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1. Desire and sex
Contrary to my previous essays, the purpose of this composition is to present a theory which I developed after receiving help from my follower @becalmandhappy_1111. Yes, without her I wouldn’t have been able to notice another important detail which triggered so many thoughts. It was, as if she had provoked an avalanche which could no longer be stopped. You are probably asking what @becalmandhappy_1111 had finally discovered. It is related to Joo Jaekyung’s call to Kim Dan in episode 19. (chapter 19) There he expressed his desire to have sex, and the physical therapist should prepare himself. My first thought was to wonder why he felt the sudden need to have sex, because for 10 days, he had neglected him. It can not be related to his jinx and his next match, for the champion would have mentioned the jinx. Besides, Kim Dan would have known about this, yet he was taken off-guard by the sudden request. Thus Kim said this: (chapter 19) In addition, the expression “I wanna fuck” implies a sudden urge from the athlete. So why would he be craving for Kim Dan, when he neglected the doctor for 10 days. I have to admit that my imagination started running wild… I had a crazy thought which made me laugh. However, this was just based on my creativity and nothing concrete. I hope you are now really curious. Nevertheless, I can not expose this idea yet, because it is strongly connected to the follower’s discovery. Yes, thanks to her, my idea no longer seems absurd. Hence, before revealing it, it is necessary to introduce first my friend’s explanation why the athlete would make the phone call in the first place. One might answer that it is related to his laziness. He didn’t want to waste time loosing up the doctor’s ass. However, observe that this request is connected to preparation. And this is what @becalmandhappy found: (chapter 15) The doctor had made the following request. Joo Jaekyung should tell him in advance, when he wanted to have sex so that Kim Dan could prepare himself “emotionally”. This means that Joo Jaekyung did follow the doctor’s desire. We could say that he took Kim Dan at his words.😂 However, he changed the meaning a little. Preparing emotionally had turned into preparing his hole! 😂Besides, I would like to remind how the champion had reacted to this request: (chapter 15) First, he was displeased, pouting like a child. But then he replied this to his counterpart. (chapter 15) He would judge the physical therapist’s preparation and as such he would view, if such a request was truly necessary. And look now how the athlete reacted, when he penetrated him for the first time in the bathroom. (chapter 19) He was caught by surprise, for he never expected such a good preparation!
What caught my attention is that the sportsman’s phone call provoked a negative reaction from Kim Dan. (chapter 19) He was annoyed exactly like the champion in the locker room. (chapter 15) As you can see, both had a similar reaction, though their facial expressions diverge. While the one is trying to restrain the other to have sex, the other would like to be able to enjoy sex to his heart content. Nevertheless, the manhwalovers shouldn’t overlook that the desire from the physical therapist was linked to the sudden kiss from Joo Jaekyung. The former had been caught by surprise by the athlete’s change of behavior. That’s the other reason why he spoke about emotions, for a kiss is connected to feelings. As you already know, a prostitute never kisses her client in order to protect her/his heart. Thus I realized that the doctor’s request was actually ambiguous. Was he referring to the kiss (chapter 15) or the sudden sex session in the locker room? Therefore it is not surprising that from that moment on, Joo Jaekyung didn’t try to kiss the physical therapist again. (chapter 18) However, he prepared the doctor emotionally for this by saying that he needed to have his breakfast. Striking is that the innocent man didn’t protest or even argue that this place wasn’t appropriate for this. He didn’t react, when he was compared to a snack. (chapter 18) To conclude, the champion had somehow internalized the desire from Kim Dan, yet he had a different interpretation of this wish.
Because we spotted a link between episode 19 and 15, it dawned on me that chapters 14 and 15 (the match) are a reflection of episode 19. Thus I deduce that in episode 20, we should see elements from these episodes. As you can already imagine, I have already developed predictions in my mind.
2. The mirror in Jinx
Like pointed out above, the kiss stands in opposition to prostitution. And this topic was mentioned in the bathroom. (chapter 19) Here, the main lead was actually denying that the physical therapist was a prostitute. In his eyes, he just looked like one. The Spanish translation is even clearer in that aspect. Thus I deduce that this sex session is important for another reason. In my eyes, Joo Jaekyung is slowly moving on from the idea of prostitution. Now, I would like to introduce a list of all the similarities in the form of a table so that the manhwalovers can recognize the resemblances.
The match (14-15)
Chapter 19
Both are carrying the black bag and both seem to be in a hurry! Finally, observe that in these two scenes, someone was always leading the way to the doctor, Park Namwook and Joo Jaekyung.
A phone call asking for a request – Emergency
The athlete standing in the bathroom in front of a mirror anger
happy Besides, this time he is looking at his own reflection!
The idea of reflection – Here, the champion was looking at Kim Dan’s face and even gaze.
This time, he is using the mirror, but note that he came to this idea, when he saw the mirror and he couldn’t see his lover’s face.
The same fighting spirit, totally focused on his training or in the other case, on his rival
In both scenes, Joo Jaekyung carried Kim Dan’s leg.
Striking is that their position is switched, as they are not facing each other. Furthermore, this time he is carrying the doctor entirely.
A revelation, a new idea triggered by two elements in chapter 14, the plea from the doctor to be more gentle and the words from his chingu And this led to the kiss!
After seeing the mirror and the lover’s blushing from the back, he had this new idea , which is like a revelation
The desire to know the doctor’s facial expression, hence the champion looked from behind. Striking is that he diminished the doctor’s compliment, for he replied the following: “Tell me something I don’t know”.
Thus I have the impression that in chapter 19, he had the opposite attitude. He couldn’t comprehend the physician’s behavior or facial expression.
In both scenes, the uke was wearing a cloth belonging to the athlete, a jacket or a sweater.
You can notice thanks to the sleeves and the collar.
Another common denominator is that the main lead paid attention to the beast. He was observing him. After the match, he was determined to do his best to help Joo Jaekyung. admiration versus no admiration; his responsibility
Here, he wondered about the champion’s life. He was sensing that the fighter was totally obsessed with his training. (chapter 19) versus no admiration, for he was feeling lonely! This panel even gives the impression that he was somehow missing sex! (chapter 19) The reproach from Kim Dan that Joo Jaekyung was neglecting him. It was, as if he was implying that it was the champion’s responsibility that the latter wouldn’t feel lonely. (chapter 19) (chapter 19) This truly shows that Kim Dan was looking for company.
Like mentioned above preparation, but more precisely kiss a sign for intimacy
loosing up the hole – prostitution
After reading the comparison, the manhwalovers can detect the strong similarities between these two scenes. Here, I feel the need to remind my avid readers the following rule Mingwa’ s story is based on yin and yang, which is a circle. Thus we always have a negative and positive reflection. This explicates why the positions of the protagonists were switched (facing each other versus from behind, admiration versus no admiration). This method serves to demonstrate the evolution of the characters. Nonetheless, there is a huge difference between these two scenes. Did you notice it? The absence of Park Namwook!! It was, as if he was inexistent in episode 19. And because I noticed the parallels between these two episodes, one detail caught my attention, the champion’s confession to his hyung. (chapter 15)
3. Park Namwook and Joo Jaekyung
Now, put yourself in his shoes. He hears from the athlete that he caused so much trouble just before the match, and in reality he had no pain at all. He must have been infuriated. (chapter 11) Moreover, such a deception could only make him ponder why the champion had acted this way. And if he had no pain in the shoulder, why would he request the presence of the doctor who had to take the express in order to reach Busan? Finally, he must have wondered what the two main leads had done in the locker room for 15 minutes!! Don’t forget that he was standing behind the door. (chapter 15) In addition, the champion gave his own jacket to the doctor. (Chapter 15) The coach must have wondered why his friend chose to appear with a t-shirt on the ringm they usually wear a jacket, for it is easier to be removed. Finally, observe that after the match, the physical therapist no longer had it. So PArk Namwook must have noticed, when the doctor returned the cloth. Finally, in this scene, the champion voiced the wish to have water in order to have a private conversation with the main lead, and shortly after Joo Jaekyung admitted his deception to his friend and mention. Thus the manager could only come to the conclusion that everything was related to Kim Dan. The latter must mean a lot to the protagonist that he shares things and wishes to have some privacy with the cute „Teddy Bear“. To conclude, the revelation of the lie could only make Park Namwook ponder on the reason for his manipulation leading him to notice the changes in his fighter.
All these questions could only lead me to develop the following theory. What if he knows about the special relationship between these two? This would explain why he defended the doctor in episode 16 (Chapter 16) and even asked Joo Jaekyung to go to his home. (chapter 17), when the champion was annoyed. Besides, I would like the manhwaworms to keep in their mind that Park Namwook is also a former fighter. So he is not dumb. He can also analyze facial expressions and behavior, as he needed this skill for his own matches either. Thus I conclude that if he didn’t detect their relationship before, now he must know it. Furthermore, just because the athlete is hiding his sexual activities from his coach and manager, this doesn’t mean that Park Namwook is totally oblivious. He could simply feign ignorance. In addition, the manager is often portrayed „eyeless“, his gaze is hidden by his glasses, as if he was hiding his true thoughts from the champion. (Chapter 7) Is it a coincidence? I have my doubts. Moreover, compare it to these two panels: (chapter 1) (chapter 5) The author can drew his eyes. When he was talking to the athlete, he was honest.
Naturally, this raises the following question. He could have noticed the athlete’s attraction for the doctor much earlier. If you take into consideration that the protagonist asked for the physical therapist’s phone number himself, and this before suggesting to hire Kim Dan as physical therapist… He was changing his MO, like the coach admitted in the car. (chapter 5) Moreover, in this very scene, the manager had asked him to explain how he could be in such a good form! And this is what the champion replied. (chapter 5) Then he voiced his wish to hire the physical therapist right after. (chapter 5) It becomes clear that the new thing was related to Kim Dan. However, don’t forget that some days had passed between the massage and the match and officially, they had not been in contact. However, the coach had given him the phone number before. While Joo Jaekyung thought, he was very smart (chapter 5), I have the feeling that the coach could already see through him, especially after hearing the champion’s confession and new wish. The latter represented another change in the fighter’s behavior. So I am sure that Park must have already guessed that something was going on between them. Finally, we need to ask ourselves this. Why would he make such a suggestion to Joo Jaekyung? (chapter 9) The latter was once again changing his attitude. He would never come to a team dinner, but for Kim Dan, he did it. Moreover, I would like to outline that while he was sitting crossing his arms next to the protagonist, he neither drank nor eat with them. And Park Namwook was facing him. So his conduct could only raise suspicions in the coach. From my point of view, if he didn’t know before episode 15, then after the match with Randy Booker, it is no longer possible. In addition, we still don’t know how the champion paid off the debts. Which account did he use? If he wired the money from Black Teams, then the coach would have noticed it. And such a gesture could only outline that the doctor meant a lot to Joo Jaekyung. The latter has not realized his feelings, for he has never been in love before. But for an outsider, Joo Jaekyung’s sudden change of attitude which is totally visible can only lead to the following conclusion: they are together.
But there is more to it. Since the uke’s name has a meaning, I searched for the signification of Namwook. https://korean-name.com/en/search/%B3%B2%BF%ED/ And this is what I discovered: Sunrise and South! So he is connected to the light. At the same time, it stands for mountain cherry and camphor tree. As you can see, he is connected to nature. For me, it is no coincidence. Why? It is because he is bringing light and nature to the protagonists’ life. Don’t forget that the doctor’s home had no view to the outside. (chapter 19) It was like a prison. There was no trace of nature in his room, the only view he had to the outdoors were the pictures of the beach, but these would stand on the opposite side of the window. As for Joo Jaekyung, his penthouse resembles more to a hotel room, for he barely spends time at home. I had already predicted that he would act like a matchmaker between them. And all these new observations seem to confirm my prediction.
4. “I wanna f⭐ck”- my theory
And now, it is time to present the crazy thought I had, when I saw this panel: (chapter 19) I couldn’t help myself thinking of the coaches. They could have incited the athlete to go home, a new version of this scene. (chapter 5) Imagine their situation. The champion would spend his whole time at the gym from early in the morning to late in the evening. (chapter 19) They must have been bothered at some point. They wished to take a break too. So they could have mentioned that their partner was complaining at home or the coach could have said that because he neglected his wife, she had enough and filed for divorce. She had blamed him for neglecting her. Park Namwook could have mentioned Jeong Yosep’s divorce and the origin for the divorce. Another possibility is that the manager could have lied that he had an emergency at home, he had to leave him alone. (chapter 13) And the reflection of the match in episode 19 would actually validate this thesis. Furthermore, in episode 14, the fighter had kissed the protagonist, because he had remembered the doctor’s advice (chapter 14), an indication that someone must have a similar role in episode 19.
Besides, don’t forget that the champion had lied to his hyung before, so the hyung could do the same. Or he thought that Kim Dan would be happy, if his partner returned much earlier home…To conclude, this idea got reinforced. Moreover, keep in mind how the champion had reacted, when he thought, he had been blocked. He ruined a sandbag! (chapter 5) So seeing Joo Jaekyung totally obsessed with training, the manager could have thought this either: (chapter 7) He was overheated from training, he needed some relief. 😂
And now, you are probably thinking that this is totally crazy. But I can only reply this. Joo Jaekyung never had urges before. His sex life was determined by his career, like he explained to the doctor: 8chapter 2) This has nothing to do with desires and urges. In fact, this is more a duty, an obligation. I would even say, sex was for him like work, as his career was on the line. That’s the reason why Joo Jaekyung doesn’t consider himself an animal. (chapter 2) Under this new light, the manhwalovers can understand why the champion would associate sex to prostitution. Sex is also work for a “whore”. So Joo Jaekyung and the “fuck buddies” have the same mind-set.
I noticed that the athlete actually needs triggers to have sex. He got jealous, when he saw the doctor surrounded by the other members. (chapter 7) This scene was the trigger to have sex with him. Then in Busan, it was because he had been provoked, and he couldn’t calm down. (chapter 14) Then in the penthouse, he had asked for a snack, because the doctor had announced that he would try to leave the house as soon as possible. (chapter 18) In other words, he was somehow rejecting the boxer’s offer to view the penthouse as his new home. He used sex in order to achieve his goal… the latter should stay by his side. He was not uncomfortable with him… quite the opposite, hence he could have a snack on the table.
Moreover, I would like to add that the celebrity has never dated anyone before, so he has no idea how to maintain a relationship. He is a lonely bear who has no family. That’s the reason why I am convinced that Joo Jaekyung must have been triggered to have sex… and this can only be because of his hyungs. Finally, I would like to point out this observation. How was Kim Dan waiting for the champion’s return? (chapter 19) More or less in the dark, for we don’t see any light. However, after receiving the phone call, what did the doctor do? He went to the bathroom and switched on the light! (chapter 19) And this coincides with the name of Namwook, “sunrise, dawn”. The colors contrast so much, an indication that the return of Joo Jaekyung was bringing light and warmth into the main lead’s life. And it is time to answer why Joo JAekyung was still wearing his shoes and bag, when he entered the bathroom. (chapter 19) He must have entered the penthouse and seen no light and probably silence… it was, as if the house was empty. And contrary to the scene in Busan (chapter 14), there was no one to lead him to the room where Kim Dan was. He couldn’t know where the doctor was in his huge house: the guest room, his bedroom… He must have been looking for him, hence he didn’t take the time to take off the shoes and bag. I have the impression that he must have been worried for one moment… just like the doctor was concerned, when he arrived in Busan. Joo Jaekyung was in a hurry. However, this is how he was received (chapter 15) He must have been happy, therefore he praised the doctor. (chapter 19) His technique had improved. Thus he felt a huge urge to have sex with the physical therapist. (chapter 19) He is discovering the good side of having a home! To conclude, in this episode, the champion was taught to have real desires, to have a life outside work!
4. Predictions
I had mentioned earlier that the connection between episode 14/15 and 19 triggered my imagination so that I could make predictions. Since in the locker room, the champion remembered the hyung’s recommendations, I believe that we should expect foreplay. (chapter 19) Why? First, the author focused on the champion’s hand in the locker room. (chapter 14) Secondly, the physician’s phallus is not aroused. So I believe that the champion could decide to masturbate him. In addition, in the image above, his gaze is focused on the penises. Finally, since the author is following the Taoism principle (harmony of the yin and yang), it should be the athlete’s turn to use his hand, since Kim Dan did it, when he loosed up his hole. (chapter 19) Besides, since the doctor followed his request and did a good preparation, the physical therapist should receive a reward. (chapter 19) A compliment is not enough. Finally, I would like to add that in the locker room, the athlete never focused on Kim Dan, for he treated him as a substitute for Randy Booker. (chapter 14) This scene stands in opposition to the mirror scene, where the champion is now aware of his lover. (chapter 19) He is seeing him for who he is: someone waiting for him at home!!
I hope you will feel the need to leave many comments after reading this theory and these predictions. Moreover, it shows once again that exchanging thoughts with my followers helps me to make new discoveries.
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-Tumblr-Twitter 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.
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Now, you are probably wondering about the origins of this title, for so far, the manhwalovers only saw a Teddy bear in one scene: (chapter 11) Yes, the protagonist was wearing pajamas with a Teddy bear on it. This signifies that Kim Dan is connected to this toy. But what does it mean exactly?
1. Kim Dan and the Teddy bear
This observation made me realize that the Teddy bear represents the physical therapist. But I have more evidence for this interpretation. What does the stuffed animal symbolize?
The cute Teddy bear embodies not only innocence, childhood, comfort, affection and compassion, but also caring and nurturing, companionship, trust, loyalty, nostalgia, protection, safety and unconditional love. In addition, it creates the sense of belonging in people, hence according to a study, it helps to alleviate the feeling of social exclusion. [For more read this article: https://symbolismandmetaphor.com/symbolism-of-teddy-bears/] After reading this, the manhwaphiles can grasp why Mingwa chose to have the doctor as a little boy wearing pajamas with a Teddy Bear on it. It exposed the main lead’s innocence and purity. At the same time, this is no coincidence that Kim Dan remembered this scene, as he was feeling sentimental in that moment. He was missing the warmth from his halmoni. But wait… if he is the “Teddy bear”, then I deduce that the halmoni was the “owner”. She was the one who needed her grandson for his “innocence, affection and his unconditional love”. And now, please take a closer look to this scene: (chapter 05) It was, as if she was holding Kim Dan as her “Teddy Bear”. Note that thanks to his presence, the elderly woman was not beaten. I had already outlined that the speech bubbles indicate that the woman and the goons from the loan shark would talk to each other, or better said yell at each other. There is no doubt that the woman must have begged them. She had to take care of her grandson. And now, you are probably thinking that I judge the grandmother in a negative way. Well, I have already pointed out her bad decisions, but just because someone makes wrong choices, we could get tempted to condemn this person. Yet, we should never do it. Error is human, and as such no one is perfect. Besides, condemning her implies that the beholder is considering himself superior to the grandmother. In my eyes, the halmoni needed her grandson in order to survive. She had lost everything: her family, her social status, and probably her friends… she was only left with debts and a grandchild.
“Teddy bears 🧸 are loved around the world regardless of age or gender. Many associate them with comfort, security, affection, and security because of their warm and cuddly appearance. Studies have confirmed that teddy bears positively affect people, which is why they have been used to help alleviate distress and anxiety in people during crises. Quoted from https://symbolismandmetaphor.com/symbolism-of-teddy-bears/
Thanks to Kim Dan’s presence, she didn’t get depressed or even suicidal. She found a goal in life: she needed to protect him at all cost. At the same time, the boy would comfort her, give her warmth and a sense of safety. Under this new light, it becomes understandable why the grandmother made sure to isolate Kim Dan. A Teddy Bear is treated like a treasure, hence it can not be shared to others. And we would have the explanation why she pushes her grandson to remain a little boy, a Teddy bear.
2. Where is Kim Dan’s Teddy bear? 🧸
But this doesn’t end here. When the woman returned to the house with the sweet bread (chapter 11), the pure boy was waiting for her in bed, and more precisely under the cover. That’s the reason why you can detect the presence of the bed cover. (chapter 11) Thus it reminded me of the following situation which is reflected in the lullaby I used to sing to my own children:
“Viens mon petit ours” from Jean-Jacques Margueritat (1979) / Come my little bear in my arms
Viens mon petit ours dans mes bras / Come my little bear in my arms
La nuit est tombée, et j’ai un peu froid / The night has fallen, and I’m a little cold
Une perle vient de couler sur ma joue / A pearl has just run down my cheek
Tu vas l’essuyer de ton pelage doux. / You will wipe it with your soft fur.
Quand demain matin, le soleil / When tomorrow morning, the sun
Me dira: “Debout, la vie est merveille” / Will tell me: “Get up, life is wonderful”.
Toi, tu resteras assis dessus mon lit / You, you will remain sitting on my bed
Tu es le gardien des ombres de la nuit. / You are the guardian of the shadows of the night.
A Teddy Bear is often left on the bed, because parents encourage the infant to become more independent during the day. And when the child returns home, he takes it to bed and sleeps with it. Nonetheless, the child often tries to take the Teddy Bear with him, especially when he goes to unknown places in order to feel safe and reassured. (chapter 5) Note that the main lead is mentioning his grandmother’s pain. This divulges that back then, he had sensed her agony. Deep down, he knew that she needed his presence, support and affection. (chapter 11) While Kim Dan looks so cute here, in reality, this scene exposes his loneliness. He had no Teddy Bear by his side which would comfort him, give him a sense of security… Why? It is because the halmoni was his “Teddy Bear” too! That’s the reason why there is no Teddy Bear in the bed! (chapter 11) This explicates his joy, when she returned. From my point of view, these two people must have shared the same bed. Thus they could give each other comfort, protection and a sense of belonging. And I have an evidence for this interpretation. Remember what the drunken physical therapist did in his bedroom. He imagined that his grandmother had returned home (chapter 10), thus he grabbed the champion’s leg, the moment he sensed that the shadow would leave him alone! (chapter 10) As you can see, Kim Dan was holding his leg like a Teddy Bear. Besides, the physical therapist had complained about loneliness before. He was missing “his Teddy Bear”, his halmoni. (chapter 10) Finally, observe that Kim Dan asked Joo Jaekyung to take him. It was, as if he desired to share the bed with the sportsman. Hence you comprehend why the celebrity had to bring the drunken doctor to his penthouse. How could he remain by his side in such a desolate home? He had listened to his plea: he wouldn’t be left alone! When the young man woke up, he was indeed not alone. The champion had even observed his reactions before approaching him. (chapter 10) It was, as if the champion had acted like a Teddy Bear watching over his “owner”. Under this new perspective, it becomes comprehensible why Kim Dan is so devoted to his grandmother, and even would risk his life for her. (chapter 16) He knows that he is her source of joy, her “protector” and pillar. He is her guardian of the shadows of the night. However, since he is just a human, he can not stop her death. (chapter 5) This explicates why he didn’t return to her side after hearing the last diagnosis from the doctor. His role is to console and protect her, hence she is not allowed to be confronted with cruel reality. Kim Dan can not let her know his worries and pain, for the role of the Teddy Bear is to “wipe the tear‘s owner with the soft fur”.
And now, you are probably wondering how I could come up with such an interpretation, for the Teddy Bear only appears in just one scene.
3. Kim Dan’s sleeping habits
Actually, everything started with the doctor‘s sleeping position. (Chapter 05) (chapter 04) (chapter 04) Kim Dan would wrap himself in a cover and even bury his head under the cover. This caught my notice, as sleeping position exposes people‘s personality. The cocoon position displays Kim Dan’s need for protection.
“A person who suffers from anxiety will usually wear layers of clothes to feel safe – and it’s no different when we sleep. If a person likes to be totally covered by their bedding, it identifies a need for protection. When we feel sensitive to criticism, we wrap ourselves up in layers but you can now buy weighted blankets that have been proven to help with anxiety.“ Quoted from https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/health/what-your-sleeping-position-says-21554521
But why would he sleep like that? It is because he lost his Teddy Bear, the grandmother! He is now alone in his bed. Hence he feels no longer protected. The cover became his shield, a habit he took from his childhood, when the halmoni was outdoors. That‘s the reason why the little boy had the cover on his back. (Chapter 11) At the same time, I believe that by covering his face with the cover, the young man is trying to avoid reality. That way, he won’t notice the changes in the house: the roof is leaking for example. (chapter 10) In other words, Kim Dan didn’t desire to face reality. This explains why he thinks of the past so fondly. (chapter 10) However, observe that by interacting with Joo Jaekyung, Kim Dan’s sleeping position changed. He was sleeping on his back. (chapter 10) (chapter 13) I would like to outline that at no moment, the wounded main lead switched his sleeping position. But what does this observation indicate?
This statement corresponds to Kim Dan’s sleep. He slept there for a long time, he was able to rest properly. At the same time, it also exposes that the young man is feeling safe at Joo Jaekyung’s. He doesn’t need the cover to protect himself contrary to their first night. In addition, it implies that the young boy is confronted with reality: his home is so damaged, how can he still live there? Thus there was this argument with the sportsman. (Chapter 10) Striking is that when he heard the words from the protagonist, the author selected this image: Kim Dan was covering his head!! This is not random, it implies that the young man was not facing „reality“.
But let’s return our attention to the physical therapist’s new sleeping position. (Chapter 13) Notice that the physical therapist was not only sleeping on his back, he was also propped up due to the pillows:
“This person may have an ailment or injury and need to be supported in bed to sleep. But where else in their life do they need extra support? If they choose to sleep like this and are in good health, they may be saying unconsciously they want more out of life and feel unsatisfied.” Quoted from https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/health/what-your-sleeping-position-says-21554521
In chapter 13, the young physical therapist was indeed injured. However, what caught my attention is that it is the same sleeping position than Joo Jaekyung. (chapter 04) He sleeps on his back, definitely uses the “pillows” to be propped up. This exposes that the athlete is not satisfied in his life. Therefore he believes to be jinxed.
To conclude, Kim Dan started sleeping like a cocoon the moment he got separated from his grandmother. Because she was his Teddy Bear, I deduce that in reality Kim Dan’s original sleeping position was cuddling.
“Cuddling: This sleep position is all about maintaining as much contact as possible so this person needs reassurance. Do they have a need to be comforted in everyday life too? If the cuddler sleeps alone, you will find them snuggling up to a pillow or teddy bear as a substitute.” Quoted from https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/health/what-your-sleeping-position-says-21554521
The moment his grandmother had to sleep at the hospital, Kim Dan was simply too old to sleep with a Teddy Bear. Besides, I doubt that he realized it, for a sleeping position is influenced by the unconscious. And this observation leads me to the following conclusion: Joo Jaekyung is destined to become the doctor’s Teddy Bear! Moreover, it is the same for Joo Jaekyung. Thanks to Kim Dan, the champion is slowly rediscovering his “inner child” and as such “his innocence”. To sum up, both will choose to cuddle each other. Mingwa already exposed Joo Jaekyung’s desire to embrace the doctor and this right from the start: (chapter 4) I doubt that he treated the previous uke the same way. The fighter will give the doctor a sense of belonging, protection and compassion, just like the doctor will have the same function for the athlete. The latter will no longer feel alone, because despite his money, Joo Jaekyung has no one by his side in such a huge flat. (chapter 6)
4. Joo Jaekyung as Teddy Bear
We have different scenes, where the manhwalovers can view the fighter as a huge Teddy bear, like in this scene: (chapter 10) Joo Jaekyung was quite gentle here. He never employed his real strength to get rid of the doctor, for he didn’t send the doctor away through the window like Heo. (chapter 17)
Besides, it is important to recall that the Teddy bear was inspired by the animal: the Bear! And this animal is huge (chapter 1), and can be even dangerous, especially due to his huge paws. His punches are deadly, for the animal can be ruthless. (chapter 15) On the other hand, despite his enormous force, it thrives on fruit and honey. This indicates that this animal likes sweetness. And what does the word “Dan” mean in Korean? “Sweet”!! Exactly like our physical therapist. This explicates why Joo Jaekyung is getting more and more obsessed with the doctor, and the kiss can only reinforce his possessiveness: he has already tasted the sweetness from Kim Dan‘s lips. (Chapter 15) This panel displays how much the fighter enjoyed their kiss.
Moreover, the bear embodies strength, protection, courage, ferocity, nobility, patience, playfulness, curiosity and cuddliness.And for me, the athlete embodies these notions.
Ferocity: (chapter 15)
Courage: He saved the doctor from the loan shark and his minions. By paying the debts, he ensured that these men would no longer torment the main lead, (Chapter 17), though his intervention has not solved everything.
Patience: Despite his words, Joo Jaekyung still went to the doctor’s house indicating his patience. (chapter 17)
Playfulness and curiosity: With the doctor, he tried new things, not just the toy (chapter 12), but also the kiss: (chapter 15) He remembered his hyung’s advice: (chapter 13)
And because the athlete is such a huge bear, it is normal that he is quite rough: (chapter 17) However, when he carried his sex partner like that, he made sure to protect him from “cruel reality”. He covered his face with the hoody. Consequently, I conclude that Kim Dan has already tamed a huge bear, hence his fists are so powerful. He lives isolated in his penthouse, but deep down he is longing for companionship.
Under this new approach, the manhwalovers can comprehend why I selected such a title „The missing Teddy bear“. I was referring not only to the main couple, but also to the grandmother. Little by little, Joo Jaekyung is taking over the grandmother‘s position. Then what about the halmoni? In my eyes, it is the champion’s role to replace Kim Dan as well. The champion could become her „support and protection“ so that she doesn’t need to worry about her grandson. Let’s not forget that the young doctor was plagued with many problems which he hid from his grandmother. The athlete with his wealth and influence has the necessary strength and means to help the grandmother and her treasured Teddy bear. Naturally, don’t expect that the grandmother and the athlete will have a good relationship right from the start. This will change gradually. That way, the fighter allows Kim Dan and his halmoni to move on from the past and face reality together.
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-Tumblr-Twitter 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.
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.
When the manhwalovers were reading chapter 11 and 12, many got so upset because of Kim Dan’s terrible fate that they were or are already thinking about dropping the manhwa. Thus we could say that many felt like the protagonist: “I (Chapter 12) What the physician expressed on the bed reflected their own thoughts and emotions. But why did they feel such negative emotions? Simply because they had witnessed the rapid and brutal shattering of the doctor‘s hope 😭 with their own eyes and heart.
1. Between dream and reality
What caught my attention is that in the beginning of episode 11, Kim Dan was full of hope again. Thus he was standing in the bus while looking up. (Chapter 11) The position of his head and body was mirroring his emotional and mental state. And this contrasts so much to the end of the chapter. Not only he was on his knees, but also he was looking down. (chapter 11) Imagine that within the same chapter, the main lead’s attitude and position were turned upside down. What a roll coaster of emotions for Kim Dan and the manhwaworms! Therefore it is not surprising that many were so distressed. But why was he so hopeful in the beginning of episode 11?
For the first time, he was thinking about the future, he had the impression that he could finally see the end of the tunnel. (Chapter 11) Thanks to his „contract“, he was able to pay not only his grandmother‘s expensive treatment, but also the interests of his loan. (Chapter 11) Remember that he had done it twice and this in a such a short time. (chapter 1) This signifies that with such a salary, he could put an end to this vicious circle, the snowballing interest. That’s the reason why he had become so hopeful. It was, as if he could finally breathe, and a huge burden had been taken from his shoulder. This shows that so far, he had lived from day to day. He had been on survival modus. All his thoughts were focused on earning money. However, his “dream” to end this terrible servitude to the loan sharks was linked to his contract with the famous sportsman. (chapter 11) which was also a form of servitude. Consequently, it is not surprising that he viewed his relationship with Joo Jaekyung not in a good light. (Chapter 11) For him, it sounded, as if having sex with the champion had become the worst thing in his life. Notice that though he mentioned the snowballing interests, he didn’t envision the loan sharks at all. He was already occulting them, for he had paid the interests. To conclude, in the bus, Kim Dan had the impression that his life was about to change for the better… though he disliked the idea to be dependent on the fighter. However, reality caught up with him very quickly.
2. The loss of his home and its signification
First, the phone call made him realize that he was actually on the verge of losing his home. (Chapter 11) Secondly, this exposes that he had never paid attention to his house. There was mold, for he hadn’t ventilated and heat the room enough. (Chapter 10) He had not the time, the money and the energy to do so. As you can see, he never realized that he had other problems than money.
Moreover, his main goal had been to ensure that his grandmother would return to his side after recovering from her terrible illness. Striking is that the main lead had associated her recovery to their home. (Chapter 11) On the one hand, this promise exposes the sentimental value of his home, on the other hand this statement shows that he had lied to his grandmother. The redevelopment had been planned for quite some time, but Kim Dan must have never mentioned it to her. Why? It is because he didn’t want to make his relative worry. At the hospital, the manhwalovers could detect all his lies. He never mentioned his firing from the hospital to his grandmother. Secondly, he embellished his new job. Finally, when he exposed his discomfort, (chapter 7) he gave just a false excuse. As you can see, Kim Dan had long started hiding everything from his grandmother: his job situation, his physical conditions and the redevelopment. Moreover, if he had revealed his forced relocation, he would have felt terrible. He was breaking his promise to his grandmother. To conclude, he had made a promise to his halmoni which he could never keep. It was simply impossible, but he preferred occulting it, for her health was more important than anything else. This displays that he had been caught in an illusion. The irony is that despite the harshness of his life, he was still living in a “dream”. How could he expect his old relative to live in such conditions after suffering so much from cancer? For me, there is no ambiguity that the protagonist has long connected the loss of his home to the vanishing of his halmoni. He seems to be living in the past, remembering the good aspects of his childhood. (Chapter 5) A protective and loving halmoni who would do anything for him. (Chapter 11) That’s how he could survive in the end. His grandmother represented everything for him. She was his motivation to keep going despite his struggles.
3. Halmoni: a role model or a bad example?
I would even go so far to say that the terrible condition of the house reflects the halmoni’s physical condition: old and damaged, because the person was constantly overworking. Thus she neglected herself prioritizing her grandson. That’s how little by little the flat got neglected too, but the young man didn‘t notice it. Unconsciously, the main lead copied his role model. Thus at the end he fainted. (Chapter 12) And this leads me to the following observation: the causes of his syncope. Exhaustion, the constant stress, dehydration and low blood sugar. Note that before the last sex session, he only drank wine. (chapter 12) The manhwalovers never saw him eating. But this doesn’t end here. Since he was plagued with financial problems, he had to live frugally. Thus he came to neglect his own health. This is no coincidence that the readers saw him drinking an energy drink (chapter 1) and eat ramyeon (chapter 1). He would even skip his meals. (chapter 5) For me, he internalized from his grandmother how to save money. There is no doubt that in his childhood, she could never eat to her heart’s content, which he noticed and now he is copying her. Thus he learned to live gradually with an empty stomach. Besides, I believe that his nutrition was never balanced. Since the sweet bread was perceived as a luxury (chapter 11), I deduce that his guardian couldn’t afford meat either. This explains why Kim Dan didn’t grab the food immediately. (chapter 11) He didn’t feel hungry despite working hard. In other words, he has a small stomach. And now, you have the explanation why Kim Dan is so weak. (chapter 12) As you can see, I think that Joo Jaekyung’s words were somehow revealing the truth. He has no stamina, for he used up everything. So far, he could keep going due to his worries and his goal, saving his grandmother. However, with the last sex session, he used his last energy reserves. Therefore we could say that the beating from the loan sharks broke down his last resistance.
But the halmoni had also another negative influence on the main lead. She is the one living in the past, (chapter 5) thus she treats Kim Dan as a child. This explicates why she kept the yoghurts for him. Yet, what the young man needs right now, is no sweet, rather a good healthy meal. This scene exposes that she is also feeling sentimental about their common past… and now, you comprehend why the physician chose to hide the redevelopment from his grandmother. But the more a person buries the struggles and worries, the more dangerous it is, when the truth is exposed. It can literally explode and wound the person who was supposed to be protected. Don’t get me wrong. I am not blaming the grandmother for her behavior, her attitude is quite normal. She has long internalized to protect her grandchild, that she can’t change her behavior. Besides, that’s her way to cope with her illness. Since she can die due to cancer, she fears the future. Hence her only way to keep living is to focus on the past and her good memories with Kim Dan. These precious memories serve as a source of strength for her not to give up. And now, the manhwaphiles can grasp why the main lead was dwelling so much on the past as well.
Because he is missing his halmoni so much, he still has a false perception of his flat. In his mind, his small room has not changed since his childhood, thus he remembered the sweet bread his halmoni brought back for his birthday. (Chapter 11) For him, this place had become a refuge and sacred place, where he could feel love and protection. However, this was just a chimera, like the night of his return proved it: his meeting with the loan sharks.
4. The loan sharks
Like pointed out above, the doctor had imagined that since he had paid the interests right on time, he didn’t picture them in his mind. It signifies that he no longer considered them as a source of danger. Consequently, I conclude that in the past, Kim justified their violence, for he had not been able to keep his promise. He had not paid the interests right on time. (chapter 1) This shows his naivety. In reality, the loan sharks are parasites. Their intention is not to help a borrower, but to turn them into slaves. Yes, this is a modern form of slavery. The moment a debtor takes a loan, he can never fulfil the contract so that he becomes a slave. Hence the interests keep increasing, like the doctor noticed it: a snow ball system. Though the borrower had paid the money right on time, the loan sharks were still waiting in front of his house for one reason. To ensure that he wouldn’t be able to escape from their claws. (chapter 1) Their violence was never justified in the end. Nevertheless, since the physician forgot this incident, he somehow dreamed that when he paid a huge amount so suddenly, the loan sharks would leave him alone. (chapter 10) Nonetheless, the opposite happened, for the doctor had not grasped their mentality. To sum up, Kim Dan had made a huge mistake. He never thought that these three men would consider him as their slave. Thanks to money they can live a carefree life. The “snowballing interests” is their revenue. To conclude, the scene in the bus exposed the doctor’s innocence and illusion. In fact, the home is the reason why he could get beaten. The loan sharks knew where to find him. However, since the young doctor had paid on time, they needed to find a new justification for their brutality. (chapter 11) Kim Dan must have done something illegal. That way, they appear as “righteous citizens”, while in reality the thug was actually pissed off for a different reason: “I … hate it” (that) you could pay a huge amount of the interests”. His success symbolized the opposite for them, a reduction of income. Moreover, the man feared that the young man could actually pay back the loan with the interests. This is perceptible, when he argues with the main lead. (chapter 11) If this happened, they could no longer earn money without working properly. And now, you can grasp why these three cowards attacked the pure physician so cruelly and brutally. Not only they vented their anger on Kim Dan, but also they desired to demonstrate their power and superiority. This bloodshed was purely gratuitous and even entertaining for them. (chapter 11) As the manhwaphiles can understand, the loan sharks embody the opposite values of Joo Jaekyung. The latter is earning his money through fair fighting, but it is not at the expense of people. Even his counterpart is earning a living. Finally, these fights are following rules, while the loan sharks are changing the rules constantly. (chapter 11) This is important, because even if Kim Dan continues paying the interests and the loan, these three men won’t stop bothering him. And remember the comment from the black-haired man. (chapter 11) He was annoyed that he couldn’t meet the protagonist. This means that the moment the main character moves out, the loan sharks will go to the hospital, with the excuse that Kim Dan is now hiding. They will ask the halmoni about her grandson’s whereabouts. (chapter 11) In addition, the readers can detect the loan sharks’ hypocrisy when one of these men said this: “Danny boy! You had it in you all along! Shoulda tried a little harder a little sooner!” These thugs need to know where he lives so that they can barge in his life, and even ruin his career. Their goal is to maintain him enchained to them. And they could even deceive the grandmother, for she was left in the dark about the redevelopment. 😨 Thus she could jump to the false conclusions that Kim Dan is paying her treatment with the money from the loan sharks. (chapter 7) To sum up, the main lead made a huge mistake with his well-intended deceptions, though he was trying to protect his loved one. For me, the main lead should have never lied to his halmoni. The latter will blame herself for her grandchild’s situation. The debts are the result from a bad decision, when the young main figure was a child, and now she is sick. So she could think like this: “I … hate it, my grandchild has to suffer because of me”.
Under this new perspective, it is comprehensible why at the end, Kim Dan had a different perception of Joo Jaekyung. The latter represented his final straw and rescue buoy. The doctor was now ready to give up on his pride. He was now admitting his defeat. (chapter 11) The end of the “illusion”. Alone, he couldn’t survive, he needed his help. However, instead of confessing his situation to the champion, he had been a victim of ruthless loan sharks, he created a false impression on the fighter. (chapter 11) He was a drinker, he would spend money like a thoughtless person. (chapter 11) That’s why I thought this: “I … hate it, that Kim Dan didn’t reveal the truth!” With his deceptions to his halmoni and Joo Jaekyung, he created a false image about himself.
5. Kim Dan’s confession in the bedroom
And now, it is time to focus on the last sex session in the penthouse. (chapter 12) Why did he say it? For me, these words are not just related to the sex session. They are connected to his actual situation, he feels trapped and hopeless again.
What caught my notice is that Joo Jaekyung is not reduced to his huge anaconda, but to his fist and punch. (chapter 12) This exposes Kim Dan’s true thoughts. He doesn’t truly hate sex with him, he rather fears his punch and fist. But why? It is because he has always watched his matches (chapter 1) and he saw his training too (chapter 7) He knows his strength and power. It displays that Kim Dan has long admired the celebrity for his force. On the other hand, he witnessed twice how the young man wounded people, creating the image that Joo Jaekyung was a common brute. However, it simply exposed that Joo Jaekyung had not learned to restrain or control his force. He has long internalized how to employ his strength to the maximum. Secondly, despite the roughness, Kim never viewed the fighter as a sadist. However, Kim Dan is still refusing to admit pleasure with Joo Jaekyung. (chapter 12) Why? It is related to the contract. He considers it as a job, hence he shouldn’t enjoy it. Striking is that due to the sexual pleasure, he started forgetting everything: (chapter 12) This is important, because it shows that Kim Dan has never learned how to stop worrying and even enjoy life. Due to sex, he is putting everything behind: the loss of his home, the beating from the loan sharks, the halmoni’s illness. All his life, he was struggling, hence he had not the time to fall in love or to develop an interest in sex. He never had the time and occasion to ponder about his own sexual orientation either, yet there is no doubt that he felt attracted to the fighter. This could be perceived during the first massage. That’s the reason why I believe that when he confessed this to Joo Jaekyung: (chapter 12), he had detected the changes in himself which he couldn’t control. He would stop thinking about money and other problems… He would feel pleasure, something he had never experienced before. In other words, he feared the changes, which contrasts to his mindset, living in the past through memories. But at the same time, he could sense that he couldn’t control his emotions and thoughts. Finally, I had already outlined that he takes pride about his job. By becoming a doctor, he had the impression that he could escape this vicious circle of poverty. But now, it looks like, even as a doctor, he can’t live properly. By becoming a “prostitute”, he can not feel proud.
Another important aspect is that he never stated: “I … hate you!” This shows that Kim Dan is not blaming the champion in the end. While many readers were upset about Joo Jaekyung for his immature and selfish behavior, they overlooked that the young man was at no moment mad at his sex partner. (chapter 12) Why? It is because the champion is keeping his words. Besides, the young man is not expecting anything from him except money. (chapter 12) That’s how he has lived so far. He doesn’t like to be pitied. Moreover, he let him sleep in a bed. Finally, he woke him up, when he desired to leave for work. (chapter 12) At no moment, the young man resents the champion contrary to many manhwalovers. The latter blamed him for the doctor’s unconsciousness, while in truth the causes were more elsewhere.
But since Kim Dan experienced a huge downfall within the same chapter (11), I come to the conclusion that it is the same for Joo Jaekyung in episode 12. Here, he had the impression that he would be able to outlive a dream (chapter 12), the reality was that he couldn’t do more than one round. (chapter 12) His hope got shattered too. 😉 Thus he was so bothered the next morning that he couldn’t hide his disappointment. (chapter 12) “I … hate it… that you are so weak”. But there is hope, because he asked the right question: (chapter 12) And that’s how his malnutrition, his bruises, his exhaustion and dehydration could come to the surface. Because the main lead made the mistake to give alcohol to the physician, he will regret his decision. Thus he can only come to the conclusion that in the future, he should never offer him any drink. He could even request from him abstinence, and this would even help the champion to hide his own weakness. He doesn’t drink either. Moreover, the champion could force his partner to drink (chapter 4) and eat on a regular basis healthy meals, and train his body. I am more than ever convinced that Joo Jaekyung’s role is to take care of the young physician who has always sacrificed himself for his grandmother. The latter can not fulfil this function. As a conclusion, Joo Jaekyung has already experienced that money can not solve everything. If he wishes to keep his jinx away thanks to the doctor, he has to pay attention to his physical condition. This is all the more relevant if he wishes to have many rounds during the night. 😉These are the lessons he is about to learn.
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-Tumblr-Twitter 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.
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.
1. Toxic or not?
After the publication of chapter 10, many readers were upset about the protagonist’s attitude towards the uke. They started describing him as toxic because of the following panels: (chapter 10) (chapter 10) (chapter 10) He was perceived as arrogant and heartless, as he was judging Kim Dan for his way of life and as such for his poverty. Anyone can see that Kim Dan’s social status was inherited. The debts were already there, when the protagonist was a child. (chapter 05) That’s the reason why many readers were siding with the doctor, and got infuriated towards the champion due to his comments.
But the irony is that the same panels can be interpreted differently. How so? First, it is because it depends on how people view life. Is the glass half full or half empty? Are you someone who tends to see things on the bright side or not? This implies that the interpretation is based on past experiences. Let me give you an example. In the last image, one part of the main lead’s message was that he would never sleep with a drunk person. (Chapter 10) In other words, he is no rapist taking advantage of the situation. One might argue about this, for the athlete didn’t seem to seek Kim Dan’s consent before. However, this is not correct. The doctor always had the choice to refuse to have sex with Joo Jaekyung. (Chapter 2) Later, he was the one who changed the amount of the salary for his services (Chapter 6) which led to the addition of a condition. Thus they came to an agreement. As a conclusion, Joo Jaekyung has never sexually assaulted the young man. It was consensual, even if there is no ambiguity that Kim Dan was not doing it out of pleasure. Consequently, certain readers viewed it as rape, while in truth it is just “work” and as such “prostitution”. Moreover, the pressure from accepting the deal comes less from the athlete himself (chapter 3), rather more from the halmoni’s health issues and the remaining debts. (chapter 11) To conclude, this comment (chapter 10) could be seen as something positive. On the other hand, the readers were bothered due to his choice of words “reeks of booze” which sounded like an insult. Kim Dan would stink. But there exists another perception of these words. He was reproaching his drunkenness from the night before. He had drunk too much to the point that he would stink. He should know his limits. However, it is also important to put this statement into its context, hence he was definitely mocking the main character. But there is a reason for that. Joo Jaekyung felt annoyed that the physical doctor would see him as a pervert. Kim Dan thought, the fighter would even have sex with an unconscious person. This shows that the celebrity had observed his reaction and interpreted it correctly (chapter 10), when the latter had woken up. Hence the host got displeased and was harsh with his words. (Chapter 10) And note that the reproach from the sportsman did affect the doctor. (Chapter 10) The latter felt embarrassed, for he had been caught! Joo Jaekyung had truly grasped his reaction and perception about him. That’s the reason why the doctor didn’t reply. As you can see, Kim Dan’s misjudgment about Joo Jaekyung came to light in episode 10. In my eyes, it is related to the sex scene in the shower room. For the doctor, it looked like the young man would have sex at any time and any place, (Chapter 7) because Joo Jaekyung had used his condition in the shower room to achieve his goal, (chapter 8). When the athlete had added the condition, Kim Dan had imagined that the athlete would act exactly like during their first night together. He would call him at any moment, and the uke had to come to his flat. Yet because of the sex session in the showers, the doctor could only get the impression that he would do it, even if there were people next to them. So for the poor doctor, it looked like Joo Jaekyung was consumed by lust. He had already done it in the past ,and this has always been the main lead’s intention to ask for sexual favors anywhere and at any time. However, this is not correct, for the sportsman had acted that way out of jealousy. (Chapter 7) This was something totally new, for he had never shared the shower with other athletes before. But I doubt that in the shower, the physical therapist had really understood the comment from Oh Daehyun and his colleague(chapter 08) As you can see, in the penthouse, both protagonists had a false perception of each other.
Therefore while many readers detected the negative aspect of this statement (“You stink, because you drank too much”), I preferred to judge it in a rather positive light: “You should have drunk less” and “I don’t sleep with unconscious men”. On the other hand, the athlete was forgetting that his intoxication was related to the Black Men’s challenge and Joo Jaekyung had played a huge role in this. (chapter 09) In other words, the athlete was partially responsible for his inebriation too. But the man was actually denying his responsibility. To conclude, when the couple fought in the penthouse, both were at fault. Why? It is because they don’t know each other well. Furthermore, they both have such prejudices about each other, as they both come from two different worlds: the upper-class symbolizing wealth (chapter 10) versus the low social class connected to poverty (chapter 10) What caught my attention is that Kim Dan refused to explain his situation to the athlete. Why? It was only out of pride. With his tragic life, he would appear as pitiful. Thus he thought like this: (chapter 10) He didn’t want to get pitied! Let’s not forget that the young man was able to study and become a doctor despite his origins. This means that he was able to raise his social status due to his intelligence and determination. That’s the reason why he valued his job so much. Since he is a “self-made” man, he strongly internalized that he could do everything on his own. He doesn’t need anyone’s help. However, his “dream” got ruined, the moment his halmoni became sick. Note that even cornered, the doctor is refusing to explain his situation to others (chapter 11) and especially to Joo Jaekyung. (chapter 11). He has another reason which I will explicate further below. But this doesn’t end here. When he begged the sportsman on his knees, he preferred offering him something in return. (chapter 11) In exchange for money, he would offer his help and services. And when he proposed this, he was already thinking about sex!! Nevertheless, he could have explained his situation, but he chose to hide everything.
In my eyes, he had three reasons to act this way. He might have lowered himself in front of the athlete, yet he refused to accept the money for free out of pity. Till the end, the physical therapist preferred making a deal than getting money out of pity. After reading this, certain readers might have the impression that I am siding with the sportsman. But no… my point is the following: none of these two characters are irreproachable. Kim Dan is a human after all. Sure, he is definitely less flawed than the rough and selfish celebrity, but he is not perfect either. He is also prejudiced. To conclude, when the couple argued in the apartment, the readers could witness the perfect illustration of the four-sides model developed by Friedmann Schulz von Thun.
2. Sweet or toxic talk?
What is it exactly? The psychologist realized that each message has 4 sides. The theory states that each message contains 4 different pieces of information: facts or factual information, self revelation about the speaker, a message about the relationship between the speaker and the listener and an appeal.
This outlines the complexity of communication. As the readers can sense, I had already applied this theory, when I analyzed the fighter’s comment about the booze! And now, it is time to examine another illustration. (chapter 10) These words meant the following:
Factual information: This house is unhealthy and unsanitary. That’s the reason why he added this later. (chapter 10) And he is not wrong, since Kim Dan was supposed to leave the district. (chapter 11)
Self-revelation: (chapter 10) Joo Jaekyung couldn’t understand why the doctor could live there, as he wouldn’t be able to do it himself. He can not call this a home or house.
Relationship: Since he is rich, he can judge what a normal habitation looks like. (chapter 10) He is implying that he has more knowledge than Kim Dan who has always lived there. The champion knows about safety norms and what should be considered as normal. Besides, don’t forget that when the boxer entered the room, he saw not only the mold, but also the alcohol on the floor. (chapter 10) So in his mind, the doctor looked like a heavy drinker, even like a drug addict! And now, you comprehend why the athlete said this to the physical therapist!! (chapter 10) The problem is that the young man had bought soju, when he was sick and upset after his first night with the champion. He wanted to forget this nightmare!! As you can imagine, this had only happened one time, but the champion came to the conclusion that the main lead would consume soju constantly. Don’t forget that the fighter doesn’t drink at all. Thus I am suspecting that Joo Jaekyung truly believed the doctor’s words, when the latter explained his bruises. (chapter 11) The protagonist must have thought that his doctor had fallen in the stairs due to intoxication. Thus he gave him the following advice: (chapter 11) He should pay attention to his drinking habits!! But this actually displays his innocence contrary to the coach Park. (chapter 11) The former has no idea about the abusive behavior of loan sharks.
Finally, the last side of the message, appeal: He should move out, since he has now money!! (chapter 10) In other words, he was actually showing concerns for the doctor, but the latter never realized it. He only saw it as arrogance and lack of empathy. For him, “it’s disgusting” sounded like “you’re disgusting”. Besides, I also think that his intervention was not well perceived. I would like to point out that Kim Dan’s life has always been affected in a negative way, when people interfered in his life, and these were the loan sharks!! (chapter 10) Since the fighter has a similar behavior (rough, rude and cold), there is no ambiguity why the doctor would reject the athlete’s advices and assistance. (chapter 10) So when the doctor resented the champion, for he knew nothing about his life, he was not realizing that it is the same for him. He knows nothing about Joo Jaekyung as well, for he judges him based on impressions. Both characters both jumped to false conclusions. Since the athlete lives in a huge and fancy house, and he owns a very expensive car, it looks like he is swimming in money. I would even say, he even imagines that Joo Jaekyung is throwing away his money so easily, and because of this scene. (chapter 2) But he is actually wrong. He is definitely careful, like we could discover it in episode 11. (chapter 11) On the other hand, he never pondered on the question how the young man could spend 14.000 dollars within a week. In my eyes, he is jumping to a false conclusion, exactly like the doctor. In his mind, the young man must be probably gambling. In other words, I believe that Joo Jaekyung has the following mind-set: people are poor due to their poor mind-set (drug addiction, gambling, no real common sense or good taste). To conclude, they are responsible for their misery. From my perspective, the major problem between these two characters is their bias about rich and poor people. On the other hand, Kim Dan views the sportsman as a selfish and spoiled brat (chapter 11), hence his personality is lacking!! Thus when the boxer explained why he brought Kim Dan to his house, the latter could only have the impression that he had done it against his will. (chapter 10) The champion’s words reinforced his false perception about the main lead. He was just selfish, and his gesture was not done out of generosity. Nevertheless, I would like to point out that even Kim Dan didn’t feel any gratitude towards Joo Jaekyung as well. If he had felt indebted, he wouldn’t have looked away and blamed himself for this incident. By putting the responsibility on him, he was actually denying the boxer’s selflessness. And exactly like in the video mentioned above, the tones and the gestures contributed to increase the misunderstanding between them. However, when Joo Jaekyung declared “It’s not like I wanted to do it”, he was actually thinking like this. He had done it, because the doctor had requested it!! (chapter 10) This shows that actually, Joo Jaekyung had been quite considerate. For me, there is no doubt that he felt pity for Kim Dan, who was crying and clinching onto him. And I have a proof for this interpretation. When Kim Dan was begging on his knees, this is what the athlete thought. (chapter 11) Pathetic is a synonym for pitiful! So while his words “fucking pathetic” gave the impression that he was calling Kim Dan a loser, I believe that it was the opposite. Thus he replied to this plea, he desired to do something new. He was seeking “entertainment”! The antonym of pathetic is HAPPY and CHEERFUL! And that’s how he responded. He was not mocking Kim Dan in the end. He wished to change the atmosphere in my eyes.
To conclude, their argument in the penthouse was not toxic at all! It actually outlined their prejudices, the issues lie in their communication too. And since the doctor judges Joo JAekyung as someone obsessed with sex, it is not surprising that when the main lead agreed to his request (chapter 11), many readers were again upset, because they were thinking exactly like the doctor. Some manhwalovers were already imagining that the champion would ask for a BDSM session due to his expressions: “I’ve been wanting to try”. Why? It is because so far, his conditions were all linked to his sexual behavior. BUT if the manhwalovers look for the story’s description, they will discover that Jinx is not tagged with BDSM! It is just categorized as “rough”. That’s why I don’t think that this is what the lover has in mind! For me, his new desire is to share his penthouse with the doctor. So far, he has never lived with anyone else before. Yes, I believe that he is proposing cohabitation. Don’t forget that Joo Jaekyung saw his terrible house. Secondly, he refused to give him money, because in his mind, this will never solve the problem. From his perspective, Kim Dan will keep spending money (either alcohol or gambling) I also think that the fighter prefers not to rely too much on his family and his wealth. (chapter 11) Though he comes from a rich family, there is no ambiguity that he is careful with his money. He is actually like the doctor, he worked hard for his fame. Secondly, the distressed protagonist revealed that he had no longer any home and he needed the money in order to find a new flat. (chapter 11) And cohabitation is the perfect solution for this couple. That way, they can discover their own bias and false judgment about each other. Finally, let’s not forget that in chapter 4, the champion had been happy, when the doctor had left the flat quietly. (chapter 04) Yet, later he came to regret it. Striking is that he had never asked the young man to leave the bed, when he woke up. (chapter 4) This shows that he had not mind of sharing his bed with him.
3. The clash of civilizations
Since both protagonists come from two different worlds and have a different past, this is not surprising that they are arguing. In chapter 10, I had already sensed that Kim Dan has a different notion of home than the fighter’s. The physical doctor was associating his humble dwell to his grandma. (chapter 10) In this place, he could witness her love. She protected him from the loan sharks, (chapter 5) she even brought him a sweet bread for his birthday. (chapter 10) This means that this small house is a place full of “good memories” despite his struggles. Thus the doctor made the choice to never leave this place. One might say that his stay is related to his promise to his grandmother. (chapter 11) But there is more to it. Let’s not forget that when he sensed the presence of Joo Jaekyung in the room, he already imagined that this was his grandmother. (chapter 10) It is because he has never brought home anyone else before. He didn’t want people to see his “poverty”. From my point of view, he wanted to stay there, because it was the only thing that was reminding him of his grandmother! If she were to die, he would have nothing left. For the champion, it looked like the doctor was living alone, as there were no traces of the grandmother. The champion could discover his loneliness and his abandonment issues. The house itself symbolizes the halmoni. That’s the reason why he is so attached to it. And this displays that Kim Dan had decided to stay there on purpose. That way, he wouldn’t feel too lonely. But the thought to lose the flat is like announcing the grandmother’s death. For me, there is no ambiguity that he is very scared of losing her. To conclude, for Kim Dan, home is connected to a loved one and the souvenirs they share together. But this notion stands in opposition to the champion’s who prefers living far away from his own family. (chapter 10) For him, a house is connected to comfort, independence, security, functionality and health. He has definitely a cleaning lady. That’s the reason why Joo Jaekyung couldn’t grasp why Kim Dan would stay there. And he was partially not wrong, for it was Kim Dan’s decision to stay there. It was not just out of his financial situation, while he gave the opposite impression. (chapter 10) His reasons for his stay were more sentimental in the end. Thus I come to the conclusion that it was in truth a blessing in disguise, when Joo Jaekyung visited his flat. (chapter 10) He was the only one who knew about his living conditions!! In a way, he can feel good, if he proposes cohabitation to Kim Dan. What he is not realizing is that he is indirectly learning to take care of others, to open up and to share things (the showers, and in the future his flat). And this leads me to the following observation. During that night, the fighter had been quite generous. While Mingwa exposed Joo Jaekyung’s narrow-mindedness (chapter 10) and roughness in the small room on purpose (chapter 10), it was up to the readers to detect his kindness. (chapter 10) Despite the crude idiom “dude”, he was quite gentle, when he tapped him with his foot. Then, when the main lead woke up, he was sleeping in the middle of the bed with the cover on him. (chapter 10) This exposes that Joo Jaekyung had covered him and not just let him fall on the bed. Secondly, he had even offered him a bed, while he had slept elsewhere. He could have dropped him on the sofa. And if you compare the boxer’s behavior in the earlier chapters, you can detect the huge transformation: (chapter 02) The dispute was short, but it ended in violence. However, this is not the case with the sweet Kim Dan. Note that he could have pushed away the doctor more brutally, as he is really strong, but he never did. (chapter 10) He is already changing. Nevertheless, his other problem are his expressions and as such his vocabulary. His favorite idioms are “fuck” and “punk” (chapter 10) (chapter 11) This reflects his lack of education. He is not good with words, his statements could only fuel the argument. Therefore it is not surprising that he prefers using his hands. Research has already outlined the connection between violence and vocabulary. Here you can read this interesting article about criminality and expressions (“When ex-cons change their vocabulary, they stay out of jail”).
4. Toxic relationship and toxic people
So far, I have not defined what toxic relationship or toxic people are.
“In human behavior, toxic is used to describe someone who causes distress in others through negative words and actions. However, it isn’t always easy to identify a toxic person, as their behaviors can be subtle. […] Often the phrase “toxic person” is used to describe someone who is subtly or outwardly manipulative, self-centered, needy, or controlling. These behaviors may manifest from underlying feelings of low self-esteem and mental health conditions such as narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), childhood trauma, or other deeply rooted personal issues. In addition, research suggests that some people who behave in toxic ways may have certain “dark core” personality traits. These traits manifest as a tendency to put their goals and interests above all others while justifying their behavior to avoid guilt or shame.” Quoted from https://psychcentral.com/blog/whats-a-toxic-person-how-do-you-deal-with-one#whats-a-toxic-person
As the manhwalovers can detect, this adjective is linked to manipulation, gaslighting and deception, and the partner is not realizing it first. However, if the readers pay attention to the champion’s behavior, he is far from being manipulative and fake. In fact, he is not capable of hiding his anger (chapter 5), his disappointment, his admiration (chapter 8), his arrogance… He speaks up his mind all the time. Thus he made a deal with the doctor, and the latter is aware of the content which he also accepted. Furthermore, I would like to add that calling people “toxic” is actually wrong, for this implies that they will never change. I agree with the author Hannah Baer that the word “toxic” is overused and is actually contra-productive.
“Research suggests that even difficult personality styles can change over time, rather than being fixed and immovable. Intractable conflict experts don’t focus much on bad actors in part because they know that dynamics and situations are toxic, not people. […] Of course, the world is rife with unequal power dynamics, and power abused. But when people with equal amounts of power are blaming each other for being “toxic,” “manipulative,” or a “narcissist,” they’re often taking the easy way out. In situations of interdependence coupled with severe harm, it may help people in crisis to temporarily frame their boss or girlfriend or parent as pathologically bad in order to extricate themselves. In the long run, however, resorting to fixed pathology to explain bad behavior creates problems for all parties.” Quoted from https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jul/26/toxic-people-behavior-blame-psychology
In truth, the real jerks in the story ARE the loan sharks. They are the toxic people who had no reason to beat the young man, for he had already paid the interests on time. (chapter 11) They felt pleasure by tormenting Kim Dan, for they felt powerful. They don’t care if they ruin his career. (chapter 11) Who would hire or keep a physical therapist, when he appears with bruises on his face? Kim Dan never revealed his situation to the Black Team, for he feared that he could lose his job, as he is connected to dubious loan sharks. (chapter 11) Yes, with such a meddling, they are actually dragging down the debtors so that it becomes more difficult to escape from poverty. Now, you have the other explanation why Kim Dan lied to the coach and the other boxer. However, imagine the loan sharks’ reaction, when they recognize that they can no longer harass Kim Dan, for the latter moved out without leaving an address. His departure is actually a blessing in disguise like mentioned above. There’s no ambiguity that they will go to the hospital and harass the halmoni. (chapter 11) And if my prediction is correct, the athlete will be able to monitor his roommate’s movements. So far, the champion thinks that the halmoni is no longer from this world. (chapter 10)
As a conclusion, by moving out, the physician won’t be able to hide the debts and the existence of the loan sharks to Joo Jaekyung. And that’s how the latter will recognize that Kim Dan’s poverty is not self-created. (chapter 5) In fact, it was the result from his parents. Honestly, I am even suspecting that they are not dead. They vanished, while leaving the huge amount of debts to the halmoni and the grandson. And don’t forget that Joo Jaekyung’s matches are broadcasted on TV!! (chapter 05) Thus the coach was also seen there. So the moment Kim Dan’s face appears on TV next to the champion, many people will be surprised: the vicious director of the hospital, the loan sharks, and if my theory is correct, then the persons responsible for the debts! They could discover Kim’s lucky career! They could even imagine that the physical therapist is now rich, since he is working for a successful person. So they would jump to the conclusion that the family was able to pay off the debts so that they would resurface and try to rekindle with the halmoni and Kim Dan.
To conclude, though I felt terrible for Kim Dan, I do think that Joo Jaekyung is his bird of fortune. He is his toxic sweet, for the latter is full of flaws. And thanks to the doctor, the champion is discovering a new world, he is feeling more emotions and attachment. Thus he is opening up and speaking more and more. Consequently, it is no coincidence that as time passes on, the athlete is getting less and less selfish and brutal. Finally, the moment Joo Jaekyung discovers that his assistant was assaulted by three men using a bat (chapter 11), I am certain that he will see red! Why? It is because he stands for fair fighting! That’s how he also makes a living. Thus there is no ambiguity that the loan sharks will feel the champion’s wrath. 😉 And I am looking forward for this moment!
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The purpose of this essay is not just to interpret the illustrations for each season, but also to anticipate the future illustration of season 4. However, before revealing my new knowledge, it is important to explain how I came to develop these significations. This means that I will present new pieces of the puzzle “Painter Of The Night”. Everything started with this panel. (chapter 9)
1. The slap and hands
The noble with the mole had a red cheek and a bruised lip indicating that he had been slapped. Yet contrary to the painter, he had wounded on his right side. (chapter 1) This means that no one had witnessed the wrongdoing committed on the anonymous lord. However, it is important, because it exposes how a person committing a wrongdoing could escape scolding and punishment, even from the readers. There was no witness! Only an attentive reader could detect this. Hence you have the explanation why Yoon Seungho suffered for so long. There was either no witness or the persons chose to close an eye and remained silent. Since it was the negative reflection from Baek Na-Kyum’s slap and the main lead had used his right hand (chapter 11), I deduced that the culprit was left-handed. That’s how I could identify the culprit, lord Min. The lord was in reality left-handed. We could observe this in chapter 8, episode 19 , chapter 33 and episode 43, but also in episode 76 , in chapter 96 , in episode 100 and finally in chapter 102 ! Yet, in other occasions like in episode 33 or 43, or 52 , he used his right hand! Thus one might argue that Min was simply ambidextrous. However, I can prove 100% that Black Heart is left-handed!😮 The evidence is the usage of the bow. (chapter 22) This is how a right-handed man shoots an arrow. On the other hand, we never saw Min using the bow. The bird was already wounded by the arrows, when the scene of the second hunt took place. (chapter 41) However, the manhwaphiles can discover the verity thanks to one detail: the bag of arrows. (chapter 22) As you can see, the bag is carried on the right side, but the arrows are almost touching the left shoulder. They need to be on the other side, since the scholar needs his right hand to grab the item. And now compare the position of Min’s bag. It is inclined in the opposite direction, hence the arrows are visible on his right side! (chapter 41) Thus the noble is carrying the bag (chapter 41) differently from the painter too. (chapter 22) Under this new light, it becomes comprehensible why Byeonduck never showed the Joker’s hunting skills. People would have noticed that he is left-handed immediately. She made sure to hide this important fact, thus within the same chapter Min was often portraying as using both hands. In episode 43, he employed his left hand to pour the alcohol in the glass, but then he switched the hand(chapter 43), when he gave the drink to Lee Jihwa.
This raised the following question. Why is he ambidextrous, though he prefers his left hand? It is because he has been conditioned to use his right hand. In Latin, sinister means left. This explicates why left is associated to sinister, dark and bad omen. Thus there exists this superstition that being left-handed is evil or a bad sign!! Till the end of the 20th Century, people in Europe were encouraged to write with their right hand. And now, if you compare all the scenes, where he employed his left-hand, you will detect that he was acting under the influence of his subconscious. In chapter 8, he was lusting after the painter; explicating why he got mad at his friend. Because of his nagging, Min could no longer ask his host to let the painter join the sex party. Therefore it is no coincidence that he slapped his friend with his left hand. Finally, we never saw his departure from the bedchamber! (chapter 9) Here, he was still present, but even before the end of the sex session, he had already vanished. (chapter 9) Finally, when the noble with the mole visited Lee Jihwa, the latter claimed that he had spent a long time at Yoon Seungho’s. (chapter 9), and his friend never denied it. As you can see, the characters made sure to confuse the readers with the change of the chronology. As you can see, it took me a long time before noticing the bruised face (only during season 3), then to bring up the conclusive evidence that Min was the culprit of the slap. Then in the shaman’s house, he took the dildo with his left hand, because he was angry and frustrated. (chapter 100) With the same hand, he pushed Jihwa (chapter 100) too. This shows that he could barely control himself here. And once he faced the main lead’s sword, he got so scared that he showed Jung In-Hun’s glasses with his left hand again. (chapter 102) Due to stress and his strong emotions, he exposed his true self, but since the readers were more focused on the actions and Min’s punishment, they never paid attention to his hand. This contrasts so much to the way the author portrayed Yoon Seungho. She often zoomed on his hands. (chapter 92) The irony is that in this scene, the main lead employed his left hand too, the positive reflection from the night in the pavilion (chapter 43). While here it was to bring him back to reality, in the pavilion, the Joker had the opposite intention: to lure Lee Jihwa to believe in illusions. (chapter 43).
Why did she confuse the readers then? It was to hide an important information, the culprit is left-handed!! And now it is necessary to examine the lord’s nightmare.
2. The hand in the nightmare
If you read my previous analyses about the visions, you are aware of my following observation. The visions represent not only memories, but also predictions. (chapter 74) They announce the future events, though the information is not given properly. On the other hand, since they are memories either, this signifies that they contain insight about the lord’s tragedy. Thus I noticed that the anonymous perpetrator used his left hand to grab his hanbok!! I deduced that the perpetrator in the past is also left-handed!! Secondly, since this vision can also be seen as the announcement of the painter’s second kidnapping, this is no coincidence that Byeonduck created such panels during the painter’s last torment. (chapter 99) However, in the shaman’s temple, Black Heart grabbed Baek Na-Kyum with his right hand. He was trying to manipulate the artist, he was acting. He was not showing his true self. Yet, the vision was revealing the truth: the future mastermind of the last scheme was in reality left-handed!! It didn’t matter, because at the end, the main lead was able to discern the truth. He sentenced Black Heart, for he believed that he had killed his loved one! That’s how I realized why the author would focus so much on the hands and on the distinction between unconscious and conscious! The hand in Painter Of The Night represents the crucial clue to identify the culprits!!
3. The illustrations and the mystery
Because of these new discoveries, I realized the signification of the covers. In season 1, we had the hands in the illustration. The hands were revealing the crime committed against the main lead. The latter was totally passive in this picture. The hands are touching and unclothing the immobile man. It also shows that Yoon Seungho was at the center of the conspiracy, in the past and in the present! The painting in the background indicates the presence of a hidden painter. Thus Baek Na-Kyum was not drawn in the cover. The painter of the night was in truth someone else, the painter from the past! Nevertheless, the main lead was looking at the readers, indirectly at Baek Na-Kyum, the young painter of the night. This describes the arrival of Baek Na-Kyum in his life. Striking is that the painting in the background was destroyed… indicating that the portrayed relationship was no longer existent. This represents another clue that the lord’s suffering is linked to a previous relationship. Then in season 2, the author revealed Baek Na-Kyum as the painter, who had now become the target of the plot. Yet behind him we see Yoon Seungho’s foot. The latter symbolizes the main lead feared to get close to him, but he wouldn’t leave his side. Moreover, this corresponds to the lord’s impulsive decisions, he let his foot guide him. Thus during the first night of the failed gangrape, he walked towards the study and stopped unconsciously, when he was next to the room. (chapter 53) Due to his strong denial, he was strolling not realizing that his feet were under the influence of his subconscious. And it was the same, when he opened the door with his foot at the Lees’ (chapter 67) Nonetheless, I believe that the author had another reason to draw the foot in the cover. The foot prints are the evidence of the crime, and as such the deceptions and the culprits. (chapter 59) (chapter 60) (chapter 61) The shoes were the clues how to recognize the perpetrators and accomplices. That’s why I compared these feet (chapter 59) with those . (chapter 66) My avid readers are already aware of my theory. For me, we have two kidnappers, and one tried to kill the artist! To conclude, Byeonduck left the clues how to unveil the mystery from the past and the present in the illustrations of each season. The paper in the second cover is a reference to the forged letter (chapter 56), but also to the theft of the painting (chapter 56) and the painter’s break! At the end of season 2, he was no longer painting and in the beginning, he had also stopped due to his heartbreak. Simultaneously, we have the presence of water which serves as a connection to season 1 with the ruined painting and to season 3 with the well and drowning. The dark shades were an allusion to the lord’s darkness and suffering. The latter would come to the surface. However, since the cover only showed the lord’s foot, it exposes that the lord would not divulge his traumatic past. (chapter 78) In season 3, this time the main leads were facing each other, they were recognizing each other: their true self! But this stands in opposition to the deceased people without identity! (chapter 94) We never saw the face of the corpses, as they were either covered (chapter 97) or the manhwaphiles could only view the hand, , the back (chapter 97) or the clothes and shoes (chapter 100)! And since Min had disguised himself as Lee Jihwa, it was clear that the deceased shouldn’t be identified by their clothes, but by their faces. As you can see, season 3 was about the face and identity! This indicates that in the past, someone had been not identified correctly!! Why? It is because the main lead has long repressed this memory. He had forgotten his face out of fear and hatred. The only thing the victim remembers is the BEARD, and old bearded men! (chapter 44) And the nightmare exposed the number of persons involved in his suffering: 4 men!! Here, we have 3 men, and don’t forget the left hand from before. (chapter 74) But if I include the painting, then I come to 6 people: the patriach Yoon Chang-Hyeon and the king. This coincides with the cover from season 1: 3 hands indicates 3 people and we have two lovers in the background. Moreover, we shouldn’t forget the peeper, the person Yoon Seungho was looking at. Hence we have 6 people involved in the conspiracy.
But what caught my attention is that the illustration of season 2 and 3 are showing locations: the painter’s study and the bedchamber. Thus I conclude that Byeonduck was revealing the places where a crime was committed in the past and in the present. In the study, the painter lost his virginity, he was bullied or slapped, while in the past, Lee Jihwa stole Yoon Seungho’s first kiss. So in my opinion, the illustration for season 4 should be the gibang, unless we assume that the cover of season 1 is a reference to the kisaeng house! (chapter 1) Anyway, from my point of view, the cover of season 4 should indicate a location which is connected to the town. Why? It is because now I am suspecting commoners to be involved in the lord’s suffering. I have already expressed my theories about Kim, the guard blacks, Heena and the physician. But there are more suspects! Moreover, observe that the kisaeng house is not only visited by aristocrats, but also by commoners. (chapter 99) That’s the reason why I am anticipating a cover with the gibang. It would be the perfect place to find closure for the couple. It is a place where both suffered. Moreover, I think, belongings should serve as an evidence for the identification of the schemers and accomplices. Remember that we had the glasses as the evidence of a murder in season 3, yet I am sensing that the possession should serve to identify the perpetrators from the past and the present. Since the clothes were used to confuse people in season 3, I am assuming that in season 4, they should help to recognize people, but at the same time, it is totally possible that our main leads decide to employ the same method to fool the schemers and accomplices. And now, we have the cover for season 4. Both protagonists are not only facing each other, but also touching each other. They are no longer hiding their emotions and thoughts. This image represents the opposite to the other seasons. At the same time, the author is again referring to the bedchamber indicating that this place is strongly connected to the protagonists’ suffering. On the other side, since the painter is wearing a silk white shirt, it implies that he is not a commoner. This panel indicates that the main lead was able to the true owner of the study and even bed. However, due to the tears, the beholder can sense that this season will be painful as well. Striking is that in the cover, they were either alone, or they were just looking at each other, hence they didn’t pay attention to their surroundings. Consequently, they couldn’t sense the presence of a plot and the schemers. This indicates that the couple is still not prepared to face new schemes. To sum up, the author selected such covers because she had planned to leave clues there about the mystery! But wait… I had outlined that the person who grabbed the young master Seungho was left-handed, and he played a huge role in the main lead’s downfall and suffering! But who is left-handed in this story?
4. The mysterious left-handed
Naturally, I investigated the matter right away. My first suspect was Kim, but he seems to be right-handed! (chapter 12) (chapter 56). But then I noticed that he carried his master on the left side. (chapter 57) Nevertheless, the person threatening the painter was right-handed. (chapter 66) and since it is for me the butler, he was not the person from the nightmare. That’s the reason why I am excluding him from the suspect list. For me, if he was involved in the past, it is because he lit the candles (chapter 74). Furthermore, don’t forget that in his nightmare, the author exposed the presence of plates with 3 candles (chapter 74) which were also used in the shaman’s house. Finally, in this picture, we have a right-handed person. (chapter 74) So Kim could have been the one silencing him with his hand.
Then I realized that Yoon Chang-Hyeon had also switched his hand. In season 3, he slapped his son with his left hand. (chapter 86) Hence his right cheek was red and he had a wounded lip. (chapter 86) On the other hand, at the doctor’s office, he employed his right-hand to keep his son by his side. (chapter 57). Why is there this change? The turning point was the prank in the bedchamber. (chapter 83) During that scene, the father slapped his son with both hands. First with the right (chapter 83), then with the left! Striking is that the author never showed, when the patriarch employed his left hand. The readers could only hear the sound, and see the result of the beating. Both cheeks were wounded. From my point of view, he was conditioned exactly like Min! He was not allowed to use his left hand, but the angrier he got, the less he could hide his true self: he was left-handed and he was a stupid and brutal father!! (chapter 74) However, note that this switch happened after the sexual abuse had started!! That’s the reason why I conclude that he is not the man from the nightmare. For me, the father is symbolized by the painting, just like the pedophile! So where is the left-handed person? So far, the fake servant smoked with his right hand. (chapter 37) On the other hand, I am doubting that Byeonduck will introduce many new characters in season 4. That’s the reason why I believe that the man with the pipe is the real schemer, as the pipe was in the annex. Since Min grabbed Baek Na-Kyum in the shaman’s house, I am more inclined to think that the perpetrator grabbing the young master Seungho by the collar was just an accomplice and not the mastermind. In other words, he was the helping hand.
And there are two persons left that fit the profile of a left-handed old bearded man. The physician!! 😮Notice that he placed his box on the left side and this twice!! (chapter 57) (Chapter 74) I don’t believe in hazard. Besides, the lord had his nightmare during the same chapter. This means that he could have leaked this information about Yoon Seungho to an outsider, like he did with the painter. As the manhwalovers can grasp, the physician is more suspicious than before.
As for the second person, it is none other than the calligrapher!! (chapter 92) Besides, observe that the angry man put the brush on the left side. (chapter 92) The man is left-handed! And what did Yoon Seungho do? (chapter 92) He grabbed him by the collar! Exactly like in the dream!! (chapter 74) Thus I had this sudden idea: the calligrapher could have been Yoon Seungho’s teacher!! The latter became jealous of the young master due to his talent and notoriety. Another possibility is that he was commissioned by the elder master Yoon to write a talisman, a spring poetry, as we have these writings on the door (chapter 44) or patio of his mansion, similar to Heena’s. And since the young main lead suffered so much, it is normal that he doesn’t have such believes. IT is also possible that the young master Seungho played a prank which made the man angry and humiliated. As you can see, I come to the conclusion that jealousy and resent were the reasons why he got involved in the first place. Moreover, we shouldn’t forget that the calligrapher is linked to the kisaengs! He even recognized Baek Na-Kyum, as he called him a peasant. (chapter 92) Yet, he was either perceived as servant, a noblewoman or as a sir so far! He was never recognized as a peasant. Since he could identify the artist, it is also possible that he was also able to identify Yoon Seungho. But he thought that he was not well educated after living as a male kisaeng for so long. From my point of view, the man could have decided to get revenge on Yoon Seungho and participated in his abduction and gangrape!! Thus his karma was to lose his home! (chapter 91) The fact that Yoon Seungho grabbed him the same way than in the nightmare is not random. It was, as if he was getting justice. Honestly, I am more and more suspecting that in the past, Yoon Seungho got raped by commoners! Naturally, I have not changed my mind that the king was behind this plot: to get revenge on the Yoons! Who benefitted the most from the crime? Definitely the king, as he was able to ruin their influence.
Finally, I would like to remind the readers that according to me, the tailor is involved in the lord’s past suffering. However, according to me, there exist two tailors. While the other called the main lead “lord Yoon Seungho” (chapter 39), the other only recognizes him as master Yoon. (chapter 64) This means that the latter knows about the existence of elder master Yoon. Like mentioned above, the calligrapher, the physician, the tailor, the fake servant and the “shaman” from chapter 29 have all one thing in common: the beard!!
5. The other accomplices: the hanbok and the beards
Byeonduck left pieces of the puzzle in the covers in order to unveil the truth about the past and the present. Hence the moment the illustration is released, try to examine it attentively. It definitely gives clues about the evolution of the story, and the evidences concerning the perpetrators and helping hands. My recent discoveries led me to develop the following theory: the involvement of merchants. This man (chapter 83) disguised himself and hide his true identity behind “lord Song”. But is he the king or someone else? He was definitely a pedophile, but since we can’t see his face, it is not certain that it was the king. (chapter 83) Striking is that he is not “smoking here”, yet I had outlined that one abuser was a heavy smoker due to Yoon Seungho’s behavior. (chapter 83) On the other hand, I discovered that the man with the green hanbok was smoking! And why doesn’t the patriarch suspect the king behind the plot? It is because he was never officially banished or sent to exile. Thus he explains his desertion from the mansion as an absence. (chapter 86) Let’s not forget that in season 3, clothes were used to deceive Yoon Seungho, and the authorities played along. Besides, as the painter had become the love interest of Yoon Seungho and Black Heart, it is very likely that in the past, the victim was exposed to two different abusers, but they all hid behind the name: lord Song. Note that during this feast, one man had a moustache beard which is in Painter Of The Night the sign that he is no yanbang, not even chungin, the upper-middle class. He could be a rich merchant. Just because they are all wearing hanboks (chapter 83) (chapter 87), this doesn’t mean that these men belong to the aristocracy. Furthermore, Kim never said “nobles”, he just said “visitors”!! Finally, I would like to point out that since Yoon Seungho lived secluded for 10 years, I doubt that he had the means and the knowledge to be involved in the trade: (chapter 22) This theory of the participation of a merchant got even reinforced, when I made the following discovery. The wooden boxes in season 1 were present at the tailor‘s shop!! (chapter 39) Thus I am deducing that the barn in season 2 (chapter 51) could have belonged to the tailor or the owner of this shop. And note the couple was in the same position than with the kisaeng with No-Name in episode 51! (chapter 51) This was the negative reflection from episode 39: no penetration versus penetration, no interruption versus interruption, no rumor versus rumor etc. And this contrast clearly displays that the tailor shop is involved in Yoon Seungho’s suffering. And the best evidence for this is the nightmare. The main lead’s clothes had a design. (chapter 74) and the readers never saw the protagonist wearing it so far!! So where is this special hanbok? The latter is the evidence of the tailor’s involvement, as he had to create it. To conclude, there is a strong connection between the gibang, the tailor and the trade. And now, you comprehend why I am more than ever suspecting commoners’ complicity in the main lead’s suffering.
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Announcement: The essay “The secret behind curry, apple and butter” has been updated.
Here, I would like to thank my friend Luzyla for her latest observations which made me realize the existence of a new connection!! Before elaborating my new discoveries, I would like to repeat the following principles on which the story was developed:
There is always a reflection within the same chapter.
The next episode is mirroring the previous one, naturally with slight changes.
Each season is reflected in the previous and the future one.
The author is working on positive and negative reflections.
Thus the story is going in circle.
Thus the lord’s destiny is reflected in the painter’s.
That’s the method I am using to unveil the mystery behind Yoon Seungho’s past and as such behind the painter’s.
1. Baek Na-Kyum’s apology
Everything started with this panel. (Chapter 5) Baek Na-Kyum was apologizing for his past behavior. He had insulted the main lead because of the poem. And his words sounded really similar to the butler’s in the library, for they both employed the same expressions: “That day” and “I spoke out of”. (Chapter 77) Striking is that the painter employed the expression “hand”, while the valet talked about “turn”. Why did they do that? It is because when Kim was caught committing a crime, he turned his head! (chapter 68) Thus in the library, the butler excused himself in front of the lord by using the following expression: “spoke out of turn”!! On the other hand, the painter had used his hand, (chapter 4), therefore he described his wrongdoing with the following expression “out of hand”. In my eyes, his words indicate the interference of the butler. Furthermore, the two men had a drop of sweat, a sign that they were not truly honest. (chapter 77) Both were apologizing, as they had wronged the noble. As you can imagine, the similarity in the excuse is no coincidence. The proof that both incidents are reflections is that they have another point in common. The wrongdoings of the low-borns had taken place in front of a gate. The butler had disobeyed his master (chapter 68), and the painter had assaulted the lord by trying to retrieve the poetry. (Chapter 4) Because both characters had violated social norms, showing disrespect towards a noble, (chapter 04) the consequence was that two people were pushed down, the black guard and Baek Na-Kyum. (Chapter 4) In other words, since Yoon Seungho had punished the butler due to the incidents in episode 67/68, I deduce that episodes 67/68 were reflections of episode 4/5 as well!! This corresponds to the rule 2 and 3.
1. 1. Yoon Seungho, the commoners and the Lees
But this doesn’t end here. When the lord caught Kim’s wrongdoing, he was returning from the Lees’ mansion (chapter 68). Since this is the positive reflection, I am deducing that in chapter 4, Yoon Seungho was actually returning to the domain of the Lees, as it should mirror the opposite. (chapter 4) Let’s not forget that just before the great entrance of Black Heart and the protagonist in chapter 67, this was what the author showed us: (chapter 67) And now compare the building to this one from chapter 1: (chapter 1) Under this light, my theory that Yoon Seungho was living with the Lees in the beginning of the story gets reinforced and even validated. In season 1, Yoon Seungho had sex with his friend in the pavilion so that the father and the staff could see the truth: the young master Jihwa was a sodomite. But since we saw Yoon Seungho in that building in episode 1, we jumped to the wrong conclusion that this was his house. But actually, from chapter 12 on, the author was showing us that we had been deceived. This was the lord’s house, and note that there is no building in the big courtyard contrary to the domain from chapter 67 and 1. (Chapter 12) (For more read the essay “Lee Jihwa’s special relationship with Yoon Seungho”) Then in season 2, the main lead forced the elder Lee to hear what he had been denying all this time (Chapter 67), while in chapter 3, he could only witness it from the patio. On the other hand, Yoon Seungho had been proactive during their sexual encounter, hence the father could only blame the main lead for his son’s debauchery. The intimacy in the pavilion was in verity hiding Yoon Seungho’s huge traumas. But due to Lee Jihwa’s confession in the inn, the red-haired master’s reputation got ruined in town and this must have definitely reached the father’s ears. Striking is that when Yoon Seungho confronted Lee Jihwa with his crime (abduction of a person from his household), the red-haired master ran away and hid behind the folding shield. Thus he never apologized to his friend. And it was the same with the elder Lee. The latter knew about his son’s wrongdoing, for he accused the intruder immediately. (Chapter 67) As you can see, the absence of the excuse from the uke and his father outlines that chapter 67 is a reflection of episode 5 and 77. I detect a pattern, chapter 5 contains a superficial apology, chapter 67 no apology and chapter 77 a fake excuse again. Furthermore the manhwalovers can recognize that in the same episode (episode 5), the antagonist Jihwa had indeed wounded the painter with his insult too, a reflection of episode 4. (Chapter 5) This confirms that chapter 5 is connected not only to episode 77, but also to chapter 67/68. We have the same elements: an incident linked to a door (chapter 67), insults towards the main leads, a wrongdoing, the allusion to love (chapter 67), a punishment, but also the absence or presence of an apology. But all of these episodes have other similarities: hypocrisy and arrogance. The Lees were looking down on Baek Na-Kyum and Yoon Seungho (chapter 5-67), while in episode 77, it was the butler who yelled and criticized the noble. (chapter 77) By detecting a reflection between these chapters, I had a new revelation.
1. 2. The lord and the papers
In addition, if the manhwaphiles compare the scene with the painter’s excuse (chapter 5) to the scene with the butler’s (chapter 77), they can detect the fourth parallel: Yoon Seungho’s correspondence. 😮 How is it possible, as in episode 5, the noble never wrote a letter? In fact, he gave the poem to the black guard for the investigation. On the other hand, it looked, as though Yoon Seungho had written a letter (chapter 5), while it was not the case. As you can see, anyone seeing the black guard leaving the owner’s study could have had the impression that the lord had written a letter. This means that this mistake must have taken place later again due to the rule 2! The manhwalovers could discover the deception in chapter 37/38!! (chapter 38) That’s how Jung In-Hun got misled. (chapter 38) Yoon Seung-Won had never received a letter, but the ruined painting. The readers only discovered the trick in the final episode, when the father was looking at the picture. And this connection between a letter and a painting was reflected in season 2. While Min stole the painter’s last creation (chapter 56), Jihwa sent a forged letter (chapter 56). Striking is that the butler was the one who received the paper before delivering it to his sick master. These two scenes (38-56) indicate that the valet is related to the correspondence. Moreover, he was seen delivering the message to Yoon Seungho in the courtyard. (chapter 35)
All this proves that in chapter 5, the butler had seen the black guard departing from the study with the paper in the hand, and he had jumped to the wrong conclusion that his master had written a letter. Therefore right after this conversation, the lord’s table vanished. (chapter 5) It was, as if he was not allowed to write any letter. So where did the table go? To the study!! What caught my attention is that after the first painting (chapter 2), the table had been removed from the study, just like the papers. (chapter 4) This was no coincidence. It had been sent to the lord’s bedroom, but after the lord had tasked the black guard, it was no longer there. This is the indication that someone was interfering with Yoon Seungho’s habit to take a brush. And this can only be Kim. As you can see, the appearance and the vanishing of the small table is the element which was reflected in chapter 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. And now, look at the scene where Lee Jihwa met Min. (chapter 67) The table had also disappeared. And when did it happen? (chapter 21) The noble had ransacked his own room with his sword. And what did we see in that episode? A paper folded in a book. (chapter 21) In other words, the First Wedding night is also a reflection from these chapters (4/5, 67/68, 77), for it contains the same elements: (chapter 20) an incident with a door, someone is pushed down, a wrongdoing committed against Yoon Seungho (theft), an apology (episode 19) and the importance of the table. According to me, the valet had put the expensive wine on the painter’s table on purpose. To conclude, I see a connection between episode 4/5, 19/20/21, 67/68 and 77.
And now. you are wondering if I am not drifting away from my initial statement, the painter’s apology. However, I would like to remind the readers that in order to write a letter, a person usually needs to have a table in order to write properly. So imagine the butler’s reaction, when he hears from Yoon Seungho this: (chapter 77) He can not trust his words, especially since he views the nobles as violent liars. Why? It is because there was this huge table. This is no coincidence that right after the valet betrayed the main lead and wrote a message to the patriarch. That’s how I had another revelation. The butler is symbolized by the table! Thus he was often seen with this small table (chapter 11) (chapter 17) To conclude, when the butler saw the black guard leaving the mansion, he believed that his master had sent words to someone! That’s the reason why he removed the table and returned it to the painter’s study.
(chapter 5) However, this was just the poem!! This confusion between a letter and a poem should be reflected in season 3 according to rule 3. That’s how I came to the conclusion that when the painter returned to the annex and took the poem, he was actually taking a letter (chapter 97) written by Yoon Seungho, but he envisioned that this was the Spring poem! (chapter 97) We had the same situation. Black Heart had stolen the Spring poem, and the noonas had deceived the protagonists by faking admiration in front of an empty paper. (chapter 93) Since the paper in episode 93 was empty, I could only come to the deduction that this paper contained words!! (chapter 97) Another evidence for this theory is the color of the paper, for the second doesn’t have a shade of pink. Then I suddenly recalled that the artist had received two calligraphies, the one from his beloved and the other from the old bearded man. (chapter 92) The latter’s work was a copy of Yoon Seungho’s poetry, the repetition from chapter 4. Hence you comprehend why I deduce that the paper in the annex was different from the Spring poem. So during that night, Yoon Seungho left a note to his lover, and that’s how the butler discovered that the artist could not read Chinese, for he saw his master writing in hangeul. But there exists another evidence for this interpretation. Baek Na-Kyum had wished this: (chapter 97) The goddess was actually fulfilling his wish, when she reminded him of the Spring poem.
And that’s how I realized why Kim had suggested to his master that two servants should remain by Baek Na-Kyum’s side and bring him back to the mansion. The reason is simple. The two domestics were to divert the artist’s attention, that way the painter wouldn’t read the letter. If the domestics were present, they could give some information to the painter without revealing too much. (chapter 97) If the lord had mentioned in the letter that they had found the corpse of Deok-Jae, the painter would have believed him. However, as you can envision it, the butler and Min were determined to generate a misunderstanding, to create the illusion that the scholar had died. Consequently, the servants deceived the main lead by omitting the existence of the paper. They had not delivered the message properly.
In other words, the letter is connected to a painting and a poem, yet each time, the paper was stolen or misused. Striking is that none of the main characters noticed the switch or the vanishing. We could say that this was Yoon Seungho’s karma for stealing the painter’s belonging. (chapter 4) His own poetry got stolen. But let’s return our attention to episode 5. Since the lord had given the poem to the black guard, this signifies that the lord no longer had the sijo. Therefore he had to write the poem again in order to mask the disappearance. In my opinion, he must have copied the original poetry for the artist in order to prove that he had not been lying. Hence the paper looked different. And this brings me back to the painter’s apology in the patio. (chapter 5) Why did the painter apologize to Yoon Seungho in the end? How did he come up with such an idea? It is because this had been suggested to the artist by Kim. This explicates why he was speaking like the butler. The latter had actually made a huge error, when he advised the artist. Why? It is because he was mixing cause and consequence. In the valet’s mind, the lord had kept the message, for the painter had offended him. So if he were to confess his wrongdoing, the lord would return the poem, and after that, it was just a matter of time, until the painter would desert the propriety. However, the lord had stated this: (chapter 04) That’s the reason why he had taken it in the first place.
Since Kim had been the one suggesting to the painter to beg for forgiveness with the hope that he would get back his poetry, it is normal that Kim was present, when the poetry was returned. (chapter 7) But where is the sijo now?
In my eyes, Kim had witnessed how the paper had left the property in the past, and he had not intervened. Why? It is because of the black guard. (chapter 65) Moreover, I believe that in chapter 65, he had collaborated with the noona. He had shown her the painting of Baek Na-Kyum, while in the study there was a blank paper. As you can see, in season 2, we had again this connection between a painting and blank paper. But let’s return our attention to chapter 5. The black guard was acting on the order of someone else, Yoon Seungho was not the one hiring him. The butler hates ruckus, his MO is to lie low and act in the shadow. If he had retrieved the paper, the man could report it to the master of the black guard. On the other hand, he could have asked the warden about his master’s request. He just needed to say that he desired to assist him, similar to this situation. (chapter 82) Thus I conclude that when the lord returned the paper to Baek Na-Kyum (chapter 7), Kim must have realized his error. He had mistaken the poem for a letter!! This explains why he repeated the trick with the younger master Seung-Won. But unfortunately for him, he was caught by the teacher who asked the painter about the letter the next morning. (chapter 38) Baek Na-Kyum could have realized that the butler had acted behind his master’s back. The problem is that during that evening, the lord had indeed written a letter to his brother (chapter 36), but the moment the latter interrupted the couple (chapter 37), Yoon Seungho chose to hide it. But why is it important? It is because if the painter had mentioned the paper given to the younger master to Yoon Seungho, the latter could have noticed the valet’s meddling and wrongdoing. On the surface, it looked like Kim had written himself a letter to the younger master. In other words, in episode 37/38, the butler gave the impression that he was a spy, for he was acting without his master’s permission. He had even left the propriety, as he was standing outside in front of the gate. Don’t forget that during the meeting, the brother had mentioned that he had sent him many letters (chapter 37), and there is no ambiguity that Kim had intervened. Here, the lord had said nothing, for he imagined that Kim had done it to protect him from his family.
According to my theory, Yoon Seungho was living with the Lees, and as such Baek Na-Kyum had to trespass the propriety in order to retrieve his tools and vanish!! (Chapter 4) But on his way out, he met Yoon Seungho who had just missed the painter’s departure. But there, he discovered that the main lead had stolen his poetry. (Chapter 04) Therefore he was forced to return to the mansion. At the same time, Yoon Seungho was encouraged to come back to the propriety too. He had to keep an eye on the painter. He couldn’t be so sure that the poem was strong enough to keep Baek Na-Kyum by his side. Therefore it is not surprising that in episode 5, Yoon Seungho was seen sitting in front of the window smoking. (chapter 5) He was looking at the gate and as such making sure that the artist’s departure would be noticed. By sending the low-born to the Lees’ mansion, Kim was encouraging the painter to commit a crime: trespassing! But the artist was fortunate, for he was not caught by the lord of the mansion, who preferred hiding due to the ruckus caused by his own son. 😉 As for Yoon Seungho, he came back to the mansion and saw the empty study. Kim just needed to say that the low-born had left to the Lees’ mansion. This is important, because this indicates that in chapter 4, the couple missed each other first! And this situation was repeated in season 3, precisely in chapter 98, when the lord returned from the bureau of investigation (chapter 98)! The lord arrived just after the painter’s departure. And who was with the main lead? Kim. As you can see, the lord’s luck seems not to be on his side, for Baek Na-Kyum had just left the propriety. Once again… the lord was standing in front of the gate!! As for season 2, this time, it was Kim’s fate to miss his master. (chapter 56) The reason for this punishment is simple. He had sent away the artist to the study just before Yoon Seungho regained consciousness. The latter didn’t see that the artist had taken care of him during that night. Thus the butler’s karma was not to notice his master’s departure which stands in opposition to chapter 4 and 98. And note that all these chapters have the paper as common denominator. So imagine the butler’s surprise in episode 4, when he witnessed the artist’s return to the mansion followed by his master. He had sent away Baek Na-Kyum with the hope that the artist would desert the town for good, but no…
2. Kim’s hidden action
Kim must have been intrigued. Why did Baek Na-Kyum come back? He had witnessed the execution of a servant, then he had been abducted before getting imprisoned in the storage room. Finally, he had been threatened and forced to paint an erotic picture. Hence Kim felt the urge to discover the reasons for the painter’s behavior. In other words, he must have interrogated him, the older version of this scene: (chapter 23) The first similarity is the allusion to his bag. The butler was actually thinking that during the hunt, the painter would decide to run away. That’s the reason why he asked about his belonging, for in the past, he only wished to vanish after retrieving his tools. Naturally, the artist saw no harm in the butler’s question and answered truthfully. He must have narrated the argument in the courtyard about the poem. Yoon Seungho had kept the sijo, consequently the painter had used his hand to take it back and had by mistake removed the lord’s hat. Thus Kim must have told him that he just needed to apologize. But one might say that this is just a story imagined by me. The manhwaphiles never saw such a scene. But don’t forget the existence of the reflections. I have definitely an evidence for this theory. Since the butler had manipulated the painter in chapter 4 in order to get rid of this uninvited guest, his karma was to receive a new guest!! (chapter 7) This is not what the valet truly desired at all. He wanted to live in peace. But now, he had three new people he had to serve: Jung In-Hun, the painter and his own master Yoon Seungho who had lived for quite some time in the Lees’ mansion. He had to work!! And note that in this episode 7, we have the following elements:
The arrival of a guest, exactly like in episode 4-5; 67/68 and 77.
a paper
the library
a reference to “love”
the first appearance of Kim
The existence of a deal which is also present in chapter 4 and 77
The connection between the letter and a poem (chapter 5-77)
This truly shows that during that night (chapter 77), the valet chose to write a letter in order to denunciate the protagonist. As you already know, attack is the best defense. Exactly like in the courtyard, he badmouthed a noble, this time he must have compared Yoon Seungho to the younger brother Yoon Seung-Won. The latter would succeed with the civil service examination and bring glory to the Yoons, whereas the main lead would only live like an idle sodomite.
Through this contrast, another detail caught my attention. (chapter 7) How did Yoon Seungho know that the learned sir had no connection and was poor? Who had told him that? One might think that this can only be the butler. However, Yoon Seungho had tasked the black guard to investigate and not Kim. Yet, there is no ambiguity that the latter definitely played a role in this investigation. Why? It is because of the expressions the main lead was using: “hardly knows”, “determination”, “labor in vain” which resembles to the valet’s vocabulary, though he embodies the opposite: ignorance, hesitation and laziness. The aristocrat’s description about the teacher is actually questioning the main lead’s actions. If Jung In-Hun was portrayed as poor and powerless, why would he sponsor such a scholar? He would gain nothing. Moreover, with such a portrait, the speaker is implying that only through connections you can achieve greatness. These words are actually exposing the meaningless of the civil service examination. In other words, this description was already insinuating the existence of sodomy, sex in exchange of favors. And this negative depiction of the civil service examination was exposed once again in the gibang. (chapter 93) It was a futile dream. When I had analyzed episode 93, I had explained that the speech from the main lead was influenced by the butler. As you can see, the lord’s narration (chapter 7) was mirroring the valet’s mentality and meddling. He had tried to stop his master from visiting the learned sir the day before. However, I don’t think that Kim is only responsible for this negative characterization of Jung In-Hun in episode 7! Why? First, we never saw the return of the black guard, but when the main lead visited the learned sir’s mansion, he was followed by another one! (chapter 6) There was a switch. That’s how I had this revelation. Heena is the missing link between the learned sir and the protagonist. And observe that in episode 93, we have the same elements again:
An empty paper which is confused with the poem
The incident with the door: (chapter 93) This time, Heena is the one standing behind closed doors, while it was Yoon Seungho in chapter 77
The reference to the library:
The allusion to Kim
The presence of love and affection:
The lord got badmouthed
The fake apology: (chapter 93) In chapter 99, the noonas still lied to him.
An invitation (chapter 93), which was also present in chapter 4/5, 7 and 67/68 and finally 77 ! Since episode 93 is a reflection of episode 7, I could only come to the conclusion that Heena was the one standing behind the black guard! Besides, I had already discovered that Heena was associated to the table as well (see chapter 94 and 68). She represents the link between the butler and Jung In-Hun. She had already collaborated with the valet in episode 65. So from my point of view, she must have received the scholar’s poem with Yoon Seungho’s request. But what could she do with it? Keep it? No… her interference would have been noticed. Hence I believe that the kisaeng was not acting on her own. She was following the orders from the mysterious “lord Song”. At the same time, I think that she is also connected to the Lees. This would explicate why the black guards would change between episode 1, 5 and 6. Finally, according to me, the learned sir had connections to elder Lee, for he had seen the baby Na-Kyum at the gate. (chapter 1) [For more read the essay “Baek Na-Kyum’s origins”] There is no ambiguity that these words (chapter 7) were not reflecting the verity.
In other words, she had been working for two people, just like the butler was turning Yoon Chang-HYeon against the son and the reverse. Both stands for disloyalty. Therefore it is no coincidence that the kisaeng was seen with different black guards in chapter 64. On the other hand, the readers should keep in their mind that the black guard can be seen as a double-edged sword. They can serve as protectors, but also as “spies and as captors”. They could report Heena’s actions to the nobleman who had hired the black guards. Finally, the manhwaphiles will certainly recall the butler’s statement: (chapter 55) Who was lord Song’s contact person then? In the past, I used to think that he was the one receiving the letters. But now, I have a different opinion. I believe, it is Heena! Why? It is because Kim couldn’t identify lord Song’s writing. According to me, Yoon Seungho was sent to the gibang in order to entertain the mysterious “lord Song”. Thereby I am assuming that the kisaeng would receive a word from lord Song and have the main lead fetched from the mansion by the black guards. Heena and Yoon Chang-Hyeon are the only ones seen with black guards, I am excluding the main lead, as he was always more or less their prisoner. As you can see, there is a connection between the noona and the Yoons.
3. Heena and the letters
First, I would like to point out that the kisaeng mentioned letters twice in season 2. (chapter 68)(chapter 69) and in season 3, the noona sent messages to her brother herself. In two different chapters (chapter 91), she is related to papers. (chapter 97) Logically, the noona in connection with the letter should be present in season 1. Secondly, when the woman appeared for the first time (chapter 64), she was accompanied with 2 guards, which is quite similar to the lord’s situation in chapter 1. That’s the reason why I believe that she didn’t keep the learned sir’s poem. Her betrayal could have been noticed and this was the first time that Yoon Seungho was making such a request.
So where is the teacher’s sijo? It was received by the mysterious “lord Song”. That’s how he discovered that his ex-lover was showing an interest in the learned sir. This is important, because the poem will serve as the evidence to identify the murderer behind Jung In-Hun’s death. On the other hand, one might refute this idea, for the teacher was seen in his bedroom with the paper. (chapter 21) But if you look more closely at the paper, you will realize that it resembles a lot more to this one due to the marble effect. (chapter 7) Nevertheless, the paper looks damaged in the previous panel. But this could be the result of anger, like this. (chapter 56) This would follow rule 3. Then according to rule 2 of the kaleidoscope, elements from one episode will be constantly mirrored in the next chapters. And what did we have in episode 19? A larceny… the bottle of wine vanished. Then in episode 20, the lord stole the scholar’s identity, while he stole the painter’s virginity. Hence the lord apologized to the painter for his wrongdoings. (chapter 21) And above I had already demonstrated the connection between the First Wedding Night and chapter 5 and 77! Here the lord was imitating the pedophile’s behavior, hence you comprehend why I think that lord Song was the recipient of the poem. I would like my readers to keep in their mind that the learned sir’s sijo was referring to a painful departure, the loss of a loved one and despair! The beholder could have the impression that the author was suicidal due to the mention of the well and the torment of the mind. Thus I am now assuming that the “mysterious lord Song” will consider the sijo as a farewell, the lord chose to commit suicide and his death was related to Jung In-Hun’s curtains. Why? It is because Heena wrote letters to her brother where she accused the main lead of killing the learned sir. Moreover, Yoon Seung-Won had definitely mistaken the painter for the learned sir. (chapter 37) His position revealed that the main lead trusted the artist. It was, as if he was treating him like his wife. (chapter 97) And from my point of view, these messages were never burned. That way, Kim can put the whole blame on the kisaeng and her brother!! The butler can even reveal how Yoon Chang-Hyeon had harassed the son and tried to frame him for the death of his messenger.
But since “lord Song” was behind the scholar’s murder, he can only retaliate against Lee Jihwa and Min’s friends. Why? Because he will deny his responsibility in the crime, though he was the one who ordered it! Exactly like in the past. He had never assumed any responsibility, he always let others take the accountability. He needs to find a culprit in order to vent his fury. If they had not brought up the learned sir’s assassination, then Yoon Seungho “could have lived” in peace. To conclude, when the lord gave the paper to the black guard, the pedophile had the impression that the main character was rekindling with him, for he was asking for his help. He was far away from him. In his eyes, he had contacted him, “lord Song” alias the king!! And now, it becomes understandable why lord Song sent hanboks and asked Min to organize parties for Yoon Seungho!! It is because the pedophile believed that the main lead was no longer pushing him away or had accepted him. This is not surprising that little by little, the main lead’s hanboks became more and more beautiful. Don’t forget the following rule, the painter’s situation will be mirrored in the lord’s. Thus in chapter 34, Yoon Seungho returned with a hanbok covered with cranes (chapter 34), and shortly after the painter was sent to the tailor. But during that night, the pedophile and Yoon Seungho had missed each other due to Baek Na-Kyum. He was not dead. So when the painter received new clothes, it was the same for Yoon Seungho. Yet, the pedophile was gravely mistaken. Why? The sijo had been stolen, and as such it was never addressed to the pedophile. Furthermore, it is because the lord was suffering from memory loss. Moreover, I believe that the main lead is not aware of the true identity of his sexual abuser. In his mind, it is just lord Song. But this doesn’t end here.
According to me, the main lead wrote a letter to his lover in the gibang. This signifies that someone else must have done the same due to rule 1 and 2. The reference of the Spring poem in chapter 97 indicates the presence of a letter in the previous episode or the next! From my point of view, Min must have asked the kisaeng to contact “lord Song”!! And don’t forget that in season 2, we had a forged letter. (chapter 57) And who was behind this? Black Heart’s friend. But then it came to my mind that Black Heart had stolen the Spring poem… so he could have sent the paper to lord Song and the latter would have mistaken it as a letter from Yoon Seungho, the latter was reaching out to him. He was wishing him luck!! So imagine that when the man arrives in Jemulpo, he imagines that the main lead is waiting for him only to discover that Yoon Seungho vanished. He wished to die because of the loss of a loved one. And that’s how he will recall the poetry of the learned sir… the reflection of this night!! (chapter 94) In episode 4, the lord had laughed about the sijo, but it was no longer the case in the kisaeng house. In my eyes, the pedophile will go through the same experience. Yes, the effect of the kaleidoscope. He will perceive the learned sir’s poetry under a different perspective. Only in that moment, he will realize the suicidal tone in the sijo. He will question how Yoon Seungho could become so desperate and suicidal so suddenly. And now, you comprehend why Heena was trembling in front of her brother, and why she had planned to leave the gibang that night!! She was aware of the arrival of “lord Song”. She knows how cruel and ruthless he can be.
And Lee Jihwa’s words will become a reality. (chapter 101) Blood will flow… The proof for this expectation is that chapter 67, 77, 82 and 93 are all referring to punishment. Kim had been beaten in episode 77, while the kisaeng was imprisoned in the storage room. Moreover, we have the use of the sword in episode 21 and 67… and during these nights, the protagonists had made love to each other.
4. Father Lee’s message
Since the Lees are connected to paper in the form of the paintings and the letter, (chapter 5, 10, 15, 17, 56), I had suddenly this question! Why didn’t Lee send a word to Yoon Chang-Hyeon? Why did he have to visit him during the night? (chapter 82) (chapter 82) It is because he didn’t want to leave any evidence of his intervention. No one should notice that he had paid a visit to the patriarch either. His visit should remain a secret. He was actually afraid of getting detected. The reason is simple. He was fearing the person standing behind Yoon Seungho, lord Song. He had two reasons for this. First, he could see that Yoon Seungho was no longer treated like an animal or male kisaeng. (chapter 67) He was even better dressed than his own son. The hanbok was exposing the support from the “pedophile”. Secondly, the main lead had threatened him. (chapter 67) Here, the lord had just insinuated that if something like that happened again, he would go to the authorities. However, since this threat was rather ambiguous, the patriarch Lee could only interpret it that way. The main lead would report the incident to the “mysterious lord Song”, alias the king. And father Lee knew that he could get into trouble. Furthermore, since these elders are all hypocrites and liars, there is no doubt that father Lee feared that the protagonist wouldn’t keep his words. That’s the reason why he approached the father. He hoped that Yoon Chang-Hyeon would intervene and impose his will onto his son. He would tame the main character. In other words, episode 82 is a reflection of chapter 4/5, 19/20/21, 67/68 and 77. The first common denominator is the allusion to letters. The messenger’s words revealed that Kim had contacted the elder Yoon, for he already knew his name, though the latter had never met the domestic. Secondly, the “letters” were delivered orally: (chapter 82), and even in person: Father Lee and the emissary. Third, the elder Lee badmouthed Yoon Seungho by mentioning the incident from chapter 67, and refused the invitation of his host (chapter 82). Finally, he called Baek Na-Kyum a peasant exactly like the main lead in front of the gate: (chapter 82). But more important, the old bearded man expressed this fear: the loss of his family home! (chapter 82) And remember that I had detected the presence of the Lees’ mansion in episode 4 and it was also present in chapter 21 and 67! And what had the butler done during these chapters? He had tried to chase away the painter and as such Yoon Seungho. The latter was not supposed to live in the Yoons’ domain. And this will be the Lees’ karma to be driven out of their own house!
5. Conclusions
And now, you comprehend why the sijo from season 1 has not appeared yet. The couple will be able to identify the culprits with the “letters”, the poems. Remember the kisaeng’s words: (chapter 97) The absence of the messages was the evidence of the main lead’s wrongdoing. However, the moment the letters resurface, they will expose the noona’s lies. It doesn’t matter, if she had been deceived. She chose to trust the butler, without verifying the facts. To conclude, the poems will serve as proof for the crimes and I would even go so far to say that the papers, mistaken for letters, are the tools to expose the truth. Yoon Seungho had never contacted lord Song, for he hates him to the core. He is connected to his suffering and martyrdom, therefore he can only view the man as the bird of misfortune, while the latter had the impression that he was now getting closer to the main lead. Consequently, he considered him as his crane! But this man is exactly like Min, totally dishonest and irresponsible. I couldn’t help myself thinking of this folding shield again: (chapter 83) It vanished, and as such it was stolen. Did the mysterious lord Song take it away in order to force Yoon Seungho to paint? The older version of this scene: (chapter 4) And remember that the “paper” is also connected to paintings. However, since this is a reflection of episode 4, I am more inclined to think hat the real purpose was to take the picture and the man had never the intention to return it. Naturally, at some point, the man had a change of heart concerning the main lead, for thanks to him, he could outlive all his sexual fantasies. And this leads me to the following conclusion. The moment, Yoon Seungho sees this painting again, he will recognize the identity of the thief. To sum up, the paper is the proof of wrongdoings, thereby we have this publication: (chapter 1) The paintings were illustrating that the pedophile was having sex with a minor.
PS: I have still so much to say about the comparison between chapter 5 and 77 and the “paper” that I will write another analysis about this.
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1. Yoon Seungho the king
After the end of season 1, I had been contacted by many followers asking me about the possible ending of Painter Of The Night. Many feared for a depressing ending, as Byeonduck had declared that the protagonists would be happy on their own. In their mind, this meant that the protagonists wouldn’t end up together. My reply was that the couple would become happy without getting too dependent on each other. I meant Yoon Seungho and Baek Na-Kyum would come to give a new sense to their own life, and their love would help them to have a goal and purpose in their life. And that’s how real couples live. Thus while examining season 1 closely, I came to imagine that Yoon Seungho would become the king and Baek Na-Kyum his painter. As you can see, very early on, I connected the noble to royalty. Why? First, we had the lord outlining his powerful position in front of the painter. (chapter 11) Secondly, I had associated the main lead to the eagle which is the symbol for the kings and emperors in Europe. He was seen here flying (chapter 30), and his fingers reminded me of the eagle’s claws. (chapter 18) And this perception got even reinforced, when I saw this panel: (chapter 52) In this scene, he was sitting like a king surrounded by his “court”. The hanbok had such a design that I couldn’t help myself associating it to Joseon’s monarchy.
However, I have to admit my mistake, for this interpretation was strongly influenced by my own culture and as such European history. Yet, here we are dealing with Korean and as such with Joseon culture. Hence the symbol for Joseon’s dynasty is not the eagle, but the dragon. That’s why when I saw this new image on Twitter , I had another revelation. On the one hand, it actually confirmed that Yoon Seungho was somehow destined to become a king, yet he is not represented by the eagle or the phoenix, but by the dragon. Hence the moment I saw this image, one idiom came to my mind: Dragon king!
2. Yongwang
Because of this sudden association, I decided to look more into it. Thus imagine my surprise, when I discovered this:
Yongwang, or Dragon King, is a deity of the river or the sea, overseeing peace in the house, good health and longevity in the family, the harvest, catch and safe sailing. Yongwang is also called Yongsin (Dragon God).
Communities worshipped Yongwang as a water god, holding divine powers to control rainfall. Dragon King worship is closely related to the contemporary practice of staging rituals at village springs or wells that are believed to be dwelling places for Yongwang. Around the country there are also legends regarding dragon springs and dragon wells, created by a dragon that brought rain to repay humans by turning wasteland fertile, which shows that Yongwang is closely related to farming. […] In shamanism, Yongwang oversees not only fishing, but the souls of those who have drowned and died. In the worship of household gods, it is a deity that oversees peace in the household, good health and longevity in the family, the harvest, catch and safe sailing.
Among rituals held for Yongwang in the home by women, the most widely spread is yongwangmeogigi (feeding the dragon king), also referred to as yongsinje (dragon god ritual) and gaetje (fishing ritual). This ritual can take place in three different venues: First is a private well in the backyard; second is the communal well, where, in some cases, a spring ritual (saemje) is held, then water from the well is brought to the home and placed in the kitchen or on the sauce jar terrace for the Dragon King; […] https://folkency.nfm.go.kr/en/topic/detail/2618
The moment I read this article, I couldn’t restrain myself making the parallels between Yoon Seungho and Yongwang. First, the deity in the background reminded me of Yongwang. (chapter 100), though this deity is always accompanied with a dragon and in this picture, the readers couldn’t see one. However, it is possible that the author didn’t desire to reveal too much.
“his most distinctive traits are that his beard, moustache and eyebrows are (usually) “spiky,” protruding in sharp points, sometimes resembling coral, and his eyes are often bulging out like those of a fish. He most often holds the banya-jinju (般若眞珠, flaming pearl of wisdom, a type of ma-niju 摩尼珠), but sometimes a branch of coral or a sword.” quoted from http://www.san-shin.org/EKB-Yongwang-DragonKing.html
Secondly, we have a strong connection between rain and the main lead’s situation and emotional state. It rained, when the lord had sex with Baek Na-Kyum. (chapter 21) Why? It is because the lord was happy. These were the tears of happiness, which Yoon Seungho couldn’t express contrary to the painter. And this is no coincidence that in chapter 58, it started snowing, when the couple was making love: (chapter 58) And we had the same weather, when Yoon Seungho saved his lover. (chapter 102) The weather was expressing the main lead’s emotions: tears of happiness or sadness. We could say that the lord has the “power” to move the sky.
Furthermore, the well plays a huge role in this story. Many people are found dead in a well (chapter 97), and according to me, the messenger was drown there. (chapter 94) In addition, my theory is that Deok-Jae and/or Jung In-Hun’s body were placed in a jar in order to hide the murders. For me, the jar plays a huge role in Painter Of The Night… thus Byeonduck created such a scene in season 2 (chapter 46) and we have so many jars next to the pond: (chapter 94) [For more read the essay “The secret behind the library”]
Furthermore, this story takes place in Jemulpo, a town situated next to the sea, and Yongwang’s realm is supposed to be in the sea. (chapter 91) This is no coincidence. To conclude, all these elements (rain, jar, well, soul of a deceased), connected to the dragon king, are present in Painter Of The Night. Thus I came to the conclusion that Yoon Seungho is like Dragon king. This reinforces my conviction that the main lead is not only connected to shamanism, but also embodies royalty. So he might not be the king of Joseon, but he is powerful in his own way, though he is not aware of this. And note that the moment he wished to commit suicide by drowning in the pond, he was brought back to life. (chapter 102) Water is his true element.
In different temples, you can discover Yongwang accompanied with a woman. She is also dressed in royal clothes with a small crown. What’s unclear is if she’s another Yongwang or if she’s his wife. And this could be a reference to the painter, who will become Yoon Seungho’s bride, but his true identity will remain hidden.
What caught my attention is that the rituals concerning Yongwang are held by women, which stands in opposition to the shrine and Confucianism. (chapter 85) This means that in the Yoons’ mansion, people didn’t venerate this god. And since the aristocrat made such a statement to the elder Yoon Chang-Hyeon, (chapter 86), I have the impression that in season 4, we will assist to a real ritual to ward off evil and back luck, leading the tormenting souls to the afterlife peacefully.
And this leads me to the following observation, the dragon in Korea and Joseon is perceived as a good omen! He would bring good fortune.
Since the release, I realized that the decorated tree (chapter 100) and this altar (chapter 100) were exposing the presence of a ritual. However, my problem was that I couldn’t determine exactly the nature of the ritual. But by making the connection between the dragon and good fortune, I had now more clues. I have to admit that I can not be 100% sure for this, but this is what I found:
“Yonggyeong (Kor. 용경, Chin. 龍耕, lit. dragon’s plowing) is a custom observed on Dongji (Kor. 동지, Chin. 冬至, Winter Solstice) in which people tried to predict the outcome of farming for the upcoming year based on the direction and angle of cracks on the surface of a frozen pond. The custom is also known as yonggari (Kor. 용갈이) or yong-ui batgari (Kor. 용의 밭갈이), both meaning ‘plowing by the dragon.’ When ice covers a pond, there is often a crack that divides the ice sheet into two halves, as though a field were divided along a furrow left after plowing. This phenomenon was considered a trail left by a dragon and, therefore, interpreted as having divinatory power concerning farming success in the year ahead. […]
According to another custom referred to as dongbok (Kor. 동복, Chin. 凍卜, lit. ice fortune-telling), on the eve of the year’s first full moon (the fourteenth of the first lunar month), people left two bowls of fresh water out overnight and positioned them north and south of each other. The next morning, they examined the ice sheet that appeared in the bowls and tried to predict the success of farming in the northern and southern regions. quoted from https://folkency.nfm.go.kr/en/topic/detail/4622
The timing fits to our story, and we have the presence of bowls in front of the deity in the yard. In my eyes, the shaman had prepared a ritual for the dragon king, and was praying for the success of the farming. Don’t forget that it takes place just before Spring. Consequently, this is not surprising that the lord got connected to peasants and this very early on. (chapter 4) (chapter 6) (chapter 82)
This observation leads me to the following conclusion: Yoon Seungho, as a new version of Dragon King, will bring luck to the commoners and peasants. He will help them to improve their living conditions (education and good farming). As you already know, I consider Yoon Seungho as a representative of Sirhak. [For more information read the essay “The scholars’ fight”] And now, you comprehend why very early on, I expected that Yoon Seungho would become a king. He doesn’t need to become a real “king”, yet there is no ambiguity that his fate is to become famous as a spiritual and fair leader.
3. Dragon and imoogi
That’s the reason why I started looking for more information about the dragon. As the readers could see through the deity, this mythical animal is strongly connected to water!
What caught my attention is that the Korean dragon has no wing, yet it can still fly and he has a small beard (hair around the mouth)!! But more importantly, this creature is a combination of different animals: the body of the snake, the antlers of the deer, the forehead of the camel, the nose of a pig, the ears of the cow, the claws of the hawk, the scales of the carp, the fist of a tiger and the eyes of the rabbit! He contains all the strongest features of these animals:
luck for the pig
strength for the tiger
elegance of a deer
stubbornness and resistance of a camel
compassionate and giving nature of a cow
the constant change, the metamorphosis of a snake (cycle of death and rebirth)
the rapidity of a hawk
fertility of a carp
the abundance of the rabbit by sharing its eyes
In other sources, I read that the Korean dragon had also features of the dog, the frog and the sheep. But why does this mythical animal possess so many features from different creatures? It is because this powerful, God-like creature embodies the love and respect Korean people have for the natural world. I would even say that he represents nature, and as such he stands for harmony and justice. By being sharing features of different animals, he can understand their life. This is not surprising that the Joseon kings utilized this animal as their emblem. It symbolizes their power (omnipotence and “immortality”) while substantiating their ability to be fair and just rulers.
Striking is that we have an allusion to these animals in Painter Of The Night. First, the lord was able to kill the boar (chapter 83) and the deer (chapter 22). Then the lord compared Baek Na-Kyum’s eyes to a rabbit. (chapter 78) Since both resemble each other, I deduce that the main lead has the same eyes, the rabbit’s. Like mentioned above, he utilized his fingers similar to claws: (chapter 18) He would fly like a bird, though he has no wing (chapter 30). His fists in this scene reminded me of a tiger’s: (chapter 54) One might argue that this signification is totally impossible, for the lord doesn’t have the body of a snake. This point can be refuted very easily. What is the major characteristic of a snake is molting. A regularly recurrent event during the activity period of all snakes is the shedding of the skin. This coincides with the lord’s change of clothes. The latter reflected his downfall and rising. Furthermore, this animal is linked to death and rebirth. My avid readers are already aware that I had detected different scenes, where we could witness the lord’s spiritual death and rebirth, like for example in the shed: (chapter 62) When he discovered his misjudgment the next morning, he felt like dead. He no longer saw himself as a lord, but came to view the painter as his new lord : (chapter 66) As a conclusion, Yoon Seungho shares so many similarities with the dragon that I came to view him as one. This explicates why even after getting married, he will never wear a beard! The change of dresses and hair dresses of Yoon Seungho represents the different social status in Joseon society: young master, painter, male kisaeng, slave, peasant, executioner, servant, lord, concubine, “wife”/husband” etc. Moreover, since I had detected parallels between the protagonist and the legend of Dangun, this could only reinforce my conviction that Byeonduck is referring to old tales and religions (and as such Dragon King) in her story. The author has already stated that she won’t create a story with the couple set in our time, and this becomes understandable, if she is constantly referring to old traditions and myths.
According to different sources, the Korean dragon is not born as such.
My avid readers will certainly recall my associations for the characters, Yoon Seungho was the phoenix and Baek Na-Kyum a crane. Thus we could say that their union makes them the dragon bringing justice and peace to victims. In another source, I found that the dragons were once said to be Imoogi in the beginning, a giant lizard that resembles sea serpents. They exist several different versions on how Imoogi become Dragons. One said it would take a thousand years for them to become a dragon, while another says they must catch Yeouiju (star) falling from the sky. Thus in temples and in pictures, the Korean dragon is also always represented with a ball.
“Another theory that exists and sounds the most logical to me, says that Imoogi was born in a place where living and dead intermingled. It was created in cave where thousands of people were stuck due to war in 420AD. As more and more people started to die in the cave, their intense agony and suffering led the foundation for Imoogi’s birth and therefore it symbolizes destruction and sadness. Imoogi controls the power of birth, death and rebirth. Ouroboros, a symbol of wholeness/infinity is also represented by a snake(serpent) eating its tail.” quoted from https://rtaori60.medium.com/imoogi-the-great-lizard-aca02c6c9b1e
Since it takes 1000 years for an imoogi to transform into a dragon, we have 10 years of suffering in Painter Of The Night. For me, this is not random at all. This means that after chapter 102, Yoon Seungho turned into a real dragon! This corresponds to his Coming-Of-Age. That’s the reason why I don’t think that he will be manipulated again like in season 2 and 3! My avid readers are already aware of the presence of ouroboros in this manhwa. For me, Kim symbolizes the imoogi and Ouroboros! He could never turn into a real dragon. But why does the imoogi need to wait for so long ? Some say that this is a curse, other traditions hold the idea that Imoogi are “pupae” or “larvae” of dragons. And they will become full-fledged and full-fledged dragons after being in the ocean for 1000 years. This signifies that time, experience and patience are essential for this transformation. Thus not every imoogi can become a dragon in the end, and that’s Kim’s fate. He was not able to recognize Yoon Seungho as his “yeouiji”. The shaman’s house reminds me of the cavern (chapter 102), and thanks to the painter, Yoon Seungho’s soul was able to escape this “mental prison”.
And this leads me to the following aspect: Baek Na-Kyum is the lord’s Yeouiji, his fallen star fulfilling all his wishes. That’s the reason why the dragon is never seen without his star. One might say that this is exaggerated. However, my avid readers should remember that I had associated the painter to a star, the sun, in previous essays, even before making the relation between the dragon and Yoon Seungho! This explicates why the lord is carrying his lover like his bride (chapter 45) (chapter 102), similar to the dragon in the picture above. His “star” serves as his guide, support and his source of life. Thus when the main lead confessed to the painter for the first time, the sun entered the bedchamber (chapter 55) and as such his heart and mind.
Therefore I come to the conclusion that in season 4, the readers will witness a clash between two dragons, the king and Yoon Seungho! The fight between the fake and the real dragon! Thus when the author released this panel recently, (Twitter), she was actually announcing the arrival of the monarch in Joseon. Hence you comprehend why I selected such a title, the rise of the dragon. “Lord Song” can no longer hide his true identity.
4. Dragon king and expulsion
My readers will certainly recall that the starting point of this essay was this expression “dragon king” which came to my mind, when I saw the recent publication. Why? First, the main figure was wearing the gonryongpo (곤룡포), where dragons are sewn on it. This hanbok is the everyday robe for the king which explains why the latter is always wearing the red robe all the time he appears in front of people. Hence I made this association in my mind: dragon king. When Byeonduck published this image, , she was naturally creating a new story, another Alternative Universe. The student Baek Na-Kyum who got bullied by the classmate Deok-Jae was suddenly sent back to Joseon, and appeared in front of the king’s bedchamber, Yoon Seungho.
Striking is that this panel resembles a lot to this picture which the author hasn’t used yet: The painter is sitting inside a room, while Jung In-Hun is standing outside. Nonetheless, the position of the characters are very similar. This indicates that the author’s new alternative story is actually inspired by the main story!! This can only reinforce my perception that Yoon Seungho in the main story is associated to royalty. However, since it is a reflection, I deduce that this image is the positive reflection of this scene: How did the learned sir react here? He criticized the painter by stating that this was “filthy”. In this scene, the characters are caught by surprise, but it becomes obvious that there is no disgust or expulsion. In fact, the fall of man took place before, for Baek Na-Kyum was sent to Joseon. In this encounter, I detect attraction and curiosity. Hence I come to the conclusion that in the original story, when this scene took place, , Yoon Seungho was far from being living like a king. As you already know, according to my interpretation, the protagonist was treated like a male kisaeng. That’s the reason why I believe that this scene played a huge role in Yoon Seungho’s liberation, the physical expulsion from hell in the end. Since in the parallel story, the student experienced time-travel and as such rejection and expulsion, I conclude that in the main story, Yoon Seungho must have made a similar experience! But this doesn’t end here, as the readers should keep in the mind the following rule: The painter’s destiny reflects the lord’s.
On the other hand, the manhwaphiles will complain that so far, Yoon Seungho has never appeared as a dragon. Yet, we shouldn’t overlook that the phoenix is the symbol for the Queen in Joseon. (chapter 50) (chapter 52) This means that the mysterious lord Song was actually claiming the main lead as his wife in the last scene. Min and his friends were sent there in order to entertain the protagonist, but they failed. This explicates why the next day, Black Heart was seen with a hanbok of lower quality. (chapter 56) It was, as if Min had been compensated for his bruised face by the mysterious lord Song. However, for the pedophile, Black Heart was just a concubine, and not his main wife! Hence the hanbok had not such a detailed and expensive design. This would explain the villain’s jealousy. And now, if you look back at the hanboks from the main lead, you will recognize his ascent. First, he is wearing green, which is similar to Yoon Chang-Hyeon’s color. At the same time, his hat resembled a lot to Kim’s. (chapter 1) Then later, he is mostly wearing blue which is actually the color of the Crown prince. (chapter 11) Yet, his robes initially have no design. Slowly, the lord is wearing colors and designs that are actually reserved for a king: blue, red, black and purple. This constant change of hanboks symbolizes the “snake molting” and as such his transformation and rising. This is not astonishing that on the night of the bloodbath, he had such a hanbok: (chapter 102) Here, he was no longer acting like a noble, but as a ruler. Don’t forget that according to me, the mysterious lord Song had proclaimed the main lead as his unofficial Queen by giving him hanboks with phoenixes. However, naturally, this was never mentioned to Yoon Seungho directly. Why? It is because Kim usually selects his clothes. However, this rise was not natural, as the lord had no real saying in this matter. The real metamorphosis took place in the shaman’s house, when the lord was sent back to the past and as such the darkness. (chapter 102) The moment he left the “cave”, he went to the mountain and surrounded by the wind and water, he changed into a dragon. This expulsion corresponds to the final release, the lord’s mind is finally freed from the darkness, while I believe that this scene is linked to the lord’s physical liberation. .
5. Nightmare and dream
Above, I had mentioned that the painter was the dragon’s fallen star and the love sessions were strongly connected to the weather. If so, why did it snow, when the learned sir left the mansion? (chapter 44) It is because the main lead was thinking that the painter would actually run away. Thus the door was left opened, and he was wearing warm clothes. Yoon Seungho never imagined that Baek Na-Kyum would remain by his side. Yet, during the previous night, the lord had consoled his lover by embracing him.
Furtheremore, the manhwalovers could also wonder why the lord had a nightmare in the bedchamber after their second love session? The painter’s presence should have brought relief. Moreover, during that night, there was no rain. (chapter 71) But this can be refuted easily. First, don’t forget that during this love session, the lord was acting like a servant pleasing his new lord. So this had nothing to do with Yoon Seungho’s feelings like sadness or happiness. He was determined to keep the painter by his side, and ignoring his own feelings. He never expected the artist to reciprocate his feelings. Secondly, Yoon Seungho’s nocturne vision is not just a nightmare, but also a DREAM! Yes, you are reading this correctly. Only recently, I discovered that all the artist’s visions are a combination of 3 elements: memory, nightmare and dream! I will give you three examples as illustration, for I am slowly running out of time.
Chapter 28: This vision is a combination of these three elements: memory, nightmare and dream. This had happened during the First Wedding Night (memory) (chapter 21), then we have a similar situation in chapter 49: , , but the painter was rejecting this future. Hence he considered it as a nightmare.
Chapter 34 : Memory ; nightmare the lord becomes a ghost and confronts the painter with his biggest fears (admitting his attraction, passion for erotic paintings and homosexuality) and dream (The painter’s true desire was that the lord would kiss him, he was deeply longing for his lips, yet he was still in denial in this vision.
Chapter 98: Memory, for the painter was remembering the corpse in the courtyard, a dream, as he wished the return of his loved one . He hoped that the lord would take care of him personally. Naturally, the “spirit” is the nightmare .
Since the lord’s fate and personality are similar to the painter’s, I could only come to the conclusion that the lord’s vision in the bedchamber is not just showing the past and the future horror. It also exposes the lord’s dream and hope! 😮
So where were his desires visible? First it was about breaking free from his jail… (chapter 74) This had already happened, but the lord had not grasped the significance. (chapter 53) Besides, he had not opened the door himself. Even when he went to the scholar Lee and opened the door with the his foot, the lord still felt trapped. (chapter 67) Then in season 3, he could break a door, but it was thanks to the painter. (chapter 96) This shows that the lord’s wish to get released had not been fulfilled so far. In my eyes, it is connected to the torture Yoon Seungho suffered and as such to the purge organized by the authorities. That’s the reason why I deduce that the lord will break a door in season 4, and this won’t be by accident and it will be witnessed by many people contrary to chapter 53, 67 and 96! The broken door will reflect the lord’s rise and power, and no one will be able to stop this. In my eyes, this wish is connected to the door in the servants’ quarter. That’s how his imprisonment started.
Moreover, the protagonist was voicing his thoughts, the reproach to Kim and his father! They had abandoned him. (chapter 74) The “dragon” wished to see Kim and his father, and confront them! And this did take place in season 3. Yoon Seungho confronted the butler with his attitude and betrayal (chapter 77), but this argument was just short-lived. He still viewed the valet as a hard-working and trustworthy person. He had just made bad decisions. Then in the bedchamber, the lord could blame the father for his suffering: (chapter 86) As you can see, the lord’s wishes were granted, but the nocturne vision was so difficult to grasp that neither the readers nor the main lead could interpret the message correctly immediately. Besides, the nightmare was mostly silent. But this doesn’t end here.
(chapter 74) In this image, he is floating in the air… a sign that his status is changing. At the same time, this shows that he is escaping from the hands. They are trying to drag the main lead down. Thus I come to the conclusion that the vision was announcing the lord’s transformation (into a dragon) and as such his “rise”. Note that in this image, he is still a teenager, but in the following panel the protagonist has already become an adult. (chapter 74) Simultaneously, the vision also displays the lord’s expulsion from “hell”, the sex orgies (chapter 74). the hands are trying to bring him back. This image displayed that Yoon Seungho would become powerful, and the hands wouldn’t be able to contain him any longer. The pink is a reference to the painter, and not just to the gibang! Thanks to the painter, Yoon Seungho is changing so that he will be able to face the KING, but not only him!! This is what the dream was telling him too. Thus we have this image: (chapter 74) Simultaneously, the dream showed that the lord wished to see this painting again, though deep down, he blames this image for his suffering. As you can see, the vision was revealing the tormented disposition of the lord. He was switching from nightmare to dream and the reverse… a mixture of anxieties and desires.
However, pay attention that the painting was standing behind Yoon Seungho, when the hand grabbed him (chapter 74) This signifies that he was approached by someone from behind, he had not noticed that the “door” had been opened. Thus he never expected his apparition. For me, this perception demonstrates that the painting is not the real cause for Yoon Seungho’s suffering. Since he had turned around, I came to recognize that this scene stands in opposition to the situation in the painter’s nightmare: (chapter 34) The painter had been able to witness the entrance of the ghost contrary to Yoon Seungho. The latter was caught by surprise. This image illustrates the lord’s biggest fear. That’s how I realized that his biggest nightmare is not the pedophile in my opinion, for the main lead in Baek Na-Kyum’s “nightmare” (chapter 34) stands for attraction, honesty and love… thus it should be the opposite in Yoon Seungho’s nightmare: repulsion, betrayal and resent! He fears to admit the truth, the biggest traitor is Kim, but he is still in denial. He has repressed the terrible betrayal from Kim, just like the painter’s, though I think that the biggest traitor in Baek Na-Kyum’s case is not really Jung In-Hun, but Heena. This would explain why Heena noona was not present in the terrible vision in chapter 34. This is not random that we don’t see the face of the owner’s hand. Naturally, the king was involved in this betrayal, for Yoon Seungho is caught between the hand and the painting. He was trapped between two forces.
This means that Baek Na-Kyum will help Yoon Seungho to face the truth: Kim is a traitor and the king is the pedophile. The vision is indicating that the butler will betray him again in the future, backstab him one more time… However, this time he will recognize his action. Why? Because this time, there is light in the room… as Baek Na-Kyum symbolizes the Yeouiju, the fallen star helping the dragon. If the author presents another dream from the main lead, we will definitely get new clues. And this brings me to the following conclusion:
Yoon Seungho had been portrayed as a bird of misfortune on purpose. (chapter 86) In reality, he was a dragon, who could bring luck and fortune to the person who would cherish him. This is no coincidence that the pedophile sent hanboks with the crane (chapter 34), (chapter 45) In his eyes, the main lead brought him luck, as all his wishes got fulfilled, and he was never caught committing a sacrilege or crimes. However, since the presence of Baek Na-Kyum by Yoon Seungho’s side, it looks like nothing is going like planned. The main lead is not only drifting more and more away from him, he even left everything behind. That’s the reason why I believe that the dragon, the king, will vent his anger on many people in season 4, a new version of this scene. (chapter 30), but much more brutal and violent! While this “dragon”, the king, stands for court, and as such civilization and immobility, the Korean dragon embodies nature and hope for commoners who dreamt of ascending the ranks! This is not surprising that Baek Na-Kyum is slowly ascending the ranks, while in the past Kim was acting as the unofficial lord of the Yoons’ mansion.
As a conclusion, in season 4, expect a battle between an “imoogi” and dragons. In addition, it becomes obvious that the winners will be our beloved couple. Since Yoon Seungho was turned into a “dragon”, I am more than ever convinced that he will act like in season 1: confident, perceptive, smart and cheerful! He can not longer be used like a pawn, for the “dragon” can not be tamed! And removing the falling star would signify the dragon’s death!
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My avid readers are actually aware that Painter Of The Night is constructed like a kaleidoscope. Thus certain incidents keep occurring twice in each season. However, one might argue that this theory is not true, for the author used two hunts in season 1, yet we had no hunt at all in season 2, and only one in season 3.
Chapter 22:
Chapter 41:
Chapter 83:
1. The hidden chases
As you can imagine, I can refute this point very easily. First of all, in the essay „Words“, I had pointed out that in the bedchamber, the lord was acting like a hunter chasing after his prey. I had made this connection, for the main lead would utilize idioms from the lexical field of the hunt. (Chapter 73) (chapter 73) This is important, because the manhwalovers can sense a connection between sex and hunt. This means that the love session in the bedchamber from season 2 should be perceived as a new version of a hunt. And this link between sex and hunting was also present, when Yoon Seungho and Min were in the woods in chapter 41: (chapter 41) In this scene, it looked like Black Heart was trying to make a move on Yoon Seungho, while in truth Min was more obsessed with the painter. (Chapter 41) The expression „spot“ belongs also to the semantic field of chase.
Secondly, the premeditated murder could be viewed as a new version of the hunt. Yoon Seungho was the first one to bring up these two notions together: (Chapter 11) A murder disguised as an accident, the scholar would have been eaten by a tiger. What caught my attention is that No-Name requested from Deok-Jae that he should make the painter leave the mansion. o (chapter 51) It was, as if the rabbit had been chased away from its burrow or the deer had been forced to leave the woods. That way, he would become an easy target for the hunter and butcher Mumyeong. To conclude, we had two hunts in season 2 as well.
As for season 3, the second chase took place, when the painter vanished. Yoon Seungho had to track down himself Baek Na-Kyum. He was like a hunter searching for his prey, following the clues left by the “witnesses”. (Chapter 99) First, he was rushing, but the moment he received the crucial tip from his childhood friend, he approached the den silently, just like a tiger. That‘s the reason why neither Black Heart nor lord Jang nor lord Park detected his presence. (Chapter 101)
2. Yoon Seungho the hunter
Thus I couldn‘t help myself associating Yoon Seungho to a tiger. In one of my first analyses, I had compared him to an eagle and a phoenix, hence this new association seems to contradict my previous interpretation. However, the readers should keep in their mind that each character has been associated to different animals: Min was either a snake or a crow or a magpie, while Jung In-Hun could be perceived as a snake, a peacock or a chameleon. I have already compared the painter to a deer and a butterfly, so Yoon Seungho should be linked to different animals either: the phoenix and the tiger.
This predator is known to be a solitary night hunter, mainly relying on his sense of sight and hearing rather than on smell when hunting prey. This method is also employed by the main character which was particularly perceptible during the last incident. On the one hand, he listened to the words from his staff, the noonas, Seokdae (chapter 99) and Lee Jihwa (chapter 100), hence he had not the time to question the veracity of their claims or sense their manipulations. On the other hand, he could detect the difference between the blood in front of the scholar’s house and inside the building. (Chapter 100). He was following his instincts. Tigers cautiously stalk their target from the rear in attempt to get as close as possible to their unsuspecting prey. (Chapter 101) And the moment I perceived Yoon Seungho as a tiger, I couldn‘t help myself thinking that the main lead was acting like a mother looking for her lost cub!! 🐯 This would explain why the protagonist showed no mercy at all to the nobles. However, the painter is definitely no tiger. In our story, he was symbolized by the deer, which the lord had stabbed with his sword. (Chapter 22) This was an allusion to the rape. Under this new light, it becomes comprehensible why Baek Na-Kyum feared the lord so much, because he had to face his strength and fury right away. From the beginning, the painter saw his dangerous side. A deer can only perceive the tiger as a natural enemy. We could say that Painter Of The Night is a love story between a tiger and a deer!😉 This means that the lord finally showed his real fangs, when he felt that his curb or treasured deer had been wounded. (chapter 102)
And this thought leads me to the following observation, the way Yoon Seungho hurts its targets. The tiger will attempt to take down its prey with a powerful bite to the neck and/ or throat. Now, look at this: (chapter 41) The pheasant was strangled, just like Yoon Seungho used to grab the painter by the throat (chapter 48) or the chin (chapter 11). The main lead‘s hand has the same form than the bite, though it can not cut the flesh… which the sword can. Thus we saw the lord using the sword: (chapter 22) (chapter 83) (chapter 102) Even in this panel, the sword resembles a lot to the tiger‘s fang: (chapter 102) Another important element is that this predator usually targets large-bodied preys like boar, deer, humans and not rabbit or pheasant. Under this new light, it becomes comprehensible why the main lead went after a boar or the aristocrats in season 3.
“Less than a century ago, tigers and leopards prowled the Korean peninsula and ruled the hours of darkness. Their depredations in the desolate regions were so severe that porters and horse-handlers refused to travel at night ― even in fairly large groups. If they were compelled to travel at night (through the promises of more money or threats of violence), they did so with great caution, brandishing torches, striking gongs, and relying on superstitious beliefs.”
According to an old Chinese saying, “The Korean hunts the tiger six months in the year and the tiger hunts the Korean the other six months.” Robert Neff Collection
By comparing all these hunting scenes, I detected the following parallels. The main lead would always do the mercy killing, which stands in opposition to Min or Jung In-Hun. Both disliked dirtying their own hands, it was beneath them to kill the animal themselves. (chapter 22) (chapter 41) We could say that Yoon Seungho was behaving like the tiger, who would always kill his prey in one go. Yet, since Jung In-Hun was seen wearing the same boots (chapter 111) than the killer in the woods (chapter 103), it looks like the learned sir chose to drop his own principle. And if this theory is true, then I come to the conclusion that the learned sir chose to copy the protagonist thinking that he could get away with it.
Simultaneously, this reminded me of the status of No-Name, who is a killer, but a butcher at the same time. (chapter 60) The latter belonged to the lowest ranks of Joseon’s society, because killing an animal was a disgraceful job. On the other hand, the butcher No-Name and the tiger Yoon Seungho have something in common: killing is viewed as a necessity. It is either to survive or to end the animal’s suffering or to punish the criminals.
3. Hunting: hobby or work?
That’s how I realized that hunt and murder are similar in this story, for both are mostly presented as an entertainment. Yoon Seungho invited the scholar for a hunt, as it would give the occasion to go to the woods. (Chapter 22). And when Black Heart suggested the artist’s assassination, he always kept laughing, making it sound like a game without any terrible consequence. (Chapter 43) Lee Jihwa would remove a witch, and not a human. (chapter 43) Only Nameless painted it in all its cruelty and brutality. Not only the person would lose his life, but he would lose his identity. (Chapter 60) By removing his eyes and tongue, the victim’s face would change making him impossible to be recognized. And note that his scarf and headgear had been removed as well. It was not a game, but a deadly matter. Why would he do such a thing? The reason is simple. If no one could identify the victim, there would be no investigation. Astonishing is that hunt is a synonym for investigation and prosecution. Hence I am deducing that in season 4, the investigation should be perceived a new version of the hunt, a new version of this scene. (chapter 37) Because of Jung In-Hun and Min, someone will be put on the wanted list. On the other side, Mumyeong’s other job is to entertain people. To conclude, there is a strong connection between killing and entertaining which the main lead destroyed during that night. He reminded the nobles that hunting means taking away a life.
On the other hand, the hunting in chapter 83 looked the exact opposite: (chapter 83) It was far more serious and deadly. The noble was acting like an obsessed and crazy man. There was no trace of fun on his face, only stress and fear. (chapter 83) Thus I am deducing that this chase had been suggested to the main lead in order to release his tension and as such in order to divert his attention from the painter. Naturally, Kim was behind this idea faking his concern for his master. The hunt was supposed to procure pleasure to Yoon Seungho, but it couldn’t, because he was afraid of losing the painter. This explains why he selected the boar as his prey. He was fearless in front of that dangerous animal, for it meant nothing to him. He didn’t mind losing his life… revealing his suicidal disposition which resurfaced later, when the father mentioned the authorities. (chapter 86) (chapter 86) But the moment the servant reminded him to pay more attention to himself (chapter 83), he abandoned the boar immediately. This shows that all this time, Baek Na-Kyum had been on his mind. Therefore it is no coincidence that he rushed home on his horse and looked for Baek Na-Kyum. (Chapter 83) He couldn’t forget that he had scared and wounded the painter in his dissociative state. This shows that the chase had not served its true purpose: entertainment. In reality, the domestics had been the ones suffering the most, for them it was definitely more work (Chapter 84) compared to the past. (chapter 23)
Another important detail caught my attention in this panel: (chapter 83) the hunter had the impression to become a target himself, thus he turned around. His situation coincides with the tigers in Joseon. The latter were hunted down by professional tiger hunters, for they represented a huge source of danger for the local population.
“Some of Korea’s most dangerous and ferocious tigers were those that dwelt on the slopes of Inwangsan, just outside the Seoul city walls. These tigers often preyed on woodcutters and firewood merchants traveling to and from Goyang city ― especially at Muakjae Pass. In 1893, at least one tiger was reported to be prowling about Gyeongbok Palace ― probably hunting the tame little deer kept there. There are even claims (probably exaggerated) of tigers stalking Seoul’s gloomy, unlit streets ― the silence shattered by the screams of their unwary victims fighting a losing battle for their lives. When the tigers became too much of a nuisance, professional hunters were summoned. These men were highly respected by Koreans and foreigners for their bravery. ” Quoted from http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/opinon/2019/10/197_276925.html
To conclude, the hunter can become hunted too.
4. Chased
This is interesting, because the hunter Min became himself a prey to the tiger Seungho. When I started examining this manhwa, I had interpreted this scene as a metaphor for Lee Jihwa’s destiny. (chapter 41) First, I had feared that he might lose his life, then later I had realized that this death was purely symbolic. He would lose his title and family, therefore he would become a commoner. But I had also expressed my doubts that this scene could be a reference to Black Heart, as from chapter 52 on, I had sensed that he would die. Moreover, observe that during that hunt, Min had wounded the animal himself. This mirrors his own death. He became a victim of his own trick. But if the pheasant is representing two characters, The Joker and Lee Jihwa, then this means that the deer in chapter 22 (chapter 22) embodies not only the painter, but also someone else. While in the past, I used to believe that it was Kim, now I come to the deduction that it was Jung In-Hun. Note that in this scene, the main lead left the prey and the scholar behind. Both got defeated. This means that by targeting Yoon Seungho, the scholar is not realizing that he is actually endangering his own life. Besides, by hunting the deer, the learned sir offered this prey to the tiger Yoon Seungho, and this was the painter’s case. Furthermore, the deer was carried back home on a horse (chapter 24) reflecting the painter’s fate. (chapter 25) Who brought the horse to the pavilion? Kim and Deok-Jae! And when the learned sir departed from the mansion, he was followed by the vicious servant and the horse. (chapter 44) As you can see, Jung In-Hun is connected to the horse. This observation was even confirmed in season 4. (Chapter 111) Thanks to episode 111, I detected another progression. First, Jung In-Hun was walking behind the horse (chapter 24) Thus he could take the artist away unnoticed. Then in episode 44, the learned sir is shown standing in front of the horse. Finally, the manhwaphiles can see the man riding. This reflects his social ascension. (Chapter 111) So the learned sir could have the impression, he is getting more powerful. But this is just a deception, for I doubt that he owns the horse. The horse is the evidence that Jung In-Hun is sponsored. And because the deer was carried on the horse back, I am deducing that in reality, the scholar is even more closer to death than before. And by losing the painter, the scholar would lose his power over Yoon Seungho, and this is what truly happened. By leaving the main lead’s side, Jung In-Hun is no longer lucky, though be believes the opposite. He will become a victim of his own tricks. Everything is pointing out that the learned sir was like a deer or better said the hunting dog for the hidden hunter, while he thought of himself as the tiger!! (Chapter 111) Like mentioned above, the shoes could be perceived as the evidence for Jung In-Hun’s crime.
(chapter 83) The boar symbolizes not only the nobles like Jihwa, Min, Jang or Park, but also the elders Kim, Lee, Yoon Chang-Hyeon, and as such the king. And if you consider the boar as the personification of the pedophile, the ruler, this means that the moment Yoon Seungho hunted down the nobles, he defeated the ruler in a figurative way. I would even say that the nobles like Min or lord Haseon are pushing the main lead to “hunt” the monarch, for the shadows are standing behind the main lead. Due to their tricks, the “schemers” are realizing that they are contributing to give justice to the protagonists. Thus I was wondering if in the end, the main lead would hunt down a human in season 4, Kim or the king. Don’t forget the main lead’s words to the painter: (chapter 11) It could be staged as a hunting accident. In other words, I was expecting a new form of hunt in season 4, a human will be chased, either through an interrogation or through a staged hunt. And this expectation got proven correct. (Chapter 103) However, since the manhunt appeared in the first episode from season 4, I deduce that we will have many manhunts in the final season, like here (Chapter 106) (chapter 106)
Because the butler is connected to hunt (chapter 24, 41, 84), I come to the conclusion that Kim’s fate is strongly intertwined with manhunt. Because he has been working for the schemers and as such the pedophile, we have to envision that the puppet masters like the learned sir, Kim, lord “Haseon”/Song will meet their doom in the next season. While the one is prosecuted for murder, the other could be killed during a hunt. Moreover, the manhwaphiles shouldn’t overlook that the king used clothes and impersonation to his advantages in the past, and according to me even in the present. (chapter 37)
Like mentioned in the previous part, Nameless explained to Lee Jihwa that he had to butcher the victim in order to hide the murder. Thus this staged crime scene looked like the scholar had been attacked by a tiger. (Chapter 88) On the other hand, the foot print and the glasses were added to give the impression that the learned sir had been murdered. However, after adding blood in the fake crime scene and removing the learned sir’s possessions, (chapter 100), the place could be interpreted differently. The inhabitant had been attacked by a tiger during the night. Though the painter had been the prey of these vicious nobles, the real target had been Yoon Seungho. That’s the reason why I had developed the theory that the pedophile had been not only lusting after the young master, but also targeting the Yoons.
Then I noticed an element in this image: (chapter 45) the cobweb behind Deok-Jae. Imagine that this scene took place in the middle of winter, thus the spider’s web got covered by frost. However, this indicates that this room had been abandoned for quite some time. But it is close to the gate. So it should have been the place where the doorkeeper is living. Secondly, I had demonstrated that the shrine had been neglected, for the altar had been removed. (chapter 18) Because of the presence of the cobweb, I started wondering why the author drew it behind Deok-Jae. In my eyes, it is because he was part of the spider’s web.
That’s why I came to the conclusion that in the past, Yoon Seungho, had caught the attention of the monarch represented by the spider. Since the lord’s fate resembles the painter’s, I am assuming that we should perceive him as a deer and a butterfly too. And in order to catch its prey, the spider prepared a web, a web made of lies. Even before the start of season 3, I had declared that right from the start, the young master had been targeted. Thanks to this new parallel, I had another revelation. Remember how I had described the schemers as puppet masters, and they would view people as pawns. As the spider has 8 legs, I am thinking that the pedophile has always been using 8 persons to achieve its goal. Some were aware of the scheme, others were just manipulated. In the past, there were Father Lee, Lee Jihwa, Kim, Jung In-Hun, Heena, Yoon Chang-Hyeon, Yoon Seung-Won and No-Name. So when the story started, I believe that there was a new generation of pawns: Kim, Deok-Jae, Lee Jihwa, No-Name, the noble with the mole, Heena, Yoon Seung-Won and Black Heart. I am excluding father Lee for the simple reason that due to the topknot incident, the scholar was well aware that “lord Song” was no longer judging his family in a good light. He definitely lied low for a while. Naturally, the huge change from the past is that this time Kim had become proactive. But let’s examine Yoon Seungho’s downfall.
Since the main lead was protected by his good reputation, the first goal was to taint his reputation to the point that no one would ever remember him. He was idle, disobedient, but more importantly he was a sodomite. He had to make sure that Yoon Chang-Hyeon would abandon him. The main lead needed to become a “commoner” or “low-born” so that the pedophile could claim him. Yes, the exact opposite of this situation: (chapter 18) That’s the reason why Yoon Seungho was not dressed properly. (chapter 83) If he lived in a shed and had such a simple attire, no one would ever think that he was a noble in the first place. I believe that neither the patriarch nor the ruler had an interest to reveal his true identity. However, the protagonist had to be monitored, for he could try to escape at any moment. That’s the reason why the butler was still tasked to “take care of him”. But by becoming a male night servant for the king, this meant that the other nobles could claim him as well. He had no right. However, since the main lead was a butterfly, he couldn’t get tamed. Hence violence, manipulations and drugs were used to tame the young master. And remember how the spider kills its target: he empties it of its blood. In other word, he sucks all his energy. Therefore it is not surprising that at the end the main lead had become a wreck, and had no light in his eyes. (chapter 57) Naturally, the purge played a huge role in the lord’s suffering reinforcing the huge rift between the pedophile and Yoon Seungho.
In addition, the suicide from the main lead’s mother brought an end to this masquerade. The king could no longer feign ignorance about the main lead’s true identity, and naturally he needed to punish Yoon Chang-Hyeon for his “trick”. He had deceived him, whereas in reality he was well aware of the situation. He had to blame someone else, for he didn’t desire to become responsible for this. Besides, by fueling Yoon Seungho’s hatred for the father, “lord Song” definitely hoped to be judged in a different light. Nonetheless, because the protagonist was abused sexually, physically and emotionally, he could only fear and resent the pedophile, but he could never express it. This was a vicious circle, which ended when the main lead tried to commit suicide himself. (chapter 57)
That’s the reason why I believe that little by little, the pedophile is losing his pawns and as such his legs. Why? IT is because the pawns from the past became “puppet masters”. They started acting on their own, copying his method, using naive people in order to achieve his goal. And that’s how the truth will be unveiled in the end. Lee Jihwa was punished with the loss of his topknot, then he left town with No-Name. Since the main lead deserted the mansion at the end of season 3, the ruler lost control over the protagonist in a symbolic way. And this is related to the butterfly Baek Na-Kyum which Yoon Seungho is following faithfully. In other words, he is imitating his lover, his role model. Neither Kim nor Jung In-Hun nor lord Haseon nor the king are able to predict the main lead’s action. Then Yoon Chang-Hyeon has no longer any power and connection, he has to rely on his son Yoon Seung-Won or on Kim. But the elder master Yoon played a trick at the end of season 3. As you can see, the pedophile almost lost all his pawns from the past. Finally, Black Heart and his friends got killed. What started like an entertaining hunt became war in the end, for many people died. And this brings me back to Black Heart and lord Jang again.
The nobles are in truth animals. They are dogs, like Byeonduck indicated it. Therefore it is no coincidence that they don’t make a difference between hunting an animal or a human. This explains why lord Shin was abandoned behind in the cold and why Lee Jihwa was compared to a dog (chapter 101). It was not Min’s task to carry a friend… he was just a fellow puppet brought to the shaman’s house in order to entertain Black Heart. This truly exposes that Black Heart never saw in the aristocrats humans. As the red-haired master, he had been considered as the hunting dog, he had fulfilled his function. That’s why he was abandoned. He had helped Min to corner the painter and brought the kisaeng to the scholar’s home. Moreover, a hunting dog disobeying his master will be killed. Hence it is not surprising that the wild dogs ended up all dead. They were totally defenseless in front of a huge tiger. This feline is difficult to tame.
As for the painter, Min considered him as an animal that should entertain them. Striking is that the aristocrats’ vocabulary is revolving around violence (“break”, “bloodied”) reflecting their cruel and ruthless nature. (chapter 101) They saw in the sexual violence a new form of hunting. I would even go so far to say that they desired to turn the artist into their pet fulfilling all their desires: (chapter 101) Thus it is not surprising that Yoon Seungho was compared to an animal by his own father in the past. (chapter 83) The pedophile also desired to tame the young master, the beautiful and gentle butterfly. Thus he got brainwashed. He could never refuse anyone, he had to entertain the guests. And now you comprehend why Min said this to the painter. (chapter 101) As a punishment, he was given to lord Jang and his friend. Since Min had captured the artist, he viewed himself as his owner who would give order to his pet. Yet, a deer is a shy, but wild animal, difficult to control making it difficult to be tamed.
Min had turned into a dog, because he had been misguided. He never realized that his biggest wish was to be noticed as a human by the painter. (chapter 99) But this was impossible, for Black Heart never treated Baek Na-Kyum as a man. Hence I come to the conclusion that by meeting the painter, Yoon Seungho rediscovered his true nature: he was a free spirit, a tiger! And guess what… In Joseon, the tiger was perceived as a good talisman to chase away the evil spirit!! (chapter 102) Hence the dogs became the preys of the huge tiger. On the other hand, I am wondering if in the next season, the painter will paint a tiger and show it to his lover. So far, we couldn’t see the pictures from his childhood.
But how could the tiger earn the deer’s trust? It is because he treated Baek Na-Kyum as a human. By falling in love, Yoon Seungho rediscovered his humanity. His beating heart was the reason why he didn’t end up completely as a beast. His art moved his heart and healed his eyes. He could forget the violence and blood from his youth. Yet, in episode 104 Yoon Seungho has the impression that he could get hunted down, for he killed the nobles. The tiger is now the target of “humans”, and Jung In-Hun will play a crucial role in his prosecution (Chapter 111) But in order to happen, the painter needs to leave Yoon Seungho’s side and return to the learned sir’s. However, since Yoon Seungho is treasuring the painter, and he spared Heena and the kisaengs, Baek Na-Kyum will believe in the main lead’s innocence. He is not capable to commit such a heinous crime. Why? It is because he has been portrayed as weak-hearted by the butler. He often had a change of heart. When Yoon Seungho executed the servant in episode 1, he was not violating social norms. (Chapter 10)
Before closing this essay, I would like to point out that the pedophile is not just a spider, but also a dragon, for he is the king of Joseon. Hence expect in the next season a battle between a tiger and a dragon…though at some point, the roles will be switched.
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-Tumblr-Twitter 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.
(chapter 19) There he expressed his desire to have sex, and the physical therapist should prepare himself. My first thought was to wonder why he felt the sudden need to have sex, because for 10 days, he had neglected him. It can not be related to his jinx and his next match, for the champion would have mentioned the jinx. Besides, Kim Dan would have known about this, yet he was taken off-guard by the sudden request. Thus Kim said this: 
(chapter 19) In addition, the expression “I wanna fuck” implies a sudden urge from the athlete. So why would he be craving for Kim Dan, when he neglected the doctor for 10 days. I have to admit that my imagination started running wild… I had a crazy thought which made me laugh. However, this was just based on my creativity and nothing concrete. I hope you are now really curious. Nevertheless, I can not expose this idea yet, because it is strongly connected to the follower’s discovery. Yes, thanks to her, my idea no longer seems absurd. Hence, before revealing it, it is necessary to introduce first my friend’s explanation why the athlete would make the phone call in the first place. One might answer that it is related to his laziness. He didn’t want to waste time loosing up the doctor’s ass. However, observe that this request is connected to preparation. And this is what @becalmandhappy found: 
(chapter 15) The doctor had made the following request. Joo Jaekyung should tell him in advance, when he wanted to have sex so that Kim Dan could prepare himself “emotionally”. This means that Joo Jaekyung did follow the doctor’s desire. We could say that he took Kim Dan at his words.😂 However, he changed the meaning a little. Preparing emotionally had turned into preparing his hole! 😂Besides, I would like to remind how the champion had reacted to this request: 
(chapter 15) First, he was displeased, pouting like a child. But then he replied this to his counterpart. 
(chapter 15) He would judge the physical therapist’s preparation and as such he would view, if such a request was truly necessary. And look now how the athlete reacted, when he penetrated him for the first time in the bathroom. 
(chapter 19) He was caught by surprise, for he never expected such a good preparation! 
(chapter 18) However, he prepared the doctor emotionally for this by saying that he needed to have his breakfast. Striking is that the innocent man didn’t protest or even argue that this place wasn’t appropriate for this. He didn’t react, when he was compared to a snack. 
(chapter 18) To conclude, the champion had somehow internalized the desire from Kim Dan, yet he had a different interpretation of this wish.
(chapter 19) Here, the main lead was actually denying that the physical therapist was a prostitute. In his eyes, he just looked like one. The Spanish translation is even clearer in that aspect. Thus I deduce that this sex session is important for another reason. In my eyes, Joo Jaekyung is slowly moving on from the idea of prostitution. Now, I would like to introduce a list of all the similarities in the form of a table so that the manhwalovers can recognize the resemblances.
Both are carrying the black bag and both seem to be in a hurry! Finally, observe that in these two scenes, someone was always leading the way to the doctor, Park Namwook and Joo Jaekyung.
A phone call asking for a request – Emergency
Besides, this time he is looking at his own reflection!
The idea of reflection – Here, the champion was looking at Kim Dan’s face and even gaze. 
This time, he is using the mirror, but note that he came to this idea, when he saw the mirror and he couldn’t see his lover’s face. 
The same fighting spirit, totally focused on his training or in the other case, on his rival
And this led to the kiss!
which is like a revelation 
Striking is that he diminished the doctor’s compliment, for he replied the following: “Tell me something I don’t know”. 
Thus I have the impression that in chapter 19, he had the opposite attitude. He couldn’t comprehend the physician’s behavior or facial expression.
You can notice thanks to the sleeves and the collar. 
admiration versus no admiration; his responsibility
(chapter 19) This truly shows that Kim Dan was looking for company. 
Thus we always have a negative and positive reflection. This explicates why the positions of the protagonists were switched (facing each other versus from behind, admiration versus no admiration). This method serves to demonstrate the evolution of the characters. Nonetheless, there is a huge difference between these two scenes. Did you notice it? The absence of Park Namwook!! It was, as if he was inexistent in episode 19. And because I noticed the parallels between these two episodes, one detail caught my attention, the champion’s confession to his hyung. 
(chapter 15) 
(chapter 11) Moreover, such a deception could only make him ponder why the champion had acted this way. And if he had no pain in the shoulder, why would he request the presence of the doctor who had to take the express in order to reach Busan? Finally, he must have wondered what the two main leads had done in the locker room for 15 minutes!! Don’t forget that he was standing behind the door. 
(chapter 15) In addition, the champion gave his own jacket to the doctor. 
So PArk Namwook must have noticed, when the doctor returned the cloth. Finally, in this scene, the champion voiced the wish to have water in order to have a private conversation with the main lead, and shortly after Joo Jaekyung admitted his deception to his friend and mention. Thus the manager could only come to the conclusion that everything was related to Kim Dan. The latter must mean a lot to the protagonist that he shares things and wishes to have some privacy with the cute „Teddy Bear“. To conclude, the revelation of the lie could only make Park Namwook ponder on the reason for his manipulation leading him to notice the changes in his fighter. 
(Chapter 16) and even asked Joo Jaekyung to go to his home. 
(chapter 17), when the champion was annoyed. Besides, I would like the manhwaworms to keep in their mind that Park Namwook is also a former fighter. So he is not dumb. He can also analyze facial expressions and behavior, as he needed this skill for his own matches either. Thus I conclude that if he didn’t detect their relationship before, now he must know it. Furthermore, just because the athlete is hiding his sexual activities from his coach and manager, this doesn’t mean that Park Namwook is totally oblivious. He could simply feign ignorance. In addition, the manager is often portrayed „eyeless“, his gaze is hidden by his glasses, as if he was hiding his true thoughts from the champion. 
(Chapter 7) Is it a coincidence? I have my doubts. Moreover, compare it to these two panels: 
(chapter 1) 
(chapter 5) The author can drew his eyes. When he was talking to the athlete, he was honest. 
(chapter 5) Moreover, in this very scene, the manager had asked him to explain how he could be in such a good form! And this is what the champion replied. 
(chapter 5) Then he voiced his wish to hire the physical therapist right after. 
(chapter 5) It becomes clear that the new thing was related to Kim Dan. However, don’t forget that some days had passed between the massage and the match and officially, they had not been in contact. However, the coach had given him the phone number before. While Joo Jaekyung thought, he was very smart
(chapter 5), I have the feeling that the coach could already see through him, especially after hearing the champion’s confession and new wish. The latter represented another change in the fighter’s behavior. So I am sure that Park must have already guessed that something was going on between them. Finally, we need to ask ourselves this. Why would he make such a suggestion to Joo Jaekyung? 
(chapter 9) The latter was once again changing his attitude. He would never come to a team dinner, but for Kim Dan, he did it. Moreover, I would like to outline that while he was sitting crossing his arms next to the protagonist, he neither drank nor eat with them. And Park Namwook was facing him. So his conduct could only raise suspicions in the coach. From my point of view, if he didn’t know before episode 15, then after the match with Randy Booker, it is no longer possible. In addition, we still don’t know how the champion paid off the debts. Which account did he use? If he wired the money from Black Teams, then the coach would have noticed it. And such a gesture could only outline that the doctor meant a lot to Joo Jaekyung. The latter has not realized his feelings, for he has never been in love before. But for an outsider, Joo Jaekyung’s sudden change of attitude which is totally visible can only lead to the following conclusion: they are together. 
(chapter 19) It was like a prison. There was no trace of nature in his room, the only view he had to the outdoors were the pictures of the beach, but these would stand on the opposite side of the window. As for Joo Jaekyung, his penthouse resembles more to a hotel room, for he barely spends time at home. I had already predicted that he would act like a matchmaker between them. And all these new observations seem to confirm my prediction. 
(chapter 5) Imagine their situation. The champion would spend his whole time at the gym from early in the morning to late in the evening. 
(chapter 5) So seeing Joo Jaekyung totally obsessed with training, the manager could have thought this either: 
(chapter 7) He was overheated from training, he needed some relief. 😂 
8chapter 2) This has nothing to do with desires and urges. In fact, this is more a duty, an obligation. I would even say, sex was for him like work, as his career was on the line. That’s the reason why Joo Jaekyung doesn’t consider himself an animal. 
(chapter 2) Under this new light, the manhwalovers can understand why the champion would associate sex to prostitution. Sex is also work for a “whore”. So Joo Jaekyung and the “fuck buddies” have the same mind-set. 
(chapter 7) This scene was the trigger to have sex with him. Then in Busan, it was because he had been provoked, and he couldn’t calm down. 
(chapter 14) Then in the penthouse, he had asked for a snack, because the doctor had announced that he would try to leave the house as soon as possible. 
(chapter 18) In other words, he was somehow rejecting the boxer’s offer to view the penthouse as his new home. He used sex in order to achieve his goal… the latter should stay by his side. He was not uncomfortable with him… quite the opposite, hence he could have a snack on the table. 
(chapter 19) More or less in the dark, for we don’t see any light. However, after receiving the phone call, what did the doctor do? He went to the bathroom and switched on the light! 
(chapter 19) And this coincides with the name of Namwook, “sunrise, dawn”. The colors contrast so much, an indication that the return of Joo Jaekyung was bringing light and warmth into the main lead’s life. And it is time to answer why Joo JAekyung was still wearing his shoes and bag, when he entered the bathroom. 
(chapter 19) He must have entered the penthouse and seen no light and probably silence… it was, as if the house was empty. And contrary to the scene in Busan
(chapter 14), there was no one to lead him to the room where Kim Dan was. He couldn’t know where the doctor was in his huge house: the guest room, his bedroom… He must have been looking for him, hence he didn’t take the time to take off the shoes and bag. I have the impression that he must have been worried for one moment… just like the doctor was concerned, when he arrived in Busan. Joo Jaekyung was in a hurry. However, this is how he was received 
(chapter 15) He must have been happy, therefore he praised the doctor. 
(chapter 19) He is discovering the good side of having a home! To conclude, in this episode, the champion was taught to have real desires, to have a life outside work!
(chapter 14) Secondly, the physician’s phallus is not aroused. So I believe that the champion could decide to masturbate him. In addition, in the image above, his gaze is focused on the penises. Finally, since the author is following the Taoism principle (harmony of the yin and yang), it should be the athlete’s turn to use his hand, since Kim Dan did it, when he loosed up his hole. 
(chapter 19) Besides, since the doctor followed his request and did a good preparation, the physical therapist should receive a reward. 
(chapter 14) This scene stands in opposition to the mirror scene, where the champion is now aware of his lover. 
(chapter 11) Yes, the protagonist was wearing pajamas with a Teddy bear on it. This signifies that Kim Dan is connected to this toy. But what does it mean exactly?
(chapter 05) It was, as if she was holding Kim Dan as her “Teddy Bear”. Note that thanks to his presence, the elderly woman was not beaten. I had already outlined that the speech bubbles indicate that the woman and the goons from the loan shark would talk to each other, or better said yell at each other. There is no doubt that the woman must have begged them. She had to take care of her grandson. And now, you are probably thinking that I judge the grandmother in a negative way. Well, I have already pointed out her bad decisions, but just because someone makes wrong choices, we could get tempted to condemn this person. Yet, we should never do it. Error is human, and as such no one is perfect. Besides, condemning her implies that the beholder is considering himself superior to the grandmother. In my eyes, the halmoni needed her grandson in order to survive. She had lost everything: her family, her social status, and probably her friends… she was only left with debts and a grandchild. 
(chapter 11), the pure boy was waiting for her in bed, and more precisely under the cover. That’s the reason why you can detect the presence of the bed cover. 
(chapter 5) Note that the main lead is mentioning his grandmother’s pain. This divulges that back then, he had sensed her agony. Deep down, he knew that she needed his presence, support and affection. 
(chapter 11) This explicates his joy, when she returned. From my point of view, these two people must have shared the same bed. Thus they could give each other comfort, protection and a sense of belonging. And I have an evidence for this interpretation. Remember what the drunken physical therapist did in his bedroom. He imagined that his grandmother had returned home
(chapter 10), thus he grabbed the champion’s leg, the moment he sensed that the shadow would leave him alone! 
(chapter 10) As you can see, Kim Dan was holding his leg like a Teddy Bear. Besides, the physical therapist had complained about loneliness before. He was missing “his Teddy Bear”, his halmoni. 
(chapter 10) Finally, observe that Kim Dan asked Joo Jaekyung to take him. It was, as if he desired to share the bed with the sportsman. Hence you comprehend why the celebrity had to bring the drunken doctor to his penthouse. How could he remain by his side in such a desolate home? He had listened to his plea: he wouldn’t be left alone! When the young man woke up, he was indeed not alone. The champion had even observed his reactions before approaching him. 
(chapter 10) It was, as if the champion had acted like a Teddy Bear watching over his “owner”. Under this new perspective, it becomes comprehensible why Kim Dan is so devoted to his grandmother, and even would risk his life for her. 
(chapter 16) He knows that he is her source of joy, her “protector” and pillar. He is her guardian of the shadows of the night. However, since he is just a human, he can not stop her death. 
(chapter 5) This explicates why he didn’t return to her side after hearing the last diagnosis from the doctor. His role is to console and protect her, hence she is not allowed to be confronted with cruel reality. Kim Dan can not let her know his worries and pain, for the role of the Teddy Bear is to “wipe the tear‘s owner with the soft fur”. 
(Chapter 05) 
(chapter 04) 
(chapter 04) Kim Dan would wrap himself in a cover and even bury his head under the cover. This caught my notice, as sleeping position exposes people‘s personality. The cocoon position displays Kim Dan’s need for protection. 
(chapter 10) In other words, Kim Dan didn’t desire to face reality. This explains why he thinks of the past so fondly. 
(chapter 10) 
(chapter 13) I would like to outline that at no moment, the wounded main lead switched his sleeping position. But what does this observation indicate? 
(Chapter 10) Striking is that when he heard the words from the protagonist, the author selected this image: Kim Dan was covering his head!! This is not random, it implies that the young man was not facing „reality“. 
(chapter 4) I doubt that he treated the previous uke the same way. The fighter will give the doctor a sense of belonging, protection and compassion, just like the doctor will have the same function for the athlete. The latter will no longer feel alone, because despite his money, Joo Jaekyung has no one by his side in such a huge flat. 
(chapter 6)
(chapter 17) 
(chapter 1), and can be even dangerous, especially due to his huge paws. His punches are deadly, for the animal can be ruthless. 
(Chapter 15) This panel displays how much the fighter enjoyed their kiss.
(Chapter 17), though his intervention has not solved everything.
(chapter 17) 
(chapter 12), but also the kiss: 
(chapter 13) 
(chapter 17) However, when he carried his sex partner like that, he made sure to protect him from “cruel reality”. He covered his face with the hoody. Consequently, I conclude that Kim Dan has already tamed a huge bear, hence his fists are so powerful. He lives isolated in his penthouse, but deep down he is longing for companionship.
(Chapter 12) What the physician expressed on the bed reflected their own thoughts and emotions. But why did they feel such negative emotions? Simply because they had witnessed the rapid and brutal shattering of the doctor‘s hope 😭 with their own eyes and heart. 
(Chapter 11) The position of his head and body was mirroring his emotional and mental state. And this contrasts so much to the end of the chapter. Not only he was on his knees, but also he was looking down. 
(chapter 11) Imagine that within the same chapter, the main lead’s attitude and position were turned upside down. What a roll coaster of emotions for Kim Dan and the manhwaworms! Therefore it is not surprising that many were so distressed. But why was he so hopeful in the beginning of episode 11?
(Chapter 11) Remember that he had done it twice and this in a such a short time. 
(chapter 1) This signifies that with such a salary, he could put an end to this vicious circle, the snowballing interest. That’s the reason why he had become so hopeful. It was, as if he could finally breathe, and a huge burden had been taken from his shoulder. This shows that so far, he had lived from day to day. He had been on survival modus. All his thoughts were focused on earning money. However, his “dream” to end this terrible servitude to the loan sharks was linked to his contract with the famous sportsman. 
(chapter 11) which was also a form of servitude. Consequently, it is not surprising that he viewed his relationship with Joo Jaekyung not in a good light. 
(Chapter 11) For him, it sounded, as if having sex with the champion had become the worst thing in his life. Notice that though he mentioned the snowballing interests, he didn’t envision the loan sharks at all. He was already occulting them, for he had paid the interests. To conclude, in the bus, Kim Dan had the impression that his life was about to change for the better… though he disliked the idea to be dependent on the fighter. However, reality caught up with him very quickly. 
(Chapter 11) Secondly, this exposes that he had never paid attention to his house. There was mold, for he hadn’t ventilated and heat the room enough. 
(Chapter 10) He had not the time, the money and the energy to do so. As you can see, he never realized that he had other problems than money. 
(Chapter 11) On the one hand, this promise exposes the sentimental value of his home, on the other hand this statement shows that he had lied to his grandmother. The redevelopment had been planned for quite some time, but Kim Dan must have never mentioned it to her. Why? It is because he didn’t want to make his relative worry. At the hospital, the manhwalovers could detect all his lies. He never mentioned his firing from the hospital to his grandmother. Secondly, he embellished his new job. Finally, when he exposed his discomfort, 
(chapter 7) he gave just a false excuse. As you can see, Kim Dan had long started hiding everything from his grandmother: his job situation, his physical conditions and the redevelopment. Moreover, if he had revealed his forced relocation, he would have felt terrible. He was breaking his promise to his grandmother. To conclude, he had made a promise to his halmoni which he could never keep. It was simply impossible, but he preferred occulting it, for her health was more important than anything else. This displays that he had been caught in an illusion. The irony is that despite the harshness of his life, he was still living in a “dream”. How could he expect his old relative to live in such conditions after suffering so much from cancer? For me, there is no ambiguity that the protagonist has long connected the loss of his home to the vanishing of his halmoni. He seems to be living in the past, remembering the good aspects of his childhood. 
(Chapter 5) A protective and loving halmoni who would do anything for him. 
(Chapter 12) And this leads me to the following observation: the causes of his syncope. Exhaustion, the constant stress, dehydration and low blood sugar. Note that before the last sex session, he only drank wine. 
(chapter 12) The manhwalovers never saw him eating. But this doesn’t end here. Since he was plagued with financial problems, he had to live frugally. Thus he came to neglect his own health. This is no coincidence that the readers saw him drinking an energy drink 
(chapter 1) and eat ramyeon 
(chapter 1). He would even skip his meals. 
(chapter 5) For me, he internalized from his grandmother how to save money. There is no doubt that in his childhood, she could never eat to her heart’s content, which he noticed and now he is copying her. Thus he learned to live gradually with an empty stomach. Besides, I believe that his nutrition was never balanced. Since the sweet bread was perceived as a luxury
(chapter 11), I deduce that his guardian couldn’t afford meat either. This explains why Kim Dan didn’t grab the food immediately. 
(chapter 11) He didn’t feel hungry despite working hard. In other words, he has a small stomach. And now, you have the explanation why Kim Dan is so weak. 
(chapter 12) As you can see, I think that Joo Jaekyung’s words were somehow revealing the truth. He has no stamina, for he used up everything. So far, he could keep going due to his worries and his goal, saving his grandmother. However, with the last sex session, he used his last energy reserves. Therefore we could say that the beating from the loan sharks broke down his last resistance.
(chapter 5) thus she treats Kim Dan as a child. This explicates why she kept the yoghurts for him. Yet, what the young man needs right now, is no sweet, rather a good healthy meal. This scene exposes that she is also feeling sentimental about their common past… and now, you comprehend why the physician chose to hide the redevelopment from his grandmother. But the more a person buries the struggles and worries, the more dangerous it is, when the truth is exposed. It can literally explode and wound the person who was supposed to be protected. Don’t get me wrong. I am not blaming the grandmother for her behavior, her attitude is quite normal. She has long internalized to protect her grandchild, that she can’t change her behavior. Besides, that’s her way to cope with her illness. Since she can die due to cancer, she fears the future. Hence her only way to keep living is to focus on the past and her good memories with Kim Dan. These precious memories serve as a source of strength for her not to give up. And now, the manhwaphiles can grasp why the main lead was dwelling so much on the past as well. 
(chapter 1) This shows his naivety. In reality, the loan sharks are parasites. Their intention is not to help a borrower, but to turn them into slaves. Yes, this is a modern form of slavery. The moment a debtor takes a loan, he can never fulfil the contract so that he becomes a slave. Hence the interests keep increasing, like the doctor noticed it: a snow ball system. Though the borrower had paid the money right on time, the loan sharks were still waiting in front of his house for one reason. To ensure that he wouldn’t be able to escape from their claws. 
(chapter 1) Their violence was never justified in the end. Nevertheless, since the physician forgot this incident, he somehow dreamed that when he paid a huge amount so suddenly, the loan sharks would leave him alone. 
(chapter 10) Nonetheless, the opposite happened, for the doctor had not grasped their mentality. To sum up, Kim Dan had made a huge mistake. He never thought that these three men would consider him as their slave. Thanks to money they can live a carefree life. The “snowballing interests” is their revenue. To conclude, the scene in the bus exposed the doctor’s innocence and illusion. In fact, the home is the reason why he could get beaten. The loan sharks knew where to find him. However, since the young doctor had paid on time, they needed to find a new justification for their brutality. 
(chapter 11) Kim Dan must have done something illegal. That way, they appear as “righteous citizens”, while in reality the thug was actually pissed off for a different reason: “I … hate it” (that) you could pay a huge amount of the interests”. His success symbolized the opposite for them, a reduction of income. Moreover, the man feared that the young man could actually pay back the loan with the interests. This is perceptible, when he argues with the main lead. 
(chapter 11) If this happened, they could no longer earn money without working properly. And now, you can grasp why these three cowards attacked the pure physician so cruelly and brutally. Not only they vented their anger on Kim Dan, but also they desired to demonstrate their power and superiority. This bloodshed was purely gratuitous and even entertaining for them. 
(chapter 11) As the manhwaphiles can understand, the loan sharks embody the opposite values of Joo Jaekyung. The latter is earning his money through fair fighting, but it is not at the expense of people. Even his counterpart is earning a living. Finally, these fights are following rules, while the loan sharks are changing the rules constantly. 
(chapter 11) In addition, the readers can detect the loan sharks’ hypocrisy when one of these men said this: “Danny boy! You had it in you all along! Shoulda tried a little harder a little sooner!” These thugs need to know where he lives so that they can barge in his life, and even ruin his career. Their goal is to maintain him enchained to them. And they could even deceive the grandmother, for she was left in the dark about the redevelopment. 😨 Thus she could jump to the false conclusions that Kim Dan is paying her treatment with the money from the loan sharks. 
(chapter 7) To sum up, the main lead made a huge mistake with his well-intended deceptions, though he was trying to protect his loved one. For me, the main lead should have never lied to his halmoni. The latter will blame herself for her grandchild’s situation. The debts are the result from a bad decision, when the young main figure was a child, and now she is sick. So she could think like this: “I … hate it, my grandchild has to suffer because of me”. 
(chapter 11) He was a drinker, he would spend money like a thoughtless person. 
(chapter 11) That’s why I thought this: “I … hate it, that Kim Dan didn’t reveal the truth!” With his deceptions to his halmoni and Joo Jaekyung, he created a false image about himself. 
(chapter 12) This exposes Kim Dan’s true thoughts. He doesn’t truly hate sex with him, he rather fears his punch and fist. But why? It is because he has always watched his matches 
(chapter 1) and he saw his training too
(chapter 7) He knows his strength and power. It displays that Kim Dan has long admired the celebrity for his force. On the other hand, he witnessed twice how the young man wounded people, creating the image that Joo Jaekyung was a common brute. However, it simply exposed that Joo Jaekyung had not learned to restrain or control his force. He has long internalized how to employ his strength to the maximum. Secondly, despite the roughness, Kim never viewed the fighter as a sadist. However, Kim Dan is still refusing to admit pleasure with Joo Jaekyung. 
(chapter 12) Why? It is related to the contract. He considers it as a job, hence he shouldn’t enjoy it. Striking is that due to the sexual pleasure, he started forgetting everything: 
(chapter 12) This is important, because it shows that Kim Dan has never learned how to stop worrying and even enjoy life. Due to sex, he is putting everything behind: the loss of his home, the beating from the loan sharks, the halmoni’s illness. All his life, he was struggling, hence he had not the time to fall in love or to develop an interest in sex. He never had the time and occasion to ponder about his own sexual orientation either, yet there is no doubt that he felt attracted to the fighter. This could be perceived during the first massage. That’s the reason why I believe that when he confessed this to Joo Jaekyung: 
(chapter 12) Why? It is because the champion is keeping his words. Besides, the young man is not expecting anything from him except money. 
(chapter 12) That’s how he has lived so far. He doesn’t like to be pitied. Moreover, he let him sleep in a bed. Finally, he woke him up, when he desired to leave for work. 
(chapter 12) At no moment, the young man resents the champion contrary to many manhwalovers. The latter blamed him for the doctor’s unconsciousness, while in truth the causes were more elsewhere. 
(chapter 12), the reality was that he couldn’t do more than one round. 
(chapter 12) His hope got shattered too. 😉 Thus he was so bothered the next morning that he couldn’t hide his disappointment. 
(chapter 12) And that’s how his malnutrition, his bruises, his exhaustion and dehydration could come to the surface. Because the main lead made the mistake to give alcohol to the physician, he will regret his decision. Thus he can only come to the conclusion that in the future, he should never offer him any drink. He could even request from him abstinence, and this would even help the champion to hide his own weakness. He doesn’t drink either. Moreover, the champion could force his partner to drink 
(chapter 4) and eat on a regular basis healthy meals, and train his body. I am more than ever convinced that Joo Jaekyung’s role is to take care of the young physician who has always sacrificed himself for his grandmother. The latter can not fulfil this function. As a conclusion, Joo Jaekyung has already experienced that money can not solve everything. If he wishes to keep his jinx away thanks to the doctor, he has to pay attention to his physical condition. This is all the more relevant if he wishes to have many rounds during the night. 😉These are the lessons he is about to learn. 
(chapter 10) 
(chapter 10) 
(chapter 10) He was perceived as arrogant and heartless, as he was judging Kim Dan for his way of life and as such for his poverty. Anyone can see that Kim Dan’s social status was inherited. The debts were already there, when the protagonist was a child. 
(Chapter 2) Later, he was the one who changed the amount of the salary for his services 
(Chapter 6) which led to the addition of a condition. Thus they came to an agreement. As a conclusion, Joo Jaekyung has never sexually assaulted the young man. It was consensual, even if there is no ambiguity that Kim Dan was not doing it out of pleasure. Consequently, certain readers viewed it as rape, while in truth it is just “work” and as such “prostitution”. Moreover, the pressure from accepting the deal comes less from the athlete himself 
(chapter 3), rather more from the halmoni’s health issues and the remaining debts. 
(chapter 10), when the latter had woken up. Hence the host got displeased and was harsh with his words. 
(Chapter 10) And note that the reproach from the sportsman did affect the doctor.
(Chapter 7) because Joo Jaekyung had used his condition in the shower room to achieve his goal, 
(chapter 8). When the athlete had added the condition, Kim Dan had imagined that the athlete would act exactly like during their first night together. He would call him at any moment, and the uke had to come to his flat. Yet because of the sex session in the showers, the doctor could only get the impression that he would do it, even if there were people next to them. So for the poor doctor, it looked like Joo Jaekyung was consumed by lust. He had already done it in the past ,and this has always been the main lead’s intention to ask for sexual favors anywhere and at any time. However, this is not correct, for the sportsman had acted that way out of jealousy. 
(chapter 08) As you can see, in the penthouse, both protagonists had a false perception of each other. 
(chapter 09) In other words, the athlete was partially responsible for his inebriation too. But the man was actually denying his responsibility. To conclude, when the couple fought in the penthouse, both were at fault. Why? It is because they don’t know each other well. Furthermore, they both have such prejudices about each other, as they both come from two different worlds: the upper-class symbolizing wealth 
(chapter 10) versus the low social class connected to poverty 
(chapter 10) What caught my attention is that Kim Dan refused to explain his situation to the athlete. Why? It was only out of pride. With his tragic life, he would appear as pitiful. Thus he thought like this: 
(chapter 10) He didn’t want to get pitied! Let’s not forget that the young man was able to study and become a doctor despite his origins. This means that he was able to raise his social status due to his intelligence and determination. That’s the reason why he valued his job so much. Since he is a “self-made” man, he strongly internalized that he could do everything on his own. He doesn’t need anyone’s help. However, his “dream” got ruined, the moment his halmoni became sick. Note that even cornered, the doctor is refusing to explain his situation to others 
(chapter 11) and especially to Joo Jaekyung. 
Quoted from 
(chapter 10) And he is not wrong, since Kim Dan was supposed to leave the district. 
(chapter 11)
(chapter 10) So in his mind, the doctor looked like a heavy drinker, even like a drug addict! And now, you comprehend why the athlete said this to the physical therapist!! 
(chapter 11) He should pay attention to his drinking habits!! But this actually displays his innocence contrary to the coach Park. 
(chapter 11) The former has no idea about the abusive behavior of loan sharks. 
(chapter 10) In other words, he was actually showing concerns for the doctor, but the latter never realized it. He only saw it as arrogance and lack of empathy. For him, “it’s disgusting” sounded like “you’re disgusting”. Besides, I also think that his intervention was not well perceived. I would like to point out that Kim Dan’s life has always been affected in a negative way, when people interfered in his life, and these were the loan sharks!! 
(chapter 10) Since the fighter has a similar behavior (rough, rude and cold), there is no ambiguity why the doctor would reject the athlete’s advices and assistance. 
(chapter 10) So when the doctor resented the champion, for he knew nothing about his life, he was not realizing that it is the same for him. He knows nothing about Joo Jaekyung as well, for he judges him based on impressions. Both characters both jumped to false conclusions. Since the athlete lives in a huge and fancy house, and he owns a very expensive car, it looks like he is swimming in money. I would even say, he even imagines that Joo Jaekyung is throwing away his money so easily, and because of this scene. 
(chapter 2) But he is actually wrong. He is definitely careful, like we could discover it in episode 11. 
(chapter 11) On the other hand, he never pondered on the question how the young man could spend 14.000 dollars within a week. In my eyes, he is jumping to a false conclusion, exactly like the doctor. In his mind, the young man must be probably gambling. In other words, I believe that Joo Jaekyung has the following mind-set: people are poor due to their poor mind-set (drug addiction, gambling, no real common sense or good taste). To conclude, they are responsible for their misery. From my perspective, the major problem between these two characters is their bias about rich and poor people. On the other hand, Kim Dan views the sportsman as a selfish and spoiled brat
(chapter 11), hence his personality is lacking!! Thus when the boxer explained why he brought Kim Dan to his house, the latter could only have the impression that he had done it against his will. 
(chapter 10) The champion’s words reinforced his false perception about the main lead. He was just selfish, and his gesture was not done out of generosity. Nevertheless, I would like to point out that even Kim Dan didn’t feel any gratitude towards Joo Jaekyung as well. If he had felt indebted, he wouldn’t have looked away and blamed himself for this incident. By putting the responsibility on him, he was actually denying the boxer’s selflessness. And exactly like in the video mentioned above, the tones and the gestures contributed to increase the misunderstanding between them. However, when Joo Jaekyung declared “It’s not like I wanted to do it”, he was actually thinking like this. He had done it, because the doctor had requested it!! 
(chapter 10) This shows that actually, Joo Jaekyung had been quite considerate. For me, there is no doubt that he felt pity for Kim Dan, who was crying and clinching onto him. And I have a proof for this interpretation. When Kim Dan was begging on his knees, this is what the athlete thought. 
(chapter 11) Pathetic is a synonym for pitiful! So while his words “fucking pathetic” gave the impression that he was calling Kim Dan a loser, I believe that it was the opposite. Thus he replied to this plea, he desired to do something new. He was seeking “entertainment”! The antonym of pathetic is HAPPY and CHEERFUL! And that’s how he responded. He was not mocking Kim Dan in the end. He wished to change the atmosphere in my eyes. 
(chapter 11), many readers were again upset, because they were thinking exactly like the doctor. Some manhwalovers were already imagining that the champion would ask for a BDSM session due to his expressions: “I’ve been wanting to try”. Why? It is because so far, his conditions were all linked to his sexual behavior. BUT if the manhwalovers look for the story’s description, they will discover that Jinx is not tagged with BDSM! It is just categorized as “rough”. That’s why I don’t think that this is what the lover has in mind! For me, his new desire is to share his penthouse with the doctor. So far, he has never lived with anyone else before. Yes, I believe that he is proposing cohabitation. Don’t forget that Joo Jaekyung saw his terrible house. Secondly, he refused to give him money, because in his mind, this will never solve the problem. From his perspective, Kim Dan will keep spending money (either alcohol or gambling) I also think that the fighter prefers not to rely too much on his family and his wealth. 
(chapter 04) Yet, later he came to regret it. Striking is that he had never asked the young man to leave the bed, when he woke up. 
(chapter 10) He was the only one who knew about his living conditions!! In a way, he can feel good, if he proposes cohabitation to Kim Dan. What he is not realizing is that he is indirectly learning to take care of others, to open up and to share things (the showers, and in the future his flat). And this leads me to the following observation. During that night, the fighter had been quite generous. While Mingwa exposed Joo Jaekyung’s narrow-mindedness 
(chapter 10), it was up to the readers to detect his kindness. 
(chapter 02) The dispute was short, but it ended in violence. However, this is not the case with the sweet Kim Dan. Note that he could have pushed away the doctor more brutally, as he is really strong, but he never did. 
(chapter 8), his arrogance… He speaks up his mind all the time. Thus he made a deal with the doctor, and the latter is aware of the content which he also accepted. Furthermore, I would like to add that calling people “toxic” is actually wrong, for this implies that they will never change. I agree with the author Hannah Baer that the word “toxic” is overused and is actually contra-productive. 
(chapter 11) Who would hire or keep a physical therapist, when he appears with bruises on his face? Kim Dan never revealed his situation to the Black Team, for he feared that he could lose his job, as he is connected to dubious loan sharks. 
(chapter 10) 
(chapter 05) Thus the coach was also seen there. So the moment Kim Dan’s face appears on TV next to the champion, many people will be surprised: the vicious director of the hospital, the loan sharks, and if my theory is correct, then the persons responsible for the debts! They could discover Kim’s lucky career! They could even imagine that the physical therapist is now rich, since he is working for a successful person. So they would jump to the conclusion that the family was able to pay off the debts so that they would resurface and try to rekindle with the halmoni and Kim Dan.
(chapter 9)
(chapter 1) This means that no one had witnessed the wrongdoing committed on the anonymous lord. However, it is important, because it exposes how a person committing a wrongdoing could escape scolding and punishment, even from the readers. There was no witness! Only an attentive reader could detect this. Hence you have the explanation why Yoon Seungho suffered for so long. There was either no witness or the persons chose to close an eye and remained silent. Since it was the negative reflection from Baek Na-Kyum’s slap and the main lead had used his right hand 
(chapter 11), I deduced that the culprit was left-handed. That’s how I could identify the culprit, lord Min. The lord was in reality left-handed. We could observe this in chapter 8
, episode 19 
, chapter 33
and episode 43
, but also in episode 76 
, in chapter 96 
, in episode 100
and finally in chapter 102 
! Yet, in other occasions like in episode 33 
or 43, or 52 
, he used his right hand! Thus one might argue that Min was simply ambidextrous. However, I can prove 100% that Black Heart is left-handed!😮 The evidence is the usage of the bow. 
(chapter 22) This is how a right-handed man shoots an arrow. On the other hand, we never saw Min using the bow. The bird was already wounded by the arrows, when the scene of the second hunt took place. 
(chapter 41) However, the manhwaphiles can discover the verity thanks to one detail: the bag of arrows. 
(chapter 22) As you can see, the bag is carried on the right side, but the arrows are almost touching the left shoulder. They need to be on the other side, since the scholar needs his right hand to grab the item. And now compare the position of Min’s bag. It is inclined in the opposite direction, hence the arrows are visible on his right side! 
(chapter 41) Thus the noble is carrying the bag 
(chapter 41) differently from the painter too. 
(chapter 22) Under this new light, it becomes comprehensible why Byeonduck never showed the Joker’s hunting skills. People would have noticed that he is left-handed immediately. She made sure to hide this important fact, thus within the same chapter Min was often portraying as using both hands. In episode 43, he employed his left hand to pour the alcohol in the glass
(chapter 43), when he gave the drink to Lee Jihwa. 
(chapter 9) Here, he was still present, but even before the end of the sex session, he had already vanished. 
(chapter 9) Finally, when the noble with the mole visited Lee Jihwa, the latter claimed that he had spent a long time at Yoon Seungho’s. 
(chapter 9), and his friend never denied it. As you can see, the characters made sure to confuse the readers with the change of the chronology. As you can see, it took me a long time before noticing the bruised face (only during season 3), then to bring up the conclusive evidence that Min was the culprit of the slap. Then in the shaman’s house, he took the dildo with his left hand, because he was angry and frustrated. 
(chapter 100) too. This shows that he could barely control himself here. And once he faced the main lead’s sword, he got so scared that he showed Jung In-Hun’s glasses with his left hand again. 
(chapter 92) The irony is that in this scene, the main lead employed his left hand too, the positive reflection from the night in the pavilion (chapter 43). While here it was to bring him back to reality, in the pavilion, the Joker had the opposite intention: to lure Lee Jihwa to believe in illusions. 
(chapter 74) They announce the future events, though the information is not given properly. On the other hand, since they are memories either, this signifies that they contain insight about the lord’s tragedy. Thus I noticed that the anonymous perpetrator used his left hand to grab his hanbok!! I deduced that the perpetrator in the past is also left-handed!! Secondly, since this vision can also be seen as the announcement of the painter’s second kidnapping, this is no coincidence that Byeonduck created such panels during the painter’s last torment. 
(chapter 99) However, in the shaman’s temple, Black Heart grabbed Baek Na-Kyum with his right hand. He was trying to manipulate the artist, he was acting. He was not showing his true self. Yet, the vision was revealing the truth: the future mastermind of the last scheme was in reality left-handed!! It didn’t matter, because at the end, the main lead was able to discern the truth. He sentenced Black Heart, for he believed that he had killed his loved one! That’s how I realized why the author would focus so much on the hands and on the distinction between unconscious and conscious! The hand in Painter Of The Night represents the crucial clue to identify the culprits!! 
In season 1, we had the hands in the illustration. The hands were revealing the crime committed against the main lead. The latter was totally passive in this picture. The hands are touching and unclothing the immobile man. It also shows that Yoon Seungho was at the center of the conspiracy, in the past and in the present! The painting in the background indicates the presence of a hidden painter. Thus Baek Na-Kyum was not drawn in the cover. The painter of the night was in truth someone else, the painter from the past! Nevertheless, the main lead was looking at the readers, indirectly at Baek Na-Kyum, the young painter of the night. This describes the arrival of Baek Na-Kyum in his life. Striking is that the painting in the background was destroyed… indicating that the portrayed relationship was no longer existent. This represents another clue that the lord’s suffering is linked to a previous relationship. Then in season 2, 
the author revealed Baek Na-Kyum as the painter, who had now become the target of the plot. Yet behind him we see Yoon Seungho’s foot. The latter symbolizes the main lead feared to get close to him, but he wouldn’t leave his side. Moreover, this corresponds to the lord’s impulsive decisions, he let his foot guide him. Thus during the first night of the failed gangrape, he walked towards the study and stopped unconsciously, when he was next to the room. 
(chapter 53) Due to his strong denial, he was strolling not realizing that his feet were under the influence of his subconscious. And it was the same, when he opened the door with his foot at the Lees’ 
(chapter 67) Nonetheless, I believe that the author had another reason to draw the foot in the cover. The foot prints are the evidence of the crime, and as such the deceptions and the culprits. 
(chapter 59) 
(chapter 60) 
(chapter 61) The shoes were the clues how to recognize the perpetrators and accomplices. That’s why I compared these feet 
(chapter 59) with those 
. (chapter 66) My avid readers are already aware of my theory. For me, we have two kidnappers, and one tried to kill the artist! To conclude, Byeonduck left the clues how to unveil the mystery from the past and the present in the illustrations of each season. The paper in the second cover 
(chapter 56), but also to the theft of the painting
(chapter 56) and the painter’s break! At the end of season 2, he was no longer painting and in the beginning, he had also stopped due to his heartbreak. Simultaneously, we have the presence of water which serves as a connection to season 1 with the ruined painting and to season 3 with the well and drowning. The dark shades were an allusion to the lord’s darkness and suffering. The latter would come to the surface. However, since the cover only showed the lord’s foot, it exposes that the lord would not divulge his traumatic past. 
(chapter 78) In season 3, this time the main leads were facing each other, they were recognizing each other: their true self! But this stands in opposition to the deceased people without identity! 
(chapter 94) We never saw the face of the corpses, as they were either covered
(chapter 97) or the manhwaphiles could only view the hand, 
, the back 
(chapter 97) or the clothes and shoes 
(chapter 100)! And since Min had disguised himself as Lee Jihwa, it was clear that the deceased shouldn’t be identified by their clothes, but by their faces. As you can see, season 3 was about the face and identity! This indicates that in the past, someone had been not identified correctly!! Why? It is because the main lead has long repressed this memory. He had forgotten his face out of fear and hatred. The only thing the victim remembers is the BEARD, and old bearded men! 
(chapter 44) And the nightmare exposed the number of persons involved in his suffering: 4 men!! 
Here, we have 3 men, and don’t forget the left hand from before. 
(chapter 1) Anyway, from my point of view, the cover of season 4 should indicate a location which is connected to the town. Why? It is because now I am suspecting commoners to be involved in the lord’s suffering. I have already expressed my theories about Kim, the guard blacks, Heena and the physician. But there are more suspects! Moreover, observe that the kisaeng house is not only visited by aristocrats, but also by commoners. 
(chapter 99) That’s the reason why I am anticipating a cover with the gibang. It would be the perfect place to find closure for the couple. It is a place where both suffered. Moreover, I think, belongings should serve as an evidence for the identification of the schemers and accomplices. Remember that we had the glasses as the evidence of a murder in season 3, yet I am sensing that the possession should serve to identify the perpetrators from the past and the present. Since the clothes were used to confuse people in season 3, I am assuming that in season 4, they should help to recognize people, but at the same time, it is totally possible that our main leads decide to employ the same method to fool the schemers and accomplices. And now, we have the cover for season 4. Both protagonists are not only facing each other, but also touching each other. They are no longer hiding their emotions and thoughts. 
This image represents the opposite to the other seasons. At the same time, the author is again referring to the bedchamber indicating that this place is strongly connected to the protagonists’ suffering. On the other side, since the painter is wearing a silk white shirt, it implies that he is not a commoner. This panel indicates that the main lead was able to the true owner of the study and even bed. However, due to the tears, the beholder can sense that this season will be painful as well. Striking is that in the cover, they were either alone, or they were just looking at each other, hence they didn’t pay attention to their surroundings. Consequently, they couldn’t sense the presence of a plot and the schemers. This indicates that the couple is still not prepared to face new schemes. To sum up, the author selected such covers because she had planned to leave clues there about the mystery! But wait… I had outlined that the person who grabbed the young master Seungho was left-handed, and he played a huge role in the main lead’s downfall and suffering! But who is left-handed in this story? 
(chapter 12) 
(chapter 56). But then I noticed that he carried his master on the left side. 
(chapter 57) Nevertheless, the person threatening the painter was right-handed. 
(chapter 66) and since it is for me the butler, he was not the person from the nightmare. That’s the reason why I am excluding him from the suspect list. For me, if he was involved in the past, it is because he lit the candles 
(chapter 74). Furthermore, don’t forget that in his nightmare, the author exposed the presence of plates with 3 candles 
(chapter 74) which were also used in the shaman’s house. Finally, in this picture, we have a right-handed person. 
(chapter 74) So Kim could have been the one silencing him with his hand.
(chapter 86) Hence his right cheek was red and he had a wounded lip. 
(chapter 86) On the other hand, at the doctor’s office, he employed his right-hand to keep his son by his side. 
(chapter 57). Why is there this change? The turning point was the prank in the bedchamber. 
(chapter 83) During that scene, the father slapped his son with both hands. First with the right
(chapter 83), then with the left! Striking is that the author never showed, when the patriarch employed his left hand. The readers could only hear the sound, and see the result of the beating. Both cheeks were wounded. From my point of view, he was conditioned exactly like Min! He was not allowed to use his left hand, but the angrier he got, the less he could hide his true self: he was left-handed and he was a stupid and brutal father!! 
(chapter 37) On the other hand, I am doubting that Byeonduck will introduce many new characters in season 4. That’s the reason why I believe that the man with the pipe is the real schemer, as the pipe was in the annex. Since Min grabbed Baek Na-Kyum in the shaman’s house, I am more inclined to think that the perpetrator grabbing the young master Seungho by the collar was just an accomplice and not the mastermind. In other words, he was the helping hand. 
(chapter 57) 
(Chapter 74) I don’t believe in hazard. Besides, the lord had his nightmare during the same chapter. This means that he could have leaked this information about Yoon Seungho to an outsider, like he did with the painter. As the manhwalovers can grasp, the physician is more suspicious than before. 
(chapter 92) Besides, observe that the angry man put the brush on the left side. 
(chapter 92) The man is left-handed! And what did Yoon Seungho do? 
(chapter 92) He grabbed him by the collar! Exactly like in the dream!! 
(chapter 44) or patio of his mansion, similar to Heena’s. And since the young main lead suffered so much, it is normal that he doesn’t have such believes. IT is also possible that the young master Seungho played a prank which made the man angry and humiliated. As you can see, I come to the conclusion that jealousy and resent were the reasons why he got involved in the first place. Moreover, we shouldn’t forget that the calligrapher is linked to the kisaengs! He even recognized Baek Na-Kyum, as he called him a peasant. 
(chapter 92) Yet, he was either perceived as servant, a noblewoman or as a sir so far! He was never recognized as a peasant. Since he could identify the artist, it is also possible that he was also able to identify Yoon Seungho. But he thought that he was not well educated after living as a male kisaeng for so long. From my point of view, the man could have decided to get revenge on Yoon Seungho and participated in his abduction and gangrape!! Thus his karma was to lose his home! 
(chapter 91) The fact that Yoon Seungho grabbed him the same way than in the nightmare is not random. It was, as if he was getting justice. Honestly, I am more and more suspecting that in the past, Yoon Seungho got raped by commoners! Naturally, I have not changed my mind that the king was behind this plot: to get revenge on the Yoons! Who benefitted the most from the crime? Definitely the king, as he was able to ruin their influence. 
(chapter 39), the other only recognizes him as master Yoon. 
(chapter 64) This means that the latter knows about the existence of elder master Yoon. Like mentioned above, the calligrapher, the physician, the tailor, the fake servant and the “shaman” from chapter 29 have all one thing in common: the beard!! 
(chapter 83) disguised himself and hide his true identity behind “lord Song”. But is he the king or someone else? He was definitely a pedophile, but since we can’t see his face, it is not certain that it was the king. 
(chapter 83) Striking is that he is not “smoking here”, yet I had outlined that one abuser was a heavy smoker due to Yoon Seungho’s behavior. 
(chapter 86) Let’s not forget that in season 3, clothes were used to deceive Yoon Seungho, and the authorities played along. Besides, as the painter had become the love interest of Yoon Seungho and Black Heart, it is very likely that in the past, the victim was exposed to two different abusers, but they all hid behind the name: lord Song. Note that during this feast, one man had a moustache beard which is in Painter Of The Night the sign that he is no yanbang, not even chungin, the upper-middle class. He could be a rich merchant. Just because they are all wearing hanboks 
(chapter 87), this doesn’t mean that these men belong to the aristocracy. Furthermore, Kim never said “nobles”, he just said “visitors”!! Finally, I would like to point out that since Yoon Seungho lived secluded for 10 years, I doubt that he had the means and the knowledge to be involved in the trade: 
(chapter 22) This theory of the participation of a merchant got even reinforced, when I made the following discovery. The wooden boxes in season 1 were present at the tailor‘s shop!! 
(chapter 39) Thus I am deducing that the barn in season 2 
(chapter 51) could have belonged to the tailor or the owner of this shop. And note the couple was in the same position than with the kisaeng with No-Name in episode 51! 
(chapter 51) This was the negative reflection from episode 39: no penetration versus penetration, no interruption versus interruption, no rumor versus rumor etc. And this contrast clearly displays that the tailor shop is involved in Yoon Seungho’s suffering. And the best evidence for this is the nightmare. The main lead’s clothes had a design. 
(Chapter 5) Baek Na-Kyum was apologizing for his past behavior. He had insulted the main lead because of the poem. And his words sounded really similar to the butler’s in the library, for they both employed the same expressions: “That day” and “I spoke out of”. 
(Chapter 77) Striking is that the painter employed the expression “hand”, while the valet talked about “turn”. Why did they do that? It is because when Kim was caught committing a crime, he turned his head! 
(chapter 68) Thus in the library, the butler excused himself in front of the lord by using the following expression: “spoke out of turn”!! On the other hand, the painter had used his hand, 
(chapter 4), therefore he described his wrongdoing with the following expression “out of hand”. In my eyes, his words indicate the interference of the butler. Furthermore, the two men had a drop of sweat, a sign that they were not truly honest. 
(chapter 77) Both were apologizing, as they had wronged the noble. As you can imagine, the similarity in the excuse is no coincidence. The proof that both incidents are reflections is that they have another point in common. The wrongdoings of the low-borns had taken place in front of a gate. The butler had disobeyed his master 
(chapter 68), and the painter had assaulted the lord by trying to retrieve the poetry. 
(Chapter 4) Because both characters had violated social norms, showing disrespect towards a noble, 
(Chapter 4) In other words, since Yoon Seungho had punished the butler due to the incidents in episode 67/68, I deduce that episodes 67/68 were reflections of episode 4/5 as well!! This corresponds to the rule 2 and 3. 
(chapter 4) Let’s not forget that just before the great entrance of Black Heart and the protagonist in chapter 67, this was what the author showed us: 
(chapter 67) And now compare the building to this one from chapter 1: 
(chapter 1) Under this light, my theory that Yoon Seungho was living with the Lees in the beginning of the story gets reinforced and even validated. In season 1, Yoon Seungho had sex with his friend in the pavilion so that the father and the staff could see the truth: the young master Jihwa was a sodomite. But since we saw Yoon Seungho in that building in episode 1, we jumped to the wrong conclusion that this was his house. But actually, from chapter 12 on, the author was showing us that we had been deceived. This was the lord’s house, and note that there is no building in the big courtyard contrary to the domain from chapter 67 and 1. 
(Chapter 12) (For more read the essay “Lee Jihwa’s special relationship with Yoon Seungho”) Then in season 2, the main lead forced the elder Lee to hear what he had been denying all this time 
(Chapter 67), while in chapter 3, he could only witness it from the patio. On the other hand, Yoon Seungho had been proactive during their sexual encounter, hence the father could only blame the main lead for his son’s debauchery. The intimacy in the pavilion was in verity hiding Yoon Seungho’s huge traumas. But due to Lee Jihwa’s confession in the inn, the red-haired master’s reputation got ruined in town and this must have definitely reached the father’s ears. Striking is that when Yoon Seungho confronted Lee Jihwa with his crime (abduction of a person from his household), the red-haired master ran away and hid behind the folding shield. Thus he never apologized to his friend. And it was the same with the elder Lee. The latter knew about his son’s wrongdoing, for he accused the intruder immediately. 
(Chapter 67) As you can see, the absence of the excuse from the uke and his father outlines that chapter 67 is a reflection of episode 5 and 77. I detect a pattern, chapter 5 contains a superficial apology, chapter 67 no apology and chapter 77 a fake excuse again. Furthermore the manhwalovers can recognize that in the same episode (episode 5), the antagonist Jihwa had indeed wounded the painter with his insult too, a reflection of episode 4. 
(Chapter 5) This confirms that chapter 5 is connected not only to episode 77, but also to chapter 67/68. We have the same elements: an incident linked to a door 
(chapter 67), a punishment, but also the absence or presence of an apology. But all of these episodes have other similarities: hypocrisy and arrogance. The Lees were looking down on Baek Na-Kyum and Yoon Seungho (chapter 5-67), while in episode 77, it was the butler who yelled and criticized the noble.
(chapter 77) By detecting a reflection between these chapters, I had a new revelation. 
(chapter 5), while it was not the case. As you can see, anyone seeing the black guard leaving the owner’s study could have had the impression that the lord had written a letter. This means that this mistake must have taken place later again due to the rule 2! The manhwalovers could discover the deception in chapter 37/38!! 
(chapter 38) That’s how Jung In-Hun got misled. 
(chapter 38) Yoon Seung-Won had never received a letter, but the ruined painting. The readers only discovered the trick in the final episode, when the father was looking at the picture. And this connection between a letter and a painting was reflected in season 2. While Min stole the painter’s last creation
(chapter 56). Striking is that the butler was the one who received the paper before delivering it to his sick master. These two scenes (38-56) indicate that the valet is related to the correspondence. Moreover, he was seen delivering the message to Yoon Seungho in the courtyard. 
(chapter 35)
(chapter 5) It was, as if he was not allowed to write any letter. So where did the table go? To the study!! What caught my attention is that after the first painting
(chapter 2), the table had been removed from the study, just like the papers. 
(chapter 4) This was no coincidence. It had been sent to the lord’s bedroom, but after the lord had tasked the black guard, it was no longer there. This is the indication that someone was interfering with Yoon Seungho’s habit to take a brush. And this can only be Kim. As you can see, the appearance and the vanishing of the small table is the element which was reflected in chapter 1, 2, 
3, 4 and 5. And now, look at the scene where Lee Jihwa met Min. 
(chapter 67) The table had also disappeared. And when did it happen? 
(chapter 21) The noble had ransacked his own room with his sword. And what did we see in that episode? A paper folded in a book. 
(chapter 21) In other words, the First Wedding night is also a reflection from these chapters (4/5, 67/68, 77), for it contains the same elements: 
(chapter 20) an incident with a door, someone is pushed down, a wrongdoing committed against Yoon Seungho (theft), an apology 
(episode 19) and the importance of the table. According to me, the valet had put the expensive wine on the painter’s table on purpose. To conclude, I see a connection between episode 4/5, 19/20/21, 67/68 and 77. 
(chapter 77) He can not trust his words, especially since he views the nobles as violent liars. Why? It is because there was this huge table. This is no coincidence that right after the valet betrayed the main lead and wrote a message to the patriarch. That’s how I had another revelation. The butler is symbolized by the table! Thus he was often seen with this small table 
(chapter 11) 
(chapter 17) To conclude, when the butler saw the black guard leaving the mansion, he believed that his master had sent words to someone! That’s the reason why he removed the table and returned it to the painter’s study.
(chapter 97) written by Yoon Seungho, but he envisioned that this was the Spring poem! 
(chapter 97) We had the same situation. Black Heart had stolen the Spring poem, and the noonas had deceived the protagonists by faking admiration in front of an empty paper. 
(chapter 93) Since the paper in episode 93 was empty, I could only come to the deduction that this paper contained words!! 
(chapter 92) The latter’s work was a copy of Yoon Seungho’s poetry, the repetition from chapter 4. Hence you comprehend why I deduce that the paper in the annex was different from the Spring poem. So during that night, Yoon Seungho left a note to his lover, and that’s how the butler discovered that the artist could not read Chinese, for he saw his master writing in hangeul. But there exists another evidence for this interpretation. Baek Na-Kyum had wished this: 
(chapter 97) The goddess was actually fulfilling his wish, when she reminded him of the Spring poem. 
(chapter 97) If the lord had mentioned in the letter that they had found the corpse of Deok-Jae, the painter would have believed him. However, as you can envision it, the butler and Min were determined to generate a misunderstanding, to create the illusion that the scholar had died. Consequently, the servants deceived the main lead by omitting the existence of the paper. They had not delivered the message properly. 
(chapter 4) His own poetry got stolen. But let’s return our attention to episode 5. Since the lord had given the poem to the black guard, this signifies that the lord no longer had the sijo. Therefore he had to write the poem again in order to mask the disappearance. In my opinion, he must have copied the original poetry for the artist in order to prove that he had not been lying. Hence the paper looked different. And this brings me back to the painter’s apology in the patio. 
(chapter 04) That’s the reason why he had taken it in the first place. 
(chapter 7) But where is the sijo now? 
(chapter 65) Moreover, I believe that in chapter 65, he had collaborated with the noona. He had shown her the painting of Baek Na-Kyum, while in the study there was a blank paper. As you can see, in season 2, we had again this connection between a painting and blank paper. But let’s return our attention to chapter 5. The black guard was acting on the order of someone else, Yoon Seungho was not the one hiring him. The butler hates ruckus, his MO is to lie low and act in the shadow. If he had retrieved the paper, the man could report it to the master of the black guard. On the other hand, he could have asked the warden about his master’s request. He just needed to say that he desired to assist him, similar to this situation. 
(chapter 82) Thus I conclude that when the lord returned the paper to Baek Na-Kyum 
(chapter 7), Kim must have realized his error. He had mistaken the poem for a letter!! This explains why he repeated the trick with the younger master Seung-Won. But unfortunately for him, he was caught by the teacher who asked the painter about the letter the next morning. 
(chapter 38) Baek Na-Kyum could have realized that the butler had acted behind his master’s back. The problem is that during that evening, the lord had indeed written a letter to his brother 
(chapter 36), but the moment the latter interrupted the couple
(chapter 37), Yoon Seungho chose to hide it. But why is it important? It is because if the painter had mentioned the paper given to the younger master to Yoon Seungho, the latter could have noticed the valet’s meddling and wrongdoing. On the surface, it looked like Kim had written himself a letter to the younger master. In other words, in episode 37/38, the butler gave the impression that he was a spy, for he was acting without his master’s permission. He had even left the propriety, as he was standing outside in front of the gate. Don’t forget that during the meeting, the brother had mentioned that he had sent him many letters 
(chapter 37), and there is no ambiguity that Kim had intervened. Here, the lord had said nothing, for he imagined that Kim had done it to protect him from his family. 
(Chapter 4) But on his way out, he met Yoon Seungho who had just missed the painter’s departure. But there, he discovered that the main lead had stolen his poetry. 
(chapter 5) He was looking at the gate and as such making sure that the artist’s departure would be noticed. By sending the low-born to the Lees’ mansion, Kim was encouraging the painter to commit a crime: trespassing! But the artist was fortunate, for he was not caught by the lord of the mansion, who preferred hiding due to the ruckus caused by his own son. 😉 As for Yoon Seungho, he came back to the mansion and saw the empty study. Kim just needed to say that the low-born had left to the Lees’ mansion. This is important, because this indicates that in chapter 4, the couple missed each other first! And this situation was repeated in season 3, precisely in chapter 98, when the lord returned from the bureau of investigation
(chapter 98)! The lord arrived just after the painter’s departure. And who was with the main lead? Kim. As you can see, the lord’s luck seems not to be on his side, for Baek Na-Kyum had just left the propriety. Once again… the lord was standing in front of the gate!! As for season 2, this time, it was Kim’s fate to miss his master. 
(chapter 56) The reason for this punishment is simple. He had sent away the artist to the study just before Yoon Seungho regained consciousness. The latter didn’t see that the artist had taken care of him during that night. Thus the butler’s karma was not to notice his master’s departure which stands in opposition to chapter 4 and 98. And note that all these chapters have the paper as common denominator. So imagine the butler’s surprise in episode 4, when he witnessed the artist’s return to the mansion followed by his master. He had sent away Baek Na-Kyum with the hope that the artist would desert the town for good, but no…
(chapter 23) The first similarity is the allusion to his bag. The butler was actually thinking that during the hunt, the painter would decide to run away. That’s the reason why he asked about his belonging, for in the past, he only wished to vanish after retrieving his tools. Naturally, the artist saw no harm in the butler’s question and answered truthfully. He must have narrated the argument in the courtyard about the poem. Yoon Seungho had kept the sijo, consequently the painter had used his hand to take it back and had by mistake removed the lord’s hat. Thus Kim must have told him that he just needed to apologize. But one might say that this is just a story imagined by me. The manhwaphiles never saw such a scene. But don’t forget the existence of the reflections. I have definitely an evidence for this theory. Since the butler had manipulated the painter in chapter 4 in order to get rid of this uninvited guest, his karma was to receive a new guest!! 
(chapter 7) This is not what the valet truly desired at all. He wanted to live in peace. But now, he had three new people he had to serve: Jung In-Hun, the painter and his own master Yoon Seungho who had lived for quite some time in the Lees’ mansion. He had to work!! And note that in this episode 7, we have the following elements:
(chapter 93) It was a futile dream. When I had analyzed episode 93, I had explained that the speech from the main lead was influenced by the butler. As you can see, the lord’s narration 
(chapter 6) There was a switch. That’s how I had this revelation. Heena is the missing link between the learned sir and the protagonist. And observe that in episode 93, we have the same elements again:
(chapter 93) This time, Heena is the one standing behind closed doors, while it was Yoon Seungho in chapter 77
(chapter 93) In chapter 99, the noonas still lied to him.
(chapter 93), which was also present in chapter 4/5, 7 and 67
/68 and finally 77 
(chapter 1) [For more read the essay “Baek Na-Kyum’s origins”] There is no ambiguity that these words 
(chapter 55) Who was lord Song’s contact person then? In the past, I used to think that he was the one receiving the letters. But now, I have a different opinion. I believe, it is Heena! Why? It is because Kim couldn’t identify lord Song’s writing. According to me, Yoon Seungho was sent to the gibang in order to entertain the mysterious “lord Song”. Thereby I am assuming that the kisaeng would receive a word from lord Song and have the main lead fetched from the mansion by the black guards. Heena and Yoon Chang-Hyeon are the only ones seen with black guards, I am excluding the main lead, as he was always more or less their prisoner. As you can see, there is a connection between the noona and the Yoons.
(chapter 68)
(chapter 69) and in season 3, the noona sent messages to her brother herself. In two different chapters
(chapter 91), she is related to papers. 
(chapter 97) Logically, the noona in connection with the letter should be present in season 1. Secondly, when the woman appeared for the first time 
(chapter 64), she was accompanied with 2 guards, which is quite similar to the lord’s situation in chapter 1. That’s the reason why I believe that she didn’t keep the learned sir’s poem. Her betrayal could have been noticed and this was the first time that Yoon Seungho was making such a request.
(chapter 21) And above I had already demonstrated the connection between the First Wedding Night and chapter 5 and 77! Here the lord was imitating the pedophile’s behavior, hence you comprehend why I think that lord Song was the recipient of the poem. I would like my readers to keep in their mind that the learned sir’s sijo was referring to a painful departure, the loss of a loved one and despair! The beholder could have the impression that the author was suicidal due to the mention of the well and the torment of the mind. Thus I am now assuming that the “mysterious lord Song” will consider the sijo as a farewell, the lord chose to commit suicide and his death was related to Jung In-Hun’s curtains. Why? It is because Heena wrote letters to her brother where she accused the main lead of killing the learned sir. Moreover, Yoon Seung-Won had definitely mistaken the painter for the learned sir. 
(chapter 37) His position revealed that the main lead trusted the artist. It was, as if he was treating him like his wife. 
(chapter 34), and shortly after the painter was sent to the tailor. But during that night, the pedophile and Yoon Seungho had missed each other due to Baek Na-Kyum. He was not dead. So when the painter received new clothes, it was the same for Yoon Seungho. Yet, the pedophile was gravely mistaken. Why? The sijo had been stolen, and as such it was never addressed to the pedophile. Furthermore, it is because the lord was suffering from memory loss. Moreover, I believe that the main lead is not aware of the true identity of his sexual abuser. In his mind, it is just lord Song. But this doesn’t end here. 
(chapter 57) And who was behind this? Black Heart’s friend. But then it came to my mind that Black Heart had stolen the Spring poem… so he could have sent the paper to lord Song and the latter would have mistaken it as a letter from Yoon Seungho, the latter was reaching out to him. He was wishing him luck!! So imagine that when the man arrives in Jemulpo, he imagines that the main lead is waiting for him only to discover that Yoon Seungho vanished. He wished to die because of the loss of a loved one. And that’s how he will recall the poetry of the learned sir… the reflection of this night!! 
(chapter 94) In episode 4, the lord had laughed about the sijo, but it was no longer the case in the kisaeng house. In my eyes, the pedophile will go through the same experience. Yes, the effect of the kaleidoscope. He will perceive the learned sir’s poetry under a different perspective. Only in that moment, he will realize the suicidal tone in the sijo. He will question how Yoon Seungho could become so desperate and suicidal so suddenly. And now, you comprehend why Heena was trembling in front of her brother
, and why she had planned to leave the gibang that night!! She was aware of the arrival of “lord Song”. She knows how cruel and ruthless he can be. 
(chapter 101) Blood will flow… The proof for this expectation is that chapter 67, 77, 82 and 93 are all referring to punishment. Kim had been beaten in episode 77, while the kisaeng was imprisoned in the storage room. Moreover, we have the use of the sword in episode 21 and 67… and during these nights, the protagonists had made love to each other.
(chapter 82) 
(chapter 82) It is because he didn’t want to leave any evidence of his intervention. No one should notice that he had paid a visit to the patriarch either. His visit should remain a secret. He was actually afraid of getting detected. The reason is simple. He was fearing the person standing behind Yoon Seungho, lord Song. He had two reasons for this. First, he could see that Yoon Seungho was no longer treated like an animal or male kisaeng. 
(chapter 67) Here, the lord had just insinuated that if something like that happened again, he would go to the authorities. However, since this threat was rather ambiguous, the patriarch Lee could only interpret it that way. The main lead would report the incident to the “mysterious lord Song”, alias the king. And father Lee knew that he could get into trouble. Furthermore, since these elders are all hypocrites and liars, there is no doubt that father Lee feared that the protagonist wouldn’t keep his words. That’s the reason why he approached the father. He hoped that Yoon Chang-Hyeon would intervene and impose his will onto his son. He would tame the main character. In other words, episode 82 is a reflection of chapter 4/5, 19/20/21, 67/68 and 77. The first common denominator is the allusion to letters. The messenger’s words revealed that Kim had contacted the elder Yoon, for he already knew his name, though the latter had never met the domestic. Secondly, the “letters” were delivered orally: 
(chapter 82), and even in person: Father Lee and the emissary. Third, the elder Lee badmouthed Yoon Seungho by mentioning the incident from chapter 67, and refused the invitation of his host 
(chapter 82). Finally, he called Baek Na-Kyum a peasant exactly like the main lead in front of the gate: 
(chapter 82). But more important, the old bearded man expressed this fear: the loss of his family home!
(chapter 82) And remember that I had detected the presence of the Lees’ mansion in episode 4 and it was also present in chapter 21 and 67! And what had the butler done during these chapters? He had tried to chase away the painter and as such Yoon Seungho. The latter was not supposed to live in the Yoons’ domain. And this will be the Lees’ karma to be driven out of their own house! 
(chapter 83) It vanished, and as such it was stolen. Did the mysterious lord Song take it away in order to force Yoon Seungho to paint? The older version of this scene: 
(chapter 1) The paintings were illustrating that the pedophile was having sex with a minor.
(chapter 11) Secondly, I had associated the main lead to the eagle which is the symbol for the kings and emperors in Europe. He was seen here flying 
(chapter 30), and his fingers reminded me of the eagle’s claws. 
(chapter 18) And this perception got even reinforced, when I saw this panel: 
(chapter 52) In this scene, he was sitting like a king surrounded by his “court”. The hanbok had such a design that I couldn’t help myself associating it to Joseon’s monarchy. 
, I had another revelation. On the one hand, it actually confirmed that Yoon Seungho was somehow destined to become a king, yet he is not represented by the eagle or the phoenix, but by the dragon. Hence the moment I saw this image, one idiom came to my mind: Dragon king!
(chapter 100), though this deity is always accompanied with a dragon and in this picture, the readers couldn’t see one. However, it is possible that the author didn’t desire to reveal too much. 
(chapter 21) Why? It is because the lord was happy. These were the tears of happiness, which Yoon Seungho couldn’t express contrary to the painter. And this is no coincidence that in chapter 58, it started snowing, when the couple was making love: 
(chapter 58) And we had the same weather, when Yoon Seungho saved his lover. 
(chapter 102) The weather was expressing the main lead’s emotions: tears of happiness or sadness. We could say that the lord has the “power” to move the sky. 
(chapter 46) and we have so many jars next to the pond: 
(chapter 94) [For more read the essay “The secret behind the library”]
(chapter 91) This is no coincidence. To conclude, all these elements (rain, jar, well, soul of a deceased), connected to the dragon king, are present in Painter Of The Night. Thus I came to the conclusion that Yoon Seungho is like Dragon king. This reinforces my conviction that the main lead is not only connected to shamanism, but also embodies royalty. So he might not be the king of Joseon, but he is powerful in his own way, though he is not aware of this. And note that the moment he wished to commit suicide by drowning in the pond, he was brought back to life. 
(chapter 102) Water is his true element. 
(chapter 85) This means that in the Yoons’ mansion, people didn’t venerate this god. And since the aristocrat made such a statement to the elder Yoon Chang-Hyeon, 
(chapter 86), I have the impression that in season 4, we will assist to a real ritual to ward off evil and back luck, leading the tormenting souls to the afterlife peacefully. 
(chapter 100) and this altar 
(chapter 100) were exposing the presence of a ritual. However, my problem was that I couldn’t determine exactly the nature of the ritual. But by making the connection between the dragon and good fortune, I had now more clues. I have to admit that I can not be 100% sure for this, but this is what I found: 
(chapter 6) 
(chapter 83) and the deer 
(chapter 22). Then the lord compared Baek Na-Kyum’s eyes to a rabbit. 
(chapter 78) Since both resemble each other, I deduce that the main lead has the same eyes, the rabbit’s. Like mentioned above, he utilized his fingers similar to claws: 
(chapter 54) One might argue that this signification is totally impossible, for the lord doesn’t have the body of a snake. This point can be refuted very easily. What is the major characteristic of a snake is molting. A regularly recurrent event during the activity period of all snakes is the shedding of the skin. This coincides with the lord’s change of clothes. The latter reflected his downfall and rising. Furthermore, this animal is linked to death and rebirth. My avid readers are already aware that I had detected different scenes, where we could witness the lord’s spiritual death and rebirth, like for example in the shed: 
(chapter 62) When he discovered his misjudgment the next morning, he felt like dead. He no longer saw himself as a lord, but came to view the painter as his new lord : 
(chapter 66) As a conclusion, Yoon Seungho shares so many similarities with the dragon that I came to view him as one. This explicates why even after getting married, he will never wear a beard! 
(chapter 102), and thanks to the painter, Yoon Seungho’s soul was able to escape this “mental prison”. 
(chapter 45)
(chapter 55) and as such his heart and mind. 
The painter is sitting inside a room, while Jung In-Hun is standing outside. Nonetheless, the position of the characters are very similar. This indicates that the author’s new alternative story is actually inspired by the main story!! This can only reinforce my perception that Yoon Seungho in the main story is associated to royalty. However, since it is a reflection, I deduce that this image 
He criticized the painter by stating that this was “filthy”. 
In this scene, the characters are caught by surprise, but it becomes obvious that there is no disgust or expulsion. In fact, the fall of man took place before, for Baek Na-Kyum was sent to Joseon. In this encounter, I detect attraction and curiosity. Hence I come to the conclusion that in the original story, when this scene took place, 
(chapter 50) 
(chapter 52) This means that the mysterious lord Song was actually claiming the main lead as his wife in the last scene. Min and his friends were sent there in order to entertain the protagonist, but they failed. This explicates why the next day, Black Heart was seen with a hanbok of lower quality. 
(chapter 56) It was, as if Min had been compensated for his bruised face by the mysterious lord Song. However, for the pedophile, Black Heart was just a concubine, and not his main wife! Hence the hanbok had not such a detailed and expensive design. This would explain the villain’s jealousy. And now, if you look back at the hanboks from the main lead, you will recognize his ascent. First, he is wearing green, which is similar to Yoon Chang-Hyeon’s color. At the same time, his hat resembled a lot to Kim’s. 
(chapter 1) Then later, he is mostly wearing blue which is actually the color of the Crown prince. 
(chapter 11) Yet, his robes initially have no design. Slowly, the lord is wearing colors and designs that are actually reserved for a king: blue, red, black and purple. This constant change of hanboks symbolizes the “snake molting” and as such his transformation and rising. This is not astonishing that on the night of the bloodbath, he had such a hanbok: 
(chapter 102) Here, he was no longer acting like a noble, but as a ruler. Don’t forget that according to me, the mysterious lord Song had proclaimed the main lead as his unofficial Queen by giving him hanboks with phoenixes. However, naturally, this was never mentioned to Yoon Seungho directly. Why? It is because Kim usually selects his clothes. However, this rise was not natural, as the lord had no real saying in this matter. The real metamorphosis took place in the shaman’s house, when the lord was sent back to the past and as such the darkness. 
(chapter 102) The moment he left the “cave”, he went to the mountain and surrounded by the wind and water, he changed into a dragon. This expulsion corresponds to the final release, the lord’s mind is finally freed from the darkness, while I believe that this scene 
(chapter 44) It is because the main lead was thinking that the painter would actually run away. Thus the door was left opened, and he was wearing warm clothes. Yoon Seungho never imagined that Baek Na-Kyum would remain by his side. Yet, during the previous night, the lord had consoled his lover by embracing him. 
(chapter 71) But this can be refuted easily. First, don’t forget that during this love session, the lord was acting like a servant pleasing his new lord. So this had nothing to do with Yoon Seungho’s feelings like sadness or happiness. He was determined to keep the painter by his side, and ignoring his own feelings. He never expected the artist to reciprocate his feelings. Secondly, Yoon Seungho’s nocturne vision is not just a nightmare, but also a DREAM! Yes, you are reading this correctly. Only recently, I discovered that all the artist’s visions are a combination of 3 elements: memory, nightmare and dream! I will give you three examples as illustration, for I am slowly running out of time. 
This vision is a combination of these three elements: memory, nightmare and dream. This had happened during the First Wedding Night (memory)
(chapter 21), then we have a similar situation in chapter 49: , 
, but the painter was rejecting this future. Hence he considered it as a nightmare. 
; nightmare 
the lord becomes a ghost and confronts the painter with his biggest fears (admitting his attraction, passion for erotic paintings and homosexuality) and dream
(The painter’s true desire was that the lord would kiss him, he was deeply longing for his lips, yet he was still in denial in this vision. 
, for the painter was remembering the corpse in the courtyard, a dream, as he wished the return of his loved one 
. He hoped that the lord would take care of him personally. Naturally, the “spirit” is the nightmare 
. 
(chapter 74) This had already happened, but the lord had not grasped the significance. 
(chapter 53) Besides, he had not opened the door himself. Even when he went to the scholar Lee and opened the door with the his foot, the lord still felt trapped. 
(chapter 96) This shows that the lord’s wish to get released had not been fulfilled so far. In my eyes, it is connected to the torture Yoon Seungho suffered and as such to the purge organized by the authorities. That’s the reason why I deduce that the lord will break a door in season 4, and this won’t be by accident and it will be witnessed by many people contrary to chapter 53, 67 and 96! The broken door will reflect the lord’s rise and power, and no one will be able to stop this. In my eyes, this wish is connected to the door in the servants’ quarter. That’s how his imprisonment started.
(chapter 74) The “dragon” wished to see Kim and his father, and confront them! And this did take place in season 3. Yoon Seungho confronted the butler with his attitude and betrayal
(chapter 77), but this argument was just short-lived. He still viewed the valet as a hard-working and trustworthy person. He had just made bad decisions. Then in the bedchamber, the lord could blame the father for his suffering: 
(chapter 86) As you can see, the lord’s wishes were granted, but the nocturne vision was so difficult to grasp that neither the readers nor the main lead could interpret the message correctly immediately. Besides, the nightmare was mostly silent. But this doesn’t end here. 
(chapter 86) In reality, he was a dragon, who could bring luck and fortune to the person who would cherish him. This is no coincidence that the pedophile sent hanboks with the crane
(chapter 30), but much more brutal and violent! 
(Chapter 73) 
(chapter 73) This is important, because the manhwalovers can sense a connection between sex and hunt. This means that the love session in the bedchamber from season 2 should be perceived as a new version of a hunt. And this link between sex and hunting was also present, when Yoon Seungho and Min were in the woods in chapter 41: 
(chapter 41) In this scene, it looked like Black Heart was trying to make a move on Yoon Seungho, while in truth Min was more obsessed with the painter. 
(Chapter 41) The expression „spot“ belongs also to the semantic field of chase.
(Chapter 11) A murder disguised as an accident, the scholar would have been eaten by a tiger. What caught my attention is that No-Name requested from Deok-Jae that he should make the painter leave the mansion. 
o (chapter 51) It was, as if the rabbit had been chased away from its burrow or the deer had been forced to leave the woods. That way, he would become an easy target for the hunter and butcher Mumyeong. To conclude, we had two hunts in season 2 as well. 
(Chapter 99) First, he was rushing, but the moment he received the crucial tip from his childhood friend, he approached the den silently, just like a tiger. That‘s the reason why neither Black Heart nor lord Jang nor lord Park detected his presence. 
(Chapter 101) 
(chapter 99) and Lee Jihwa
(chapter 100), hence he had not the time to question the veracity of their claims or sense their manipulations. On the other hand, he could detect the difference between the blood in front of the scholar’s house and inside the building. 
(Chapter 100). He was following his instincts. Tigers cautiously stalk their target from the rear in attempt to get as close as possible to their unsuspecting prey. 
(chapter 48) or the chin 
(chapter 102) Even in this panel, the sword resembles a lot to the tiger‘s fang: 
(chapter 102) Another important element is that this predator usually targets large-bodied preys like boar, deer, humans and not rabbit or pheasant. Under this new light, it becomes comprehensible why the main lead went after a boar or the aristocrats in season 3. 
(chapter 22) 
(chapter 111) than the killer in the woods 
(chapter 103), it looks like the learned sir chose to drop his own principle. And if this theory is true, then I come to the conclusion that the learned sir chose to copy the protagonist thinking that he could get away with it. 
(chapter 60) The latter belonged to the lowest ranks of Joseon’s society, because killing an animal was a disgraceful job. On the other hand, the butcher No-Name and the tiger Yoon Seungho have something in common: killing is viewed as a necessity. It is either to survive or to end the animal’s suffering or to punish the criminals. 
(Chapter 43) Lee Jihwa would remove a witch, and not a human. 
(Chapter 60) By removing his eyes and tongue, the victim’s face would change making him impossible to be recognized. And note that his scarf and headgear had been removed as well. It was not a game, but a deadly matter. Why would he do such a thing? The reason is simple. If no one could identify the victim, there would be no investigation. Astonishing is that hunt is a synonym for investigation and prosecution. Hence I am deducing that in season 4, the investigation should be perceived a new version of the hunt, a new version of this scene. 
(chapter 37) Because of Jung In-Hun and Min, someone will be put on the wanted list. On the other side, Mumyeong’s other job is to entertain people. To conclude, there is a strong connection between killing and entertaining which the main lead destroyed during that night. He reminded the nobles that hunting means taking away a life. 
(chapter 83) Thus I am deducing that this chase had been suggested to the main lead in order to release his tension and as such in order to divert his attention from the painter. Naturally, Kim was behind this idea faking his concern for his master. The hunt was supposed to procure pleasure to Yoon Seungho, but it couldn’t, because he was afraid of losing the painter. This explains why he selected the boar as his prey. He was fearless in front of that dangerous animal, for it meant nothing to him. He didn’t mind losing his life… revealing his suicidal disposition which resurfaced later, when the father mentioned the authorities. 
(chapter 86) 
(chapter 86) But the moment the servant reminded him to pay more attention to himself
(chapter 83), he abandoned the boar immediately. This shows that all this time, Baek Na-Kyum had been on his mind. Therefore it is no coincidence that he rushed home on his horse and looked for Baek Na-Kyum. 
(Chapter 83) He couldn’t forget that he had scared and wounded the painter in his dissociative state. This shows that the chase had not served its true purpose: entertainment. In reality, the domestics had been the ones suffering the most, for them it was definitely more work 
(Chapter 84) compared to the past. 
(chapter 23)
(chapter 22) embodies not only the painter, but also someone else. While in the past, I used to believe that it was Kim, now I come to the deduction that it was Jung In-Hun. Note that in this scene, the main lead left the prey and the scholar behind. Both got defeated. This means that by targeting Yoon Seungho, the scholar is not realizing that he is actually endangering his own life. Besides, by hunting the deer, the learned sir offered this prey to the tiger Yoon Seungho, and this was the painter’s case. Furthermore, the deer was carried back home on a horse
(chapter 24) reflecting the painter’s fate. 
(chapter 25) Who brought the horse to the pavilion? Kim and Deok-Jae! And when the learned sir departed from the mansion, he was followed by the vicious servant and the horse. 
(chapter 44) As you can see, Jung In-Hun is connected to the horse. This observation was even confirmed in season 4. 
(Chapter 111) Thanks to episode 111, I detected another progression. First, Jung In-Hun was walking behind the horse 
(chapter 24) Thus he could take the artist away unnoticed. Then in episode 44, the learned sir is shown standing in front of the horse. Finally, the manhwaphiles can see the man riding. This reflects his social ascension. 
(Chapter 111) Like mentioned above, the shoes could be perceived as the evidence for Jung In-Hun’s crime. 
(chapter 83) The boar symbolizes not only the nobles like Jihwa, Min, Jang or Park, but also the elders Kim, Lee, Yoon Chang-Hyeon, and as such the king. And if you consider the boar as the personification of the pedophile, the ruler, this means that the moment Yoon Seungho hunted down the nobles, he defeated the ruler in a figurative way. I would even say that the nobles like Min or lord Haseon are pushing the main lead to “hunt” the monarch, for the shadows are standing behind the main lead. Due to their tricks, the “schemers” are realizing that they are contributing to give justice to the protagonists. Thus I was wondering if in the end, the main lead would hunt down a human in season 4, Kim or the king. Don’t forget the main lead’s words to the painter: 
(Chapter 103) However, since the manhunt appeared in the first episode from season 4, I deduce that we will have many manhunts in the final season, like here 
(Chapter 106) 
(chapter 106) 
(Chapter 88) On the other hand, the foot print and the glasses were added to give the impression that the learned sir had been murdered. However, after adding blood in the fake crime scene and removing the learned sir’s possessions, 
(chapter 100), the place could be interpreted differently. The inhabitant had been attacked by a tiger during the night. 
Though the painter had been the prey of these vicious nobles, the real target had been Yoon Seungho. That’s the reason why I had developed the theory that the pedophile had been not only lusting after the young master, but also targeting the Yoons. 
(chapter 45) the cobweb behind Deok-Jae. Imagine that this scene took place in the middle of winter, thus the spider’s web got covered by frost. However, this indicates that this room had been abandoned for quite some time. But it is close to the gate. So it should have been the place where the doorkeeper is living. Secondly, I had demonstrated that the shrine had been neglected, for the altar had been removed. 
(chapter 18) Because of the presence of the cobweb, I started wondering why the author drew it behind Deok-Jae. In my eyes, it is because he was part of the spider’s web. 
(chapter 18) That’s the reason why Yoon Seungho was not dressed properly. 
(chapter 83) If he lived in a shed and had such a simple attire, no one would ever think that he was a noble in the first place. I believe that neither the patriarch nor the ruler had an interest to reveal his true identity. However, the protagonist had to be monitored, for he could try to escape at any moment. That’s the reason why the butler was still tasked to “take care of him”. But by becoming a male night servant for the king, this meant that the other nobles could claim him as well. He had no right. However, since the main lead was a butterfly, he couldn’t get tamed. Hence violence, manipulations and drugs were used to tame the young master. And remember how the spider kills its target: he empties it of its blood. In other word, he sucks all his energy. Therefore it is not surprising that at the end the main lead had become a wreck, and had no light in his eyes. 
(chapter 57) Naturally, the purge played a huge role in the lord’s suffering reinforcing the huge rift between the pedophile and Yoon Seungho.
(chapter 57)
(chapter 101). It was not Min’s task to carry a friend… he was just a fellow puppet brought to the shaman’s house in order to entertain Black Heart. This truly exposes that Black Heart never saw in the aristocrats humans. As the red-haired master, he had been considered as the hunting dog, he had fulfilled his function. That’s why he was abandoned. He had helped Min to corner the painter and brought the kisaeng to the scholar’s home. Moreover, a hunting dog disobeying his master will be killed. Hence it is not surprising that the wild dogs ended up all dead. They were totally defenseless in front of a huge tiger. This feline is difficult to tame.
(chapter 101) They saw in the sexual violence a new form of hunting. I would even go so far to say that they desired to turn the artist into their pet fulfilling all their desires: 
(chapter 101) Thus it is not surprising that Yoon Seungho was compared to an animal by his own father in the past. 
(chapter 101) As a punishment, he was given to lord Jang and his friend. Since Min had captured the artist, he viewed himself as his owner who would give order to his pet. Yet, a deer is a shy, but wild animal, difficult to control making it difficult to be tamed. 
Yoon Seungho has the impression that he could get hunted down, for he killed the nobles. The tiger is now the target of “humans”, and Jung In-Hun will play a crucial role in his prosecution
(Chapter 10) 
Bebebisous33s' analyses in K-Dramaland and Manhwas 