where you can find the table of contents of analyzed Manhwas. Here are the links, if you are interested in the first work from Mingwa, BJ Alex, and the 2 previous essays about Jinx To Give Or To Take? The Subtle battle between Love and Power in Jinx and Daily Jinx Advent Insight 4

A Picture, a question

Today, I will focus on the champion’s jacket which Joo Jaekyung gave to Kim Dan. (chapter 53) One detail caught my attention. The inscription on the back is referring to Team Black and it has a number, 03. Why doesn’t the jacket show his name, when the MMA fighter is so famous?

In the real world, UFC fighters typically enter the arena wearing a jacket or hoodie that often has their name or nickname on it, as well as the logos of their sponsors and their team. This gear is usually provided by UFC’s official outfitting partner, which has been Venum since 2021 (following a previous deal with Reebok). The jacket is part of their walkout attire, meant to represent the fighter’s brand and provide visibility for their sponsors. This observation gets confirmed in this image: (chapter 36) The gym is visible and at the bottom of the jacket, you can see the name of the different sponsors (MFC, Jinx and others). As you can see, only the name or nickname (Emperor) of the main lead is missing. So how could Park Namwook recognize that this one was for the Emperor, (chapter 36), though his size is not so different from other fighters? One might think that it is related to the number 03. Yet I detected that all the other jackets had the same number too: 03. (chapter 36) That’s how I realized two aspects.

Interpretation of the jacket

First the jackets have no name, because they are part of the membership. You can only wear this, if you are a member from Team Black. Don’t forget what the manager said to Kim Dan, when he realized his mistake: (chapter 36) The cloth is the symbol of membership. And now you comprehend why Kim Dan chose to return it to Joo Jaekyung. He was no longer considering it as a gift, rather as a company uniform.

However, there is no doubt that in the beginning, the young man saw it as a present, because he chose to wear it, when no one was around him. (chapter 36) Moreover, in the States, he was wearing a different jacket: (chapter 40) He kept it hidden like a precious treasure. Secondly, the fact that no jacket is wearing a name of the fighter is indicating that the latter can be replaced. They are all just reduced to a number: 03. They have no name or as such no face.

But this doesn’t end here. What is the biggest name on the back of the cloth? BLACK TEAM! (chapter 36) Yes, the gym stands in the foreground. And who claims to be the owner of TEAM BLACK? Naturally Park Namwook. (chapter 22)This signifies that he is trying to get famous on Joo Jaekyung’s back. By not adding his name or his nickname on his back, he is claiming the fighter as his “fighter” and member. He is trying to claim that only thanks to him, the athlete could reach the top. In addition, when the manager gave the jacket to the celebrity, he had just selected one of them based on his size and nothing more. (Chapter 36). He could have given the same cloth to another member, but by giving him one personally, he gave the impression that he was thinking of him a lot. It was, as if Joo Jaekyung was his first priority. Yet the reality is far from it, for the jacket was not personally for the star.

Furthermore, very early on, I had discovered that the true owner is Joo Jaekyung due to the advance and transaction. As you can see, the coach and manager was trying to do free PR. (chapter 30) As a conclusion, the jacket revealed the manager’s greed and indirect “embezzlement”. He is using Team Black and Joo Jaekyung to get recognition and admiration. Should the jacket have the name of Joo Jaekyung on it, no one would pay attention to Team Black.

And now, it is time to focus on the circumstances when the jackets were offered. They appeared, when the gym was facing a crisis. The future of Joo Jaekyung was questioned. And who was in a bad mood? One might answer the star. But there was someone else too: Park Namwook! (chapter 36) Yes, the coach and manager, but his bad mood didn’t get the attention from the readers or the members. He was yelling, even looking unhappy and grumpy. (chapter 36) According to my observations, Park Namwook’s nightmare is to see the end of the champion’s career. In other words, he also felt threatened after the release of the article. The champion’s career is numbered.

Interesting is that the moment I noticed his bad mood in this image, I had another revelation. Why was the champion so rough and deadly serious, when he was sparring with Oh Daehyun and others? It is because he knew that his hyung was observing him. He needed to prove to him that he was still invincible. Yes, the body language from Park Namwook (crossed arms with no mouth) is expressing expectations, dissatisfaction and pressure. As soon as you accept this interpretation, you will realize that the members during that day were used as “tools” for the champion’s training. It had nothing to do with sparring or teaching, rather with a real fight. Joo Jaekyung needed to prove his superiority and even his perfection to his hyung. Thar’s the reason why I come to the following conclusion: chapter 36 stands in opposition to episode 26, where sparring was connected to fun and real teaching. (chapter 26) And how were the members from Team Black feeling during that special day? (chapter 26) Happy, though they were just observing. Kim Dan was spreading not only good mood, but also genuine care and selflessness.

Under this light, it becomes comprehensible why Park Namwook didn’t try to protect them from the champion’s coldness, though the star was less brutal compared to episode 1. (chapter 36) The manager and coach was upset too and he could no longer hide his anxieties and stress. Thus I come to the following deduction: we should see this episode as the older version of the slap. (Chapter 2) His boy had not been perfect. He had failed him. In addition, Namwook’s reaction contrasts so much to Kim Dan who not only fulfilled Potato’s dream, but also desired to learn from the star. He considered him as a master. But let’s return our attention to chapter 36 and the coach’s attitude.

First, he was himself in a bad mood (anxious, under pressure). Secondly, he saw this training as a preparation to an imminent fight. In other words, he already knew that a fight would take place. He needed it in order to get reassurance for himself. At the same time, he needed to cover up for his own rude and selfish behavior. Hence he offered the jackets. That way, he could appear as a good Samaritan (chapter 36) Yet, he pales in comparison to our main lead Kim Dan, who didn’t use money to get recognition and admiration from the other members. He is not using Joo Jaekyung to get rich or famous…. And this remark brings me to another statement. While the sparring in episode 26 embodies fun, honesty, happiness, gratitude and teaching, episode 36 represents the opposite notions: MONEY, WORK, ANGER, greed, manipulations and selfishness. That’s why the jackets have no name on it, they symbolize dehumanization and anonymity. The underlining message is that even Joo Jaekyung, as a fighter, can get replaced. However, this is not correct, for the protagonist is the true owner of the gym. Without him, the gym can not exist.

Thus I can’t help myself thinking that in the end, Kim Dan is destined to become famous, something Park Namwook have been dreaming of. However, contrary to the manager, Kim Dan’s success will be thanks to his own skills and dedication. He will bring a different philosophy to the gym. The members are not numbers, but talented fighters, hence they should be treated with respect and care. (chapter 7) They are honorable, though they are using their fists.

That’s it for today.

Jinx: Daily Jinx Advent Insight 4 📆 🏚️

November 7, 2024 ~ Bébébisous33 ~ 6 Comments

Please support the authors by reading Manhwas on the official websites. This is where you can read the Manhwa: Jinx But be aware that the Manhwa is a mature Yaoi, which means, it is about homosexuality with explicit scenes. Here is the link of the table of contents about Jinx. Here is the link where you can find the table of contents of analyzed Manhwas. Here are the links, if you are interested in the first work from Mingwa, BJ Alex, and the 2 previous essays about Jinx To Give Or To Take? The Subtle battle between Love and Power in Jinx and Daily Jinx Advent Insight 3

In my last composition, I elaborated Shin Okja’s personality by examining closely her new scarf from chapter 41. She embodies toxic positivity and as such the expression of “pink-tinted glasses”. The elderly woman views herself as a victim, yet feels entitled to a fortunate life filled with love and wealth. Therefore she avoids confronting her mortality by clinging to overly optimistic beliefs. This form of toxic positivity involves denying or minimizing real issues, as if looking through “pink-tinted glasses” that filter out any negative realities, including the prospect of death. In this sense, the “pink-tinted glasses” become a metaphor for ignoring painful truths by maintaining a forced optimism.

The grandmother’s power over Kim Dan

But this also implies that she evades confrontation and as such argument with people. No wonder why there was no heated discussion between her grandson and herself in season 1. But how could she always sidestep discussion? In my opinion, one of her MO is to make requests or ask for favors. (chapter 53), which she admitted at the hospital. Another tactic she uses is making promises that compel Kim Dan to follow through on them, while she is not bound by this obligation towards her relative: (chapter 11). The evidence for this interpretation is visible in the last panel. The latter employed the expression “I promised grandma”. There is no “we” in this sentence. Her illness was the cause for not making any promise from her side. That’s how I had another revelation. The doctor’s oath was in reality one of her favors from the past. That’s how she could control her grandchild in the end. In addition, through the promise she attached the physical therapist to her house.

Kim Dan and the humble dwelling

And that’s how she could avoid the loan shark’s harassement. In my eyes, she knew deep down that with this promise she was not only putting all her burdens onto Kim Dan, but also exposing him to the violence of the thugs. As long as Kim Dan didn’t bring up this topic, she could feign ignorance. However, her reaction concerning the new expensive treatment (chapter 7) indicates that she was not senile or totally oblivious of the truth. She raised her voice out of fear that Kim Dan might have signed a lease behind her back. In that case, she would have become responsible for the new debts. Note the drop of sweat on her cheek, a sign of discomfort. Since I started examining Manhwas, I noticed the strong correlation between the drop of sweat and hypocrisy. Thus I conclude that the halmeoni was living after the following principle: “What the eye does not see, the heart does not grieve over”. For me, her gentleness and smiles are masking her true personality: greedy, selfish and even heartless.

Thus I was wondering if the threat from Heo Manwook was not exposing the existence of a tacite arrangement between (chapter 16) the loan shark and the old lady. He knew where she was (hospital), and notice that her grandson had been paying the loan from his own account and cellphone. (chapter 11) He had taken over her burden. Furthermore, my avid readers should keep in their mind that the loan shark had been angry, for he imagined that the young physical therapist was moving out. (chapter 16) As you can see, the debt was strongly connected to the grandmother’s house. But who had moved out from the small dwelling? The grandmother. Interesting is that this district was about to get redeveloped. The thugs could have noticed it… there were everywhere banners announcing the new construction. (chapter 9) But who was not aware of the redevelopment? The grandmother… She had been living at the hospital for 3 years. I came to this deduction because of Choi Heesung’s remark about his k-drama: (chapter 30) As you can see, I have the feeling that Shin Okja is not so innocent either. She must have known that her grandson was exposed to violence. In my eyes, her MO is always to leave her mess behind and let others take the burden.

The pink-tinted glasses and home

But there exists another proof for this interpretation: her home. (chapter 19) (chapter 10) In my last composition, I mentioned that her flat was exposing her toxic positivity. And now it is time to bring up the evidence for this perception.

https://brightside.me/articles/8-hidden-psychological-problems-a-messy-home-can-reveal-about-us-729710/

This picture comes an article focusing on the connection between home and psychological problems. The author explains why a house gets neglected.

Some people spend years living in apartments with a leaky tap, old-school wallpaper, and keep things in boxes in order not to spend extra money on new stuff. They often treat their place as temporary: like they are planning to move to a different town, find a job abroad, get a mortgage, or just wait for their lives to somehow change. But sometimes, they can live in this “temporary” place for decades. From a psychological standpoint, these people are inclined to live in the future and see it through rose-colored glasses. They treat the present as a temporary discomfort that they just need to tolerate. On the other hand, they often don’t have any solid plan — these people are used to living like this and they are constantly hoping for some outside help that will change their situation. Quoted from the article https://brightside.me/articles/8-hidden-psychological-problems-a-messy-home-can-reveal-about-us-729710/

This means that Shin Okja never came to enjoy the present moment. In addition, with the quote Jinx-philes can grasp that the grandmother never considered this house as her true home. Her stay was limited in time. That’s the reason why the window was not repaired in 20 years. She could see the damages, but she chose to close her eyes to the rundown house. Thanks to this article, I had this new revelation: why did she neglect her home? It is because she had never planned to stay there, she was “focusing” on the future. Consequently, the promise with Kim Dan (chapter 11) can be judged as an evidence that this senior was rather future-oriented. Moreover, the agreement can be perceived under a different light. Since she had always thought of moving out and saw this dwelling as a momentary refuge, her commitment appears more shallow and dishonest. Did she truly desire to return to that place? From my point of view, she hoped to live elsewhere in the future, either on the West Coast or with her grandson in a better home, once he had got a big gig.

But there’s more to it. As soon as you consider the house as a temporary place, you will realize why she came to neglect Kim Dan, why she never prioritized him. Kim Dan is like the home… He is just a temporary support. How did I come up with this perception? He is “the outside help”. She definitely wanted to use him as her “servant”. At the same time, it becomes comprehensible why she blamed her grandson for his poor health. (chapter 21) Her MO is to wait for some change, as if she was waiting for a miracle. It was the same with the house: the latter had mold, a broken window… not because of her, but because of life and other circumstances. It was not her fault, if the house was not well-maintained. She couldn’t change it, but the presence of the huge Wedding Cabinet exposes this lie. She could have sold it and with the money, either pay back the loan and move to a smaller but better house. Moreover, she was able to watch a K-drama during the weekend, a sign that she definitely had time. (chapter 30) She was not working non-stop. Another important aspect is that such persons are passive, because they are waiting for the right time or for the outside help. They somehow imagine that a prince charming will suddenly appear and remove all their problems. Consequently, I conclude that the elderly woman views herself as “Sleeping Beauty”, hence the doctor adopted her mentality. The athlete must have appeared like a knight in shining armor for the grandmother that day. (chapter 21) She must have felt young again. Consequently, I come to the following conclusion. Halmeoni chose to abandon Joo Jaekyung and forget her gratitude, because he could no longer help her. She needed her grandson once again.

The moment my avid readers considers Kim Dan as the “outside help”, it becomes obvious why he had to become a PT. There is no doubt that he selected this profession because of her, another favor from her. It is said that such persons live in the future… but her illness changed her mind-set a little. She is getting aware that she is running out of time. Now, she is looking back at her past. Striking is that in her request, she used the personal pronoun “we” (chapter 53), but it is strongly intertwined with her own desire. On the other hand, her favor is centered on a single moment (“one last time”), which stands in opposition to her attitude in the past. She is not waiting for the right time, she is now making plans. However, she is not taking her grandchild’s life and career into consideration. To conclude, her plan is revolving around her once again.

And this raises the following question: who pushed her to make such a huge decision? The doctor Kim Miseon. Later, Kim Dan received the brochure about the hospice, so it is also possible that once there, she feels betrayed, as she imagined a different life there. As you can see, though the grandmother is running away from her vanished home, she is not able to escape “responsibility” and “reality”. I am more than ever convinced that her pink-tinted glasses are about to get broken. And this brings me back to Kim Dan and his home. Since she is trying to relive her “youth”, it becomes obvious that in verity, she is abandoning her grandson, for he was not part of her past. Just like she “forgot her Wedding Cabinet, her flat and as such abandoned her home, she is abandoning Kim Dan. Observe that she never brought up the topic “home” with her new favor. Her chaotic and neglected home (chapter 10) exposes her mentality. She is “careless”, “disorganized” and “chaotic.” This person lacks attention to detail or responsibility for cleaning up after herself, leaving others to manage or fix what she left behind. Thus she appears as “inconsiderate“, as her messiness impacts Kim Dan. The latter has to “clean up” her mess.

That’s it for today.

Jinx: Daily Jinx Advent Insight 3 📆🌹🥀

November 6, 2024November 7, 2024 ~ Bébébisous33 ~ Leave a comment

Please support the authors by reading the manhwas on the official websites. This is where you can read the manhwa: Jinx But be aware that the manhwa is a mature Yaoi, which means, it is about homosexuality with explicit scenes. Here is the link of the table of contents about Jinx. Here is the link where you can find the table of contents of analyzed manhwas. Here are the links, if you are interested in the first work from Mingwa, BJ Alex, and the 2 previous essays about Jinx To Give Or To Take? The Subtle battle between Love and Power in Jinx and Daily Jinx Advent Insight 2

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In this essay I will talk about pink roses. (chapter 31)

1. Pink roses and their different meanings

In the composition ““Go Away, Romeo!” (locked), I explained their meaning. Pink roses generally convey innocence, gratitude, and pure affection. They are traditionally associated with gentle emotions, making them a popular choice for expressing sincere, heartfelt sentiments without the intensity of red roses or the friendship focus of yellow roses. Interesting is that in the language of flowers, the shade of pink roses convey various shades of affection and admiration:

Lavender Pink: Often symbolizes enchantment and fascination, making it ideal for conveying admiration that feels magical or unique.
Deep Pink: Expresses gratitude, appreciation, and recognition, often used to say “thank you” or show deep admiration.
Medium Pink: Represents joy and happiness, perfect for conveying general affection or light-hearted romance.
Light Pink: Symbolizes gentleness, grace, and sympathy, often given to convey gentle love or to show empathy.

https://www.rd.com/list/6-rose-colors-and-their-meanings/

As the picture is illustrating, each hue brings a different layer of signification, adding depth to the message conveyed.

2. Heesung’s curse and the pink roses

And let’s return our attention to the gift from Choi Heesung. (chapter 31) They look more like the light pink rose: Innocence and admiration. However, keep in mind that back then, the gumiho was already love bombing the physical therapist with presents, a sign that he was already thinking of dating the main lead. While the bouquet of flowers was not reflecting his intentions, in verity it exposes his true thoughts unconsciously. He was simply impressed and desired to express gentleness, grace, and gratitude. This observation made me realize that the actor couldn’t identify his emotions in the end. In other words, he doesn’t know what LOVE is! That’s his curse. He mistook his feelings for love, while in reality, it was simply LUST. 😉 While the latter is important in a relationship, it only represents the first stage of love. So not overcoming this first stage, means that the relationship is doomed to fail.

3. Lust or Love?

Here I am giving a summary of the short video. The 6 differences between lust and love are the following

Physical vs Emotional
Weaker vs Stronger over time.
Base on Fantasy vs Reality
Romantic Partner vs Lifelong friend
Thrill Seeking vs Pursuit of Stability
Selfish vs Selfless

After watching the video or reading the summary, my avid readers can recognize the comedian’s problem. Mingwa utilized Kim Dan as an example to divulge the origins of Heesung’s curse.

First, by offering a lot of presents, Choi Heesung didn’t try to create a real emotional connection with the physical therapist. He barely knew the doctor, he didn’t even try to get to know him at all (1st sign). The presents were quite random and came mostly from his own sponsors. His generosity was not totally genuine at all: he was trying to woo Kim Dan despite his claims (6th sign). Moreover, he already imagined that he knew him: (chapter 30) “The angel speaks” outlines that he is creating a false image of the main lead. It was, as if he was living a dream which corresponds to the third characteristic. This is no coincidence that Heesung was seeing a lot of stars, when he looked at the “hamster’s face”. (chapter 30)

Then when he confided his thoughts and emotions to Joo Jaekyung at the bar, it becomes clear that his attraction towards his past partner was always fading away. (chapter 33) His emotions couldn’t be maintained over time, which corresponds to the second sign.. Thus he was suddenly perceiving the unknown man as clingy and the grass would always look greener (chapter 33), each time he faced someone he felt attracted to. We could say, he was under the spell of his “type”. At the same time, this discovery reinforces my previous interpretation about Kim Dan’s role. The actor needed to experience rejection in order to learn that lust can not always lead to love. We could say that the doctor was the angel who freed Heesung from his terrible lust spell.

Interesting is the 4th sign. Since the doctor rejected his feelings at the café, it becomes clear that his “attraction” turned into a friendship (chapter 35), though it appears rather superficial. After their separation, Choi Heesung didn’t try to stay in touch with the protagonist.

That’s how I had the sudden revelation why Choi Heesung was doomed to fall in love with Potato. (chapter 35) Since the actor has always confused lust with love, it was necessary for him not to feel “lust” in front of Potato first. In that scene, the man was moved, not by the uke’s touch like with Kim Dan (chapter 30), but by Yoon-Gu’s words. (chapter 35) The latter was offering him some help without expecting anything in return. Yes, he got attracted by his beautiful mind and heart. Through their conversation, they got to know each other. In other words, for the actor it was necessary to not experience lust, as a first stage of “love”, but to develop an emotional connection first! In addition, it becomes comprehensible why the artist suggested Potato to work as an actor. (special episode 2) It was his way to develop a longer relationship. He was trying to find the right balance between seeking thrill and pursuing stability. As a conclusion, the two special chapters display why the actor came to fall in love with Potato. (chapter special 1) By preparing some ramen, he acted as a selfless person, though his thoughts revealed his dark side. Nevertheless, what matters the most are the actions and not the thoughts.

Thus I deduce that in the past, the artist and Joo Jaekyung had similar relationships despite their denial. Both could not create an emotional connection with their partner, for they wouldn’t talk to them. The absence of communication was the core of their problem. Moreover, both were full of prejudices, therefore they didn’t feel the need to converse with their counterpart. They would often judge their counterpart.

4. The halmoni and the pink roses

Interesting is that the light pink rose appears in a different chapter. Kim Dan selected an expensive scarf for his grandmother as a present. (chapter 41) He bought it during his trip to the States. Interesting is that the young man chose not to bring pink roses to his grandmother. Why has he never brought flowers to his halmeoni? Chapter 31 gives us the answer: (chapter 31) The flowers stand for “ephemerality”, for they are destined to wilt in a very short time. Yes, this shows that deep down, Kim Dan knew how his grandmother is trying to escape from reality. He knows her likes for flowers and roses as pattern because of the bed sheets (chapter 5)

Since the scarf has light pink roses, this signifies that the doctor was conveying a similar meaning than Choi Heesung: innocence, gratitude and gentleness. It indicates that his affection is not real love in reality. How so? It is because he bought a designer neckwear. He spent all his savings for her and the nurse, as his true intention is to get acceptance and affection from these persons. Due to his grandmother, he internalized that expressing love is strongly connected to money in the end. Because the grandmother raised him, in his mind she spent a lot of money on him. But if you look carefully, you will notice that the grandmother spent more money on herself (all the things in the flat belongs to her), while she simply offered a “sweet bread and yoghurt” for his birthday (chapter 11) or bouquets of flowers for his school career. (chapter 47) Hence she generated guilt, indebtedness and obligation in her grandson. Because he was able to travel to the States, he must have felt somehow guilty, as the latter was trapped in her hospital room. Therefore he felt the need to compensate his grandmother with an expensive present.

At the same time, the design of the scarf contains not only pink roses, but also peonies and white poppies. (chapter 41) The two flowers have the following meanings:

Pink peony: represented by the larger, rounder flower with more layered petals, peonies often symbolize prosperity, romance, compassion, feminity and good fortune.
White Poppy: The third flower, with a prominent yellow center and thinner petals, resembles a white poppy, which can symbolize peace, remembrance, or consolation.

Each flower has a gentle, comforting quality, reflecting themes of affection and remembrance.

According to the Peace Pledge Union, the white poppy symbol represents ‘remembrance for all victims of war, a commitment to peace and a challenge to attempts to glamorise or celebrate war’. http://www.documentingdissent.org.uk/history-of-the-white-poppy/

This exposes that Kim Dan must have known about his grandmother’s experience concerning Korean War and her evacuation. She must have mentioned her suffering and probably complained that this was the reason for her poverty. Therefore, it dawned on me why the Webtoonist created such a pattern for the neckwear.

First, in many cultures, including South Korea, peonies, roses, and white poppies can be associated with death, funerals, or remembrance.

White roses often symbolize reverence, remembrance, and purity, which can be appropriate for funerals.
Peonies have a complex symbolism; while often representing prosperity and romance, they can also signify compassion, which is suitable for mourning contexts.
White poppies are strongly linked to peace and remembrance, making them common in memorials or to honor the deceased.

For me, these flowers on the scarf are announcing her imminent death, especially when you recall that flowers embody transience and temporality.

Secondly this new discovery about the white poppy confirms my previous examination: Mingwa chose to write her story like a kaleidoscope, this was the moment where war was mentioned for the first time. War was only brought up directly in chapter 53. Thus I perceive the scarf as a mirror of the grandmother’s mind-set. This reflects her inner world, the pink-tinted glasses. Whereas she imagines herself as a victim of life, she has always felt entitled for a great destiny: fortune and romance. The scarf symbolizes toxic positivity, for the main lead is avoiding an important topic: her death. But I have another clue for this interpretation in the following panel (chapter 19) But this will be the topic for the next Daily Jinx Advent Insight! 😉

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