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 aboutJinxStarving For Light – part 2andCraving Mama’s Shine – part 1
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Mama or Joo Jaekyung?
After reading the first part, my follower and avid reader @rantofalifetime brought my attention to this panel. (chapter 57) She wondered if this nickname “MAMA” was not a spelling mistake, and that the translator might have meant “MMA fighter Joo Jaekyung.” Intrigued by this possibility, I sought clarification, and indeed, in the Japanese version (episode 57) the reporter introduces the main lead differently: “Next, we have news regarding Joo Jaekyung.” This subtle difference is significant for three reasons.
Fighter Joo Jaekyung and its implications
First, it shifts the tone of the news. By omitting the nickname “MAMA” and using a more neutral phrasing, the journalist appears more professional and unbiased. This deliberate neutrality lends credibility to the report, giving viewers the impression that the information presented is factual and untainted by bias. Second, this choice strategically conceals the existence of any underlying manipulation or conspiracy, aligning with the larger narrative tactics observed throughout the interviews. The omission of the nickname highlights the calculated nature of MFC’s media strategy, showcasing how tone and language are carefully curated to influence public perception. Finally, like my friend noticed it, something was missing in this introduction: the nickname Emperor. The omission of the nickname “The Emperor” in the second interview is a subtle yet significant detail. It not only signals a shift in how Joo Jaekyung is perceived but also reveals a deliberate effort to undermine his status. As my friend keenly observed, this change in language demotes the champion from his previously exalted position. While he was once heralded as “The Emperor,” the absence of this title in the current narrative exposes an underlying strategy of manipulation and control. It is as though his stature is being diminished step by step, aligning with MFC’s broader agenda to distance themselves from his achievements and frame his struggles as personal failings. This seemingly minor detail becomes a glaring indicator of the deception at play, further underscoring the calculated nature of the interviews. On the other hand, they are not using the suspension as an excuse for the loss of his title. (chapter 57) And what does it mean?
Rewriting the past
The organization’s deliberate omission of the health center incident (chapter 52) and the suspension from their narrative highlights a calculated effort to erase inconvenient truths that could tarnish not only MFC’s reputation but also that of the medical professionals complicit in their schemes. Let’s not forget (chapter 41) the complicity of the doctors who cleared Joo Jaekyung to fight despite his evident injuries as another example of the corruption within this world. Moreover, by avoiding any mention of the suspension (chapter 52) (chapter 57), which stems from Joo Jaekyung’s actions at the health center, MFC ensures that questions surrounding the incident—such as the switched spray and the deliberate injury to his ankle—are never raised. This allows both the organization and the doctors involved to escape scrutiny.
By neglecting to use the suspension as a justification for the champion’s alleged fall from grace, MFC subtly frames the athletes as solely responsible for their setbacks, deflecting attention away from systemic corruption. The erasure of the health center brawl, where Baek Junmin provoked Joo Jaekyung, (chapter 52), is not only a protective measure for MFC but also shields the medical professionals who facilitated the situation. Doctors at the health center failed to report the ankle injury caused by the sabotage (chapter 50), further implicating them in a network of complicity and greed. Their decision to place the two fighters next to each other without proper privacy measures, such as curtains, reveals a disregard for professional ethics in favor of spectacle and profit. I would even add, the decisions from the health center’s medical staff, played a significant role in escalating the situation. By placing Joo Jaekyung and Baek Junmin next to each other post-fight, without appropriate measures like curtains to ensure separation, the health center created an environment ripe for conflict.
This negligence directly contributed to Baek Junmin’s severe injuries , (chapter 52) as the provoked champion lashed out in an unregulated setting. The decision to ignore these systemic failures and instead to suspend Joo Jaekyung suggests a deeper layer of complicity from the medical world, where doctors and nurses prioritized organizational demands and reputational interests over ethical responsibilities. Their failure to report the provocation and the ankle injury caused by the switched spray further highlights their alignment with MFC’s corrupt practices.
The vanishing of the shooting star
This complicity extends to Baek Junmin’s trajectory as a fighter. Once celebrated as a rising star with “star quality” (chapter 47) and favored by MFC’s CEO, Baek Junmin has now been discarded, his relevance extinguished the moment he ceased to serve the organization’s agenda. (chapter 57) His involvement in the underground fighting circuit and illegal gambling adds a layer of complexity to his role. (chapter 47) His background, combined with his visible association with MFC’s CEO, positions him as a key figure who could potentially expose the organization’s darker practices.
Rather than remaining a simple antagonist to Joo Jaekyung, Baek Junmin’s evolving role shifts him toward that of a pivotal witness. His potential testimony against figures like Choi Gilseok and the corrupt medical professionals could unravel the facade that MFC has worked so hard to maintain. This transformation invites readers to reconsider the hierarchy of villains and victims within the narrative. While Baek Junmin’s earlier provocations painted him as an adversary (chapter 49), his ultimate fate now reflects the broader cruelty and exploitation perpetuated by those in power. That’s how I realized the other signification of the cross below his left eye. The latter symbolizes his blindness in the end. The cross signifies his inability to see beyond the role he played within the system—a symbol of his naivety and misplaced confidence. Baek Junmin believed he understood the brutal reality of the fighting world, given his background in underground rings and illegal gambling. He thought his experience and cunning gave him an edge, making him untouchable or indispensable. However, his taunts to Joo Jaekyung (chapter 49) reveal a man who overestimated his position within the organization.
His role as a fighter in the shadows, bound by corrupt systems and ruthless practices, prevented him from recognizing his true dispensability. MFC’s abandonment of him after his injuries and the lack of media attention further underline this. Baek Junmin, who once took pride in being part of such a system, failed to realize that he, like Joo Jaekyung, was merely a pawn in a game controlled by higher powers. The cross, therefore, becomes a stark reminder of his ignorance—not just of his own situation but also of the shared plight of those exploited within this system.
This blindness also extends to his inability to see himself as part of a larger narrative of manipulation. His dismissal by MFC, after being paraded as the next rising star, parallels the broader exploitation of fighters, making him not just a villain but also a victim. The irony is that while he mocked Joo Jaekyung’s perceived vulnerabilities, he was equally, if not more, vulnerable to the same forces that ultimately discarded him. (chapter 52) Thus he is erased from the news.
Between Fiction and Reality
This dynamic highlights the dehumanizing nature of the combat sports world portrayed in the story. Fighters are reduced to pawns, manipulated through orchestrated narratives, and discarded when they are no longer useful. The inclusion of Baek Junmin as a potential whistle-blower not only reveals the systemic corruption within MFC but also foreshadows a potential turning point. His decision to expose the illegal activities he has witnessed, including the complicity of the doctors, could serve as the catalyst for dismantling the network of exploitation controlling the fighters’ lives. His evolution from a rival to a reluctant ally, shaped by shared experiences of manipulation and abandonment, would underscore the collective struggle of those ensnared in the system. This would emphasize the need for unity among the exploited in confronting the forces of greed and corruption that dominate their lives. On the other hand, since in episode 54, the champion is blaming Baek Junmin once again (chapter 54), it shows the athlete’s lack of reflection and insight. He hasn’t been able to discern the truth, the corruption of his “world”. This means that he needs to travel and experience a whole new world. The contrast would serve as an eye-opener for the athlete.
Mingwa’s storytelling in Jinx is layered with sharp social commentary, and the narrative’s critique of organizations like MFC can certainly be seen as a mirror to real-life entities such as the UFC. By delving into the corrupt underpinnings of MFC, Mingwa exposes the dehumanizing aspects of combat sports, where fighters are reduced to commodities rather than respected athletes. Through characters like Joo Jaekyung and Baek Junmin, the story critiques the exploitation, systemic manipulation, and lack of accountability within these organizations.
The parallels are striking. Just as MFC uses fighters for profit and discards them when they’re no longer useful, real-life organizations in the fighting industry have faced criticism for their treatment of athletes—be it inadequate healthcare, manipulated narratives to boost viewership, or prioritizing financial gain over the fighters’ well-being. The absence of transparency, as seen in the suspension’s omission in Jinx, reflects a calculated attempt to control the narrative and avoid scrutiny, a tactic not uncommon in corporate sports environments.
Silencing the Outsider: MFC’s Strategy Against Kim Dan
The second interview (chapter 57) holds significant weight in the context of Kim Dan’s storyline, as it appears to be strategically (chapter 56) released shortly after the champion’s urgent request to locate him. This timing is no coincidence. Instead, it reflects a calculated effort to manipulate both the public narrative and Kim Dan’s own perception of his role and value. By introducing the anonymous person as “one of his close associates”, it implies that the champion has already moved on from the protagonist. He is not missing him at all. At the same time, it implies that within a short time, the person was able to get the athlete’s trust which stands in opposition to this scene: (chapter 51) Thus I conclude that the interview serves a dual purpose: to emotionally undermine Kim Dan and to cement his estrangement from Joo Jaekyung.
First, the interview subtly shifts the blame for the champion’s so-called “loss” onto external factors, including his struggles with recovery and mental well-being. (chapter 57) While it does not explicitly mention Kim Dan, the implications are clear. As someone who was deeply involved in Joo Jaekyung’s health and recovery during the lead-up to the match, Kim Dan is indirectly made to feel responsible for the champion’s struggles. This psychological manipulation creates a sense of guilt, making him question his capabilities as a physical therapist and his influence on the champion’s performance. However, they fail to achieve their goal, because his subsequent reflections reveal a deeper realization (chapter 57): his regret was not merely about using the spray but about his failure to assert himself professionally. (chapter 49) By complying unquestioningly with the champion’s requests, he had diminished his role, acting more like a servant than a competent physical therapist. The interview, though painful, (chapter 57) serves as a harsh wake-up call, forcing him to confront his own shortcomings and reevaluate his behavior.
The introduction of the new physical therapist further amplifies this shift in perspective. If the new PT indeed represents a professional eager to stand in the spotlight and claim authority, their presence acts as a stark contrast to Kim Dan’s former passivity. It highlights the missed opportunities in Kim Dan’s past—instances where he could have spoken up (chapter 41), drawn boundaries, and made his expertise known. I would even add that he never felt responsible for the champion’s reputation in the media (chapter 36) Hence he remained passive all this time. His negligence becomes more obvious, when the media released this wave of articles: (chapter 52) Thus I discern a turning point in the doctor’s mentality. The last interview served as a painful wake-up call. This juxtaposition not only deepens Kim Dan’s understanding of his mistakes but also offers a model for the kind of professional he aspires to become. He can, if he wants to be in the spotlight: (chapter 41) In addition, while many Jinx-Philes are blaming the champion for his outburst, (chapter 50) rejection and (chapter 50) accusations, (chapter 51), the main lead is not blaming his fated partner at all. Why? It is because none of this would have happened, if he had acted as PT and trusted his own hands. He was too passive, standing by the sideline. He never became proactive. (chapter 57) Therefore I deduce that the doctor should be gradually become aware of his grandmother’s wrongdoings: her passivity in front of bullying and ostracism is one of the reasons for his low self-esteem. Besides, we should keep in mind his other confession which outlines (chapter 47) his indifference and lack of professionalism. In the end, the grandmother is the reason for his lack of professionalism and neglect.
But let’s return our attention to the second interview. The latter, while deeply manipulative and likely intended to isolate both Kim Dan and Joo Jaekyung, inadvertently sparks a positive transformation. It forces Kim Dan to grapple with the realities of his role and recognize that his value as a physical therapist lies in his ability to assert his knowledge and make independent decisions. What was meant to discredit him 😉 becomes the catalyst for his growth, paving the way for him to reclaim his agency and redefine his identity within the professional and personal dynamics surrounding Joo Jaekyung. I would even add that it pushes him to separate private life from professional matters.
At the same time, the interview appears to diminish Kim Dan’s importance by omitting any reference to him altogether. (chapter 57) This omission sends a message: the champion is being “taken care of” by others, including the newly hired physical therapist, whose role is subtly elevated through the term “close associate.” By erasing Kim Dan from the narrative, MFC effectively undermines his connection to Joo Jaekyung and makes it seem as though his presence and contributions are no longer required. The implicit rejection is a cruel strategy designed to isolate him further and ensure that he stays away from the champion.
Kim Dan’s status as a freelancer further highlights the precariousness of his position. (chapter 54) Unlike the newly hired PT, who likely has the backing of a hospital or organization, Kim Dan operates independently. This independence, while offering a degree of freedom, also makes him vulnerable. He lacks the institutional support that could shield him from the manipulative tactics of MFC. Moreover, his independence places him in direct contrast to the systemic corruption that permeates MFC and its associated entities. As someone who has already been victimized by two major deceptions—the drugged nutrition shake (chapter 37) and the switched spray (chapter 57) —Kim Dan stands as a figure who threatens to expose the cracks in MFC’s carefully constructed facade. Let’s not forget that the incident with the poisoned beverage was swept under the rug by framing haters.
By keeping Kim Dan away from Joo Jaekyung, MFC is not only ensuring that he does not return to support the champion but also protecting their own interests. Kim Dan’s presence could potentially disrupt their narrative, especially if his proximity to Joo Jaekyung allowed him to uncover further instances of manipulation or corruption. His removal from the equation eliminates a wildcard that MFC cannot afford to tolerate.
Furthermore, the interview’s implicit targeting of Kim Dan underscores the predatory nature of the organization. Rather than openly addressing the champion’s request or the realities of his situation, MFC and the Entertainment agency opt to manipulate the individuals surrounding him to maintain control. The release of this interview ensures that Kim Dan feels alienated, unneeded, and even complicit in the champion’s struggles, thereby neutralizing him as a potential ally.
In sum, the second interview is as much about silencing Kim Dan as it is about reshaping the narrative around Joo Jaekyung. By targeting Kim Dan’s emotional vulnerabilities and professional independence, MFC and their accomplices seek to isolate him while protecting their interests. This calculated strategy highlights the organization’s ruthless nature and its willingness to exploit anyone—even those on the periphery—to maintain its grip on the narrative.
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Kim Dan and Nature
In Jinx, nature emerges as a symbol of purity and authenticity, a stark contrast to the city, which embodies corruption, materialism, indifference, and anonymity. (chapter 56) This dichotomy in season 1 is vividly illustrated in a scene where Kim Dan, under the dappled light of a tree (chapter 41), experiences a profound moment of awakening. As his hand seems to reach towards the leaves (chapter 41), his senses come alive—he sees the light filtering through, feels the breeze, and hears the faint rustling sound. It is, as if in that moment, he reconnects to his true nature. Like a tree, Kim Dan is deeply rooted, yet capable of growth and resilience. (chapter 41) Nature awakens something within him— his heart and as such his third eye —allowing him to realize his affection for Joo Jaekyung. This quiet yet powerful moment emphasizes how nature offers clarity and purity, serving as a contrast to the suffocating, impersonal urban world where Kim Dan often found himself lost. Striking is when Joo Jaekyung met Kim Dan for the first time, he compared him to a “leaf,” shaking and fragile—an unconscious recognition of his true nature. (chapter 56) Leaves are part of trees, symbols of growth, life, and resilience, but since Kim Dan is just a “leaf”, this signifies that he is actually mutilated, reflecting his emotional and physical vulnerability caused by repeated abandonment and suffering. Joo Jaekyung, though dismissive at first, catches a glimpse of Kim Dan’s deeper essence—one connected to nature but battered by his struggles.
Interesting is that the return of the physical therapist in season 2 was presented in a similar situation: (chapter 55) However, note that the main lead isn’t stretching his hand to the sky and sun. He is almost immobile. Just before, he was holding the cellphone in his hand: (chapter 55) Another divergence to the scene in episode 41 is that Jinx-philes couldn’t see his face. It indicates that the doctor reverted to his old self, and as such he is not true to himself. Therefore I come to the following conclusion. Mingwa uses nature as a mirror to Kim Dan’s emotional and spiritual state. While moments of connection with nature reflect clarity and self-realization, the juxtaposition in this scene underscores the opposite. Here, Kim Dan sits surrounded by trees and bathed in sunlight, yet his attention is consumed by his cellphone—symbolizing his entanglement with money, duty, and his ongoing struggles. Just moments prior, he wired money to the champion, a decision rooted in his past traumas and present desperation. The irony of the setting cannot be overlooked: though nature surrounds him, its purity and tranquility remain unnoticed, emphasizing how Kim Dan is still trapped in patterns of survival, burdened by his circumstances. He has become a ghost once again. This disconnect reveals how the weight of his past prevents him from embracing the present moment and reconnecting with his true nature, contrasting starkly with earlier scenes where his senses came alive under the trees.
In episode 56, Mingwa introduced Kim Dan’s world with the following panel: (chapter 56) The empty beach scene, with its sunlight and tranquil beauty, reflects peace, but also unfulfilled connections. Kim Dan’s absence from this moment underscores his failure to keep a heartfelt promise to his grandmother: (chapter 53) to watch the sunset together. This failure stems not only from Joo Jaekyung (chapter 53) —now associated with the sunlight, symbolizing life and vitality—but also from Kim Dan’s fixation on his own suffering. (chapter 56) Abandoned once again, Kim Dan is consumed by the weight of his trauma, isolating himself emotionally and excluding himself from others.
This emotional isolation becomes apparent in his interactions with those around him. (chapter 56) When approached and complimented, such as when the nurse praises him and encourages him to take a break for lunch, Kim Dan pointedly ignores the praise and instead chooses to return to work. His inability to engage with others reflects the same disconnection that prevents him from connecting to nature. Mingwa subtly reveals a painful truth: Kim Dan’s fixation on his suffering not only blinds him to the solace and clarity offered by nature, but also hinders his ability to nurture relationships. (chapter 56) By choosing to exclude himself, Kim Dan becomes his own worst enemy—trapped in a cycle of abandonment, survival, and self-imposed isolation.
This disconnection deepens the symbolic duality of the sun and moon. While the sun, embodied by Joo Jaekyung, represents life, vitality, and intensity, the moon reflects subtle constancy, support, and quiet presence. However, Kim Dan’s emotional entrapment prevents him from recognizing it either. By turning his back to nature (chapter 56) and, symbolically, to the moon, Kim Dan remains oblivious to what has always been there for him: the enduring forces of love, stability, and healing.
Mingwa also underscores the impartial and eternal nature of the wind, the moon, (chapter 56) the ocean and celestial elements like Saturn (Kim Dan stands for this planet). These forces, outside human control and independent of Kim Dan’s struggles, offer opportunities for renewal and clarity. Yet Kim Dan, consumed by his pain, remains trapped in patterns of survival and alienation. Nature’s constancy mirrors what he needs most—connection, healing, and presence—yet his inability to see it reflects his broader struggle to connect with others and himself.
By highlighting Kim Dan’s exclusion from both nature and human relationships, Mingwa reveals a poignant truth: Kim Dan’s suffering is not only external but also internal. While circumstances and abandonment have shaped his pain, his inability to step outside this trauma keeps him rooted in isolation. Mingwa’s use of nature—both as a symbolic force and a reflection of Kim Dan’s emotional state—invites readers to see that healing, like the tree, moon and wind, is constant and present. However, it requires awareness, acceptance, and the courage to connect—to nature, to others, and to oneself. The comparison to a leaf ties Kim Dan’s state of being to nature once more. A leaf shakes, when the tree it belongs to, is vulnerable. Yet it also signifies life, beauty, and renewal. Joo Jaekyung’s early observation foreshadows Kim Dan’s journey: a leaf that is fragile but has the potential to flourish again when given the right conditions. Kim Dan’s healing, like a leaf reconnecting to its tree, can only begin when he turns toward nature, relationships, and, ultimately, himself. But how can the athlete break this vicious circle and make him to turn to nature? One might say that he needs a true home. However, with the last incident, where the champion pushed him away (chapter 51), the doctor learned the following lesson: it is better to keep people at a certain distance, because he got his heart broken. That’s the reason why he is avoiding the nurses and not eating lunches. He is simply avoiding gatherings. He is seeking solitude on purpose. That’s how it dawned on me that he is living like the athlete in season 1!! His whole world is revolving around work and as such taking care of patients.
That’s how I recalled an important change in the doctor’s attitude in season 1: (chapter 26) Yes, the day where they sparred out of fun. For the first time, Kim Dan chose to accept a challenge for himself and for Potato. He felt a connection with Yoon-Gu, because he saw in him a puppy: (chapter 29) That’s the moment he started opening up to others, he confided his struggles to Oh Daehyun and Potato: (chapter 37) The puppy symbolizes not only nature, but also innocence. Let’s not forget that he was moved by the actor’s flowers in the past: (chapter 31) Thus it dawned on me how Kim Dan’s soul could be healed: (chapter 21) Yes, by offering him a puppy! Is it a coincidence that the author made the champion jog next to a dog owner? I don’t think so. Until now, nothing could move Kim Dan’s heart: (chapter 31) Here, the main lead saw the gifts as a burden, for they made him think of money and debt. He never saw them as a sign of affection. In fact, dogs have a healing power.
The companionship that our furry friends offer is incredibly beneficial. Studies have found that dog owners are less likely to experience loneliness and depression. Dogs not only provide direct emotional support but also encourage social interaction with other dog owners, strangers, and friends. This helps create a sense of community and belonging, which further supports emotional well-being and can indirectly reduce anxiety. […] Research has shown that dog ownership can significantly reduce the stress hormone cortisol. This decrease in cortisol levels has been linked to improvements in various mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. […]
They boost our oxytocin levels (the love hormone), therefore they provide unconditional love. In addition, they lighten the atmosphere, and bring a sense of stability. Finally, I would like to outline that our famous doctor believed to see a “cat” in his fated partner: which made the doctor laugh for the first time: (chapter 44) In other words, Kim Dan feels a strong connection to animals, but he could never have one due to his poverty and his grandmother. By taking care of a dog, he would be forced to pay attention to nature and in particular to trees. Naturally, I believe that Potato will play a similar role in the future, for Mingwa associated him with a dog. (chapter 23) While this was his original dream, after the last incident, there is no doubt that the young maknae must feel guilty and unhappy. He had not been able to protect and defend his new hyung. However, I have to admit that I would like to see the main couple having a pet! The latter would bring life in the penthouse, but also force the two protagonists to have a new routine. The penthouse would truly become a real home.
Women in Jinx
In Jinx Season 2, Mingwa introduces a new thematic focus: womanhood, symbolized through natural elements and the increasing presence of feminine energy. This shift is intertwined with the color blue —a hue often associated with calm, introspection, and the feminine principle. Blue dominates the imagery of the ocean, the beach, and the moon, natural symbols that deepen the narrative’s exploration of love, renewal, and emotional awakening. The ocean, in particular, evokes the myth of the Birth of Venus, where the goddess of love and beauty rises from the sea. By aligning Kim Dan’s journey with the ocean and the moon, Mingwa reinforces themes of rebirth, love, and emotional nurturing.
One might object to this interpretation, pointing out that women were already present in Jinx Season 1. We encountered Kim Dan’s grandmother, the oncologist Kim Miseon (chapter 47), the nursing attendant (chapter 21) or the reporters: (chapter 37) (chapter 40) However, Manhwa-worms will notice a significant distinction: in Season 1, these women were all tied to the world of work. Even Kim Dan’s grandmother, though she represents a familial figure, falls into this category.
Kim Dan’s grandmother complicates the notion of family and care. Though on the surface, she appears as a caring relative, the reality is that she is doing nothing. Her worries remain just words (chapter 56) Moreover, the grandmother’s choice of words, “Why don’t you turn in?”, implies that she sees Kim Dan’s presence as a form of “work” or duty. This phrasing is often associated with someone finishing a day’s tasks or obligations before going to bed, which fits into the broader dynamic between Kim Dan and his responsibilities. In my eyes, it shows that she is seeing her grandson more as a caretaker than as a family member. We shouldn’t forget that she was the reason why the main lead became a PT. It was, as if her dream had come true. Nevertheless, the verity is that his grandmother is receiving treatment from his colleagues. (chapter 56)
So when she suggests to Kim Dan to return to Seoul, it makes her look like a heartless person. (chapter 56) It looks like she’s pushing him away. On the one hand, her request sounds right, for she is treated quite well and the suggestion was made out of concern. She sees her grandchild struggling, and probably imagines that this move must weight down on Kim Dan. On the other hand, I can’t help myself thinking that this woman also has other reasons to send him back to Seoul. The nurse was already pitying the physical therapist: (chapter 56) She was seeing their move as the grandson’s sacrifice. And there’s no doubt that many people at the hospice must think similarly. So this could have reached the halmoni’s ears. Like mentioned in a previous analysis, I detected that the grandmother uses pity to achieve her goal, yet her grandson is receiving a lot of sympathy and attention. It looks like there’s a competition who is more pitiful in this.
But there’s more to it. By suggesting him to return to Seoul, she appears cruel, because she doesn’t know about all the changes in his life. She remains unaware that Kim Dan has no longer a home in Seoul due to the redevelopment and his resignation. He quit his job because of her. But she is not stupid, she can imagine it. At no point does she inquire about his needs, emotional state, or financial situation. Why? It is because she doesn’t desire to be burdened. For me, she feigns ignorance on purpose. (chapter 56) I also noticed a pattern: she only focuses on the moment. Hence she reacted so violently first to the new expensive treatment (chapter 7) before she got reassured. Then she made this request (chapter 53) after hearing the bad news. She has the mind of a child, therefore she never thinks of the consequences of her choices and words. Her “ignorance” exposes a form of neglect: she takes his sacrifices for granted, further isolating him. Ironically, her detachment pushes Kim Dan further away, undercutting her role as a source of familial love and support. (chapter 56) As a result, she ceases to embody “real family” and instead represents the emotional burdens that trap Kim Dan in survival mode.
It is only in Season 2 that Mingwa shifts the portrayal of womanhood to emphasize its connection to family, emotional intimacy, and private life. A notable example is the conversation between the two nurses (chapter 56) where one speaks candidly about her personal desires —having Kim Dan as a son-in-law – while the other calls him cute, giving the impression that she might consider him as a potential boyfriend . This dialogue marks a departure from the women of Season 1, who were defined solely by their roles as professionals or authority figures. Here, womanhood begins to represent emotional connection, care, and the nurturing qualities of family life—values that Kim Dan has been missing.
But it already started much earlier, when the cleaning lady made a teasing remark about the empty bottles of wine (chapter 55) and later brought the doctor’s present: (chapter 55) And what is the common denominator with these two images? The woman’s hand. In the previous essay, I explained that her intervention signalized that the champion would stop drinking and was starting acknowledging Kim Dan. The zoom on the cleaning lady’s hand is a powerful visual cue that encapsulates many of the symbolic meanings associated with a woman’s hand, reinforcing the themes of care, healing, humility, and transformation.
Unseen Strength: The hand also carries an understated strength. While the cleaning lady’s actions are gentle, they require perseverance and resilience—qualities that align with Kim Dan’s own endurance and hint at the kind of emotional strength Joo Jaekyung will need to cultivate.
Care and Nurturing: The cleaning lady’s hand, likely engaged in a modest task like wiping or tidying, emphasizes the quiet but essential role of care. Her hand symbolizes the unseen work of women—work that brings order, comfort, and emotional warmth. This gesture contrasts with the harsh, physical force seen in earlier parts of Jinx, especially through Joo Jaekyung’s fists.
Healing and Emotional Connection: While seemingly mundane, her hand represents the nurturing touch that Kim Dan’s life lacks. Cleaning and caregiving symbolize acts of renewal and healing—clearing away what is dirty or broken to make space for something better. This resonates with Kim Dan’s need for emotional renewal and a gentler kind of care. At the same time, it also explains why the physical therapist was so bad at cleaning as well. (chapter 19) He is not capable to take care of himself well.
Humility and Sacrifice: The hand of a cleaning lady also carries connotations of humility and unacknowledged sacrifice. Like Kim Dan, her role may be overlooked, yet her work is indispensable. This subtle symbolism mirrors Kim Dan’s own existence—his quiet struggles, unrecognized sacrifices, and the way he shoulders emotional and physical burdens for others.
Transformation and Softness: In contrast to the yang energy of fists, the cleaning lady’s hand introduces a feminine yin energy: soft, restorative, and transformative. This moment of focus suggests that the solution to Kim Dan’s struggles lies not in power or force, but in gentleness, patience, and care. That’s what the champion needs to discover. By meeting her, he discovered the magical “woman’s touch”. (chapter 55) Observe how she smiled to him by saying goodbye. This is a sign that her respect and care are genuine. One might think that this nameless cleaning lady was unfortunately portrayed as eyeless: (chapter 56) I don’t think, we should see it in a pejorative light, like for an example of blindness or manipulation. In my eyes, the absence of her eyes are mirroring the nature of their relationship between the champion and the cleaning service. So far, he never met these people, as he was always away. In other words, the absence of the eyes is showing that the sportsman doesn’t know her that well. But it could change and this because of Kim Dan.
This thematic evolution aligns with Mingwa’s yin and yang motif. Season 1 emphasized the masculine yang: work, dominance, survival, and external conflict. Women, though present, were tied to this yang energy, inhabiting roles that reinforced Kim Dan’s emotional isolation and struggles. In contrast, Season 2 introduces yin energy—introspection, emotional nurturing, and family dynamics—through both nature (the ocean, the moon) and the increasing presence of women embodying these qualities. This shift reflects a new balance in the narrative: as Kim Dan navigates his journey, the story begins to explore the softer, more intimate aspects of relationships and healing.
For Joo Jaekyung, this shift signifies a challenge. The increasing presence of feminine energy and family-oriented symbolism suggests that his approach to Kim Dan must change. In Season 1, Joo Jaekyung relied on power, money, dominance, and force—tools that align with yang energy. However, in Season 2, this will no longer suffice. To truly connect with Kim Dan, Joo Jaekyung must embrace his yin side: patience, emotional vulnerability, and nurturing. If he wants to reconnect with the physical therapist, he needs to reveal more about his past and in particular his relationship with Baek Junmin. He has to explain why he doubted him: (chapter 51) Women in Season 2—more prone to conversation and care—foreshadow this necessary transformation. Joo Jaekyung must learn to move Kim Dan not with his fists, but with empathy, understanding, and love. In essence, he must uncover his “motherly side” to create a genuine bond with Kim Dan.
By contrasting the utilitarian portrayal of women in Season 1 with the emotionally intimate depiction in Season 2, Mingwa highlights the evolving themes of family, balance, and healing. Womanhood becomes a vehicle for Kim Dan’s emotional growth and Joo Jaekyung’s transformation. It is through this shift—both in narrative tone and symbolism—that Mingwa begins to unravel the yin energy of Season 2, bringing the story closer to the emotional clarity and connection symbolized by the moon and ocean. And now, you are wondering why I included this image (chapter 56) in the illustration. It is because I realized that the champion first looked for Kim Dan at Sports Therapy Centers (chapter 56) before realizing that his fated partner might have switched the focus in PT, geriatrics. And what did the PT say at the Light Of Hope Hospice? (chapter 56) Male physical therapists like this one (chapter 54) prefer specializing in treating athletes because it brings more money and fame, whereas female PT ends up at hospices due to their nature (nurturing, family). This means that by going to the hospice, the athlete will enter a whole new world. The appearance of the woman with glasses was indicating that the athlete was slowly broadening his horizon. As you can see, little by little, the fighter is opening his mind to new things. So how will he react, when he sees that his beloved “hamster” is withering again? This time, he can not blame the doctor. Since I detected similarities between Kim Dan’s current attitude and the champion’s past behavior, I have the feeling that the fighter will recognize himself in his loved one or someone will give him some advice. He will have the answer to this: (chapter 13) He is neglecting himself to the point of exhaustion, because he is living as a PT non-stop. While the champion was fighting with his bad shoulder, the other is using his hands for treatment, hence he is not eating.
Conclusions
In Jinx, Mingwa masterfully intertwines the symbolism of nature and womanhood to chart the emotional and relational evolution of Kim Dan and Joo Jaekyung. Nature—embodied through the ocean, the moon, and the color blue—represents purity, healing, and timeless constancy. It serves as a reflection of Kim Dan’s true self, a gentle yet resilient force that has been overlooked and mutilated by suffering. At the same time, nature’s yin qualities—calm, nurturing, and transformative—align seamlessly with the growing presence of womanhood in Season 2.
While Season 1 portrays women solely in the realm of work and survival, Season 2 introduces women as symbols of family, emotional connection, and healing. The cleaning lady’s hand, the nurses’ conversations about private lives, and the emphasis on yin energy shift the narrative focus toward care, introspection, and renewal. This change mirrors nature’s role as a constant yet quiet guide, offering opportunities for rebirth and balance that Kim Dan has yet to embrace.
By linking nature and womanhood, Mingwa constructs a path for transformation. For Kim Dan, this path lies in reconnecting with the nurturing forces of life—both within himself and in the relationships around him. For Joo Jaekyung, the presence of nature and feminine energy signals a challenge: to abandon the yang-driven tools of dominance and force, and instead embrace qualities of care, patience, and emotional vulnerability. This announces his „separation“ from his hyung Park Namwook and as such his maturity.
In conclusion, nature and womanhood act as two sides of the same coin in Jinx: both are timeless, restorative, and essential for healing and balance. Through these symbols, Mingwa not only reflects Kim Dan’s emotional state but also reveals the steps needed for growth, connection, and love—a journey that transcends survival and allows the characters to embrace life in its fullest, most harmonious form. That‘s how they will find happiness.
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Since I updated the analysis “Precious Puppy Pals”, I decided not to write the second part of “Loves me, loves me not”.
Here, I would like to focus on the following panel and its significance: (chapter 27)
Joo Jaekyung a bad loser?
They are playing cards, and the champion is on the verge of exploding because of the Joker in his hand. He is about to lose the game. Since he is swearing (“Goddamn it…” and his facial expression is revealing his frustration, the readers are coming to the same conclusion than the athlete. He lost this card game. Moreover, they could witness his losses before. (chapter 27) His fine motricity and his sense of observation were not well developed, hence he selected the wrong pieces in both games. (chapter 27) In order to win in such games,the players need to take their time and observe. Yes, playing such games are encouraging calmness and patience. Indirectly, it is promoting peace of mind, people can forget their worries and anxieties. And because the athlete had lost all the games before, there is no doubt that he was rushing for a victory. Let’s not forget that he had bet with the doctor, he could win so easily. (chapter 27) In addition, because of the previous negative experiences, I believe that the champion’s belief (being jinxed) got revived. How could he explain that he would lose to such a poor and small opponent? That’s why it is necessary to question ourselves what kind of card games they were playing. (chapter 27)
Cards and the Joker
Based on the image, where a Joker card and a pair of 3s are visible, it seems likely they’re playing a card game where the Joker holds a special value, such as poker, Rummy, or a variation of a game like “Old Maid” or “Chase the Joker.” However, given the characters’ expressions and the presence of a Joker, poker or a poker-based game might be the most probable, as the Joker is often considered a “wild card” in these games, which can dramatically influence the outcome and cause tension.
In poker, the Joker could potentially be used to complete a hand, making the game more unpredictable and intense—explaining the “Goddamn it” reaction if someone has an unexpected advantage due to the Joker. Alternatively, if they’re playing a simplified, casual game where the Joker simply “beats” lower cards or acts as a trump, that could also explain the reaction. The Joker often adds an element of surprise or disadvantage, depending on the context of the game.
Striking is that the Joker in cards is associated with “surprise” and “wild card” which contrasts so much to the champion’s philosophy: routine. Moreover, the game “Chase the Joker” caught my attention.
Coming in at number two on our list is Chase the Joker, a game where a Joker card is the star of the show. You play with just one Joker card plus a standard 52-card deck. Just like lots of other card games, you take turns playing cards that either match the rank or suit of the previous card played. If you can’t go, you must “chase the Joker” by picking up cards until you find a playable one. The fun part is that the Joker can pop up at any moment during the chase (much like an Exploding Kitten card randomly appearing in that game). But this time, it’s good news because the Joker serves as a “Wild Card”. The first player to get rid of all their cards shouts “Chase the Joker!” and wins the round. Quoted from https://luckandstrategy.com/what-card-games-use-jokers/
As you can see, the joker is good news in this game, though the title of the name makes it sound otherwise, as though The Joker were the target. So the moment you imagine that they were playing this version (“Chase the Joker”), you can’t help yourself laughing about the absurdity of the situation. (chapter 27) Jaekyung could indeed have won the game if “Chase the Joker” was played with the Joker as a “Wild Card” that helps rather than hinders. Since he had only one card left, he was in a prime position to shout “Chase the Joker!” and win, especially if the Joker allowed him to play strategically and discard his remaining card.
If Jaekyung’s misunderstanding led him to see the Joker as a losing or undesirable card, he may have felt defeated prematurely. This adds an ironic twist where he believes he’s losing while actually being close to victory. It underscores themes of perception versus reality, where the “wild” or unexpected (like the Joker) can be beneficial if approached correctly. This might mirror Jaekyung’s tendency to view “wild” and “interruption of routine” as threats when, with the right perspective, they could be opportunities or strengths. Hence we could say that the champion is not a bad loser, as he chose defeat and let the other win. The irony is that with this action, he boosted the doctor’s low self-esteem.
Evidence for this interpretation
Interesting is that in the same episode, Mingwa utilized a similar trick with Kim Dan. (chapter 27) Because the latter couldn’t swim, he jumped to the conclusion that he was drowning. (chapter 27) He had no idea that the pool was not deep. Look at the similarities of the images, for the perspective is similar: (chapter 27) (chapter 27) Joy and embarrassment masked behind frustration. This not only made me laugh, for Joo Jaekyung could have won, but also it dawned on me that during that day, both were put in similar situations. Because they were new to this, their past experiences led them to misjudge the situations. One more time it displays that people’s misery and anger is self-inflicted. It is related to their perception of reality influenced by their beliefs and past experiences.
Joker and its signification
But there is more to it. The moment you see the Joker as a metaphor for the physical therapist, you will recognize the true significance of this scene. It foreshadows his function in the story. Joo Jaekyung had not recognized yet that he was holding the “wild card Kim Dan” which would make him win his game. (chapter 37) Is it a coincidence that the doctor drank his drugged nutrition drink? No… The reason why both became a victim of the second scheme is that they were no longer communicating to each other. (chapter 47) They are no longer facing each other, the athlete was even turning his back on his precious roommate and PT. Joo Jaekyung had started keeping his distance from his soulmate because he had listened to his toxic mentor (chapter 46) who takes everything so seriously. In other words, he had suspected the joker to be the “wild card” to make him lose (chapter 51), while in reality the latter had protected his back. Interesting is that exactly like in the penthouse (chapter 27), the athlete deserted the room out of anger (chapter 51) leaving the doctor behind. It was, as if he had thrown away his Joker without realizing his true value. However, we shouldn’t overlook this aspect. The fighter’s words were not reflecting his true thoughts and emotions. He was acting impulsively and thoughtlessly overlooking that words can be as harmful as punches. And what is the common denominator between these two matches? Team Black had reacted impulsively. They made accusations and rushed decisions, while just like in board games, patience and observations are necessary to win a round. Yes, this connection between these two scenes displays that life is like a game… you should take your time, enjoy the moment, you can start afresh and play a new game. While the manager is envisioning to replace the doctor (chapter 53) and as such to change the cards, the wolf (chapter 53) decided to pick up the Joker on the floor and continue the game, as the round is not finished yet. His intention is to bring his Joker Kim Dan back in order to use him properly in the future. He will treat him with patience, trust, respect and care! Moreover, observe that the goal of “Chase the Joker” is to get rid of the cards. Consequently, I perceive this game as a metaphor for the champion’s future actions and decisions: he will have to get rid of certain cards like MFC manager, the Entertainment agency and the lawyer in order to become the true winner. He regains control of his own life. I am leaving out the manager and coach, for I believe that Park Namwook will stay there, but he will have a different position.
Feel free to comment. If you have any suggestion for topics or manhwas, feel free to ask. If you enjoyed reading it, retweet it or push the button like. My Reddit-Instagram-Twitter-Tumblr account is: @bebebisous33. Thanks for reading and for the support, particularly, I would like to thank all the new followers and people recommending my blog.
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 thetable 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 JinxSound Of Water (third version)
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.
The trigger for this essay were quotes from “The Art Of Loving”, a book written by Erich Fromm. In my essay “The Art Of Loving”I had already introduced the German-American socio psychologist, psychoanalyst, sociologist and humanistic philosopher, where I presented his definition of love: Care, knowledge, respect and responsibility. However, notice that the title of my analysis is “To give or To Take?”, which was inspired by other books from Erich Fromm: “To Have or To Be?” and “Escape From Freedom”. The reason is simple, the quotes led me to his other theories which give explanations to the origins of unhappiness or happiness. There he outlined the problems of our modern society and gave advices how to lead a good life. This brings me back to the Korean Manhwa Jinx, where (un)happiness is in the center of the story. As the seme and uke are both really miserable despite their different social status. Both believed to be jinxed. The reality is that they were trapped, and their unhappiness was the result of their own bad choices. How would Erich Fromm explain this?
1. Masters and Slaves
In works like Escape from Freedom and The Art of Loving, Fromm suggested that humans often avoid the responsibility of true freedom by conforming to societal norms, seeking authority figures to follow, or focusing on material gains. This “escape from freedom,” as he called it, results in a loss of autonomy and self-awareness, keeping individuals from mastering their own lives. While Fromm believed we have the potential for self-mastery, he cautioned that this requires a conscious rejection of limiting social pressures and a commitment to self-discovery and personal responsibility. Under this new perspective, my avid readers can grasp my selection for the heading. Freedom defines the distinction between a master and a slave—those with freedom have agency, autonomy, and control over their choices, while those without it are subject to another’s will and have nothing to give to others. It highlights how freedom is fundamental to self-determination and power, establishing a boundary between control and subservience.
1. 1. The poor child and dog
And if you read my previous analysis “Sound Of Water“, you should have realized that Shin Okja embodies the slave who chose to escape from freedom. Thus she blamed life and others (“we”) (chapter 53) for not realizing her biggest wish: to return to the West Coast. With her words, she implies that she never had any choice. Hence she is not responsible for her “misery”. However, after reading Erich Fromm’s philosophy, it becomes clear that she must have always followed social norms and listened to authority figures (parents, husband, doctors, …). That’s how she gave up on her own freedom. One might argue that her scoop of maneuver was limited due to her poverty. However, the Mother Of Pearl Wedding Cabinet is definitely expensive and no junk (chapter 16), especially since the latter is rather old. The grandmother could have sold it, but she never did, for the latter has a sentimental value. Consequently, I would say that she had missed her chance, and naturally her misery is the result of her own wrong choices. Under this new light, it becomes comprehensible why the grandmother portrays herself as poor who has nothing to give to her grandchild. (chapter 53) As a slave, she can not become responsible for Kim Dan and his life. However, she is wrong here again. She was not entirely powerless. She could have talked about her experience with the ocean, she could have loved her grandchild more properly so that Kim Dan wouldn’t have to suffer from abandonment issues and a low self-esteem. Yes, love is something free and no one has control over the emotions of a human being. Due to her lack of self-awareness (Peter Pan Syndrom), she influenced her grandchild negatively, and the latter became a copy of herself: trapped in the past, living in an illusion and rejecting reality. Funny is that by relying on Kim Dan constantly, she was actually teaching her grandson to become accountable and independent. She was entrusting her life into his own hands. Consequently, the main lead chose to accept the deal from Joo Jaekyung during their first night and later asked for a higher salary. Finally, at the end, he chose to leave the penthouse out of obligation (chapter 53) (filial duty), a sign that he is not able to break free from social norms. At the same time, it displays that his feelings for Joo Jaekyung are much stronger than the ones for Shin Okja. His short time spent in the penthouse left a deep impression on him.
On the other hand, we shouldn’t overlook one important aspect. The halmeoni asked for a favor from Kim Dan, and her wish is actually the expression of her own will. In other words, she is making a choice and as such becomes responsible for her own destiny. She can no longer say that life or others had a saying in her desire and choice. That’s the reason why during that night, she turned Kim Dan into a puppy dog. (chapter 53) Her vocabulary exposes that she became a master and in her mind, the puppy dog has to follow her owner. Therefore it is no coincidence that Mingwa created such an image: (chapter 53) The grandmother is now the master of her own life and Kim Dan’s. On the one hand, just before her death, she is learning to become accountable for her own life, even though I still have my doubts that she is really realizing the consequences of her choice. She is still chasing after after an illusion. As you already know, I am anticipating a rude awakening fron her part, as she can not escape from reality and her own mortality. On the other hand, with her request, she gets responsible for her grandchild’s career, and someone could criticize her for making him quit. She didn’t take his job’s obligations into consideration. Simultaneously, this image illustrates a relapse of Kim Dan. He is once again trapped, though he wished to be freed. Thus he wrote this to Joo Jaekyung: (chapter 53) Deep down, he would like to be recognized as a competent physical therapist. Moreover, my avid readers should recall that the champion had already noticed the change of heart in the doctor before the scheme took place. (chapter 53) So the athlete could come to the realization that his departure was related to the grandmother’s sickness and dying wish, a new version of episode 20 and 21. However, even if the fighter helps the grandmother, he can not entirely free the physical therapist. How so? It is because the doctor has to free himself, breaking free from conformity and his own psychological constraints (lack of confidence and as such courage). And the best evidence for his servitude mentality is the absence of his love confession to the athlete. He disguised it behind gratitude. (Chapter 45) But how can he change his condition? I will give the answer below.
1. 2. The release of the rich slave
As you can imagine, the person I am referring behind this heading is the champion. Interesting is that in the story, he received the title “Emperor”. (chapter 14) Yet, the reality is that despite his wealth, he is not free at all. Actually, he reminded me of a Roman gladiator. Gladiators in ancient Rome lived under challenging and contradictory conditions. Although they were often slaves or prisoners of war, some achieved fame, wealth, and admiration comparable to modern-day sports stars. Successful gladiators could earn prizes, attract fan followings, and even enjoy certain luxuries within their restrictive lives. However, they remained under the control of their lanista (manager) or the state, with little freedom to make personal choices. They could not select their opponents or refuse combat, and each fight carried the risk of injury or death, underscoring their vulnerability and lack of autonomy despite their celebrated status.
Most gladiators were enslaved people forced to fight. But a small contingent were free-born citizens who volunteered in hopes of earning money and fame. Before they could enter combat, gladiators trained for months in specialized schools managed by wealthy investors who profited from their fighters’ success.
Contrary to popular perception, gladiators didn’t necessarily battle to the death. Instead, fighting progressed until one of them surrendered, usually by holding up a single finger. All told, only between 10 and 20 percent of gladiators died during matches—a reflection, in part, of their high financial value to investors.
It wasn’t easy for gladiators to stand out. Each warrior fought only two to three times per year, usually in events featuring 10 to 13 gladiator fights, according to Murray—with each individual match lasting about 10 to 15 minutes. But some, owing to their extravagant personalities, personal backgrounds or memorable performances, gained lasting renown via ancient artists or historians. Quoted from https://www.history.com/news/most-famous-ancient-roman-gladiators
This comparison between the main lead and a Roman gladiator reinforced my negative perception about Park Namwook. He acts as the owner of the athlete (chapter 40), though the gym belongs to the celebrity. But let’s return our attention to the American-German philosopher. The latter pointed out the importance of self-awareness and the rejection of materialism and social pressures (authority figures, conformity) in order to become truly free.
This aspect is really important, because the athlete Joo Jaekyung is a homosexual which represents a huge taboo in the MMA world. Remember my hypothesis that the jinx could also be an excuse in order to hide his own sexual orientation. (chapter 2) Therefore sex is linked to prostitution and work. Back then, this had nothing to do with pleasure, sensuality and entertaining. It was revolving around power and domination. That way, he wouldn’t appear as weak, he is not controlled by his sexual desires and emotions. That’s how it dawned on me why the champion has been denying the existence of feelings in his past relationships. Naturally, it is possible that he got his heart broken before, but it is also possible that he could never live out his own true homosexuality. Note that his father figure, Park Namwook, has no idea about his sexual life. The athlete could fear to disappoint him. This raises the question how the manager will react, when the athlete’s secret is exposed. Should he request from his boy to organize a conference and deny the allegation there, he would divulge not only his lack of loyalty, but also his hypocrisy. Why? It is because this is something he should have organized after the last match. A conference to expose the existence of schemes. But everything got swayed under the rug. On the other hand, I deduce that if the topic of sodomy is brought up in season 2, there is no ambiguity that both main leads won’t give in to conformity and external pressure (even in the form of threats). Why? It is because during season 2, both characters will come to be true to themselves. That‘s how they can become master of their own life.
This signifies that in order to go on the past of self-mastery, the champion needs to break free from materialism (chapter 41), from his manager’s influence (father figure) and even from the MFC world (authorities) !! What is the common denominator between these three persons? MONEY! (chapter 50) Hence the last match was not cancelled in the last minute. The athlete is not fighting out of fun and passion, but out of obligation and survival. He is trapped in a world where money is everything. Thus he was always pushed to accept any challenger despite his injuries. That’s how I realized why the athlete always suspected Kim Dan of being greedy. It is because he projected his own thoughts onto his partner. However, this negative perception was definitely influenced by his “hyung”, we have the best example in episode 46. Due to Park Namwook, Joo Jaekyung was the one who was constantly thinking and talking about money in front of Kim Dan. (chapter 26) No wonder why he got so surprised by Kim Dan’s reaction in the locker room: (chapter 51) He was disarmed by a single question and a shocked and disappointed face: (chapter 51) The question implied that the doctor had been trusting him.
1. 3. The “lanista’s” chains
We had another perfect example of “Escape from Freedom” in episode 43 at the restaurant. Note that Park Namwook underlined that the fight was the champion’s decision (chapter 43), yet he added shortly this comment: : (chapter 43) The hypocrite coach utilized the personal pronoun “WE” indicating that he and his peers had played a role in the athlete’s decision. Funny is that though he complained about the schedule, he still accepted the switch of the fighter later. But he could have voiced his fears and objections. Nevertheless, he did nothing. Since I connected the halmeoni to past, I suddenly realized that the “lanista” embodies the opposite notion. He is trapped in the future, thus he is always anxious. Imagine that in that scene, they were celebrating Joo Jaekyung’s birthday, it should have been a good time. Yet, the manager kept talking about work and the future. (chapter 43) (chapter 43) This is a sign that he was not “enjoying the present”. In my eyes, with his comments, he was actually ruining the party. Fortunately, no one paid attention to his words except the physical therapist and Yosep. By talking like that, he gives the impression that he is caring and paying attention to the fighter. Yet this is just an illusion, for he is not focused on the present. He neglected his duties, therefore the schemers were able to bring drugs to the champion’s rooms. (chapter 49) Notice that he was afraid of an outburst from Joo Jaekyung in the locker room, therefore they were restraining him. This was no real protection. I am suspecting that the manager is trusting MFC and its organization. In addition, his obsession with the future explains why the athlete’s mental health has been neglected by the coach and manager. As a conclusion, Park Namwook is himself trapped in his own world: money, fear of the future and the champion‘s retirement which means the end of his own career as manager and coach. Therefore he is pushing his fighter to race against time. It is only a matter until his boy gets injured!!
This means that we should see the athlete’s suspension as his moment of release. He is no longer forced to fight. He is “abandoned” by MFC, fans and even by his manager (chapter 53). The latter announces that his “boy” can take a break. What caught my attention is his idiom. The suspension got turned into a break which sounds much more positive. Interesting is that break is not only a synonym for “rest”, but also for “opportunity, chance”. This new discovery reinforces my previous interpretation: the loss of his “title” and his suspension are in verity an escape to freedom. Why? It is because he is no longer exposed to manipulations and external pressure like in episode 36: (chapter 36) money, social media, the agency, the lawyer, Park Namwook and Jeong Yosep. For the first time, Joo Jaekyung can think of something else other than work. Nevertheless, the athlete had not realized it yet. Striking is that the longer the fighter thought about the PT’s resignation, the longer he came to object to it. (chapter 53) This means that the fighter was acknowledging the “uke” as an important member of Team Black. In addition, he was recognizing Kim Dan’s effort and talent as PT. Moreover, it exposes the absence of change in Joo Jaekyung’s mentality. He was still “thinking” of work and fighting. It displays that the protagonist had not realized the true signification of his suspension yet. Hence the doctor’s departure was necessary. Joo Jaekyung is forced to think about his fated partner, making him forget his work and his career. His “obsession” with Kim Dan will push him to stop being a workaholic. But there is more to it.
By leaving the city behind (my prediction), the champion’s not aware that this trip will become a spiritual journey where he will discover his true self. But for that, meditation is required. In my opinion, the grandmother’s illness should serve him as a wake-up call. He spent a lot of money on her treatment, but she couldn’t be saved. It looks like he never visited her again. Should he see her again, he could get shocked. From this (chapter 21) to this (chapter 47) Money is powerless in front of death and terrible injuries. Therefore he is lucky that his shoulder is not ruined forever. Moreover a trip represents a good metaphor for an escape, a travel is a synonym for freedom and the end of “routine”.
2. The ability to love
Far away from medias, public eyes, the agency and his manager, he can discover a different world: the West Coast and nature. And this brings me to a quote from Erich Fromm:
Paradoxically, the ability to be alone is the condition for the ability to love. (The Art Of Loving)
Through this statement, we have the explanation why Joo Jaekyung can love and why he couldn’t love Kim Dan properly in season 1. The fact that he lived alone in the penthouse is a proof of his independency (chapter 35). However, since he didn’t spend much time in his own home, he never took the time to take care of his soulmate. By leaving the city and Team Black behind, he would become truly alone (as opposition to his trips to Busan, the States) which would give him an opportunity to become more honest to himself and to Kim Dan.
In addition, this quote exposes the absence of “unconditional love” from the grandmother. (chapter 53) So far, she could never be alone, she always needed the assistance of others: Kim Dan, the doctor, the nurse, Joo Jaekyung. She always relied on others (“we”, “life”). But it is also the same for Kim Dan who has always been listening to people, as his desire was to get accepted. His conformity led him to experience misery, as he lacked critical thinking. He never questioned people’s words, decisions or behaviors. Only thanks to his soulmate, he started changing. His psychological restrains were his abandonment issues and his low self-esteem. That’s the reason why their love couldn’t flourish in season 1. Nevertheless, Kim Dan still had a good disposition for being capable of loving someone, exactly like his fated partner. He could live on his own as well.This signifies that their future love relationship won’t be toxic, as they won’t be needy or dependent on each other, the exact opposite between the grandmother and Kim Dan or Joo Jaekyung and his hyung Park Namwook. However, this doesn‘t mean that they won‘t help each other.
I am quite certain that the fighter must have noticed the doctor’s low self-esteem in the letter. Therefore he felt bad for his reproaches and lack of trust. Remember that the champion never expressed a compliment or even showed gratitude towards the doctor. (chapter 43) In episode 1, he gave a positive feedback (chapter 1). Nonetheless, his words sounded more negative due to the usage of negation. Moreover, Kim Dan was too scared to take his words seriously. Consequently, it becomes obvious that Kim Dan needs to hear praises from the athlete himself. It is not just about an apology about his misjudgment, the “hamster” needs to hear from his own patient that he trusts him and his hands. Thus he wants to be needed: (chapter 53) This explicates why the young man kept questioning the actor’s intentions behind his gifts. He could see that the man didn’t need him. This thought displays his desire to give a meaning to his own existence as well. If he is needed, he has a reason to exist. This desire of being needed can be expressed by words, but also with the hands: or like this: And what does the hand symbolize? The latter symbolizes gratitude and love! Hence the grandmother took the MMA fighter’s hand in order to thank him. (chapter 22) (chapter 22) As a conclusion, love and gratitude represents the key to freedom and as such to power. And now, you comprehend why The Art Of Loving can not be separated from „Escape from Freedom“.
2. 1. Love and Power
This explains why the famous author declared this:
“For a productive character, giving is the highest expression of his abilities. It is precisely in the act of giving that I experience my strength, my richness, my power.“
This means that by giving, the person feels strong and powerful. Why? Fromm views the act of giving not as a depletion of oneself, but rather as a fulfillment and actualization of one’s capabilities. The productive character, according to him, doesn’t define himself by what he possesses or hoards, but rather by what he can give to others. It is his heart which defines his strength. Giving becomes a way of affirming one’s own power and abundance, showcasing that true fulfillment is found in one’s ability to be generous, creative, and life-affirming. Notice that the author contrasts generosity with passivity. By giving, the person becomes proactive and is no longer passive. In the past, I had described Joo Jaekyung as a person suffering from “inner passivity” [For more read “Couch Confession”]. As soon as I read the quote from The Art Of Loving, I realized why the champion disliked receiving presents (chapter 45) so much and preferred organizing a charity event for his birthday . (chapter 41) Being on the receiving side makes him feel weak and powerless. He is reduced to become a passive man. Furthermore, we shouldn’t overlook that such presents are not entirely selfless. Companies or admirers have expectations from Joo Jaekyung, earning some money or getting his attention. At the same time, these presents are strongly connected to his title and fame as champion. Thus they are not taking into consideration about the athlete’s dislikes and likes. Thus he was offered a bottle of wine (chapter 12), though he is no drinker or he doesn’t eat cakes. (chapter 41) The fact that the athlete organized a charity event for his birthday exposes not only his huge heart, but also that he had long recognized the power of generosity. Under this new light, it becomes comprehensible why the champion was willing to pay off the doctor’s debts. (chapter 18) Here, he hoped to see gratitude on his fated partner’s face, but it didn’t happen like he imagined. Yet, notice that despite their argument, Joo Jaekyung proposed to the main lead to live with him in the penthouse: (chapter 18) His facial expression is exposing his true thoughts. He was definitely happy to help the doctor. The reason is simple. He is in control of his heart and life. This shows that deep down, the man has always had a soft heart and could find fulfillment in giving. However, the problem is that the champion had also internalized that there is nothing free in this world. Due to his past experiences, he realized that receivers would exploite his goodness. The green-haired guy was the perfect example. (chapter 2) Therefore it is not surprising that he kept denying his kindness to the doctor: (chapter 18) He had to, because the man was now living with him. Joo Jaekyung feared that his roommate could come to take advantage of his new position and even consider this place as his own. As you can see, the champion had long discovered the power of giving to others. Yet his problem was that he couldn’t live out this principle: he was either exploited or he has no family or close friend so far.
And now, let me ask you one question: who likes giving presents in Jinx? One might reply Kim Dan and Choi Heesung. The doctor and the actor have both something in common. (chapter 30) They both desire to be acknowledged and appreciated. (chapter 45) With this image, it was, as if Kim Dan wanted to be distinguished from all the stans. Yes, I do think that this has something to do their own negative feelings. However, there is a difference between Choi Heesung and Kim Dan. Note that the gifts are related to his sponsors and the agency. They were related to his work. Moreover, the gumiho rarely gave the meals or the presents personally. (chapter 31) (chapter 31) Furthermore, the actor gave these things for one reason: it was to obtain the doctor’s heart or to maintain his good image as a celebrity. In other words, these gestures were not selfless at all. This explains why the athlete was so weary of such “gifts”: a return of favor or a service. But the comedian is not the only one donating things. Naturally, it is the manager Park Namwook. (Chapter 26) (chapter 36) However, my avid readers should ponder on the following aspect: how did he buy the jackets and the junk food? (Chapter 37) This last scene is terrible, for this purchase happened behind the boss’ back. Naturally, everything was bought with the company card!! In other words, Park Namwook’s generosity is fake, for he is not spending his own money. After this new realization, I started wondering if the athlete’s negative attitude towards Kim Dan is not the consequence of Park Namwook’s behavior as well who takes it for granted to spend money on the athlete’s account. Why did the champion anticipate an expectation from Kim Dan, when he received the keychain? (Chapter 45) It is because his relationship with his coach has always been based on „conditional love and expectations“. Don’t forget that the coach was particularly nice to the athlete after winning his match in Busan. He was willing to be his „servant“ in that moment. Furthermore, there exists another evidence that in episode 45 the fighter latched out on the doctor because of his unresolved feelings towards his hyung. (Chapter 45) Kim Dan had not only followed the stans‘ behavior, but also listened to Park Namwook‘s words constantly. ’ (chapter 41) This frenzy was portrayed as something positive. Jinxworms can observe that the manager is mentioning the existence of „favors“. For me, it is no coincidence that in episode 45, the arrival from presents coming from his hyung coincides with the present with Kim Dan. It shows the underlying conflict between the celebrity and the former wrestler. Nevertheless, the fighter has not grasped it yet. So far, Joo Jaekyung has not tried to defy Park Namwook openly, to claim his place as the true owner of Team Black. We should see his words here as a first attempt to act as the boss (Chapter 46) The tension reached its peak in that scene: (chapter 52) The manager imagined that he could act like in the past (recurring to force), for Joo Jaekyung was „used“ to take his slaps. That’s where the generosity from Park Namwook comes from: he gives his punches to Joo Jaekyung and takes Joo Jaekyung‘s company for granted. And now, you comprehend why I selected such a title for this essay.
(Chapter 26) The sparring in episode 26 represents the positive version of giving a punch and taking it. The fighter was not upset about his defeat, moreover he was acting like a real teacher asking the physical therapist to overcome his own fears. On the hand, the slap at the hospital embodies the opposite notions: resent, no real teaching, no reflection, no listening, the one slapping is not overcoming his own fears and vents his anger. The give and take in episode 26 was happiness, true generosity, self-awareness, while this slap displays misery, anger, ignorance: (Chapter 52) True generosity, for Kim Dan had risked his health for the sake of Potato. (Chapter 26) The contrast not only exposes Park Namwook’s fake generosity, but also his greed and selfishness. For me, he missed the opportunity, as at the gym, Kim Dan took the chance, when the athlete was distracted. Hence in my opinion, chapter 52 was the turning point in their toxic relationship. Moreover, it signifies that the manager lost his special position as hyung. Far away from the gym, Joo Jaekyung will see Kim Dan under a different light, maybe even as a true role model, for he is wearing his heart in his hand.
2. 2. The wolf, the hamster and the world
But Erich Fromm wrote this about love:
“If I can say to another, ‘I love you,’ I must also be able to say, ‘I love in you all others, I love through you the entire world, I love in you also myself.'”
For Fromm, love transcends a personal or exclusive attachment to one individual; it is a universal force that connects the self to humanity and existence as a whole. True love, in his view, is inclusive and expansive. It’s not a possessive or isolating sentiment but rather one that opens the lover to the wider world, fostering a connection to humanity and, ultimately, a deep acceptance and love for oneself.
Thus I come to the following conclusions: the moment the doctor and the champion admits their affection for their fated partner, they won’t be suffering from self-loathing or low self-esteem. But there is more to it. If you keep the quote in mind, you will realize that the champion’s affection for Kim Dan was not true love. [Like mentioned above, he couldn’t love properly] He couldn’t stand the idea of sharing his partner to others. (chapter 7) (chapter 43) He needed to seclude him from the others. But where does this possessiveness come from? In my opinion, it is not just the result of his own insecurities, but also the influence of the bad role model he had: Park Namwook. First, only in chapter 45, the manager sent congratulations from his family: (chapter 45) This means that Joo Jaekyung was never treated like a real family member. Then, due to his bad portrait of Joo Jaekyung (chapter 9), the manager kept creating a bad image of the athlete: brutal, moody, maniac… but the reality is that the man is actually generous and caring, like mentioned above and the coach knew this. Hence he could lie without any remorse: he is a savior and the gym owner. Moreover, the athlete can speak well and be polite. (chapter 22) This scene at the hospital displays that the fighter had been mirroring the behavior of his counterpart: Shin Okja is sweet and kind. And who is moody, yelling, brutal ? Park Namwook: (chapter 43) (chapter 52) The one who raised him like that is actually him: (chapter 7) Therefore I conclude that this possessiveness and obsession with Kim Dan is the result of the manager’s influence. Park Namwook treated him like a possession. And this brings me to my next part. How to become happy? One might reply: by loving someone. However, how can Joo Jaekyung drop his insecurities and open his heart like that? As you can see, we need another explanation.
3. The guide for happiness
Erich Fromm’s philosophy in To Have or To Be? revolves around two fundamental modes of existence: the having mode and the being mode. These modes represent distinct ways of interacting with the world, structuring relationships, and understanding one’s identity.
I am posting this video which I found very well made. Funny is that the blogger used a haiku to illustrate the difference between the being mode and the having mode.
3. 1. The Having Mode
In the “having” mode, identity and value are based on possessions and control over objects, people, and even oneself. The having mode is characterized by:
Possession and Ownership: One’s self-worth and sense of security are derived from what one possesses—material wealth, status, knowledge, even relationships. (Chapter 40) This explicates why the manager is happy in this scene. Thanks to him, he earned a lot of money and felt recognized.
Security in Stability: Individuals in the having mode seek to secure their identity through accumulation, feeling stable only when they can cling to things.
Alienation and Objectification: Relationships and experiences become objects to be owned or controlled, reducing people and emotions to mere assets.
Fromm argues that the having mode can lead to anxiety and insecurity because possessions can always be lost or taken away. It fosters competitiveness, isolation, and a fixation on external validation, ultimately stunting genuine self-growth and connection with others. Under this light, Manhwa-philes can grasp why the athlete, pushed by his mentor, kept accepting fights after another. The champion was suffering from self-loathing, but in order to get recognition and admiration from his hyung, he needed to win. Notice how gentle and proud the man was after the victories (chapter 15), but as soon as his idol lost his title and got even suspended, he yelled and slapped his fighter: (chapter 52) Why did he not blame the cheaters who had tricked Joo Jaekyung and framed the physical therapist? If you read my previous analyses about the coach, you will certain recall about my diagnosis: he seems to suffer from decidophobia. But as you can see, the man is unhappy, for he is living in the “Having Mode”. Hence he is taking no risk and letting the athlete make decisions. Furthermore, it explains perfectly why the manager lied to the members here: (chapter 22) Since his relationship with the main lead is so secure, he could claim the gym as his own. Notice how he treats the members here: he’s putting them under pressure, threatening them. Everything is revolving around competition, seriousness and greed. Why doesn’t Joo Jaekyung mess with his weight and nutrition? It is because his hyung made sure that the latter would fulfil all his expectations. He needs to be ready for the next fight. Why was the manager not present here? (chapter 43) This exposes his lack of engagement and indifference in the end, but this becomes even more obvious during the night: (chapter 43) Where was he, when his star was drunk? It was, as though he had vanished. (chapter 43) But the best evidence for this interpretation is this image: (chapter 52) The manager is upset, because his boy lost his title and his reputation is ruined. Moreover, many members left the gym which means that the company lost a lot of money.
“If I am what I have and if I lose what I have, who then am I?”From Erich Fromm (To Have or To Be?)
This highlights the danger of building identity around possessions and the resulting vulnerability. And how did Park Namwook define himself in his life? He was a coach, a manager, the owner of Team Black…. (chapter 9) However, he never presented himself as a father or a husband. It was, as if his children or wife were not a source of his happiness. Why? It is because they don’t bring money, but rather cost money. Thanks to Joo Jaekyung’s popularity, the manager could stand in the spotlight (chapter 40), yet notice that no fans or fighter know his name as a successful coach or manager. He is not a famous manager in the end. His income depends on the athlete’s career and victories. No wonder why he put so much pressure on his celebrity. Thus I had the following revelation: he was actually exposing his true self in front of the doctor at the restaurant. (chapter 43) Joo Jaekyung would have to pick himself up, Park Namwook wouldn’t be there in order to assist him. Why? It is because it represented his own fears. Don’t forget that he is a former wrestler and athlete. He must have experienced it. The end of his boy’s career represents the end of his own career. Hence I am suspecting that the real savior of Park Namwook was the fighter himself, as the latter offered him an opportunity to find a good job.
But there is more to it. Why did the coach neglect doctor Kim Dan (chapter 40) in the States and even at the gym? (Chapter 43) It is because he doesn’t view the uke as a possession contrary to his „boy“. Why? It is because the young man doesn’t bring money or contribute to boast the manager’s self-esteem. In fact, Kim Dan is an expensive PT and the manager is aware of his high salary. Moreover, contrary to the hamster, Park Namwook was never seen in the penthouse, and the celebrity refused to invite the members. This is a clue that the champion could have refused to invite his coach there. The doctor’s stay at the penthouse is something Park Namwook discovered by accident. (Chapter 22) And now, it is important to recall that in the mode of Having, rivalry and competition are predominant. Therefore I deduce that deep down, the coach and manager sensed the physical therapist as a source of threat and rival. Therefore Jinx-philes shouldn’t be surprised that the coach did nothing to keep Kim Dan. (Chapter 53) Here his gestures and words should be judged as lip-services. He can even rationalize his departure: bad luck, they save a lot of money, for the next PT will have a lower salary. In addition, Kim Dan was treated as the celebrity’s possession, therefore he used him as a tool in order to compensate the actor. The manager is definitely imagining that once the break ends, things will work like before. (Chapter 53) Here, I feel the need to add that though I am portraying the coach in a rather pejorative light, I am not saying that he is a malicious or evil man. My point is that he needs to change and realize his wrong-doings. As long as he lives in this mode, he won’t be able to be happy: always in the fear of losing his possessions. So should a separation take place, it is possible that the distance brings more clarity and helps them to improve their relationship. However, I have to admit that I wished to witness a real argument between the hyung and his pupil. A new version of this scene: (chapter 17)
Interesting is that the sociologist stated this as well:
“In the having mode, one’s happiness lies in one’s superiority over others, in one’s power, and in one’s capacity to conquer, to defeat, and to kill.”
With this observation, it becomes comprehensible why the coach not only used violence against the athlete but also pushed the main lead to be rough with his own body. (Chapter 43) It is not random that Mingwa showed a rough manager while complaining about his star. She was implying his responsibility for mistreating his body in this scene. Park Namwook needed to prove his superiority over the celebrity to justify his position. And he used the fighter’s good heart, trust in him and social norms to manipulate his prize and possession. As a conclusion, both characters have a toxic relationship, exactly like between the halmoni and Kim Dan.
But Kim Dan was not different from the manager. He also lived in the mode of “having”. Hence once he earned money, he would buy gifts to others: (chapter 41) In his eyes, possessions and money determine someone’s values. Hence he bought an expensive keychain for his fated partner. Furthermore, I have been wondering if this spending is not related to Shin Okja, the latter could have been a spendthrift. In the essay „Click 📸: Between Fleeting illusions and Enduring Realities“ I had outlined that all the objects in the flat would belong to the grandmother (Chapter 19). Another possibility is that she made sure that her grandchild would spend money on her: (chapter 41) And this brings me to my next important revelation. The grandmother never said thank you to Kim Dan. She either apologizes (chapter 53 ) or makes it sound like a reproach „Spoil me to death“. There is no THANK YOU. She didn‘t give him her hand like in episode 22 with the celebrity as well. But there is another detail that caught my attention: the nurse mentioned the paid bills (chapter 22) after the departure of Joo Jaekyung, but notice how the halmeoni thanked the benefactor: (Chapter 22) She didn’t express the reason for her gratefulness. She didn‘t bring up the hospital bills, but she knew about it. In other words, when she showed her gratitude, she was in reality just thanking him for his company. That‘s how Kim Dan perceived it first and we should do it as well. To conclude, the grandmother is not really thankful, when it comes to money. Exactly like the manager, she takes it for granted. In fact, she gave him the yoghurt which was offered by the hospital. (chapter 21) One might argue that the poor woman couldn’t do much to express her gratitude. However, this is just a deception. Shin Okja could have written a letter to express her gratitude to Joo Jaekyung. Why do you think Mingwa created two scenes with a letter or card? (chapter 45) (chapter 53) The comparison lets transpire the importance of words. The champion might have judged the keychain differently, if he had read the card. But he didn’t. Another parallel between these two scenes is the rejection of a gift! However, in the final episode, Kim Dan voiced genuine gratitude towards his benefactor. The latter had allowed him to work as his PT. With the letter, he could voice his thoughts and emotions much better. And now, you realize that Shin Okja could have acted the same way. This made me realize that deep down, she resents being poor. She likes Dan spending money on her. (Chapter 41) Despite her rebuke she actually doesn’t meant it. She never actually told him to stop or rejected Joo Jaekyung‘s generosity. Instead, she made the following request to her grandson: (chapter 41). He should treat the sportsman nicely (“do good”). Kim Dan is the one who should be indebted to Joo Jaekyung. However, observe what she said in front of her grandchild before: she was the one who was grateful to the main lead, and not Kim Dan!! (chapter 41) She should have been the one who expressed her gratitude to Joo Jaekyung, but not Kim Dan for the trip (it was work related anyway). One might argue that the poor woman is trapped in the hospital, she can not do much. But you are wrong. She could have written a letter to her benefactor which means that she would have sacrificed some of her time for the athlete. Imagine that she had sent a message to the athlete, the latter might have decided to pay a visit to her. He is not truly heartless. With this silence, she created the impression that his assistance had changed her situation.
As you can see, she delegated her “gratitude” to her relative. Hence no wonder why Kim Dan chose to work hard for the keychain. He had to “work hard” in order to repay the huge debt (the trip to the States, the hospital). That’s why I come to the conclusion that the grandmother doesn’t represent true gratitude. She is similar to her male version: putting the responsibility on others and using words as lip-services. Simultaneously, this new discovery exposes another cause for her own suffering: she was also living in the mode of „having“. As my avid readers can notice, all the characters in Jinx were living the wrong way.
And this brings me to another aspect: Kim Dan’s diploma as physical therapist. In the having mode, education is centered on acquisition and possession of information. Knowledge is seen as something to be accumulated, memorized, and quantified—often in terms of grades, certificates, or degrees. Hence the doctor thought for a brief moment to take a MMA trainer seminar. (chapter 22)
Focus on Outcomes Over Process: Success in the having mode is defined by external achievements, grades, or credentials, rather than by actual understanding or personal growth.
Competitive Learning: Students are encouraged to see education as a competitive endeavor, where success often involves outperforming others rather than cooperating or collaborating.
Dependency on External Tools: This mindset can make students more prone to relying on shortcuts like cheating or using AI to complete assignments without really engaging with the material. In this context, tools like AI might be used to bypass learning rather than deepen understanding, reducing education to a means to an end.
Lack of Internal Motivation: The focus on external validation makes intrinsic motivation scarce. This dependency on external rewards may undermine creativity, critical thinking, and the desire for genuine understanding, as students prioritize “having knowledge” over “being knowledgeable.”
Kim Dan was not a proud PT. In fact, he had no problem to take a job as a courier. For him, the diploma was just a piece of paper. Why? It is because he was not truly motivated to become a PT. His choice was influenced by his halmoni and his financial situation. He was doing it for the money: (chapter 1) In other words, he was not passionate about his profession. This means that he didn’t define himself as PT due to his lack of engagement and low self-esteem. Besides, let’s not forget that he judges people based on their social status and seniority. I would even add, the main lead had not recognized the existence of his own skills (knowledge, genuineness and dedication). But by working for Joo Jaekyung, he came to enjoy his job. This explicates why he kept buying books. (chapter 53) He likes not only his job now, but also learning as such. This is no coincidence that education in the mode of “being” means that the focus is on learning and developing skills. Hence I still see a change in the hamster at the end of season 1: (chapter 53) He is defining himself by his skills: he is a PT!! Money plays no longer a role. He is about to live in the mode of „being“.
However, there are other students in Jinx. Fromm’s explanations about human psychology made me realize why many members from Team Black left the gym soon after the champion’s loss and bad PR: (chapter 52) In this panel, the author let us see glimpses of their motivation and thoughts. For them, the champion has nothing to teach them, since he lost his title and is injured. This shows that they are only interested in the outcome, success and as such fame, but not in the process, how to become skilled! In other words, they see “success” as a possession. He has no title, then he has nothing to offer. They are all living in the mode of having, which can only lead to misery and even self-destruction. No wonder why they were not too upset or shocked, when they heard that the game had been rigged. But what led them to make such a decision?
Naturally, the manager played a huge role in this. The gym gave the impression that by being by the athlete’s side, they would become successful as well. Park Namwook contributed to this wrong evolution, for he didn’t confront the fighters with reality: he made false promises. (chapter 23) Then he only focused on the “outcome” and not on the process. Hence he neglected them, delegated his task on the pressured athlete. The latter had to train them: (chapter 25) and (chapter 36) In my eyes, he didn’t want to play the bad guy. The meeting or his worries were more important (chapter 36) than their training and career. Moreover, he kept bribing them with junk food (chapter 26) or new jackets or towels. He was only interested in getting new members, but not in developing their skills. This explains why he treated Seonho so well: (chapter 46) The latter was a new source of income and fame. Everything was revolving around money. That’s how it dawned on me why the manager got angry for the bet in episode 26: (chapter 26) We shouldn’t judge his words as a verity, he was just using the doctor as a false excuse. The reality is that the sparring had brought no money at all! This fight was strongly intertwined with fun. The notion of „entertaining“ stands in opposition to money. Fun means feeling emotions and being to true one’s self. In other words, Kim Dan stands for a different notion of MMA fighting: the sportsmen shouldn’t work for money, but for fun. They are artists too. This signifies that as time passed on, the members of Team Black lost their passion for fighting (chapter 26) and became more obsessed with possessions and fame. Potato and the remaining members represent the exceptions. They enjoyed the lessons despite the pain and struggles. The other members became dependent on external tools which led them to lose their integrity. To conclude, the reason for their disloyalty is that at the end, they had long internalized the mode of having and were just interested in getting successful.
3. 2. The Being Mode
In contrast, the “being” mode focuses on authentic self-expression, inner fulfillment, and experience rather than ownership. Key aspects include:
Living Authentically: People in the being mode derive meaning from their experiences, creativity, and actions, rather than from acquiring or possessing. That‘s why fun is so important. And who embodies fun in Jinx? Naturally Heesung (special episode2 ), but also Cheolmin (chapter 13) who likes making jokes. That‘s how I came to understand why Cheolmin appeared only one time in season 1. He will come to replace the manager: (chapter 13)
Dynamic Engagement: This mode emphasizes growth, spontaneity, and a deep, active engagement with life. Here, identity is fluid and self-renewing, driven by inner growth rather than external gains.
Connectedness and Compassion: Fromm sees the being mode as fostering a sense of unity with others and the world, as it’s grounded in compassion, shared experience, and a true sense of community.
The being mode fosters qualities like love, empathy, joy, and creativity, enabling individuals to experience life in a richer, more meaningful way.
Cheolmin stands for understanding and trust in humans. He criticized the man first, but he didn‘t imply that he had done it with bad intentions. Secondly, he believed his sunbae, (Chapter 13) when the latter denied his responsibility. This shows that the man doesn’t mistrust people. He has faith in humans. And in this short scene, the doctor shows alle positive notions mentioned above: love, empathy, joy and creativity. Therefore I come to the following interpretation: he embodies the being mode. No wonder why he was not present in season 1. The main lead was definitely obsessed with work. Hence the moment Cheolmin’s path crosses Kim Dan’s, the funny doctor should become the hamster’s new role model.
3. 3. The Larger Philosophical Context
Fromm’s philosophy reflects a critique of modern consumerism and materialism, which, in his view, has led society towards the having mode. He argues that this mode is ultimately destructive, as it alienates individuals from their true selves and from others. The being mode, on the other hand, aligns with the principles of humanistic and existential philosophy, emphasizing the pursuit of self-actualization, meaning, and interconnectedness.
Fromm warns that without a shift from “having” to “being,” society risks falling into moral and psychological decay, driven by the insatiable quest for possessions and power. And we can observe this in Jinx. MFC and the medical world (chapter 48) are full of greedy people who have no problems to commit crimes in order to achieve their goals (more fame, more wealth, revenge, more connections). Baek Junmin became a champion by cheating. (Chapter 49) Thus he thought, the athlete had earned his title the same way. His fights were rigged, yet the verity is that the idol worked hard to achieve this level. The irony is that The Gunshot experienced much too late that his assumption was wrong. (Chapter 52) His shaking is exposing his fears. Like mentioned in the past, I am anticipating that The Shotgun will avoid a new fight with the celebrity.
Thus I interpret these two panels from Mingwa like this: They embody the mode of being. The hands are touching each other directly. They are not attached by money. Moreover, the hands express positive emotions and thoughts: support, gratitude, honesty, tenderness, acceptance and more importantly trust and fun. They are enjoying the present moment. Mingwa announced with these images the happy ending for these two characters who thought that they were jinxed. The reality is that they were responsible for their own misery.
This work urges a reassessment of values and priorities, where personal growth and human connection take precedence over material wealth and social status. And that’s where Joo Jaekyung is standing now. (chapter 53) He is standing at a crossroad. What does he truly want in life? Fame? More money? Or happiness and as such love and fun?
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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 thetable 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 La Vie En Rose
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1. The role of Routine in Jinx
In my last essay La Vie En Rose , I named Choi Heesung Mister Boredom, while I introduced the champion as Mister Routine explaining why the latter would reject the artist. (chapter 30) Whereas the protagonist sees in a pattern a shield and protection, the other considers it as a source of danger, for the person doesn’t feel alive.
1. 1. The prince’s perception of routine
As you can see, Heesung views regularity as a synonym for death. Why? His reason is simple. He doesn’t sense his heart racing. Interesting is that when the physical therapist interacted with the actor for the first time, the former didn’t treat him as a celebrity, but as a normal patient. Choi Heesung was simply a human in the protagonist’s eyes and nothing else. (Chapter 30) Kim Dan had heard the conversation between the artist and his manager before offering his help and approaching him. Then when he took his hand for an examination, he was not holding it out of admiration. (Chapter 30) No wonder why the doctor caught his attention. The pink haired star got surprised by such an unusual treatment. The irony is that the main lead was doing nothing out of the ordinary. This shows that till this meeting, the actor had always been treated as a prince, for the latter had always been privileged. It is not surprising that Heesung found Joo Jaekyung refreshing. (Chapter 30) He was the only one who would not consider him as special, rather as bothersome. Yes, he was not favored by the emperor. Under his new light, it becomes comprehensible why Mingwa let the gumiho play the role of a prince wearing a purple hanbok with Potato: (Special episode 2) The purple hanbok is strongly connected to Joseon royalty. (For more read my essays about Painter Of The Night) In addition, while the comedian thinks, it is a fiction, he is wrong in verity. It was a reality, for he has been living like a sovereign. And now, you comprehend why Heesung praised the physical therapist to the sky. (Chapter 30) By treating him like an average patient, he could only appear as very professional and competent. (Chapter 30) He was seen as a serious and honest doctor who was not looking for favors and recognition. So I deduce that the actor felt moved by such a selflessness and care. (Chapter 30) We should consider this image full with stars as a metaphor for the comedian’s heart racing. To conclude, their first encounter reflected Heesung’s philosophy: his desire for novelty and genuine attention, while he is longing for normal treatment and as such for an ordinary relationship. The expression “soulmate” is implying the notion of equity. Thus because of the doctor’s actions, Heesung felt alive. Funny is that by discovering the doctor, Heesung was encouraged to accept routine. Therefore he came to the gym on a regular basis. (Chapter 31) This shows the inner conflict of the actor. Deep down, he dislikes being treated as a prince and would like to be seen as a man and nothing more. Normality and regularity stand in opposition to privilege and novelty. On the other side, he seems to reject averageness and commonplaceness. Therefore he likes to show off his wealth: (chapter 32) Through the ukes (Potato and Kim Dan), the fox is experiencing the positive aspects of ordinariness. He drinks soju while eating a cheap meal on the street to drown his sorrow (chapter 35) or he imagines to have sex in a barn next to a crowded place. (Special episode 2) As you can see, thanks to the new episode, I realized that Potato’s role is to make him give up on his special status and privileges. In the bedroom, he might become the master, but outside he will be forced to work for someone else: Potato and as such for the main couple. And this brings me to my next prediction. Look how Mingwa ended the second special episode: Manhwaphiles see Potato running away, because he is embarrassed. For me, it indicates that Potato will turn his back on Heesung. Yes, we should see this ending as the positive reflection from this night: (chapter 53) Back then, the champion didn’t imagine that the doctor had already started distancing himself. However, here it is clear that contrary to the main lead, Yoon-Gu doesn’t plan to leave the actor or to neglect him at all. He is a very mature and responsible person. Besides, he has just accepted his suggestion: he plans to visit him on the set. However, Heesung is about to learn important life lessons. Life never goes as planned. Furthermore, he will be forced to question his principles and his behavior. (Special episode 1) He needs to become responsible. He won’t get sick of his lover, and he is going to miss him terribly. In my eyes, Choi Heesung is about to go through the same experience than his frenemy: regret and longing. He should have paid more attention to the physical therapist and the champion (chapter 35), as their relationship is affecting his own life. How so? It is because the young MMA fighter is a stan of Kim Dan and Joo Jaekyung! (Chapter 35) Let’s not forget that when Yoon-Gu helped the physical therapist in the locker room, he was indirectly assisting the star. (Chapter 49) The problem is that in season 1, he was rather distant and privileged the celebrity. Therefore he didn’t protect the physical therapist properly. Since the maknae is really sad about the doctor’s departure (chapter 52), it becomes clear that his interest aligns with his idol’s. (Chapter 53) Therefore he can only support the champion’s decision to bring back the main lead. Yet, under the orange tent he decided to cheer them on from afar. Thus I am now inclined to think that the maknae could choose to become more proactive, when it comes to Kim Dan.
The other reason for envisioning a separation is that in the latest episode, readers could see the fox’s blushing. (Special episode 2) The latter got more pronounced, as time passed on, a sign of his rebirth or revival. He is on his way to fall deeply in love with the maknae, because he is having fun all the time. (Special episode 2) Fascinating is that the expression “to have a ball” (a synonym to enjoy oneself) is related to Cinderella.
Where does have a ball come from?
The first records of the phrase have a ball come from around 1879. It comes from American slang. The word ball is used in the sense of a fancy party with dancing, such as the one attended by Cinderella. Quoted from https://www.dictionary.com/browse/have-a-ball#
Cinderella is a fairy tale about transformation and disguise. The young woman is able to climb socially thanks to a her godmother, a hidden sponsor!! One might think that Potato is a new version of Cinderella and Heesung is his future sponsor. Yet I believe that the actor will make the opposite experience than the original protagonist’s. Through Potato, Choi Heesung will discover a new world… MMA fighting, criminality and even misery. My avid readers should recall that when he was sent to the gym, he was reading a script entitled: EXTREME WORLDS (Chapter 29) He has only lived in one so far due to his privileges. It was, as if he has lived in a fairy tale, far away from reality. Now with Potato, he is finally able to live out his fantasies, hence his fairytale-like world has just lost its reason to exist. Thanks to Kim Dan and Potato, the comedian is brought back to reality. He is discovering not only averageness, but also the true significance of routine and normality. Thanks to the latter, trust and intimacy can deepen. He found out that he can experience novelty through sex.
Interesting is that the actor is now trying to include his lover in his professional life. (Special episode 2) It was, as if he wanted Potato to switch his career. It exposes his desire to be close to the maknae. However, with the champion’s downfall and the physical therapist’s departure, I am quite certain that Yoon-Gu’s position at Team Black is about to change. The gym needs to become successful again and present new athletes. Yoon-Gu can no longer be treated as an extra!! His future is now important for Team Black and Park Namwook. Finally, he proved his worth by fighting the older and bigger fighters at the restaurant. Thus I doubt that Choi Heesung can make a deal with Park Namwook like in the past.
1. 2. The champion’s habits and Heesung
Then in her last notes, Mingwa described Joo Jaekyung’s daily schedule. The moment you read this note, you can grasp why the athlete would consider the comedian as a total nuisance. It is because the former couldn’t focus on his training (other exercises: CrossFit, Gym, mostly weights). As a conclusion, the athlete had many reasons to view the artist as bothersome. On the other hand, since Heesung is on his way to adopt regularity, I deduce that the champion’s fate is to accept surprises and changes in his life. And now, you know why their first encounter ended like this: (chapter 1) No one had ever run away from him like that. He was used to face opponents who would challenge him or people who would admire him. Notice that the doctor is turning his back on him, which contrasts to the morning after their first sex session. There, the protagonist chose to vanish into thin air behind the champion’s back after spending the night with him. (Chapter 4) However, in the athlete’s mind, the doctor had not abandoned him, for he imagined that Kim Dan was motivated by his greed. He was just interested in money. As you can see, Kim Dan represents novelty and exception. Nonetheless, the problem is that till the end of season 1, the fighter never came to see novelties and sudden events as something positive. (Chapter 53) Under this new light, Manhwaphiles can grasp why the celebrity hates birthdays and surprise parties. They represent a violation to his regular schedule. (Chapter 43) (chapter 53) So when he refuses the doctor’s resignation, he exposes his true mind-set once again. Kim Dan has already become part of his daily routine. Thus the Webtoonist had included the doctor’s schedule in the notes. But there’s more to it.
The moment Kim Dan moved to the penthouse (chapter 19), the athlete didn’t change his daily schedule at all. On the one hand, Manhwa-philes could judge this as a sign of his selfishness. On the other hand, it exposes his lack of sociability. He had never lived with someone else before. Since we never saw his family or heard about his parents in the first season, I assume that he is a true orphan contrasting to the physical therapist’s situation. Yet both have one common denominator: abandonment issues. The absence of family displays the difference between the two semes. While the actor embodies favoritism and nepotism which is strongly linked to family, the other represents the opposite values: indifference, meritocracy and business. Thus the Webtoonist created such a scene: (Chapter 31) He only gets respected, as long as he is “bringing money” to Team Black (Chapter 52) and MFC. According to me, people from MFC had expected the athlete’s defeat in the USA so that I am quite certain that they had bet on his loss. Because of meritocracy, it is normal that Joo Jaekyung trained so hard on a regular basis. Besides, his routine outlines the importance of his work in his life. His career means everything to him. In fact, it represents his life. Thus it is not surprising that his daily schedule would center on his training. Simultaneously, Manhwa-worms can understand why the champion had no time to meditate and question his believes and way of life. He had no time for something else. Under this light, it dawned on me why the athlete expected from Kim Dan to adapt himself to his daily schedule. The latter had to develop a routine based on the champion’s training. Furthermore readers can grasp the fighter’s behavior in the following image. (Chapter 19) Joo Jaekyung is leaving for the evening training, and he is making no exception. However, as time passed on, the athlete came to make an exception for the doctor. Because of the actor, the athlete chose to neglect his training once. (Chapter 32) According to me, he never went to his training. And shortly after, he was involved in a scandal.
2. Mister Routine, Mister Change and the Wedding Cabinet
(chapter 19) Interesting is that we are witnessing the MMA fighter turning his back to the physical therapist. He is leaving his destined partner behind. From my point of view, his words (“Do what you want”) imply that he is not recognizing the doctor as a valuable and necessary PT, for he is not including him in the evening training. I would even go so far to say that Joo Jaekyung is treating the protagonist as a part of his furniture. In my eyes, the fighter came to associate him with the halmoni’s Wedding Cabinet. It was, as if in the champion’s unconscious, the doctor had become the beautiful cupboard.
This interpretation helps to grasp why the athlete neglected his lover for 10 days (chapter 19) and why he got upset and scared (chapter 53), when he saw the Wedding Cabinet in the hallway. (chapter 53). In episode 19, the champion really viewed the main lead as an object (chapter 19). Therefore he focused on his training and didn’t pay attention to Kim Dan’s whereabouts and actions. However, it changed, as soon as someone reminded him of Kim Dan’s true nature: (chapter 19) he was a human. According to my theory, the coach Jeong Yosep was behind this trigger, since he is the only one at the gym with a failed relationship. (chapter 05) Hence he called him from the gym making sure that he had not blocked him or even vanished. Under this new light, Jinx-philes can understand why he felt the urge to have sex with Kim Dan. It was to remind him that he would belong to him. Yes, unconsciously, the athlete projected his own thoughts and fears onto his fated companion. (chapter 19) Yet, with such an order, Kim Dan appears more as a sex doll than as a free human being. This scene is important, because this reminder showed him that the latter could leave the flat behind his back, he was not obliged to wait for him at his penthouse. Since the fighter was seen wearing his shoes in the bathroom (chapter 19), many Jinx-philes had been able to discern the fighter’s past (invisible) action. He had been looking for the doctor in the huge penthouse, the older version of this scene (chapter 53). Since the latter is so big, the absence of light and noise must have startled the main lead. (chapter 19) The doctor had barely left traces in the apartment. Only the cupboard was the evidence of his presence in the flat. However, this object could be left behind… exactly like Joo Jaekyung had treated Kim Dan in this panel: (chapter 19) Moreover, let’s not forget how the protagonist viewed the huge furniture. (chapter 19) It was worthless. My point is that Joo Jaekyung must have realized in episode 19, when he returned to the penthouse that Kim Dan was different from the cupboard, he was no object at all. And now, you comprehend why the main lead said this to the doctor in the bathroom: (chapter 19) First, he was compared to a prostitute, then later to a baby. (Chapter 20) This scene proves that Joo Jaekyung was viewing his lover as a human. Additionally, the comparison to a whore was to mask his previous anxiety and thoughts. He had been looking for him. He needed to appear as strong and superior, the one with the upper hand.
This interpretation raises the following question. Did he keep viewing him as a human after this episode? My answer is positive, though on the surface it looks like he reverted back to his old ways. (Chapter 33) Here, he tried to give pleasure to the doctor, for he saw Choi Heesung as a huge rival. The latter is known for being a better lover. It was, as if he was trying to give a reward to his companion. Moreover, I believe, the sex toy was there, because the champion feared that he wouldn’t be able to control his emotions and actions. Then in this scene, one might argue that the champion treated him as a sex doll (chapter 36) However, my avid readers should keep in their mind that sex was like a surrogate fight. Thus we could say that in this panel, the physical therapist is actually treated like a “fighter” and enemy. Then when the champion criticized him for his bad decision, he was finally recognizing him as a physical therapist. (Chapter 45) As Manhwaworms can observe, the room mate’s social status was improving. I would even add, the athlete was putting more and more responsibility on the main lead. A sign that despite the appearances he was trusting him more and more. On the other hand, one might argue about this analysis, for after the quarrel, the fighter started distancing himself from his PT. He would no longer talk to him and even ignore him. (Chapter 47) So anyone would say that he is no longer treating Kim Dan as a human. However, this is just a deception. How so? It becomes perceptible, when you contrast the last panel with this one: (Chapter 19) That’s why my illustration displays both pictures next to each other. What caught my attention is that earlier in the season, the celebrity talked to doc Dan, but he was showing a certain disrespect towards his room mate. His Wedding Cabinet was garbage, he was not included in his evening training. Like mentioned above, he was treated like a furniture. Nevertheless, in chapter 47, Joo Jaekyung chose the silent treatment. It shows that he was now considering him as a member from Team Black, but because of Park Namwook’s warning, (chapter 47) he kept everything to himself. Indirectly, he was questioning his PT’s loyalty. This shows that the miscommunication and silence were the results of the coach’s advice and intervention. This means that due to his manager’s words, the champion started doubting the physical therapist. Thus I come to the following deduction: though the athlete asked Kim Dan to get out of his side (chapter 51), unconsciously the star made the opposite decision: he started considering him as a real member from Team Black. Why? It is because the doctor had touched his heart and mind with this question: (chapter 51) He had broken the final wall between them. This explicates why the moment Joo Jaekyung heard about the doctor’s resignation, (chapter 53), he refused his decision. This means indirectly, he is admitting that the protagonist is a trustworthy and competent PT! His attitude contrasts so much to his coach’s who imagines that doc Dan can be replaced so easily. (Chapter 53) In my opinion, the one behind the champion’s mistrust is the manager. I even have the impression that he is also responsible for his mistrust against doctors, as they are no fighters. Either it is because he has an inferiority complex against such people or it is related to MFC. He only trusts the organization and its members, as such he only trusts doctors from MFC. To conclude, at the end of season 1, Kim Dan is recognized as a trustworthy physical therapist and as a real member from Team Black.
And now, you are wondering the signification of the cupboard in the final episode from season 1. It is time to examine more closely this scene. (chapter 53) When the doctor left the penthouse, he disposed his halmoni’s Wedding cabinet. In other words, he treated the precious furniture as junk, turning the champion’s words into a reality. It was, as if the doctor had taken the MMA fighter’s words seriously. However, Kim Dan didn’t act that way because of the athlete’s false judgement. It is just that the doctor came to consider the wedding cabinet as a burden. Thus he treated it as junk. For him, the furniture only had a sentimental value. It symbolized the grandmother. But why would he consider it as an onus then? First, he couldn’t bring the cupboard to the West coast, too expensive and troublesome. Secondly, he wouldn’t have been able to place the Wedding cabinet in a small flat. (chapter 16) In addition, Kim Dan had kept it for his halmoni’s sake. (chapter 53) She was the one who loved it so much. But since she is trying to reconnect to her childhood and nature, she no longer values it. Yes, the halmoni is falling more and more into childhood, the closer she is to death. Thus she came to repress her marriage. As you can see, the elderly is slowly forgetting her own past and as such Kim Dan. She is trying to relive a moment from her childhood, a time when the grandchild didn’t exist. (Chapter 53) Thus I deduce that Kim Dan can no longer view the Wedding Cabinet like before. I believe seeing the cupboard would be painful for doc Dan, as he would be constantly reminded of his grandmother. (Chapter 53) This image is full of symbolism. Kim Dan is now able to touch the cold Wedding Cabinet, a sign that he is accepting his grandmother’s death. By biding farewell to the furniture, he is preparing himself for the inevitable: his halmoni’s vanishing. It was, as though he was saying goodbye to his relative. That’s the reason why his smile is full of sadness, when he is pushing his relative’s wheelchair. (Chapter 53) Her death has become a taboo. He is full of resignation. Contrary to the past, he is willing to face her death and as such to be by her side on her final moments. Yes, this panel (chapter 53) exposes the doctor’s painful transformation. He is now a grown-up. Though he is forced to change, he is not upset because he is accepting his fate. However, the champion came to associate the cupboard with Kim Dan. So I assume that with the doctor’s departure, for the celebrity, the furniture has now a sentimental value. For me, Manhwaphiles should consider these two pictures (Chapter 53) (chapter 53) as a reflection of this chapter: (chapter 46) (chapter 46) In both scenes, the doctor came to resign and lower his expectation. Thus I deduce that after the final episode, the champion will come to treasure the objects left behind by the physical therapist. Notice that he didn’t throw away the letter. By keeping them, the athlete would show how much he appreciates Kim Dan. In addition, the letter is wishing him well, which no one has expressed so far. The letter oozes trust, confidentiality, admiration and closeness. Hence I deduce that at the end, Joo Jaekyung is heartbroken, though he can not clearly voice his emotions. (Chapter 53) Yet, in opposition to the doctor, he has long internalized to fight for himself. Therefore I am certain that the champion will follow the physical therapist’s trail. And that’s how he will be pushed to drop his habits and develop a new “routine”, where he is no longer the one determining the daily schedule. In my eyes, the grandmother should play a bigger role in his life, as the doctor decided to give her comfort until her final moment. That’s how I am imagining that both will come to an agreement how to redefine their life together. As you can see, by following the physical therapist, the athlete is pushed to leave not only the penthouse, but also the gym. He is on his way to discover new horizons. Since the gym represents routine and training, this signifies that the athlete can no longer follow the same daily schedule. The champion’s suspension is in reality a blessing in disguise. He has the time and the occasion to meditate about his life.
3. Traveling and rebirth
This brings me to my next aspect. In season 1, the champion often went to new places in South Korea because of Kim Dan. When Park Namwook asked his boy to take care of the doctor, the champion discovered his poverty and debts. (Chapter 17) Then when he brought the physical therapist to Heesung’s home, he used the GPS, a sign that he was not familiar with the route. (Chapter 33) Interesting is that when he heard his regular nightly disappearances, he never tried to follow him. (Chapter 45) Why? It is because he was always back in the morning. Furthermore, despite his exhaustion, the physical therapist was still following the daily schedule. Because Kim Dan wanted to keep it a secret, the champion was forced to feign ignorance. Thus he couldn’t question him about his whereabouts. In addition, I can also envision that he must have thought that it was related to his grandmother. Don’t forget that he experienced once how the doctor had left his side due to a phone call in the middle of the night. (Chapter 21) Since the athlete’s life is revolving around routine, I am quite certain that he must have jumped to conclusions based on his first experiences… the birth of prejudices. Thus I have the feeling that Park Namwook’s biased perception concerning his champion is also influenced by their first meeting and experiences. It is important, because such a mentality fixated on daily schedule represents a hindrance for the mind. Routine often leads to close-mindedness and lack of critical thinking. At the same time, this new interpretation explains why the athlete got so worked up and upset, when he received the golden chain. (Chapter 45) It is because all this time, the athlete had been worrying about the doctor and in the best case about his grandmother. Becoming a courier during the night could only give the impression that the halmoni’s health had improved and the expensive treatment was working. In my eyes, the fighter couldn’t ask his physical therapist about his relative’s physical condition either, for it was not his place to ask. He is first and all the PT’s employer. Besides, the physical therapist has always been secretive about his own private life and family, just like the fighter. Therefore I assume that he must have projected his own mind-set onto the doctor, he would not look into the physical therapist’s life. And what was the doctor thinking about the star during season 1? The more time passed on, the more he got curious. To conclude, since the beginning of the story, the celebrity never showed an interest and curiosity to his fated partner. This observation leads me to the following conclusion. In season 2, it is the athlete’s turn to become curios about his lover’s past and life. At the same time, as soon as Kim Dan paid more attention to his lover, he also reflected on his own life, like for example in this scene: (chapter 16) He wondered why the athlete had kissed him, which made him realize that it was his first kiss. Therefore I come to the following deduction. Joo Jaekyung will be forced to discover his lover’s like and dislike which will incite him to become more honest about his own desires and passions. We have an allusion to this development in season 1: (chapter 27) Thanks to his companion, he remembered how much he likes swimming! He had totally repressed it. To conclude, Joo Jaekyung’s travel shouldn’t be just perceived as a journey to the West Coast and Kim Dan’s side, but as an inner journey! He is on his way to discover himself and reconnect to his childhood, or better said to his inner child. This signifies that he is actually following Shin Okja’s footsteps which is regression to childhood. (Chapter 53) Thus my theory is that he will go to the beach and be moved by the beautiful sunset. So far, he has never paid attention to his surroundings and nature. There is another reason why I come to this expectation. I saw parallels between the last picture and this one: (chapter 53) Both are connected to travel. Though both are alone, their experience is totally different. Why? It is because of the contrasts.
The grandmother
Joo Jaekyung
nature
civilization
sun
artificial light – night
closure
emptiness
beautiful – impressed
Hates this moment – sadness
Companionship – she doesn’t feel isolated
loneliness
death – departure
”death of the hero” – departure to the unknown
The view over the city is offering no comfort to the star. He feels miserable and lonely. He is finally realizing that despite his money, he has no one by his side. He is now regretting the past… exactly like the grandmother. Since both are regressing to childhood, it is very likely that the athlete will develop a certain closeness to the halmoni. Contrary to the first season, it shouldn’t be reduced to one short moment. Don’t forget that in episode 21, Kim Dan had doubted his relative’s statement: (chapter 22) He would have the opportunity now to verify this statement.
Since my hypothesis is that he will travel and follow the doctor, he will reconnect with nature. The ocean is the place where the goddess Aphrodite was born. It is the place of Love. Hence I believe that in front of the ocean, the human Joo Jaekyung will be reborn! He will no longer be the star, the champion… but simply an average human. He will not only love the doctor (admit his feelings for him), but also love himself. Mingwa has already indicated his journey to the ocean with this image:
For the champion has to learn to meditate and to identify his own emotions, it makes sense why the Webtoonist announced that season 2 would be a slow burn and would focus on emotions. Besides, he has now to pay attention to the grandmother and Kim Dan. Since it is only a matter of time, until Shin Okja dies, I associate her vanishing as a change too. Because of her, Joo Jaekyung is forced to accept novelty as something natural. Life can not be predicted… Changes can also be a source of joy… like the jokes. We have the perfect example in chapter 27: (Chapter 27) (chapter 27) Thus we should see a more gentle and humorous fighter in season 2. Since he is suspended, he can no longer associate sex with fighting! He has now time to enjoy life. He has someone by his side watching his back. He can now learn how to relax. He should come quickly to the conclusion that his career doesn’t represent his life. He could do other things. He is no longer fighting against time, as the latter has been suspended: 3 MONTHS! The god Saturn, Kim Dan, will teach him the true value of time. And that’s how Park Namwook will lose his boy to the physical therapist.
PS: I hope, this essay made you looking forward for season 2.
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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 manhwasHere are the links, if you are interested in the first work from Mingwa, BJ Alex, and the previous essay about Jinx“Feeling good?”
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1. The champion’s face
This essay won’t be long compared to the previous ones, but I wanted to examine the Emperor’s downfall more precisely. One image in episode 52 caught my attention, (chapter 52) the publication from KR Sports News. The journalist used a very disadvantageous picture of Joo Jaekyung which was taken at the end of the match. Why? It is to manipulate public opinion. His ugly face was to reflect his bad behavior. He was portrayed as a bad loser. The article is the reason why the members left the gym. How so? It’s because Joo Jaekyung was the face of Team Black. So by seeing his ruined image and face, the members could only come to the conclusion that the gym had no future. Moreover, by misbehaving, he would no longer embody fairness and impartiality. (chapter 52) He was no longer a hero or champion, but a thug. Yet, there’s more to it.
2. The champion’s image in the past
Suddenly, I remembered this scene from episode 1 (chapter 1) Kim Dan was watching a match from the celebrity and heard the comments from the moderator. He was not only the strongest man in the world (chapter 1), but also a tyrant in the ring!! (chapter 1) And the moment I connected these two chapters together, I had another revelation. The champion’s image in the ring was also created by the media! To conclude, both medias were not portraying the athlete correctly. However, the words “a tyrant in the ring” made me realize why the celebrity lost his title and reputation at the health center. He needed to be defeated outside the ring. Thus the plotters asked the staff from the clinic to place the two fighters next to each other. (chapter 52) They wanted to trigger Joo Jaekyung’s rage (chapter 52), and they succeeded. This seems to corroborate my previous theory that the physical therapist from episode 1 had been wounded, because the athlete’s fears had been triggered. And now, you comprehend why the last picture resembles a lot to the one from episode 1, the “tyrant in the ring”. This shows that not only MFC doctors and nurses were involved in the scheme, but also the medias. They created the hype around the champion. Hence it dawned on me why the plotters had to remove Alfredo (chapter 47) and switch him with Baek Junmin. It is because it would have been impossible to ruin his image outside of South Korea. In the States, the athlete had a very good reputation. (chapter 37) He gave interviews constantly. (chapter 40) Even Dominic Lee had showed his appreciation. (chapter 40) Moreover, it was easier to get helping hands in the country.
But why did they have to create such a situation? It is because the tie had been contested by the viewers. (chapter 51) The latter had booed after the announcementof the result. The fight was the evidence of the corruption of MFC (jury, moderator and MFC security guys). The viewers had not bought the verdict from the jury. And now, it is time to return our attention to episode 1. What was Kim Dan doing in the bus? (chapter 1) He had been watching videos about his future client. All his matches had been recorded. But here look at the title of the article from Korean News: (chapter 52) They are not reporting the result of the match. Moreover, the picture was taken after the end of the match. Thus I deduce that the match with Baek Junmin was not shown on TV!! It was not recorded either. They made sure to leave no trace of it. Jinx-philes should recall that this fight was taking place in the morning (chapter 48), a hour, when people in South Korea are busy. This would explicate why the match was not shown on TV. And now, you comprehend why there is no mention of the tie and why all the pictures come from before or after the match (chapter 52) This incident was to divert attention from the terrible match. Only the beholders of the match had witnessed the misbehavior from the criminal. Moreover, they knew that their hero had been injured. This signifies that the plotters created this incident in order to bury the tie. Choi Gilseok is not the only one involved in this matter. Moreover, by portraying him as the bad loser, journalists made sure that no one would side with him! No beholder from the match would leave comments below the article defending the champion. Thus I come to the conclusion that the schemers had employed an expensive PR to defeat the “tyrant” outside the ring. The Entertainment agency had betrayed his client, for they are not intervening at all. Hence I am wondering if the new plot was not linked to Choi Heesung’s prank in episode 31.
But the article is the evidence of Park Namwook’s betrayal too. (Chapter 52) He did nothing to contradict the opinion. He never gave an interview in order to defend his champion. He had been injured before, he had been insulted in the hospital. He never tried to investigate the matter either. (chapter 52) He acted, as if everything was a normality. He never questioned why incidents against the athlete would constantly take place (drug incident, the spray incident). But there’s another reason for his passivity. Since the beginning, he has always blamed the champion. (chapter 1) He contributed to this legend: a tyrant inside the ring. So he didn’t change his MO. (chapter 52) But after witnessing the mess, he could only blame even more than before the champion. If he had not acted that way, his image would be intact in his mind. Interesting is that the incident was reported by MFC staff, while the latter buried the ankle injury. But the slapping from the manager is the evidence that he is exactly like the main lead. He is impulsive. He vents his anger, when he is under stress. Moreover, his gesture exposes the mentor’s hypocrisy. He is not treating his athlete’s body kindly, though he is injured. (chapter 43) This made me wonder if Park Namwook employed harsh treatment in the past to push the champion to become a great athlete. However, by putting all the blame on him, he gave up on his position as the gym’s owner. On the other hand, this signifies that Joo Jaekyung is no longer the face of Team Black, but its head. Hence they all came to the hospital room wishing that he would become proactive exactly like in the States. (chapter 40) Finally, the members are acknowledging Kim Dan as a part of the team. (chapter 52) Without him, they would feel lost. In the past, they had left him behind.
3. End of the beginning
Since chapter 52 mirrors the first episode, it displays that a circle is getting closed. We are about to witness the birth of Team Black. In the past, the gym was created for the athlete’s own needs, that’s why he was the face of Team Black. However, there was no real team spirit. Even the name was misleading. Therefore the gym is forced to create a new image… (chapter 1) And if I take this picture into consideration, that would be Kim Dan. But we will see. Besides, the name “Team Black” should come in the foreground and replace Joo Jaekyung. That’s how they would attract the attention from Heo Manwook who mistook it for a brothel. Remember that so far, Team Black never got the attention from the media. (chapter 15) Fans only knew the celebrity as fighter and not as the owner of the gym. On the other hand, Kim Changmin, Oh Daehyun and Potato will be motivated to help their devastated doctor and defend their mentor and trainer’s honor. That’s how they will emerge as real fighters. (chapter 52) On the other hand, since Team Black was betrayed by the MFC manager and even the Entertainment agency, I assume that Team Black could decide to organize events themselves.
So once the main lead is able to produce good fighters, the former members could realize that Park Namwook was the one who always drove an edge between them and Joo Jaekyung. (chapter 36) Notice that the more he got under pressure, the more the champion trained the members, but the final game was different. (chapter 47) Namwook was in charge of the schedule and he did nothing to stop the new match. He simply accepted the switch. Anyway, someone will question his passivity and words. That should be Kim Dan, especially when he will notice the smear campaign he was exposed to, a new version of this situation. (chapter 1)
By noticing the parallels between chapter 1 and 52, I could only come to the conclusion that this announce the ascension of the physical therapist. This is the real start of Team Black, for doc Dan will be the heart of that gym. The champion is using his gym differently, creating a better atmosphere oozing happiness and that’s how the champion will create new fighters. It’s important because now Joo Jaekyung is forced to become the true owner of Team Black. By slapping the champion, the hyung lost his position. The latter was always advocating money.
And this brings me back to this image. (chapter 1) Since Kim Dan was paying attention to the buzz surrounding the celebrity in episode 1, I assume that in episode 52, he couldn’t see the smear campaign against his soulmate. He was definitely “busy” with something else contrary to Potato. (chapter 52) Yes, the cute puppy is the new version of the main lead in episode 1.
As a conclusion, the moment the commentator described the athlete as a tyrant in the ring (chapter 1), we should perceive it as a lie, for the celebrity was in reality the puppet of MFC and schemers. The irony is that by removing him from the ring, these villains are not realizing that the champion is now able to pay attention to his surroundings and look at the ring from the outside. He will be able to detect tricks and schemes. That’s how he will be able to protect Team Black and its members. The latter represents Kim Dan’s new home.
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1. The origin of this title
The inspiration for this title was the reaction of readers on X. Many were rejoicing that Joo Jaekyung got slapped by Park Namwook. (chapter 52) They felt good, because they thought the champion deserved it. Why? Joo Jaekyung had blamed Kim Dan for the incident. (chapter 51) Moreover, people saw parallels between this slap (chapter 52) and the one in the shower room. (chapter 7) It was, as if the coach had become the cute doctor himself or his representative. Therefore he was authorized to slap the champion. Yes, for them, Joo Jaekyung was just receiving his karma. But when he confronted the doctor, the latter did nothing, except ask a question. (chapter 51) If the celebrity had truly offended the doctor, the latter could have slapped him like in the past. He knew how to overcome his fear and do it. (chapter 26) This contrast outlines that Kim Dan hadn’t been that offended, he was just heartbroken and sad that the latter didn’t trust him, like he imagined.
2. Snow flake and Team Black
The irony is that these readers were reacting exactly like the former fighters from Team Black. (chapter 52) They were abandoning the protagonist, as they couldn’t put up with his bad temper. They were thinking like the athletes. (chapter 52) And the moment you outline the parallels between these two groups, such Jinx-philes appear as superficial and disloyal. I don’t think, it is a coincidence. Why? First, both were influenced by Park Namwook’s remarks. The latter would constantly portray his own boss in a bad light ruining the sentiment of cohesion within the team. The champion was on the one side, while on the other side the fighters, forgetting that the coach was hiding behind the emperor’s success. Once the latter failed, it is not surprising that the members didn’t stay out of loyalty for Park Namwook. He had done nothing for them, except empty promises. (chapter 23) But in my eyes, the main reason why the sportsmen and many Manhwaworms reacted like this is that nowadays people hate pain and suffering. They don’t see it as a source of growth. Why? They only perceive it from one perspective, their own, a sign for selfishness. But emotional and mental pain is not one-dimensional, for in a conflict or argument, both sides are hurting each other. This means that Mingwa portrayed the mentality of the younger generation in her Manhwa. And how is the younger generation called? They are described as snowflake.
These are just two of the distinguishing features of people who have reached adulthood in the early years of 2010. It is said that the “snowflake” generation is made up of people who are extremely sensitive to opinions that challenge their worldview and react with an excessive susceptibility to lighter complaints, with little resilience. […]
The result of a hyperprotective parenting style, which sees dangers everywhere and promotes an exaggerated perception of the “ego”, are people who do not have the skills to deal with the real world. These people have not sufficiently developed the tolerance to frustration, so the slightest obstacle discourages them. Nor have they developed an adequate emotional intelligence, so they do not know how to deal with the negative emotions aroused by certain situations.
As a result, they become stiffer, feel offended by different opinions and prefer to create “safe spaces” where everything meets their expectations. These people are hypersensitive to criticisms, and in general terms to all those things that do not enter their worldview. Quoted from https://psychology-spot.com/snowflake-generation/
We have the perfect example with Seonho who quit immediately, when he received harsh criticism. (chapter 46) He had to leave the gym, for he noticed that he would become the target of gossips. (chapter 46) He refused to face reality. That’s the reason why he became a traitor. He was tasked to bring members to the gym King Of MMA (chapter 52) so that he would become the next champion.
However, in order to turn a wound into something positive, people need to accept it as a normality and meditate. That’s how a painful incident becomes a tough life lesson. Yet, the reality is that the influence of social media is doing the opposite. They encourage readers and viewers to act on their emotions. Thus their judgement is superficial and full of bias. That’s how people can be easily manipulated. And that’s what the medias have been doing in Jinx. (chapter 52) They turned a hero and philanthropist (he organized a charity event) into a criminal, while the Shotgun, a cheater, got celebrated as a hero. It’s not surprising that no one was missing Baek Junmin during the party. In fact, the members talked behind his back. But what were the MMA fighters celebrating then? (chapter 52) Themselves… and their dream. They were imagining that they were one step closer to the spotlight. Through Jinx, Mingwa is criticizing our modern society and indirectly Jinx-philes who would easily jump from one ship to another. Twenty days earlier, the so-called hero was insulted for treating Kim Dan poorly. (chapter 50) If there are “heroes” in this story, it is the main couple. Joo Jaekyung is a protagonist and not a villain, hence the slap was not deserved. The antagonists are Choi Gilseok, Baek Junmin, Heo Manwook, Seonho and other invisible hands.
The former members from Team Black behaved exactly like the snowflake generation. They couldn’t bear any “hard time” at all, for they only saw it from their perspective, showing no empathy for the athlete’s bad mood. (chapter 36) The main lead was here put under immense stress due to the article. (chapter 36) Yet, he still took his job seriously, hence he spent time training himself the fighters despite his shoulder injury. (chapter 36) Here, he had become their coach and sparring trainer. Under this light, it becomes comprehensible why the author often portrayed them as chicken (chapter 43) or chibbies. (chapter 47) They lack discernment and maturity. Hence they chose the easy way out, thinking that they would have a better chance to become rich and famous. (chapter 52) They followed the flow, the symbol for herd mentality, a concept I explained in “Effective Anguish“. This shows that they chose to throw overboard virtues like integrity and loyalty. Consequently, they are using the athlete in order to hide their wrongdoing. (chapter 52) The irony is that one of them even knew about the origins of Baek Junmin (chapter 47) and still chose to leave the gym. This means that they can not feign ignorance about their involvement in the criminal world. Even the cheating was discussed at the restaurant. (chapter 52) To conclude, they chose to become true thugs, while in the past, they would look like ones. But a bad decision doesn’t mean that their fate is sealed forever. They can change their opinion and redeem themselves.
And if you look back at all the chapters, you will realize that no one got fired, when Kim Dan entered the scene. In fact, the athlete had been very tolerant with the members, though they didn’t bring any success. Secondly, his so-called bad temper was first directed at Kim Dan. (chapter 7) If you read my essay “Guilty Truth or Dare – part 1”, you know that the beating in episode 1 was in fact an anomality. In chapter 36, 45 and 52, Joo Jaekyung never utilized violence, only when he was provoked (chapter 46) I am not saying that he shouldn’t change. But he is a far better person than he is perceived. He is loyal, tolerant, sincere and generous. In fact, he shared his PT with the fighters. (chapter 47). Thus I am already anticipating a rude awakening for the sportsmen, the moment they realize that in that new gym, the law of the jungle is ruling. Moreover, they should realize that they will be used as tools to make money. Choi Gilseok will throw them under the bus, if it is necessary. They will keep rigging the matches, as now MFC has become the official ground for betting. The dark side of MFC is coming to the surface. Baek Junmin is the perfect example. Choi Gilseok and his “Shotgun” provoked the main lead on purpose. However, the fake Angel of Death never realized the consequences of his words. (chapter 52) He lost consciousness and two front teeth. Moreover, he is shaking, a sign that he got severely injured, something I had predicted. This explicates why the corrupt reporter used a picture before the beating (chapter 52) Choi Gilseok used the fake hero’s image to his advantage. On the other hand, this signifies that the incident will leave deep scars in Baek Junmin. He will fear more than before the champion. Choi Gilseok ruined his confidence and mental health. Hence he will do anything to postpone the rematch. Moreover, there is no ambiguity that he and director Choi will cheat again. I have no doubt that he will resort to a bigger crime. Keep in mind that according to me, MFC is corrupted. Though it looks like my interpretation that Choi Gilseok bet on tie isn’t right, I am not giving up this theory yet. Why? It is because the fighters are repeating just what they heard from Choi Gilseok. (chapter 52) Secondly, for me, the director is the epitome of cowardice. Hence he resorted to the cheap trick. Let’s not forget that in the past, he wagered on the champion’s loss with the drugged beverage. I doubt that he would repeat the same mistake. To conclude, the fighters felt good, when they left Team Black. (chapter 52) But reality will catch them quickly. They are the tools to make others to shine as “heroes”. Their happiness is simply short-lived. There is a huge difference between this party and the one in chapter 9. There is no welcome elixir bowl, (chapter 9) King Of MMA stands for the philosophy: “it’s everyone for himself”. Hence the generosity from the director is fake, he will ask for something in return! Remember how he lured the doctor to commit a crime with his “sweet temptation”. I am still expecting the usage of steroids and other tricks. Moreover, through their participation, they become involved in money laundering.
3. Park Namwook’s slapping
Striking is that when bookworms felt good with the slap in episode 52, they resented Park Namwook for his rude behavior towards Kim Dan in episode 50. (chapter 50) The contrast between these two scenes exposed the man as a huge hypocrite. Therefore it is legitimate to state that the manager had no right to slap Joo Jaekyung at all. He had not defended the doctor himself. That’s why I really felt bad, when I saw this: (chapter 52) If I had been there, I would have put myself between the athlete and the manager. Why? It is because the celebrity was a patient at the hospital. It was not the time and place to criticize the athlete. (chapter 52) What was the point of dwelling on the past? And if you compare these two images (chapter 52) (chapter 21), the manager’s violation becomes more obvious. The hospital is a place where a patient needs rest. And what had Kim Dan done in the past? He had not revealed his problems to his grandmother so that she wouldn’t worry too much. He had tried to solve them on his own. Stress is not good for an ill person. In other words, the manager revealed his true face: (chapter 52) He is a wolf with no manner and empathy. (chapter 7) It is no coincidence that we could see his pupils for the second time. (chapter 5) That’s the only moment he revealed his true thoughts and emotions to his pupil. This exposes his hypocrisy and distance. And there was another reason why I condemn his action. (chapter 52) He acted as a parent. However, Jinx-philes should keep in their mind that the main lead is the owner of Team Black. So let me ask you this. Is it right for an employee to slap or beat his employer? No, and Park Namwook knows that very well. Hence he masked his wrongdoing with his weeping. (chapter 52) Through the tears, he not only diverted attention from his bad reaction, but also tried to arouse pity. What an irony! He was standing in front of a man who had a wounded foot, a ruined reputation and a surgery. The latter still deserved some compassion despite his mistakes.
But like mentioned above, each suffering can bring positive changes. So what is the positive effect here? First, it is important to recall that by slapping the champion (chapter 52), Park Namwook was contradicting his previous statement. (chapter 7) In episode 7, he refused to become responsible for his bad manners. He implied that the athlete had been raised by someone else. This indicates that with the slap, he crossed the line. He became his “surrogate father or older brother”. People wondered where his family was. It was Team Black and Park Namwook as the “surrogate guardian”. And now, you comprehend why the athlete said nothing. (chapter 52) But that means as well, the athlete will emancipate himself from his hyung. Furthermore, he showed him that it was okay to weep in front of others, though his weeping was short-lived. (chapter 52)
So why did the manager do it, if it was not for the doctor’s sake? (chapter 52) It is because he didn’t want to become responsible for the mess. All the fighters had left the gym, but he was their coach. (chapter 09) He had failed his task. Keep in mind that Joo Jaekyung had warned him. (chapter 46) He had voiced expectations for the first time to Park Namwook. He should become more proactive. In other words, he was starting putting some responsibility on the manager of Team Black. But the problem is that Park Namwook has the mentality of a child! He fears responsibility and as such making decisions. He is suffering from Decidophobia.
This explicates why he refused to make any decision concerning all the fights with Joo Jaekyung. But in the locker room, he had to say something, for he is his manager. But here, he let coach Jeong Yosep make the choice. (chapter 50) So when he is accusing the champion of behaving like a child, he is simply projecting his own thoughts and emotions, exactly like Baek Junmin: “He’s all talk”. . )chapter 52) (chapter 52) He was the child here. But we have another evidence for this interpretation.
Panic and anxiety: You experience extreme anxiety or have a panic attack when you need to make decisions. You may also experience other symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, nausea, sweating, tremors, and chest or stomach pain.
Procrastination: Your fear of making the wrong choice causes you to put off making decisions for as long as possible. You find it easier to avoid making a decision and live with uncertainty, than to decide and regret your choice. As a result of your procrastination, you may miss out on a lot of opportunities.
Undervalued instincts: Instead of paying attention to your needs and instincts, you focus on gathering a lot of information or soliciting others’ opinions to help you make your decision. However, rather than being helpful, this can cause you to reach a point where you’re completely overwhelmed instead.
Strained relationships: You put a strain on your relationships with loved ones because you leave them to make big choices alone, which puts pressure on them to try and please you without actually knowing what you want.
External dependence: You create situations where you let others decide for you, instead of making decisions for yourself. You may attract a lot of manipulative or authoritarian personalities into your life because their willingness to take charge feels good to you at first.
Not only he keeps procrastinating, but more importantly he relies on others. Hence he pushed the athlete to sign a contract with the Entertainment agency (chapter 30). He let the manager and the lawyer to push the athlete to accept the fight with Dominic Lee. When the drug incident was reported to him, he simply notified MFC security guys dropping everything on them and Kim Dan. (chapter 40) He didn’t feel concerned. It was not part of his duty. So when the fighter got switched, he hired more advisors so that if anything went wrong, no one would put the blame on him. (chapter 47) It is no coincidence that he delegates tasks to others. (chapter 36) But his passivity becomes more obvious, when you look at the news. (chapter 52) He doesn’t give any interview to explain the incident in the health center. As his manager, he should have intervened. Under this light, it becomes comprehensible why he had to blame the champion. It is the result of his passivity, fears and ignorance. He never tried to understand the origins of the champion’s anger management issues. That’s the reason why he wished the physical therapist good luck. (chapter 1) He was totally unpredictable in his eyes. But he didn’t ask the right question: why? He neglected his mental health. Then, later he gave himself an answer: he is just a spoiled brat.
But for the first time, the champion didn’t accept his reproach silently, he had to express how he felt. (chapter 52) In front of this confession, Park Namwook was left speechless. The man was completely lost. Out of fear and powerlessness, he slapped the champion. (chapter 52) So did he feel good doing it? No, he realized his wrongdoing. Therefore he cried, though his tears are rather superficial. Because it is a huge disaster, he doesn’t know what to do. Without any fight, the gym won’t earn any money. I believe that his obsession for money is influenced by his situation. He has a family to feed. Because he feels scared and helpless, he simply did nothing. He didn’t go to the gym (chapter 52) or look for Kim Dan . (chapter 52) or go to the authorities. Potato was the one who visited the doctor, for he repeated the same words. Oh Daehyun took care of the training and coach Yosep went to MFC and the authorities, though I fear that this could also backfire, as the weapon and crime got reported. Kim Dan could be incriminated. (chapter 52) But there is another reason why I don’t think, the manager met the physical therapist. Park Namwook remembers definitely that he had not sided with him in the locker room either. And that time, he could put the blame on the athlete, for he was a victim. And now, you comprehend why the manager had to put the whole blame on the athlete at the hospital. So he didn’t slap the champion, for it felt good, but out of anxiety and discomfort. He didn’t want to be confronted with the champion’s pain as well. (chapter 52) That was too much to bear for him. We don’t know what happened to Kim Dan, but there is a high chance that he might have lost his grandmother. Park Namwook has already trouble to deal with the emperor’s suffering and powerlessness, therefore I doubt that he could face the doctor in front of a real tragedy.
Under this new light, it becomes comprehensible why Park Namwook is following the flow, has a biased perception of his boss and let him carry the whole burden. In my eyes, he doesn’t deserve his high position. Hence this crisis was necessary. It is time for the athlete to take the reins of the gym. But like pointed out above, he did more and more for the gym. From a simple fighter (chapter 7), he turned into a trainer and coach. On the other hand, I doubt that the champion should do everything on his own. Exactly like his hyung, he should ask for help and advices, but contrary to the past, there would be a real discussion where everyone comes to an agreement. All of them should make the decision together. But let’s return our attention to the manager and coach.
I suspect that he has always viewed himself as the protagonist’s savior. (chapter 26) The reality is that MFC is strongly intertwined with the crime world.
And note what is happening right now. Because of a punch, all the members left the gym and joined director Choi Gilseok’s gym. But the emperor’s manager knew that this man was bad news, hence he avoided him. (chapter 48) He has been a coward, he used Joo Jaekyung to boost his ego. He relied on routine (chapter 5) and the emperor’s talents thinking that he could do the same with the other fighters. But that’s impossible. Each sportsman is different. One thing is sure. He hid his fears behind people. His dream was to live a life on a script, like wrestling which is impossible. But now they have all abandoned the ship, thereby it is becoming more difficult to avoid responsibility. At the same time, it explains why he is asking for the return of Kim Dan. It is his way to avoid accountability.
At the same time, it exposes his ignorance and prejudices. He has such a bad perception of Joo Jaekyung that he accepted without problem to let the emperor take the whole blame. He never spoke up in his defense… the two hyungs stood there totally passive and silent in the emergency room. (chapter 52) They did nothing to stop the tragedy, though they knew about his bad temper. To conclude, Park Namwook didn’t feel good for the slapping, hence this action was not truly necessary. On the other hand, this could only make the champion realize how precious Kim Dan is. The latter allowed him to speak up (chapter 51), even to voice his emotions and thoughts without resorting to violence, though the doctor was wounded by them. Here is another contrast. (chapter 31) He slapped him on his neck showing a certain dishonesty.
4. Joo Jaekyung’s punch
And now, we should ask ourselves if the emperor felt good, when he vented his anger on the stupid challenger. (chapter 52) No, because it brought only him misery afterwards. (chapter 52) He has to get surgery and he got suspended. (chapter 52) This terrible situation cornered him. He was forced to admit his unwell-being, powerlessness and cluelessness. He was like his hyung, he felt lost. He didn’t know what to do. We should see this confession as a scream for help: (chapter 52)
Interesting is that the 90 day of suspension is actually a blessing in disguise. How so?
In biblical numerology, 90 is often associated with completion and perfect timing. It signifies the end of a cycle and the beginning of a new one. This number embodies God’s perfect timing and the fulfillment of His promises. Quoted from https://meaning-of.net/religion/bible/biblical-meaning-of-90/
As you can see, the number is strongly intertwined with enlightenment and huge transformation. Hence I deduce that within that time, all these characters, Park Namwook, Hwang Yoon-Gu, coach Jeong Yosep, Oh Daehyun, Kim Changmin, Kim Dan and Kwak Junbeom (probably Heesung) will introduce new habits and develop a new routine. The team will work differently. But there exists another reason why I consider this suspension as a blessing. The champion would have never stopped, had MFC not intervened. The schemers saw the athlete as a problem, for he was earning more and more money, a problem for their business. (chapter 41) Moreover, thanks to the punishment, the champion learned that he couldn’t use his fists in order to solve a problem. Remember what he said to Kim Dan during the breakfast: (chapter 41) He wanted to kill the mastermind behind the plot. From my point of view, the champion is incited to discover the existence of other means to get justice. According to my theory, the fighter is a chaebol. So he has power, but he was never taught to use his power properly. As time passes on, he will realize that he has to report a crime on his own, file a lawsuit but not for himself, for others. Finally, he will come to utilize medias to expose a crime. Hence I am expecting a new version of this scene at some point (chapter 35), where he contacts a journalist and reveals everything with the help from his loved one. From my point of view, he became a fighter because of manipulations. That way, the truth could get buried.
To conclude, if someone had to criticize Joo Jaekyung, then it should have been the physical therapist and no one else. Furthermore, in the locker room, it was the champion’s right to confront the doctor. (chapter 51) Anyone in his position would have reacted the same way. He is not omniscient, like the author or Manhwalovers. Finally, when he saw that he had wounded the doctor, he left the place. Unfortunately, out of habit, he had to mask his shock and wound with his anger. (chapter 51) However, his question at the hospital (chapter 52) shows that my interpretation was correct. Joo Jaekyung didn’t fire the doctor with his words “Get out of my sight”, he just wanted to be left alone. On the other hand, I am certain that the physical therapist took his words too literally. He imagined that he was fired. Hence I saw this argument in the hospital room as a good omen, though I was mad at the coaches and Oh Daehyun. (chapter 52) The only one looking at him was the puppy Yoon-Gu. They are embarrassed, for no one paid attention to Kim Dan except the cute puppy Potato. So what is so positive about this scene? The champion realized that no one was taking his side, ready to listen to this suffering. Only Kim Dan had been patient and understanding with him. (chapter 45) He had never judged him for his yelling and reproaches. He had accepted everything from him, the good and bad.
Through their argument, both are learning how to communicate properly and as such to trust each other. Both are gradually discovering the 4 sides model of a message: Joo Jaekyung must have realized that Kim Dan misunderstood his words in the locker room. (chapter 52) He got to hear a terrible news that took him by surprise. (chapter 52) Hence he listened patiently to his coach. He was calm again, the shock made him forget his misery. However, note that he is not looking at Park Namwook. He is starring in front of him. In my eyes, it is related to the grandmother and her imminent death. Joo Jaekyung was so blinded by anger and fears (chapter 51) that he forgot that Kim Dan used to spend all his money for her. Joo Jaekyung imagined that by paying the bills, the problems had been solved. But money is nothing in front of death. Everyone is equal in front of death. Back then, the doctor had wondered how he could help his loved one, if he were to lose a match. He sensed that the athlete could become depressive: (chapter 29) No matter what happened to Kim Dan, the doctor’s fate is there to teach Joo Jaekyung another important lesson. His pain is nothing compared to his loved one’s. Even if the grandmother didn’t die, one thing is sure: Kim Dan’s in a worse place than the champion. That’s how they can help each other to overcome their tragedy and face the future with confidence. For me, what will motivate Team Black is not money, but the doctor’s happiness. That’s how they come close to each other, they will all discover the importance of mental health and happiness. Being protective can be a source of a strength.
5. Feeling good?
So did anyone feel good after the match? No one .. except the traitors and director Choi Gilseok. I am even excluding Baek Junmin, for he got severely injured and the members are talking behind his back. Besides, the party was ruined by Potato. There was a fight at the restaurant. (chapter 52) There was no second round. In fact, I only felt good, when Kim Dan succeeded in this challenge: (chapter 26) This was the only chapter in Jinx without emotional pain. He discovered that he had power and he could help Hwang Yoon-Gu. Hence he smiled!! (chapter 26) I can only feel good, when the two protagonists are smiling. (chapter 26) Both were listening to each other. (chapter 26) It was the happiest moment, for all the characters were genuinely cheering and smiling. (chapter 26) (chapter 26) And now, look at this: 26 +26 = 52! So we have to envision that Kim Dan must be devastated, even a wreck. And now, you comprehend my illustration. The red and heart were referring to blood and pain, but the hands were to indicate that sharing pain is caring, the symbol for love. (chapter 52) That’s the reason why these fighters will come to regret their decision, especially when they will realize that they didn’t just abandon the bad-tempered athlete, (chapter 52) but also the gentle and selfless doctor! There was no one by his side, when he was suffering. He had been truly abandoned. His pain will make them realize their wrongdoing and selfishness, for doc Dan had always been there to treat their wounds and listen to them. (chapter 36) They will no longer feel good while recalling their decision and even this evening (chapter 52), especially because the other was alone in pain.
My conclusion is that we should never rejoice at the misery of others, because it could happen to us too. We are destined to encounter anguish and failure anyway. Life without pain is impossible. Dwelling on the past won’t change any thing. (chapter 52) A crisis is a moment when people should reflect in order to learn life lessons and move on with life. Any rushed action can only aggravate the situation. And now, the ball is in the champion’s courtyard. He has to find a way to help his loved one. Hence he is listening and starring in front of him. (chapter 53)
PS: Chapter 52 proved my previous theory one more time, the Webtoonist is using Numerology. But that will be the topic for another essay. 😉
Feel free to comment. If you have any suggestion for topics or manhwas, feel free to ask. If you enjoyed reading it, retweet it or push the button like. My Reddit-Instagram-Twitter-Tumblr account is: @bebebisous33. Thanks for reading and for the support, particularly, I would like to thank all the new followers and people recommending my blog.
Please support the authors by reading the Manhwas on the official websites. I am also using doctor Frost and Bj Alex as references. This is where you can read the Manhwas: Bj Alex, Jinx and Doctor Frost. But be aware that the first three Manhwas are 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 analysis about BJ Alex, and the previous essay about Jinx“Precious Puppy Pals“
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1. Return to the past
The trigger for this title was initially chapter 34. 😮 When the latter was released, this title came to my mind, but I never got the time and chance to write about it, for people were too upset about the champion’s behavior. He had broken the doctor’s trust by exposing their relationship to Choi Heesung. Back then, many Jinx-philes were upset to the point that I chose to focus on the author’s decisions for such an outcome. Thus I wrote the essay “Why?“. Since the whole story hasn’t been completed yet, I could only present assumptions. Hence that analysis contains some errors, though the main interpretation was correct. The relationship between the two main leads helps them to heal each other so that they can find happiness. This reminded of Doctor Frost, where the psychiatrist in charge of Doctor Baek tried to treat his PTSD by encouraging him to treat another patient suffering from the same disorder. (chapter 140) (chapter 149) Both were suffering from survivor guilt. To conclude, Joo Jaekyung and Kim Dan represent the bitter medicine for their scars. I mentioned “bitter”, because through their loved one, they are forced to face painful moments. That’s how they can overcome their past and discover happiness. However, while looking for a new title, I rediscovered the first illustration , and it suddenly made click in my head. To conclude, I had another revelation concerning episode 50.
2. “What have you done?”
I could connect my illustration to episode 50 and in particular to this image: . (chapter 50) At first glance, the champion is blaming Kim Dan for the wound. He betrayed him. However, his words could have a different signification. Don’t forget that a message always has 4 sides according to Schulz von Thun. Consequently, while many saw this question as a “factual information” and as such as an accusation, the reality is that it gave us an insight about the sender too. The sportsman was not using the personal pronoun “I” or “me” in his inquiry. As you can see, the absence of the personal pronoun is indicating that Joo Jaekyung was in reality not referring to him and his wounds. He is not prioritizing himself, rather the doctor and his action. So this question could be prompted by curiosity or a desire to understand the person’s recent activities. Thus I deduce that the champion was asking his lover to tell him the truth. He should come clean. He desired a honest explanation. His attitude reminded me of an adult confronting his child.
Finally, the expression “What have you done?” (chapter 50) is strongly intertwined with the notion “crossing the line” or “daring”. It was, as if the physical therapist had dared to do something… Thus I believe that Joo Jaekyung must have perceived the gesture as the game “Truth or Dare” and not as betrayal. How is it possible? Don’t forget the absence of the personal pronoun “I” or “me”. He was focusing on the action itself. However, after the match which ended with a tie, he needed to find an explanation for his “failure”. (chapter 51) But note that he never accused Kim Dan of assault, but of leaking information. That’s the reason why I don’t think that this inquiry “What have you done” was about seeking accountability. In that case, he wouldn’t have rejected the doctor’s offer. By letting him treat his wound, Kim Dan would have become responsible for the injury. (Chapter 50) It becomes comprehensible why the Emperor refused the offer. The rejection was the symbol of his “trust” in Kim Dan unconsciously. Astonishing, right, though people and Kim Dan had the opposite impression. Yet, because of the “tie”, Kim Dan felt responsible for the incident, therefore he apologized. (chapter 51) This means, the main lead recognized his responsibility. He should have checked the spray more carefully. The champion could perceive this excuse as a confession of his complicity. Hence he asked his lover if he was the spy. (chapter 51) This signifies that in episode 51, he dared to question his physical therapist’s loyalty. Yes, we have another “Truth or Dare” in episode 51.
3. Truth or Dare in the locker room
But why would the athlete think of the game “Truth or Dare” in the locker room? It is because the star has long internalized this “mind-set”. From my perspective, this game played a huge role in his traumas. My theory is that he is suffering from different traumas, and one of them is BETRAYAL Trauma, which I will elaborate further below. But let’s return our attention to the two protagonists. My avid readers will certainly recall that I had long detected the existence of “challenges” between Kim Dan and Joo Jaekyung. [For more read the essay Delicate challenge]. However, this game became truly obvious in episode 34 with Choi Heesung. It is important, because truth plays an important part in overcoming mental illness (abandonment issues, trust issues). The patients need to face verity and as such they need to cross the line: return to the painful past. Thus I come to the conclusion that in episode 50, the champion was not able to face his biggest fear: betrayal. (chapter 50) This is the face of a scarred man. Yet, contrary to the past, he is not expressing his fear through rage. That’s the reason why his emotions were controlled. Under this new light, Manhwaworms grasp why the athlete asked such a question from his soulmate: (chapter 50) He was afraid of confronting his physical therapist. His inquiry was ambiguous contrary to the one in episode 51. The problem is that he had to hear that he had not won. (chapter 51) Interesting is that he was more pained by the idea of a betrayal from Kim Dan than the tie, if you compare these two panels: (chapter 51) He imagined that Kim Dan had dared to cross the line because of money. (chapter 51) But note that at no moment, he is accusing him of an assault. Because of this confrontation, Joo Jaekyung and Kim Dan had a honest conversation. The doctor asked him a painful question (chapter 51) which the emperor needed to hear. He has trust issues. And the moment he saw the doctor’s facial expression, he could only get shocked and hurt. (chapter 51) He could sense the wound in doc Dan’s voice and gaze. It is important, because the sentence “You don’t trust me?” is actually constructed like a statement and not like a question. It only becomes a question through the tone. Through the latter, the champion could detect his partner’s genuine pain. The wounded tone could only move the champion’s heart. Kim Dan dared with a single question to shake the fighter’s confidence. No wonder why he reacted badly. (chapter 51) On the other hand, don’t let yourself get fooled by this rude request. The reality is that the alpha didn’t chase away the doctor, in truth he was the one running away. (chapter 51) Thus Kim Dan could overcome this shocking but terrible discovery: he hadn’t earned the full trust from Joo Jaekyung yet. (chapter 51) As my avid readers can see, my perception about chapter 50 was confirmed with episode 51. The arguments in the locker room were reflecting the quarrel in the penthouse with Choi Heesung. What is the common denominator between these two scenes? The lack of trust from Joo Jaekyung, but his private PT failed to realize it in the penthouse. Why? It’s because he chose to trust his destined partner.
Chapter 34/35
Chapter 51
I believe you = I trust you
Here, the doctor is forced to meditate on the reasons for the champion’s mistrust. This can only incite him to reflect on his past behavior (the silence about his meeting with Choi Gilseok)
And this brings me to the following remark. In the locker room, through the question “You don’t trust me?” Kim Dan was actually fulfilling the athlete’s wish: (chapter 15) He told him something that he didn’t know. Note that after the terrible meeting with the actor, Joo Jaekyung couldn’t even find the answer himself: (chapter 35) He was still clueless about the trigger for his behavior. With this inquiry “You don’t trust me”, the hamster pushed his destined partner to face his biggest fear: trust someone and in particular him. This conversation can only incite him to meditate about their relationship. So while in episode 15, he behaved like a pouting child (chapter 15), in the latest episode, Jinx-philes can perceive his growth and maturity. (chapter 51) His gaze is softer, he is no longer hiding his emotional wound and he is able to ask a painful question. (chapter 15) This painful incident was a wake-up call Thus I come to the following deduction. Kim Dan will try to earn the champion’s trust, whereas the champion will be forced to take a leap of faith towards Kim Dan. Contrary to episode 34, the champion could see the truth directly through the doctor’s gaze and voice: (chapter 51) This scene stands for honesty and forthrightness, whereas the encounter in the penthouse symbolizes acting, artificiality and self-deception. (chapter 34) As a conclusion, while the champion thought that his loved one had dared to cross the line, he was confronted with truth. He was biased and mistrusting his room mate and PT. This shows that though dare was the opposite choice of truth, the fighter ended up to be confronted with verity.
4. The daring but coward imugi and gumiho
And now, it is time to present my observations about episode 34 which I couldn’t present before. Choi Heesung dared to challenge the Emperor by forcing him to deny the truth. He had no feelings for doc Dan. (chapter 34) These questions were all rhetorical: (chapter 34) This signifies that in the sauna, truth was not standing in opposition to daring. The sauna reminded me of the cavern where an imugi hides, until the latter leaves its hidden place and find his star, his yeouiju. Only then, he can turn into a dragon. To conclude, because of Heesung’s pressure, the imugi had to select between daring or lie. In other words, telling the truth became the challenge itself. Heesung knew that Joo Jaekyung would never confess. (Chapter 34) What Heesung wanted was actually a lie by omission or commission which would have been presented as the truth. Through this game, the actor thought that he could impose his will onto the celebrity. He anticipated the athlete’s silence. This signifies that he knew about the star’s denial and turned it against him. Besides, that way Heesung could maintain his good image: he had not stolen his partner and as such there was no cheating. No one was betraying him.
On the other hand, though the protagonist was silent, he couldn’t repress his emotions: Anger! Readers could observe that his rage was coming to the surface. Not only his gaze exposed his emotions (chapter 34), but also his hand. (chapter 34) He caught the actor by surprise, the latter never thought that the celebrity would become violent. The redness on his face was displaying that he was barely controlling his annoyance and impatience. (chapter 34) However, they were in a public place, the hotel’s sauna, and the actor is a celebrity. Hence he is protected by his fame and social status. That’s the reason why the champion didn’t hit his frenemy, he had learned his lesson at the gym. (chapter 34) Despite his words, the gumiho still got scared. The racing of his heart is an indication of his fright. Therefore he ran away more or less after ordering his trainer not to meddle in his love life. (chapter 34) Note that when he did this, he avoided his counterpart’s gaze. Deep down, he knew that he shouldn’t provoke his frenemy too much. Only when he was at the door, he turned around and LIED! (chapter 34) Yes, after that incident, he chose to give him a fake excuse for his departure. As you can see, this conversation was strongly intertwined with the notion “truth or dare”, but both ended up lying. Whereas the champion didn’t admit any feelings, the other acted, as if there was nothing wrong and he was not scared. The gumiho thought that if he were to remove the champion from the doctor’s side, the latter would be able to open up to the actor. (chapter 34) What does it reveal? The actor had been projecting his own thoughts onto the future dragon too. He was the one who didn’t dare to become more honest with the physical therapist. He used work to spend time with Kim Dan. One might say that Heesung failed terribly. Yet, this is just an illusion, because his “failure” pushed him to become more honest with Kim Dan. Thereby he asked to meet the doctor again. (chapter 34) Yet, the message is exposing that Heesung was still lying, as he kept using work as an excuse. Hence Joo Jaekyung had to intervene again: (chapter 34) The champion dared to challenge his rival. (chapter 34) Should he cross the line and steal his “possession”, the other would retaliate and as such cross the line. The dragon pushed the comedian to come clean!! (chapter 35) Yes, by challenging the athlete because of Kim Dan, the comedian ended up telling the truth.
However, we can not say that Joo Jaekyung won the defy either. After the first challenge, he might have controlled his temper (chapter 34), but his anxiety reached a new peak, the fear that he might be abandoned. Hence he used the sandbag to vent his temper. And what did the cute puppy do during that incident? He dared to offer his help to his idol: (chapter 34), yet he was in total denial about the reality: it was dangerous. Deep down, the champion knew that it was impossible for him to control his lover’s time, but also his body. Besides, the other problem is that the athlete is rejecting the notion of love. By denying the existence of his own feelings, he can not claim the doctor’s heart. That’s the reason why the champion got so mad and frustrated. (chapter 34) Thus he had to play a trick. Because this nightly meeting represents another round of “Truth or Dare”, (chapter 34) I deduce that he chose lie in the end, for he dared to expose his relationship to Heesung. (chapter 34) He was not telling the truth, when he stated that Kim Dan was his “possession”. This explicates why he couldn’t stay by the doctor’s side (chapter 35) after the actor’s departure. He had been acting in front of Heesung. This confession could only kill any desire. Would you feel attracted to a tool or possession? No… Under this new light, it becomes comprehensible why Joo Jaekyung had to cover his lover’s eyes and ears. The celebrity knew deep down that if the doctor were to hear his confession, he would be shocked and feel betrayed and hurt. Besides, don’t forget that the protagonist serves as the mirror of truth for Kim Dan. Thereby Jinx-philes can grasp why the visit from Heesung could only remain a secret. He should only hear the truth. Joo Jaekyung chose avoidance and deceptions (chapter 34) in the end. He manipulated the main lead by letting him think that he had no other choice. Yet the last panel displays his trick. It was up to the doctor to decide how he should spend his free time. Nevertheless, while people were mad at the champion for his deception, many failed to realize that the champion was actually deceiving himself. So all the tricks (episode 33 and 34) were manifestations of avoidance, the fear to face the truth: his affection for Kim Dan and this due to a past betrayal. Hence these chapters stand under the sign of silence hidden by “pranks”.
Interesting is that Kim Dan chose to trust his partner blindly. (Chapter 34) To conclude, he chose TRUTH! The words “I believe you” were important, because the athlete was in the position where he could violate and break that trust. He became the “traitor” which Heesung and readers witnessed. And through that experience, Joo Jaekyung came to trust Kim Dan more, as the latter had put his fate in his hands. Yes, he was encouraged to mirror his attitude. Finally, despite his lies and tricks, the gumiho was able to perceive the truth: (chapter 35) On the other hand, the artist could only tell one part of the truth: the presence of feelings. However, the deceptions in the penthouse exposed something else: (chapter 34) his mistrust towards the cute “hamster” and his abandonment issues. He had to deceive him. Under this new light, Manhwaphiles can see why the champion made such a threat to Kim Dan (chapter 45) or left the doctor in the locker room in episode 51. (chapter 51) He wished not only to keep the upper hand in their relationship, but also to keep Kim Dan by his side. That’s how it dawned on me why Joo Jaekyung didn’t mention the jinx in the dining room and why he started treating him as his real PT. (chapter 45) It is because by denying his affection, he needs to justify his presence next to him. He is his PT… forcing his enemies to portray the doctor as a traitor or a bad PT. However, they failed, as the champion is not doubting the doctor’s innocence concerning his wound on the foot. Nevertheless, the incident is not closed, as the culprit has not been brought to justice.
5. The schemers and Truth or Dare
There exists another cause why episode 34 is related to the wound in the locker room. (chapter 50) First, the schemers’ MO corresponds to the game Truth or Dare. Choi Gilseok asked his minion to cross the line. This explicates why they are trying to use tricks and manipulations. Daring means no truth, thus someone will be framed: Kim Dan. Yet, the plotters are not aware that thanks to the cute hamster, the alpha is turned into a mirror of truth. Hence he couldn’t get deceived by the MFC security guys: (chapter 40)
And it was the same with the first attempt. What did the manager from the Entertainment agency ask to his client? “You think you can do it?” (chapter 36) The lawyer, the journalist and the manager pushed him to choose “dare” and not truth! That’s why there was no interview and the leak was not investigated. He had to prove his strength. (chapter 36) And exactly like at the sauna, daring became a synonym for verity. No wonder why the fighter is never rejecting the challenge. It corresponds to his past attitude: he has been burying the truth and as such the past. But let’s return our attention to the plotters.
Because of dare, in the States, the antagonists had planned to trick the champion with the drug. (chapter 37) This mysterious man dared to act as a MFC manager, though my intuition is telling me that he works for MFC. The irony is that by challenging constantly the champion, the plotters are not realizing that through their game, the truth is slowly coming to the surface. How so? In the last panel, the doctor noticed his origins: He is Korean indicating that the conspiracy started in South Korea. As you can see, Kim Dan was able to perceive a glimpse of the truth. Then at the café, Choi Gilseok confessed many things to the doctor: he owns the café, he has connections to the company F Pharmaceutical. Moreover, through this game, the champion is confronted with his fears and past. That’s how he can overcome his traumas. The doctor is the mirror revealing the monsters. Hence I come to the following deduction: the succession of new characters mirrors the champion’s past and traumas. The following characters are involved in the champion’s suffering, though the order of the appearance is exposing the gravity of the involvement: Heesung, (chapter 29), the journalist without a face (chapter 35), the “fake” MFC agent (chapter 37), the invisible man in the flat (chapter 42), Baek Junmin whom the champion couldn’t truly identify (chapter 47), then he recognized the director without naming him, (chapter 48) and finally the ghost from the past (chapter 54). These characters are all connected to “Truth or Dare”. (chapter 50) This scene exposed that the champion repressed a certain incident which is rather common among victims of a trauma, especially people suffering from PTSD. This shows that some traumatic event took place for quite some time, but the champion acted, as if nothing had happened. (Doctor Frost, chapter 140 ) That’s how the champion became a zombie, he couldn’t live properly due to his untreated scars. (doctor Frost, chapter 139) But thanks to his fated partner, the traumatic past is slowly coming to the surface.
The moment you link the game Truth or Dare to the locker room, it is necessary to include chapter 48. Since the doctor rejected the option “Dare”, he should betray his boss and lover, Choi Gilseok chose to play a trick on Kim Dan and expose him as a traitor. (chapter 48) The director created a stage for the betrayal. That should represent the truth, while in reality it was a lie! Nevertheless, Joo Jaekyung could perceive the truth: Kim Dan had met the director from the rival gym. (chapter 48) Interesting is that Kim Dan didn’t take the risk to bring up the topic to him. (chapter 48) Yes, he didn’t dare to tell him what had happened. No truth… no daring which reflects the games in the sauna and the living room of the penthouse. Kim Dan could have come clean the next morning, but no. This panel explains his silence. He also mistrusted his VIP patient. He had a negative perception of his lover’s mental state. On the other hand, the champion’s attitude reminded me of a parent who has not the time to listen to his child’s problem due to work. (chapter 48) Should the athlete remember this night, he will realize that he was the one dismissing his physical therapist, although the doctor could have come clean later. At the same time, Joo Jaekyung’s attitude could be mirroring the parent or guardian’s in the past. They didn’t have the time or the inclination to listen to their son, hence the traumatic incident got buried.
But let’s return our attention to our alpha and his hamster. Both share the responsibility for the miscommunication: silence, no risk, but as such no communication and no truth. Yes, when they are together, they dare things (chapter 27), hence truth comes to the surface! Kim Dan and Joo Jaekyung feel attracted to each other and have come to love each other. When they speak their mind, they feel comfortable around each other. Truth is strongly connected to communication. Hence the painful conversation in the locker room was necessary. “You don’t trust me?” also reflected the doctor’s attitude. He never tried to approach his room mate (chapter 47) and voice his true thoughts and emotions: (chapter 45) He lied, when he portrayed himself as grateful. He was avoiding his gaze either. No wonder why the fighter got even more mad and threatened to fire him. Such an attitude could only increase the celebrity’s mistrust, as the latter could discern a certain dishonesty.
So when Choi Gilseok encountered the “puppy” in the hall, the celebrity could notice the doctor’s discomfort. (chapter 49) The latter didn’t even greet the director or acted, as if they didn’t know each other. He exposed the existence of a secret, an uncomfortable secret. Consequently, I believe that the champion could only jump to the conclusion that Kim Dan had been indeed acting behind his back, even coerced to do something. (chapter 50) We shouldn’t overlook the usage of present perfect in the question, a sign that the champion was referring to the past as well. Consequently, it is no coincidence that there was a trick. That way, the verity would come to the surface. He was a “traitor”, but the irony is that Park Namwook’s words and blindness stopped the dragon from blaming his soulmate for his injury. (chapter 51) Note that the star never came clean with the truth either. (Chapter 35) Through the doctor, the champion is encouraged to become honest to himself.
What are the common denominators between these three chapters (34/50/51): SECRET, BETRAYAL and CHEATING! The latter is not just a reference to infidelity, but also to dishonesty. Choi Gilseok used the spray to weaken the emperor and bought the referees and moderator. Keep in mind that in the sauna, the actor desired to come clean with the fighter by divulging his intention. This signifies that the gumiho was actually dropping this principle for the doctor’s sake. (chapter 33) Simultaneously, it exposes that the champion has a secret, which is strongly intertwined with betrayal, love, money and deceptions. I couldn’t help myself thinking of “blackmail”. Kim Dan had been coerced to do something, as the director was holding something against him. Hence we have the question: “what have you done?”. Remember how the actor chose to approach the angel. (chapter 31) He tricked his boss by faking an injury. He put the gym under pressure, as this incident could be leaked to the outside. The whole situation reminded me of blackmail. If he did not follow his request, there could be a scandal. That’s the reason why I believe that the champion’s past is linked to blackmail as well. How is it possible? It is because of the game “truth or dare”! The latter is strongly intertwined with divulging information and crossing the line!! To sum up, this game embodies trauma, secret, leaking information, trust and overstepping a boundary or rule. This observation brings me to my next point.
6. The true face of “Truth or Dare”
First, this game is often played with friends. Therefore many are thinking that this game is harmless, yet it is far from the truth.
Even though the game is meant to be fun to challenge a dare to our friends and watch them face awkward situations, most of us know when to STOP and are aware about the Do’s and Don’ts and acknowledge the need to maintain rationality in our action. But sometimes we do cross the line into making it a psychological trauma for some. Quoted from http://www.stopbullyingsystem.com/blog/truth-or-dare
The author is pointing out that such a game can cause traumas. First, one problem lies with the limit. Secondly, truth signifies that people are disclosing personal information. Hence TRUST is essential. Without “trust”, the honest confession can be used against them later. Another important aspect is that this fun is strongly intertwined with peers and alcohol! We have the perfect example with this defy: (chapter 9) And what did happen after they left the restaurant? The champion discovered the truth: (chapter 10) (chapter 10) Kim Dan was terribly poor, but he was also on his own, missing his grandmother.
Under this new light, it becomes comprehensible why the athlete avoided the gatherings, before the doctor entered his life. For me, he must have been exposed to the game “Truth or Dare” which led him to suffer greatly. Moreover, look at the reaction of the champion, when he heard about the comedian’s intentions: (chapter 34) “Are you drunk?” With this question, the protagonist revealed something about himself. He associates dating and love confession with drunkenness. He implies the existence of a lie. But a confession is strongly associated with verity and sincerity. On the other hand, for the sportsman, no one in his right mind would admit to be in love and in our case to love another man. For me, one part of the problem is that the champion is afraid of admitting his homosexuality. The latter is still a stigma in South Korean society. But there’s more to the game Truth or Dare. If you paid attention to the origin of the last quote, you will realize that this fun is linked to bullying and even hazing.
The school counselor entered and much to my surprise the counselor was there to talk about the game “Truth or Dare”. A fad of this game started at the beginning of the school year and apparently some students were bullied and out casted for not doing a dare. The frustration, and hurt associated with this game is not realized seriously as it should be. The students assume that it is fun to embarrass each other but it is hurtful to some who do not end up enjoying it. One word that instantly crosses my mind is “Bullying”. Some may not agree with that or may even put it in the category of peer-pressure but wherever purposeful action that causes pain and trauma comes, it automatically puts it in the same basket. The main motive of games is to create a healthy environment of fun and laughter and not stress or tension. Quoted from Quoted from http://www.stopbullyingsystem.com/blog/truth-or-dare
If you think carefully, bullying is working similarly to this game. As long as no one reports the students’ aggressive behavior to parents, teachers or authorities (“truth”), the juniors feel safe and can go to the extreme. Many beholders had the impression that Joo Jaekyung had been a victim of bullying due to Baek Junmin’s confession. (chapter 49) Furthermore, bullying is never done alone, but in groups. (chapter 57) There is one leader and the others are following the flow, the latter even become more proactive by making new bets and suggestions in order to ensure their own safety. As long as no one divulges the truth, the bullies are safe. But there’s more to it. Striking is that the way they coerced the champion to fight resembles to bullying too. He was manipulated with the articles, then with the advises from the lawyer and manager. Once in the States, they tried to drug him, which corresponds to a physical assault. (chapter 37) Finally, note that the schemers are working in teams exactly like the bullying students. Therefore I judge Park Namwook’s attitude as the teacher’s who is closing the eye to the truth. He is rather passive and puts the whole responsibility on his “boy”. (chapter 41) It is the champion’s choice to refuse or not the matches. The moment I associated the game with parties, peer groups and bullying, I had many revelations.
First, I couldn’t help myself connecting this “fun” to college and students. That’s how I found this article:
It’s no secret that excessive drinking and sometimes violent hazing happen at welcoming parties for university freshmen. The most recent case which came under the media spotlight involved Dong-A University students in Busan being soaked with makgeolli, a traditional fermented rice drink, mixed with food waste. In a photo posted on the school’s Facebook page, a group of freshmen are standing in a room, with a vinyl curtain hanging behind them. A woman in front of them is pouring makgeolli from a blue plastic bowl onto their heads. Quoted from https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/02/113_201344.html
Yes, the sophomore’s gesture reminded me of the champion’s action at the hotel: (chapter 37) Interesting is the athlete described this night as a party which made me think of a students’ party. Therefore I couldn’t help myself wondering if the champion didn’t go to college, but due to an incident, he was forced to drop out. And the latter could be related to a party organized by students. The latter chose to cover up the incident by remaining silent. I would like to outline that the doctor got fired, though he was actually sexually harassed by his superior. The nurse never testified in his favor, she chose to close an eye to the crime. (chapter 1) The main lead never considered her behavior as betrayal and abandonment. In fact, he never considered the crime as a betrayal from an institution. (chapter 1) He put the whole blame on the hospital director himself. He is a liar. Furthermore, through these pictures (chapter 47) (chapter 47), Manhwalovers can see that Kim Dan was a loner. Therefore I doubt that he had friends during his college years. The only person he knew from his school was his mentor: (chapter 1) It is important, because it implies that Kim Dan avoided to socialize and participate in gatherings. Interesting is that in season 2, Jinx-philes discover that Kim Dan had been bullied in the past. ( chapter 57) This new discovery reinforces my hypothesis that his fated partner went through a similar experience. Thus I had the following idea.
What if the champion was present at a party and had been left behind by his friend, though he was drunk? Observe the parallels:
Chapter 9
Chapter 35
cHapter 43
Chapter 44
In episode 9, both puppies were drunk, (chapter 9), yet Park Namwook made sure that the physical therapist wouldn’t be abandoned drunk. Thus he tasked his boss to bring him home. And as for Potato, it is clear that Oh Daehyun would take care of him, as he was sleeping in the dormitory next to him. In other words, no one was left behind drunk. But this scene contrasts so much to episode 43. First, no one was missing Potato. No one asked about his absence. Secondly, pay attention that the fighters invited Kim Dan to join them for another round, while they were neglecting their boss, though it was his birthday party. (chapter 43) Moreover, they never wondered about his physical condition. Was he drunk or not? Funny is that the intoxicated character was the one who forced Kim Dan to go home. (chapter 43) Actually, it should have been the opposite. The drunk champion should have been protected, but no. For me, it exposes a certain neglect from the members of Team Black, even Park Namwook and Jeong Yosep. Besides, imagine the irony. If Joo Jaekyung had not voiced his desire, triggered by his jealousy,… no one would have paid attention to the protagonist. (chapter 43) It was, as if he would have been indeed left behind. His behavior is the reason why Kim Dan chose to bring him home. (chapter 43) That’s what a friend is supposed to do.
And this observation leads me to chapter 35 which I didn’t bring up first on purpose. What caught my attention is that Mingwa placed 2 characters from BJ Alex in episode 35. (chapter 35) Nam Dong-Gyun is taking care of his drunken chingu Kim Myun-Dae. The former is showing an exemplary behavior. But what about Heesung and Potato? (chapter 35) They left Kwak Junbeom behind. Note that Oh Daehyun had gone to the bathroom, so the fighter was alone for a moment. On the other hand, Junbeom was quite safe there, for the owner of the tent knew them. (chapter 35) So the auntie could keep an eye on the judo fighter, and it was only a matter of time, until his friend would return. Nevertheless, this scene is implying a certain problem: a drunken person shouldn’t be left unguarded. Thus imagine that during a party, an unconscious person is brought to a room and left there unguarded, as the friend desires to keep partying, similar to this scene: (chapter 37) The person could get sexually assaulted, and no one would notice it. Secondly, I would like to outline that the hazing party from the article reminded me a lot to bullying. These freshmen were humiliated, and the perpetrator excused her behavior behind traditions and social norms. So the champion could have been betrayed by a friend, as the latter would have justified his action similarly. So instead of admitting his mistake, he could have justified the incident like this: the victim was responsible for his misery, because he was at the wrong place at the wrong time. It was just his misfortune or better said his jinx. Yes, for me, the jinx is indicating that people responsible for the champion’s traumas were denying their wrongdoings.
7. Truth or Dare in the bathroom
By connecting the game to bullying and coercion, a sudden question popped up. Why would Joo Jaekyung hate to share the shower room with members from Team Black? (chapter 8) From my point of view, this place is not just symbolizing purification and reflection, but also indicating the presence of a wound. As soon as I connected the bathroom and as such water to pain, all the champion’s past behavior appeared in a different light. In episode 3, when he went there, he was wearing his pajamas. (chapter 3) Neither Kim Dan nor the protagonist were seen both naked in the shower room. (chapter 8) (chapter 20) (chapter 30) Therefore I perceive the champion’s last comment as relevant. In my opinion, Kim Dan’s gesture reflected the champion’s mind-set. So by saying this, Joo Jaekyung was forced to admit the absurdity of such an attitude. Therefore Manhwalovers can understand Joo Jaekyung’s annoyance at the sauna. He imagined that he would be alone there. (chapter 34) He feels uncomfortable naked around people… As soon as you connect this place to a wound, my avid readers can finally better interpret the champion’s irritation in episode 36: (chapter 36) Kim Dan’s entrance could be perceived as a violation, for the champion was naked. This intrusion caught him off-guard. But since his gaze was covered, his anxiety masked behind his anger was diminished. On the other hand, this led him to leave the bathtub undressed and have sex in the kitchen. (chapter 36) For me, everything is pointing out that one of the champion’s fears is intimacy with water. He has long internalized this association. Don’t forget that the sexual encounter in the swimming pool started with clothes, before they got completely removed. (chapter 27) Under this new perspective, I don’t think that it is a coincidence that the champion felt the need to take a shower after meeting Baek Junmin and recalling the past. (chapter 49) This helped him to overcome his trauma and past wound. (chapter 49) Yet, keep in mind that the athlete’s wounded soul is not the result of one traumatic incident, but of many anguishes.
Another common denominator between all these scenes is that this place is also connected to a challenge: (chapter 3) Kim Dan dared to make him wait (I don’t think the athlete was truly honest here). (chapter 8) they dared to have sex next to Oh Daehyun and the other fighter. However, note that in all these scenes, neither the doctor nor the champion were honest. They were both lying… not only to their counter-part, but also to themselves. (chapter 19) That’s the reason why the argument in the locker room (chapter 51) doesn’t represent the final moment where both main leads opened up their heart and mind to each other. They were not truly honest to themselves and to each other. There was no water… and according to me, the spray was a pepper spray, so the champion’s ankle should have been cleaned and not simply covered. For me, both characters need to prove their trust and loyalty to each other. But they are moving in the right direction, for Joo Jaekyung divulged a huge information to Kim Dan. There’s a spy in the gym, hence the doctor will become more observant. He is pushing him to question people’s words and actions, even to say no to others. To conclude, I connect the champion’s trauma to water… and don’t forget that in episode 7, the athlete acted like a bullying member. (chapter 7)
8. The true significance of “Betrayal Trauma”
Because I made a connection between Betrayal trauma, truth or dare, bullying and BJ Alex, I could help myself bringing up Nam Dong-Gyun’s tragic past. The latter represents the perfect example of a person suffering from betrayal trauma. (chapter 70) His sexual orientation was exposed in high school, his friends were behind the rumor (chapter 70), although we have to envision that his crush played a huge part in it. Why? It is because he didn’t want to be associated with homosexuality. (chapter 70) Not only he cut off ties with him, but also he made sure to isolate the main lead from other students. The worst is that this person acted, as if this ostracizing had never occurred. (chapter 69), as if he had done nothing wrong. For me, it shows that the traitor never grasped the significance of his actions. Hence Park Sung-Woong could forget Dong-Gyun, while the latter could never forget him at all. The result from this huge betrayal was that the cute uke decided to keep his distance from people. (chapter 70) He could no longer trust people, he avoided meetings. In order to outline how severe betrayal trauma can be, the Webtoonist showed us the immediate effects of betrayal trauma: physical and emotional reactions (chapter 70) (chapter 70) and the long term effects: (chapter 69) he is trembling so much, he can not look at his former friend. Readers shouldn’t underestimate the issue. Betrayal trauma is so severe that it is comparable to being hit by a white truck. The pain is so great that it affects the brain functioning and as such personality.
The 7 signs of betrayal trauma are: anxiety, avoidance, trust issues, negative intrusive thoughts (shame, guilt), withdrawal and rumination.
We can see these signs in Joo Jaekyung: anxiety (chapter 34), avoidance (alcohol, gathering) (chapter 9), trust issues (chapter 30), negative intrusive thoughts (chapter 29), withdrawal (we know nothing about his family and he dislikes going to gatherings, he is not meeting his hyung Cheolmin) and rumination: he got upset, when the hamster ignored his calls. (chapter 05) Then when he stayed at home, (chapter 32), it was clear that the doctor’s actions were constantly on his mind. He was so bothered that he had to bring him to Heesung. He made sure that Kim Dan would forget Choi Heesung in the car. (chapter 33) Interesting is that this trauma resembles a lot to PTSD.
Betrayal trauma encompasses a distressing range of experiences that stem from breaches of trust and safety, often occurring within intimate relationships. This form of trauma can lead to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and various emotional, psychological, and physical symptoms. The deep-seated connection between betrayal trauma and PTSD is notable, as this type of trauma can cause symptoms akin to those found in traditional PTSD. […]
Despite these differing origins, research has shown that individuals who experience betrayal trauma often exhibit symptoms and triggers that closely resemble those seen in individuals with PTSD. These shared characteristics might include intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, heightened anxiety, emotional numbness, and difficulties in establishing trust with others. Both betrayal trauma and PTSD can lead to a persistent state of hypervigilance, where the individual is constantly on alert for potential threats, even in situations that might seem safe to others.
Understanding the connection between betrayal trauma and PTSD is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it emphasizes the profound emotional impact of betrayal on an individual’s mental well-being, potentially leading to symptoms comparable to those experienced after traditional traumatic events. Recognizing the commonality of these symptoms helps validate the experiences of those who have undergone betrayal trauma and underscores the significance of addressing their psychological needs. Quoted from https://www.evolvetherapymn.com/post/betrayal-trauma-and-ptsd
As you can see, through the game “Truth or Dare”, I could connect one cause for the champion’s suffering, betrayal trauma, and the latter was never treated. But there exists different kind of betrayal.
Parental: Children who live with abuse from their parents or guardians can experience betrayal trauma.
Institutional: This includes professional relationships and social support systems in categories such as employers and lawmakers.
Partner: Betrayal trauma can occur because of spousal abuse.
In BJ Alex, Mingwa presented four types of betrayal trauma: the parents with Ahn Jiwon (chapter 49), the latter was not loved, as he didn’t reach the first place like his older brother. Then we have Interpersonal with Nam Dong-Gyun and his high school friend. However, since the rumor circulated at school, and no adults intervened, we could see it as a reference to Institutional betrayal. Finally, Mingwa presented the last type (partner) with Hweemin. (chapter 51) But why is betrayal trauma so severe? It is because everything appears as a lie, as an illusion. All the memories become tainted. The victim can only question his own senses and judgment. How could he not detect the lies? Since PTSD and betrayal trauma share some common points, it is not surprising that such persons come to blame themselves and develop huge self-loathing. (doctor Frost, chapter 139). And now, it is time to expose my latest observation: (BJ Alex, chapter 51) Ahn Jiwon caught his first lover cheating on him at a club. Interesting is that the new lover resembles a lot to Joo Jaekyung! Mingwa said that characters from BJ Alex will only appear, but Jinx is not connected to her previous work. Note that they were kissing in a public place. Moreover, the club is a location where students not only meet, but also drink alcohol together. However, once Jiwon saw Hweemin, he dragged him outside so that they could talk. In other words, the “new lover” was left behind. Thus I come to the following conclusion. Joo Jaekyung has been suffering from betrayal trauma exactly like Ahn Jiwon. He was betrayed by his guardian (chapter 54) who refused to help him. If he got bullied as a kid, this signifies that he was bullied at school and the institution failed him. (chapter 49) Then if he was exposed to violence and his friend chose to close an eye to his situation imagining that he would report the incident to his own parent, the friend betrayed him too. And that could be Heesung who stands for passivity and distance. Finally, Joo Jaekyung could have been backstabbed by a lover as well and this because of money reminding us of Hweemin. (BJ Alex, chapter 51). If this theory is true, then Mingwa would finally outline the devastating effects of Betrayal trauma on people, something she barely touched in her previous work.
Finally, if the athlete was betrayed by a previous lover, Kim Dan would be forced not only to confront him, but also to claim his place. He is not interested in Joo Jaekyung for his money and for fun, but for his amazing talent and personality. Joo Jaekyung is actually very tolerant in front of the hamster: (chapter 51) No rough grabbing, no death threat, no punch … Imagine that he left the doctor in the locker room giving him privacy, while he went elsewhere. Don’t forget that he was wounded. (chapter 51)
To conclude, the game truth or dare is associated with wrongdoing, pain and deceptions. The main leads are choosing more often “daring” which stands for truth, whereas the enemies prefer daring, unaware that they are bringing truth to the surface. However, imagine that I didn’t say everything about the dangerous game “Truth or Dare”, hence I will write another part.
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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 “Reflections of Mr. Choi’s Shadow Network“
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In chapter 49, Jinx-philes could finally face Baek Junmin and perceive his personality correctly. Mingwa left many clues in this episode, like for example his nickname “The Shotgun”. (chapter 49) Under this new light, my inquisitive readers can understand the title of this composition. My focus will be the infamous sportsman and his interactions with the main lead, in the past and present. Consequently, the composition will contain theories about the champion’s past. Nevertheless, since I am examining the present, it signifies that I will explain Baek Junmin’s role in the new scheme too. So who is Baek Junmin in the end? In the essay “Angel(s) of Death: Shadow versus Serenity, I had already painted him as an antagonist and as a villain. I called him a fake Angel of Death. This interpretation got reinforced with his nickname “The Shotgun”.
1. The different reflections of Shotgun
1. 1. The Shotgun’s colors and task
The moment Manhwaworms read his name, I am quite certain that they were all thinking of a firearm. It implies not only the dangerousness of Baek Junmin, but also his resilience to pain. He is as hard and cold as metal. Furthermore, the gun is associated with the shade black, which is often linked to negativity and death (chapter 49) Yet I couldn’t help myself seeing in the following image glimpses of purple (around the eyes). (chapter 49) Interesting is that this color is also associated with death.
I have to admit that this shade even made me think of decomposed bodies or old bruises. It shows the coldness from The Angel of Death or we could say his rotten soul. However, exactly like his boss, Choi Gilseok, he is hiding his true colors. Thus I see grey as his “official” pigment. (chapter 49) It exposes his duplicity. Because of his sobriquet and his color, I assume that the schemers consider the boxer as a weapon. His role is to kill the Emperor, and probably in one blow. He is the executioner of the invincible legend. It should be a quick, merciless “death”. From that fight, Baek Junmin has to ensure that Joo Jaekyung can never come back to the ring. How is it possible? (chapter 49) It is because they know about his injured shoulder. That’s the reason why Baek Junmin is patting him on his left shoulder. Remember what the sports doctor told to the physical therapist: (chapter 42) He was on the verge of getting surgery. Besides, it is important what the manager suggested to his “boy”: (chapter 47) He should make the fight last in order to tire his opponent out. So the plotters thought that during the fight, Joo Jaekyung would ask for a relief spray on his injured shoulder. That would be the end for him. Kim Dan would even deliver him the victory on a silver plate. He would be framed as an anti-fan. The irony is that Kim Dan could heal his VIP client within a short time. Here, the champion looks relaxed and not concerned with his shoulder. (chapter 49) Here, he is almost smiling. He was telling the truth, when he said that he was fine contrary to the States. (chapter 40) I would like the difference between the two statements. He is now utilizing the personal pronoun “I” and not “it’s”. It indicates that the champion’s condition is good. But now let’s return our attention to The Shotgun”
1. 2. The secret meanings of The Shotgun
On the other hand, the idiom “shotgun” has more than the signification “firearm”. First, I am sure that anyone has ever heard the expression “ride shotgun”.
This corresponds to Kim Dan’s position in the car. (chapter 49) He has now taken over the manager’s place. This reflects the doctor’s rising within Team Black. At the same time, this expression lets us perceive the role of Baek Junmin at King Of MMA gym. He is the protector of Choi Gilseok, the “old man”. On the other hand, his position also insinuates his passivity, as he is not the driver, like here. (chapter 42) In my eyes, it reflects his laziness. He lets other people do the dirty tricks, like we could observe it with the incident in the locker room. (chapter 49) The director had to suffer a great humiliation for this trick, while a helping hand had to switch the spray. For me, the expression “The Shotgun” displays the inaction from Baek Junmin. He was catapulted to the top thanks to the assistance of others: Mr Choi thanks to his money and connections with the media and with the CEO of MFC. Then the members from his gym had to gathered intel about his opponents. This was truly palpable in the description from the moderator. (chapter 49) In fact, the idiom “flying up the ranks” and “rising star” made me think of a shooting star. However, this star is just artificial, for the athlete didn’t have to prove really his strength. Beholders can even detect that the Shotgun’s muscles are less developed. Moreover, a shooting star implies that his success will be short-lived and momentary. He is destined to vanish, especially because people helped him. And this association reinforces my interpretation that Joo Jaekyung is a dragon and Kim Dan his yeouiju! As Jinx-addicts can perceive, the expression ” The Shotgun” shows his lack of humanity and cowardice. At the same time, it indicates that he is not the mastermind behind the plot, as he is just a tool. He is not a lucky charm, but bad omen. So when he whispered this to Joo Jaekyung, (chapter 49), in reality he was exposing his own personality, as he was projecting his own thoughts onto the star. Others have to do the dirty work for him (f. ex. polishing the belt, gathering intel) to prepare the battlefield for him. This contrasts so much to the champion and doctor’s attitude, for both embody hard work. Baek Junmin is imagining that the title will fall onto his lap thanks to the tricks and their insight. And now, take a closer look at the negative features of purple.
[Purple]Negative keywords include: immaturity, being impractical, cynical and aloof, pompous and arrogant, fraudulent and corrupt, delusions of grandeur and the social climber. […] Dark purple is related to higher spiritual attainment. A powerful color, it can also indicate arrogance and ruthlessness.https://www.empower-yourself-with-color-psychology.com/color-purple.html
This quote fits my description about Baek Junmin. He is corrupt, hence he feels no remorse to scheme. Then he believes that the victory is already in his pocket, as everything has been carefully planned. The way he reached the top exposes him as a social climber. And now, I can even validate my previous interpretation: his golden watch and jewels were fake! (chapter 47) Where did I find the evidence for this? It is because Seok (from Gilseok) can signify “brass”! As you can see, thanks to two different notions “shotgun”, I could give a better portrait of the fake star. But this is far from being finished. Funny is that “Shotgun ” can also refer to a position in American football.
Interesting is that we had a similar formation in the locker room. Choi Gilseok and the other minion diverted the attention from Team Black, while the “Quarterback” could pass the frontline to bring the weapon to the other side. (chapter 49) It was, as if the team of King of MMA had scored a goal by bringing the pepper spray to the other side and switching it with the relief spray. (chapter 49) And what is the common denominator between the meaning “firearm” and “American football position”? Attack! But there’s more to it. As adjective, “shotgun” is indicating coercion and duress. And this corresponds to Choi Gilseok and Baek Junmin’s tactics. The director tried to put the physical therapist under pressure, when he met him in the café: (chapter 48) For that, he utilized the grandmother. I feel the need to add here that this scene confirmed my previous interpretation about Baek Junmin and Shin Okja. [For more read Angels of Death: Shadows versus Serenity] The latter was his enemy, and because of her request (Kim Dan should accept her death and stop the treatment), Kim Dan didn’t fall into the trap of the malicious director. Then, the dirty director of the gym reiterated his action in the hallway. (chapter 49) By meeting Kim Dan there, (chapter 49) he tried to sow seeds of doubt and even discord between the couple. It was to give the impression, they were working together. But the champion didn’t fall for it. The reason is that his fated partner was able to heal his injured shoulder. As a hypocrite and arrogant fighter, he utilized his small talk to threaten Joo Jaekyung. (chapter 49) As you can see, these “villains” were targeting both main characters mirroring another signification.
We could include the encounter between the two teams in the locker room as another illustration, for Oh Daehyun, Potato or Park Namwook were forced to become involved. (chapter 49) Interesting is that “shotgun” can also refer to a flat.
This made me think of the doctor’s humble home immediately. (chapter 10) (chapter 10) And what was the couple’s reaction during that night? While Kim Dan wept, as he was longing for his grandma (chapter 10), exposing his abandonment issues, the other looked down first on the physical therapist (chapter 10) before he had a change of heart. Kim Dan’s plea had moved his heart. (chapter 10) The problem is that the doctor couldn’t remember this scene due to his drunkenness. This scene leads us to another meaning of Shotgun.
Shotgunning a beer is the action of drinking an alcoholic beverage quickly by adding an additional hole to the bottom of the can. One can only say they have “shotgunned” once they have performed the griddy after. Quoted from https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Shotgun%20%28Beer%29
This definition is not included in the Collins dictionary yet, as it is still under observation. Interesting is that ” shotgun” is not just connected to alcohol, but also to other drugs.
Doing a shotgun: a drug use practice and its relationship to sexual behaviors and infection risk There has been a rise in the frequency with which inhalational routes such as smoking are used for illicit drug use. A growing population of new inhalational drug users augments the pool of individuals at risk for transition to injection drug use. […] Shotguns may be seen as a form of drug use which has close ties to sexual behaviors, and which has both pragmatic and interpersonal motivations, combining in a single phenomenon the potential direct and indirect risk of disease transmission by sexual, blood borne and respiratory routes. Quoted from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10369443/
Interesting is that smoking was introduced with Choi Heesung who went to rooftop in order to smoke. It was, as if he desired to keep his image clean. (chapter 31) And this leads me to the following theory that Baek Junmin’s sin towards Joo Jaekyung was linked to drugs. Don’t forget that Mr. Choi is himself symbolizing “drug” due this image: (chapter 48) And both are working together. My hypothesis is that Baek Junmin was involved in drugging the athlete. The sportsman admitted that The Shotgun had schemed against him. (chapter 49) This would explain why Joo Jaekyung would never join the team’s dinner and why he reacted that way, when he drank a glass of soju: (chapter 43) He could recognize the alcohol, a sign that he must have tasted it before. His threat and anger were masking his fears. For me, he had a terrible experience with alcohol. And this brings me to the last signification of “Shotgun”: SEX! This was already brought up with the quote above, but I am quite sure that people have already heard the expression “Shotgun wedding”. Then I also found this description “Shotgun Sex”:
And this corresponds to the champion’s action in the penthouse (chapter 6), when Kim Dan had accepted the deal from the main lead. The erected phallus looks like a weapon and Kim Dan also made the connection, when he saw his huge anaconda with the sex toy: (Chapter 12) The idiom “shotgun sex” suggests a situation where sexual intercourse occurs hastily and impulsively. It has nothing to do with love and warmth. It is something done quickly or without much forethought, which corresponds to the scene in chapter 6. (chapter 6) And what do we see here? Submission!
1. 3. The Shotgun’s possible past with the Emperor
That’s how I came to the following conclusion: Baek Junmin is involved in the champion’s sexual assault in the past. And it has something to do with drugs. I am even suspecting gambling debts, and someone used the athlete’s generosity. Imagine that by combining these elements, I came to reinforce my follower @noteadrinker’s hypothesis. The latter even thought of a gangrape, and associated it with the loan shark’s scene. (chapter 17) Don’t forget that during that night, the soju was present as well. (chapter 17) Because of his nickname and the reflections from episode 10 and 17, I deduce that Baek Junmin was present, but he didn’t help the athlete. He turned a blind eye to the situation. (chapter 49) In other words, he didn’t behave like a hero contrary to Joo Jaekyung. I can’t help myself thinking of this scene: (chapter 11) Though Joo Jaekyung despised the doctor and called him pathetic, he still accepted his request. But let’s return our attention to The Shotgun. Moreover, the fact that he employed the expression “kid” insinuates that Baek Junmin is older than the athlete. So he could have the same age than Kim Dan. I feel like the physical therapist is slowly taking over Baek Junmin’s place. He is on the verge to shine like a star. With the theory of a gangrape or rape (phallus as a weapon), we would have the explanation why the criminal insulted the athlete with “A little bitch ass punk”. He was describing him as a poser and “douchebag”, whereas in verity, he is the coward. Hence he resorts to tricks to achieve his goal. And now, you comprehend why the champion felt the need to clean his hair after meeting the fake star. (chapter 49) He usually takes a shower in the morning, however this scene took place in the evening. Under this new light, it becomes comprehensible as well why Joo Jaekyung couldn’t remember the criminal (chapter 49). It is related to a painful but short experience which scarred the athlete’s heart and soul.
No wonder why he was paralyzed after their short meeting. (chapter 49) It is because the latter had repressed his traumatic past. The other reason he didn’t remember him is that the latter had betrayed him. He was not worthy of being remembered and being noticed. Would you remember a poser and coward? No, not really. In my opinion, Baek Junmin stands for immaturity, betrayal, irresponsibility and false manhood.
Finally, we would have an explanation why the champion couldn’t identify the crime in the doctor’s house properly (chapter 18) and why both have no notion of “rape”. Joo Jaekyung must have been told that he was “responsible” for his misery, just like in this scene: “You did this”. (chapter 6) He brought him upon himself. He shouldn’t have drunk or taken drugs, he shouldn’t have been weak, he shouldn’t have been there that night… I see his statement there as an evidence for manipulations (chapter 18) If they are criminals, then the authorities should be informed, because the latter need to stop them, to make things worse for them. It was, as if he was advocating loansharking, though it is illegal. One might argue about this theory, for I deduced it simply from the name The Shotgun and its different reflections. However, Mingwa left us two other clues for this hypothesis.
2. The Jinx: the hidden line
The first one is the absence of sex. Many readers were caught by surprise. They wondered why Mingwa didn’t create any sex scene and how the couple treated each other during the sex session before the match. The answer is simple. The jinx of Joo Jaekyung had changed. It didn’t truly matter, if he had good sex or not with his physical therapist. 😮 And the evidence is this image: (chapter 49) He never loses! He sounded so confident and sure. His words contrast to his confession in his bedroom: (chapter 02) Never contradicts the idiom “I need”. He feels no need to have good sex in order to boost his ego. But how did this happen?
The reason is simple. By triggering the champion’s memories, Baek Junmin didn’t realize that he committed a huge mistake. He pushed Joo Jaekyung to meditate. The latter was silent in the car and looked through the window. (chapter 49) Secondly, once home, he went to the bathroom and the latter is the place for insight and reflection, like I explained it in the essay The duck and the dragon in the bathroom. One might argue that reflection in the bathroom is strongly intertwined with the mirror, like in this scene: (chapter 20) But contrary to the physical therapist, the champion had never denied the existence of his body. He didn’t need to look at his reflection to see any change. The pondering was triggered by The Shotgun’s words. Baek Junmin saw the protagonist in a different light: weak and pitiful. (chapter 49) In English, the MMA boxer portrayed Joo Jaekyung as a crybaby, while in the Spanish version (“Dabas much pena, miserable de mierda”) the translator referred with pena to shame, pity, sorrow and hurt. Through his words, the champion was forced to recall his past and how he was younger. He had to visualize himself, when he was a teenager. That’s the reason why in the bathroom, the champion was pondering under the shower, lost in his thoughts (chapter 49) and not looking at his own reflection. Here we were witnessing the birth of the champion’s third eye. In addition, this scene corresponds to the one in episode 3: (chapter 3) As you can see, the moment you connect these two scenes, it becomes clear that there was no sex. In episode 3, the doctor was fetched and had to have sex, while in episode 49, the PT waited for a signal from his boss, but it never came. Furthermore, the bathroom is the only place where the athlete doesn’t bring his cellphone! And the latter represents a huge hindrance to his meditation, like Jin-philes could observe it in chapter 35: (chapter 35) But there is more to it. The departure from the restroom corresponds to the doctor’s realization at the hospital.
Chapter 47
Chapter 49
In the bathroom, the doctor spent the whole night crying, recalling the conversation from the oncologist. We have the same colors in his memories than in the altercation between the two fighters. Gradually, Kim Dan came to accept the truth: his grandmother couldn’t keep her promise, as she would never recover from her illness. He went on his knees, too devastated by the terrible news. However, he didn’t question the doctor’s action and behavior. Nonetheless, he was able to move on. He was forced to mature and become more independent.
Here, the fighter must have spent a lot of time under the shower too. Nonetheless, he didn’t get devastated like his soulmate, for the simple reason that Baek Junmin had mocked him and even challenged him. This had triggered his anger.
The restroom symbolizes more than reflection, it stands for privacy, purification, transformation, transition, vulnerability and intimacy. There, he could cry internally (chapter 49) without getting disturbed. But don’t misunderstand me. I am not saying that the athlete was weeping. What I meant is that he was admitting the existence of his pain and suffering. This represents an important step to treat his own body with kindness. (chapter 43) He used his hand to protect his gaze, a sign of vulnerability. His shower in episode 49 is full of symbolism. He is cleansing himself, moving on from the past. Hence I deduce that this scene (chapter 49) corresponds to the doctor’s baptism in the swimming pool. (chapter 28) Because of this special day and night, Kim Dan came to accept sex and sensuality in his life. (chapter 29) (chapter 36) As you can see, all the scenes reflecting the bathroom scene in episode 49 contain SEX. Hence I see it as another evidence that the sex during that night had a different meaning: it was more a habit than a real need. And don’t forget that in the States, he had already complained about the timing. (chapter 39) He didn’t feel like “fucking” and it must have been the same during that night before the match. And if he had been sexually assaulted, anyone would comprehend why he didn’t feel any desire. Under this new light, Manhwaworms can understand why the title is “Embracing change”. The star is gradually dropping his old belief. He is one step closer to realize that he is not jinxed, he is strong enough to win the next fight. My avid readers should keep in their mind that when the couple argued on his birthday (chapter 45), he never brought up the jinx, a sign that he was already forgetting his old principles. This match represents a turning point in the athlete’s life, for from that moment on, he will perceive fighting differently. He is no longer pushed to take any challenge, for deep down, he felt that he was still weak and vulnerable. He was still trapped in the past.
On the other hand, Kim Dan must have been waiting for a signal from him. However, nothing happened. Hence the next morning, the physical therapist chose to take precautions! That’s why he brought the cream. (chapter 49) which was used for the sex session at the gym. (chapter 24) Moreover, he even took an ointment in case his anus would tear, for they didn’t have sex for a long time. (chapter 49) While searching for a treatment for skin irritation due to pepper spray, I discovered lidocaine topical.
Lidocaine topical (for use on the skin) is used to reduce pain or discomfort caused by skin irritations such as sunburn, insect bites, poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac, and minor cuts, scratches, or burns. Lidocaine topical is also used to treat rectal discomfort caused by hemorrhoids. Quoted from https://www.drugs.com/mtm/lidocaine-topical.html
Hence I am suspecting that the doctor took topicals in case. Imagine that they didn’t have sex for quite some time. So what pushed the champion to overcome the shock and his suffering? It is because Baek Junmin’s words helped him to canalize his anger and rage at the right person, the one responsible for his wounds! (chapter 49) But Baek Junmin was not alone in this. Due to his traumatic past, Joo Jaekyung came to resent and mistrust humans, for he never got the chance to get justice from his tormentors. That’s the reason why he rejected social norms. As time passed on, he repressed the incident and buried the identity of the persons responsible for his wounds, whereas his pain couldn’t vanish. Hence he was still boiling inside and his anger was directed at anyone. It would come to the surface at the slightest provocation or rejection. That’s why he was still trapped in the past. He had the impression, he could get assaulted at any time. Therefore he needed to prove his strength. And this brings me back to the whispered confession: (chapter 49) Baek Junmin forced the star to recall the past and face his deepest anxieties. I see another evidence in this panel that The Shotgun must have faced a crime. How so? It is because pity has for synonyms “catastrophe, crime and sin”. But it doesn’t end here. The Shotgun’s description made me think of this scene: (chapter 37) When the athlete saw the doctor’s reaction, the latter was looking away, (chapter 37) the VIP client got so angry that he sent Kim Dan away. And now, take a closer look to this image. (chapter 49) The characters are placed in the same position. The comparison between these two scenes reinforces my hypothesis that Baek Junmin mocked Joo Jaekyung, resented him and refused to help the younger fighter back then, as Kim Dan was looking away. On the other hand, by using the expression “baby” in English, Jinx-philes could sense parallels with the fight with Randy Booker. (chapter 14) Interesting is that this image represented a distorted memory from the main lead, and it happened again after meeting his old “acquaintance”. (chapter 49) This is the sign that Joo Jaekyung repressed a terrible incident, and the expressions “baby” and “pitiful” triggered his fears and repressed memories. And by confronting him with his past, The Shotgun shot himself in the foot! 😉 The reason is that Joo Jaekyung is now drawing a line under the past, which was reflected in the red poster.
(Chapter 47) The names are in the middle indicating that they won’t be able to switch places. The line represents the boundary which the fighters can not cross. In addition, the color was already implying anger, but also energy and action.. In my previous analysis about the poster Color Clash: Decoding MMA Posters, I elaborated that the red in the eyes was the doctor’s reflection. He is facing them, but he is caught in the middle. So while Baek Junmin saw in him a tool to wound the athlete, the protagonist is not seeing Kim Dan, but The Shotgun, for Kim Dan is the mirror beyond the clouds. He exposes the monsters. This means that in the long term, they will be able to expose the schemers and cheaters. Furthermore I have another reason to believe that his past relationship with the Shotgun will affect his with Kim Dan. It is because Joo Jaekyung remembers The Shotgun’s nature, he is a cheater and traitor. (chapter 49) Anyone can see the doctor’s shock and fear. (chapter 49) On the other side, this match has another signification for The Shotgun. How so? It is because he needs to win. He claimed that he would take away his belt. He believes that since Choi Gilseok paid a lot of money, he bet on his victory. Besides, the director of the gym even got humiliated himself. However, he is deluding himself, for he was just a tool to ruin the Emperor. A shotgun is an firearm and as such it is dispensable. Furthermore, this panel displays Junmin’s jealousy towards the celebrity. (chapter 49) Joo Jaekyung has been in the spotlight for a long time (chapter 49), whereas The Shotgun was relegated to fight in the shadow! He was fighting in the underground fighting ring, but since it was illegal, he couldn’t become famous and rich. He couldn’t be exposed to the spotlight. This shows that deep down, Baek Junmin was also trapped in the past. He came to resent the protagonist, for the latter had been able to rise the ranks. That’s why he couldn’t forget him contrary to the celebrity. The latter was not only successful professionally, but also admired as a hero. It looked like he had been able to move on from the past, whereas for The Shotgun, it was the exact opposite. He became more and more involved in crimes. Don’t forget that he is helping the director from the King of MMA gym to launder money. Thus I deduce that Baek Junmin is underestimating his opponent. (chapter 49) First, he has this image of the young main lead from the past. In his eyes, he is still a little crybaby. Secondly, don’t forget that all the games from The Shotgun were rigged, so in his mind, the star must have been doing the same. He views himself as a Shotgun, in verity he is just a pepper spray, a big mouth which can lead to irritations and tears, but the wound is rather superficial. It can not cause real damages. On the other hand, the pepper spray is harmless, as long as the other can not talk. Consequently, I am expecting The Shotgun’s defeat. He won’t get scot free from this match. One reason for this positive outcome is that Joo Jaekyung has been able to free himself from that darkness. He is slowly able to see the light. Furthermore, since my hypothesis is that Kim Dan utilized a pepper spray in the locker room, I couldn’t help myself of viewing this as a talisman. Surprised, right? First, there was no witness of the incident except the members from Team Black. Hence the doctor can avoid troubles with the authorities. But there exists another reason.
Also known as OC (from Oleoresin capsicum), pepper spray produces significant eye irritation with watering, pain and temporary blindness. It is used as a crowd control agent and for personal defence. The active ingredient in pepper spray is capsaicin, which is a chemical derived from plants in the Capsicum genus, including chillies. Quoted from https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/capsicum-oleoresin
As you can see, this weapon is derived from red peppers. Interesting is that in Italy, red chilly is considered as a luck charm.
Very similar to the evil eye, the good luck charm that is believed to protect its bearer from the envy and harmful intent of others, is the red chili pepper. In Italy, this traditional charm is thought to prevent the hurtful gossip of envious tongues, while also attracting good fortune to its owners. It is a belief that originated in Naples but which soon spread throughout the rest of Italy and, in time, became widely known to most Western cultures. Although the reasoning behind this charm and its protective qualities is quite obvious ―namely, that chili peppers are so hot they can prevent tongues from wagging― there is also a perplexing acronym associated with this object, the acronym RRR. For the especially inquisitive, this acronym can be broken down into its respective parts: the first R stands for the word Rosso (red), the second R for Rotto (broken) and the final R for Regalato (gift). The explanation is, therefore, that red chili peppers offer someone the gift of breaking or, rather, stopping the bad words of others who might wish to speak ill of them. Quoted from https://www.fenalie.gr/en/chili-pepper-story-symbolism-qualities/
Hence I believe that this terrible incident will remain a secret within Potato, Joo Jaekyung, Park Namwook, Jeong Yosep. As for Joo Jaekyung, the afflicted pain in the ankle can only increase the rage and resent towards the scheming, but blinded Baek Junmin. This can only reinforce Joo Jaekyung’s determination to defeat The Shotgun. The latter should realize very quickly that he is not a firearm, but a human too. He is not made of metal, but of flesh and blood. So he could cry tears of blood or even get injured. The athlete won’t show any mercy. The Shotgun is not capable to adapt himself to new circumstances. He is no all-rounder, for he adapts his tactics based on the intel. With no insight, it was, as if he had become a blind man. He lacks strategies and experiences, for he is a new comer and a cheater. This explicates why the fight ended up in a tie, (chapter 51) they had never planned to turn the new comer into a champion, people would have questioned the outcome. The real intention was to tarnish the champion’s reputation, to isolate him, to make him lose his stans. And they almost achieved it. Baek Junmin never realized his true position. He was just a middle-man, a hit-man that they would discard right after his “victory”. Hence he is no longer in the media, because his name is now linked with the incident with the switched spray.
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1. The imaginary sick person
I have to admit that I was initially disappointed by Yoon Seungho’s behavior in episode 108. One of the reasons is that he didn’t trust his lover, though he didn’t buy the doctor’s statement right away too. That’s the reason why he went to the maids and asked for their observations and opinion. (chapter 108) But then I changed my mind about the lord, for Yoon Seungho didn’t rely on just one testimony contrary to his father: (chapter 86) Finally, thanks to the argument in the shed, I had another revelation which I will explain more details below.
However, the protagonist’s huge mistake is that he trusted the maids’ words too. While one might judge the apology from the main lead as a sign of humbleness, I view it in a different light: it exposes his low self-esteem. (chapter 108) He blames himself for everything. For me, these women were lying to their master. Why do I think so? The first proof is that the painter’s fate is to go through the same experiences than his lover. And what did the valet admit in the shed? (chapter 108) There was not a soul in this household who was standing by his side back then and now! This signifies that there is not a soul in the mansion truly standing on the painter’s side as well!! Back then (before the massacre) and even now… Moreover, while these maids’ attachment was sincere (chapter 51) (chapter 63), this doesn’t signify that it is the same for all the female servants. This would be just another prejudice. (chapter 108) Yes, this woman is not the same than the one from chapter 51, for her clothes diverge despite the same pigments. She is wearing a white ribbon around her waist. (chapter 108), whereas the other wears the belt more around the hips, hence her skirt has a bump on her butt. (chapter 108) Finally, pay attention to the form of her mouth. It doesn’t ooze warmth or joy, quite displeasure and mistrust. But let’s return to my initial statement, the staff was actually deceiving their own lord. (chapter 108) First, when the manhwalovers saw him in the kitchen, he was eating to his heart content and enjoying his breakfast. (chapter 38) Moreover, the painter had long stopped eating with the maids, he would share his meals with the main lead. (chapter 46) (chapter 74) This explicates why the artist returned the table with the porridge to the kitchen himself. (chapter 98) This means that they couldn’t witness how the artist would eat. To conclude, the statement from the staff was once again a mixture of truth and lies, for they were combining different situations together. Hence their apology was not genuine despite their gesture.
With their words (chapter 108), they admitted that they had been fooled themselves. At the same time, they implied that the painter has been hiding his discomfort all along, as he was only eating properly in front of his lover. Moreover, they insinuated that the painter’s laugh and smiles weren’t sincere at all. In other words, the lord’s eyes had been “deceived”, as the painter had been acting. This explicates why he took the blame and apologized to the staff. (chapter 108) He had not perceived the artist’s discomfort. Indirectly, they were putting the blame on the lord and Baek Na-Kyum. Nevertheless, they never stated that they had seen the painter vomiting. And now, observe that someone else had said the same thing about the artist in the past: (chapter 62) The painter had been faking his “submission”, hence the “valet” got fooled. He had trusted the artist blindly. Thus the lord got angry, and resented the butler, for he wished the opposite. He didn’t want to admit that the artist had been acting. Yet, the seed of doubt was implanted in his mind. Consequently, in episode 108, we have the exact same situation, yet contrary to the past, the lord didn’t get angry at his lover. He never condemned the painter for his dishonesty, though he was not truly lying either. To conclude, chapter 108 is a reflection from episode 62. Thus it dawned on me that the valet could have attempted to fool his master once again. The artist was a hypocrite, for he was acting in front of the lord hoping that he wouldn‘t cut ties with him. It was for his best interests to send back to the kisaeng house. Yet, nothing like that happened.
Yet, in reality, the artist had been eating properly, as we could see him glowing in this image, (chapter 104), a sign that he was recovering. But due to the two incidents during that day, Baek Na-Kyum had been feeling unwell and was hiding his discomfort out of fear of getting abandoned. This means that the deceivers were trying to portray the painter’s actual disposition as something unchanging. Since the painter had trouble with eating now, his eating disorder existed in the past. And this perception got reinforced, for the lord could notice afterwards that the maids’ statement had become a reality. What they had described, truly happened afterwards. Due to worries and anxieties, the artist lost his appetite. He would fake his “happiness”. The manhwalovers could witness how the painter had slimmed down (chapter 108), just like his “husband”. (chapter 108), a new version of episode 51. This time, the roles had been switched, the painter was sitting in the patio. To sum up, the schemers and the accomplices were creating a prejudice, a so-called universal truth. This is the negative reflection of season 1, where the gossips about Yoon Seungho were turned into a reality. In many of my previous analyses, I had outlined that these rumors about the protagonist had been false. (chapter 1) He couldn’t have a proper erection, and it was never his choice to have sex at any time and any place, because he was treated as a male kisaeng. And now, it is the painter’s turn. Gossips about him would become a verity. Yet the other difference to season 1 is that in season 4 the artist is exposed to the same “prejudices” than Yoon Seungho in the past: He is ill!! He needs to be treated and the “gibang” is the right place for that🤮. He would be with his noonas, a new version of the lord’s past. And now, you comprehend why father Yoon said this to the physician in chapter 57: (chapter 57) A single incident was turned into a generality, implying that it was the same in the past!! To conclude, the noble is put into the same situation than his own father, the only divergence is that Yoon Seungho has indeed the painter’s best interests in his heart. He is determined to provide him with the best!! Thus he blames himself contrary to the elder master Yoon.
2. Yoon Seungho’s believes
But why did Yoon Seungho choose to trust others instead of his loved one? In my eyes, there exist two reasons. First, let’s not forget that the lord has been hiding the truth from his partner, his action in the shaman’s house. He is worried, but he doesn’t desire to burden his loved one, hence he chose silence and secrecy. (chapter 104) This statement implies that the painter is responsible for the bloodbath, for he left the propriety. Yet, instead of confronting the painter, he was encouraged not to talk about the past. He was suggested that way, he would protect the artist’s mind and heart. Besides, his choice was influenced by his own anxieties. The lord fears argument, because the last time they had quarreled, the artist had threatened his lover to leave the place. (chapter 85) I would like my avid readers to keep in mind that the lord wished to keep the artist by his side, sending the artist back to the kisaeng house was just a temporary measure. (chapter 105), yet the painter had heard something different from his noona. (chapter 105) That’s how a misunderstanding was created, provoking the painter’s abandonment issues to resurface. The lord had selected secrecy and silence out of love for the artist. Therefore when the lord sensed Baek Na-Kyum’s agony, he could only jump to the conclusion that the painter was acting the same way than him. He was also hiding something from Yoon Seungho. That’s the reason why the lord didn’t argue with Baek Na-Kyum. (chapter 107) He imagined that the artist was doing it out of concern for the noble. He was projecting his own thoughts onto the artist.
Nonetheless, for me, the biggest cause for his mistake are his own believes, and more precisely the “rules” he was indoctrinated with. He might have dropped his suicidal disposition, yet his self-hatred was not solved entirely. Its source is based on the following principle: “bird of misfortune”. (chapter 68) According to this belief, the lord brings bad luck to others. This rule can only incite the main lead to doubt himself, to judge himself in a negative light, to doubt his own judgement. Moreover, the perfidy is that this principle pushes the protagonist to deny the existence of his own misery. It was, as though the lord had never suffered, only the others. This “faith” represents the biggest lie and hypocrisy. However, the main lead questioned this rule in front of Yoon Chang-Hyeon, (chapter 86), as he started putting the whole responsibility on the elder master and the ignorant servant. But due to the last massacre in the shaman’s house, Kim could use the painter’s suffering as the evidence of this “irrefutable truth”. Yoon Seungho brought misery to the painter. That’s the reason why Kim “suggested” his master to send Baek Na-Kyum away by proposing the opposite. Simultaneously, we have the explanation why the painter has abandonment issues again. Since their magical night in the gibang, Yoon Seungho and his lover are no longer sharing the same bed. (chapter 108) He remains seated by his side, because he is projecting his own reaction onto his loved one. Remember how Yoon Seungho reacted in the past with Lee Jihwa: he pushed his childhood friend away. (chapter 59) It was, as if Yoon Seungho feared to taint the painter by sleeping next to him. However, the artist’s biggest wish is to share the same bed than his lover. (chapter 97) To conclude, Yoon Seungho’s life is still influenced by a false cult, by propagandism. This faith is is based on Rene Girard’s theories about mimetic desire and scapegoat mechanism.
“Girard’s fundamental concept is ‘mimetic desire’. Ever since Plato, students of human nature have highlighted the great mimetic capacity of human beings; that is, we are the species most apt at imitation. However, according to Girard, most thinking devoted to imitation pays little attention to the fact that we also imitate other people’s desires, and depending on how this happens, it may lead to conflicts and rivalries. If people imitate each other’s desires, they may wind up desiring the very same things; and if they desire the same things, they may easily become rivals, as they reach for the same objects.” Quoted from https://iep.utm.edu/girard/#H3
According to the psychologist and anthropologist, rather than bringing people together, convergence gives rise to hostility. Humans aren’t violent by nature. Our nature is social. The tragedy is that, even without deliberate evil on anyone’s part, our social nature constantly pits us against each other. Thus the French philosopher developed the following revolutionary hypothesis: human culture began with religion, and religion arose from our species’ need to master its own violence. (chapter 250) Hence the man created the following theory which is inspired by religion.
“Girard calls this process ‘scapegoating’, an allusion to the ancient religious ritual where communal sins were metaphorically imposed upon a he-goat, and this beast was eventually abandoned in the desert, or sacrificed to the gods (in the Hebrew Bible, this is especially prescribed in Leviticus 16).The person that receives the communal violence is a ‘scapegoat’ in this sense: her death or expulsion is useful as a regeneration of communal peace and restoration of relationships.” Quoted from https://iep.utm.edu/girard/#SH3b
This means that the community deceives itself into believing that the victim is the culprit of the communal crisis, and that the elimination of the victim will eventually restore peace. (Doctor Frost, chapter 250). Under this new light, it becomes comprehensible why the author from Doctor Frost utilized the image of a black sheep as the future scapegoat. IT was selected, because it stood out. And you comprehend why Yoon Seungho became the target in the end. His good reputation attracted envy and jealousy. (chapter 57) Why? It is because each noble family aspires to the same: power and wealth! (chapter 86) I had already detected father Lee’s jealousy and greed, just like Kim, Yoon Chang-Hyeon and Yoon Seungwon. The butler and the father might have desired the same (recognition and fame), but this could only end up in resulting in rivalry and jealousy.
“Scapegoating can happen to protect the image of the family or people who are favored in the family, not just the self. It is common for one person to be scapegoated, but it can happen with more than one person. Commonplace in families with unhealthy dynamics, scapegoating tends to start in childhood when children are blamed for all of the problems in dysfunctional households. The term “scapegoat” originates from the Bible. […] In addition, it results in an upbringing in which the scapegoated child’s inherent worth, goodness, and lovableness are ignored. Instead, insults, bullying, neglect, and abuse are deemed appropriate for the child forced into this position. […] Why a parent decides to scapegoat a child tends not to make any sense because this behavior is rooted in dysfunction. For example, a child who is sensitive, inquisitive, attractive, and smart might be perceived as a threat and scapegoated by a parent who lacks these qualities.” Quoted from https://www.verywellmind.com/what-does-it-mean-to-be-the-family-scapegoat-5187038
As you can see, this article corroborates my perception of the elder master Yoon. Because the Yoons were a dysfunctional family, where the main lead was neglected by the mother, and the parents were alienated, Yoon Seungho was isolated, making him vulnerable. There is no doubt that the father just viewed his son as a tool for his own glory, it becomes understandable why the main lead lost very quickly his special status, when an incident occurred. The latter was definitely turned into an immutable truth, and Yoon Seungho had no one by his side to refute the deception. The lord’s good reputation could only be perceived as a threat by others. There is no doubt that it was the same for lord Haseon. (chapter 107) This explicates why Yoon Seungwon was mentioned by the man with the purple hanbok. He implied that the son might have been well educated, yet he must be lacking elsewhere: his sexual education…. as his other task is to have a heir. This means that by standing out, Yoon Seungwon caught the jealousy and envy from other yangbans, though I have my doubts if he truly passed the civil service exam first. In other words, it is better not to stand out.
But let’s return our attention to Yoon Seungho who became the scapegoat. Nonetheless, he didn’t die, because his mother had sacrificed herself for her son’s sake. To conclude, since the mother killed herself and her son survived, the main lead got blamed for everything. Consequently, I deduce that the same occurred to No-Name who is “lord Song” according to me. With each sacrifice or punishment, peace was restored, however this was just an illusion, for the lord got still abused and the “real lord Song” came to lose everything. Hence there is still resent, jealousy and desire for revenge, because no real justice was delivered. With Rene Girard’s theory “scapegoat mechanism”, we have the perfect explanation why Min would lust after the painter. It is because everyone was looking at the artist either out of jealousy or greed. Finally, this connection confirms my interpretation: religion plays a central role in this story. And the main lead is not questioning this psychological phenomenon. Why? I had already pointed out that Yoon Seungho had been exposed to brainwashing and was suffering from Stockholm Syndrome. But how is it possible?
3. The birth of “brainwashing”
In order to answer that question, I will use Doctor Frost as a reference again. (Doctor Frost, chapter 183) Since deprogramming is like brainwashing, it signifies that for the brainwashing, the victim needs to be isolated and even imprisoned too. And in order to be effective, the target of the brainwashing has to be exposed to stress and lack of sleep.
(chapter 187) Fatigue and exhaustion are necessary in order to lower the target’s defense mechanisms. This explicates why it has to take place during the night, for the night is the time for humans to rest. Therefore the place of brainwashing is called “the fox’s hole” in Doctor Frost.
However, there is more to it. (Doctor Frost, chapter 187). (chapter 187) The Ganzfeld effect happens when you undergo sensory deprivation for some time, and your brain tries to make sense of what is happening. Just 15 minutes of sensory deprivation can induce vivid hallucinations, according to researchers. This process involves muffling the ears and blindfolding, so people are unable to see or hear. And note what had happened to Baek Na-Kyum during the abduction. His head had been covered (chapter 66), and according to me, while his head was covered, he got strangled. Hence he had this nightmare. (chapter 61) But he lost notion of time and chronology, hence his nightmare is not coherent. One feature of altered states of consciousness during Ganzfeld exposure is an altered sense of time. In general, regardless of the induction method, altered states of consciousness can be characterized by changes in the sense of self and time. But this can only happen, when the brain is deprived of stimulations. (chapter 187) I had already outlined that Yoon Seungho had lost not only the notion of time, but also all his senses. And the nightmare is displaying the evidence of the Ganzfeld exposure. Hence the young master viewed himself flying (chapter 74), and at the end his eyes and ears got covered by hands and blood. (chapter 74) Besides, he was trapped in the dark room which looked like the servants’ quarters. Only thanks to the painter, the lord could recover his own senses, slowly he became the owner of his own body again. In addition, remember what he said to his own father: (chapter 86) The darkness he was referring to is the indication of “Ganzfeld effect”. Because he was trapped in this nightmare, he lost the sense of reality. He had to rely on someone else’s senses and words. That’s how his memories got repressed and even distorted. Consequently, a new past could get recreated. That’s the reason why the lord had no memories for a long time. The valet was the “owner of the truth and as such of the time”. We could say that till the meeting with the painter, he possessed the lord’s memories. Besides, one of the side effects of scapegoating is becoming vulnerable to gaslighting.
“
Trauma: Being deprived of a family’s love, singled out as the “bad one” in the household, and having one’s positive attributes overlooked can set up a child for a lifetime of emotional and psychological distress, where they struggle believing they are good, worthy, competent, or likable.
Toxic relationships and environments: It can also result in these individuals entering friendships, romantic relationships, and working environments that are abusive and harmful.
Normalizing dysfunctional behavior: Dysfunction and abuse often feel “normal” for family scapegoats, making it difficult for them to spot dangerous people and places before harm is done.
Difficulties with boundaries: The fact that gaslighting is common in dysfunctional families makes it challenging for abused individuals to set boundaries and recognize when other people’s behavior crosses the line. They are more likely to believe that they are exaggerating, are being too sensitive, or can’t trust their judgement.
Self-sabotage or self-harm: Scapegoats tend to internalize the harmful messages they’ve received about themselves from birth or early childhood onward. This could result in the child engaging in self-sabotage or self-harm, such as doing poorly in school, neglecting self-care, engaging in risky activities or behaviors, and acting out in ways that indicate they deserve the title of the scapegoat (even though no child does).Quoted from https://www.verywellmind.com/what-does-it-mean-to-be-the-family-scapegoat-5187038
The information from Doctor Frost made me realize that the shed is the place where the main lead got brainwashed. This explicates why the main lead put a fire in the storage room, when the artist was brought there after the “fake abduction”. (chapter 62) Under this new light, it becomes comprehensible why the lord didn’t lose his whole sanity and as such didn’t fall completely into despair. The warmth and light served him as a guidance. Consequently, I deduce that in his childhood, he was trapped there in the dark for hours!! Because he was jailed in that room, he was exposed to the Ganzfeld effect. Therefore he relied on the valet’s words. (chapter 77) He trusted the butler, even after getting betrayed and abandoned each time. He developed blind faith in the butler. Why? It is because he was the only one “talking to him”. Though he wounded him so many times, he still remained by the lord’s side. That’s the reason why I come to the conclusion that the shed is not just a room for punishment, but also for “faith”, the place where the scapegoat was placed: “ (chapter 77) That’s the reason why he got treated like an animal. This is no coincidence that in the storage room, the butler utilized such a religious vocabulary: “I do not believe” (chapter 62); “beg”, “trust” a synonym for faith, “soul”, ” (chapter 108) “Save” (chapter 108) Moreover, I would like to outline that the main lead was seen sitting while looking up (chapter 83) It looks like Yoon Seungho was praying, when Lee Jihwa opened the door. This means that Yoon Seungho has been treating Kim as his idol, his highest priest. Besides, doctor Frost explained why people become victims of brainwashing. (doctor Frost, chapter 191). This description fits to the shed, the lord was not only cornered mentally, but also physically.
But since the shed plays such an important role in the story, I wondered why the storage room from the mansion was not shown in season 1 [As a reminder, for me, in chapter 1, the painter was brought to father Lee’s propriety] That’s how I recalled this scene, the butler standing in front of the gate of the barn. (chapter 32) What was he doing there, and why was he looking at the bedchamber? It is because he imagined that after the sex session, Yoon Seungho would send the painter to the shed as a punishment for his desertion. Let’s not forget that during the day, the whole staff had been beaten by their master. Besides, I would like to point out that the staff in season 3 viewed the painter as a spoiled brat, for he was receiving the lord’s favors. (chapter 98) Consequently, I deduce that when the valet got punished in season 3, he portrayed the painter as a tattler for that reason. He didn’t want to become the scapegoat in the end. (Chapter 77) At the same time, receiving treatment from the physician, Kim could say that the lord regretted his decision. These new discoveries reinforce my prediction that the painter is doomed to become the next scapegoat!! Yet, chance is on the couple’s side. On the other hand, this signifies that someone will have to become sacrificed!
4. The priest and his disciple’s discussion
Now it is time to focus on the argument between the butler and the surrogate son. While many viewed this discussion as something positive, for the butler cried (chapter 108) and apologized to the noble (chapter 108) for his wrong choices, I come to the opposite interpretation. Naturally, if the manhwalovers compare the butler’s apology in the shed to the one in the library, (chapter 77) it really looks like Kim is sincere. He is no longer standing, he is now weeping. Finally, he is not blaming someone else (the kisaeng), but himself. (chapter 108) Nevertheless, for me, everything is an illusion, and you can only detect the manipulations, the moment you examine closely Kim’s words.
First, it starts with the butler’s statement. (chapter 108) Kim feigned ignorance, and the lord confronted him with his lie, he admits that in reality he knew something. (chapter 108) He had not told him about the shaman’s house on purpose. He had hidden the truth by omission. He justified his decision by using the “townsfolk” and their liking of creating gossips. However his real task was to protect his lord’s interest and inform him about everything. He made a decision without his lord’s permission, and as such he usurped his authority. He acted, as if he knew what was the best for Yoon Seungho. But this doesn’t end. What infuriated me the most are these two declarations:
: While many judged the confession from Kim about his constant betrayal and abandonment as something positive, I paid more attention to the second sentence: “I’ll regret”. He is employing the future and not the present tense. This stands in opposition to Lee Jihwa’s regret: (chapter 61) The red-haired master utilized the present perfect tense, which is a combination of the past and present!! This time reveals that the young man was about to move on. On the other hand, the butler is either referring to the past and to the future, but not to the now! This means, he has no regret right now. He is projecting himself in the future. He implies “regret”, but he is not truly admitting it. Finally, when the childhood friend came to regret his choice, he voiced it outside the barn!! (chapter 61) This contrast outlines that the storage room is the place of illusion or false faith.
(chapter 108): Here, my blood was literally boiling, when I read his second “confession”, because here he was now omitting Yoon Seungho. It was, as if the protagonist was not existing. His words were actually reflecting a new betrayal towards the main lead. Here, he was vowing loyalty to Baek Na-Kyum and not to Yoon Seungho!! He insinuated that if he was taking care of the painter, he was protecting Yoon Seungho’s interests. However, the artist and the noble are two different persons. Imagine the following situation: The main lead gets arrested for “murder”, the butler could justify his vanishing, passivity and silence by saying that he needs to take away the painter from the mansion so that the latter avoids getting into trouble as well. As you can see, he would keep his promise, but he would sacrifice Yoon Seungho. With his words, he was insinuating that he only had two choices: the elder master Yoon or the painter. Besides, once the lord were to be removed, Kim could put the whole blame on the painter afterwards. If he had not left the house… That’s the reason why I viewed the last statement as the biggest treason. In reality, he was not vowing loyalty to the main lead. This scene was a reflection from episode 30, where the artist had pledged loyalty to the main lead (chapter 30) and this in front of people. This explicates why the butler got grabbed in the storage room (chapter 108) like the painter in the courtyard. (chapter 30) We could say that it was the butler’s karma for his past manipulation. He had been the one who had encouraged the painter to flee the mansion (chapter 29/30). But this doesn’t end here. When the artist vowed his loyalty to the protagonist in the courtyard, the latter was present, which is not the case here. The artist is left in the dark. (chapter 108) He has no idea about the valet’s oath. Therefore we should consider it as inexistent. This means, if the painter got arrested, the valet could put the blame on the artist and say that he is trying to protect the lord’s interests, to save his skin. That’s the reason why I consider this confession from the butler as a huge sign of his culpability and dishonesty. Moreover, he is not feeling any remorse.
Besides, note that he never admitted that he truly cared for Baek Na-Kyum, he simply suggests it. (chapter 108) Where is the personal pronoun “I” here? Nowhere. Only the lord cares for the painter, this was the butler’s declaration in the end. But what about the tears? How could he fake the crying?
First, the author never let us see the valet’s eyes and not even his mouth. The tears were implied with the sound “hic” and the drops of water falling onto the ground: (chapter 108) My avid readers will certainly recall the following rule which the story is based on. Each scene will be reflected in a previous season. (chapter 81) When the lord had wounded his lover, when he was in a dissociative state, he had perspired so much that his sweat was falling like tears!! As you can see, fear could be the reason why drops of water were falling. Let’s not forget that the main lead had treated Kim very harshly and even threatened to have him killed, something he had never done before. (chapter 108) Kim had reasons to get scared and to sweat.
Besides, note how the valet keeps switching Yoon Seungho’s title (either young master , chapter 108, or my lord ), a sign that he is not truly recognizing him as his real lord. One might refute my interpretation, because Kim voiced regrets in this scene. (chapter 108) However, the manhwalover should question this. Why did he regret that day? It is because he had revealed his true thoughts about Yoon Seungho to the painter, and he got reprimanded from the artist. Besides, according to me, he had hoped that the artist would leave the mansion due to the altercation. In addition, when he mentioned this scene, he wanted to appear as honest, because he had no idea if the artist had leaked this conversation to Yoon Seungho. Finally, just because he told the truth here, we shouldn’t judge the butler’s confession as verity. To conclude, for me, the valet was not really remorseful, he was more acting.
One might argue that my interpretation about Yoon Seungho was wrong. It was his choice to live in debauchery, as it admitted it in the shed. (chapter 108) However, this is another illusion which can be easily refuted. (chapter 108) This memory is the same than the painter’s (chapter 1). However, this is not possible, for the painter had never gone to the main lead’s mansion before. He had this memory, when he met him at the inn for the first time. This vision was a reference to the gibang. But note that in the lord’s statement, he never mentioned the kisaeng house. He only invited the nobles to his “bedchamber”. The words don’t match the picture. This admission was actually exposing the manipulation, a fake memory… the “traces of brainwashing”. Besides, the manipulator had employed the same MO like mentioned above. Since it happened once (chapter 8), then it was the same in the past. Because we saw guests in the lord’s mansion, we could be tempted to assume that this represents Yoon Seungho’s true past. Concerning the painting, Kim just needed to explain why lord Yoon had barged in his mansion. He had sent the painting to his father to provoke him. (chapter 108) In other words, the butler had acted on his own, and informed his master afterwards, when this information was necessary in order to protect himself. As you already know, for me, the butler had definitely acted on his own. But why does Kim need to deform reality so much? It is because he was present, when the young boy was abused sexually and he did nothing. He needs to erase the “traces” of the rape so that his culpability will not come to the surface. Just like the painter, Yoon Seungho has totally forgotten the sexual abuse. Besides, he never mentioned the incidents about the shed to the painter, only the bedchamber. (Chapter 87) Here, he was already hiding his guilt by turning Yoon Chang-HYeon into the main culprit. He is responsible for the lord’s suffering.
But the problem is that Yoon Seungho is escaping more and more from his claws, and his manipulations are now turned more and more against him!! The reason why I was first disappointed is that the young master was not able to detect the contradiction. He had accepted the butler’s version as a truth from his past (chapter 68), but he had heard a different story from the painter. (chapter 93) However, now I understand why Yoon Seungho was not able to discern the hypocrisy from the assistant. (chapter 188) It is related to the long brainwashing he was exposed for so many years and the lord’s low self-esteem. Thus I perceive this argument in the storage room as a new version of episode 40, a confrontation between the painter and the scholar. But who had been defeated in the shed? Yoon Seungho was still the loser, for he kept his distance from his lover afterwards. (chapter 108) He was making sure that no one would know that the painter was his weakness. (chapter 108) The new version of episode 50-51!! However, this was totally pointless, for the painter was living his bedchamber. His position was the proof that the painter was still favored, though the artist feared to be abandoned by the painter.
I am now full of optimism. Why? It is because Yoon Seungho’s role is to remove all the painter’s wounds from his heart and mind! Don’t forget that in season 1, the main lead was the painter’s emancipator. And as a reward for his good deed, the lord’s last rule will be removed. How can this happen`?
(doctor Frost, chapter 187) This means that the couple has to communicate and the painter will interrogate his lover. (chapter 187) But this deprogramming is not pleasant, for the destruction of believes leads the victim to question everything afterwards. What caught my attention is that the painter went to the library, the symbol for “knowledge and education” which stands in opposition to the shed. This is no coincidence. Brainwashing is the antonym for insight. (chapter 108) In addition, the lord was dressed like in episode 36, he had the green hanbok. (chapter 36) Back then, the painter didn’t talk to the owner of the mansion. Finally, this episode is connected to the lord’s memories: (chapter 36) That’s how I had this revelation. The lord’s suffering is also linked to the library. From my perspective, the young master was dragged from the library to the shed at some point. (chapter 77) I had already pointed out that in episode 77, the main lead had been dragged on multiple occasions, for he was dressed differently, and the servants would be different. Because I had described that the lord’s mind had been manipulated by indoctrination and the butler had confessed, I deduce that the next episode will contain elements from episode 48/49. (chapter 49) That’s the moment the painter dropped the last principle from the scholar and kisaeng. For me, something similar will take place, but such a deprogramming is painful. From my point of view, Jung In-Hun will be mentioned, as in the same place, the scholar had mentioned the painter’s past and future. (chapter 40) (chapter 40) Since the shed embodies the valet’s betrayal, the lord voiced his abandonment issues there. On the other hand, the library symbolizes the teacher’s abandonment. This is not random. Baek Na-Kyum can not read, the symbol of the learned sir’s negligence. Hence I am expecting a new confession from the artist, like this scene: (Tweet) So far, the artist has never spoken ill of the teacher. To conclude, the library is the place where both protagonists will experience a new liberation! For me, episode 108 and 109 are focused on education, responsibility, memories and truth. That’s the reason why I am suspecting that the painter’s words will trigger the lord’s memories so that the verity about his own past will come to the surface.
Before closing this essay, I would like to point out two other thoughts. The storage room has another symbolism. It is connected to wealth and gathering. This would explain why Kim likes the storage room, indicating his materialistic side, and Yoon Seungho was his bird of fortune, for the former came to enjoy a good life. As you already know, he became the true owner of the mansion, the “ghost lord”. Finally, I would like to outline a detail which caught my attention: the jar in the shed with a new lit. (chapter 108) What is this jar doing there? It was not present, when the painter was kept captive there. (chapter 62) My avid readers will certainly recall my theory that a corpse was hidden in jar!! In other words, I am more than ever convinced that there’s still a corpse hidden in the mansion. This is important, because this represents the condition for the appearance of the scapegoat mechanism. Someone has to take the fall for the schemers and accomplices.
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As the readers can see, the title consists of an unfinished sentence. I did it on purpose for two reasons. First, it would have been too long. Secondly, it would have revealed the central topic of this essay. The name of this composition is in truth a quote from A. A. Milne. The manhwaphiles can see that I would like to analyze the new pictures released from Lezhin inciting me to present new interpretations, theories and predictions.
1. Yoon Seungho and Sleeping beauty
Interesting is that on February 1st the Korean company tweeted this image. The manhwalovers could barely see Yoon Seungho’s face, for he was surrounded by darkness. When I saw it, my first thought was to associate the protagonist to “Sleeping beauty”. He had the same expression than in the bedchamber, when he was sleeping totally relaxed. (chapter 87) He was not tormented by a nightmare, like the painter discovered it in chapter 38: And the darkness reminded me of the forest of thorns and as such of the curse put on the princess. The darkness, the metaphor for the forest of thorns, is the reason why the lord felt trapped and suffocating in his torment. (chapter 86) This contrasts to the princess’ situation, for the latter had no idea about the existence of the prison. It only appeared, when she fell asleep. Moreover, in this picture the obscurity is slowly disappearing announcing that the main lead is about to wake up, he is on the verge of being released from his curse. This signifies that the protagonist is slowly returning to life, allowing him to be able to fight back, the moment he is confronted with reality. He will be able to voice his thoughts and emotions contrary to his past lethargy.
In the fairy tale from Charles Perrault and the brothers Grimm, the princess was put to sleep for 100 years in order to avoid the terrible curse that the wicked witch had placed on her. Originally, she should have died, but thanks to the intervention of one fairy, the curse could be modified and attenuated. Instead of death, it was just “sleep”. My avid readers can already detect the similarities, as the young master’s martyrdom lasted 10 years. Not only the numbers are similar, but the idiom the lord employs to describe his past life is related to sleep: “nightmare”. (chapter 86) This shows that he had problems to distinguish illusion from reality. Why? He had long internalized that nightmare is real world. Hence any pleasant event could only be judged as dream and illusion. This explicates why the lord still feared that the painter’s love confession was a chimera. Besides, I had already pointed out that till the lord’s final suicidal attempt linked to the painter’s love and death, the lord was not truly living. I had compared him either to a dormant volcano or to a zombie. It is relevant, because thanks to the artist, the noble is learning that realism is not just made of betrayal, agony and torment. Happiness can still exist in real world, but in order to achieve happiness, the person has to work! That’s the reason why the American dream combines happiness with zeal and commitment. Therefore the main lead could only end up suffering, for he remained passive till the end of season 3. Therefore, till the end of season 3, he was not able to detect his true enemies and anticipate their moves.
Consequently, both characters, the lord and Sleeping beauty, have another common denominator. They couldn’t determine their own fate due to the intervention of others: the fathers, the “fairies”, the prince/king and the fortunetellers. Yes, sleeping beauty is connected to horoscopists. Actually, the fairy tale “Sleeping beauty” has its origins in the story “Sun, Moon, and Talia” from the Italian author Giambattista Basile. In this narration from the 17th Century, the so-called talented astrologers, tasked by Talia’s father, had predicted her future.
“at length they came to the conclusion that she would incur great danger from a splinter of flax. Her father therefore forbade that any flax, hemp, or any other material of that sort be brought into his house, so that she should escape the predestined danger.” Quoted from https://sites.pitt.edu/~dash/type0410.html
However, the lord’s attempts were a failure. The young woman couldn’t escape her terrible destiny, for she was left in the dark. Moreover, Talia was raped 😨 during her sleep by a king who was already married. Due to this encounter, the cursed protagonist got pregnant, and gave birth to twins, Sun and Moon. Under this new perspective, the readers realize that this panel is actually announcing the content of season 4. The lord’s rape will come to the surface! Furthermore, my avid readers can notice another parallel with the manhwa. I had already compared the main characters from Painter Of The Night to the moon and the sun. For Yoon Seungho, the painter symbolizes the sun and as such life, for he was slowly bringing him light, warmth (chapter 63), love and happiness in his nightmare. In his darkest moment, he voiced a wish, which exposed the return of hope. This corresponds to the spark of faith, the gradual return of trust in his life. On the other side, Baek Na-Kyum came to view his lover as the moon giving him light and hope during the night again. (chapter 94) I would like to point out that the artist has always associated this satellite to a source of joy and love, like we can detect it here. (chapter 94) Finally, Talia could get liberated from her curse thanks to her children. The splinter of flax got removed from her finger, the moment the babies were sucking on them. This signifies that she got revived thanks to love and life. Moreover, she woke up, the moment the source of her pain was removed. This observation leads me to the following conclusion: the noble can only be completely freed from this darkness, the moment his suffering is removed and as such revealed!! This means that Yoon Seungho will be able to voice his misery and denunciate the crimes he was exposed to. He will be able to identify the persons responsible for his suffering. He might know a name, lord Song, but he has no idea about his true identity. That’s how his burden will be erased. Like mentioned above, the noble’s physical and sexual assault will be brought up to light. That’s the reason why the new image announcing season 4 is so dark. They represent a reflection from Yoon Seungho’s past and torment.
Nonetheless, we should focus on the positive aspects, the gradual vanishing of the blackness. Hence I see this dark picture in a good light. It actually symbolizes peace, hope and faith. This explicates why once I detected the painter’s hair in this image, I imagined that the lord was sleeping with Baek Na-Kyum while holding him in his arms. At the same time, he was smelling his hair, a new version of this scene: (chapter 38) I thought that the couple would share the bed, thus the lord could relax. He felt protected by his lover. In other words, I was already envisioning that this scene is a reflection from chapter 97/98, for the couple had not been able to sleep together. (chapter 97) However, the moment Lezhin published the second panel, I realized that this illustration was referring to a different element in the same scene: separation. Thus I deduce that the embrace during the sleep must have happened before, for the noble’s eye has no dark circle. He looks rested and relaxed.
But let’s return our attention to the comparison between sleeping beauty and our beloved seme. The king was actually cheating on his wife, hence he only stayed in Talia’s home for a certain time. He not only hid the truth from her, but also made an empty promise, he would bring her back to his kingdom!
“In the meanwhile the king remembered Talia, and saying that he wanted to go hunting, he returned to the palace, and found her awake, and with two cupids of beauty. He was overjoyed, and he told Talia who he was, and how he had seen her, and what had taken place. When she heard this, their friendship was knitted with tighter bonds, and he remained with her for a few days. After that time he bade her farewell, and promised to return soon, and take her with him to his kingdom. And he went to his realm, but he could not find any rest, and at all hours he had in his mouth the names of Talia, and of Sun and Moon (those were the two children’s names), and when he took his rest, he called either one or other of them.” Quoted from https://sites.pitt.edu/~dash/type0410.html
And that’s how she became the victim of another plot, the queen got jealous and chose to get rid of Sun and Moon before targeting Talia herself. And this shows that deceptions and conspiracies stand in the center of this fairy tale! At no moment, the main lead heard the truth from her father or her future husband. Thus she couldn’t protect herself correctly, just like she could never anticipate her enemy’s moves. And that’s exactly what happened to Yoon Seungho. He was left in the dark the whole time, while people made empty promises to him. When Kim revealed Yoon Chang-Hyeon’s promise, the butler was implying (chapter 77) that he was doing it for the noble’s best interest. He insinuated that he was protecting him and he should trust him and his father. But this was not true, for he had not revealed the truth to Yoon Seungho, the stolen kiss. (chapter 88) This image was mirroring the past, someone had made the promise to the young master that he would “stay by his side”, implying that he would protect him, but he had failed to keep his words, for he had trusted more in others’ comments. (chapter 88) Because of the tragedies, the main figure got blamed, and as such he got cursed. He was a bird of misfortune, while in reality he was the main victim. In “Sun, Moon and Talia”, the perpetrator and the accomplices, the king and the astrologers, they all got scot-free. I am certain that it was the same in Yoon Seungho’s past. And because there are astrologers in this fairy tale, I am more than ever convinced that a shaman played a huge role in the young master’s downfall.
Yet there exists a huge difference between Painter Of The Night and the Italian story. Contrary to Yoon Seungho, Talia was not conscious, when she got sexually assaulted. She was left in the dark about the true origins of her motherhood. That’s the reason why she didn’t suffer from PTSD or better said from nightmares while asleep. She could never make the connection between the rape and the birth of Sun and Moon. She just saw them, and fell in love with them, as they marked the end of her solitude. The king never described the intimacy as a crime, it was portrayed as a normality. Thus her sleep is not connected to pain and nightmare, rather to a blessing and peace.
2. Memories and farewells
What caught my attention is that the king from “Sun, Moon and Talia” never saw the sex as a crime. Why? From my point of view, it is related to his position. As the ruler, he can do whatever he wants. Yet, the reality is that he is bound by traditions and religion. Yet, he chose to disregard them. Moreover, the most surprising is that he actually forgot his encounter with Talia for a while.
In the meanwhile the king remembered Talia, and saying that he wanted to go hunting, he returned to the palace, and found her awake, and with two cupids of beauty. Quoted from https://sites.pitt.edu/~dash/type0410.html
It exposes his selfishness and superficiality in the end. He was not truly motivated by love, rather by lust. It took him more than a year before returning to her side. And that’s how he discovered that he had now heirs! This explicates why he made such a promise to the young mother (bringing her to his realm with her kids), though he still remained passive afterwards. He had been able to continue his lineage, thus everything was fine. The fairy tale is actually exposing the king’s flaws and sins. In my eyes, his behavior is reflecting the pedophile’s from Painter Of The Night. Moreover, the ruler vowed faithfulness to Talia, when he announced that he would bring back her and their children to his realm. But he knew that it was not possible, for he still had a wife. This means that the king couldn’t live with Talia together. His time with her was limited, hence he justified his vanishing with “hunting”. Yes… another parallel with the lord’s attitude. (chapter 83) In Painter Of The Night, the hunts were always used to provoke a quarrel and as such a separation, but it never worked. This is important, because this shows that the couple from the Italian story had to separate. It is now time to reveal the whole quote from Milner:
“Promise me you’ll never forget me because if I thought you would, I’d never leave.”
His words indicate the difficulty of departure. In order to overcome the distance, one needs absolute trust in the partner’s love and loyalty. And this situation is actually reflected in the second picture released from Lezhin. Byeonduck is now announcing the separation arc. Since Yoon Seungho is closing his eyes while kissing Baek Na-Kyum’s eye, I come to the interpretation that the lord is trusting blindly his lover. He is not doubting the artist’s affection. There is no ambiguity that he is also embracing his lover. He is actually making here a promise to the painter. This is what Lezhin wrote on Twitter:
시샘달 하루부터 닷새까지. 매일 정오 찾아 오겠노라, 약조하마. From the first day to fifth day, I’ll come to you every day at noon, in the morning (translated by papago).
He will not only return to him, but also he is telling the time of his return!! This means that the lord has now regained the notion of time! Kim, whom I consider as a new version of Chronos, is no longer controlling the main lead, because he is no longer owner of his time. The panel with the text is already displaying the butler’s loss of power. To conclude, this panel represents the positive reflection from this scene: (chapter 97) Back then, the lord was scared, for he still doubted the artist’s love confession. It was too beautiful to be true! However, back then, the artist never doubted his own resolution, thus he gave comfort to his lover by giving him his hand. (chapter 97) (chapter 97) At the end, the lord expressed the following wishes: (chapter 97) In other words, he desired that the painter would follow his requests and as such he should vow him loyalty and trust one more time. The irony is that the lord was actually the one breaking his vow, for he left his lover without saying goodbye. Thus I conclude that in this scene, the characters have switched their position: Yoon Seungho is no longer doubting the artist’s sincerity and loyalty, for he could witness with his own eyes the abduction and the sexual assault. Yet, the painter is in tears, because he is already missing his lover. The tears doesn’t just represent agony, but also longing. What caught my attention is that the drawing is very similar to this image: (chapter 78) This means that the lord is smelling his partner’s hair helping him to remain strong and calm. He is now trying to memorize his lover’s odor so that he can forget this stench, a remain from the past: (chapter 86) This can only help him to defeat his “opponents”. Finally, in different analyses, I had already interpreted that Baek Na-Kyum was embodying memory, whereas the lord stands for truth. The image is actually a reference to recollection and as such honesty. There is no ambiguity that both men are trusting each other, but the painter is crying, for he fears for his lover’s life either. Yoon Seungho is leaving him in order to protect him in my eyes. And this leads me to the following deduction. When the lord is about to leave, Baek Na-Kyum is not left in the dark contrary to episode 97. He knows the whole truth, for the lord must have confessed to him. We could say that he is not leaving without a word (chapter 97). Furthermore, this signifies that the artist doesn’t need any longer to rely on the explanations from others. Thus the artist will keep his promise (chapter 88), though he won’t be by his side physically! They are no longer relying on the butler and his “information”. The trick played at the end of season 3 won’t work on Baek Na-Kyum any longer. He will no longer be swayed. And the promise made by the lord is the reason why the painter will remain loyal. He will stay at the place he is living and wait for his lover’s return. He has no question either.
Many manhwalovers might be unhappy about this evolution, for they love watching the couple living together. But keep in mind that this is totally necessary, because this will push Baek Na-Kyum and Yoon Seungho to create paintings and even poems. This can only incite them to recall their past moments together. A new version of this scene: (chapter 23) (chapter 24) In other words, this announces the return of Yoon Seungho’s passion for painting! And it is the same for the painter. The erotic picture should reflect their love for each other, created based on memories. At the same time, this can only push the noble to demonstrate his talents to others refuting all the negative rumors about him: he is intelligent and possessing his whole mind. Furthermore, this can help him to reminisce his tragic past, what led him to his downfall and suffering. This signifies that he will be able to confront his past and his memories. He will be able to identify the rape, and Kim already exposed the truth to Yoon Seungho, when the former suggested him to ensure the painter’s consent. This shows that Kim was well aware of the sexual abuse, but he chose to never divulge the verity. On the other hand, the pedophile thought in the past that the young master would never forget him due to his position, thus he had no problem to leave Yoon Seungho behind and make no real promise. Departure was never painful for him… hence this quote (“Promise me you’ll never forget me because if I thought you would, I’d never leave.”) will become a reality for the mysterious lord Song, but it is already too late. In fact, the gods punished him by making Yoon Seungho suffering from amnesia. He is not attached by loyalty to the pervert.
Yoon Seungho’s vow with Baek Na-Kyum diverges so much to the monarch’s behavior from “Sun, Moon and Talia”. The latter broke his promise on so many levels. First, he hid the queen’s existence to the protagonist. But this doesn’t end here. He left her behind without making sure that her family was protected. He thought that this secret would guarantee her safety. However, in the story, the king couldn’t help himself revealing the secret and that’s how the queen discovered his betrayal and infidelity. I would like the readers to keep in mind that back then, polygamy was considered as a huge sin in Europe. Note that at the end, the legal wife was the one who brought the “princess” to the kingdom and this for a trial. So where was the king? He was often busy eating! We could say that he didn’t keep his promise out of laziness and even naivety. He allowed that Talia was accused of infidelity and witchcraft, for she had seduced him. He only appeared at the end of the fairy tale. He only voiced regret and put the blame on the queen, while in reality he was the main culprit for this situation.
“The king suddenly appeared, and finding this spectacle, demanded to know what was happening. He asked for his children, and his wife — reproaching him for his treachery — told him that she had had them slaughtered and served to him as meat. When the wretched king heard this, he gave himself up to despair, saying, “Alas! Then I, myself, am the wolf of my own sweet lambs. Alas! And why did these my veins know not the fountains of their own blood? You renegade bitch, what evil deed is this which you have done? Quoted from https://sites.pitt.edu/~dash/type0410.html
The manhwalovers can detect many similarities with Painter Of The Night. The ruler will never recognize his crimes and even wrong decisions. He neglected Yoon Seungho, but chose to put the blame on others. First, the young master, then the patriarch Yoon Chang-HYeon, the kisaeng, “No-Name” and finally Lee Jihwa. At some point, it will be the butler’s turn. On the other hand, since no one of them was willing to recognize their own fault and involvement, they preferred blaming the victim, for the latter was the only one without a voice. Thus Yoon Seungho is accused of being consumed by lust, he was neither faithful, while in truth, he had no saying from the start. (chapter 57) That’s the reason why I believe that when an incident occurred during that night (chapter 83), the main lead was framed. He got accused of a crime, whereas he had been the true target in reality. There is no ambiguity that the abusers doubted the protagonist’s loyalty and integrity, for they were themselves untrustworthy. They all knew that they had lied and deceived the young master at some point.
And this leads me to the following conclusion. The separation is necessary, since the story is going in circle. Back then, the “pedophile” couldn’t stay by the young master’s side due to his duties. Thus he could only appear, when he was “hunting”. This means, the painter is put in the same situation than his lover in the past. However, the huge difference is that Yoon Seungho came to hate the mysterious lord Song! He never wished his return… However, since he had lost the notion of time, he could only live in fear. That’s how he came to develop insomnia. This explicates why the man trained the protagonist to have a sex marathon, for his time in Jemulpo was limited. Thus I deduce that the pedophile never bid farewell to Yoon Seungho and barely talked to him as well, unless he gave orders. In my eyes, he relied on others: Yoon Chang-Hyeon the kisaeng, Yoon Seungwon and Kim. Yet, deep down, the perpetrator was well aware that he was abusing the young master. But he chose to close an eye, until an incident occurred. That’s the reason why he could never trust the male kisaeng in the end. As a conclusion, season 4 symbolizes the opposite to the past: acceptance, love, faith, closeness, verity and transparence despite the return of darkness. This explicates why the illustration is quite “easy” to interpret despite the blackness.
3. Interpretation of the second panel
It is possible, if you compare the image to others. This picture contrasts so much to this one:
prank – seriousness
light – dark
smile – tears
Yoon Seungho made sure that the painter stayed by his side, he even stopped him to retrieve the music box, while now the lord has the opposite intention. He is now the one leaving the painter.
The small gap between the main leads indicating that despite their closeness, there still existed a wall between them. This displays that in the new illustration, the distance is no longer existing. Both are fully trusting each other. The lord must have confessed what happened to the painter at the end of season 3, and the painter must have also explained how he came to leave the mansion. In other words, both revealed many secrets concerning the last incident,
That’s the reason why I come to the following deductions. They are biding farewell outside. The painter followed him to the door. However, here the lord is not suicidal at all. In fact, the promise represents the source of strength for Yoon Seungho. The latter has to remain alive in order to protect Baek Na-Kyum, definitely a new version of this scene: (chapter 11) However, there is no ambiguity that the painter can only fear for his lover’s life. The closed eye contradicts the haunted gaze in the shaman’s house. (chapter 102) Despite his closed eyes, he is now able to discern the truth, and it is the same for the painter. Their Third eye is now fully awakened.
But the most important detail is the lord’s kiss on the artist’s eye. The lord had already done it in the past. When he kissed the artist there for the first time, the latter was unconscious. (chapter 21) This gesture symbolizes the epitome of the noble’s affection and the desire to give “happiness”. Then in the bedchamber, he did it in order to console his partner. (chapter 82) With his kiss, he was asking for his forgiveness. This means that the kiss on the eye serves as reassurance and comfort either. Thus we had this scene in the study: (chapter 84) The lord had kissed his lover there, because he was voicing his attachment and desire to redeem himself and to comfort the artist. As you can see, it was a combination of all the previous significations. Yet, the lord had not grasped the “gravity” of his “wrongdoing”. Thus the kiss was associated a certain playfulness in the study. As a conclusion, this image symbolizes the reality. Both are aware of the truth, willing to face it together. The lord is attempting to console his lover, to reassure him that everything will be alright. He is sorry, for he is making him cry again, but this separation is necessary. It was, as if he was seeking Baek Na-Kyum’s forgiveness. He is honest and serious. He is now capable to face reality. But there is more to it. The new image contrasts to this one too:
light -dark
happiness – sadness
sun – moon
the hand with a foot – the couple’s faces
This contrast confirms my previous signification: this happy moment in the painter’s childhood had been short-lived, because he had been left in the dark. While he was with the scholar and was happy, something terrible must have happened to someone close to the painter. It reinforced his guilt and abandonment issues. Besides, I had already outlined that this scene must be connected to a departure, a “farewell”. [For more read the essay “Baek Na-Kyum’s foot“] In the past, I had assumed that it was related to Heena, but it could be linked to the gibang in general. Another kisaeng could have vanished suddenly. That’s how I realized why the painter came to love the moon and night! I recognized that many wounds in the painter’s life had occurred during the day: (chapter 94) (chapter 94) (chapter 34) (chapter 11) (chapter 19) He came to feel more safe during the night, until he met Yoon Seungho in season 1. From that moment on, his night life got slowly affected. That’s how he discovered that night could be associated to pain and agony too. Yet, deep down, he still felt safe by the noble’s side. As you can see, the new illustration is reinforcing my theory that this image is not just mirroring a happy moment in the painter’s youth. The latter actually symbolizes illusion and deception, whereas the dark panel oozes reality and honesty.
And all this leads to the final conclusion: the last common denominators between Sleeping beauty and Yoon Seungho are vengeance, greed and jealousy. That’s the reason why Talia came to be arrested and falsely accused. Nonetheless, none of the characters realized this. The cursed princess in the Perrault’s or the Grimms’ version had no idea about the intervention of the witch/fairy who had felt insulted either. This is the reason why the Yoons’ reputation got ruined. The couple can only discover these elements, when someone witnesses such a scene and reports it to the “schemers”, and as such to the “mysterious lord”. The latter can only be upset, for the young man has never acted this way with him.
“Promise me you’ll never forget me because if I thought you would, I’d never leave.”
Yoon Seungho can leave his lover’s side without fearing his sudden vanishing. He is exactly thinking like Milner. However, these words stand in opposition to the butler’s philosophy: (chapter 51). Hence the butler could perceive this promise as a betrayal from Yoon Seungho. The latter is slowly forgetting the valet, he is no longer seeking his assistance and his side.
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