Jinx /Doctor Frost: Joo Jaekyung‘s shadow 👤

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

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. The origins of this essay

Since the beginning, people have been wondering about Joo Jaekyung’s past and family and this interest keeps increasing, the more the champion interacts with Kim Dan. Why? It is because Jinx lovers are sensing the tyrant’s transformation. (chapter 1) Slowly, he is getting tamed and as such he is becoming a social being! Right now, he has become much more considerate towards the physical therapist. (chapter 25) Note that he is standing in the ring, but he is smiling. And this change can only push the manhwaphiles to question about Joo Jaekyung’s raising and past. His metamorphosis is referring to the famous debate “nature versus nurture” in psychology.

“The expression “nature vs. nurture” describes the question of how much a person’s characteristics are formed by either “nature” or “nurture.” “Nature” means innate biological factors (namely genetics), while “nurture” can refer to upbringing or life experience more generally. […]

A person’s biological nature can affect a person’s experience of the environment. For example, a person with a genetic disposition toward a particular trait, such as aggressiveness, may be more likely to have particular life experiences (including, perhaps, receiving negative reactions from parents or others). Or, a person who grows up with an inclination toward warmth and sociability may seek out and elicit more positive social responses from peers. These life experiences could, in turn, reinforce an individual’s initial tendencies. Nurture or life experience more generally may also modify the effects of nature—for example, by expanding or limiting the extent to which a naturally bright child receives encouragement, access to quality education, and opportunities for achievement.” Quoted from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/nature-vs-nurture#:~:text=The%20expression%20%E2%80%9Cnature%20vs.,or%20life%20experience%20more%20generally.

This shows that Joo Jaekyung’s environment played a huge role in his mental and emotional development. Because of Kim Dan, it becomes obvious that the boxer has a big heart. In addition, he had no loved one by his side. He has definitely trust and abandonment issues. In other words, he had not opened up his heart to anyone else before. But does it mean that he has always been on his own till his fateful meeting with the doctor? No, I don’t think so. Why? First, he trusts the coaches Park Namwook and Jeong Yosep (chapter 5) and the doctor Cheolmin. (chapter 14) He listens to them, hence he calls them all “hyung”. But here is the question. How did he come to meet them and even trust them? Imagine that he is still keeping his distance from other fighters, yet he is the unofficial owner of Black Team. He can determine the salary and the transferring. This displays that his mistrust is not just a matter of time. Consequently, my hypothesis is that someone introduced the hyungs to him. Here, I feel the need to remind my inquisitive readers that I had found many clues in the name Joo Jaekyung [For more read “The bright calamity“] which had triggered many new ideas. One of them was that the protagonist could be in verity the real heir of that chaebol family, because Joo can have the following significations: master/owner/host and helmet/descendants!! I had also voiced the possibility that he might have lost his parents due to a terrible incident (crime). With this, we would have the explanation of the abandonment issues and the absence of motherly affection. If this theory is true, then it means that he would be an orphan. Therefore he needed to have a guardian. Yes… exactly like Kim Dan. He was raised by someone else. And don’t forget that Kim Dan is his fated partner, thereby they share some common denominators. Therefore in my eyes, the only difference would be that the doctor was abandoned by his parents on purpose which would not be the case for the famous MMA-fighter. And now, it is time to reveal my theory concerning Joo Jaekyung’s past. Actually, I had made this discovery much sooner, and even planned to present it in the essay “The bright calamity”. Yet, as the latter had become so long, I decided to postpone it! I was waiting for the right time, until I couldn’t help myself announcing on Twitter the discovery of a clue in episode 5, when @jaekyungxdan wondered about the athlete’s childhood. Thus people got intrigued about my new finding and theory.

2. “I just tried a little something new”

Do you recognize this quote? Joo Jaekyung mentioned it in the car after his match in chapter 5. And now, if you take a closer look at the illustration, you will identify that two images are from episode 5. (chapter 5) For me, it is a very important episode. So what do these panels have in common? The main lead’s cellphone. In fact, the latter exposes a lot about the athlete’s private life.😮 We have the best example from Kim Dan. (chapter 16)(chapter 16) (chapter 16) The minions saw the amount and came to the conclusion that Kim Dan was selling his body.

And now, it is time to study the emperor’s recent calls more closely. (chapter 05) According to me, the mysterious doctor from episode 13 is Cheolmin hyung. Consequently, I had only one name left: Seo Gichan. Who is this man? Because I had made a connection between the names and personality, I immediately started reading the information about his name. Yes, the website giving significations to Korean names has become my little something. Moreover, observe that Seo Gichan appeared first! For me, the order is exposing the importance of a person in Joo Jaekyung’s life. This explains why Kim Dan was only called 8 times after talking to the faceless man. I have the impression that this man had reassured the young fighter. Since Cheolmin hyung is connected to the club, it is comprehensible why the main lead called Kim Dan 23 times after his conversation. He had dropped the idea of finding a lover through the club!! And now, I would like to outline another relevant detail. When did we see the champion using his cellphone? (chapter 1) (chapter 2) (chapter 19) They are all related to sex and as such prostitution. So when he called the MFC match manager, it is related to his jinx. Hence the champion got upset. I could even include this scene as well. (chapter 17) The champion paid off the doctor’s debts, thinking that he was freeing him from “prostitution”. (chapter 18) And guess what? The name “Gi” can signify “prostitute” or “flesh, muscle”. (chapter 5) A coincidence? I don’t think so. Hence I came to the conclusion that this man is responsible for the athlete’s negative perception of sex. The latter is connected to prostitution. How so? Gi can also mean “man of sixty or seventy“. This means, he is an older man! That’s how I deduced that Seo Gichan has been the champion’s guardian! The negative version of Kim Dan’s halmoni! (chapter 22) He is the reason why the champion became a fighter, just like Kim Dan became a physical therapist for his grandmother. This explicates why the athlete knew how to talk prettily to an elderly and how to assist the sick grandmother (chapter 21). Joo Jaekyung is used to this. But there’s more to his name. However, before exposing more about his name and his personality, I would like to examine this panel again. (chapter 5) When the protagonist is starring at his cellphone, there’s a fighter standing behind him. For me, this image represents a metaphor. There exists a shadow in the athlete’s life. Yet the champion is not detecting the colleague’s presence, too blinded by his frustration and anger. He had never been ignored and as such rejected before!! Nevertheless, we shouldn’t overlook the fact that the main lead had called Seo Gichan and Cheolmin hyung before! This exposes the increasing obsession of the athlete for the main lead. Kim Dan is Joo Jaekyung’s shadow, but when I selected this title, I was naturally thinking of Seo Gichan! He is the one who had been influencing the athlete’s life so far. However, for me, the last image represents the transition. Kim Dan is little by little taking over the old man’s place. Yes, we are actually assisting to the champion’s spiritual and mental emancipation. He’s maturing into a real adult by rediscovering his inner child. Thus on one hand, he is taking care of the doctor and the halmoni, on the other hand, he plays more and more pranks. (chapter 24)

3. Seo Gichan: the ghost in Joo Jaekyung’s life

How can I be so sure that he’s been acting as the athlete’s guardian? First, Seo can signify “son-in-law” or “husband“, an indication that he is like family to the main lead. Furthermore, his name is related to food: potato, yam (sweet potato) and millet/broomcorn millet. It was, as though the man had been making sure that Joo Jaekyung would eat properly. This would explain why Joo Jaekyung is eating on a regular basis. (chapter 13) (chapter 18) As a child, he was encouraged to drink his glass of milk and not to drink these sweet yoghurts. (chapter 21) They were definitely judged as unhealthy, for they contain a lot of sugar. It is no coincidence that Seo can mean “order, discipline and age”. This man was definitely strict. Hence the main lead never experienced a caress and a warm hug from his guardian.

However, since the elderly man is not wearing the same name than the fighter, this means that they are not directly related. Hence Joo Jaekyung had never tasted a family meal!! (chapter 22) (chapter 22) Seo Gichan must have never cooked for the athlete, he simply hired a nutritionist! (chapter 22) However, I doubt that Seo Gichan is living like the athlete. I am suspecting that he enjoys good meals. Why? It’s because Chan can mean “meal, eat, food, delicacies“!! Moreover, Seo can refer to hungry. Hence I don’t think that he is as slim and fragile as the halmoni, quite the opposite! Why? First, his name Gi can signify “rhinoceros” or “piebald horse“, an indication that he must be robust. Additionally, this ghost is linked to “west”, “dawn” and willow, which reminded me of Park Namwook. The latter is represented by “morning sun, rising, mountain cherry and camphor tree“!! How does the coach look like? (chapter 7) Quite chubby! Thus we can assume that he resembles to the coach and the emperor is taking after his mentor to a certain extent.

Moreover, we know the halmoni’s face, but we don’t know her name… and it is the opposite for Seo Gichan! This is not random for me. We all read his name, yet we haven’t seen him in person. He has a similar role than the halmoni in the champion’s life. (chapter 22) Is he actually real?

I have to admit that after reading all the different meanings of Seo Gichan, I came to the following conclusion: he is one of the villains of Jinx! First, Seo means “daybreak, dawn“, while Joo Jaekyung fears the night and is suffering from somniphobia. This contrast could only raise my suspicion. On the other hand, this would explain why he would trust this man and rely on him. At the same time, the faceless man could feign ignorance about the main lead’s suffering.

What caught my attention is that his name always embodies opposite notions. Seo stands for loyalty (oath, vow, swear), for forgiveness and generosity (to forgive, to give, have mercy, to assist, to give, to live), while Seo is also connected to scheme, stratagem, to weed, to dig, to hoe, to die. In addition, Gi can embody plot, to deceive, to cheat, to abandon, relinquish, discard, exile, banish and scuttle! Then Seo can allude to weird, odd, strange, divergent or WISE. This is another contradiction. How is it possible? For me, this mysterious man is a hypocrite, but Joo Jaekyung has not detected it yet. While Seo can signify “perch”, “rest of birds”, “to dwell“, “relax“, Gi can represent “bridle, halter and restrain“! I perceive that the elderly gave Joo Jaekyung a fake home, where the latter was restrained and manipulated. Seo was the willow where the dragon could rest , the reality was to divert his attention. Under this new aspect, you can grasp my illustration. In addition, Seo can also signify “to narrate, chat, express and relieve”, a sign that he has been manipulating the athlete filling his head with prejudices. Hence Gi can also mean “to ridicule“.

This ghost is definitely selfish and greedy, for his name is connected to the following notions: “wish, want, hope, hungry, oneself, self, her/his/its, sixth in order, numerous, to hoe” (in Australian, it means eat eagerly) and “to store, to compile, to gather”. Due to the words “craft, skill, wise, chess, chess piece, stratagem, plot”, I deduce that he must be very intelligent and even cunning. Nonetheless, I can not be sure 100%, but since Seo can represent villa, office and bureau, I have the impression that he is running the chaebol company in Joo Jaekyung’s name. By becoming a fighter, Joo Jaekyung has not the time to deal with business. Further, the name Chan can represent “to carry on, to inherit“, while it can also mean “to exile, banish and scuttle“. In other words, he took over the young man’s place. Hence Joo Jaekyung lives in a recent and modern penthouse and not in the family villa.

But how did I come to this hypothesis? Look once again at the illustration on the left side on the bottom. What do these little images (plow, winnow basket, millet, yam) have in common? They are all related to agriculture and farming. Besides, Gi can also signify woodworking chisel, hoe, tool/utensil and finally “headland“. In agriculture, headland is the area at each end of a planted field. Hence I came to the following deduction: Seo Gichan comes from the countryside, from the peasantry. As soon as I made this connection, I couldn’t help myself thinking of Potato (chapter 23) For me, their path will cross, especially since Potato is a reflection of Kim Dan. The former could view the physical therapist as a source of danger for his idol. But let’s return our attention to my interpretation. Seo Gichan comes from a humble background, but he could raise socially, the exact opposite of the grandmother’s destiny. This is not surprising that Gi can signify “rise, raise and get up“. Hence he was not rich and powerful from the start. So how could he come close to a chaebol heir? It is because he was his guardian. He must have gained the chaebol family’s trust. Thus he could indoctrinate his pupil telling him that poor people are to blame for their misery. In other words, Seo Gichan must have sold himself as a self-made man which would explain why Joo Jaekyung is such a hardworking athlete and he is not living on his wealth. I have the feeling that in reality, he is more like Heo Manwook, the loan shark. He took advantage of the situation. (“Gi”: machine, opportunity”)

Because he is not related to the champion directly, it becomes comprehensible why the penthouse contains no direct reference to Seo Gichan. However, I believe that he did leave a trace there, though it is not obvious. It is the painting: (chapter 18) In the analysis “The bright calamity”, I had elaborated that this painting was reflecting the protagonist’s name and as such his personality. But we know that Joo Jaekyung has no knowledge about culture: (chapter 19) For me, the painting reflects not only the champion, but also the mysterious man. Why? His name can also signify “book, divination, lucky, auspicious, oath and libation cup“, hence I included the bowl from episode 9 in the illustration. All these idioms belong to the semantic field of religion and faith, thus we have the church in the picture. And that’s how it dawned on me why Joo Jaekyung came to choose abstinence and is refusing to drink alcohol with his fellows. It is because he is drinking with his “master Seo”, his priest!! Besides, Gi can refer to “base, basic, foundation“. He is the owner of the champion’s past (Gi= to record, note and remember“). Thus he could distort the champion’s past memories and childhood. Under this new light, it occurred to me that Seo Gichan is the cause for the champion’s false belief: (chapter 18) How so? It is because Seo Gichan must have presented himself as his lucky charm (“Seo: lucky, auspicious, propitious; Chan: libation cup, praise, compliment, brilliant, glorious“). And this leads me to the following observation, Gi can also mean mythical male unicorn. As soon as I found this, I looked into it and discovered Qilin.

“qilin, Wade-Giles ch’i-lin, in Chinese mythology, the unicorn whose rare appearance often coincides with the imminent birth or death of a sage or illustrious ruler. (The name is a combination of the two characters qi “male,” and lin, “female.”) A qilin has a single horn on its forehead, a yellow belly, a multicoloured back, the body of a deer, and the tail of an ox. Gentle of disposition, it never walks on verdant grass or eats living vegetation.” Quoted from https://www.britannica.com/topic/qilin

This discovery could only reinforce my hypothesis that the protagonist is the real heir, the true ruler, but he has been fooled by this old man. The latter presented himself as a qilin, thus the dragon felt a connection with his spiritual guide. He had the impression, they were similar and as such close. Both are creatures of water (Gi: Yi River), and to fire and as such light (bright, brilliant, summer heat, hot weather). No wonder why the protagonist would trust Seo Gichan so much. However, the reality is that the elderly man stopped Joo Jaekyung from turning into a dragon by keeping him by the coast. Headland has another signification: it is also a narrow piece of land that projects from a coastline into the sea. Under this aspect, my avid readers can grasp why I selected the yellow and blue picture in the illustration. It is an allusion to the coast and ocean, to fire and to water, but also to border, as Gi can mean “flag, border, breakwater, jetty and boundary“. In my eyes, Seo Gichan is the red flag. But the fake qiling used “cotton wadding, the perch and willow” to stop Joo Jaekyng from flying over the ocean and find his yeouiju! He wanted him to remain an imoogi! [For more, read the essay “Tattooed identity”]

So while Seo Gichan poses as qilin, in reality he is just a rat, mouse and rhinoceros. As you all know, the rat symbolizes betrayal, greed, but intelligence. The mouse inspires no danger, and it is known for its gentle and nurturing nature. No reason to mistrust him. As for the rhinoceros, it is also connected to the positive features:

  • strong,
  • reliable,
  • private,
  • protective,
  • wisdom,
  • loyal

However, in the theater play “Rhinoceros” written by Ionesco, this animal embodies different notions: brutality, intolerance, blindness, indoctrination and dictatorship! Interesting is that Seo Gichan is connected to “gas, vapor and steam” which was used in Doctor Frost as a metaphor for hatred, indoctrination and manipulation as well! (Doctor Frost, 175) And that’s how I realized another divergence between the halmoni and Seo Gichan. Kim Dan’s grandmother might have played a role in Kim Dan’s suffering, but it was not done on purpose. She had trouble herself, the main culprits were the parents. Moreover, though both (Seo Gichan and the grandmother) wanted the main leads to remain “boys” and “children”, the grandmother was more focused on the past because of her imminent death, while I am quite certain that Seo Gichan is more thinking of the future! He wishes to take over the inheritance, though he must be quite old. In other words, he is not realizing his own immortality. That’s the reason why I believe that he will be the biggest enemy of our beloved couple, for Kim Dan represents a threat to his power. Gi means “afraid, careful, abnormal, unbalanced, lopsided“, hence I am suspecting that he will use tricks to get rid of the physical therapist.

While Seo Gichan is connected to “valuable stone, fine jade, virtuous/refined thoroughbred horse, irregular pearl, delicacies, addicted of/fond of“, I deduce that he is living in luxury and comfort and this thanks to the protagonist. He is living happily, whereas his pupil is still suffering from a trauma. The reason is that he can feign ignorance, for Joo Jaekyung can have everything. Gichan might have suggested “fighting” in order to help the protagonist to overcome his issues, his “violence”, well aware that in reality, he needed a therapy. This “fragile peace” could be maintained, until Kim Dan entered his life. To conclude, the “guardian” had a reason to ignore the champion’s suffering. Hence his life was trapped in the winter: his true nature was dormant like in the painting. The tree is not blooming. (Chapter 18), for the sun Seo is ruling elsewhere, probably in the villa and the company. If you recall the description of the fighter’s name, the latter can symbolize gem and pearl. So the two characters are both jade and pearls, though Gi is referring to “irregular pearl“. This exposes that this ghost has less value than the true gem.

And because Seo Gichan can symbolize “deceive, cheat, discard, exile, banish“, I could only come to the conclusion that he will use tricks to separate the couple: Randy Booker, Heo Manwook, the green haired uke, probably Hwang Yoon-Gu (though it can be only temporary), the perverted hospital director (if he is not Seo Gichan), and Kim Miseon, like for example an arranged marriage. But the dragon is not alone!! How so? After discovering the Qilin, I searched for mythical Chinese creatures. And this is what I found:

“In ancient Chinese astronomy, the sky ecliptic was divided into four sections. Each of these sections contained seven mansions, and together they formed the 28 Mansions. The 28 Mansions may be considered to be equivalent to the zodiacal constellations in Western astronomy, although they reflect the movement of the Moon through a sidereal month rather than the Sun in a tropical year. This enabled the ancient Chinese to mark the travelling positions of the Sun and the Moon, as well as to determine the time and seasons. Each section of the sky is assigned to a mythological creature, collectively known as the Four Symbols. These creatures are the Azure Dragon of the East, the White Tiger of the West, the Black Tortoise of the North, and the Vermillion Bird of the South. Apart from their astronomical significance, each of the Four Symbols is surrounded by various mythological associations.

The Azure Dragon is the mythological creature in the East, as it is said that when the seven mansions in that area (Horn, Neck, Root, Room, Heart, Tail, and Winnowing Basket) are joined up, they form the shape of a dragon. The Azure Dragon corresponds to the season of spring. […]

The mythological creature in the West is the White Tiger, and its seven mansions are the Legs, Bond, Stomach, Hairy Head, Net, Turtle Beak and Three Stars. The White Tiger corresponds to the season of autumn. The White Tiger’s element is metal, and it was held to be the God of War. […]

In the North, the mythological creature in the Black Tortoise, and its seven mansions are the Dipper, Ox, Girl, Emptiness, Rooftop, Encampment and Wall. The Black Tortoise corresponds to the season of winter. The element of the Black Tortoise is water, and this mythological creature is commonly associated with longevity and wisdom (just as these virtues are traditionally attributed to ordinary tortoises in Chinese mythology).    

The mythological creature in the South is the Vermillion Bird, and its seven mansions are the Well, Ghosts, Willow, Star, Extended Net, Wings and Chariot. The Vermillion Bird corresponds to the season of summer. Interestingly, the Vermillion Bird has been considered to be identical to the phoenix. The phoenix is traditionally associated with fire, and this is also the case with the Vermillion Bird. As a mythological creature, the phoenix is considered as a symbol of good luck. Quoted from https://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends-asia/four-mythological-symbols-china-001792

Thus I came to associate the following characters to these mythical creatures:

  • Azure dragon: Joo Jaekyung
  • Vermilion bird: Kim Dan. By living with Joo Jaekyung, the duck is taking over the vermilion red (life) from his lover. This means that for the transformation to be complete, the athlete has to bring his partner to the ocean, to the beach.
  • Black Tortoise: Hwang Yoon-Gu (his name can refer to tortoise).

White Tiger: Park Namwook

And now, you are wondering why I didn’t pick up Jeong Yosep as the tiger. It is because the Black tortoise is always accompanied with a snake on its back and I am expecting that Potato and Yosep represent the second couple in Jinx. The coach is rather a discreet person, quite the opposite of Namwook. Besides, the latter considers Team Black as his gym. (chapter 22) Moreover, the White tiger is the king of terrestrial beings which coincides with the manager’s function. Namwook is the representative of Team Black. (chapter 7) Thus I believe that together, they will be able to free Joo Jaekyung from his suffering and his mental prison changing his destiny. In reality, the main lead was destined to greatness.

Okay, all this was based on an analysis of the name Seo Gichan, so there is no guarantee that it is the truth. But so far, many of my assumptions were confirmed later. Now, it would be great, if you could give your thoughts after reading this.

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

Jinx: Longing for a (candy)🍬 kiss 💋

Please support the authors by reading the manhwas on the official websites. This is where you can read the manhwa. https://www.lezhinus.com/en/comic/jinx_en  But be aware that this manhwa is a mature Yaoi, which means, it is about homosexuality with explicit scenes. Here is the link of the table of contents about JinxHere is the link where you can find the table of contents of analyzed manhwas Here are the links, if you are interested in the first work from Mingwa, BJ Alex,  and the previous essay about Jinx Wendy and the mirror on the wall (locked)

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. Joo Jaekyung, the “cookie/candy monster” 😉

The trigger for this essay was the question I received from my follower @Denkoumaru. She wondered why Joo Jaekyung had not renewed the kiss since episode 15! I had noticed that many stans were expecting a kiss for episode 20, whereas I had predicted an ejaculation through masturbation. Her question made me look at the scene in the locker room one more time. That’s how I had another revelation.

Here, I would like my avid essayphiles to take a closer look at my illustration and more precisely at the symbols I added: the red sweet bear from Haribo and the kiss mark. Yes, by kissing Kim Dan in the locker room, the champion discovered sweetness. (chapter 15) Thus he licked his lips after kissing the doctor. I had already outlined it before, but back then I had not truly grasped the athlete’s mentality. Until that scene, he viewed sex as work! This means that in the locker room, he started connecting sex to food! The kiss was the trigger for this change of mind. Thus Kim Dan had the impression that Joo Jaekyung was devouring him! (chapter 15) It is no coincidence that at the end, the champion even bit his neck (chapter 15) As you can see, the words and the gestures were all connected to the lexical field eating. Striking is that the latter has for synonym “consumption”. Anyone is aware of the strong association between sexuality and consumption. To conclude, this sex session is the moment the athlete’s perception about sex changed. For him, sex became a synonym for food and the doctor was his dessert. Hence I couldn’t help myself associating him with the cookie monster from Muppet show! 😂 The only difference is that in reality, Joo Jaekyung is more lusting after candies than cookies. Nonetheless, he has not realizing yet that he is longing for intimacy and affection.

2. The kiss and Kim Dan

Moreover, I would like to point out that the moment the celebrity started kissing the doctor, the latter was forced to turn around. But the problem is that the physical therapist rejected this smooching. First, with his hands, (chapter 15) he tried to stop his partner and even to push him away. Besides, it looks like he was trying to scratch Joo Jaekyung. Then he had voiced his dissatisfaction with his own mouth: (chapter 15) IT was, as if it was disgusting. Then he had used his hands to cover his mouth. (chapter 15) The champion could only notice Kim Dan’s displeasure about the kiss. He was refusing to be kissed. But after the kiss, they were still facing each other. However, since the physical therapist had put an end to the smooching, Joo Jaekyung had only one option left: the renewal of the penetration. However, he didn’t change his partner’s position. (chapter 15) Because of the doctor’s negative attitude, Joo Jaekyung could only become rude in this image. He had still listened to the doctor’s request, but the latter kept protesting and arguing with him. (chapter 15) However, they have a deal and in his mind, Kim Dan could not object to the intercourse. Hence Joo Jaekyung silenced him with such a remark. What caught my attention is that after tasting the sweetness from the doctor’s lips and tongue, the champion was no longer satisfied with a simple thrusting. (chapter 15) Here, I would like the beholder to pay attention to the athlete’s hand on the locker. He is clinching his fist, a sign that he isn’t relaxed and rather frustrated. This shows that there was something missing, and Joo Jaekyung sensed it unconsciously. In verity, he was longing for the candy kiss. And now, the manhwalovers can understand why with his hand, he reinitiated the kiss (chapter 15) However, this time, he was paying attention to Kim Dan’s reactions. Therefore he didn’t close his eyes and observed his reactions. The doctor was reciprocating the smooching. The evidences for this interpretation are the doctor’s hands (no scratching, they are now on the side), his tongue and finally his blushing. (chapter 15) Joo Jaekyung could only get greedier after such a reception… he acted like the cookie monster which Kim Dan also sensed. However, the latter didn’t consider it as a real kiss. (chapter 15) He had the impression that he had become the beast’s lunch. (chapter 15) Yet, the reality is that the main lead was enjoying the kiss, hence his body was reacting to it. (chapter 15) The thoughts of the protagonist implies that he was slowly getting aroused. And now, it is important to recall the champion’s response to this view. (chapter 15) He thrusted a few times, but he had a climax shortly after. This means that this view linked to the kiss (chapter 15) had aroused the athlete so much that he sensed the arrival of his ejaculation. And the proof that the sportsman felt such an immense pleasure with the kiss is that he bit the doctor, the moment he came. (chapter 15) This shows that the candy kiss from Kim Dan is so powerful that this can shorten the time of a sex session! 😮 And now… take a closer look at this. (chapter 20) The champion is not done yet, because his hunger is not satisfied. Yes, for me, the doctor could end this by kissing him. He would be done with him, for he would have had his midnight snack. 😂 But before giving more details about this prediction, I would like to return to the question my follower had. Why is there no kiss again?

3. The absence of a kiss

Naturally, there exist many reasons. First, it is simply related to Kim Dan’s attitude. Remember what the main lead had said to his partner after the intercourse in the locker room. He had made a request: (chapter 15) Here, his words were quite ambiguous. Was he referring to the sex session itself, for Kim Dan had not been informed about the fighter’s true intention either? Or was he referring to the kiss? Don’t forget that the doctor talked about emotional preparation, and the kiss symbolizes affection and intimacy the best. And now, you comprehend why Joo Jaekyung pouted like a child after hearing the main lead’s wish: (chapter 15) It was, as if he was deprived of his sweet. I believe that’s how the sportsman understood the message. And now, you comprehend why Joo Jaekyung came to consider Kim Dan as his meal. (chapter 18) This is no coincidence that he licked his lips in this scene again. (chapter 18) Because the physical therapist was somehow rejecting any kiss and as such any intimacy, Joo Jaekyung couldn’t initiate a new kiss. At the same time, the readers can grasp why the couple was no longer facing each other. Due to the physical therapist’s request and attitude, Joo Jaekyung was no longer obliged to face him. That’s the reason why the couple had sex in the dog position on the table again. After all these new discoveries, it actually confirms my previous interpretation. We should see this sex session as a substitute for a kiss. Like I had written before, it was, as though the champion was kissing his wife before going to work!! 😂 In the end, I consider this manhwa as very funny, but the jokes are subtile.

To conclude, when the fighter expressed his desire to have a snack (chapter 18), in reality he was longing for a candy kiss. This signifies that as long as Kim Dan doesn’t take the initiative, the athlete won’t change his attitude. Moreover, why do you think that the boxer said this to his companion in the bedroom? (chapter 20) He is longing for the candy kiss, but he can’t voice it. So far, their deal is about sex. This shows that he has somehow internalized the doctor’s request. Moreover, the protagonist’s ejaculation had caused him immense pleasure, but the champion couldn’t taste the sperm. It was on the mirror. As you can see, I see a strong connection between the physician’s pleasure and the champion’s satiety. The latter is slowly learning that he can achieve his goal (having a good fuck) without putting too much strength in the end. That’s the reason why he bought the toy. (chapter 12) Here, I feel the need to expose the sportsman’s lie. The fuck buddies could never have brought such an object, because the champion’s partners are all bottoms. I doubt that they would use it for themselves. What would be the point in the end? Besides, the protagonist already has an anaconda. However, since he viewed sex as a job (it was to get rid of his jinx), I have the impression that he could never truly satisfy the bottoms. This would explain why the champion would constantly switch partners and thought that if he used such a toy, he could provoke pleasure. However, all the ukes rejected the toy!! Why? They all got scared (“nobody was up for trying it”). Who would be crazy to try it? Funny is that he gave the toy to the doctor, as if the latter would have to use it, thus the latter asked the question: “How do you use it?”. As you can see, through his words, the main lead gave the impression that this tool was for the bottom, hence one of them left it here. It was to hide his true desire. This truly exposes that the champion had never learned how to have sex properly. It was about power, strength and as such fortune! But by meeting the doctor, an innocent virgin, the champion could change his sexual behavior. We could say, he discovered a new world. Hence the kiss plays a central role.

Finally, I would like to outline that in this scene (chapter 20) the color of the characters’ skin reminds us of a candy and the kiss mark. The main lead is grabbing the doctor’s buttocks, like he is taking a meal. As you can see, everything seems to pointing out that a candy kiss should occur very soon. It is important, because the moment it happens, it signifies that the doctor is giving up on the dog position. He has to face his partner, and as such to face reality. He would accept to become intimate with Joo Jaekyung. However, after the scene in the bathroom, the young man was still in denial. He was still avoiding reality. Therefore he chose to face the bed, and he was passive again… waiting for the time that the champion would finally stop. (chapter 20) So if he wants to take the call from the hospital, he needs to become proactive and satisfy his partner in a short time. And the candy kiss would do the trick… Besides, I would like the manhwalovers to recall Kim Dan’s words in front of the mirror: (chapter 16) These words expose that in this scene he had already envisioned the possibility to return such a smooching! And because we have a connection between the mirror and the locker, a different form of a mirror, it is now necessary to reexamine the doctor’s confession in the bathroom.

4. Kim Dan’s first kiss

The latter had revealed that he had never been kissed before. (chapter 16) Naturally, everyone interpreted this word like this. He had never been kissed on the mouth, for he never had any girlfriend or boyfriend before. But I would like my attentive readers to keep in their mind my previous theory. Joo Jaekyung had never been affectionate and tender, because he had never received any affection and attention from his mother. IT is very important to kiss a baby and a child, and this for 3 reasons:

  • It boosts the immune system
  • It makes them smarter
  • A child who was often kissed will be less anxious as an adult
  • Finally it teaches babies and children empathy [For more read these articles which are both similar 3 reasons (daily mon) 3 significant ways]

This means, the fighter had never been kissed or embraced before either, and not just in a romantical way. Thus as soon as I began examining the importance of the kiss, I couldn’t help myself thinking that it could have been the case for Kim Dan as well. Naturally, I am talking about a kiss on the cheek, nose or forehead, less one on the mouth.

According to me, the grandmother is suffering from Peter Pan Syndrome, hence she is rejecting adulthood and as such intimacy. At the same time, it implies that she is more self-centered. Why? Simply because interacting with people would force her to deal with reality and as such become responsible. This explains why the psychologists noticed that people suffering from Peter Pan Syndrome share some common traits with Narcissistic people. However, the kiss embodies closeness and intimacy which the halmoni rejects. Moreover, the grandmother might have hugged him (chapter 5), but I don’t think, we should jump to the conclusion that because she embraced him, she kissed him. Here, note that she used Kim Dan to protect herself from the loan sharks. She was not kissing him, she was talking to the threatening men. Moreover, I detected a certain physical distance between the woman and her grandson. (chapter 19) The phone was between them. In addition, they were simply sitting next to each other. Then at the hospital, the doctor never hugged his grandmother. He would strike her shoulder (chapter 07) or take her hand (chapter 7) As for Peter Pan, she would just caress his face. (chapter 5) Besides, if you compare all the images I quoted above, you will notice the physical gap between them. Why? It is because the grandmother knows deep down that Kim Dan is a man, and as such he is connected to the “dirty old creeps”. (chapter 20) Thus I deduce that she must have hugged the boy, as long as he was a child. However, when he became a teenager, it was no longer possible. Such a change could only increase Kim Dan’s abandonment issues, pushing him to become more attentive towards his grandmother. This reinforced his dependency on her. Therefore it is not surprising that he never developed any dream on his own. Here, I feel the need to remind my avid essayphiles that I am not wishing her death. Quite the opposite. Why? She has to realize before her death that she was also responsible for her own misery and her grandchild’s.

Another reason for believing that Kim Dan was never kissed is the betrayal and abandonment from his own father. If my theory is correct that the halmoni had a son, we have to envision that the latter was raised by an immature and self-centered mother who was rejecting intimacy. Therefore I don’t think that she kissed her own son. In other words, the son imitated the mother. However, after getting betrayed by her own son, I believe that the grandmother changed. Because she was now on her own, she had to become responsible. Thus she treated Kim Dan differently with the hope that he wouldn’t become like her son. That’s the reason why I am more than ever convinced that the moment the halmoni discovers that he is working for Black Teams, she will view it as a betrayal and abandonment. For her, the young man should work at a hospital so that he would take care of her.

The third reason for believing that Kim Dan received his first kiss is that psychologists discovered that kissing boost self-esteem.

In addition to boosting your happy hormones, kissing can reduce your cortisol levels — potentially improving your feelings of self-worth. Researchers in one 2016 study found that participants who were unhappy with their physical appearance had higher cortisol levels. Although more research is needed, experiencing a temporary drop in cortisol each time you kiss isn’t a bad way to pass the time. Quoted from https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-kissing#selfesteem

But this picture proves the exact opposite. The physical therapist has such a low self-esteem, I would even add, he has almost developed self-loathing. However, this was not truly visible, as long as he could work. His confidence was only based on his career and as such work. That’s the reason why the grandmother was so proud. However, like my follower @rantofthetimelife pointed out, Kim Dan had selected this career because of his grandmother, hence he had no real ambitious to become famous. He wasn’t seeking recognition from others… only from the halmoni.

Moreover, there is another evidence that Kim Dan was never kissed before. In the article mentioned above, the author outlines 16 reasons to smooch:

Happy hormones, Bonding, Self-esteem, Stress, Anxiety, Blood pressure, Cramps, Headaches, Immune system, Allergies, Cholesterol, Cavities, Compatibility, Libido, Muscle tone, Workout, Takeaway Quoted from https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-kissing

The manhwaworms can detect that kissing is very beneficial for the body! Hence I view the grandmother’s illness as the proof that she has never kissed anyone. For her, there is only sex and it is dirty. The jinx-stans will certainly remember the champion’s complain about the doctor: (chapter 12) Therefore it is not surprising that he was in bad shape either. The smooching could have helped him to relax. In my eyes, the halmoni as a mother was too busy focusing on herself (her disillusion, bitterness, Peter Pan Syndrome) that she didn’t feel the need to kiss her own child (a son). So his son was never shown affection, hence when he became a father, he did the same. He didn’t kiss his son. Finally, we never see the halmoni kissing the main lead. So his words in the bathroom would reflect reality: Joo Jaekyung was the first to kiss him! (chapter 16) This explicates why the doctor started viewing the champion under a different light. He hoped that he had helped him out of kindness. (chapter 18) This scene outlines that he was slowly moving on from his prejudices and as such from his grandmother.

But now, I would like to outline another aspect. Kissing helps in assessing potential mates. It is even an important tool to create a bond and contributes to monogamy.

“Turns out the 1964 classic “The Shoop Shoop Song” was right — it’s in his kiss! One 2013 study found that kissing may help you assess the suitability of a potential partner. According to women surveyed, a first kiss can basically make it or break it when it comes to her attraction. […] Kissing causes a chemical reaction in your brain, including a burst of the hormone oxytocin. It’s often referred to as the “love hormone,” because it stirs up feelings of affection and attachment. According to a 2013 study, oxytocin is particularly important in helping men bond with a partner and stay monogamous.” Quoted from https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-kissing#libido

This signifies that the moment the champion kissed the doctor, it sealed the deal. From that instant on, the champion became monogamous. Therefore, it is not surprising that he proposed his partner to live with him in the penthouse. He had many reasons to act that way. He knew that he had taken his virginity. (chapter 20) But when he saw the doctor on the verge of getting raped (though he has no idea about the true nature of the crime yet), he imagined that the poor man was now selling himself. Consequently, I judge the fighter as a very responsible man despite his actions and words. In fact, he is the opposite of the halmoni, who lets her relative take care of everything. But if something doesn’t go the way she wishes, she will surely feel disregarded and betrayed.

5. Sugar daddy

Under this new approach, the readers can understand why Kim Dan thought so much about the kiss in the first place. Somehow, he felt more attached to the fighter. This is no coincidence that while searching for a new house, he thought of his benefactor. (chapter 16) The latter was now part of his life, and he was recognizing his generosity. He was no longer judging him simply as a spoiled rich child. Since the doctor is older than the athlete and he is associated to sweet, I couldn’t restrain myself thinking of the idiom: “Sugar daddy”. 😂 Mingwa was giving a new definition to this expression. And this observation led me to the following prediction: Kim Dan will initiate a kiss.

How so? It is because I discovered parallels between chapter 1, 2 and 20! Let me show you. The lover from episode 2 was sent away, after the protagonist had called the doctor. The bottom had not paid attention to this phone call. (chapter 1) Note that he had remained silent, while the other was talking over the phone. (chapter 1) The telephone call was not perceived as an interruption, which stands in contradiction to this scene. (chapter 20) Secondly, observe how the sex partner had reacted. (chapter 2) His behavior is very similar to the physician’s in the locker room. Both are sticking their tongue out while looking at their counterpart. The first big differences are that the blushing and gaze diverge. (chapter 15) The blushing is more pronounced. Secondly, the latter is simply breathing loudly and moaning, whereas the other is just talking. The doctor’s reaction could only move the celebrity. (chapter 15) However, the champion had a different response to the green-haired partner. (chapter 2) He remained indifferent. Moreover, observe that the champion was called “sugar”! In that scene, Joo Jaekyung was the sugar daddy! This time, the author was applying the true meaning of this expression. A sugar daddy is someone paying a younger lover in exchange for his sexual services. This explicates why the fighter denied that they were dating and later gave him money, though a sugar daddy is still considering the recipient as a partner. Yet, money plays a huge role. This exposes that their relationship was fake, for it was based on mutual interests. (chapter 2) In addition, the vocabulary and situation in both chapters are quite similar:

  • “baby”, “sugar”, “suck of so good” (chapter 2) versus “sucks”, “tastiest thing” (chapter 20) The hole sucks like a baby. Another common denominator is the phallus in both scenes.
  • The presence of departure which is strongly intertwined with “to be done” (chapter 20) Besides, the scene in the bathroom was definitely hot and heavy, as the boxer had to carry his partner. The lover from episode 2 had used the exact same expression, but this was not true.

Moreover, the bottom in episode 2 said that he was talented, for he knew techniques how to make the protagonist feel good, but the truth is that Joo Jaekyung gets only satisfied, when his partner finds pleasure! That’s what he discovered in the locker room with the kiss and in the bathroom with the mirror. (chapter 20) He had a climax, because Kim Dan had liked the kiss. Then in the bathroom he had come too, but after the doctor’s orgasm. In other words, the protagonist can only feel satisfy, when it is natural! The expression technique is an allusion to a job, but what did the main lead say to the main lead at the table? (chapter 13) He doesn’t care about technique with Kim Dan. Why? The young man’s inexperience makes Joo Jaekyung realize that the situation is not artificial. The young man’s reactions are more genuine, and it is not an act. That’s the reason why I am more than ever convinced that the young man can solve this tricky situation with an easy trick: a candy kiss. This doesn’t require technique, simply sincerity and dedication.

“A good kisser has the ability to create a mental bubble around the two people,” dating and relationship expert, and founder of LUMA, April Davis, tells Bustle. “When kissing, it should feel as if the two of you are focused on each other and the rest of the world blurs around you.” Quoted from https://www.bustle.com/p/what-makes-a-kiss-good-according-to-experts-3208024

And don’t forget that their first kiss was also done under pressure. However, in that short moment, the champion had been able to make the doctor forget the match. The latter was focused on his partner and the kiss. (chapter 15) So the moment the doctor kisses his lover, he will become his sugar daddy, for he will give the champion his dessert, the red sweet bear from Haribo. And the recommendations for a good kiss on this website are the following:

  • treating it like an art; (chapter 15)
  • being willing to compromise (chapter 15)
  • being open to different techniques (chapter 15)
  • being aware of your partner’s body language (chapter 15)
  • being absolutely present (chapter 15)
  • branching out from the lips (chapter 15)
  • treating kissing like a dance (Kim Dan was turned around)
  • Giving your partner positive feedback (Joo Jaekyung invited Kim Dan to watch the fight by giving him the black jacket)
  • not to take it too seriously (chapter 20) The doctor didn’t complain Quoted from https://www.bustle.com/p/what-makes-a-kiss-good-according-to-experts-3208024

Thus I deduce that the kisses in the locker room should be judged as good kisses, which explains why Kim Dan couldn’t forget them: (chapter 16) He had come to appreciate them. Striking is that he thought of them, the moment he was looking at his own reflection. (chapter 16) Why? IT is because he had seen his own face reflected in the champion’s gaze. Moreover, the kiss is also strongly connected to the face.

Furthermore, after examining the kisses, I came to realize why Joo Jaekyung denied that he had been dating the uke. (chapter 2) He had never kissed anyone among his partners. The doctor had already implied that kisses and embraces were inexistent in the champion’s world. (chapter 13) But the kisses changed everything, they affected their relationship, deepening the fighter’s attachment towards the physician. Therefore it is no coincidence that he crossed the line during that evening. (chapter 17) He had already done it with the kiss. Thus I deduce that it is only a matter of time, until the champion announces to others that he is dating the doctor. And if the doctor decides to kiss him during that night, this would seal the deal. They would be together from that instant on. Keep in mind that so far, the doctor had been the one rejecting their closeness and intimacy, for he didn’t desire emotions to be involved. (chapter 15)

To conclude, the champion has been longing for a kiss from his partner… just like the readers! As soon as the sugar daddy initiates a smooch, the champion’s mind-set about the physician would change one more time. And that’s how the athlete’s dependency on the doctor will increase. It is important, because I am sensing the arrival of a quarrel between Kim Dan and his grandmother. In such a moment, the poor man needs the presence and support from a close one so that he doesn’t feel lonely and rejected.

So if they kiss again, think of the sweet red bear from Haribo… Joo Jaekyung is devouring his sweet! The cookie monster is receiving his candy kiss! 😉

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.

Jinx: 🌏 Two worlds 🌎 (second version)

Please support the authors by reading the manhwas on the official websites. This is where you can read the manhwa. https://www.lezhinus.com/en/comic/jinx_en  But be aware that this manhwa is a mature Yaoi, which means, it is about homosexuality with explicit scenes. Here are the links, if you are interested in the first work from Mingwa, BJ Alex,  https://bebebisous33analyses.com/2021/06/21/who-are-you-the-significance-of-masks-in-manhwas/  and the previous essay about Jinx Lucky loser and jinxed winner (full version) (the full version is locked) – Lucky loser and jinxed winner (10 pictures) Here is the link of the table of contents about JinxHere is the link where you can find the table of contents of analyzed manhwas

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.

After seeing the illustration, it becomes clear that one topic of this essay is to outline the huge contrast between Kim Dan and Joo Jaekyung’s life.

1. The top and the bottom

While the latter lives at the top of the building , (chapter 2) the other sleeps in one room apartment in a small house. (chapter 5) (chapter 1) This signifies that while the champion is at the top of Korean society, the other is at the bottom. This is no coincidence that their social status is mirrored in their relationship. While the athlete owns an expensive car (chapter 9), the other uses public transportation. (chapter 1) As a conclusion, one character embodies wealth, while the other stands for poverty.

2. Pictures and status

Under this new light, the manhwalovers can comprehend why the author created such pictures. (chapter 1) (chapter 3) (chapter 9) Their position was reflecting not only their respective social status, but also the social gap, as they were not standing side by side. Since the champion belongs to the high society, Kim Dan had to look up at the celebrity initially. This was not just a question of height. Striking is that in the first two pictures, the protagonists were facing each other at a certain distance, they had nothing linking them together, indicating that the two main leads were living in two different worlds. However, there was a first change, when Kim Dan (chapter 2) grabbed the champion’s robe. Striking is that he barely held the cloth, as if he didn’t dare to touch the jacket. He was looking down, a sign of humbleness and resignation. I would even add, his attitude reminded the viewers more of a beggar, pleading for leniency and generosity. This panel truly displayed the power relationship between Kim Dan and Joo Jaekyung. Money was in the center of this couple and this is what brought them together initially! The poor needs the assistance of the rich. On the other hand, this gesture also announced a change. For the first time, Kim Dan was not only interacting with someone belonging to the top, but also was relying on someone else. Yet, this was more prostitution than work in the beginning, until Joo Jaekyung revealed his dependency on Kim Dan through the missed calls and the job offer. That’s the reason why the physical therapist was no longer imploring the champion, but now making requests. (chapter 6) Hence the main lead was positioned much lower than the doctor first.

Another important aspect is that in this scene, (chapter 9) the man of the hour was not Joo Jaekyung, but the physician contrary to these two other scenes. (chapter 1) (chapter 3) This explicates why during the welcome party, Kim Dan stands on the other side while holding a bowl. The latter resembles a lot to a cup due to the form and color!. (chapter 9) Kim Dan is now at the top, as all the boxers are looking at him cheering him up. (chapter 9) It even looks like manager Park Namwook was also recording this event. Striking is that for the first time, both main leads are interacting together in front of others. The drink is supposed to bring Kim Dan closer to the team and as such closer to Joo Jaekyung, which indeed happens afterwards. The latter is forced to enter Kim Dan’s world, and discover a new face of reality. (chapter 9)

Furthermore, the bowl (chapter 9) is a metaphor for the future link between the two protagonists. The doctor is there to help the athlete to win competitions, or like I had mentioned before, he is his reward and prize for his long and painful career. I would even add,, they will bond through sport, just like it occurred in the shower room. (chapter 8) Thus we had the challenge with the cup full of alcohol. (chapter 9)

3. Two worlds and sport

The irony is that Joo Jaekyung never realized that by provoking the young doctor with this description “delicate”, he pushed the young man to prove his strength. At the end, he won the bet and received the admiration of the members from Black Team. (chapter 9) This is important, because the doctor has truly earned the respect from Black Team, he is definitely accepted as one of them. Thus from that moment on, neither money nor the contract can have an influence on the relationship between the physician and the fighters. Observe that they keep calling him “doc”, which shows that they respect him not only due to his seniority but also due to his education. He studied hard to become a physical therapist. Hence Oh Daehyung refuses that Kim Dan acts as a servant, it is not his role and place to fetch ice cream for the boxers. (chapter 9) He is no errand boy. They don’t judge him based on his social class, but on his college degree. As you can see, sport is a place that can bring people from different social classes together. This explicates why we have famous sport events like Olympic games or World cups. Here, people from different countries are competing against each other, but it is the same principle. These events were created to generate friendship and avoid military conflicts. In tournaments, talents matter more than money and social status, though this statement has to be relativized, for “poorer countries” offer less chances to develop talented sportsmen. Hence some athletes decide to change their citizenship. Nevertheless, we can definitely state that sport generates bonds among the different social classes and as such serve to reduce the gap between the top and bottom.

4. The purpose of the contrast

On the other hand, I don’t think that Joo Jaekyung became rich thanks to his successful career, though this is not what Kim Dan is thinking.. (chapter 2) He is only famous in Korea according to the protagonist. Thus, for me, Kim Dan is quite naïve. Why do I come to this deduction? Simply through the contrast! The existence of two worlds indicates that Kim Dan is the “negative” reflection of Joo Jaekyung, though there is no ambiguity that they share some similarities: both take their job seriously, and are really hard-working. The champion never misses his training.

And this leads me to the following observation: Joo Jaekyung might belong to the upper-class, yet he never went to university. Since the doctor worked hard to get a good job, I conclude that it was the opposite for the champion. He was not talented for studies, he was more an athletic person. Now, I would like my avid readers to take a look at this table

Joo JaekyungKim Dan
richpoor
carNo car
famousinsignificant
Huge penthouseOne-room flat
 College degree
 Only one family member: halmoni
 rich neighborhoodpoor neighborhood

Under this new perspective, people can understand why I came to this deduction. Since Kim Dan’s family consists of two members, himself and his grandmother, I am assuming that Joo Jaekyung still has an intact family, but they are not close. We have many evidences for this interpretation. In the athlete’s penthouse, there are no family pictures or items reminding of a loved one contrary to the physician. (chapter 5) His place feels too empty and clean. (chapter 6) Secondly, there was no one by his side except his hyung, Park Namwook, when he won his fight. (chapter 5) Finally, this theory got reinforced, when I saw this panel. (chapter 9), which contrasts so much to this image. (chapter 2) However, these two scenes have something in common: “redevelopment!”. The skyscrapers are new buildings. This means that the district got redeveloped. That’s the reason why I believe that Joo Jaekyung’s family must be involved in the construction field or at least in the redevelopment of the city.

I would like to point out that many houses have a red cross on their wall (chapter 9) This indicates that the buildings were sold to a construction company. That’s the reason why the district looks so deserted and ruined, though there exists opposition visible thanks to the banner. Thus I deduce that this construction company and politicians are pressuring inhabitants to sell their home and this for a cheap price. The problem is that the moment the district is totally empty and gets redeveloped, the price for rent will increase considerably so that people with a low income can no longer live there. And if you are familiar with K-dramas or other manhwas (Under The Green Light for example), you are well aware that construction companies are often linked to Korean mafia! Consequently, I am suspecting that Joo Jaekyung is related to a construction company and as such to the mafia. This would explicate why he can live in the penthouse, why he has tattoos and finally why his family didn’t pay too much attention to his education. Finally, I had already pointed out the absence of a mother in his childhood. Only money and power matter in such a world. Hence this would not be surprising that the athlete has such a terrible mind-set, though I believe that there exist other causes for his aggressiveness and selfishness. Besides, this would explicate why he associates sex to prostitution and sponsoring. And if my theory is correct, this signifies that by meeting Kim Dan, he is forced to face reality, the true origins of his wealth: exploitation and ruthlessness. In the first version, I was even wondering if he is not one of the owners of “Black Team”, as he brought the company card to the restaurant. Chapter 16 proved my suspicion right. Kim Dan was paid in advance from the company „Black Team“, a sign that Joo Jaekyung has a saying about the expenses of the club. On the other hand, he was not always lucky in his career, for his ears are really damaged. That’s the other reason why I am thinking that his fortune is not entirely self-made. At the same time, his encounter with Kim Dan can only bring a change in his life. For the doctor symbolizes integrity, responsibility and selflessness, the champion will come to slowly internalize these values.

This is not surprising that at the end of the contest, Joo Jaekyung is forced to become responsible for Kim Dan’s drunkenness. . (chapter 9) We could also say that it was his karma, for abandoning him before in the shower. Because the main lead had to bring the doctor home, he discovered a new world which left him speechless. (chapter 9) He couldn’t even imagine that someone would live there. Thus he got skeptical. (chapter 9) This discovery can only puzzle him. He gave him so much money, yet he still lives in such a neighborhood. He can only wonder where the money went. It is now only a matter of time, until he gets aware that his salary is spent for someone else! Furthermore, the manhwaphiles should question if the champion is willing to enter such a deserted district. If he does, there is no ambiguity that he will meet the loan sharks. If not, he could decide to bring him home. One thing is sure: this discovery caught the champion’s notice and this can only intrigue the boxer. It’s not random that the moment he became responsible for Kim Dan, he was faced with reality. Responsibility and reality go hand in hand.

To conclude, Kim Dan is the champion’s medicine, he pushes him to witness the other side of the coin!! Money can reinforce social iniquities, so that it is difficult to break free from the vicious circle. Health is also strongly connected to income. It is well known that residents of impoverished communities are at increased risk for mental illness, chronic disease, higher mortality, and lower life expectancy. Just because poor people have no money, this doesn’t signify that they are less worth. Joo Jaekyung can only recognize the importance of health. Only a healthy lover can give him what he needs.

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.

Jinx: My hero 🤠 (only 10 pictures) -second version

Please support the authors by reading the manhwas on the official websites. This is where you can read the manhwa. https://www.lezhinus.com/en/comic/jinx_en  But be aware that this manhwa is a mature Yaoi, which means, it is about homosexuality with explicit scenes. Here are the links, if you are interested in the first work from Mingwa, BJ Alex https://bebebisous33analyses.com/2021/06/21/who-are-you-the-significance-of-masks-in-manhwas/ Here is the link of the table of contents about JinxHere is the link where you can find the table of contents of analyzed manhwas Here is the link to the second analysis of Jinx. The text was written before the release of new chaptershttps://bebebisous33analyses.com/2022/11/29/jinx-precious-punk-%f0%9f%98%89-and-wimp-%f0%9f%98%8d/

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.

After reading this title, anyone will think that my essay will focus essentially on Kim Dan.

1. Kim Dan a hero?

In my previous analysis „Precious punk and wimp“, I had explained that the physical therapist was far from being a wimp, for he would be able to take Joo Jaekyung‘s anaconda. 😉And this perception was confirmed, when the manhwalovers were able to see the boxer‘s phallus in his aroused state. (chapter 3) It was really huge to the point that Kim Dan got scared and was on the verge to break the deal. (chapter 3) However, real heroism occurs, when someone is risking his life for the sake of another person. I am now quoting the criteria for being considered as a true hero:

Heroism is characterized by:

Acting voluntarily for the service of others who are in need, whether it is for an individual, a group, or a community

Performing actions without any expectation of reward or external gain

Recognition and acceptance of the potential risk or sacrifice made by taking heroic actions  https://www.verywellmind.com/characteristics-of-heroism-2795943

So this was not entirely the case, when he accepted the first offer. Back then, it was more about his debts and his fear of the loan sharks. Yet, it is a different story, when he proposes the deal to Joo Jaekyung later: 14.000 dollars a month in exchange for his services. (chapter 6) Here, he does it to save his halmoni (grand-mother) (chapter 6), as her illness is requiring an expensive treatment. In order to assist her, he is willing to do something he loathes, for he had perceived his first sex session with the fighter as hell. (Chapter 5) It took him a whole week to recover from this encounter. (Chapter 5) He was physically and mentally wounded. His behavior fits all the criteria in chapter 6. He is totally selfless and is risking his life emotionally, physically and mentally. He definitely sees the champion as a „criminal“, since he keeps comparing him to the director from the hospital. (chapter 6) He has indeed become a true hero, hence he received the admiration and love from all the readers.

2. Joo Jaekyung’s “heroism”

On the other hand, by listing the characteristics of a true hero, people get aware that Joo Jaekyung is a fake hero, though he is celebrated as one in the story! (Chapter 5) At no moment, in the ring, he risked his life, for this fight is controlled by a ref and both boxers are required to follow certain rules. But the seme has not realized this yet. Like I had pointed out before, he takes everything too seriously. He views his games as a matter of life or death. One might think that he has never had a strong opponent so far, but we have two indications that his career wasn’t always smooth. . (chapter 1) The legend is implying that this was not like that in the past (“the streak continues”). Secondly, he has cauliflower ears (chapter 1), a typical consequence for fighting. [Here I would like to thank @delune_art for her observation]

Couture has cauliflower ear, a relatively common affliction among fighters, wrestlers and other contact-sport athletes. Years of being pulled, punched and torn can create blood clots in the ear and damage the tissue. Over time, blood and pus become trapped in the gnarled cartilage of a damaged ear, often causing the lobes to morph into hardened balloons. Like pimples that have crusted into permanent scars, Couture’s ears are blue-and-red deformities that hover on the sides of his head — creviced, bulging and so noticeable that they’ve helped inspire a movement. Whether they wanted to or not, Couture and other elite fighters have turned cauliflower ear into a coveted badge of honor in wrestling, boxing and MMA. What was once an unsightly injury has now become a living trophy that commands respect. Quoted from https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/9630617/ufc-fighter-randy-couture-famous-cauliflower-ears-espn-magazine

This means that he must have also received punches or other injuries on the ears in the past. As you can see, though the readers never saw any defeat so far, the reality is that he had to work hard for his success. This explicates why he is taking things very seriously. On the other hand, the presence of his cauliflowers could indicate as well that the sportsman is proud of his job and success, as they are not removed. That’s how I realized why the champion became superstitious. He explained his “defeats” from the past with jinx. As you can see, I am already sensing that something must have happened to him in the past which pushed him to have sex before a match. What caught my attention is that he underlined that it didn’t matter who his partner was: “No matter what happens, I need to have sex the night before a match, it doesn’t matter who my partner is…” (chapter 2) Therefore I come to the conclusion that it is definitely related to a betrayal from a loved one, someone close to him. The other evidence for this theory is that all the bottoms he selected resemble each other, though he claims the opposite: (chapter 5) The lover and Kim Dan have the same hair dress and the same height, they are both muscular, yet slender. (chapter 2) In other words, Joo Jaekyung favors a certain type, but he is not aware of it. Hence he claims that all his sex partners were different. And now, you have the explanation why he views people he has sex with as tools and even whores. He used money as a protection, a wall to keep his distance from people. This is not surprising why he was happy, when Kim Dan asked for financial support. That way, there was no string attached.: “So it was just the money, after all”. (chapter 6) But naturally, he is deluding himself, because observe that he is now changing his sexual habits! (chapter 6) It is no longer linked to his jinx, because he is asking Kim Dan to have sex no matter the time or place. This little detail makes a huge difference, the start of his new obsession.

On the other hand, we shouldn‘t overlook that his source of strength is founded on his belief that no sex before a match means no victory. (Chapter 2) What if he can’t have sex like he wished? What if his sex partner is not satisfying him enough? What if Kim Dan no longer needs his money, as the expensive treatment for his grandma is no longer necessary? These questions outline the precarity of his “faith”, everything is a matter of luck. And with the new condition, Joo Jaekyung is becoming even more dependent on the physical therapist. So imagine that he cuts ties with the fighter, for he no longer needs to play the hero for his halmoni. The fighter’s world would break down. The way the sportsman thinks represents a huge weakness, which the “lover” could already perceive with the “jinx”. His superstition actually exposes his own insecurities. He has not recognized yet that this bad luck is undermining his confidence in the long run. Hence I come to the conclusion that he is still driven by his past struggling and anxieties.

On the other hand, this scene exposes that Joo Jaekyung is definitely strong and shouldn‘t be underestimated, like the lover did: (chapter 2) The latter imagined that due to their past relationship, he was protected. Thus he thought, he could mock the main lead. What caught my attention is that he even imagined that he knew Joo Jaekyung very well. Hence he voiced his discontent first, then tried to woo him with his sex appeal: “You know I’ve got the technique, baby. I’ll suck you off so good, you won’t know what hit you… So just don’t say it’s over, hmm? Pretty please, sugar?”(Chapter 2) But the truth is quite the opposite, for he never anticipated that he would become the target of the man‘s violence. In my eyes, since he knew about the boxer‘s superstition, he came to perceive the fighter as weak. He even came to believe that he had the upper hand in the relationship. But he was totally wrong, for the boxer was not satisfied with him, but he had never let it transpire. We shouldn’t overlook the fact that the champion had sex with the former physical therapist before (chapter 1) and this quite recently. Yet, the athlete had maintained his relationship with the uke for quite some time (chapter 2) The lover’s words in this panel expose his arrogance and error of judgement. To conclude, he overestimated his position in their relationship due to Joo Jaekyung‘s „jinx“. As you can imagine, Joo Jaekyung is not a real hero, yet he is more than just a violent and selfish boxer either. He also had to struggle to achieve his “dream”. Naturally, Kim Dan can not see it from this perspective, which is comprehensible, for he is the one suffering the most from it right now.

Nevertheless, the reason why I entitled this analysis “my hero” is that there exists another “hero” in this story which I think many readers are neglecting.

3. Hyung

Striking is that the athlete called his manager “hyung” (chapter 5) [which means like older brother in Korean]. This name is revealing that the boxer is respecting the manager a lot. We could say that he considers him as a part of his family. At no moment, the champion uses his force against him. Compare his attitude towards the physical therapist (chapter 1) before and after the arrival of the manager. The tone changed immediately. (chapter 1) He simply listened to his huyng. This means that they have a long history together, Joo Jaekyung trusts him. We could say that the athlete views him as his “hero”, hence he is so courteous and calm in front of him. The latter also admires his athlete so much that he joined him on the ring to celebrate his victory (chapter 5) I doubt that his joy and smile were fake. Imagine that right after the victory, the hyung watched the match again. He was so impressed that he wondered how Joo Jaekyung could improve so much. (chapter 5) And this image exposes that the sportsman has kept something important from his hyung, his so-called “jinx”. The manager is left in the dark!! This indicates that his sex sessions were always done behind his back. The other evidence for this interpretation is the man’s request to his manager: “That new physical therapist I wanna hire him as my private physio” (chapter 5) He is not honest here. Hence I am now wondering if the pressure to remain victorious all this time is not linked to the manager. The champion doesn’t want to disappoint him. Furthermore, I am wondering if the start of the athlete’s “jinx” was not caused by words from the caring and honest manager. Remember what he said to the protagonist: “Good luck” (chapter 1) His expression exposes that the hyung believes in jinx and luck. And now, you comprehend why the main lead would act behind his “hyung’s back”. Thus I am imagining that the main lead’s mind, could have thought that the hyung would reject him, if he were to discover the existence of his “jinx”. Another possibility is that he fears the manager’s rejection because of his sexual orientation. Being a homosexual in such a world would cause a huge scandal. Nonetheless, I believe that the hyung is not the only cause for the high expectations Joo Jaekyung has for himself. Like in real life, many factors and people contributed for his overactive superego.

Since the manager is always smiling, gentle and shows a certain understanding, I am assuming that he will play a huge role in the couple’s relationship. In the beginning of the story, he acted as a mediator between the two protagonists. (chapter 1) Then when his athlete wondered why he had not heard from Kim Dan, the manager not only took Kim Dan’s side, but also criticized his athlete. First, when he said that the main lead had asked him like a million times, (chapter 5), he was implying that he had bothered him a lot. Then (chapter 5) the idiom “something” is a reference to the sportsman’s behavior. He reproached him in a calm manner that he would nag constantly. Yet, at no moment, the boxer felt insulted. That’s why I couldn’t help myself judging him as a “hero”. He could tame his sportsman and turn him into an obedient “puppy”. The latter is always well-mannered in front of him and never showing his frustration.

This scene made me particularly laugh. (Chapter 5) He got caught by surprise by this point. He never imagined that Kim Dan would reject or even block him, as he is considered as a “champion”, a hero!! But the moment he turned his back from the manager, he couldn’t control his frustration and anger. Thus he smashed the punching bag with such a force. (chapter 5) On the other hand, he couldn’t control his gaze, when he heard that he could get blocked. (chapter 5) This whole scene displayed the respect Joo Jaekyung had for the manager and his friend. At the door, he never exploded. But why is it so? Like mentioned above, he views the man as his family. And we have another proof for this: “block us” was turned into “block me”. As you can see, the personal pronoun “us” indicates that Joo Jaekyung considers the man with the red shirt as an unit, a home.

This explicates why Joo Jaekyung is relying a lot on his “hyung”. Therefore it is not surprising that when he saw that Kim Dan was not reacting to his calls, he went straight to the man in the red shirt. (chapter 5) Hence I judge the main character’s deceptions to the hyung as “white lies”. There is another proof that Joo Jaekyung is trying not to deceive his “brother” with bad intentions. He told him about the incident with the previous physical therapist. (chapter 1), yet he used an ambiguous expression. For the manager, it sounded like the champion had beaten him, while the sexual insinuation was present. His choice of expressions indicates that he desired to stay as close as possible to the truth. This shows that the main lead has no real intention to manipulate his “hyung”. He is not doing it out of malevolence, rather out of fear in my eyes. This is also perceptible in this scene. (chapter 5) Joo Jaekyung was frank enough to voice his dissatisfaction about the physical therapists. For me, this image exposes that the boxer is not just a violent and selfish man, he is still capable to have a normal relationship. He respects his peer and never vents his rage towards him. Under this new approach, you can grasp why I selected “my hero” as a title. I wished to outline the good influence the manager has on Joo Jaehyunk. The former will definitely take the physical therapist’s side, like we could sense in chapter 1 and 5!! I am looking forward for the interaction between Kim Dan and the manager, because it will definitely affect the relationship between the hyung and the champion!

In the beginning of this paragraph, I had outlined that the hyung could be considered as Joo Jaekyung’s hero. But I had not discovered the reason for his blinded trust in his coach and manager. But today, I had a huge revelation, Look at the hyung’s ears: (chapter 1) He also has cauliflower ears! Hence I can deduce that he was himself an athlete and probably a champion too. That’s how he got the protagonist’s admiration. Under this new light, I can grasp why the manager’s name was not introduced yet. It indicates that his fame vanished and he is no longer recognized as a hero! This indicates that glory is quite temporary.

4. The halmoni the neglected heroine 😍

While many manhwaphiles were focusing on Joo Jaekyung and Kim Dan’s interactions, I couldn’t help myself feeling so much admiration for the strong woman. She raised her grandson on her own which must have been difficult, for she came from a low social class. (chapter 5) This is perceptible due to her clothes and her basket. She was more or less a “peasant”, living in the countryside. And the young child could sense her struggle. She dedicated her life to raise Kim Dan properly so that he could get an education. She was so selfless and caring that she protected her grandchild from the loan sharks’ brutality. (chapter 5) With this scene, the manhwalovers could discover that Kim Dan’s debts existed, even before he became an adult. This means that this was the heritage from his parents. Hence I am suspecting that one of a parent deserted the family in order to escape from the loan sharks and left the debts to the halmoni and Kim Dan. And if you recall the criteria for heroism, you will recognize the halmoni is a true heroine. Hence you comprehend why the young protagonist is willing to do anything for his grandma. He is trying to repay his “debts”, since she had to suffer so much in the past. There is no ambiguity that the young man feels responsible for her. And if you observe the chapters I quoted the most so far, this was episode 5 where the manager and the halmoni were introduced properly for the first time!!

To conclude, the manager and the halmoni have become my “little heroes”. 🤠 Thus I desired to dedicate this essay to them!

If you want to read another essay about Jinx, then you need to leave a comment. If not, I will write about another manhwa next time.

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.