Please support the authors by reading the manhwas on the official websites. This is where you can read the manhwa: Jinx But be aware that the manhwa is a mature Yaoi, which means, it is about homosexuality with explicit scenes.Here is the link of the table of contents about Jinx. Here is the link where you can find the table of contents of analyzed manhwas. Here are the links, if you are interested in the first work from Mingwa, BJ Alex,  and the previous essay about Jinx “Kiss me”

It would be great if you could make some donations/sponsoring: Ko-fi.com/bebebisous33  That way, you can support me with “coffee” so that I have the energy to keep examining manhwas. Besides, I need to cover up the expenses for this blog.

My avid readers might have been wondering why I haven’t released any new essay since “Kiss me”, not even a podcast, though Mingwa has already published the special episode about Heesung and Potato. The reason is simple. I was taking a break too. Imagine that since 2020 I have been releasing essays non-stop while working as a teacher. I counted 649 analyses from 2020 to 2024. Exactly like Mingwa and Byeonduck, I was exhausted.

1. The protagonists’ jinx in the beginning

But now, it is time to focus on the topic of this essay, the protagonists and their bad luck. In the beginning of the story, Kim Dan and Joo Jaekyung believed both that their life was cursed.

1. 1. Kim Dan’s curse

For the doctor, his misfortune was linked to his familial and financial situation. Since the physical therapist had to reimburse the debts, he was working non-stop giving all his money to Heo Manwook or to the hospital. Hence he could never rest. Because he was physically and mentally harassed and exploited by the loan shark, he became obsessed with money and his grandmother to the point that he came to forget himself. That’s how he became a ghost. It was his way to cope with the violence from the loan shark and the thugs. Naturally, it was impossible for him not to feel pain, hence he wished this: (chapter 1) The problem is that Kim Dan blamed himself for his suffering, as he must have often not paid the interests on time. That’s the reason why he got surprised, when he saw his enemy in front of his humble home. (chapter 1) Due to the lack of rest and time, he didn’t have the opportunity to ponder on his life and even have dreams on his own. Therefore he had no ambition. At the same time, he couldn’t become energetic and proactive due to his low self-esteem and his abandonment issues.

1. 2. Joo Jaekyung’s misfortune

As for Joo Jaekyung, though successful, the latter imagined that his victories were the result of his sexual performances in bed before the match. This shows that he didn’t attribute his success to his team, talent and hard work, but to chance and misfortune. This shows not only his lack of confidence, but also the division and disharmony at Team Black. Hence he developed a ritual, the pre-match sex session, but it was in his home. That’s how his professional life got mixed with his private life. Sex was work. In his mind, no one could help him, that’s why the identity of his sex partner didn’t even matter. Because he was working constantly, he didn’t have to reflect on his life either.

1. 3. The real significance of their jinx

Despite their different backgrounds, both main leads had something in common: their self-loathing and the absence of meditation. And what is the synonym for jinx and bad luck? Misery and unhappiness. In other words, both main leads were unhappy men. But they couldn’t voice their negative thoughts and emotions, as they had no one by their side to listen to their hidden pain and give them some advice. And now, you know why I selected the picture in the background for the illustration.

It was to display not only the absence of happiness, but also the absence of the sun! The latter embodies life and joy. In the selected image, the clouds are covering the sky and as such the sun. It indicates that both characters were not able to give a meaning to their life. Hence they hadn’t found the source for their happiness yet. In other words, the shades (grey, black and white) and the clouds illustrate danger, depression and suffering for our main leads. It shows how their life was before Kim Dan and Joo Jaekyung interacted with each other. (chapter 1) (chapter 2) I selected these two images, because they refer to their respective past and jinx. Both represent bad and painful memories, hence they contain a grey veil. While one is hurt physically, the other is suffering emotionally.

2. The origins for Joo Jaekyung’s misfortune

One might argue about the second panel, for the fighter is represented in a brown color. It indicates that he is somehow alive. However, we should see it as a reference to a rotten body. The main character is acting like a zombie. Therefore he has no eyes and the corners of his mouth are showing displeasure. So we could say that Jinx is the love story between a zombie and ghost. The MMA fighter’s emptiness and corrupted body became truly visible during the couch confession: (chapter 29) The vision about his opponents is mirroring his own reflection. That’s how he views himself. He is surrounded by enemies who will attack him, as soon as he exposes any weakness. Thus it is normal that he is always on the alert. Episode 29 divulged that he was on survival modus. Consequently, it is not surprising that he could trust no one. Should one get too close to him, the former could become a traitor in the last moment. Moreover, this interpretation explicates why he has been so rough on his own body. First, he considered pain as a normality, the side effect of his profession and as such his corruption. In addition, he didn’t have the time to take care of his wounds, for he could get “killed” at any moment. Surrounded by this wave of “rotten bodies”, he imagined that once defeated, he would be swallowed by darkness and literally vanished. This vision displays another important aspect of the athlete’s philosophy. His job is not connected to fun and dream, but to work and nightmare. And now, you comprehend why I selected this panel in the middle of the illustration. (chapter 26) This represents the highlight for the first season. For the first time, both characters had fun together. That’s how they got one step closer to each other. The fighter was enjoying this moment, as he was teaching Kim Dan to become more proactive and fight for himself. The sparring represents the opposite version of the athlete’s vision (chapter 29). He felt safe next to Kim Dan. In fact, his presence boosted his confidence. (chapter 25) It is no coincidence that he employed that expression in front of his fated partner. To conclude, chapter 26 stands for life and happiness, proving that their life is not cursed per se. Consequently, red was the dominant color of this chapter. This pigment stands for love and life. Both felt alive during that day. Moreover, we could see glimpses of the sportsman’s true psyche as well, when he proposed to spar with the main lead. He desired to help the doctor himself. Hence he acted as his mentor and teacher in the ring. There, we could see his generosity, interest and open-mindedness. He wasn’t looking down on the doctor, he saw him as a true member from Team Black.

According to Mingwa, episode 29 displayed the champion’s true personality the best. He is not only vulnerable, but also lonely and isolated. (chapter 29) He has no one by his side. And this observation leads me to my next interpretation. The existence of Joo Jaekyung’s belief is exposing Park Namwook’s neglect and bad management and coaching. We could say that he is partially responsible for the champion’s misery and bad luck. Therefore it is no coincidence that the sparring took place during his absence. (chapter 26)

Remember how I stated above that their unhappiness was the result of their isolation and silence. They could not reveal their suffering, for they had no one by their side who was willing to listen to them. Park Namwook has no idea about his “boy'”s insomnia or his traumas from the past: (chapter 49) But why hasn’t the athlete confided to his manager yet? First, homosexuality is definitely a taboo among boxers and MMA fighters. Their masculinity and strength are questioned. Secondly, his coach views him as a spoiled brat. (chapter 7) Thus he keeps beating the celebrity. (chapter 26) (chapter 31) (chapter 52) The author epitomized the first season with this panel: This shows that Park Namwook has no real respect for the champion. According to my theory, the athlete comes from a wealthy family, hence he is labeled as “spoiled kid”. Due to his social status, the manager can only judge the main lead as “lucky”. Besides, he is successful, for he earns a lot of money and has many fans. He embodies the “American Dream” perfectly. He has everything to be happy in the manager’s eyes. Therefore he couldn’t comprehend the bad mood from the champion. Moreover, Park Namwook embodies social norms and prejudices, and he has many about his star. Not only the latter has a bad temper, but also he is a stubborn workaholic. (chapter 27) But by portraying him like that, the coach gave us a justification why he wouldn’t converse with the gym owner. Why should he talk or listen to Joo Jaekyung, if the latter is stubborn and obsessed with his work? It is pointless. And such an attitude could only get reinforced in this scene: (chapter 46) Yet, according to my interpretation, the main character’s departure was not the sign of stubbornness, but rather of fear and avoidance. Since the manager doesn’t know his star that well, he judges him based on appearances. Moreover, I believe that he has the tendency to generalize, just like certain readers. Since the athlete beat a doctor and was quite brutal with a fighter, he is stigmatized as “thug” or a “spoiled kid”. I am suspecting that the way the hyung met the celebrity affected his perception about the young fighter. (Chapter 26) Oh Daehyun repeated this story, because he had heard it from someone and that can only be from the manager and coach. And it is the same for Kim Changmin either, for the two aren’t long members from the gym. They are not close enough to know the celebrity’s past. These stories must have been spread by the hyung. In my eyes, Park Namwook views himself as Joo Jaekyung’s savior, because Joo Jaekyung (chapter 26) could have become a criminal. Nonetheless, it is an illusion, for MFC is connected to the underworld.

Furthermore, Manhwaphiles should keep in their mind that in chapter 46, Joo Jaekyung had been encouraged to mistrust people. (chapter 46) Despite his attitude, Joo Jaekyung still listened to his hyung’s warning, for from that moment on, he kept his distance from everyone, including the physical therapist. But there’s more to it. Park Namwook keeps associating his star with “good luck”. (chapter 1) (chapter 27) This represents the exact opposite of the star’s jinx. It shows that he is not trying to understand his celebrity. With such a mind-set, it is normal that the champion wouldn’t trust his manager. And the absence of the manager in this panel (chapter 29) represents the evidence that the coach is involved in the champion’s suffering as well. Besides, observe that Park Namwook had the tendency to slap the fighter’s back, a sign that the former was not watching his back at all. In fact, his gesture (chapter 31) stands more for backstabbing.

The author made sure to expose the huge gap between the manager and the celebrity by contrasting their relationship with the interaction between Choi Heesung and his own manager. (chapter 33) The latter truly worries for his star, although he is well aware of his shortcomings. (chapter 30) In addition, he knows about his private life and love life. (chapter 31) Despite his struggles, he accepts his actor. This is the symbol for unconditional love and support. Therefore it is not surprising that Choi Heesung confessed his trick. He was sure that his right-hand wouldn’t betray him. What about the champion? When the latter discovered the verity (chapter 33), he didn’t report it to his hyung. He also kept it a secret. That way, he was not only protecting Kim Dan’s misdiagnosis, but also Park Namwook’s misjudgment. On the other hand, he acted as a real boss, for the comedian is an important client.

In this video, the MMA fighter Myles Jury described what a good MMA manager is.

He declared that honesty and integrity are essential in order to be a good manager. There’s no doubt that the protagonist’s coach is not a corrupted person per se. He is not involved in the schemes targeting his star. (chapter 40) However, he is far from being a honest man. How so? First, he describes himself as the owner of the gym which is not true. (chapter 22) He is just the director of the company. In addition, he is talking big, but he never delivers. But keeping his word is an important condition for a good manager in Myles Jury’s opinion. Park Namwook threatens the members, but in the end, no one is fired by him. He is not following through what he says, he doesn’t keep his promises. I will give you a few more examples. (chapter 23) He promised the fighters that they would win, but the reality is that they failed terribly. (chapter 47) Therefore he bought chicken for them. Instead of showing compassion and understanding for his hungry and miserable champion, he allowed Potato and Oh Daehyun to buy junk food behind the celebrity’s back. (chapter 37) This shows their lack of mental and emotional support. For me, Park Namwook symbolizes ignorance and blindness. Therefore he is portrayed with no eyes.

Additionally, Myles Jury clearly said that a good manager needs to speak the painful truth, like for example, he has to expose the fighters’ flaws which Park Namwook never did. No one informed Potato that his basic posture needed improvement. (chapter 23) He never confronted the members with the truth. They lack skills (chapter 46) or endurance. I would even say that neither Park Namwook nor Jeong Yosep had high expectations for the other members from Team Black (chapter 46). It was, as if they didn’t have the goal to create a new champion. How come? It is because the gym was initially created for Joo Jaekyung’s needs. And now, Jinx-lovers comprehend the dilemna. Team Black needs to redefine itself and its purpose. Moreover, Park Namwook’s true wish is to open the gym for “kids”. And that’s how he treated the staff from Team Black, like little kids. No wonder why many left the gym in the end. They didn’t feel truly supported by the manager and coach. Jeong Yosep and Park Namwook didn’t put any real effort to turn the members into professional fighters. That’s the reason why none of them had a MMA manager, only a coach and nothing more.

For me, Park Namwook’s dishonesty was the most palpable in this scene: (chapter 49) He claimed to trust the champion, but the reality is the opposite. (chapter 52) He blamed Joo Jaekyung for everything: the tie, the doctor’s departure, the suspension and as such the loss of his good reputation. However, even if the champion had vented his anger onto the physical therapist wrongly, he had reasons to doubt Kim Dan. He had not only received the pictures, but he had been warned by the coach himself to doubt the members’ loyalty. There was a spy and a traitor among Team Black. One detail in the last panel caught my attention is the idiom “facts”. It is in plural and not in singular. Fact could be seen as a reference to his own warning, he had not checked the fact either (rumor, suspected disloyalty), yet this is not what he meant. Potato had exposed only one fact to the group: the switch of the spray organized by Choi Gilseok. (chapter 52) So what other fact was Park Namwook referring to? The fighter Baek Junmin and director of King Of MMA had paid Kim Dan. This shows that he had heard the conversation between the two protagonists. (chapter 52) And what did the manager do, after the champion had left the room? He abandoned Kim Dan, followed by the other men. At no moment, he asked Oh Daehyun or Yoon-Gu to take care of the physical therapist. But by following the celebrity or remaining passive, they had implicitly supported Joo Jaekyung’s decision. They had taken his side. And now, you comprehend why all these men chose to put the whole blame on the celebrity. (chapter 52) It is because they didn’t want to feel responsible for doc Dan’s departure. Their admiration and trust in the celebrity is superficial. In other words, they are following the hyung’s lead. Hence there is no regret, only reproaches.

Another important criterion for a good manager is his connections. Therefore the latter is often on the phone (50 or 100 calls a day in order to find sponsors). Nevertheless, we barely saw Park Namwook talking over the phone: (chapter 1) (chapter 49) He should be responsible for his contracts, yet the reality is that the Entertainment agency is the one managing the champion’s career. (chapter 30) This shows that Park Namwook doesn’t have a lot of connections. He should be the one organizing the fights, but no… others are making the propositions (MFC matchmaker and agency). Consequently, the ex-wrestler often voices doubts about the matches. (chapter 41) However, as his manager, it is his duty to protect his star, as the career of a MMA fighter is rather short. Imagine, he let Joo Jaekyung fight three times within 3 months (April- June- July). It is definitely too much. To conclude, he is not doing his job properly, as he is trying to put a lot of responsibility on others (Kim Dan- Joo Jaekyung – the Entertainment agency). According to Mingwa, Kim Dan had been taking care of administrative tasks. However, as the director of Team Black, he should be the one handling it. After the incident at the health center, Park Namwook didn’t contact the press to explain the whole situation. (chapter 52) (chapter 52) The article is indicating that the champion was quickly judged and this within a few days. The article implies the non-intervention of a lawyer or his manager. No one sided with the celebrity. They are not even contacting the media. (chapter 52) Park Namwook never tried to correct this negative reflection, for this is how the manager perceives the man himself. He is an ill-mannered child. This explicates why Park Namwook could slap the patient in his bed. So we should judge the argument between the fighter and his manager (chapter 52) as the negative reflection from that blue night. (chapter 29) He is not standing next to the main lead, but he is facing him. He is like an opponent. Another divergence is that Kim Dan was alone, whereas Park Namwook utilizes Potato and the others from Team Black to corner Joo Jaekyung. The doctor was willing to listen to him, whereas the other gets upset, when the other admits his suffering. Since the gym is facing a crisis, the patient should find a solution to the problem. (chapter 52) The hospital is a place for reconvalescence, rest and not work and pressure. Indirectly, it shows the coach’s lack of respect for the medical world. The champion was right to criticize his hyung, for blaming him was totally pointless. He couldn’t turn back time. The manager desired to hear from the champion (chapter 52) that he regretted his decision and outburst. By admitting his mistake, he would have become responsible for the whole mess. Funny is that he asked compassion from Joo Jaekyung, whereas he showed none to the patient. And what was Kim Dan thinking during that night? (chapter 29) He wondered if he could help him to overcome a defeat. He sensed that the latter could become really depressed. Therefore it becomes comprehensible why the doctor resigned. His decision was influenced by his low self-esteem. However, his departure had a different signification than the other members: it was his way to assist the champion, as he saw himself as not worthy. (Chapter 53) Moreover, he had not earned his patient’s trust. Kim Dan was the only one paying attention to his injured shoulder.

On the other hand, Park Namwook is denying the true physical condition from his athlete. He only talks about it after the slap. Then he is admitting his helplessness. He is unable to assist Joo Jaekyung mentally and emotionally, as he is himself struggling. He is unhappy due to the recent outcome. In order to feel better, he puts the blame on his athlete. (chapter 52) And the only solution he offers to the gym owner is to find a new PT during his a break. (chapter 53) I find it fascinating that the suspension becomes a synonym for “break and rest”. This shows that Park Namwook had no real intention to stop Joo Jaekyung from fighting constantly. This exposes the coach’s hypocrisy. (chapter 27) For me, he is the one obsessed with money and fame. Let’s not forget that a manager gets paid through the earnings from the MMA fighter (in percentage). The more he fights, the more Park Namwook earns money.

The scene at the hospital (chapter 52) resembles a lot to the image with the opponents. (chapter 29) The members from Team Black are surrounding the patient’s bed. But they are supposed to be his “colleagues” and as such “friends”. Let’s not forget that by making constant reproaches towards Joo Jaekyung, they showed no empathy and understanding for a patient. It was, as if they were turning the nightmarish vision into a certain reality. No one paid attention to the celebrity’s mental and emotional well-being. (chapter 52) His scream about his misery fell on deaf ears. This observation brings me back to the video. At the end, the MMA fighter described a good manager as a semi-psychiatrist. He needs to know about the private life of his fighter (drug issues, health, relationships) so that the latter can focus on his training. A MMA fighter needs mental and emotional support. But the father of three kids doesn’t know about his star’s sexual orientation, he was only informed much later that Kim Dan and the star were living together. (chapter 22) Besides, by announcing it in front of this circle, the champion divulged that there existed a certain distance between the manager and the sportsman. Finally, the fact that Park Namwook is still left in the dark about the fighter’s jinx is the evidence that he is a really bad manager. For me, it is because he is afraid of making decisions. He lets other take his burden and responsibilities. Yet, Myles jury declared that a manager needs to take a lot of responsibilities. The gathering in the break room stands in opposition to this one: (chapter 52) For the first time, the champion is no longer looking at his cellphone. He shared his thoughts to others and exposed his powerlessness (chapter 22) and misery (chapter 22), while in the breakroom, he demonstrated his power and silenced the fighters. He was the respected “patriarch”, whereas in the other scene, he is just a heartless child. (chapter 52) Moreover, in one scene, he confessed that they were living together, in the other, he had to hear that the doctor had quit. Shortly after, he discovered the hamster’s departure. This short contrast outlines the parallels and as such the negative role of the manager.

But here is the thing. The members from Team Black knew where the doctor was living. So why did they not visit him there to change his mind? They could have waited for him in front of the building, if they didn’t dare to enter the place, similar to Choi Gilseok’s action. Why did they wait, until the doctor had given his resignation and left the city? It exposes their passivity and hypocrisy. Mingwa didn’t show this, but it becomes perceptible through the mind’s eye. The wrongdoing from Park Namwook becomes even more obvious, as soon as Manhwaphiles notice the parallels between this confrontation (chapter 52) and Kim Dan’s interrogation in the States. (chapter 40) These two situations have many similarities. Both were confronted with an accusation, they were surrounded by people, who were acting as righteous and honest workers. Both were coerced to admit a wrongdoing. In addition, they are actually abandoned by Team Black members, especially the manager. No one is looking for them out of concern. The reality was that they were not their “true colleagues and even less friends. However, like mentioned in a previous essay, the men in black were actually covering up a crime in order to hide the corruption from the organization. This makes me truly wonder if Park Namwook is truly ignorant about MFC’s corruption. He could simply know about the crimes, but he chose to close an eye to the whole situation. (Chapter 46) He is already aware of the existence of illegal betting. Besides, since Joo Jaekyung is paying his taxes properly, Park Namwook could have the impression, he is doing nothing wrong. However, if he knows something and is remaining silent, he “becomes an accomplice” de facto. And what is the other common point with the interrogation from MFC security guards and the hospital visit? No lawyer and the incident was swayed under the rug. (chapter 52) In both chapters, none of the incidents were exposed to the media. And how had Joo Jaekyung reacted to this situation? He had declared the physical therapist as one of his own. (chapter 40) He had rescued him. So by slapping the champion (chapter 52), the manager displayed that the champion was different from the others. “He was not one of them, he was a sinner and wrongdoer”. On the other hand, with his suggestion (to replace the doctor), he denied the star’s previous statement in the States. Kim Dan was not one of them, as he could get easily replaced. To conclude, the slap was there to prepare the separation between Park Namwook and Joo Jaekyung. His departure from Seoul and from the gym was and is necessary. Moreover, the words from the manager could be interpreted like this: the champion doesn’t need to show up at the gym during the break. (chapter 53) He only needs to appear, once the suspension is over.

Moreover, (chapter 52) notice that when he slapped the celebrity, he utilized the personal pronoun “I” twice. It shows that the gesture was motivated by his selfishness. It was triggered by his own negative emotions. Another important element is the expression “thanks to you and your temper”!! This idiom is usually employed to express “gratitude”, yet here he is expressing the opposite. He is blaming the fighter, so the correct expression should have been “because of”. His words are exposing his true personality: he is a hypocrite and his care for the celebrity is not genuine. His gratitude is rather superficial too. Thus I deduce that episode 52 exposed Park Namwook’s true character. He is heartless and selfish, he is a bad manager and coach. Though he claims that he cares for the physical therapist, he is already planning to hire a new one. That way, he doesn’t appear as the bad guy. He is not the one who pushed Kim Dan to leave Team Black, but Joo Jaekyung. Yet, he did nothing to change the situation. For me, he is trying to save his own reputation. He is a honest and good leader, but he is not. In addition, he has another reason to replace the main lead very quickly. Kim Dan’s presence would be a constant reminder of Park Namwook’s own failures. He was not able to prevent three sabotages (I am including the incident at the health center), two members of Team Black became the target of crimes.

Another interesting aspect is that from now on, the manager can no longer threaten the remaining members to expel them from the gym. (chapter 22) They have only 4 members left. Besides, he has to ensure that they don’t mess with their weights too. He can no longer compensate their failures with “chicken and junk food” and new presents, as their income has changed. I would even say that now, the gym is forced to create new champions.

Since the bed scene at the hospital contrasts so much with the one in chapter 29, (chapter 29), I deduce that the slap had the opposite effect than this wonderful night. The gap between the hyung and the athlete got bigger. This represents the moment where Joo Jaekyung is emancipating himself from the hyung’s influence. By refusing the letter of resignation, he clearly indicates that he is rejecting Park Namwook’s suggestion. (chapter 53) He won’t hire someone else. Moreover, the morning after the couch confession, Joo Jaekyung tried to seek closeness with Kim Dan (chapter 30), but failed due to his roughness and cowardice. Hence I assume that the slap was the trigger for the champion to switch Park Namwook’s position with Kim Dan’s. The latter is finally recognized as a friend and even as a competent physical therapist. He is on the verge of becoming Joo Jaekyung’s “hyung”. So far, the athlete has been calling the physical therapist “Kim Dan”. And exactly like that wonderful night, Joo Jaekyung will attempt to seek the doctor’s closeness, resolve the misunderstandings and close the gap between them. He will follow his footsteps, but have a different attitude. Why? It is because the grandmother will be next to them.

Naturally, the champion’s jinx has other origins as well, like for example the schemers who definitely know about his jinx. From my perspective, the way Joo Jaekyung got his previous sex partners played a huge role. That’s why it didn’t matter who the athlete was sleeping with. The jinx is related to a prostitution ring. The plotters must be happy, for they seem to have achieved their goal. Kim Dan left his side. Hence he can no longer testify the involvement of this man: (chapter 37) They imagine that Joo Jaekyung’s recent demise will reinforce his former belief. The prematch-sex session with his regular partner didn’t prevent the misfortune, therefore he needs a replacement. That’s the reason why they made sure to isolate the celebrity. However, they couldn’t be more wrong, for the champion experienced the doctor’s departure as something worse than the whole scandal. (chapter 53) He doesn’t just feel like shit, but like fucking shit! And that’s how Doc Dan is helping the athlete. He is diverting his attention from MFC, his career and jinx. The latter are no longer on his mind. All his thoughts are revolving around his former roommate. (Chapter 53) This explicates why the idiom “jinx” is not even brought up, when he recalls their last sex session. He is not blaming the doctor for not procuring him a “good fuck”. The reason is simple. It is because he had already made this resolution: (chapter 49) He was no longer relying on the ritual.

As for the other cause for the athlete’s jinx, it is related to his bad choices. However, these are strongly connected to Park Namwook. Since the manager is more focused on money and titles, I deduce that the champion’s odd behavior is actually mirroring Park Namwook’s mind-set and attitude. He is rough, selfish and rude, because the other acted that way and even allowed it too. He expressed his thoughts and emotions through his fists and outbursts. (chapter 52), exactly like the athlete. (chapter 52). Did the manager express his regret or apologize towards the doctor? The answer is no. (chapter 53) That’s the reason why the champion has never apologized towards the doctor either. To conclude, the manager had a huge negative influence concerning the sportsman’s mind-set and behavior. Therefore it is necessary for the athlete to distance himself from Park Namwook. That’s how he can get purified. On the other hand, the last incident was essential for the star’s growth. Since the latter hasn’t questioned the integrity of MFC yet, he needed to be suspended in order to realize that his perception of the world was wrong. Though he lost his reputation, he is experiencing that his defeat is not the end of the world. The doctor’s departure was more painful for him. Therefore it was necessary for the champion to make a bad decision. Only through pain, the athlete can turn into a better man. Since Kim Dan left the city for the west coast, I assume that the champion will follow him there. He will reconnect with nature.

3. The champion’s belief at the end of season 1

Interesting is that though Joo Jaekyung had been informed about the protagonist’s resignation, he never anticipated that the latter would move out. This shows that he had already separated his professional life from his private life. We could say that he had already internalized Kim Dan as his friend and even “family”. But he had not realized it yet. And this brings me back to Park Namwook. The latter imagined that he could act like in the past, replace the PTs constantly. But he was forgetting that both men had lived together for 3 months. He had become part of his “home”. The problem is that Joo Jaekyung had not reflected on these changes. And when he had voiced it, he was under the influence of the soju. (chapter 43) So when he discovers the empty bedroom, he is forced to admit that he had become a part of his life. He had liked Kim Dan’s company. (chapter 53) He is now missing him, but he is not capable to express it properly. For the first time, he is confronted with reality. His penthouse feels cold, lifeless and empty. (chapter 19) Yes, we should see episode 53 as the negative reflection from chapter 19, the doctor’s arrival at the penthouse.

And this observation leads me to compare these two pictures: (chapter 19) (chapter 53) Back then, the champion didn’t pay attention to Kim Dan and turned his back to him. His job and training were more important than anything else. Hence he neglected the physical therapist. Mingwa let the doctor stand next to the sun. It is no coincidence. It indicates that Joo Jaekyung never paid attention to his surroundings and in particular to nature. He never looked at the sun. Yet, Kim Dan represents the sun in his life. In other words, he represents his source of happiness. Yet, the latter never got the opportunity to grasp it, for he never rested and took the time to enjoy the present moment. Why? It is because he was chasing after an illusion, the fake light “fame”. It is not random that the synonym for celebrity is “star”. But the brilliance of a star is artificial contrary to the moon and the sun. So when he is looking through the huge window, he is not looking at the moon or the star, but at the city. Why? It is because he has not discovered the existence of cosmos and landscape yet. He only knows one world: the city and the cage. His view of the world is limited. Moreover, the city embodies anonymity and distance. The god Joo Jaekyung needs to go down from his ivory tower and discovers the real world. I had already outlined the importance of travel in Jinx. The latter serves to broaden horizons and as such to remove prejudices. This view over Seoul can only make him feel more lonely. He is truly alone. In addition, because of the doctor’s vanishing, the fighter learned through the hard way that home is not a place, but a person. Home is a synonym for family. Hence he has to look for Kim Dan. At the same time, it pushes the champion to question all his precious believes: the importance of fighting and money, the existence of his “jinx and his traumatic past”.

For me, the doctor’s departure is pushing Joo Jaekyung to travel.And now, you understand why I added the sunlight at the end of the illustration. That represents the champion’s destination. While looking for the doctor, he will discover a new world: mortality but also the beauty of nature. So the grandmother’s wish will affect the champion in a good way. He will be able to reconnect with nature. And that’s how he will become a human. How so? It is because through this journey, he will learn to distinguish between real light and artificial glow. (chapter 53) Here, what Kim Dan saw was not the real sunset, but the lights from the cameras. Far away from the lights from the journalists, the champion will witness the beauty of a sunset, which can not be bought with money. (chapter 53) Humans can only appear as small and powerless. That’s how he could reconcile with the god of time. He will no longer fight against time. I connected nature to temporality of human life because of the grandmother. For me, his break represents a blessing in disguise. He will be able to breathe, to find joy in little things and more importantly he found a true friend and support: Kim Dan. The Webtoonist announced that season 2 would be focused more on feelings which is totally understandable. It coincides with introspection and meditation. Joo Jaekyung will have to prove that he trusts the main lead and he can only achieve this goal by entrusting him his recovery. Moreover, by doing so, he would boost the physical therapist’s confidence. While there was no real seduction in season 1 (money, jinx, treatment, bet during the confession night, drug), we have to envision that their intimacy won’t be so abrupt. It will be more subtle and gradual. The star will have to woo the doctor in order to express his love and affection. Through love, Joo Jaekyung will discover not only happiness, but also strength which will help him to defeat their “enemies” and unmask the criminals. In other words, he should realize thanks to this new journey that he is not cursed, but blessed, for he can help Kim Dan mentally, emotionally and professionally. So far, when the champion travelled, he never visited the cities (chapter 37) or sightseeing attractions. Here, I feel the need to add this French song from Daniel Balavoine (1985): “Aimer est plus fort que d’être aimé” (Loving is stronger than being loved”).

Translation:

You who know what a rampart is

You advance under the wrathful gaze

You write but on the blotter

All the words are reversed

If you speak you must know

That those who cast wrathful glances

Only want to see in the mirror

Only what suits them (These verses remind me of Park Namwook)

You who have broken the ice

Know that there’s no substitute for the truth

And that there are only two races

Or the false or the true

Love carries you through your efforts

The love of all unlocks the secret

Oh, and in the face of all those who devour you

To love is stronger than to be loved

You who know what blasphemy is

You don’t always reap what you sow

You know the supreme ambition

Of those who hate you

They would like to threaten you

To melt you into the mass and suffocate you (Reminds me of the last scheme)

But to sink the icebreaker

It would take a rock

Love carries you through your efforts

The love of all unlocks the secret

Oh, and in the face of all those who devour you

To love is stronger than to be loved

Oh, love carries you through your efforts

Love of all delivers from the secret (That’s how the athlete will reveal his past to Kim Dan, and the latter should do the same)

Oh, and in the face of all those who devour you

To love is stronger than to be loved

Oh, love carries you through your efforts…

Yes, the deceased singer advocated the same than Erich Fromm. (For more read “The Art Of Loving” ).

But let’s return our attention to this picture. (chapter 53) Back then, the champion had looked back at the physical therapist. This shows that he truly cared for the doctor. The latter was not simply his shadow, but also his protector and support. At the same time, this moment represents the doctor’s illumination. In that magic moment, he started associating the celebrity with the sun. The problem is that this light was artificial. Therefore, Kim Dan only perceived the protagonist as a star and not as a human. This explicates why he never wondered about his family. That’s why it is important for the doctor to see the fighter in a different surrounding. Far away from Park Namwook, the media and city, the sportsman can only appear as a human and even as a nobody. To conclude, I am expecting that the champion’s journey will be a journey of meditation and self-discovery. Far away from the toxicity of MFC and the spotlight, he will discover the existence of his own heart and as such his love for Kim Dan. But he can no longer approach him like in episode 1: a trick and money. He should discover the true value of the Wedding cabinet very quickly. It is no junk. Moreover, due to doc Dan’s departure and the last incident, the MMA boxer must have realized that he had totally misjudged the doctor. He is not selfish and greedy. So in season 2, the champion will show a true interest in Kim Dan and his family. He is forced to drop all his prejudices. We should see him talking prettily and gently to Kim Dan too. (chapter 21). By interacting with Kim Dan, he will be able to reconnect with his true self which will change him forever. Notice that after the night in the States, at no moment, the champion mentioned his jinx, but spoke about his physical health. In reality, he was including his mental health. This shows that he was already moving on from his jinx. Moreover, after the tie and the suspension, he is not mentioning or thinking about his former belief. The reason is simple. Because of the doctor, the champion was allowed to perceive glimpses of the truth: corruption and the existence of tricks. This image (Chapter 48) represents the medicine against the champion’s false belief. Moreover, by making him meet his former rival Baek Junmin, the athlete was incited to overcome his past and biggest fears. (chapter 49) The ritual had become obsolete, though he still did it out of routine. Yet, it had already lost its meaning and impact. That’s the reason why the champion didn’t put the blame on the doctor as a bad lover, he had no procured him a good fuck. Because of the last two incidents, the athlete discovered the existence of schemes and corruption, but he has not truly identified the real culprits yet. On the other hand, this exposes that he had already perceived the half-truth. It is just a matter of time, until the verity gets exposed and that will be a real scandal. As a conclusion, at the end of season 1, the fighter’s jinx totally vanished. How so? It is because Kim Dan revealed his self-loathing and lack of confidence to the athlete. He became the personification of the “jinx”. So by entrusting his recovery to Kim Dan, the latter’s self-esteem will be boosted. The doctor’s happiness can only make him feel good and improve his mood. That’s how their misfortune will slowly vanish.

4. Kim Dan’s transformation and jinx

Now, it is time to focus on the doctor’s jinx. How does he feel at the end of season 1? Does he still view himself as jinxed? My answer is yes and no. First, his dream didn’t come true. He wanted to remain by the fighter’s side. (chapter 53) He imagined that he should quit and leave the penthouse. To conclude, he is not entirely free. On the other, thanks to the champion, he was able to get rid of the loan. But more importantly, he was able to experience happiness for short moments.

(Chapter 44) So he was able to create good memories. Besides, he came to fall in love with Joo Jaekyung. Thanks to the latter, doc Dan could overcome his fear (chapter 26) and make others happy too. (chapter 26) He didn’t realize that he brought joy and love to the gym. (chapter 26) The more he spent time with the celebrity, the more confident he became. He was able to voice his opinion and he started becoming more passionate about his job as PT. He studied sports rehabilitation, a sign that he was taking the champion’s career seriously. So when he wrote these words to his soulmate (chapter 53), readers could sense that the doctor had gained some confidence. How so? He employed the comparative “more competent”. So he acknowledges that he has some skills. Let’s not forget that he was able to treat the injured shoulder within a month. The champion was able to fight against Baek Junmin, whereas the schemers and other doctors thought that it would be impossible. (chapter 42) This shows that his self-loathing is gradually vanishing as well. The fact that he is employing the personal pronoun “I” indicates that he is able now to distinguish himself from his grandmother. (chapter 53) Besides, with this sentence, he didn’t realize that he was actually revealing his true wish: he wanted to take care of Joo Jaekyung (“more competent”).

In addition, the word ” I hope” indicates that he is not entirely depressed. There is still “hope” and as such light in his life. Thus the smile on the doctor’s face is a mixture of resignation and peace of mind. (chapter 53) And now, you comprehend what the sunray in the illustration means for Kim Dan. It represents the last light in his life, the champion. He might have become a ghost again. Yet contrary to the beginning of the story, he has now his own identity. Thus he is employing the personal pronoun “I”. We could say that he is actually practicing Potato’s principle: (chapter 35) He is still cheering the athlete on and even wishing him happiness. This exposes that the physical therapist discovered “happiness” through the celebrity. He is no longer believing in the athlete’s jinx.

However, like mentioned above, at the end of season, he became a ghost again because of the grandmother and the last incident. That’s the reason why he appears surrounded by “white”. (Chapter 53), a color symbolizing the spiritual world and purity. But this signifies that going to see the sunset next to the ocean has a different meaning for the physical therapist than the champion. On the one hand, it is strongly connected to death, on the other hand, it also embodies rebirth. I can’t help myself thinking of the legend of Venus’ birth. The goddess of love was born in the sea. It is the reunion of the sky and water. According to me, Yoon-Gu is a representative of this deity. Thus I come to the following deduction. Kim Dan came to discover Yoon-Gu’s principle. It is possible to love someone from far away, which contradicts his past “abandonment issues”. This shows that he moved on from his past suffering. Though his grandmother is about to die, he will still love her. He won’t perceive it as a desertion and abandonment. That’s why the magic of love should take place near the sea. Both characters will meet the goddess of love there.

But let’s return our attention to my initial statement. His transformation to a ghost was caused by the halmoni’s quest. She was no longer thinking about her grandson’s career and job. Joo Jaekyung was no longer important. Only her life and wish mattered. So the champion was not wrong either to state (chapter 53) that the physical therapist had already planned to leave him. He sensed that doc Dan had already started distancing himself from him, because he was bound by this new promise: (chapter 53) Slowly, he was drawing the line between his private and professional life.

Because of the incident with the spray, it is not surprising that the doctor is blaming himself. (Chapter 53) Here, I feel the need to remind my avid readers that though the doctor was victim of a trick, he was not entirely innocent either. He should have come clean with the champion concerning his meeting with the director from the rival gym. His lie still played a huge role in the champion’s mistrust. But why did he not tell him later? It is because he was under the influence of the manager. (chapter 48) The hyung had been his mentor and advisor. Thus he copied his actions and followed blindly his recommendations. (chapter 41) At no moment, he questioned his words and honesty. He should have noticed the hypocrisy of the manager, when he witnessed such a scene. This image contradicts his claim at the restaurant: (chapter 43) How could the athlete be kinder to his own body, when his hyung was slapping him constantly? He was definitely pressured by the former wrestler. This shows that the 29 years old man is lacking critical thinking. On the other hand, we can not blame Kim Dan for trusting the man so blindly, as Joo Jaekyung was behaving the same way. Yet, the fact that Kim Dan cries, when he witnesses this scene shows that he dislikes the scene. For him, it is wrong, yet he doesn’t intervene. This shows that Kim Dan still feared to intervene and even contradict the manager. Why? It is because he thinks, he is the owner of the gym. He is “his employer”, while in reality he is just an employee. His passivity mirrors his affection for Joo Jaekyung. He is not loving him like he is loving his grandmother. He is not taking any risk, he is not ready to sacrifice himself for the athlete’s sake. This shows that he wasn’t loving the champion properly. Exactly like the other members of Team Black, he was following the hyung’s lead.

It is no coincidence that Kim Dan offered the gift at the same time than the coach’s. (chapter 45) Both knew how the champion disliked the birthday and the gifts, but they still chose to ignore the man’s feelings. He believed every word Park Namwook said about the champion in the end. Hence for me, the doctor’s decision to quit was not simply the consequence from champion’s request and reproach, but also from the manager’s indifference and ignorance. At no moment, he contacted him showing that he was necessary for Team Black. His silence and passivity could only be interpreted as a disapproval and rejection.

The other mistake Kim Dan made is that he learned a bad lesson from the celebrity. Having sex with someone is not getting to know someone better. (chapter 44) The intimacy is rather superficial, for it is limited to pleasure and sensuality. This has nothing to do with the partner’s personality. Secondly, during that night, the champion was drunk. In season 1, both protagonists only discovered physical closeness without sharing their thoughts and emotions (chapter 44) . (chapter 44) He never told the athlete that he was so cute or handsome. He kept his thoughts and happiness to himself. The only moment they shared real intimacy was this night: (chapter 29) The problem is that even there, they had sex in form of a challenge. (chapter 29) Moreover, during that sex session, the athlete employed dirty talk. (chapter 29) It was not to express affection.

This interpretation brings me to my next observation. Kim Dan discovered the existence of sex in the most brutal way: (chapter 2) prostitution and rough sex. He never experienced true romance and the birth of “first love”. The courting and seduction were totally absent. His first kiss is connected to fighting, pain, survival and protection. (chapter 14) It had nothing to do with innocent and pure love. For me, Kim Dan didn’t have the time to fall in love with the champion properly. He could even say that his affection is related to his job and he could reduce it to mutual physical chemistry. Thus I deduce that he became a ghost again for one reason. Both need to experience the innocent first love. In other words, we should expect a new version of this magical night: (chapter 20) Till that moment, he lived like a ghost. He had been trying to deny the existence of his own body. And how did the athlete describe his lover in the bathroom? First, he compared him to a whore (chapter 19) before describing him as a baby. (chapter 20) However, we should expect a more pure version, where both act as innocent and inexperienced teenagers, similar gestures: (chapter 44) There should be no drug or no time pressure!! However, there exists another reason why I have such an expectation. First, the grandmother should be close to them. Her presence should represent a hindrance, as the latter is falling back into childhood. Secondly, right from the start, Joo Jaekyung was under the spell from Kim Dan. (chapter 1) He was so attracted to him physically, hence he didn’t pay attention to his partner’s personality. In fact, he had a negative perception of his nature: (chapter 1) By becoming a ghost, the champion is forced to perceive the main lead as a person and as such to pay attention to his personality (dislikes, likes, qualities, career). That’s the reason why I believe that in season 2, he won’t make the same mistake again. He will study the doctor and get to know him better. That’s how he will be able to identify his feelings for the protagonist. He doesn’t love him because of his cute face and body, but because of his big heart and warmth. He is so responsible, generous and dedicated that there’s no one else like him. He embodies true kindness and loyalty. His care and worries are genuine. That’s why the champion will voice his affection differently from the past: “Secret and innocent love behind work”. Under this new light, it becomes comprehensible why both characters had to go to the seascape. Nature is the perfect place to nurture innocent and pure love. Consequently, I don’t think, the author will rush to create a new chapter full of sex… rather full of tenderness and caresses! Thus Mingwa created such panels: The hands are no longer fists used to express anger and resent, but they are wide open, they are expressing love and tenderness. They will convey a different message: respect, teamwork, and communication. Finally, through such gestures, both are able to reconnect. The hands are encouraging them to express their own thoughts and emotions. They are giving them reassurance and confidence. Season 2 stands for sharing, honesty and communication. Expect a revolution at the gym!

To conclude, the Sleeping Beauty is about to be released from his curse. It is just a matter of time. Kim Dan is on his way to find his true home. Through love, both will be released from their inner suffering and can find happiness, like in a fairy tale: HAPPY ENDING.

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