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 The Mermaid’s Illusion of Love and A Luminous Kiss Amid Shadows This is where you can watch the K-drama Love Scout
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Hope often implies the promise of a tomorrow, a continuation of life and opportunity. Yet in Jinx, the depiction of Kim Dan’s condition—his unconscious attempted suicide 
(chapter 60), deteriorating physical health 
(chapter 60), and the ominous setting of the hospice 
(chapter 60) — challenges this notion. The photographs from episode 60 subtly introduce the fifth puppy’s death as a poignant symbol of Kim Dan’s precarious fate. 
(chapter 60) The puppy’s appearance in only one photo (the second one from left) among many mirrors Kim Dan’s fragile existence, 
(chapter 60) deepening the parallel between them. This connection becomes even more striking when recalling that the grandmother once likened Kim Dan to a puppy 
(chapter 53), emphasizing his vulnerability and dependence on others.
Without intervention, Kim Dan’s condition—both physical and emotional—could spiral into irreparable harm, reflecting the unnoticed demise of the puppy. 😭This essay will examine these events chronologically, beginning with Joo Jaekyung’s urgent rescue and arrival at the hospice. The narrative will then explore the symbolic meaning of the photographs, including the fifth puppy’s fleeting presence and its absence in subsequent images, as well as the profound symbolism of the room where Kim Dan is placed. This analysis will reveal how both elements intertwine to foreshadow Kim Dan’s increasingly tenuous grip on life and the unspoken realities of his condition.
The Rescue and the Green Cross
Joo Jaekyung rushed to the hospice with Kim Dan in his arms 
(chapter 60), he rested him on his healthy shoulder to provide support. This method of carrying, while practical in the moment, placed uneven strain on Jaekyung’s body. The weight resting on one side risked injury to his back and disrupted his balance, subtly reflecting the physical toll of his desperation to save Kim Dan. This small but significant detail underscores the sacrifices Jaekyung was willing to make in his attempt to protect him. However, since Kim Dan was unconscious, he couldn’t see the wolf’s kindness and selflessness.
Moreover, we have to imagine that while looking around for help on the beach, 
(chapter 60) the green cross and the name “Light of Hope” likely caught his attention, inspiring him to believe the hospice could offer immediate assistance. Jaekyung’s desperation was evident in his drenched appearance after rescuing Kim Dan from the ocean (chapter 60), coupled with his labored breathing as he hurried into the hospice. His question 
(chapter 60) reflected not only his uncertainty about whether the hospice could offer assistance but also the sheer urgency of his actions. This moment underscores the physical and emotional toll of his determination to save Kim Dan. Jaekyung risked worsening his own physical condition, driven by the hope that help would be available Yet the irony of this moment lies in the true purpose of the hospice: it is not a place for treatment or healing but a program dedicated to end-of-life care. 
(chapter 57)
This observation invites deeper reflection on why a small town would have a hospice rather than a hospital. The answer may lie in the demographic realities of the region. The aging population is evident in scenes depicting the town’s streets, where Potato and Heesung encounter primarily elderly individuals 
(chapter 58), such as two older women 
(chapter 58). Yes, there were two small details, yet full of meaning. Even the landlord 
(chapter 58) nicknamed “old man” 
(chapter 59) by Heesung, symbolizes this demographic trend. The hospice’s focus on senior care reflects a broader societal issue in South Korea: a declining birth rate coupled with an increasing elderly population.
People aged 65 and older took up nearly 20 percent of South Korea’s population this year amid rapid aging and the ultra-low birthrate, data showed Thursday.
The number of senior citizens stood at 9.94 million in 2024, accounting for 19.2 percent of the country’s 51.75 million population, according to the data from Statistics Korea.
The proportion is forecast to surpass 20 percent in 2025, which will make South Korea a “super-aged society,” and is to rise further to 30 percent in 2036 and over 40 percent in 2050. Quoted from https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20240926004100320?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Concurrently, the country recorded the world’s lowest fertility rate, with an average of 0.72 births per woman in 2023. This demographic trend is anticipated to continue, with projections indicating that by 2072, the population could decline by 30%, reducing the current 51.7 million to approximately 36.2 million. Quoted from https://time.com/6488894/south-korea-low-fertility-rate-trend-decline/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
These statistics underscore the challenges South Korea faces in balancing an increasing elderly population with a shrinking workforce, impacting economic growth, healthcare systems, and social services. While “Light of Hope” caters to the growing number of seniors, this approach inadvertently reinforces the exodus of younger generations. This migration from the countryside to Seoul or other major cities is subtly reflected in Jinx. Yoon-Gu, for instance, comes from the province of Gangwon-Do, embodying the trend of younger people leaving rural areas in search of opportunities. 
(chapter 57) In addition, the empty bedroom where Kim Dan is staying—with its untouched guitar, furniture, and books—suggests it once belonged to a teenager who left home and never returned. The unchanged state of the room symbolizes the stagnation and loss felt in these regions, further highlighting the broader societal issues at play. This shows that Jinx is not merely a classic love story; it also paints a nuanced portrait of South Korean society and its challenges. By prioritizing elder care without addressing the needs of the youth, the hospice embodies a false promise of hope—one that may ultimately exacerbate the very demographic crisis it seeks to alleviate. (chapter 57) This observation is further supported by the panel depicting the hospice’s exterior, which highlights its offer of free health checks. This detail suggests that the hospice is actively trying to attract new patients and has the necessary resources to conduct thorough medical examinations. For instance, when one of Kim Dan’s patients fell, the hospice staff were able to examine him properly 
(chapter 59), indicating their capacity for medical intervention. However, this approach reveals an underlying paradox: while the hospice caters primarily to an aging population, it lacks a sustainable strategy to address the exodus of younger generations, whose departure threatens its long-term viability. This issue is further illustrated by the hospice director’s decision to allow the facility to be used as a location for a movie shoot, 
(chapter 59) seemingly as an attempt to garner attention and improve its reputation. However, relying on such strategies means any potential benefits will only materialize months later, when the movie is released. This delay highlights the limitations of the hospice’s current approach to sustaining itself. In this context, Joo Jaekyung’s presence could play a pivotal role. It is possible he may become the driving force in revitalizing not only the hospice but also the town itself, potentially pushing the director to transform the hospice into a full-fledged hospital, addressing both immediate and long-term needs of the community. And this would fit his personality, as I connected him to a dragon. Let’s not forget that in season 1, the MMA fighter was introduced as a benefactor who organized a charity event 
(chapter 41), yet we never got to hear where the money went. This potential transformation underscores the underlying complexities of the hospice’s current operations, as it navigates between providing care for the elderly and responding to broader societal challenges. By situating Jaekyung in this dynamic, the narrative subtly hints at his capacity to influence change, bridging the gap between the hospice’s limitations and the community’s evolving needs.
This stark reality mirrors Kim Dan’s mental and physical state. The trail of blood he left behind 
(chapter 60) —a consequence of removing his IV needle—symbolizes his quiet surrender and deteriorating health. When Kim Dan arrived at the hospice, he carried the faint hope of finding solace 
(chapter 56), particularly from his grandmother, who had promised to go to the beach with him. 
(chapter 53) However, this hope was met with disappointment 
(chapter 57) – which he never expressed -, reflecting the deceptive promise of the hospice itself. Kim Dan’s fate seems to mirror not only the unnoticed death of the fifth puppy 
(chapter 59) but also his grandmother’s diminishing expectations of him. 
(chapter 56) She expressed twice that she no longer needed him. 
(chapter 57) However, all this time, she had been his motivation and reason to live. Once likened to a puppy, Kim Dan’s vulnerability and struggle for recognition remain central to his story, highlighting the fragility of his existence. His malnutrition, possibly linked to a deficiency in vitamin K and compounded by his alcohol dependency, exacerbates his fragility, making his situation increasingly perilous. Vitamin K, essential for blood clotting and bone health, is derived primarily from leafy green vegetables and produced by gut bacteria. A deficiency can result in symptoms such as dizziness 
(chapter 57), easy bruising 
(chapter 13), excessive bleeding and slow wound healing—all of which align with Kim Dan’s deteriorating condition and the trail of blood he left after removing his IV needle. (chapter 60) Is it a coincidence that a company with the green logo K was shown in different panels, like this one? 
(Chapter 54) Like mentioned before, this logo could be referring to a pharmaceutical company.
The Room and Its Symbolism
The room (chapter 60) where Kim Dan is placed raises significant questions about its purpose within the hospice. The presence of curtains, indicating multiple beds, contrasts with the lack of personal belongings or cupboards (see as a comparison, Shin Okja’s room
– episode 59), suggesting a temporary space for patients nearing the end of life. Moreover, observe that the colors of the curtains in the patients’ room is orange 
(chapter 56) 
(chapter 56) and not white. This observation aligns with the assumption that this room is reserved for those on the verge of dying, shielding terminally ill patients from witnessing another’s death. 😨
This interpretation becomes clearer when contrasted with the emergency room depicted in the K-drama Love Scout. 
In the drama, a character searches for his CEO and friend Kang by pulling back closed curtains in an emergency room, 
discovering different patients behind each one until finding the right person. 
This reinforces the notion that closed curtains signify the presence of others, even if their identities remain hidden. In addition, when the doctor treated the patient Park Jinchul, the curtains were closed. (chapter 56) (chapter 60) Like in Love Scout, the room in Jinx also has closed curtains, but instead of revealing activity or connection, it implies abandonment and isolation for those behind them. How so? Contrary to the transparent, automatic doors of the emergency room in Love Scout, the door in this scene is closed, manual, and opaque. Such a door symbolizes privacy and secrecy, further emphasizing the room’s association with isolation and death. In addition, the lack of anyone visibly attending to them suggests desertion. Everything is indicating that this space is not dedicated to immediate care and life-saving measures contrary to the emergency room. This contrast emphasizes that the room in Jinx symbolizes abandonment and death rather than rescue.
But there’s more to it. In Episode 52, the curtains in the health center were removed between two patients 
(chapter 52) to signify absence of confidentiality, contrasting with the closed-off nature of this space. This comparison not only exposes the manipulation of the staff at the health center, but also reinforces my interpretation that the emergency room at the hospice stands for danger and challenge. This detail underscores Joo Jaekyung’s assumption that he and Kim Dan are alone, but it also raises the possibility that their conversation could have been overheard by someone lying behind the curtains, such as the patient from Episode 57. 
(chapter 57) or the mysterious Park Jinchul 
(chapter 56)
(chapter 56) If others are indeed present, their isolation hints at a bleak reality: death would occur behind closed curtains, without companions or acknowledgment. This setting forces Joo Jaekyung to confront the fragility of life and the limits of money, as even wealth cannot shield anyone from the inevitability of death. (chapter 60) The room’s atmosphere intensifies this realization, as the symbolism of abandonment permeates its design and the interactions within. Moreover, since many people could see parallels between this scene with the doctor’s situation in the locker room, 
(chapter 51), they should remember that people were listening to their conversation behind the closed door, but they chose not to intervene. 
(chapter 53) That’s the reason why I am inclined to think that someone was /is present behind the curtain, but chose to remain silent. However, contrary to Team Black, such a person should intervene, if my theory is correct. And there is another evidence for this hypothesis. Since in episode 60 Joo Jaekyung offers a new contract 
(chapter 60), it signifies that it is a reflection from chapter 6:
(chapter 6) Nevertheless, back then, the deal was made without any witness. That’s the reason why I come to the conclusion that someone else was present in that room, yet contrary to the past, this person will intervene which stands in opposition to the symbolism of the room: death, secrecy and abandonment. And that can only be a patient who experienced the talent and care from Kim Dan. Joo JAekyung has never met any previous patient from Kim Dan before, but this is what readers got to hear from the nurse: (chapter 56) Only a bedridden person on the verge of dying can express such a gratitude towards the physical therapist.
If this interpretation is correct, the room’s symbolism is intertwined with death rather than rescue, then it conveys a sense of abandonment, as though the staff had already given up on Kim Dan. Furthermore, the decision not to place Kim Dan near his grandmother suggests an effort to keep the incident hidden from her (if she is not in the room), emphasizing the isolation surrounding his condition. On the other hand, the champion’s presence in that room could represent a chance for the athlete as well. This could represent the moment of his “rebirth”. Through a honest but painful conversation, the fighter would be encouraged to judge Kim Dan in a different light and nurture his maternal instincts. Moreover, he could give some comfort to a dying patient, similar to this scene: 
(chapter 21) which would push him to have a change of heart and show his vulnerability. What can he fear from a dying or terminally ill person? Nothing… hence he can only listen to the confidence and advice from such a patient.
And if my deductions based on observations are true, this signifies that the brochure from Light Of Hope 
(chapter 53) is indeed an illusion and deception, for the senior on the paper is portrayed as being accompanied by a nurse. The reality is different, for the patients are facing death alone.
Between Lies and Misconceptions
Kim Dan’s interaction with Joo Jaekyung in this room is marked by lies and unspoken truths, which define the fragile dynamic between them. 
Their conversation begins with Kim Dan’s simple yet loaded question about how Jaekyung discovered his whereabouts. This moment, better captured in the Japanese, and Spanish translations, underscores Kim Dan’s curiosity and underlying desire for clarity. In the Japanese version, Kim Dan asks, “どうしてここがわかったんですか？” (“How did you find out about this place?”), while the Spanish translation reads, “¿Cómo es que usted acabó aquí?” (“How did you end up here?”). Both translations emphasize Kim Dan’s direct inquiry about how Jaekyung discovered his whereabouts, making Jaekyung’s evasive response even more significant. It is clear that he is trying to protect Potato here. However, Jaekyung’s response 
(chapter 60) immediately sets the tone for their interaction. His refusal to answer and his deliberate avoidance of Kim Dan’s gaze reflect a lie by omission. This evasive behavior not only highlights Jaekyung’s reluctance to reveal his vulnerability but also creates a significant divide between them, making it clear that they are not functioning as a unified team.
Kim Dan’s body language mirrors this emotional disconnection. 
(chapter 60) Initially, he avoids Jaekyung’s gaze, signaling his own fear and insecurity. This avoidance reveals his worry about rejection and his deeper emotional vulnerability. On the one hand, he hopes deep down that the athlete would admit that he came looking for him, yet their last two interactions were arguments and rejections which the doctor didn’t forget. 
(chapter 60) Moreover, the idiom “by any chance” is exposing his low self-esteem. His words are exposing his internal struggles: between hope and despair. Later, his subtle act of turning his head away—a gesture often linked to dishonesty—indicates an effort to conceal his true feelings. 
(chapter 60) He is still in love with Joo Jaekyung, but he is no longer hoping for any attachment and feelings from the fighter. On the other hand, his words are reflecting a different opinion: he is no longer trusting the athlete. This means that when the champion admitted his mistake indirectly, it was already too late. 
(chapter 60) The damage was done. In addition, he is rejecting the job offer because of the champion’s money. 
(chapter 60) He doesn’t want this fake generosity, since the athlete is reminding him of his “debts” towards him: 
(chapter 60) How ironic is that with his last remark, he ruined all his chances with Kim Dan. He was still viewing the physical therapist as someone below him. However, keep in mind that such an arrogance and “confidence” are just subterfuges from the MMA fighter. This act of concealment parallels Jaekyung’s guarded demeanor, as both characters are ensnared in a cycle of avoidance and denial.
Jaekyung, for his part, struggles with acknowledging his dependency on Kim Dan. 
(chapter 60) This evasive remark suggests that Jaekyung believes keeping Kim Dan ignorant of his intentions is for the best. By withholding the truth, he feels he is protecting himself and Kim Dan from unnecessary burdens or complexities, reinforcing his perception that their relationship is better managed with clear boundaries. However, this attempt at concealment only deepens the divide between them, as it denies Kim Dan the clarity and emotional connection he seeks. In fact, he is not realizing that he is even afflicting more pain on his fated partner.
This dynamic is further emphasized when comparing their positions in Episode 6 and Episode 60. In Episode 6, Kim Dan was standing while Jaekyung sat (chapter 6), reflecting the power imbalance between them. Kim Dan momentarily held the upper hand by negotiating his terms, but once Jaekyung agreed, their positions shifted 
(chapter 6), with Kim Dan ending up on the floor—a physical manifestation of his subservience. Later, in the locker room, both were shown facing each other 
(chapter 51), symbolizing a superficial moment of equality. In Episode 60, however, both are seated: 
(chapter 60) Kim Dan in bed and Jaekyung on a chair. Yet, this apparent parity hides a reversal of dependency. While Kim Dan is physically and mentally weaker, neglecting his own health to leave the bed, (chapter 60) it is Jaekyung who has become emotionally reliant on him. Kim Dan’s stubbornness to push through his fragility mirrors the fighter’s own traits, exposing an ironic role reversal that neither of them fully acknowledges.
Despite his outward confidence, (chapter 60) his refusal to engage truthfully exposes his internal conflict and fear of reliance. But why does he fear so much closeness and dependency? Naturally, Jinx-philes should keep in their mind his terrible childhood where he suffered emotional abuse. Moreover, he had been taken advantage from his previous sex partners. 
(chapter 42) Despite the appearances, such relationships could only deepen his wounds and reinforce his anxieties. Thirdly, let’s not forget that the athlete read the doctor’s birthday card where the latter expressed the hope to work for him for a long time: 
(chapter 55) That’s why he imagined that once he made his offer, the other would agree immediately. However, what he failed to realize is that he read the note too late. Besides, there were these erased words which left the fighter in the ignorance. Finally, he continues to misunderstand Kim Dan’s motivations 
(chapter 60), as he did in episode 6. 
(chapter 6) Back then, Jaekyung assumed money was the sole driving force behind Kim Dan’s actions, and in the current interaction, he still believes this to be true. His internal monologue reveals this misconception: 
(chapter 60) I would even add, he believes to know Kim Dan so well, hence he mentions his grandmother: 
(chapter 60) However, Jaekyung is terribly wrong because he never talked to his lover. His interest and curiosity were quite superficial. Therefore he fails to grasp that Kim Dan’s longing is not for material wealth or familial obligation, but for genuine companionship and a place to call home. Kim Dan’s rejection of a boss-employee dynamic (chapter 60) underscores his desire for a deeper, more meaningful connection—something Jaekyung is unable to see due to his own emotional barriers.
But there is another reason why he got rejected. Fate wanted to punish the athlete for putting his own selfish desires over the doctor’s. He had seen the physical therapist in a dangerous situation 
(chapter 60). Moreover he got to hear from the doctor that Kim Dan needed rest: (chapter 60). Yet, the first thing he talked about with the doctor was work (chapter 60), once Kim Dan asked him for the reason of his visit: (chapter 60) In other words, with his request, he implied that he had not been longing for Kim Dan’s company. With his attitude, he could only give the impression that he was not interested in the man Kim Dan, rather in the physical therapist, and that’s not what the main lead truly desires. To conclude, his behavior and words generated the impression that the fighter was only superficially interested in him. It was, as if his rescue on the beach had never taken place. He was definitely undermining his own “good deed”.
Their interaction becomes a poignant dance of unspoken fears and withheld truths, illustrating how deeply both characters are entrenched in their insecurities. From the very start, the conversation is undermined by these concealed emotions, dooming it to failure and highlighting the isolation each character feels despite their physical proximity.
Potato’s Role and the Symbolism of Photos
Potato’s involvement adds another layer to the narrative. While the readers can notice the photo of Kim Dan in front of the hospice, they also detect the pictures of the puppies, which were captured later. (chapter 60) These images reveal that Potato visited the old man’s house to bid farewell to the animals. Among the photos, only one shows the fifth puppy—a small, brown one on the left—who appears less active than the others, symbolizing its declining condition. This shows that he was present, when the puppy was showing signs of being sick, but he did nothing. He was too focused on the moment cheering these animals on 
(chapter 35) for his own “happiness”. Through Potato, the author is criticizing the attitude of fans who are only projecting their own emotions onto their idols. Their wish for happiness is quite rather superficial. This subtle oversight reflects Potato’s growing detachment, as his focus shifted to capturing moments for posterity rather than addressing the realities in front of him. The absence of the fifth puppy becomes a poignant symbol of unnoticed fragility and foreshadows Kim Dan’s own vulnerability. And how did Kim Dan react to the death of the small dog? (chapter 60) He blamed himself.
Additionally, Potato’s farewell request to treat Kim Dan to a meal if he ever returns to Seoul reveals his underlying doubt. 
(chapter 59) Deep down, Potato does not expect Kim Dan to come back, reflecting his resignation to their fading relationship. Notably, Potato only asked for a picture of Kim Dan at the very end, never taking photos of him during their time together. (chapter 60) This lack of sensitivity and focus on celebrities, flowers, or the puppies instead of his friend underscores the growing emotional distance between them. Interestingly, while Potato returned to the old man’s house to bid farewell to the puppies, he has no intention of returning to the hospice. This contrast highlights how his farewell request serves as an acknowledgment that they are unlikely to meet again. This detachment mirrors Jaekyung and Heesung’s superficial connections, emphasizing how work relationships often overshadow genuine bonds.
Lies, Betrayal, and Ignorance
Potato’s secret visit concerning the puppies and his silence regarding Kim Dan’s whereabouts reveal his growing resemblance to Heesung. 
(chapter 60) When he got caught with his silence, Mingwa never showed us Potato’s justification. Yet, it becomes clear that the young fighter decided to give the following explanation: he respected Kim Dan’s wish to remain undiscovered 
(chapter 58) The reason for this interpretation is the champion’s reaction, when he was asked how he knew about his whereabouts (chapter 60) He deliberately avoided revealing that Potato was the one who disclosed Kim Dan’s location, shielding Potato’s role and perhaps attempting to protect the fragile connection they all share. This omission reflects Jaekyung’s misguided belief that ignorance might shield Kim Dan from further pain or complications. However, claiming he respected Kim Dan’s wish to remain undiscovered—was a lie, as his true motivation was Heesung’s request. (chapter 58) Therefore it is not surprising that through this omission, the main couple got affected. The lie from the chow chow had consequences for it increased the gap between the two protagonists. That’s how it dawned on me why Mingwa revealed the photo library of Potato. (chapter 60) The latter would serve as an evidence of his passivity and blindness towards Kim Dan, for the 5th puppy was still alive back then. The latter represents the fate of the doctor’s. These layers of deception highlight how characters like Potato become increasingly absorbed in their own worlds, blinded by their focus on superficial priorities.
This theme of being “too late” is also mirrored in Kim Dan’s experience with the puppy’s fate 
(chapter 59) and Joo Jaekyung’s rescue of Kim Dan. (chapter 59) In the case of the puppy, Kim Dan arrived too late to save the small animal, reflecting his self-doubt and hesitance to trust his abilities. Conversely, Joo Jaekyung arrived just in time to rescue Kim Dan from the ocean, demonstrating his decisive action. However, his failure to keep Kim Dan in a safe environment afterward suggests a broader inability to provide sustained support, echoing the narrative’s overarching theme of fragility and impermanence. 
(chapter 60) Though he is the one left behind, he is not realizing that by not following him, he is failing to protect Kim Dan.
The imagery of the fifth puppy serves as a poignant commentary on the consequences of neglect and inaction. The puppy’s decline—evident but unaddressed—parallels Kim Dan’s own struggles. Just as the fifth puppy’s fading presence is overshadowed by the activity of its siblings, (chapter 60) Kim Dan’s vulnerability risks being overlooked amid the chaos of the narrative. The missing puppy becomes a haunting reminder of what happens when fragility is ignored: a slow, quiet decline that ultimately goes unnoticed until it is too late. With too late comes regrets and remorse: 
(chapter 57) Cheolmin already warned his friend in episode 13: 
(chapter 13) But the man refused to listen to his advice, and now Kim Dan is leaving a trail of blood on the floor (chapter 60) indicating that his blood is not coagulating correctly. The last comment from the athlete implies that he is now accepting the challenge, he will do anything to have Kim Dan come back to him. Nevertheless, there exists one problem in my opinion: he is running out of time due to Kim Dan‘s physical and emotional deterioration, while he needs time to regain the physical therapist‘s trust.
Conclusion: The Fragility of Hope
The title, “The Deceptive Light of Hope,” encapsulates the essence of these intertwined narratives. The hospice’s name promises healing and solace, yet it masks the harsh reality of end-of-life care. On the other hand, since the couple reunited there, their relationship can be built on better foundations. They are surrounded by people who are definitely more attentive and less passive than at the gym. Moreover, the athlete has been living as a zombie all this time, the latter needs to die in order to be reborn as a human being. But it is the same for Kim Dan who has been living as a ghost for the last one and half month. On the other hand, rebirth is strongly intertwined with suffering, which reinforces my conviction that something bad to Kim Dan will happen. Since a beating heart is the symbol for humanity, it signifies that both will have to open up and confess their feelings. Similarly, the brightly lit hospital room, symbolizing purity, conceals the lies and unspoken truths exchanged between Jaekyung and Kim Dan. Potato’s photographs, seemingly innocent, betray a certain selfishness, ignorance and detachment, symbolized by the missing puppy. Each element contributes to the overarching theme: the fragile and often deceptive nature of hope in a world where appearances rarely align with reality. It is only a matter of time, until the wrongdoers realize their mistakes and apologize properly.
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(chapter 59) is a masterful interplay of symbolism, reflection, and narrative breadcrumbs laid out by Mingwa. Central to this exploration is a photograph 
(chapter 59) —an innocent request by the nurses at the hospice 
(chapter 59) —which becomes the pivotal clue leading Joo Jaekyung to Kim Dan. Through a careful analysis of the timeline and the use of contrasting events, it becomes clear that Mingwa’s narrative mirrors a kaleidoscope, reflecting positive and negative elements rooted in Taoist principles. While the doctor’s unconscious 
(chapter 59) led him to the shore, driven by despair and suicidal intent, the MMA fighter’s journey stands as its opposite: 
(chapter 59 ) a conscious choice to follow his heart, hence he was full of anger and frustration. Joo Jaekyung was no longer repressing his feelings, even if he had yet to fully recognize his affection. 
(chapter 59) embodies the negative reflection of Joo Jaekyung’s purposeful arrival. We can detect the divergences: day versus night, work versus break, healthy versus unhealthy etc. Through the juxtaposition of images and situations, Mingwa provides profound insight into the characters’ thoughts, desires, and intentions. The photograph’s role becomes pivotal: while it marks the end of Heesung and Potato’s visit
(chapter 59), it simultaneously signifies the first crucial clue in Joo Jaekyung’s search. This marked the turning point where his ongoing efforts were given direction, transforming his pursuit into a decisive journey toward discovery.
(chapter 59) —each of whom had interacted with Kim Dan 
(chapter 57) during his time at Light of Hope. While these individuals appear as potential candidates for revealing Kim Dan’s location, the true helper remains shrouded in mystery. This ambiguity emphasizes the layered narrative of Jinx, where each small action—no matter how mundane—contributes to the larger theme of fate’s intricate web, offering insight into the power of both intentional and unintentional intervention. If Potato had not suggested the picture 
(chapter 58) 
(chapter 58) 
(chapter 58), ignorance and superficiality 
(chapter 58), becomes the shadowed reflection of the proactive search by Joo Jaekyung. This interplay of light and dark is central to unraveling how fate unfolded.
(chapter 58) and Potato, despite their contrasting motivations 
(chapter 59) Importantly, Joo Jaekyung did not arrive during this period, further affirming their resolve. The photograph taken just before their departure was the key turning point. However, the timeline—marked by the sunsets 
(chapter 59) 
(chapter 59) —suggests that Joo Jaekyung arrived only two days after Heesung and Potato left. This indicates that neither Potato nor Heesung leaked the information to Joo Jaekyung, as the champion would have sought Kim Dan immediately if informed by them. Instead, this photograph—seemingly public rather than private—became the clue he needed. Moreover, since the two friends knew where Kim Dan lived, I am assuming that he would have gone right to the doctor‘s rented room. But he did not. He went to the beach. Since the nurses didn‘t notice that Kim Dan was a friend of Potato and Heesung and mistook him for a fan, I am assuming that only the two friends know his address. 
(chapter 8) 
(chapter 37) and Kwak Junbeom was a witness of the encounter between Kim Dan and director Choi Gilseok. 
(Chapter 48) Nonetheless, there exist significant points against this theory. Despite their fondness for the actor 
(chapter 30) and their interactions with Heesung and Potato 
(chapter 35), they are unaware of the actor’s relationship with Potato. The author left many clues for this interpretation. They didn’t notice the maknae’s absence at the champion’s birthday 
(chapter 43), but more importantly the presence of Yoon-Gu‘s embarrassment in front of his hyung indicates secrecy. . 
(chapter 58) His “redness” indicates that he doesn’t want to expose his special relationship with Heesung. Therefore I believe that he didn’t mention this trip to other members. Consequently, I doubt that the members were looking for Potato in such a photograph. Furthermore, from my perspective, members of Team Black are still left in the dark about Joo Jaekyung’s struggles. They are unaware of his drinking habits 
(chapter 56), or his emotional state. They think, he has not come to the gym due to his recovery. Furthermore, they don’t use his cellphone number to contact him. The hiring of a new physical therapist and 
(chapter 57) the interview suggested that Joo Jaekyung was taking a break to recover from his injury, leaving no indication of his active search for Kim Dan. However, Yoon-Gu got informed through Heesung that Joo Jaekyung was desperately looking for him: 
(chapter 58), but probably saw this as another “negative reaction” (bad temper) of a spoiled child. This makes it unlikely that members of Team Black could have provided the critical information. 
(chapter 57), her positioning reflects Mingwa’s deliberate storytelling, emphasizing her subtle yet crucial role in connecting the threads of fate. She is also unlikely to have directly contacted Joo Jaekyung. As an average nurse living far from Seoul, she would not have access to the champion’s contact information or knowledge of his search for Kim Dan. However, this does not exclude her influence entirely. My idea is that she shared the photograph with someone close to her—a family member or friend—turning what was initially a public image into a private clue. Through this intermediary, the picture may have reached someone who recognized Kim Dan and understood his connection to the MMA fighter. This chain of events underscores the role of chance and intervention in the narrative and suggests that another, yet unknown, individual helped guide Joo Jaekyung to his destination.
(chapter 50) 
(chapter 49), highlighting the failures of relying solely on fate. The champion’s eventual discovery of Kim Dan underscores the necessity of teamwork and active intervention. Notably, this also reflects the flaws in Team Black, whose inaction and superficiality limited their understanding of both Joo Jaekyung’s struggles and Kim Dan’s situation. While Heesung’s stardom and blog 
(chapter 30) could have amplified the picture’s reach, it’s unlikely Joo Jaekyung relied on such sources directly. I can not imagine him spying on the actor’s blog. Instead, the role of the helpers — the nurse and her acquaintance— emerge as crucial to piecing together the connection. The inadvertent role of the nurses Mind and Heart, urging Heesung to take the picture, becomes an integral part of the story’s progression. 
(chapter 13) who played pivotal roles in lifting the curse, as Mingwa’s narrative often draws on such reflections. Here, the nurses’ actions, though seemingly minor, echo the same themes of fate and intervention.
(chapter 13) The latter knew the PT’s face, 
(chapter 13) but didn’t know his identity. He mistook him for someone who was selling his body for money. 
(chapter 13) In addition, Kim Dan never got to know the intervention of this hyung: he was the invisible helping hand in season 1. And now, if you reread the scene in episode 13, you will notice that this conversation between Joo Jaekyung and his friend contains all the ingredients in episode 59: the use of the phone, fainting, malnutrition, secrecy, neglect, secret suffering, pictures and public knowledge 
(chapter 13), the death of a man and finally urgency. Moreover, remember what his friend told him before: the importance of rest and 
(chapter 43) And during that evening, the champion called his penthouse with the doc “Home” for the first time. Finally, in season 2, Joo Jaekyung started visiting each hospital or Sports Rehabilitation Center in Seoul in order to find Kim Dan. 
(chapter 56) And there’s no doubt that Joo Jaekyung got recognized by people forcing him to use a mask to hide his identity. So this frenetic search must have reached the mysterious doctor’s ears, but I doubt that he made the connection between the star’s lover and the physical therapist right away. Since he‘s a guest of XY club, 
(Chapter 13), it is also possible that he could have heard about the last incident in the restroom with doc Dan’s replacement. Since Cheolmin found Dan cute, it is very likely that he was also drawn to the surrogate „Dan“. But I don‘t think, this was enough to intervene, as Joo Jaekyung didn‘t ask for his help.
and to Neptune 
and strangely, the doctor moved to a place next to the coast. So maybe Cheolmin comes from that little town and the green-haired nurse is his relative. I had already outlined their similarities. Finally, look at the numbers, we have 4 in both episodes, 13 and 59 (13: 1+3 = 4 / 59: 5-9= -4) The -4 would coincide with Kim Dan’s vanishing, but also with the intervention of Cheolmin. And if my theory is correct, this means that the champion will come to regret his past decision 
(Chapter 19) and the group photograph at the hospice
(chapter 87) Not only the painter and the 3 noonas were sharing the same bed, but also they were taking their meals together. 
(chapter 87) They would even caress each other and laugh together. This scene oozes happiness. Consequently, it is no coincidence that during that night, they shared their honest thoughts to Baek Na-Kyum giving him good advices. But more importantly, the painter was there, when his noonas were struggling. 
(chapter 94) He cried in front of them. His tears symbolized his compassion and love for his noonas. He regarded them as his family. And it was the same for the artist. He had the noonas by his side, when he was in trouble or agony. 
(chapter 94) 
(chapter 107) However, at some point, it changed! 
(chapter 94) Jung In-Hun entered his life and consoled him. Thus I deduce that this image 
(chapter 68) represents a turning point in Baek Na-Kyum’s life. During that night, the scholar took away the young painter from Heena, hence he couldn’t help her. And now, observe the learned sir’s reaction. He didn’t allow the painter to cry. He shouldn’t share his pain. 
(chapter 70) In fact, he diverted Baek Na-Kyum’s attention from the incident to the moon. The learned sir was smiling the whole time. 
(chapter 70) He was acting, as if nothing had happened. The fact that he didn’t bear the tears from the painter exposes that the learned sir never considered him as a family. Therefore it is not surprising that he got abandoned, when the learned sir struggled: 
(chapter 75) But we have other scenes where Jung In-Hun didn’t behave like in the poem. When he discovered the truth, he had not been approached by Yoon Seungho due to his talent 
(chapter 19), he pushed away the painter. 
(chapter 19) He was mad, because Baek Na-Kyum was the cause for his sponsoring. 
(chapter 19) However, the family serves as pillar and protection. When the scholar’s pride got hurt, he rejected Baek Na-Kyum. He only approached the painter, when he needed him 
(chapter 10) 
(chapter 24) 
(chapter 35). 
(chapter 111) For me, in episode 10, he was definitely aware of the existence of a plot, thus he led the painter to the pavilion. Then in episode 24 and 35, he wanted the artist to spy on his benefactor. Finally, in episode 111, he knew that by taking away his former pupil, he would hurt Yoon Seungho, for he was aware of his affection for Baek Na-Kyum. Under this new light, it becomes comprehensible why Jung In-Hun didn’t bid farewell to the main lead in episode 44. Baek Na-Kyum’s presence was not necessary for the preparation for the civil service examination. And this brings me to the last scene between the learned sir and the painter. 
(chapter 118) He is now crying in front of him, as if he was considering him as a part of his family. He is trying to create the illusion that he shares his suffering, just like he shared his happiness during the parade. 
(chapter 111) But in the gibang, the learned sir changed his attitude towards his former pupil, for he kissed the painter. 
(chapter 117) It was, as if the former was starting his family. Baek Na-Kyum is now his “bride”. But naturally, everything is just an illusion. Why? It is because the Manhwaphiles never saw Jung In-Hun share his bed or room with the artist! 
(chapter 27) 
(chapter 38) He was also never seen taking his meals with him. This explicates why he never visited him, when the painter was sick. In fact, the learned sir is connected to the air and the courtyard. That’s the reason why he is always seen roaming around with Baek Na-Kyum (10: pavilion, 18-19-27-35-44: courtyard, countryside/city: 29-37-70 and 
) But more importantly, he is not sharing his true thoughts and emotions to the young man. 
(chapter 118) He never explained how his face got bruised! This shows that he approached Na-Kyum for one reason. He was in trouble and he needed him. But he acted, as if he was becoming responsible for him. 
(chapter 118) 
(chapter 118) He didn’t expect a rejection. Why? It is because now, he was treating the main lead as family member. Nonetheless, don‘t get me wrong. In Joseon, servants were considered as a part of the household and as such of the „family“. I don‘t believe that the teacher views Baek Na-Kyum as an equal. Yet, the latter is in reality a free man. 
(chapter 118) Thus out of fear, he made a false love confession which resembles a lot to obsession and possessiveness. His words display his worries and despair. Another important aspect is the absence of the personal pronoun “we” in their conversation. We only have “you” and “me”. 
(chapter 118) 
(chapter 40), the latter learned the following lesson: Jung In-Hun had never been his new family. That’s the reason why he was so wounded. Therefore it is no coincidence that his karma is to be abandoned the moment he needs Baek Na-Kyum the most. But why did he not consider the painter as a family member? It is because he came from the gibang. Moreover, he was blinded by his desire to succeed on his own, not realizing the true role of a family. 
(chapter 86) 
(chapter 107) The sexual abuse is something they hid from Baek Na-Kyum! They could never share such a burden with the protagonist. But there is more to it. In fact, Byeonduck illustrated the slow deterioration of Na-Kyum’s s family in season 2, 3 and 4. First, the painter couldn’t talk to his noonas like in the past: 
(chapter 46) He was forbidden to announce his departure which indicates that Heena was hiding something from the other kisaengs. Moreover, notice that he never talked back to Heena. He listened to her, though he was in pain. 
(chapter 46) He could only express his sadness with his tears. Then when Heena reentered his life, she was seen next to his bed while hugging. by his side 
(chapter 66) This means that she would no longer share his cover. This is no coincidence that in the gibang, the noona could no longer enter her brother’s room. 
(chapter 96) Little by little, Heena got excluded from the painter’s life. She could no longer share her meals with him. 
(chapter 93) This explicates why in season 4, Baek Na-Kyum can not penetrate Heena’s room. 
(chapter 105) She is hiding more and more things from her brother: her “illness”, her involvement in the murder of nobles and her lies. On the other hand, the painter still considered her as a part of his family because of her intervention in episode 68/69: 
(chapter 68) Their argument was reflecting their trust, though here the kisaeng was questioning her brother’s maturity. Due to her concerns, Baek Na-Kyum felt that they were still a family. However, I sense a rupture, when they argued in the kisaeng house. The artist was no longer trusting Heena’s words: 
(chapter 97) Interesting is that from that moment on, Baek Na-Kyum and Heena never faced each other! She didn’t join his side during the parade. This means that their argument in the kisaeng house represents their last reunion. And what did Heena do in this scene? She cried 
(chapter 97), while the painter didn’t, though he looked disturbed. 
(chapter 97) He lost all his colors. However, such a scene could be perceived as a sign of indifference, especially for the kisaeng. And this observation made me realize why the kisaeng asked Yoon Seungho not to reveal his suspicions about Jung In-Hun’s involvement to her brother. 
(chapter 105) Here, she implied that Baek Na-Kyum would cry out of pain and shock. But she had seen that he had shared no tears, when he heard about his murder: And it happened again in the shrine.
(chapter 99) Simultaneously, the request from Heena exposes that they are no longer sharing agony and as such struggles. Moreover, this made me realize why the artist left the mansion after the nightmare. It was out of fear and obligation. For me, he had sensed that Heena liked the learned sir and as she was still part of his family, he had to make sure that this was not true. Yet, even after witnessing the faked crime scene, he still trusted Yoon Seungho. Hence I am deducing that the absence of tears is the trigger for their separation which stands in opposition to their embrace in the mansion: 
(chapter 66) 
. (chapter 68) And what was her reaction, when she saw her brother in tears and yelling at his lover?: 
(chapter 105) She remained silent, passive and rather indifferent. This impression gets reinforced, when she is lying next to her colleagues. She is not sharing her thoughts and emotions, rather pensive contrary to these kisaengs: 
(chapter 105) She is even turning her back to them. This displays the dissolution of this family. The kisaeng is no longer sharing her fears, her tears and emotions to others. Therefore she can not sense “happiness or relief” like the others. 
(chapter 93), but the moment the lord joined his side, the honesty started vanishing. Notice that the painter couldn’t talk about his past (how he met Yoon Seungho and how he got abandoned by Jung In-Hun). It was reduced to “I was caught up with something”. He had so many secrets that he couldn’t share to his noonas. And it was the same for the kisaengs. 
(chapter 93) They also had secrets, hence they were seen whispering. Baek Na-Kyum could confide less to Heena. Why? He sensed that the kisaengs might show no understanding. And note how the painter reacted, when he met his noonas in episode 105. 
(chapter 105) He lied to his noona, he didn’t voice his worries. He didn’t enjoy his time spent by the kisaengs’ side. He didn’t eat with them either. This is the sign that he was moving on, he was on the verge of starting his new family. In other words, this scene 
(chapter 105) corresponds to the bird flying from the nest which was witnessed by Heena and the kisaengs. Because the painter was not sincere to his noonas, it is not surprising that they acted the same way. Here,
(chapter 105), the kisaeng’s words are a reference to loss of virginity. Yet the painter didn’t grasp the true meaning. Only in his dream and nightmare, he realized the significance of her words: 
(chapter 109) Hence I come to the conclusion that we are witnessing to the birth of Baek Na-Kyum’s new family: Yoon Seungho. 
(chapter 118) That’s the reason why the painter decided to run away with his lover. 
(chapter 118) However, in order to become a real family, the painter needs to call his husband like this: 
(chapter 72) Under this new light, it becomes comprehensible why the noonas were no longer entirely honest with Baek Na-Kyum in the gibang. They couldn’t share their thoughts and secrets to the artist, as they had played a role in the separation of the couple 
(chapter 99) and the nobles’ execution. Besides, they also had secrets which they had to hide from their donsaeng. 
(chapter 57) I believe that it is related to the protagonist’s sensibility and intelligence. My assumption is that Yoon Seungho is a 
(chapter 85), his second son and even lord Song as his family 
(chapter 116) Hence they are sharing a drink, their secrets and emotions together, though it is obvious that the man in purple is deceiving the patriarch. However, the elder master still trusts and listens to his words. 
(chapter 107) 
(chapter 26) The latter was not allowed to cry! Therefore the artist heard the same reproach from the main lead. 
(chapter 26) The valet disliked the tears, because he refused to share the suffering. The reason is simple. If he did, this would have increased his guilt. Furthermore, Kim never shared the cover or his meals with Yoon Seungho in the past 
(chapter 83) and in the present. Here, 
(chapter 17) he even refused to bring him his breakfast. But one might argue that Kim cried in front of the protagonist in the shed, he even expressed regrets: 
(chapter 108) So we could assume that he was starting to view the main lead as a family member. But no… for me, it is just an illusion. First, note that he never let the lord see his gaze while weeping. Besides, the noble’s heart was not moved either. They were not crying together, a sign that the two were drifting apart. Moreover, in the shed, the valet never shared the information about the fire at the shrine. 
(chapter 108) The noble had to use threat and force in order to push the butler to voice his thoughts. Finally, at the end, the valet never vowed his loyalty to Yoon Seungho, but to Baek Na-Kyum. 
(chapter 108) Moreover, like exposed above, family in the poem symbolizes trust, love, responsibility, comfort and protection, but the valet failed to fulfil his duties which he admitted in the shed. As a conclusion, the butler didn’t keep such a promise. Moreover, what did the butler do after the painter’s abduction? 
(chapter 64) 
(chapter 64) He ran away. He never saved the painter, just like he didn’t argue with his master in that moment. But he could have, since the latter had no sword by his side. Imagine that he had a heated discussion with Yoon Seungho the very next day, and in the courtyard, the protagonist had the sword in the hand. 
(chapter 68) A sign that he knew that the noble would never slay him! And in the past, the valet had not come to his rescue, shared his suffering or defended his honor. And now, you comprehend why I am more than ever convinced that the valet was never Yoon Seungho’s family: no tear, no joy or no secret shared! His expression “bird of misfortune” embodies the gap between the two characters. 
(chapter 109) The latter would even get the opportunity to eat sweets and sit in the patio
(chapter 109), while the lord was relegated to the courtyard. 
(chapter 109) And the poem mirrors perfectly the birth of Yoon Seungho’s first family. Baek Na-Kyum is his very first family. Thus he could share his pain, his fears, his resent, 
(chapter 62) and his hope to be happy for one moment: 
(chapter 63) I selected the terrible scene in the shed for two reasons. It symbolizes the verse “how to become a family”. This explicates why in season 3, the artist was slowly using the personal pronoun “we”. 
(chapter 78) This means that the two protagonists were learning how to become a true family. And one of this important step was “crying together” which occurred after the sexual abuse in the shrine, 
(chapter 102) However, Yoon Seungho had to learn the importance of “secrecy”! He kept his crime from his loved one hidden, not understanding that a real family is to “endure all hardships” together. Consequently, I judge this night 
as the finalization of their “Wedding”, though it is still not official. During this night, we have all the criteria. They share their worries
(chapter 110), their happiness 
(chapter 110), they sit together while eating
(chapter 110), they embrace each other, they share the same bed. And the lord makes the following promise: there won’t be any secret between them. He will share everything with his lover. 
(chapter 110) So when the brother gave the petition to the artist
(chapter 116), he even reinforced their bond. It was, as if they had no longer any secret between them. Thus they talked about the document in the pavilion making sure that no one would listen to their discussion. 
(chapter 117) Therefore, it is not surprising that during that same night, the couple slept under the same blanket while hugging each other. 
(chapter 117) The symbol for the new family! But a family is not made just of two members! Is Yoon Seungwon a part of Yoon Seungho’s family? Let’s not forget that he considered the artist as his brother’s wife. 
(chapter 116) What caught my attention is that Yoon Seungho was not followed by his lover, when he met his brother in the gibang. 
(chapter 118) And this reminded me of this scene: 
(chapter 37) He wished to send away the artist, but the host refused. Then if you pay attention to his behavior, you will notice that none of them were seen eating together! 
(chapter 118) Compare it to Black Heart’s behavior: 
(chapter 43) In fact, the two guests were drinking on their own! Yoon Seungwon had even started drinking before the protagonist’s arrival. 
(chapter 118) Moreover, exactly like the scholar, Yoon Seungwon is just employing the pronouns “you”, “I” and “father”. There is no WE at all. 
(chapter 118) Moreover, he doesn’t want to share the pain and suffering with his father. And while he shared a secret with Yoon Seungho in the past,
(chapter 118), I believe that he is hiding something from his brother again. Thus we see constantly him with a drop of sweat. 
(chapter 118) 
(chapter 118) Striking is that he is at no moment mentioning the painter, which actually represents the lord’s source of comfort and joy! He is more talking about the past than the present. He is hoping for a change of heart. That’s the reason why I come to the conclusion that Yoon Seungwon called the main lead as brother
(chapter 118), but it is only a name! In reality, he desires to use the main lead. He needs him more than ever! Let’s not forget that the patriarch could discover Yoon Seungwon’s betrayal at any moment. Finally, I would like to outline that family stands for effort and understanding, nevertheless the younger master never showed compassion or worries for his brother, who had just recovered from a stabbing. His speech was full of blame. 
(chapter 22), the physical therapist still views her as his family. This corresponds to the verse “no matter where you are”. This explains why he listened to her and started treating the champion differently. From my point of view, they became a family, because they slept under the same cover
(chapter 21), shared their agony, fears 
(chapter 5) and their happiness together, though this needs to be relativized. 
(chapter 11). I will give more details later. Another evidence that they are family is that the grandmother would often sing him songs. Then we could say that the grandmother shares her meals with the doctor, for she is often saving yoghurts for her grandson. 
(chapter 05) She is happy, when she hears good news from her grandson. 
(chapter 07) When she feels lonely or miserable, she asks for his presence. 
(chapter 21) 
(chapter 5) Nevertheless, there exist two negative aspects. First, I noticed that she didn’t question Kim Dan about his career, only when it was necessary. 
(chapter 07) She is not that involved in his current life. 
(chapter 05) Secondly, what caught my attention is that the halmoni is not letting her grandson weep. With her attitude, she implied that he had overreacted (“Now, now none of that”). 
(chapter 21) Moreover, the poem outlined the necessity of crying together (“be able to cry together”), yet the halmoni was not upset, when she found the little Dan in tears. She didn’t understand his abandonment issues. Thus I deduce that the shared agony was only in one way! If the grandmother was scared or suffering, her grandson should feel the same. 
(chapter 5) This explicates why Kim Dan was willing to sacrifice himself for his halmoni. 
(chapter 16) It is because he knew that her grandmother disliked tears. Besides, in a previous essay, I had already outlined that such an attitude was considered as abusive, for such a young child should have been shielded from harm. However, he was exposed to violence very early on. Under this new perspective, it becomes comprehensible why Kim Dan started having secrets from her. Finally, the family portrayed in the poem implied the notion of effort and work. But the moment the grandmother refused to share his agony, she stopped putting energy in her relationship with Kim Dan. This means that as time passed on, she became more and more passive and relied more and more on the main lead. Another interesting aspect is that Kim Dan came to enjoy K-dramas because of his grandmother. 
(chapter 30) This shows that Kim Dan’s preferences are all influenced by the halmoni. We could say that he didn’t truly develop his own identity. It was, as if he had become the second version of “grandma”. And now, you comprehend why he rejected sex: 
(chapter 20) 
(chapter 30) Because the grandmother didn’t allow her grandson to share his struggles (no tears), Kim Dan has been hiding many things from his grandmother
(chapter 07): the beatings from Heo Manwook, his firing from the hospital, the sexual assault from the perverted hospital director and the moneylender, his deal with Joo Jaekyung and the fact that he moved to the penthouse. This means that little by little, the physical therapist is sharing less and less his happiness with her. I doubt that he told her about his trip to Busan, his first MMA fight as spectator 
(chapter 15) and his first sparring with Joo Jaekyung 
(chapter 26). But this is a sign that Kim Dan is maturing. Therefore it is no coincidence that after their first day off spent together, Kim Dan is already under the champion’s spell. 
(chapter 30) And at some point, the grandma will notice her little boy’s transformation and the growing distance. And Choi Heesung could be the trigger for a first quarrel 
(chapter 22) 
(chapter 26), they get support from each other 
(chapter 14) 
(chapter 23) or they argue 
(chapter 07). Moreover, they call the older members “hyung” 
(chapter 5) 
(chapter 23) which is another evidence that Team Black functions more like a family than like a company. What caught my attention is that the doctor is not addressed as hyung 
(chapter 30) but as Doc Dan or doc. 
(chapter 23), though the manager Park Namwook had introduced him as hyung. 
(chapter 07) The reason behind this different title is the champion. The latter addressed him like that: 
(chapter 22) It exposes that the physical therapist occupies a particular position at the gym. On the one hand, it could be interpreted that he has not been entirely adopted as a family member. On the other hand, the physical therapist didn’t exclude that he could have other clients. 
(chapter 25) This means that his “adoption” is not definitive and official. Nevertheless, I would like to outline that though Team Black’s structure resembles a lot to a family, we can not say that it is a true family. Why? It is because Joo Jaekyung is hiding many things from his hyungs and members. He is not sharing his problems to his coach (his insomnia, his jinx, his sexual orientation, his insecurities eg). Imagine that he preferred deceiving his admirer 
(chapter 15) than admitting that his shoulder had been plaguing him. And it is the same for Potato. He didn’t talk about the incident with the office room and the sofa. 
(chapter 25) According to me, Jeong Yosep knows about the true relationship between the physical therapist and the alpha black wolf. But he kept this information to himself as well. However, like pointed out before, family stands for communication and not secrecy! Moreover, so far, we only saw the fighters share their happiness. And what about their struggles or defeat? To conclude, Jinx is actually showing us the transformation of Team Black as company into a family. How they “become” a WE! Park Namwook does consider Team Black as his gym, but he has his own family. However, this is not the case for Jeong Yosep or Joo Jaekyung, who lives as a loner wolf! In my opinion, Team Black will turn into a real family, the moment Kim Dan loses his halmoni. Remember the quote from the poem: “If you can’t say you’re hurt when you feel hurt you’re not family“. Kim Dan won’t be able to hide his sadness and broken heart. In the beginning of the story, he lied to the coach and Kwak Junbeom about the reason for his injuries: 
(chapter 11), because he considered them as superior and colleagues. In other words, the fighters will share their pain with doc Dan helping him to overcome the loss. But this change can only happen, when the owner of Team Black has a change of heart himself as well. Remember how he pushed Oh Daehung and the other members away. 
(chapter 22) He didn’t want them to come to his house. 
(chapter 22) So far, he didn’t want people to cross the line, but thanks to the physical therapist, this will change. That’s how both protagonists will come to view more and more Team Black as a family. They will share their struggles and happy moments together. I have one evidence that Kim Dan is the key to turn Team Black into a real family. It is because Joo Jaekyung came to the gathering
(chapter 9), though he had been avoiding such events in the past. 
(chapter 30) But he is there an employee. Thus I am suspecting that the talent agency is working differently from Team Black. If there is a scandal, I doubt that the company would side with the star in trouble or they would try to find ways to get rid of the issue, like finding a scapegoat in order to bury the truth. As a conclusion, I am expecting to see companies run differently so that the readers can perceive Team Black as a family company, although it is an incorporation.
(chapter 4) This was a reference to the blanket in the poem, though here Kim Dan slept in a cocoon. This was a sign that he didn’t feel safe. However, as time passed on, I detected a change in Kim Dan’s sleeping position. He is lying on his back and even in the middle of the bed. 
(chapter 29) It is because Joo Jaekyung always put him there! This exposes that the champion is still thinking that he represents a disturbance to the Sleeping beauty. One thing is sure: Joo Jaekyung will become the blanket taking over the grandmother’s past role: 
(chapter 1) This was the reaction from the champion: 
(chapter 1) He questioned the cause for the tears. He was naturally annoyed (“the hell”), but he didn’t make fun of the doctor. And now, pay attention to the memory Joo Jaekyung had from their first night. He remembered his tears which had moved him deeply: 
(chapter 6) This shows that the celebrity is not judging the physical therapist as weak due to his tears. In episode 28, he even showed concerns, when he heard the doctor crying. 
(chapter 28) 
(chapter 28) He questioned the doctor once again, why he was in tears. However, he didn’t ask the doctor to stop weeping or to wipe his tears. He wanted to understand him. This exposes the fighter’s tolerance and interest in Kim Dan. For me, it reveals that Joo Jaekyung is willing to share the pain or fears with Kim Dan. Therefore it is not surprising that Kim Dan is remembering this moment! 
(chapter 30) He was allowed to express his emotions. Interesting is that this image is now connected to red, not to grey/black. 
(chapter 30) The switch of color indicates the doctor’s increasing feelings and sensuality for Joo Jaekyung. That’s the reason why I am expecting that one day, the two protagonists will cry together, something that the grandma hasn’t done until now. 
(chapter 13), it doesn’t signify that they are a family now. And it is the same for the penthouse. 
(chapter 18) They might share the same flat, but the penthouse is so huge that they can technically live apart. Joo Jaekyung and Kim Dan are slowly spending more and more time together, either because the champion feels like it 
(chapter 19) or it is necessary 
. (chapter 27) During the day off, they shared their thoughts,, their emotions 
(chapter 27) 
(chapter 27), their happiness 
(chapter 28) and their fears 
(chapter 27) 
(chapter 29) Because Joo JAekyung confessed his fears and health issues to Kim Dan, it shows that he was trusting him. For me, this night represents another step how to become a true family. “If you can’t say you’re hurt when you feel hurt you’re not family.” This day and night were so magical that it affected the protagonists’ life forever. From that moment on, Kim Dan is feeling more attracted to the champion, hence he is peeping at him. 
(chapter 30) And it is the same for the champion. Now, he is slowly regretting that they live in two different rooms and they have their own bathroom. Therefore he came to the doctor’s bathroom under the fake excuse that he had run out of toothpaste. 
(chapter 30) What was so funny is that he had opened the door like a huge bear. Why? It is because he was so annoyed how to explain his intrusion. 
(chapter 30) This shows that little by little, the champion is regretting his words to Kim Dan in the master’s room. 
(chapter 29) For me, he will be forced to recognize that work is not bringing him closer to Kim Dan, especially after Choi Heesung met the main lead. 
(chapter 30) For me, this scene is the bathroom represents another step how to become a true family. 
(chapter 30) However, like Mingwa voiced it, they have a long way to go, for Joo Jaekyung and Kim Dan are hiding their true thoughts and emotions from each other. 
(chapter 30) Kim Dan had to hide his blushing, while the champion had to lie for his appearance. Moreover, the fact that he tried to hide his underwear 
(chapter 30) indicates that their intimacy has not reached its peak. He doesn’t feel comfortable around the athlete to be seen in underwear. Moreover, the champion is also hiding his jealousy and possessiveness towards the main character. 
(chapter 30) But like I said, they need to open up their hearts and mind in order to become a true family. From my point of view, the halmoni could play a huge role in their union. How so? It is because she entrusted her grandson to Joo Jaekyung. The latter also conversed with her 
(chapter 21) and even paid her hospital bills. She even took his hand 
(chapter 22) and gave him a yoghurt.
(chapter 21) So the moment the grandma vanishes, it could also wound the champion’s heart, especially when his sex partner is so heartbroken. It would be interesting if the champion came to voice his feelings about her. If you can’t say you’re hurt when you feel hurt you’re not family.“
(chapter 15) Thus he licked his lips after kissing the doctor. I had already outlined it before, but back then I had not truly grasped the athlete’s mentality. Until that scene, he viewed sex as work! This means that in the locker room, he started connecting sex to food! The kiss was the trigger for this change of mind. Thus Kim Dan had the impression that Joo Jaekyung was devouring him! 
(chapter 15) It is no coincidence that at the end, the champion even bit his neck 
(chapter 15) As you can see, the words and the gestures were all connected to the lexical field eating. Striking is that the latter has for synonym “consumption”. Anyone is aware of the strong association between sexuality and consumption. To conclude, this sex session is the moment the athlete’s perception about sex changed. For him, sex became a synonym for food and the doctor was his dessert. Hence I couldn’t help myself associating him with the cookie monster from Muppet show! 😂 The only difference is that in reality, Joo Jaekyung is more lusting after candies than cookies. Nonetheless, he has not realizing yet that he is longing for intimacy and affection.
(chapter 15) he tried to stop his partner and even to push him away. Besides, it looks like he was trying to scratch Joo Jaekyung. Then he had voiced his dissatisfaction with his own mouth: 
(chapter 15) IT was, as if it was disgusting. Then he had used his hands to cover his mouth. 
(chapter 15) The champion could only notice Kim Dan’s displeasure about the kiss. He was refusing to be kissed. But after the kiss, they were still facing each other. However, since the physical therapist had put an end to the smooching, Joo Jaekyung had only one option left: the renewal of the penetration. However, he didn’t change his partner’s position. 
(chapter 15) Because of the doctor’s negative attitude, Joo Jaekyung could only become rude in this image. He had still listened to the doctor’s request, but the latter kept protesting and arguing with him. 
(chapter 15) However, they have a deal and in his mind, Kim Dan could not object to the intercourse. Hence Joo Jaekyung silenced him with such a remark. What caught my attention is that after tasting the sweetness from the doctor’s lips and tongue, the champion was no longer satisfied with a simple thrusting. 
(chapter 15) Here, I would like the beholder to pay attention to the athlete’s hand on the locker. He is clinching his fist, a sign that he isn’t relaxed and rather frustrated. This shows that there was something missing, and Joo Jaekyung sensed it unconsciously. In verity, he was longing for the candy kiss. And now, the manhwalovers can understand why with his hand, he reinitiated the kiss 
(chapter 15) However, this time, he was paying attention to Kim Dan’s reactions. Therefore he didn’t close his eyes and observed his reactions. The doctor was reciprocating the smooching. The evidences for this interpretation are the doctor’s hands (no scratching, they are now on the side), his tongue and finally his blushing. 
(chapter 15) Joo Jaekyung could only get greedier after such a reception… he acted like the cookie monster which Kim Dan also sensed. However, the latter didn’t consider it as a real kiss. 
(chapter 15) He had the impression that he had become the beast’s lunch. 
(chapter 15) The thoughts of the protagonist implies that he was slowly getting aroused. And now, it is important to recall the champion’s response to this view. 
(chapter 15) He thrusted a few times, but he had a climax shortly after. This means that this view linked to the kiss 
(chapter 20) The champion is not done yet, because his hunger is not satisfied. Yes, for me, the doctor could end this by kissing him. He would be done with him, for he would have had his midnight snack. 😂 But before giving more details about this prediction, I would like to return to the question my follower had. Why is there no kiss again?
(chapter 15) Here, his words were quite ambiguous. Was he referring to the sex session itself, for Kim Dan had not been informed about the fighter’s true intention either? Or was he referring to the kiss? Don’t forget that the doctor talked about emotional preparation, and the kiss symbolizes affection and intimacy the best. And now, you comprehend why Joo Jaekyung pouted like a child after hearing the main lead’s wish: 
(chapter 15) It was, as if he was deprived of his sweet. I believe that’s how the sportsman understood the message. And now, you comprehend why Joo Jaekyung came to consider Kim Dan as his meal. 
(chapter 18) This is no coincidence that he licked his lips in this scene again. 
(chapter 18) Because the physical therapist was somehow rejecting any kiss and as such any intimacy, Joo Jaekyung couldn’t initiate a new kiss. At the same time, the readers can grasp why the couple was no longer facing each other. Due to the physical therapist’s request and attitude, Joo Jaekyung was no longer obliged to face him. That’s the reason why the couple had sex in the dog position on the table again. After all these new discoveries, it actually confirms my previous interpretation. We should see this sex session as a substitute for a kiss. Like I had written before, it was, as though the champion was kissing his wife before going to work!! 😂 In the end, I consider this manhwa as very funny, but the jokes are subtile.
(chapter 18), in reality he was longing for a candy kiss. This signifies that as long as Kim Dan doesn’t take the initiative, the athlete won’t change his attitude. Moreover, why do you think that the boxer said this to his companion in the bedroom? 
(chapter 20) He is longing for the candy kiss, but he can’t voice it. So far, their deal is about sex. This shows that he has somehow internalized the doctor’s request. Moreover, the protagonist’s ejaculation had caused him immense pleasure, but the champion couldn’t taste the sperm. It was on the mirror. As you can see, I see a strong connection between the physician’s pleasure and the champion’s satiety. The latter is slowly learning that he can achieve his goal (having a good fuck) without putting too much strength in the end. That’s the reason why he bought the toy. 
(chapter 12) Here, I feel the need to expose the sportsman’s lie. The fuck buddies could never have brought such an object, because the champion’s partners are all bottoms. I doubt that they would use it for themselves. What would be the point in the end? Besides, the protagonist already has an anaconda. However, since he viewed sex as a job (it was to get rid of his jinx), I have the impression that he could never truly satisfy the bottoms. This would explain why the champion would constantly switch partners and thought that if he used such a toy, he could provoke pleasure. However, all the ukes rejected the toy!! Why? They all got scared (“nobody was up for trying it”). Who would be crazy to try it? Funny is that he gave the toy to the doctor, as if the latter would have to use it, thus the latter asked the question: “How do you use it?”. As you can see, through his words, the main lead gave the impression that this tool was for the bottom, hence one of them left it here. It was to hide his true desire. This truly exposes that the champion had never learned how to have sex properly. It was about power, strength and as such fortune! But by meeting the doctor, an innocent virgin, the champion could change his sexual behavior. We could say, he discovered a new world. Hence the kiss plays a central role. 
(chapter 20) the color of the characters’ skin reminds us of a candy and the kiss mark. The main lead is grabbing the doctor’s buttocks, like he is taking a meal. As you can see, everything seems to pointing out that a candy kiss should occur very soon. It is important, because the moment it happens, it signifies that the doctor is giving up on the dog position. He has to face his partner, and as such to face reality. He would accept to become intimate with Joo Jaekyung. However, after the scene in the bathroom, the young man was still in denial. He was still avoiding reality. Therefore he chose to face the bed, and he was passive again… waiting for the time that the champion would finally stop. 
(chapter 20) So if he wants to take the call from the hospital, he needs to become proactive and satisfy his partner in a short time. And the candy kiss would do the trick… Besides, I would like the manhwalovers to recall Kim Dan’s words in front of the mirror: 
(chapter 16) These words expose that in this scene he had already envisioned the possibility to return such a smooching! And because we have a connection between the mirror and the locker, a different form of a mirror, it is now necessary to reexamine the doctor’s confession in the bathroom.
(chapter 16) Naturally, everyone interpreted this word like this. He had never been kissed on the mouth, for he never had any girlfriend or boyfriend before. But I would like my attentive readers to keep in their mind my previous theory. Joo Jaekyung had never been affectionate and tender, because he had never received any affection and attention from his mother. IT is very important to kiss a baby and a child, and this for 3 reasons:
(chapter 19) The phone was between them. In addition, they were simply sitting next to each other. Then at the hospital, the doctor never hugged his grandmother. He would strike her shoulder 
(chapter 07) or take her hand 
(chapter 7) As for Peter Pan, she would just caress his face. 
(chapter 12) Therefore it is not surprising that he was in bad shape either. The smooching could have helped him to relax. In my eyes, the halmoni as a mother was too busy focusing on herself (her disillusion, bitterness, Peter Pan Syndrome) that she didn’t feel the need to kiss her own child (a son). So his son was never shown affection, hence when he became a father, he did the same. He didn’t kiss his son. Finally, we never see the halmoni kissing the main lead. So his words in the bathroom would reflect reality: Joo Jaekyung was the first to kiss him! 
(chapter 20) But when he saw the doctor on the verge of getting raped (though he has no idea about the true nature of the crime yet), he imagined that the poor man was now selling himself. Consequently, I judge the fighter as a very responsible man despite his actions and words. In fact, he is the opposite of the halmoni, who lets her relative take care of everything. But if something doesn’t go the way she wishes, she will surely feel disregarded and betrayed. 
(chapter 16) The latter was now part of his life, and he was recognizing his generosity. He was no longer judging him simply as a spoiled rich child. Since the doctor is older than the athlete and he is associated to sweet, I couldn’t restrain myself thinking of the idiom: “Sugar daddy”. 😂 Mingwa was giving a new definition to this expression. And this observation led me to the following prediction: Kim Dan will initiate a kiss. 
(chapter 1) Note that he had remained silent, while the other was talking over the phone. 
(chapter 1) The telephone call was not perceived as an interruption, which stands in contradiction to this scene. 
(chapter 20) Secondly, observe how the sex partner had reacted. 
(chapter 2) His behavior is very similar to the physician’s in the locker room. Both are sticking their tongue out while looking at their counterpart. The first big differences are that the blushing and gaze diverge. 
(chapter 15) However, the champion had a different response to the green-haired partner. 
(chapter 2) In addition, the vocabulary and situation in both chapters are quite similar:
(chapter 20) The hole sucks like a baby. Another common denominator is the phallus in both scenes.
(chapter 20) He had a climax, because Kim Dan had liked the kiss. Then in the bathroom he had come too, but after the doctor’s orgasm. In other words, the protagonist can only feel satisfy, when it is natural! The expression technique is an allusion to a job, but what did the main lead say to the main lead at the table? 
(chapter 13) He doesn’t care about technique with Kim Dan. Why? The young man’s inexperience makes Joo Jaekyung realize that the situation is not artificial. The young man’s reactions are more genuine, and it is not an act. That’s the reason why I am more than ever convinced that the young man can solve this tricky situation with an easy trick: a candy kiss. This doesn’t require technique, simply sincerity and dedication. 
(chapter 2) He had never kissed anyone among his partners. The doctor had already implied that kisses and embraces were inexistent in the champion’s world. 
(chapter 17) He had already done it with the kiss. Thus I deduce that it is only a matter of time, until the champion announces to others that he is dating the doctor. And if the doctor decides to kiss him during that night, this would seal the deal. They would be together from that instant on. Keep in mind that so far, the doctor had been the one rejecting their closeness and intimacy, for he didn’t desire emotions to be involved. 
Joo Jaekyung is devouring his sweet! The cookie monster is receiving his candy kiss! 😉
(Doctor Frost, chapter 180) As you can observe, fear and hatred are the main components for unleashing agitation and violence. But this can only work if the medias are amplifying these emotions. Yes, I am talking again about propaganda. And today in the newest episode, the commissar used the fire as a metaphor to describe the evolution of terror. 
(Doctor Frost, episode 183) This means that you can stop the fire from spreading, if you observe the fire path. In other words, if you pay attention to the evolution of the hate crimes, you can slowly put an end to the climate of terror. Important is to find its origin. Then she added this. The fire becomes the most effective in the winter forest. 
(Doctor Frost, chapter 183) Here the manhwaphiles should see the forest as a symbol for society and humans. 
(Doctor Frost, chapter 183) This signifies that the people will get easily influenced by their fear and rage, if there exists a cold climate. A society without compassion and affection. And with only one spark, the forest can get destroyed. This signifies, the absence of love and understanding play a huge role in creating an environment full of hatred and violence. This is not surprising that because of the Coronavirus, intolerance and violence are on the rising, since people are getting more and more isolated and scared. And now, here is the next question: What symbolizes the winter forest in Painter Of The Night and more precisely in episode 93? 
(chapter 93) On the other hand, many readers were greatly disappointed by Yoon Seungho’s behavior. He had prevented Heena from meeting her brother, and the painter was left in the dark. But the lord had also sentenced her to seclusion. 
(chapter 93) In their eyes, he was indeed a hoodlum or a bastard. According to the blogger 
(chapter 93) Yes, he had done it again… he hadn’t trusted Baek Na-Kyum and had become violent or ruthless again. But after reading my introduction, you can already anticipate what I am about to say. The winter forest was in fact Baek Na-Kyum’s family. The noonas and the painter had been missing each other so much, but because of Heena’s belief and intervention, she had destroyed this family. Yes, I see her as a religious fanatic who unfortunately got brainwashed by Jung In-Hun and now by Kim. This is no coincidence why Heena is sent to a cold and dark room
(chapter 93), while the noonas and the artist are sitting in a comfortable room. Hatred versus love… even the colors in the picture reflect the true emotions of the characters. Now, it is time to elaborate my interpretation. 
(chapter 93) So where was the lord? I will give you the answer below. Striking is that during the whole time, the artist didn’t notice his absence, until his lovely sister asked him about his whereabouts: 
(chapter 93) Her question reminded him of Yoon Seungho, therefore the artist looked for him, and got surprised, because he didn’t see his husband by his side. 
(chapter 93) This scene is important for two reasons. First, the behavior of the kisaeng clearly showed that she had been left in the dark as well. She was not lying, as there was no drop of sweat on her face. While she had no idea where her brother had been this entire time, Heena knew this the entire time!! 😬 But she kept silent and as such, she hindered her sisters to meet the painter as well. But this doesn’t end here. 
(chapter 68) Heena put the whole blame on the painter, though the latter had been following her orders. She showed no understanding contrary to her sister. Besides, since she knew where he was, why didn’t she contact him in the end? 
(chapter 76) Back then, Nameless had been confronted with reality: the protagonists were just two men in love and their affection was deep and genuine. So imagine what it meant for the lord, when he saw this scene in the shadow: 
(chapter 93) There’s no doubt that he was seeking for their approval. To conclude, he remained in the background in order to judge the kisaengs correctly. Would they behave like Heena or not? In fact, Yoon Seungho had made a jump of faith. He had trusted the painter’s heart. However, he couldn’t let Heena ruin this happy reunion. Therefore she got excluded. She could have made a ruckus. 
(chapter 93) In her eyes, he was a handsome man. Another fell under his spell as well: 
(chapter 93) This is important, because this shows that the kisaengs are not thinking like Heena at all. They don’t resent him, because he is a noble. 
(chapter 65) I would even add that they couldn’t recognize him, and I am now assuming that they had not heard about Yoon Seungho yet. They couldn’t put a name on him, he was just a fancy companion. 
(chapter 93) In the first version, I had blamed Heena, yet I have to admit that I made a mistake, because I had paid too much attention to this image. 
(Doctor Frost, chapter 175) It created the illusion that Heena had been badmouthing Yoon Seungho and desired to obtain the support from her eonnies. But who had called him a rake and a pervert? The noona herself! 
(Chapter 93) However, they were just repeating what they had been told. Hence it didn’t work. Why? First, it is, because the painter appeared alone. They could see with their own eyes how well he was doing. 
(Chapter 93) Naturally Min!! How do I come to this conclusion? Simply by recollecting his words in the tavern: 
(chapter 93) He was actually portraying himself as an immoral person lacking in sexual restraint. He would not know fidelity. But the moment the kisaengs got caught, the lord proved their words wrong. He remained calm and treated them well despite the insult. 
(Chapter 93) He made no fuss and accepted their apology. The most striking is that he ended up apologizing to the noonas. 
(Chapter 93)
(Chapter 95) The manhwaphiles should recall the following rule: a scene will be reflected in the next episode. There is no doubt that the valet was the one who ruined the Yoons in the end by causing mistrust and jealousy. He destroyed the family. Therefore Kim sent the ruined painting to the father, and even refused to give the letters from the brother. He made sure to create misunderstandings, silence and tensions between the Yoons, portraying each of them like a monster or a selfish and common brute. This is not surprising that for the father, the son is a monster: 
(chapter 86) Kim was successful, for he could change their personality entirely. He used social norms, people’s superstitions, fears and flaws to his advantage. Why? It is because he had to hide his own wrongdoings and betrayals. That’s the reason why the lord’s mansion could be considered as a winter forest as well. But since Heena resents powerful nobles, her negative emotions and her bias made her the perfect tool for the next scheme. But Min and Kim failed. Why? It is because they had two different approaches: The valet preferred using the scholar‘s death for the smear campaign, whereas Black Heart wished to destroy the affection and trust between our beloved couple. Moreover, since the noonas had stopped Heena from approaching her brother with their warm welcome, the kisaengs‘ attempts to ruin the relationship between Yoon Seungho and Baek Na-Kyum were rather half-hearted. The noonas were lacking determination and stubbornness. 
(chapter 92) The lord saw that the painter was looking elsewhere and his gaze was full of longing. Secondly, he had promised his lover to fulfil all his wishes. 
(Chapter 91) He didn’t want to break his promise. I am wondering if this idea was not suggested by the butler, because the meeting in the inn was no coincidence. The noble Min made sure to trigger the painter’s memory with the presence of the kisaeng and the blue-lavender hanbok. As you can see, Yoon Seungho didn’t have much choice in the end, 
(chapter 93) First, I thought that the man with the green hanbok was Black Heart, since the kisaeng facing the man in green resembles to one who followed him to the tavern, the one under the purple jacket. The color of the skirt is the same. 
(chapter 92) However, at some point I began doubting this, for for the green shade is a little different. Moreover, I was reminded of this panel: 
(chapter 87) Yes, the same colors, the green hanbok and the kisaeng’s clothes are the same. On the other hand, since Min had wet clothes, it is also possible that once in the gibang, Min received a new hanbok from the host, similar to the scene in chapter 59, when Lee Jihwa was asked if he had played in the snow. 
(Chapter 59) On the other hand, Min appeared later as the doppelgaenger of Lee Jihwa. 
(Chapter 96) So we have to wonder if Min switched clothes three times during the same evening. But it is definitely possible, for each episode is reflected in the next.
(Chapter 66) The Joker could serve as a witness, and Black Heart couldn‘t lie at all, as he needed to keep his trust. Besides, it is possible that he must have noticed the disappearance of the Spring poem. Don’t forget that it had vanished in the inn, and Min was the last one seen with it. 
(Chapter 92). Their sudden meeting could be the reason why he disappeared. 
(chapter 93) Now, they know that the young painter lived with the scholar. How come? Baek Na-Kyum didn’t tell them, because the noona asked him this question. This means that she wanted a confirmation. And now, we have to question ourselves this: who told them about the painter’s past? One possibility is that it was Yoon Seungho, but I doubt it, for the noona didn’t recognize him outside. From my point of view, the noona had left her brother’s side. There was a time jump, because the kisaeng was now wearing a different skirt, khaki!! This means that now, she was acting on the order of someone. Like mentioned above, it could be Min via the other kisaeng. But there exists another eventuality: the Yoons! Don’t forget that khaki is the color of Yoon Chang-Hyeon. 
(Chapter 44) 
(chapter 57) Besides, just a few episodes ago, he had mentioned the scholar and the civil service examinations, and the story is following this rule: the next chapters will reflect the previous ones. Moreover, in season 2 and 3, the father was seen in the kisaeng house. Finally, in front of the learned sir‘s home, the manhwaworms could identify the guards from the patriarch. 
(Chapter 99) This scene outlined that Black Heart and Yoon Chang Hyeon were working together, and they had planned to blame the Lees. But the irony is that the father was doomed to fail, because he was using the noonas‘ goodness and innocence. So the scholar was mentioned for one reason. The kisaeng desired to push Baek Na-Kyum to question his sponsor about the learned sir‘s well-being and whereabouts. The purpose was to generate a quarrel. Note that the other helped her colleague. As you can see, the hat and the change of the color of the noona’s skirt was an indication that there was a time jump. Thus I am deducing that the kisaeng was not present the entire time. Remember that the magician Byeonduck is always creating a fake continuity. 
(chapter 93) When she mentioned the learned sir, Yoon Seungho entered the room. 
(chapter 93) What could the noonas say to this answer? They couldn‘t call the main lead a liar! And note how he introduced himself: 
(chapter 94) That‘s the reason why Yoon Seungho went to the well later. My explanation is that he had been suggested to go there by the noonas, while the latter had proposed a different idea to their brother: the walk to the pond. But why? In reality, the schemers envisioned that Yoon Seungho would behave like a hoodlum, he would kill the kisaeng Heena. Remember the threat expressed to the noona: 
(Chapter 69) But like I had explained, this menace was voiced by Kim, which was only validated by Yoon Seungho afterwards. And naturally, this threat had been revealed to the schemers: Min and the patriarch. They all imagined that the main lead would punish Heena for her accusations. Kim had experienced this scene in the courtyard 
(Chapter 68) He respected their privacy, the opposite of the butler. 
(Chapter 85) This explicates why the kisaengs blamed Heena for the rumors. 
(Chapter 93) This gesture (blowing the candle) outlines that he was indeed trying to stop the fire, a symbol for hatred and fear, from spreading. 
(Chapter 93) This time, the noona had no longer the hat, but she was wearing the orange skirt again. The only explanation is that she had left the room. Since the kisaengs had no drop of sweat on their face, their admiration and surprise were genuine. But now take a look at this 
(Chapter 36) Here, the handwriting was even smaller compare to this calligraphy: 
(chapter 92) From my point of view, the Spring poem got switched and was returned to the schemers. Another evidence for this theory is the length of the piece of paper. 
(chapter 65) First, the noona couldn‘t see her brother‘s painting, until Kim showed her the picture with Jung In-Hun which he had kept! 
(Chapter 65) Kim was embarrassed in that scene, like the drop of sweat indicates it.This was the negative version of chapter 93. Don’t forget that Heena had been manipulated by Kim, when she visited the lord’s mansion. The latter had shown her the painting from the painter and then he must have told about the flashback in the bedchamber and the second marathon session in the shed. 
(chapter 68) 
(chapter 4) and he had never returned it. He had replaced it with another sijo, according to me with the original sijo. 
(Chapter 7) It doesn‘t matter, if the scholar had deceived the painter. The latter viewed the paper as a treasure, a memory from his learned sir. 
(Chapter 93) The father was mocked for his dream!! He was portraying the elder master as a poor and weak noble! He was even compared to the learned sir. We have two proofs for this signification: 
(chapter 86) This was the father‘s karma. He had insulted his own son, made him feel little and even jealous 
(chapter 86) Remember that karma will always retaliate shortly, and the punishment will be even worse. The irony is that the lord was actually repeating the butler‘s words! 
(Chapter 93) This symbolizes that she was not acting here. The drop of sweat on their face showed their embarrassment. They could not deny his statement, for the learned sir was indeed poor and with no connection. They anticipated that the lord would boost about his talent, but no he was showing humbleness. On the other hand, he outlined his wealth and power, which the noonas couldn’t contradict. His words were indeed reflecting a certain reality. Another important detail is their reply to the lord‘s statement: the points of suspension which I connect to the butler. Since chapter 77, the latter had switched loyalty and was now serving the elder master Yoon.
(chapter 93) “I heard” indicates that she wasn’t the entire time with Baek Na-Kyum. This proves my previous statement that the woman must have left the room leaving her siblings inside at some point. Secondly, the drop of sweat on the cheek is a signal for a lie. This means that the kisaeng was well aware of Heena’s arrest. She was actually covering up. It was, as if she was working for Yoon Seungho, while in reality she was acting on someone else’s behalf. 
(chapter 69), and back then the lord had showed leniency. However, Heena didn’t want to acknowledge his benevolence. Thus she sent letters to her brother, in which she called Yoon Seungho many names: a rake, a hoodlum, a bastard and finally a murderer… 
(chapter 93) One might bring up the freedom of speech, but there’s a reason why in Germany total freedom of expression is not allowed. During the Republic of Weimar, parties were authorized to announce their hatred for democracy and republic. The result was that right-extremist parties as such the NSDAP led by Hitler became more and more powerful. This is no coincidence that this republic vanished. The NSDAP could spread fear and hate against democrats, Jews and other minorities. Hate speech encourages hate crimes. Yes, this is the consequence of the butler’s philosophy: “don’t take it to heart”. This saying symbolizes indifference and as such passivity and silence which contributes to create the perfect climate for hatred and fear. 
(chapter 91) They didn‘t go to the calligrapher right away. One week had passed, since the elder master Yoon had visited the mansion. This signifies that Heena is forced to face the consequences of her past actions. 
(chapter 88) This is no coincidence that she was sitting the same way in the “jail”, than when she discovered the blood. However, this time she was facing the door. 
(episode 9) The real culprit had sent him letters each day for years… The content of the correspondence was always the same: 
(episode 9) That’s how he got brainwashed and convinced that he had indeed committed a crime. In jail, he was isolated and due to the suffered injustice, the prisoner definitely suffered from an emotional and mental breakdown, explaining why he was receptive to manipulations. That’s why you see the mouth and the letter together. So imagine that Baek Na-Kyum had read all the letters and all of them were saying the same thing over and over again. Since the painter is someone with a low self-esteem, he would have started doubting his own judgement. This is gaslighting. Naturally, Kim never intended him to read them. The whole purpose was to create a quarrel in the couple. I am quite certain that Heena never asked about her brother’s well-being. She was already convinced that the lord was a rake and a bastard. Her letters were full of contempt and hatred, something Yoon Seungho could sense in the correspondence. 
The reflection of this scene. 
(chapter 87) But note that Yoon Seungho never used any violence at all. He just asked her to remain quiet and cause no trouble. 
(Chapter 69) And who was there during that night? Black Heart. This is important, because in the first episode, the noona had badmouthed the main lead, but she was well aware of the truth.
(Chapter 1) It was, as if the kisaeng was now paying for her past sin. She had become a victim of her own trick. 
(chapter 87), since the rumors of his union in town were already spreading. The purpose of this smear campaign was to portray the lord as someone who was not interested in monogamy and fidelity. And who had an interest to oppose this union? The father!! As you could detect, through these comparisons I could connect Yoon Chang-Hyeon, Kim, Heena and Black Heart together. In the end, this badmouthing couldn’t succeed, for her eonnies were different. They were more innocent and less selfish, they had been left in the dark concerning the lord’s past. They never admired the learned sir in detriment of Baek Na-Kyum. They certainly don’t reject sexuality and they have less prejudices. As you can see, I detected a war of rumors, reminding me of the war of the waves during World War II. 
(chapter 175) Because of this comparison, I couldn’t help myself thinking of the water vapor as the grapevines in Painter Of The Night. They’re everywhere and no one can stop them. And now, you comprehend how the noble’s reputation got ruined. 
(chapter 175) That’s how hatred and contempt were spread. And Lee Jihwa listened to them, this is no coincidence why his mind and heart got poisoned. As long as he remained by Kim and Min’s side, his heart and mind would always be clouded. This means that Yoon Seungho was able to stop a fire, before it ruined the winter forest. People were upset, for he had such a cold gaze, when he remembered his interaction with Heena. 
(chapter 93) But he was just mirroring the schemers‘ thoughts and gaze. He had to remain cold. So what does Heena’s isolation mean? Yoon Seungho has no idea, but he is clearing her mind from the brainwashing. 
(Doctor Frost, chapter 183) There exists two methods. First, 
(Doctor Frost, chapter 183) And we could clearly detect this in the confrontation between Heena and Yoon Seungho: 
(chapter 93: In the Korean version: Your little brother will be with me now) For Heena, the painter should live with the scholar. This was her faith: 
(chapter 46), though I am quite sure that it was in truth her biggest wish. She was in love with the learned sir herself. By looking him in the eyes, she could detect the lord’s determination and frankness. This was his choice. The problem is with deprogramming is 
(Doctor Frost, chapter 183) That’s the reason why nowadays, psychologists prefer the other method 
(Doctor Frost, chapter 183) And now, you comprehend what happened. The deprogramming didn‘t work out, for Heena was approached by the schemers again. They used another noona to deceive the sibling, for they could no longer use the women close to Baek Na-Kyum. Thus Heena was still under the influence of the haters. 
(Chapter 98) Since she resents nobles, I deduce that the so-called witness was a commoner. In my eyes, it can only be Kim who justified his silence by saying that he could do nothing. He was the only one who knew, because the other had been already killed. 
(chapter 93). Hence their punishment for their deceptions couldn‘t be so harsh. 
(Chapter 99) The symbol of their dinner and reunion was pushed away. In my eyes, this ruckus put them in a bad light. However, I believe that these deceptions were necessary, for the bond between Heena and the other noonas 
(Chapter 99) was quite strong. In this scene, they had sided with the kisaeng again, hiding the fact that they had seen leaving Heena with Lee Jihwa. They knew that the kisaeng was running away from the gibang, for she was not dressed up. 
(chapter 80) Heena could have pushed away his hand, her movements were not restrained 
(chapter 93) Secondly, he introduced his partner to his family properly. 
(chapter 93) It is here necessary to contrast this introduction with this one: 
(chapter 01) In the beginning of the story, the protagonist was not presented as a lord, but as a master!! This means, he belonged to the Yoons. However, Baek Na-Kyum is now viewing the protagonist as the real lord of the mansion. He is independent, which means that the artist is not truly acknowledging Yoon Chang-Hyeon and Yoon Seung-Won as his family. And if you compare the first episode with chapter 93, you’ll realize the similarities. Back then, Heena had mentioned the main lead in order to scare the painter, she had used rumors… 
(chapter 64) But she started worrying for her brother, when she realized that he wasn’t living according to her belief: abstinence. And now, we have to question ourselves this: why did Yoon Seungho encourage his bride to sleep in the kisaeng house? 
(chapter 93) Naturally, he had many reasons to do so. First, he wished to keep his promise. Secondly, he had sensed the painter’s sadness. 
(Chapter 93) But Yoon Seungho never imagined that he was himself the cause for this heartache. The painter could detect the lord’s agony and low self-esteem. He knew how hurtful it is to be called names like rake or bastard or hoodlum. And the lord’s selflessness got rewarded: his biggest wish came true during that night. There was someone who loved him despite his flaws and wrongdoings. We could say that their stay was to confirm his marriage with the painter to the noonas. At the same time, season 3 exposed the slow transformation of Yoon Seungho. Little by little, he was showing an interest to his own past and no longer accepting the justification that he was just a bird of misfortune. Don’t forget the master’s previous statement: 
(chapter 86) He was already pondering on the question why the family name was sullied. This shows that Yoon Seungho is slowly uncovering the truth, and he is now using Kim’s MO: deliver the information in delay, feign ignorance and act, listening to conversations behind the doors. This is no coincidence that he is recovering his memories as well. This is important, because he is less manipulable and as such no longer weak to brainwashing. 
(chapter 88) When the lord got embraced, the painter whispered this to his ear: 
(chapter 91) This represented Baek Na-Kyum’s first mini-love confession. His action was supported by his words. Therefore the lord could realize the honesty and genuineness of the painter. He could be embraced and as such accepted, he was no monster. Yes, it was the opposite of the love session in the physician’s office. Back then, the painter had remained silent. 
(chapter 62) And this made me realize the signification of whispers in the manhwa. They stand in opposition to the hate speech and brainwashing!! This is no coincidence that the noonas whispered, when they noticed that Yoon Seungho was totally different from the description which Heena was supposed to have spread. 
(chapter 18) The whisper contrasts so much to the rumors, anonymity versus personal. Thus I conclude that the whisper represents a weapon against the brainwashing and terror. This is not something that a spy can hear from the window or the door! Hence you have Yoon Seungho whispering this to Lee Jihwa 
(chapter 18) or Yoon Seungho saying this to Heena: 
(chapter 92) reflects the nature of their relationship: Love and closeness. Even outside and in front of the calligrapher, the lord felt the need to know his lover’s thoughts, the positive version of this rumor: 
(doctor Frost, chapter 83), you should just replace the name Juhwan Park by Heena. She was just manipulated by the butler and Min’s trick. They used her strong belief and prejudices. However, I had the feeling that Heena could come to her senses, because she remained silent and her gaze was different. 
(chapter 83) Besides, what caught my attention is that she never replied to Yoon Seungho. She never fought back like in episode 65: 
Why was she so passive? It is because the exclusion from the reunion represented the biggest punishment for Heena. She has always seen herself as a knight in shining armor. Imagine all the noonas could see the little brother and enjoy his company, while she couldn’t. I was hoping that she would start regretting her actions. As you can see, I really viewed Heena more as a victim, blinded by her faith and her own suffering than as a big perpetrator. There’s no doubt that she rejects sex because of a traumatic experience. Yet, due to her blindness and selfishness, she was an accomplice to her brother‘s suffering in the past, and unfortunately, she made the same decision. 
(Chapter 97) Seeing the corpse in the well was the trigger for her to believe everything she saw and heard without questioning the coincidences and appearances. She didn‘t doubt the testimony of the so-called witness. 
replacing these three fake feasts: 
(chapter 87) 
(chapter 99) No scandal in the past and in chapter 93, but now it can no longer be contained!! 
(Chapter 99) On the other hand, the resent for Heena didn‘t turn Yoon Seungho into a fool or a person full of prejudices! He still trusted the noonas, as he believed in his lover‘s heart and his genuine confession! The fire couldn‘t spread in the gibang! The lord showed mercy towards the kisaengs and the domestic Seok-Dae! Hence no one will ever come to believe that Yoon Seungho is a murderer. In their eyes, he makes nothing but hot air!! 😉 
Bebebisous33s' analyses in K-Dramaland and Manhwas 