Please support the authors by reading Manhwas on the official websites. This is where you can read the Manhwa: Jinx But be aware that the Manhwa is a mature Yaoi, which means, it is about homosexuality with explicit scenes. Here is the link of the table of contents about Jinx. Here is the link where you can find the table of contents of analyzed Manhwas. Here are the links, if you are interested in the first work from Mingwa, BJ Alex, and the 2 previous essays about Jinx Nature’s Touch in Jinx and The Ghost Elephant 🐘 at The Light 🕯️of Hope ❇️
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The hospice named “Light of Hope”
(chapter 56) in Jinx serves as a powerful symbol and narrative device, encapsulating the themes of observation, communication, and truth, as reflected in the title “Unspoken Gifts, Unveiled Truths in the Light of Hope.” Its name evokes images of enlightenment and clarity, which stand in stark contrast to the gym Team Black and the grandmother’s internal state of denial and her rejection of responsibility. This tension between the hospice’s symbolic essence and the grandmother’s actions deepens the narrative’s exploration of personal accountability and transformation.
Closeness and Observation
Unlike the anonymity of the city
(chapter 35), where people’s actions and words can go unnoticed, the hospice fosters an environment of close-knit relationships and mutual observation.
(chapter 56) In this communal setting, actions carry weight, and behaviors are scrutinized. Thus the door to the meeting room is made of translucent glass.
(chapter 56) While in the previous essay, I pointed out that this door reflected Kim Dan’s emotional entanglement—he is physically present but emotionally excluded from his grandmother’s world, highlighting the imbalance in their relationship -, in verity this transparent door offers an opportunity for the main lead. How so? The glass door stands not only for transparency, but also for “emotional distance”. The glass allows visibility but creates a barrier, symbolizing a balance between openness and detachment. This is essential in a hospice environment, where the focus is on providing care and support without becoming overly attached to the inevitable outcome: death. For the staff, maintaining a degree of detachment is necessary for their well-being, as becoming too attached could make the emotional toll of their work unbearable. Therefore I am suspecting that the two nurses
(chapter 56) will become the physical therapist and champion’s mentors and advisors. Why? It is because the nurse with the brown hair embodies those values. Her emotional distance is already perceptible in her conversation with her colleague:
(chapter 56) “Apparently” indicates a certain reservation suggesting that the speaker is relying on logic or observation rather than direct emotional involvement. That’s how the readers in the English version got finally to discover the grandmother’s name: Shin Okja. The latter has a name and a room number. While her description about the grandmother oozes objectivity and facts, she shows a different attitude towards the main lead later. Here, she is speaking from her heart:
(chapter 56) She is projecting herself in his shoes. Why? IT is because she got influenced by the comment from her colleague. That’s how I realized that together, they represent the balance of heart and mind, their unity and understanding forming a cohesive whole. That’s how both are able not to become indifferent or too much attached. This coincides to the dualism of their profession: care but also detachment. Under this new perspective, it becomes comprehensible why the second nurse is not referring to facts, but to impressions and imagination. Her words are strongly intertwined with rumors: “with his experience”. So far, the main lead had barely experience in his field, as his first big gig ended up in a fiasco. He didn’t stay that long at the hospital and it is the same for the champion. He only worked at the gym for three months. The dark haired woman might have seen Kim Dan’s resume and the last employer, but she didn’t notice his name (Joo Jaekyung). This is her MO for „detachment“, she doesn’t pay attention to names. Moreover, she didn’t detect that he had barely worked as a PT before indicating that she has no notion of „time“. The discrepancy between her thoughts and reality can be easily explained. She also recognized the transformation in the patients, and could link it to the doctor’s skills. The reference to “famous athlete” and the doctor’s skills created a false perception, and this had an influence on her colleague: “You’re telling me!”.
The grapevines, both literal and figurative, symbolize the interconnectedness of the residents and the flow of information that can subtly reveal hidden truths. The grandmother, who once thrived under the city’s indifference, now finds herself navigating the attentive and watchful gaze of the hospice community.
(chapter 56) Her hypocrisy, particularly in her treatment of Kim Dan, remains hidden behind the guise of socially acceptable behavior. Within the hospice, residents maintain a positive opinion of her, which enables her to mask her neglect and selfishness effectively. But since the two nurses are sharing their thoughts and working as a team, it signifies that Shin Okja’s wrongdoings could be detected this time. Or better said, they will realize the true suffering from the protagonist. Nurse Heart and nurse Mind will do their best to protect their new mascot and give him what he truly needs:
(chapter 56) Comfort and even a home! It is important, because this evolution represents a contradiction to the athlete’s past: Park Namwook portrayed himself as Joo Jaekyung’s savior and family.
(chapter 26) The reality is that he still has no idea why the champion was acting that way. He tried to explain his odd behavior by jumping to conclusions (prejudices: a spoiled child) and by listening to others. He never used his heart and mind, rather his ears and eyes. And this brings me to my next part.
Team Black‘s heart and mind
The partnership between the two nameless nurses contrasts sharply with the fractured dynamic between Park Namwook and Jeong Yosep in Team Black, where miscommunication and hidden motives reign. Observe that only in episode 5, the champion and the manager heard about the coach’s divorce and its circumstances.
(chapter 5) And the other laughed. Then the coach seems to have no cellphone. Maybe he believes to have no need for it, for he goes to the gym every day. This signifies that he expects to be informed by his hyung Namwook. However, like mentioned in the previous essay, I believe that the manager has been sweeping under the rug the terrible condition of his “boy” from the coach and the team members. To sum up, Team Black embodies the opposite of the hospice’s values. There is no transparency, because the conversation took place not outside, but behind closed door. The door might be translucent, the reality is that they sent away all the members.
(chapter 36) The gym, while ostensibly a team environment, is ruled by indifference, anonymity, and a lack of genuine camaraderie. The heart and the mind are not working together. Why? It is because the coach is trusting the manager, as he views him as the heart of the gym. What he fails to see, is that Park Namwook is neither the heart nor the mind, for he is more reflecting his surroundings: money. Secondly, the manager is easily influenced and is using conformity and social norms to avoid responsibility. He fears making decisions and lets others become proactive. Joo Jaekyung, the leader, relies exclusively on Park Namwook, the manager, who undermines team spirit by fostering distrust and misinformation.
(chapter 46) The member’s loyalty got questioned, but the irony is that they had the real insight.
(chapter 47) Thus rumors about Baek Junmin being an illegal fighter never reached Jaekyung’s ears. That’s why the author made fun of the main lead here:
(chapter 47) His ear seemed to have caught their badmouthing, but not the real information. But why did he not listen to the members? It is because Namwook had encouraged the champion to keep his distance from others. He had even planted seeds of distrust among the team with his badmouthing about the champion. He has a bad temper and is a spoiled child, so no one needs to pay attention to him and his moods. The slap was the evidence of his disrespect and hypocrisy.
(chapter 52) He was not willing to listen to the fighter’s suffering, because he didn’t want to be burdened. In fact, the opposite happened.
(chapter 52) The man acted, as if he had been the biggest victim. Moreover, Namwook’s actions often reflect a lack of genuine loyalty, as seen in
(chapter 22) episode 22, when he falsely claims ownership of the gym and again in episode 56 when he reminds the champion of his absence from the gym, behaving as though he were the boss.
(chapter 56) In reality, the true owner of the gym is the “wolf,” and Namwook’s behavior underscores his disregard for loyalty and responsibility. In fact, his words mirror the nurse’s at the hospice:
(chapter 56) Since she approached the physical therapist to get closer to him and used work to create a connection, people can see the similarities between her and the manager. While she represents honesty, curiosity, care but also “ignorance”,, it means that Park Namwook embodies the opposite values: indifference and a certain dishonesty.
(chapter 56) Hence he is seen talking over the phone and not face to face, unlike the nurse. He knows that his boy is struggling, but he acts, as if he didn’t know. This contrast validates my previous interpretation of the manager. His question “Is everything okay with you?” exposes his lack of genuine concern. He uses work not to praise his “boy”, but to blame him for his “negligence”. He downplays the champion’s struggles while still recovering from surgery. This lack of care creates an atmosphere of apathy, anonymity, and selfish expectation, sharply contrasting with the hospice’s values of dignity and communal care. But how do we explain this huge divergence? First, the main principles of the hospice are dignity and care, and not primarily money. Therefore the institution offers free health check once a month:
(chapter 56) Then they don’t pay attention to drugs and treatment, as they are useless there. Therefore they are less prone to corruption and greed contrary to the hospitals in Seoul. This means that this institution should become the main support for the main couple. Let’s not forget that Joo Jaekyung is suing a reputable hospital, but there’s no doubt that all the institutions are siding with the medical world and not the fighter.
Furthermore, though Light Of Hope and Team Black are strongly intertwined with fighting, their focus diverges significantly. The hospice prioritizes mental well-being, addressing the emotional and psychological needs of patients who have already relinquished hope for physical recovery.
(chapter 56) This contrasts with the gym, where fighting is treated as entertainment and sport, emphasizing the physical aspect while neglecting the mental health of its athletes. Ironically, even the physical treatment of its members was neglected at the gym from the very beginning, like we could see it in two occasions:
(chapter 1) The fighter with the head injury received treatment from the members (self-medication) and Kim Changming had a shoulder injury which got neglected.
(chapter 7) These incidents reflect the gym’s underlying indifference and mismanagement. This disparity explains why Jaekyung’s mental health suffered under Namwook’s leadership, as the gym lacked the supportive and transparent environment required to nurture emotional resilience. Jaekyung’s stay at the hospice is likely to open his eyes to this overlooked aspect, prompting him to reconsider his leadership style and the values governing Team Black. But it is the same for Kim Dan, especially if he sees how weak and neglected the fighter looks:
(chapter 56) he has already become a shadow of himself.
Gifts, communication and Truth
Light, a recurring symbol of enlightenment and awareness, serves different functions in the hospice and Team Black. In the hospice, light represents the revelation of truths previously hidden by denial and pretense.
(chapter 56) The nurses might come to wonder how the grandmother can happily chat and smile when her relative is barely eating and spending all his time at the hospice. For the grandmother, this light exposes her selfishness and misguided belief that she can evade accountability.
(chapter 56) Her actions, such as allowing Kim Dan to stay by her side and covering him, contrast sharply with her earlier attempts to push him away. In this scene, a caretaker might pass through the rooms to ensure everything is in order, noticing the doctor present. To an outsider, the visible outcome suggests that she accepts her grandchild’s relentless care without protest. It was, as if she had said nothing at all. Yet, this perceived acceptance masks her internal struggle and the discomfort of being dependent on Kim Dan, reflecting her conflicted emotions. These moments of vulnerability and acceptance highlight the gradual erosion of her denial under the hospice’s symbolic light.
The idea of gifts further underscores the theme of communication and truth, as gifts convey a message and reveal the nature of the relationship between the giver and the receiver. For instance, Park Namwook treats the gym as though it were a “gift” bestowed upon him, despite this being far from the truth.
(chapter 22) Rather than acknowledging the champion’s suffering and generosity, he exploits his position thanks to his seniority, treating the gym as his personal domain. This false sense of ownership leads to his manipulative behavior and disregard for loyalty, as he capitalizes on Jaekyung’s trust and struggles.
Similarly, the grandmother’s wedding cabinet, made of mother-of-pearl, was a symbol of her dowry and seems to hold sentimental value for her.
(chapter 19) However, for Kim Dan, this object represented a burden rather than a gift. He had troubles to find a new place to stay because of her „treasure“:
(chapter 16) Despite its substantial value, the grandmother never sold the cabinet to pay off the debts, prioritizing its preservation over the survival of her home and family. On the one hand, this reveals her immaturity and selfishness, as she put up with her grandson’s suffering. On the other hand, her decision created the impression to Kim Dan that this belonging had just a sentimental value and nothing more. So when the champion saw that huge Wedding cabinet, he judged it as „junk“ and that’s how the doctor got this perception validated.
(Chapter 19) Hence it is not surprising that at the end, he chose to abandon this huge cupboard.
(Chapter 53) Finally during her move to the Light Of Hope, she did not ask about the whereabouts of her belonging which could only reinforce the impression that this item had no real value. It had even lost its sentimental value, as she was no longer thinking of her former home. Her ignorance and forgetfulness are once again outlining her superficiality, self-centeredness and lack of empathy. The sentimental value of her Wedding Cabinet was rather shallow. But the tragedy is that when the furniture was moved the penthouse, the champion noticed this item for the first time and came to associate this cupboard with the doctor.
(chapter 19) Thus I am suspecting that this Wedding Cabinet created a false impression about the doctor: Joo Jaekyung thought that Kim Dan had many clothes in this cupboard, the negative version of this scene,
(chapter 42) This explicates why the athlete didn’t pay attention to his soulmate’s clothes. And now, observe that the doctor is only wearing his PT uniform.
(chapter 56) Thus I am predicting a huge awakening for the champion. Without the cupboard, the champion can see that the physical therapist almost has no cloth. Thus he can only admit his humbleness and benevolence. However, the moment he hears that this furniture belonged to the grandmother, the champion can only perceive the relative in a different light. Yes, the gift should expose her true personality. At the same time, Shin Okja never gave her Wedding Cabinet to Kim Dan, so should she discover that she lost her gift or the latter ended up in the athlete’s hands, she could protest and reclaim it. My point is that this legacy serves as a tool to expose the grandmother’s childish and shallow nature.
But I believe that we should combine this present from the past with the scarf she received from her grandson:
(chapter 56) She is wearing it daily and is proud of it. Deep down, she knows the true value of the scarf: it was expensive
(Chapter 41) as she employs the expression „spoil to death“. By wearing the scarf with flowers, she appears wealthy, but also vain! Since I detected that Kim Dan likes pink flowers, my interpretation is that this gift mirrors the doctor’s taste indicating that he was slowly regaining his identity and confidence..
(chapter 31) And notice that the bouquet of pink roses pushed Kim Dan to talk to Joo Jaekyung about his taste. That’s how I detected a strong connection between presents and communication. Notice that on the champion’s birthday, the manager sent a message while the presents were delivered.
(chapter 45) This aspect gets even validated with the doctor’s keychain. The latter not only caused an argument between the two room mates
(chapter 45), but also encouraged the doctor to convey his thoughts and expectations in the card. On the other hand, he didn’t expose the whole truth
(chapter 55) Another interesting aspect lies in the doctor’s shaking hands which the champion noticed, when he offered the present:
(chapter 55) This scene reminded me of their first encounter:
(Chapter 56) So the man must have recognized the doctor‘s fear, which explains why the champion could voice his anger later. But back then, he never wondered why the doctor‘s hands were shaking like leaves. It is because the doctor feared rejection. The present had the following meaning for the physical therapist: recognition and acceptance. The gift was the symbol for „conditional affection“ which he had long internalized due to his grandmother. But this doesn‘t end here. The shaking hands appeared in a different scene:
(chapter 49) The common denominator between these three scenes is the mistake. Kim Dan feared to have made a mistake with the present, because he was afraid of the champion‘s reaction: will he accept him or not? But let‘s return our attention to the gifts from the doctor.
And what is the huge divergence between the champion and the grandmother? The latter has always accepted doc Dan’s gifts, and even kept them, though she is well aware that her grandson is broke. He might have no longer any debts, but she doesn’t know it. So should the main lead meet the grandmother wearing the beautiful and expensive scarf, he should realize the value of the cloth. He should notice that the spoiled and greedy child is the halmoni, and not his fated partner.
(chapter 41) Her words at the hospital are going to come back to bite her. She should have refused them in order to save some money. To conclude, the gifts serve to expose the truth about the receivers’ personality, like we could observe in another occasion:
(chapter 31)
Funny is that her Wedding Cabinet was never intended as a gift for Kim Dan but as a reflection of her own past. Similarly, the scarf becomes a symbolic extension of this dynamic, illustrating the disparity in how gifts are perceived and valued. Through these gifts, the true nature of the relationships and the inherent imbalances are exposed. The cabinet, meant to represent care and love, becomes a mirror of her selfishness and refusal to take responsibility for Kim Dan’s sacrifices. These gifts underscore the imbalance in relationships where one party takes advantage of the other’s kindness or generosity. So paying back the fighter should be seen as a reflection to the scene, where the champion rejected the keychain. Simultaneously, the money transfer
(chapter 55) implies that as soon as the main couple meet each other, they will have to discuss this matter. To sum up, a gift encourages the couple to communicate, yet contrary to season 1, both should be more honest to each other at the Light Of Hope. Every word and action will appear in a different light. Another aspect is that none of them takes things for granted, which stands in opposition to hyung Namwook and the grandmother. This explicates why the latter have no problem to spend money.
The Symbolism of Light
Light, a recurring symbol of enlightenment and awareness, serves different functions in the hospice and Team Black. In the hospice, light represents the revelation of truths previously hidden by denial and pretense.
(chapter 56) The nurses might come to wonder how she can happily chat and smile, when her relative is barely eating and even spending his whole time at the hospice. For the grandmother, this light exposes her selfishness and misguided belief that she can evade accountability.
(chapter 56) Her actions, such as allowing Kim Dan to stay by her side and covering him, contrast sharply with her earlier attempts to push him away. In this scene, a caretaker might pass through the rooms to ensure everything is in order, noticing the doctor present. To an outsider, the visible outcome suggests that she accepts her grandchild’s relentless care without protest. It was, as if she had said nothing at all. Yet, this perceived acceptance masks her internal struggle and the discomfort of being dependent on Kim Dan, reflecting her conflicted emotions. These moments of vulnerability and acceptance highlight the gradual erosion of her denial under the hospice’s symbolic light.
In contrast, Team Black’s symbolic “darkness” represents ignorance, despair, and unhappiness. The gym’s lack of transparency and trust fosters a culture of disconnection and secrecy. This explicates why Kim Dan and Joo Jaekyung got betrayed and abandoned by the staff. Though they were both victims, no one sided with them. No one went to fetch them either or to call them. The name “Team Black” itself evokes these negative qualities, further emphasizing the divergence from the hospice’s values of clarity and interconnectedness. On the other hand, one origin of this problem is that the gym was founded for the athlete’s own needs. That means that the company must change its philosophy and in my opinion, it is related to Kim Dan. The latter embodies other values like family, dedication and selflessness. Work is not linked to money, but to self-worth. Like mentioned before, the doctor is about to conquer the gym and as such he is the true game changer.
For Jaekyung, the hospice’s light serves as a metaphorical mirror, reflecting the shortcomings of his leadership and his failure to build a true sense of community within Team Black. By entering this environment, he begins to see the value of actions over appearances and the importance of genuine relationships, which contrasts with the superficial and transactional nature of his gym.
A Catalyst for Transformation
The hospice’s name also reflects its role as a catalyst for transformation. While it offers hope and care to its residents, it also demands honesty and responsibility. The grandmother’s journey within this space is marked by a slow but inevitable confrontation with her own hypocrisy. Her interactions with Kim Dan and the hospice community challenge her to embrace the very principles that the “Light of Hope” embodies—truth, responsibility, and genuine care.
Similarly, Jaekyung’s time at the hospice serves as a turning point. Surrounded by people who value authenticity over status, he begins to shed his reliance on Park Namwook and reevaluates his treatment of Team Black. The hospice helps him uncover buried traumas and understand the impact of his actions on others, including Kim Dan. This newfound awareness sets the stage for his transformation as a leader and as a person.
Conclusion
The hospice “Light of Hope” is not merely a setting in Jinx; it is a microcosm of the story’s broader themes. It stands as a beacon of enlightenment, forcing characters like the grandmother and Joo Jaekyung to confront uncomfortable truths and redefine their relationships with themselves and others. While the grandmother initially resists this process, the hospice’s environment and its symbolic “light” gradually guide her toward self-awareness and accountability. For Jaekyung, the hospice provides an opportunity to recognize the flaws in his leadership and to embrace a more empathetic and authentic approach to life. In doing so, the “Light of Hope” becomes a place where denial fades, truths are revealed, and the potential for transformation is realized.

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(chapter 56) This dichotomy in season 1 is vividly illustrated in a scene where Kim Dan, under the dappled light of a tree
(chapter 41), experiences a profound moment of awakening. As his hand seems to reach towards the leaves
(chapter 41), his senses come alive—he sees the light filtering through, feels the breeze, and hears the faint rustling sound. It is, as if in that moment, he reconnects to his true nature. Like a tree, Kim Dan is deeply rooted, yet capable of growth and resilience.
(chapter 41) Nature awakens something within him— his heart and as such his third eye —allowing him to realize his affection for Joo Jaekyung. This quiet yet powerful moment emphasizes how nature offers clarity and purity, serving as a contrast to the suffocating, impersonal urban world where Kim Dan often found himself lost. Striking is when Joo Jaekyung met Kim Dan for the first time, he compared him to a “leaf,” shaking and fragile—an unconscious recognition of his true nature.
(chapter 55) However, note that the main lead isn’t stretching his hand to the sky and sun. He is almost immobile. Just before, he was holding the cellphone in his hand:
(chapter 55) Another divergence to the scene in episode 41 is that Jinx-philes couldn’t see his face. It indicates that the doctor reverted to his old self, and as such he is not true to himself. Therefore I come to the following conclusion. Mingwa uses nature as a mirror to Kim Dan’s emotional and spiritual state. While moments of connection with nature reflect clarity and self-realization, the juxtaposition in this scene underscores the opposite. Here, Kim Dan sits surrounded by trees and bathed in sunlight, yet his attention is consumed by his cellphone—symbolizing his entanglement with money, duty, and his ongoing struggles. Just moments prior, he wired money to the champion, a decision rooted in his past traumas and present desperation. The irony of the setting cannot be overlooked: though nature surrounds him, its purity and tranquility remain unnoticed, emphasizing how Kim Dan is still trapped in patterns of survival, burdened by his circumstances. He has become a ghost once again. This disconnect reveals how the weight of his past prevents him from embracing the present moment and reconnecting with his true nature, contrasting starkly with earlier scenes where his senses came alive under the trees.
(chapter 56) The empty beach scene, with its sunlight and tranquil beauty, reflects peace, but also unfulfilled connections. Kim Dan’s absence from this moment underscores his failure to keep a heartfelt promise to his grandmother:
(chapter 53) to watch the sunset together. This failure stems not only from Joo Jaekyung
(chapter 53) —now associated with the sunlight, symbolizing life and vitality—but also from Kim Dan’s fixation on his own suffering.
(chapter 56) Abandoned once again, Kim Dan is consumed by the weight of his trauma, isolating himself emotionally and excluding himself from others.
(chapter 56) When approached and complimented, such as when the nurse praises him and encourages him to take a break for lunch, Kim Dan pointedly ignores the praise and instead chooses to return to work. His inability to engage with others reflects the same disconnection that prevents him from connecting to nature. Mingwa subtly reveals a painful truth: Kim Dan’s fixation on his suffering not only blinds him to the solace and clarity offered by nature, but also hinders his ability to nurture relationships.
(chapter 56) and, symbolically, to the moon, Kim Dan remains oblivious to what has always been there for him: the enduring forces of love, stability, and healing.
(chapter 56) the ocean and celestial elements like Saturn (Kim Dan stands for this planet). These forces, outside human control and independent of Kim Dan’s struggles, offer opportunities for renewal and clarity. Yet Kim Dan, consumed by his pain, remains trapped in patterns of survival and alienation. Nature’s constancy mirrors what he needs most—connection, healing, and presence—yet his inability to see it reflects his broader struggle to connect with others and himself.
(chapter 51), the doctor learned the following lesson: it is better to keep people at a certain distance, because he got his heart broken. That’s the reason why he is avoiding the nurses and not eating lunches. He is simply avoiding gatherings. He is seeking solitude on purpose. That’s how it dawned on me that he is living like the athlete in season 1!! His whole world is revolving around work and as such taking care of patients.
(chapter 26) Yes, the day where they sparred out of fun. For the first time, Kim Dan chose to accept a challenge for himself and for Potato. He felt a connection with Yoon-Gu, because he saw in him a puppy:
(chapter 29) That’s the moment he started opening up to others, he confided his struggles to Oh Daehyun and Potato:
(chapter 37) The puppy symbolizes not only nature, but also innocence. Let’s not forget that he was moved by the actor’s flowers in the past:
(chapter 21) Yes, by offering him a puppy! Is it a coincidence that the author made the champion jog next to a dog owner? I don’t think so. Until now, nothing could move Kim Dan’s heart:
(chapter 44) In other words, Kim Dan feels a strong connection to animals, but he could never have one due to his poverty and his grandmother. By taking care of a dog, he would be forced to pay attention to nature and in particular to trees. Naturally, I believe that Potato will play a similar role in the future, for Mingwa associated him with a dog.
(chapter 23) While this was his original dream, after the last incident, there is no doubt that the young maknae must feel guilty and unhappy. He had not been able to protect and defend his new hyung. However, I have to admit that I would like to see the main couple having a pet! The latter would bring life in the penthouse, but also force the two protagonists to have a new routine. The penthouse would truly become a real home.
(chapter 47), the nursing attendant
(chapter 21) or the reporters:
(chapter 37)
(chapter 40) However, Manhwa-worms will notice a significant distinction: in Season 1, these women were all tied to the world of work. Even Kim Dan’s grandmother, though she represents a familial figure, falls into this category.
(chapter 56) Moreover, the grandmother’s choice of words, “Why don’t you turn in?”, implies that she sees Kim Dan’s presence as a form of “work” or duty. This phrasing is often associated with someone finishing a day’s tasks or obligations before going to bed, which fits into the broader dynamic between Kim Dan and his responsibilities. In my eyes, it shows that she is seeing her grandson more as a caretaker than as a family member. We shouldn’t forget that she was the reason why the main lead became a PT. It was, as if her dream had come true. Nevertheless, the verity is that his grandmother is receiving treatment from his colleagues.
(chapter 56) It looks like she’s pushing him away. On the one hand, her request sounds right, for she is treated quite well and the suggestion was made out of concern. She sees her grandchild struggling, and probably imagines that this move must weight down on Kim Dan. On the other hand, I can’t help myself thinking that this woman also has other reasons to send him back to Seoul. The nurse was already pitying the physical therapist:
(chapter 7) before she got reassured. Then she made this request
(chapter 55) and later brought the doctor’s present:
(chapter 55) And what is the common denominator with these two images? The woman’s hand. In the previous essay, I explained that her intervention signalized that the champion would stop drinking and was starting acknowledging Kim Dan. The zoom on the cleaning lady’s hand is a powerful visual cue that encapsulates many of the symbolic meanings associated with a woman’s hand, reinforcing the themes of care, healing, humility, and transformation.
(chapter 19) He is not capable to take care of himself well.
(chapter 55) Observe how she smiled to him by saying goodbye. This is a sign that her respect and care are genuine. One might think that this nameless cleaning lady was unfortunately portrayed as eyeless:
(chapter 56) I don’t think, we should see it in a pejorative light, like for an example of blindness or manipulation. In my eyes, the absence of her eyes are mirroring the nature of their relationship between the champion and the cleaning service. So far, he never met these people, as he was always away. In other words, the absence of the eyes is showing that the sportsman doesn’t know her that well. But it could change and this because of Kim Dan.
(chapter 51) Women in Season 2—more prone to conversation and care—foreshadow this necessary transformation. Joo Jaekyung must learn to move Kim Dan not with his fists, but with empathy, understanding, and love. In essence, he must uncover his “motherly side” to create a genuine bond with Kim Dan.
(chapter 56) in the illustration. It is because I realized that the champion first looked for Kim Dan at Sports Therapy Centers
(chapter 56) before realizing that his fated partner might have switched the focus in PT, geriatrics. And what did the PT say at the Light Of Hope Hospice?
(chapter 56) Male physical therapists like this one
(chapter 54) prefer specializing in treating athletes because it brings more money and fame, whereas female PT ends up at hospices due to their nature (nurturing, family). This means that by going to the hospice, the athlete will enter a whole new world. The appearance of the woman with glasses was indicating that the athlete was slowly broadening his horizon. As you can see, little by little, the fighter is opening his mind to new things. So how will he react, when he sees that his beloved “hamster” is withering again? This time, he can not blame the doctor. Since I detected similarities between Kim Dan’s current attitude and the champion’s past behavior, I have the feeling that the fighter will recognize himself in his loved one or someone will give him some advice. He will have the answer to this:
(chapter 13) He is neglecting himself to the point of exhaustion, because he is living as a PT non-stop. While the champion was fighting with his bad shoulder, the other is using his hands for treatment, hence he is not eating.

(chapter 56) and
(chapter 56) While in the first picture, Joo Jaekyung is calm, concentrated and silent, in the second one, the fighter is agitated, lost, breathless and yelling. These two mental dispositions are reflected in the location. In the first image, the MMA celebrity appears behind the steering wheel, which is a symbol for power, determination and control, whereas in the second panel the champion is wandering alone in the street. This running is no longer part of his training and routine, but it exposes his powerlessness, loneliness and despair. He has no idea where to go contrary to the first picture. This means that the latter embodies goal and destination, whereas the second image represents the opposite values: beginning, start, ground zero and source. In other words, the end of episode announces the athlete’s rebirth or better said, the start of a new life. I will elaborate further below. But let’s return our attention to the symbolism of the auto.
(chapter 56)
(chapter 56) Even if the main lead is moving among other cars, people can recognize that the owner of such a car is rich and probably famous due to the brand and design. On the other hand, by roaming in the street, the champion blends into the background and as such to the mass.
(chapter 35), Joo Jaekyung succeeded. He is just a passerby. In other words, the avenue indicates not only his failure to find Kim Dan, but also his loss of power and status. He has just become a nobody. Thus we should consider this as the athlete’s karma for thinking that Kim Dan could be replaced, because he was just a nobody:
(chapter 55) It is no coincidence as well that the author showed us the star’s back, when the latter called his hyung Park Namwook.
These two chapters are similar, for they convey the same emotions: anger, anxiety, frustration and despair of the fighter. In the car, the champion attempted to control the doctor’s libido.
(chapter 33) On the one hand, he appeared calm and concentrated like in 56, yet deep inside, he was burning up. The pink dildo was used as a tool to voice his negative emotions (abandonment issues, insecurities and jealousy). With the release of episode 56, another reason came to my mind why the athlete proposed to drive the physical therapist to Choi Heesung.
(chapter 32) First, he switched the car in order to demonstrate his wealth and status. It was, as if he wanted to show off to his fated companion, which reminded me of the actor. The latter would bomb doc Dan with “presents”, an indirect demonstration of his fortune. In addition, Jinxphiles will certainly recall that during the same day, the comedian came to fetch the physical therapist with his white Porsche.
(chapter 32) Consequently, I came to the following deduction. The man selected the gray car in order to distinguish himself from his rival, to impress his companion.
(chapter 42) And what was his attitude there? He would not listen to his passenger. Moreover, he would separate his job from his roommate’s. It looked like they were living in two different worlds, though they were sharing the car. This scene exposes miscommunication, lack of faith, stubbornness and prejudices. The fighter was not willing to accept the physical therapist’s doubts and chose to go through with the training and match.
(chapter 2)
(chapter 37) with arrogance and weakness, but this is not true. [For more read this
(chapter 54)
(chapter 5) He allows the coach to drive the car and the manager to sit in the front. Thus they represent the higher authorities. However, so far, the doctor had only been his passenger. Thus a new idea popped up: what if the athlete let the physical therapist drive his car? Let’s not forget that the loner wolf shouldn’t be driving on his own, for his shoulder has not healed properly yet. I already pointed out the wrongdoings from the two hyungs.
(chapter 53) They should have brought him home. They stand for neglect and indifference due to their passivity and routine. In my eyes, they are happy at the gym, the latter represents their second family. So they imagine that it is the same for their boss. In other words, they projected their own thoughts and feelings onto the celebrity. They embody silence and lack of communication and this is actually palpable in the car. In episode 5, the manager and the MMA fighters lied to each other:
(chapter 5) Then in episode 49, the champion kept The Shotgun’s words as a secret, while his coach confessed his trust in his “boy”
(chapter 49). Yet, he revealed his true thoughts at the hospital:
(chapter 52) Imagine that he only reported his investigation and actions afterwards. Then on the athlete’s birthday, he didn’t send any private message as well.
(chapter 37) He was using the landline telephone. This observation is relevant, because it exposes the coach’s dependency on Park Namwook. The latter’s task is to keep in touch with his boss and champion, for he has his cellphone number. Nevertheless, how do we explain the absence of the coach’s cellphone? I have the feeling that this could be related to his divorce.
(chapter 19) Thus this observation made me think that the coach could have something in common with Kim Dan. And that’s how the champion will demonstrate his strength to his hyung. Contrary to him, he didn’t accept the divorce so “easily”. In fact, he is fighting for the doctor in his own way. The problem is that he is his own worst enemy.
(chapter 49), Jinxphiles could never view the driver.
(chapter 13) His question “Is everything okay with you?” is purely mechanical and as such meaningless, for he doesn’t inquire, when he hears a silence from the other side of the line. I would even say that he doesn’t really wait for his boy’s answer as well.
(chapter 56), he could end up in the same situation than the protagonist. And keep in mind that the coach Yosep is actually relying on the manager. Thus I reckon that the champion’s other source of power is actually his cellphone! Without him, he has no connection
(chapter 5), no money
(chapter 32) and no power. His call to the manager during that evening represents his last resort. Thus he is calling the manager “Namwook hyung” contrary to episode 5.
(chapter 5) This title is indicating that the champion is opening up, and willing to show his vulnerability and despair. On the other hand, this change also implies “expectations” from the fighter,
(chapter 46) Keep in mind that at the gym, the athlete denied the relevance of information. Though both hyungs were warned, the reality was that they got off scot-free. They never received any blame for failing to protect him and this twice. And now, he is looking for intel about the doctor. Indirectly, fate is teaching him to recognize his error. In fact, information can procure a good insight about people’s behavior and as such fears. Let me give you an example: if Joo Jaekyung were to hear about Kim Dan’s first employment as PT, he should understand why the PT made mistakes, why he took odd jobs and why he “left” Seoul. If he wanted to work as PT, he needed to go elsewhere.
(chapter 56) He somehow expected doc Dan to listen to his words and accept them. That was it. Then at the end, it is just about seeing doc Dan and nothing more. At no moment, he voiced the desire to get to know his partner or to listen to his side of the story. Why? It is because he had strongly internalized that the man was a liar. He never questioned his perception and detected his own prejudices. It is important to recollect how Jinx-philes could sense a positive change in the physical therapist:
(chapter 22) Yes, it is the view with the star’s back. The author selected such a position on purpose. The face represents the character’s identity and as such his personality. By showing the back, Mingwa is implying that the beholder is full of prejudices and doesn’t know his partner that well. That’s why I judge this image
(chapter 7)
(chapter 32)
(chapter 37)
(chapter 40)
(chapter 43)
(chapter 45)
(chapter 46)
(chapter 47) Looking at his face had become his new secret ritual and as such his source of joy. Naturally, his heart and unconscious were the causes for this new habit. This explicates why he hated hearing the doctor leaving the penthouse during the night: he feared that he would no longer be able to see his cute face. That’s also the reason why Joo Jaekyung got angry/upset, when he saw the doctor turning his head away
(Chapter 54) This nightmare exposed his regret which he tried to deny and bury. At the same time, I have the feeling that his secret desire was to wipe away his tears as well. Nevertheless the problem is that such a love is rather superficial, for people’s body deteriorate over time. What matters in love is a good personality and a good heart. According to Erich Fromm, love is knowledge, respect, care and responsibility. Hence this separation became a necessity for the fighter. Fate had to force him to admit this:
(chapter 21) and almost got shocked
(chapter 56), when he imagined that she had died. In reality, he helped financially more the grandmother than Kim Dan himself. Kim Dan is the one he should really empathize with. He has always been a victim of circumstances.
(chapter 56) Desperation can strip away the higher faculties that make us human—reason, empathy, and self-control—exposing something primal.
(chapter 17) and
(chapter 11). In season 1, the athlete stands for golden hour, whereas Heo Namwook embodies blue hour. “Entre chien et loup” is the time of day when the light is such that is becomes difficult to distinguish between a dog and a wolf, between friend and foe, between known and unknown. Hence I am thinking that if the next episode represents a continuation of that nightfall, it signifies that the champion is on his way to meet someone from the past. Moreover, I detected that the pavement is the same than in front of the gym:
(chapter 48) As you can see, this detail made me realize that the next chapter should contain reflections from episode 35 and 48, the meeting with an old/new acquaintance. I am writing new and old together on purpose, for Director Choi Gilseok had been the halmoni’s loan shark, but the “hamster” had no idea. Choi Gilseok is the boss of Heo Manwook. If this encounter takes place, it signifies that on the one hand, it will cause pain and suffering to the athlete, on the other hand, this incident will become a “blessing in disguise”, for it will push the champion to reflect and mature. That’s how I had the following revelation. Why did the author ensure that the MMA fighter’s shoulder would get badly injured?
(chapter 52) It is because this exposes the champion’s bad coping mechanism. The champion always uses his fists, therefore he doesn’t reflect and as such analyze his emotions.
(chapter 52) That’s how he felt right into the trap of the schemers. So by having his splint, Joo Jaekyung is indirectly coerced to meditate on his feelings., as he can no longer use his shoulder and as such his fist. His physical injury represents in reality his “lucky charm”, for it helps him to transform, to overcome his trauma and face the shadows from his traumatic past. Notice that for the first time, the athlete came to accept the existence of feelings for Kim Dan.
(chapter 5) He is much calmer. He is not oozing red and remaining silent. He is not burning up inside, in fact he is expressing his thoughts and emotions:
(chapter 5) In both cases, the athlete asked for his manager’s help. However, as Jinx-philes can sense, there exist two huge differences between the past and present. Back then, Park Namwook didn’t care for Kim Dan. He was just a PT like any other doctor. He didn’t even care that Joo Jaekyung would lose his temper and ruin the sandbag.
(chapter 5) It was not worrisome in his eyes, because his day would consist of training and punching the sandbag. The problem is that the fighter is no longer coming to the gym and he is not even calling him:
(chapter 56) This shows that the athlete is using more and more his intelligence, he is forced to interact with people. He is gradually developing his social skills which stand for COMMUNICATION. And how did he get deceive in the past?
(chapter 48) He got manipulated by his eyes! They used a trick to deceive the athlete: delivering the truth in delay. Joo Jaekyung didn’t confront Kim Dan, because he saw the pictures as proofs! He never tried to hear his side from the story. And now, you comprehend why I am expecting that the champion will suffer another “blow” in the next episode. In my opinion, he will hear an important information. The fire in the illustration is there to indicate “Tabula Rasa”, a clean state. Joo Jaekyung has to lose all his principles and his bias about doc Dan. But for that he needs to face his own past and mistakes. Only through this effective anguish, he can become a better man, a new man.

(chapter 55) One might think that the causes for his throbbing head are his depression and insomnia. On the other hand, I am quite certain that many readers had a different explanation for his migraine. He is missing his lover, Kim Dan, as the color red symbolizes the headache and the physical therapist’s name is strongly intertwined with this pigment which was once again confirmed in episoe 56.
(chapter 56) So it is true that his migraine are caused by the doctor’s absence. It was, as if the main lead was suffering from withdrawal symptoms. The fighter has a love addiction, but he is not aware of the existence of this “sweet poison”. But there’s more to it.
Thus I consider this image, where the champion is seen
(chapter 43) eating a strawberry with cream as the announcement of the magical night between Kim Dan and his fated partner. The fruit with the cream represented a violation to his strict diet.
(chapter 55) or the medicine against migraine.
(chapter 54) However, in episode 55, we can observe a huge change in the champion.
(chapter 55) The latter is finally admitting the inefficiency of the medicine. In other words, in this scene, he was giving up on them. This represents an important step on his way to enlightenment. For me, it signifies that he is stopping relying on pharmaceutical products. Let’s not forget that in the past, he rejected the PT and even neglected them. Why? It is because he trusted more sprays and other medicines than people.
(chapter 49) Therefore the switch of the spray had to occur. He needed to question his prejudices and attitude. But let’s return our attention to the champion and his throbbing head. One detail in this panel caught my notice.
(chapter 55) And now, pay attention to the number of the bottles in his room:
(chapter 55) I count 12 bottles of wine exactly like in the last image from chapter 54. Thus I came to the following deductions:
(chapter 54) and the appearance of the staff in chapter 55. It indicates that Jinx-philes can witness time deceleration in season 2. From one month in one chapter, then a week in the next episode, finally we have a reference to a day: Monday. Thus I deduce that in episode 56, only 2 or 3 days elapsed. I have already announced that the couple should meet each other around 25th:
(chapter 55)
(chapter 55) Consequently, I judge the cleaning lady as the positive version of Park Namwook. Though she uses social norms, she doesn’t use them against her employee. She didn’t condemn him, it is a mixture of teasing and reminder. At the same time, her intervention implies that she must have noticed changes in her boss after the arrival of Kim Dan in the flat and his departure. That’s the reason why I have the impression that this image is announcing another turning point in the champion’s life either:
(chapter 55) He won’t drink like before. However, I don’t think that he will behave like in the past: reject any alcohol entirely.
(chapter 55), his migraine vanished. Though he is holding his head the next morning and hiding his gaze
(chapter 55), the Webtoonist didn’t add any red or “throb” as an indication for a migraine. As you can see, his headache is strongly intertwined with repressing the physical therapist and as such locking away memories. However, there exists another cause. What had the doctor done in the past?
(chapter 44) Yes, the main lead had patted his lover’s head, while the champion had his eyes close. In my opinion, his unconscious had registered this gesture and loved it. However, the champion had not seen it himself. He was drunk and had his eyes closed. This stroke on the head symbolizes appreciation, affection and recognition.
(chapter 23) That’s how little kids are admired and loved. This stands in opposition to the abuser’s behavior:
(chapter 54) parental criticism and absence of contact. And how did Choi Heesung express his “love” to Yoon Gu?
(chapter special 2) The same way than Kim Dan with the patting! In other words, the champion is deep down longing for such a gesture, but he has not realized it yet. Nevertheless, I believe that he just needs a trigger.
(chapter 55) With his left opened eye!! The exact opposite from this picture:
(chapter 56) As long as the fighter thinks of his fated partner, he is not plagued with a throbbing head. This shows that it has something to do with repressing memories. However, his physical condition is still not improving:
(chapter 55) This signifies that in reality, the uke is the one benefiting more from this relationship, while the “Gucgi guy” is a placebo for Joo Jaekyung. He can not replace the true medicine: Dan’s love. But Joo Jaekyung chose to close an eye to the truth forgetting his “insight” from chapter 2:
(chapter 2) However, back then, he had just stated it in order to get rid of the mint-goblin. He needed a justification for switching his partner. In other words, this was reflecting more the protagonist’s corrupted mind and heart. Therefore he is designed eyeless, the symbol for ignorance, lies and blindness.
(chapter 55) And where did he have his migraine exactly?
(chapter 55) It was on the right side and eye! It truly exposes that Joo Jaekyung was getting punished for his attitude. He is not allowed to bury and forget Kim Dan. The star’s open eyes in this episode symbolize denial, lack of self-awareness and as such the absence of insight. He is also punished for his lies in episode 2. His words might have reflected the truth, but his words didn’t expose a change of heart. He was taking advantage of this situation as well. So when the pain intensified pushing him to close his right eye, we should consider this image as a short moment of reflection and realization. In the restroom, he was forced to admit that only Kim Dan could kiss him. Is it a coincidence that just before Mingwa presented this image
(chapter 55) Naturally no, she was mirroring the attitude of both figures: both were in denial!! Notice that though the star had no reaction in front of the “replacement”, the latter chose not to give up at all. This man was not expecting a rejection, in fact he was in total denial as well. He didn’t notice the star’s passivity and silence.
(chapter 55) He was just standing there and avoiding his gaze.
(chapter 55) How can the MMA fighter reject him? This displays his huge confidence or arrogance. There’s no doubt that he will put the blame on Joo Jaekyung. At the same time, I believe that his blindness was also caused by his greed.
(chapter 5) Therefore he was in a happy mood after that match. A simple gesture with a lot of power! He has been missing this hand or better said this gesture. This action was the main lead’s true motivation.
(chapter 54) Don’t forget that Dominic Hill had expressed his admiration in a similar way, patting on the back:
(chapter 40) No wonder why he felt so lost and empty after the last fight.
(chapter 43) this was the coach’s hand. In other words, the athlete felt more close to the coach than to the manager. This would explain why he would listen to the coach and even entrust him with huge tasks like the charity event. Strangely, in season 1, we can observe how more or more he is distancing himself from the fighter. Probably related to his secret relationship with Kim Dan. According to my theory, the coach is aware of their relationship. They are more than just boss and employee. As you can see, I don’t think that the champion is right now just missing the doctor’s sweet lips. Deep down, he would like to be patted by his loved one, exactly like Potato.
(special episode 2) But this is what he received after the last match:
(chapter 2) The champion’s reaction is quite telling. He is not easily swayed. But we have another bigger evidence that his intercourses were replacement for “fights”. In The States, the fighter asked Kim Dan to join him at 11:00.
(chapter 38) He needed to prepare himself mentally, to visualize how he would screw his opponent Dominic Hill. He was just taking the expression “fuck/screw” too literally. The latter idiom has the following synonyms: to cheat, oppress, bleed, coerce, wrest and to tighten. Just before the doctor came to his door, what was the athlete doing? He was watching a video from his challenger:
(chapter 38) Therefore it is not surprising that he rejected Kim Dan’s request first.
(chapter 39) He didn’t feel like it, because he was not aroused at all. Imagine that he needed two hours for that erection, a sign that during that night, Kim Dan was in reality a replacement for the American fighter.
(chapter 39) Even when the doctor rubbed his hand against his sex, he had no reaction.
(chapter 38) In fact, he needed a fellatio to get an erection, and he only started getting excited, when he saw the doctor’s gaze. That’s the reason why he remembered this image under the shower:
(chapter 55) However, the more time the champion spent time with his physical therapist, the more he came to violate his own rules and principles: It started with their first meeting, when he crossed the line by mixing private and professional life together:
(chapter 6), Sex was no longer linked to matches, but to his own desires. To conclude, for the first time, the fighter connected sex to pleasure and desires and not “work and fighting”. Because of the deal and Joo Jaekyung’s strange behavior (sex shower scene, …) the PT had the impression that his boss was a man obsessed with sex.
(chapter 53) The latter didn’t feel the need to have more sex with Kim Dan, he let his partner leave the place. Why? This contrasts so much to their First Wedding Night:
(chapter 4)
(chapter 53) Pay attention to the behavior from the fighter during their last night together. He is looking away, he is not paying attention to his fated companion. His mind was elsewhere, focused on Baek Junmin! In my opinion, during that night, the champion had been able to differentiate between the physical therapist and his opponent. Fighting was more important than sex and as such his sex partner. To conclude, the physical therapist had been able to win Joo Jaekyung’s belief and heart. He was no longer a replacement at all. He had become a person close the fighter.
(chapter 49) he wanted to screw Baek Junmin for real. In this image, the athlete oozes confidence and strength. This means that he was no longer dependent on the good fuck before the match.
(chapter 53) However, the main lead never realized this huge change, he kept his old belief as a tradition out of habit. This explicates why the fighter tried to replace with a new uke
(chapter 56). I don’t think, he was referring to the spray incident, rather to their night before the match. The doctor had not behaved like a real opponent, he had admitted his “defeat” quite easily. He had left the ring before procuring him a good fuck. He was blaming his partner for violating his rule:
(chapter 2) But here is the thing. Kim Dan had just accepted the deal because of his grandmother. Secondly, he learned an important lesson during that magical night: consent!
(chapter 44) Sex is a synonym for love and as such it is about giving pleasure and affection to his partner. It is a two-way street. And this is something that the champion has to admit and accept. Thus I deduce that the fighter still has a long way to go before dropping all his fake principles. Like mentioned before, he needs to ponder on the following question: what matters to him the most? His championship or his happiness? Or what is sex to him? Why does he think that he is jinxed? He needs to face his own painful past and remember the face of his tormentor.
(chapter 49) Baek Junmin and the abusive parent.
(chapter 54) However, this gesture had the opposite signification: rage, resent… but also sweet revenge! He must have recalled the Shotgun’s face.
(chapter 52) There’s no doubt that thanks to the doctor, the champion will learn that he can get “justice” and satisfaction through other means. He can defeat the ghosts from the past, not just thanks to his fists and hard work, but also thanks to his surroundings and knowledge. Lawsuit and media!
(chapter 1) The physical therapist is not only his reward and price, but also his “second shoulder” and as such his pillar. The new PT won’t be able to replace him. Joo Jaekyung is not just a champion, but also a team: Kim Dan as his PT and his lover. As for Kim Dan, the celebrity is his “energy drink”, his source of comfort and joy. He is also his home, for he is the first one who invited him to stay with him! Yes, the grandmother didn’t invite her grandson to live with her, he was just dumped at her place. And because the celebrity is like a home and family, it explicates why the doctor is once again “living like a ghost”. 







(chapter 44)
(chapter 44), but also his wounded ears, his „imperfections“. One might add that by kissing the ear, Kim Dan is indirectly recognizing the champion‘s past and as such his previous fights. Therefore we should see this kiss on the ear as a gesture of admiration as well. However, I think, there is more to it.
(chapter 43) That’s how the 29 years old man learned that the face symbolizes vulnerability, care and respect. Another explanation is that the protagonist was following his own heart, because he had given his consent to his partner.
(chapter 44) In other words, this quick but tender kiss was the expression from the “hamster’s heart”. One might see this interpretation as a validation, when the young doctor came to this realization:
(chapter 44) On the other hand, his words expose his previous dishonesty towards himself concerning sex. He knew deep down that sex could be the expression of love and not immorality and corruption. Sex is dirty.
(chapter 20) His thoughts were definitely influenced by his grandmother. Secondly, observe that he is implying that this intercourse just looks like making love. On the one hand, this observation indicates the doctor’s low self-esteem. He can not imagine that the champion would make love to him. On the other hand, his words imply that Kim Dan was aware of the athlete’s drunkenness. Deep down, he knew that his soulmate was not true to himself. He was acting under the influence of the alcohol, though the readers should keep in their mind that in wine, there‘s truth. Nevertheless, the divulging of his vulnerability was not the star‘s choice.
(chapter 3)
(chapter 3) And how did the celebrity appear during that night? Selfish, rough, brutal like a beast… or better said, like a leopard!! The gaze from the dangerous feline changed during that magical night: he appeared as a sulky cat.
(chapter 44) Nuzzling often evokes imagery of animals displaying affection or seeking comfort, particularly creatures like leopards, or even wolves, which use gentle contact to bond with their pack or mate. So nuzzling like a leopard suggests graceful affection, a combination of power and tenderness. It reflects a careful approach, as though the young man is testing his lover’s response while still exuding vulnerability. But if you consider the star as a wolf, then the latter do it as a sign of trust and reassurance. Wolves are seeking comfort and offering unconditional love. This comparison highlights loyalty and the young man’s desire to feel close to his partner emotionally and physically.
(chapter 44) and the ear
(chapter 44) These kisses symbolized respect and care. However, since the other partner was drunk, Kim Dan was actually violating social norms. Above, I mentioned that he was just following his own heart, and the latter is a synonym for instincts. Yes, this sex session stood under the sign of animalistic love and not love between two humans who are equals.
(chapter 44) versus
(chapter 4) 












(chapter 49) These 3 men and The Shotgun have to be seen as a team. Moreover, 4 is a synonym for death. Then, observe that the image from episode 20 contains two villains, the loan shark and the perverted hospital director. 1 +1 = 2. So when we see the number 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18, we could perceive it as an allusion to Heo Namwook, the villain.
(chapter 11) and indirectly the persons involved in the redevelopment. However, I have to admit that I have a different explanation.
(chapter 11) Let’s not forget that in Jinx-Fandom, many Jinx-addicts calls him a “red flag”. Here, he was abusing his position. Furthermore, this theory could be seen as validated with the first episode with this image:
(chapter 1) The main lead appears as a beast, triggering the doctor’s fears. He seems to be like an antagonist. However, I believe that it is just a deception. First, Mingwa has clearly stated that the champion is the protagonist of Jinx. As such, he can be neither a villain nor an antagonist. Secondly, though he seems to serve as a barrier, the reality is that Kim Dan is incited to mature and overcome his own fears. In fact, the celebrity represents the opposite notions of “conformity” and “immobility”. He embodies verity, maturity, transformation and progression. The evidence of this perception is the gradual transformation of Kim Dan as an inexperienced PT to a very professional and performant physical therapist. According to my interpretation, the Emperor works as the mirror of truth. He confronts the delusional physical therapist with his mental and emotional issues, like here:
(chapter 45) as a good trigger for the 29 years old man to turn into a good PT. From that moment on, he only focused on the sportsman, and stopped asking the help from colleagues or listening to them.
(chapter 42) He only relied on his hands. He was forced to become a serious and confident PT!!
(chapter 1) The star was just waiting, and not threatening the doctor. As you can see, Joo Jaekyung doesn’t appear like a threat or a monster. But this doesn’t end here. One detail caught my interest. The champion is associated with blue. It is his true color, whereas Kim Dan is “red”, like a sweet strawberry. So why does this young man ooze a red aura, when his true shade is blue like water
(chapter 27) or the ocean. It is because he was under the influence of his hyung Park Namwook which explains why Mingwa introduced him like this:
(chapter 1) Note the contrast to his “boy”. The red is not coming from Joo Jaekyung’s body
(chapter 11) The coach is yelling for Joo Jaekyung’s comment, yet the reality is that the manager didn’t treat Kim Dan at all. In fact, he feigned ignorance. Moreover, look at the champion’s t-shirt:
(chapter 26) In this composition, I compared the MMA star with a leopard and Park Namwook to a spider:
(chapter 17) or in episode 46
(chapter 46) He represents regression or the hurdle to overcome.
(chapter 11)
(chapter 11) And I can prove my statement by showing the episode where she appears: 












Here, we should see as a continuation of episode 47.
(chapter 9) or other events like this one:
(chapter 37) Buying in secret junk food.
(chapter 1)
(chapter 1) But it is the same for the champion who got his “gym” stolen from his hyung:
I came to this revelation thanks to this article:
. (chapter 46) This would explain the champion’s emptiness and darkness:
(chapter 29) As for the halmoni, she embodies the last type of emotional vampire:
(chapter 21) and Kim Miseon’s reproach to Kim Dan could be seen as an indirect allusion. And if my interpretation about her number is correct, then we would have a good explanation why Kim Dan was unable to perceive her true nature, but also why she is so selfish.
(chapter 53) Only the logo is red.
(chapter 53) It is important, because it announces the manager’s resignation. He doesn’t want to become responsible for the mess. Unconsciously, he is no longer claiming to be the owner of the gym. Furthermore, notice that the grandmother desires to return to the West Coast in order to see an ocean of “fire”.
(chapter 53) This shows that she is longing for warmth and red colors. Yet, the color of the sea is rather green or blue. As you can see, everything is pointing out that the couple had to overcome the antagonists from season 1, the emotional vampires, who were so close to them than none of them realized that they were the origins of their suffering. And now, if you look at my table again: 
(chapter 35) In episode 16 and 17, the presence of the sun is a reference to the MMA fighter, it is announcing his arrival. This corresponds to the color I had detected with the first scheme:
MFC with the blue “ring” embodies this pigment, just like the ocean. In other words, blue should be the dominant color in season 2, and in Taoism blue stands for YIN! On the other hand, Kim Dan also represents red with his name. Moreover, if you look at the numbers of the quoted episodes again, you will realize that the villains are strongly connected to the number 10 and as such one and zero. Thus Director Choi Gilseokf’s phone number is 010-1….
(chapter 46)
(chapter 37) He never complimented him for his hard work at all.
(chapter 46) With these words, the manager creates a negative atmosphere, therefore there is no longer any trust and loyalty among the members.
(chapter 18), until the champion confronted the protagonist with reality.
(chapter 46) He avoided a confrontation. This number symbolizes how the lead feels burdened by obligations imposed by his oppressor, who positions himself as provider of “stability” while actually fostering dependence and draining his victim. And naturally, in the same chapter, we have a similar interaction between Heo Manwook, the minion and his hyung, the real boss:
(chapter 46) Here, the director was reminding him of his mistakes and obligations. However, this time the boss chose to become proactive and responsible.
(chapter 1)
(chapter 13) They are strongly intertwined with the color green and as such blue. In literature, art, and psychology, the color blue often represents calmness, loyalty, and introspection.This fits to the description made by the author concerning season 2. The latter would focus more on emotions and thoughts than on the plot. And now, it is time to reveal why in the illustration I added the number 9.
(chapter 9) The leopard agreed and that’s how they came to argue about his home the next morning:
(chapter 10)- So from 9 to 18, the story is focusing on the doctor’s home. In episode 18, Joo Jaekyung invites the poor physical therapist to his home.
(chapter 18) In this episode, both main leads refuse the assistance from the other. Kim Dan is bothered that Joo Jaekyung paid off the debts, while the other dismissed the worries from the PT:
(chapter 18) Then in episode 19, Joo JAekyung is not asking for his “help”, until he calls him. But even here, he is refusing to prepare his partner:
(chapter 19) As for Kim Dan, the latter doesn’t feel truly needed as PT, hence he is already thinking about taking another job:
(chapter 27) He encourages his VIP client to take a break by remaining by his side. However, this attempt fails, as in episode 29
, (chapter 29) the champion rejects the idea of resting for a day. Then after the incident with the article, at no moment Kim Dan offers his assistance to help the champion. He remains totally passive,
(chapter 39) The problem is that it is related to a drug and sex. This has nothing to do with his job or career. Interesting is that in episode 45, for the first time, Joo Jaekyung voiced his needs to have him as a PT:
(chapter 49) This means that in that scene, Joo Jaekyung refused to let Kim Dan treat him out of doubts and mistrust which were triggered by the manager’s words and the pictures. As you can see, the number 9 is strongly intertwined with help, but also with a change. The beginning of a new circle. Thus I am expecting in the new season, chapter 54, that for the first time, Joo Jaekyung will ask for help and support. But he can not ask Park Namwook or others from Team Black… he has only one true friend and that would be Cheolmin, unless he finds the protagonist immediately. At the same time, I would like to point out another observation. What is the opposite of 9? Naturally 6, which represents the end of a circle. And now, look at this:
The end of Joo Jaekyung’s torment. He doesn’t need to chase after him.







(chapter 27)
(chapter 13) He is definitely sure that this man won’t betray him. He is not judging him for his job or “sexual preferences”. He embodies fairness, tolerance and impartiality. And since in his cellphone, Doctor Cheolmin is registered under the name Cheolmin hyung, it exposes his closeness with this cute doctor. He is like a “brother”.
(chapter 13) This gesture with the hand implied not only that he was just looking forward to meeting him again, but also generosity. And if there was a request from Cheolmin, it was just about an information:
(chapter 13) It had nothing to do with money and promoting his hospital.
(chapter 33) According to me, the man was calling his friend Cheolmin, because he truly believed that the actor had been hurt. The fact that he went to the rooftop in order to call the person is indicating that he desires to hide his contact from Park Namwook and Jeong Yosep. In other words, he was seeking secrecy, exactly like the actor. As you can see, the dragon and the gumiho had a similar attitude. They thought that the rooftop was the perfect place to hide a secret. So by calling Cheolmin who is working at a hospital, the MMA fighter was making sure that there would be no scandal. However, when he called him, he discovered the truth. Choi Heesung had faked his injury. Therefore how could he use his connection with Cheolmin, when there was no emergency? In his eyes, he would have abused his busy friend’s generosity. That’s the reason why the star chose not to intervene. If he had revealed the truth and as such accused the actor of deception, he would have no one by his side to prove the truth. It was one man against two. Secondly, by revealing his presence on the rooftop, he would have been forced to mention his close friend: Cheolmin hyung. His connection with the athlete would have raised some question. And because he didn’t utilize the Joker in that situation, he became a victim of a trick. It is important, because the champion’s decision to hide Cheolmin’s existence from Jeong Yosep and Park Namwook is a sign that deep down, he is not trusting his two other hyungs. In my eyes, it is related to his homosexuality. But there could be other reasons as well, for example he met this doctor, before he became a celebrity.
(chapter 33) For me, the doctor was the person Joo Jaekyung was talking to. Interesting is that contrary to episode 33, he didn’t leave the inn in order to talk to his acquaintance. In fact, he did it in front of the door. By acting that way, he didn’t attract the attention from the members. No one questioned the celebrity why he was talking on the phone for quite some time. They just imagined that it was work-related due to the selfie with a stan.
(chapter 43) They didn’t even bother to wait for him to arrive before drinking and eating, though the man was the birthday child. He was actually the guest of honor.
(chapter 43) This exposes violation of social norms and even the disrespect towards Joo Jaekyung. He is just seen as a cash cow, hence there was no thank you from them or even a short invitation for him, like Park Namwook and Kim Changmin had done it in episode 9.
(chapter 9)
(chapter 9) In fact, Joo Jaekyung was totally neglected at the restaurant, no one even paid attention to his actions. Under this light, I recognized why Mingwa created this incident:
(chapter 43) It was not just to bring the two main leads closer, but also to expose the wrongdoers. If they had waited for him, the champion wouldn’t have drunk some soju from the glass of water, for Kim Dan couldn’t have used his glass.
(chapter 43) That’s why the manager got red, a sign of embarrassment. He realized that they should have all waited for the birthday child. Moreover, don’t forget that the star was even paying the bill. And now, you are wondering if I didn’t diverge from my original topic, the Joker and Cheolmin hyung. No, as this new interpretation helped me to understand why Joo Jaekyung talked to his hyung in front of others. He already sensed that no one was observing him or waiting for him.
(chapter 43) Moreover, it is possible that the mysterious caller desired to congratulate for his birthday or even to thank for his donation. Let’s not forget that just before his real birthday, the celebrity organized a charity event, and it could be related to Cheolmin’s work place.
(chapter 41) Because I detected ingratitude, selfishness and rudeness from Team Black, I couldn’t help myself thinking that the other person must have behaved differently, which put the young man in a good mood. Therefore he overlooked the incident with the switch of glass:
(chapter 13) Here we have a threat from the champion to which Cheolmin replied with a joke. Here, we have the same situation: a threat, but people got scared
(chapter 43) before Park Namwook tried to relativize the incident.
(chapter 13). Hence I believe that the other reason why our cute PT didn’t meet Cheolmin in season 1 is that he was not ready to interact with him. Kim Dan needed to mature, to free himself from social norms in order to accept such a man as a “role model”. That’s the reason why I am expecting the return from this mysterious doctor in season 2. In my opinion, he will play a central role in dethroning the king Park Namwook at Team Black, but also in helping Kim Dan to obtain justice. Keep in mind that according to me, the protagonist was a victim of many crimes committed by doctors. (The hospital director, Kim Miseon, MFC doctors)
(chapter 35) He offered his assistance, but at no moment the main lead thought of even asking for his help.
(chapter 46) If he had voiced his struggle to Heesung, the latter would have understood him and “talked” some sense to the dragon. And it is the same for Potato. In the locker room, when Kim Dan was criticized for his sloppiness,
(chapter 50) he didn’t ask from Potato to vouch for him. He could have reached to him, requesting from him to testify in his favor. Yes, I believe that not only the actor and the maknae are to blame for their passivity, the physical therapist is also responsible for his own suffering. He is not seeing that he has already gained two friends. However, he didn’t treat them properly. No wonder why Kim Dan ended up alone at the end of season 1. At no moment, he confided to Potato or other members about his struggles, he kept everything to himself which is similar to his soulmate.
(chapter 30). Here, I am excluding the scene with his drunkenness. Nevertheless, from his words, Heesung couldn’t detect that he was raised by a single grandmother. He already had a hard time to “accept” the champion’s benevolence
(chapter 18) He was brainwashed to rely only on himself. Why? It is related to his halmeoni and his childhood. The elderly woman gave the impression that she raised him without any help. She did everything on her own which is only partially true. The young boy was forced very early on to help her.
(chapter 5)
(chapter 47) Hence he was taught cooking. In addition, we can already envision that when he was a high school student, he had to take a part-time job. She definitely minimized his assistance, creating a debt towards her.
(chapter 23), he just acted as their “PT” and nothing more. In other words, he acted, as if they only had a professional relationship. This explicates why Kim Dan never talked about himself, in other words he never shared any information with them. However, I doubt that he just considered them as his “patients”. He was happy to give his assistance. For me, the fact that he never lowered his guard is a sign of his low-esteem. So they had a strictly professional relationship, except with Potato.
(chapter 26) However, even here, Kim Dan never shared his cellphone number with the maknae. If Potato had it, he would have tried to contact him immediately. To conclude, though I criticized Yoon-Gu and Heesung for their indifference and neglect, I feel that Kim Dan is partially responsible for this too. He didn’t take the first step to improve their relationship. Friendship is a two-way Street!
(chapter 7) She needs to pay a nurse to give her some company. Therefore she is forced to rely on her grandson. Then she doesn’t pay any attention to her grandson’s needs and circumstances, for she is only focused on her own suffering and “unhappiness” chasing after an illusion.
(chapter 53) Because she has no one by her side except Kim Dan, she has no problem to move to a different place where she doesn’t know anyone. Her grandchild is her “home”. This move reminded me a lot to a uprooting. It was, as though the male lead was not allowed to settle for good. Don’t forget that her deteriorated home let transpire that she didn’t consider this place as her true home. It was just a stopping-place. Under this new light, it becomes comprehensible why Kim Dan could never get any friend. Through the cards, I could find more evidences about my past interpretation. The halmeoni is responsible for the protagonist’s self-blame, lack of confidence, suffering and isolation. 
(chapter 9), we discover the origin for Yoon-Gu’s nickname, Potato. The coach and sparring partner from Joo Jaekyung is the one behind it. However, this connection reveals a lot about the divorced man. He is actually a soft and tender man. Yes, in my opinion, Yosep’s nickname should be Potato.
(chapter 9) This gesture oozes humility and respect. This contrasts so much to Park Namwook’s behavior during their first meeting: no bowing and no shaking hands.
(chapter 1)
(chapter 53) So when he tried to call her, she blocked his calls. One of the causes for their failed marriage is that they had stopped talking to each other. [As for the other reason, I will expose it below] That’s the other reason why I developed the theory that the coach Yosep was behind this phone call.
(chapter 22) This observation is relevant, for it indicates that the former champion must have listened to his manager as well. He never questioned the responsibility of his former coach or manager or organization. I am suspecting that he might have already been working with Park Namwook in the past, which would explain their closeness. For his divorce, Jeong Yosep chose to take the whole blame. Hence he kept his failure to himself. However, observe the manager’s attitude concerning this revelation.
(chapter 40) Interesting is that the idiom “boy” has historically been used to mean “servant” or “attendant” in certain contexts, particularly in colonial or hierarchical settings. For instance, it was often used during the colonial era to refer to male domestic workers, typically in a demeaning or racially charged manner. No wonder why though Yosep is the sparring partner of the Emperor,
(chapter 37) he acts more like a servant. In my eyes, the last image displays the manager’s three “boys”: Yosep, Kim Dan and Joo Jaeykung. They are the former wrestler’s servants, while he can stand on the sideline and watch as a superior and guardian.
(chapter 37)
(chapter 36). He even agrees to everything the man says and decides.
(chapter 36) Yet, I see a turning point in the States. For the first time, he is seen talking on the phone, which indicates a certain responsibility.
(chapter 49)
(chapter 40) In the States, he was not visible at all, he would even walk behind Oh Daehyun next to Yoon-Gu. In my opinion, he felt the need to be next to the maknae. However, in South Korea, he is standing right behind the protagonist. Moreover, note how Joo Jaekyung entrusted him with the charity event, another indication that the main lead was trusting more and more his sparring partner:
(chapter 50) For the first time, he voiced his own opinion, yet his choice lets transpire the great influence from his “hyung” and MFC. His decision was influenced by money. Naturally, the high peak of his action is, when he announces to the main lead that he went to different authorities
(chapter 47) He let his “hyung” and the other “experts” who were never in the ring do the talking.
(chapter 47) Why did he let it happen? It is simply because he just views himself as a “sportsman”. The others act with their title (managers, advisors), as if they had more knowledge than the sparring partner from the Emperor. Another mistake from him is that he never looked at his sparring partner’s files. He let Park Namwook take care of this, thinking that he would pay attention to their star’s health and security.
(chapter 52) Since he lost his wife and as such has no family, it is clear that this former champion views Team Black as a family. Therefore he participated in the surprise party.
(chapter 7) Note the absence of Yosep in that panel, a sign that his work and position were minimized. Nevertheless, this was just the consequence of his own decision. He chose to minimize his own value and to rely on his hypocrite partner.
(chapter 53). Because the latter is slowly vanishing into the light, it looks like the champion will have difficulties to find his soulmate. However, if you pay attention to this picture, you will perceive that Kim Dan’s shadow is huge. In fact, we have to envision that the closer he gets to the “sun”, the bigger his shadow becomes. This metaphor is implying that the cute hamster is leaving a trail behind. This represents the traces he left in Joo Jaekyung’s life and heart. The farer he is, the clearer the fighter can only realize the importance of his roommate in his life. However, I believe that though Kim Dan is about to become a ghost, the huge shadow is implying that Joo Jaekyung will be able to find him quickly.
(chapter 47) You might find it strange, but everything started with the following question: where is the grandmother’s cellphone? One might argue that as an elderly woman, she doesn’t possess one. I can only reply that all the seniors I know (even my grandmother who is much older than Shin Okja) have one. Besides, let’s not forget that according to me, this image or this one
(chapter 47) represent moments where pictures were taken. I doubt that the grandmother had a camera. Then in the last picture, Kim Dan was definitely too young to have on his own cellular telephone. Finally, observe that in this panel
(chapter 47) Before he was practically inexistent, only famous in the underground fighting ring
(chapter 47).Interesting is that disappearing without traces implies the notion of “the right to be forgotten”. But why would people make such a decision? Either they want to escape from their environment (abusive husband, debts, …) or they desire starting a new life afresh. So when we look back at Shotgun, it becomes clear that his new identity is to mask his dark past.
(chapter 47) It was, as if this man had not existed before. That’s how a star got born, or better said, he was a new-born man.
(chapter 10)
(chapter 21) There is no landline telephone. Its absence seems to indicate that the senior switched to a different phone. She had to have one because of the authorities (school for Kim Dan, etc.). I would even go so far to say that the elderly woman changed her phone number. But why would she change her phone?
(chapter 22) He doubted her existence. Why? It is because he never heard Kim Dan talking with his grandmother over the phone. He had only mentioned her in his drunken state.
(chapter 11) There is no ambiguities that she was registered there as a resident. But if she got rid of her phone, the authorities are forced to call her closest relative. Secondly, observe that Kim Dan used the cellphone to pay bills and have a look at his bank account:
(chapter 11) In other words, by refusing to have any phone, she dropped all the debts on her grandchild. He was now responsible for their household and expenses. Yes, the question with the grandmother’s phone led me to the following observation. Little by little, Shin Okja was vanishing which reminded me of the action from Kim Dan’s parents. At the same time, with no cellphone, she forced her grandchild to visit her, to keep in touch with her. Hence I can’t stop restraining myself from feeling that the grandmother used the hospital and the nurse to control her grandchild’s moves. No wonder why Kim Miseon complained to Kim Dan about his neglect
(chapter 21) The senior could express her distress to the doctor, for she couldn’t see her grandchild so often. That way, Shin Okja wouldn’t appear as a whiny person. If my perception is correct, this means that the elderly woman utilized social norms and conventions to achieve her goal. The absence of a cellphone made her dependable on her grandson. Under this perspective, Jinx-philes can grasp why I am suspecting that her behavior is strongly intertwined with the abandonment in chapter 19. There is no doubt that with her illness, she could feel like she had become a burden herself to Kim Dan, and the latter could decide to leave her too. If you read all my previous analyses, you are aware of the existence of two theories concerning the parents:
(chapter 22) Yes, by paying the bills, he got access to this information. However, for that he needs a person who can have access to such information:
(chapter 16)
(chapter 16) is an incorporated business. This means that Joo Jaekyung is the shareholder. So he is hiding his true power and identity behind Team Black. And since the Emperor was the victim of a hatred campaign in the media
(chapter 52), his vanishing wouldn’t be surprising at all. It would be actually a normal reaction to be fed up of being online, and of being defined by the last match. What the schemers didn’t realize is that they pushed indirectly Joo Jaekyung to make the opposite decision than Baek Junmin. To disappear from the spotlight. But this can only lead him to create a whole new identity.
(chapter 53) It signifies that Joo Jaekyung has a way to track him down. On the other hand, should the MMA use the black card,
(chapter 24), his relative could detect his whereabouts and moves. That’s why it is important if you desire to avoid of being detected, you need to use cash or prepaid cards to limit traceable transactions. That way, it reduces the risk of financial links to your old identity.
(chapter 21) Back then, many readers wondered about the content of their conversation. However, I believe, whatever it was, the champion didn’t forget her words. Furthermore, by joining Kim Dan’s side, the star will be forced to drop his routine and change his habits. And that’s how he will change.
. He is wearing piercing, jewels and rings, and his clothes don’t look like designer clothes. Finally, remember how Kim Dan imagined his soulmate:
(chapter 32) Yes, clothes make the man, and as such through new clothes and hair dress, you can appear as a different person. That’s how it dawned on me why the Webtoonist created such a scene:
(chapter 35) Choi Heesung made a terrible mistake, he attracted the attention from the guests at the café by covering his face. In order not to be detected as a star, the athlete has to act and dress like an average person: no fancy dress or car. And this leads me to my final point: using public transportation or the bike would represent a huge change for the Emperor. Once again, no one would suspect that a biker is a celebrity, similar to this scene:
(chapter 53), she implied that she never got the chance to go to the West Coast because of him. It was, as if he had been a burden in her life (“life got so hectic”). This expression made me realize why Kim Dan came to live like a ghost. He embodies “life” for the grandmother: burden, responsibility, missed chance. It exposes her delusional mind-set. She is definitely chasing after an illusion. On the other hand, I detected that despite her words, she was not able to move her grandson’s heart. The latter was actually unwilling to leave the penthouse.
(chapter 53) His decision was strongly connected to filial duty and not to “love”. Moreover, by fulfilling her request, he is one step closer to become free from self-blame and accountability.
(chapter 53) Neither for the doctor nor for his “boy”.
(chapter 40) Though he lacked awareness in the States, for he was not present in the interrogation room, he can no longer claim to be oblivious. He knows about Kim Dan’s innocence. But why didn’t he call the physical therapist then?
(chapter 53) Notice that before leaving the penthouse, the main lead was holding the resignation in his hand. This means that the young man had not informed Park Namwook yet. This gesture exposes that Kim Dan was convinced that the manager was his boss, the master of Team Black. Nevertheless, Jinx-lovers should detect that the “hamster” left the flat during the evening. This signifies that the PT handed out his abdication the next morning, I can’t imagine that it happened during the night, for the man has a family with kids.
(chapter 53). This signifies that he must have spent some time at the office. To conclude, the young man didn’t vanish quickly from the gym like a ghost, similar to the PT from episode 1.
(chapter 1)
(chapter 53) He gave the impression that he was telling the truth. This incident was used to explain the doctor’s resignation. But here is the thing. If the doctor spent some time at the office in order to organize the files, why didn’t Potato stop him or tried to talk him out of it? That’s how I came to the following deduction. When Kim Dan came to the gym, the latter was empty, only the manager was there!! A new version of this scene:
(chapter 23) Thus I deduce that all the members from Team Black were busy due to the discovery of the scheme:
(chapter 48), he was an important witness. Yet he is missing here.
(chapter 52) Under this new light, I am suspecting that Park Namwook already knew about Kim Dan’s innocence, but he never revealed it to the physical therapist. He made sure that no one from Team Black met the main protagonist Kim Dan so that no one would stop him from quitting. That’s why there was no phone call during that week. As conclusion, I believe that Park Namwook used the members from Team Black at the hospital to have the majority on his side, to hide his passivity. There is no doubt that he feared to be blamed for his behavior in the locker room.
(chapter 53) He took his words to heart. Thus I come to the following deduction: Park Namwook already knew about the physical therapist’s innocence, but he chose to keep the truth from his boss to mask his own wrongdoings: his passivity and negligence. The reason is that the discovery of the scheme took place in the evening, and Kim Dan gave his letter in the morning. Moreover, some days had passed, when they showed up at the hospital. Potato’s vanishing injuries are the evidence. They waited for the right time to announce the terrible news, something similar to this:
(chapter 48) “If we tell him now, it will only throw him off his recovery or his surgery”. Once again, he chose silence and inactivity. Thus no one called the champion or the doctor.
(chapter 50) And what did the manager say to the protagonist?
(chapter 52) He should have checked the facts. The letter is exposing the manager’s lie. He is expecting that Kim Dan vanished like the previous PT. However, contrary to the previous one, the “hamster” lived with the celebrity. Thus he left a letter to Jaekyung in the penthouse, and the manager had no way to know the existence of this message. And now, you comprehend why Kim Dan never received any phone call from Park Namwook. It is because he would have to inform him about the existence of the scheme. There was no emergency from his side, for he desired to hide his own wrongdoings (negligence, blindness and stupidity).
(chapter 36). No wonder why the man is passive. But his inactivity is the result of his indecisiveness (I had portrayed him as someone suffering from Decidophobia). Interesting is that making no decision is the worst people can do. Why?
(chapter 19) This comparison outlines the PT’s metamorphosis. Not only his perception of Joo Jaekyung changed, but also he has become a responsible and dedicated physical therapist. He defines himself as a PT too. Hence he didn’t leave a mess behind with the files (chapter 53). His decision exposes that this was not an escape.
(chapter 53) It is because for Kim Dan saying goodbye over the phone is not proper. The reason is simple. He experienced it himself as a child.
(chapter 53) Even more than before!! Joo Jaekyung needs assistance and protection. From that moment on, he can grasp that his sacrifice was not the best for both of them, why his sacrifice was in reality pointless. He should have been more selfish and more confident.
(chapter 44) This made the physical therapist’s laugh.
(chapter 44) shows that in that moment, the physical therapist rediscovered his youth again. I would even add that Jinx-philes were witnessing in this panel how Kim Dan reconnected with his inner child.
(chapter 44) The blushing is an indication of life and innocence. But if this young man’s childish nature was brought to the surface, who was Tinker Bell during this night? Naturally Joo Jaekyung. Under the influence of soju, the man could no longer hide his true nature. He has a childish side too. In other words, he was lowering his guard. Anyone has already heard from the quote “In wine, there’s truth” (the original quote comes from Latine: “in vino veritas”). As you can see, this beautiful night corresponds to this one: 

(chapter 10) Under this light, it becomes comprehensible why Kim Dan’s beautiful night became a dream, an illusion. The young doctor had done something wrong from a moral point of view. However, because the young man had treated the champion so well before, his reward was to experience what love is.
(chapter 44) The problem is that the physical therapist was reducing love to sex (“making love”). True love has to be expressed in a lot of different ways (spiritual intimacy, experiential closeness, responsibility etc) and not just through sex.
(chapter 43) Interesting is that in that scene, the protagonist couldn’t see his lover’s face. He couldn’t detect the glimpse of a smile and his warm gaze.
(chapter 11)
(chapter 47) By saying that he was a puppy dog, she was implying that she would be responsible for him. Keep in mind that pet are linked to care and accountability. However, her wish is strongly connected to one single moment:
(chapter 53) She is not thinking about the future at all. For her, it doesn’t matter, for her time is limited. Dog can be abandoned in the end, especially when the responsibility becomes a burden. That’s the reason why I believe that in verity, she was treating the protagonist more like an object than like an animal. Moreover, Jinx-philes should keep in their mind she used to describe him as a little boy, which also represents responsibility and care. Therefore I conclude that this scene didn’t stand for Kim Dan’s true home, it was just an illusion.
(chapter 44), though the communication failed, for Joo Jaekyung was drunk. Moreover, Kim Dan kept most of his thoughts to himself, a sign that he was still guarded. Hence while Doc Dan felt at home during that night, it didn’t last long. The next morning, they became once again boss and employee.
(chapter 19) They were no deep lingering feelings towards the grandmother’s house. In fact, before leaving, he remembered an incident, a mysterious phone call which I consider as the moment, which broke the boy’s soul and heart. For me, he was almost glad to leave this place behind.
(chapter 30) The pajama pattern in the image appears to resemble a leopard print, which features distinct rosette-shaped spots that are commonly associated with this type of design. He also looked like a sulky “cat”.
(chapter 30) And what was he trying to do here? To seek closeness to his new mate!
(chapter 19), very territorial and disliking surprises. In literature, leopards often symbolize strength, courage, agility, and stealth. They are seen as solitary and powerful hunters, often representing independence or mystery. In totemic traditions, the leopard can symbolize resilience, adaptability, and personal power, often embodying a person’s inner strength and ability to face challenges.
(chapter 26) One might argue that he laughed with Potato and Oh Daehyun in the States. But are you sure? We never saw him laughing. Only Joo JAekyung heard their laughs, but did it also belong to the hamster?
(chapter 37) Moreover, observe that during that terrible night, the athlete was wearing an t-shirt with a feline on it:
(chapter 37) Puma was designed on it. As you can see, everything is pointing out that this man is a leopard which was mistaken to a sulky cat or a puma.
(chapter 44) So since the champion was naked during this night, we could say that his true nature was slowly coming to the surface. As a predator, his annoyance to the strokes and kisses appears more normal and understandable:
(chapter 52) Eye-contact! Making direct eye contact with a leopard can be dangerous. Leopards may interpret prolonged eye contact as a threat or challenge, triggering an aggressive response. In the wild, they rely on stealth and avoid open confrontation, so they may react defensively if they feel they are being stared at. This behavior is common among many predators, as eye contact often signals dominance or confrontation. It’s generally advised to avoid direct eye contact and back away slowly if you encounter a leopard in close proximity. Baek Junmin had totally underestimated the true nature of his opponent. This could explain as well why Park Namwook is wearing his glasses all the time and even avoiding eye-contact with the emperor.
(chapter 24), Oh Daehyun the eagle…
(chapter 9)