Protected: Jinx: The Fragile Child Within 👶😭 – part 1
Tag: maturity
Protected: Jinx: Daily Jinx Advent Insight 16 📆 🥼🧥 (podcast)
Jinx: Daily Jinx Advent Insight 11 📆😄😾
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 Daily Jinx Advent Insight 9 and Daily Jinx Advent Insight 10
It would be great if you could make some donations/sponsoring: Ko-fi.com/bebebisous33 That way, you can support me with “coffee” so that I have the energy to keep examining Manhwas. Besides, I need to cover up the expenses for this blog.
In the last essays I studied a lot the manager and coach from Team Black. Therefore I decided to focus on a different person today. And that will be our beloved Kim Dan.🐹🦆 The starting point of this essay is the following panel:
Doc Dan’s laugh and its symbolism
In my composition “A Summer Night’s Dream “ I described the doctor’s smile and laugh as a magical moment. The little bubbles of light reminded me of fairies and in particular of Tinker Bell with her pixie dust. Interesting is that this character from Peter Pan and her magical powder symbolize the magic of youth, joy, and the power of belief. Her dust, which grants characters the ability to fly, represents imagination and the freedom that comes from thinking like a child, unbound by adult limitations or fears. Tinker Bell herself often embodies loyalty and playful spirit, sparking wonder and adventure. Her presence reminds characters—and viewers—of the youthful joy, innocence, and boundless possibility that magic can bring into their lives, even in challenging or serious moments.
And that’s exactly what happened during that night, the return of youth and simple joy. Kim Dan’s fears and prejudices vanished immediately. Because the champion had asked for Kim Dan’s consent, the latter discovered freedom. He felt so free that he could voice his desires sensually. 
(chapter 44) He stroke his soulmate’s face, kissed his cheeks and finally his ears. His actions triggered a singular reaction in the star: 
(chapter 44) This made the physical therapist’s laugh. 
(chapter 44) His genuine laugh combined with the following realization 
(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)
Chapter 10  | Chapter 44  |
|---|---|
| Darkness | Light |
| Tears | Laugh and Smile |
| Poverty | Wealth |
Stench  | Wonderful Smell  |
| Money | Free |
And what was the common denominator? Drunkenness. However, back then the champion did not choose to have sex with the young physical therapist: 
(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) Thanks to Tinker Bell, he could fly: he was brought to Nirvana. 
(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.
Another common point between these two scenes is the doctor’s longing for companionship. And this brings me back to the protagonist’s laugh and observation. He compared the Emperor to a sulky cat. (chapter 44) Why was he thinking of an animal? Let’s not forget that in chapter 10, the very same person was confusing the celebrity with his grandmother. (chapter 19( The comparison suggests that Kim Dan still hadn’t fully recognized or understood Joo Jaekyung’s true character. Under this new perspective, it becomes comprehensible why Kim Dan still came to misjudge and misinterpret the athlete’s words and behavior later. Yes, even this night outlines the physical therapist’s flaws. Exactly like his soulmate, he still couldn’t love his partner properly. Nevertheless, this thought (“sulky cat”) divulges the doctor’s inner child.
Kim Dan’s sulky cat
Most children desire to have a pet at home, it is often either a dog or a cat. Cats and children often share a unique bond due to their mutual curiosity and playfulness. Cats can offer children a gentle introduction to empathy and responsibility, as children learn to care for a creature with needs and boundaries. The independent nature of cats also teaches children about respect for personal space. For kids, cats provide comfort and companionship, while cats, in turn, appreciate the warmth and attention. This dynamic can foster compassion and self-awareness in children, helping them grow emotionally and socially.
But what does a cat symbolize in literature and cultures? Cats have held various symbolic roles across history. In ancient Egypt, they were sacred and associated with the goddess Bastet, seen as protectors of the home and often honored in death. In medieval Europe, cats became linked to superstition and witchcraft, often seen as mysterious or foreboding. By the 19th century, authors like Carroll and Dickinson used cats as symbols of freedom and intelligence. In 20th-century literature, cats evolved to represent loyalty and companionship (for example French author Colette with The Cat). As you can see, this feline has always been associated with magic, supernatural and mystery (witchcraft, gods, death). So we could say that the cat Jaekyung was the one who helped Kim Dan to discover a lost world; his long forgotten and repressed inner child.
At the same time, cats also symbolize home and protection. This means that in that moment, Kim Dan felt truly at home. (chapter 44) For a brief moment, they were no longer in a boss-employee relationship. Hence I come to the conclusion that we should consider Kim Dan’s laugh and smile as a reflection from the champion’s hug and drunken confession: 
(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.
Another point is that he compared the fighter to a sulky cat. (chapter 44) On the one hand, this expression exposes that the main lead was not wearing any pink-tinted glasses and as such he was not delusional. On the other side, this idiom often represents independence, moodiness, and a desire for autonomy. In folklore and literature, cats that appear sullen or aloof can represent mystery, self-possession, or quiet resentment, emphasizing traits like defiance and emotional complexity. They might also convey an inner conflict or unspoken feelings, as their behavior reflects the subtle tension between closeness and detachment. This image often serves to remind us of the value of personal space, boundaries, and the instinct to guard one’s inner self. This means that with this discovery, Kim Dan was encouraged not to become clingy and depend on the athlete. Yes, I see this laugh (chapter 44) as a positive reflection from this night: 
(chapter 11)
The doctor’s laugh from the past and the present
By comparing both images, Manhwa-lovers can detect the differences. Kim Dan might have a wide open mouth in both pictures, yet there is no sound in the humble home. Secondly, his eyes are wide open contrary to the magical night. What does it mean? The absence of a laughing sound and a blushing are revealing that the little boy was faking his joy. He didn’t want to show his fear and sadness. Like mentioned in a previous essay, during that night, he was acting like a Teddy Bear comforting his grandmother. In other words, this memory from the main figure is exposing his delusion and suffering. A Teddy Bear doesn’t require any attention or care, as it is just an object. This explains why this toy was not treated properly 
(chapter 21). He was simply put on the floor. Yet small children usually treat such cuddly toys as treasures. While making this contrast, I realized why the halmeoni never took care of her grandchild properly. Observe what happened to the Wedding Cabinet and the expensive scarf she received from her grandson. They were all left behind or vanished, just like the little boy’s Teddy Bear. 
(chapter 53) They were literally abandoned, as they lost their sentimental value overtime. I am suspecting that they had become “useless”. Hence I am suspecting that by calling him a puppy dog, she didn’t truly mean it. 
(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 11) He was smiling and faking happiness in order to comfort the grandmother. That’s how he reinforced her mental issues and his own abandonment issues. Everything would be fine, as long as he acted like she expected it. At no moment she desired to be confronted with his own suffering or with reality. This was not a “magical night”, but a night where the boy got “cursed”, like Sleeping Beauty. This night is strongly connected to silence which stands in opposition to the magical night from chapter 44. On the bed, both tried to have a conversation 
(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 45) Moreover, by comparing the Emperor to a sulky cat, he is indirectly thinking and behaving like his grandmother. A cat can be abandoned, the latter can find new owners. Nevertheless, I still think, this night left traces in Kim Dan’s heart and mind. He had grown fond of this place, almost at home. Therefore he struggled to leave the penthouse. 
(chapter 53) And compare his attitude to the one in chapter 19: 
(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.
I pointed out above that one difference between these two laughs (chapter 11) (chapter 44) is the closed eyes from the main lead during the bright night. Since I interpreted the boy with wide open eyes as an allusion to deception, illusion and toxic positivity, the closed eyes should be perceived as the awakening of the third eye. Moreover, the young man’s mind and heart turned towards his inner world. Simultaneously, they also imply the absence of reality. Like mentioned above, Doc Dan is not truly perceiving the fighter for whom he is. This implies that there are aspects of Joo Jaekyung’s personality, motivations, or emotions that Kim Dan is overlooking or misinterpreting, which influenced their dynamic negatively so that they couldn’t relate to each other. However, I still think, Doc Dan was not really far from the truth. How so?
According to Mingwa, Kim Dan is a hamster and Joo Jaekyung is a wolf. So he sensed his animalistic nature. As you already know, I came to associate these two protagonists to other animals: dragon and his Yeouiju, Kim Dan as a DUCK! Hence it is possible that deep down, the celebrity has another hidden nature, like a cat.
The other nature from Joo Jaekyung
In my eyes, the champion is also a feline, more precisely a leopard. 😮 Remember the champion’s pajamas from episode 30: 
(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!
Leopards are wild animals and are generally not suitable for domestication. Though they are sometimes trained in captivity, they retain strong instincts and can be unpredictable and dangerous. Leopards often haul their kills up into a tree, out of reach of other carnivores, few of which can match a leopard’s climbing agility. They then leave the carcass and return at their leisure, safely enjoying a prolonged meal high up in a tree.
The symbolism and meaning of Leopard resonate through many cultures. Regarding the origin of the word “Leopard”, you’ll find the term comes from two Greek words translating as “Lion” and “Male Panther.” It’s a reference originating from a time when people felt Leopard was the child of both Panther and Lion.
In the wild, Leopards are stealthy, fast hunters, and strong enough to transport and hide their food. Their strength goes further into how Leopard protects its territory. Leopard does not appreciate the surprise guest and will go to great lengths to return to their lair, avoiding contact with anyone or anything when possible. Combine the latter-mentioned attributes, and Leopard becomes an emblem of swift movement, strength, isolation, and a home’s defender. Quoted from https://whatismyspiritanimal.com/spirit-totem-power-animal-meanings/mammals/leopard-symbolism-meaning/?srsltid=AfmBOor4wX5JaEaFzFfsB7Ofte3P6dU_rmudkvlLLfYdEAEUyrQMtZ8Q
This description corresponds a lot to the champion’s behavior: seeking isolation, bringing his prey to his penthouse 
(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.
In ancient Egyptian culture, leopards were revered, with priests wearing leopard-skin robes to signify their connection to the divine. Similarly, in African cultures, leopards are seen as symbols of royalty and protection. In the Chinese zodiac, the leopard (or panther) is associated with bravery and assertiveness, often symbolizing fierce guardianship and sharp intuition. Finally, leopards are historically associated with British royalty and heraldry, especially through their depiction as symbols of power and courage. In the British royal coat of arms, the “leopard” typically represents a stylized lion (often called a “lion passant guardant”)—a lion walking with its head turned to face the viewer. These symbols are often connected to English kings, with each “leopard” or lion reinforcing the monarchy’s strength, nobility, and bravery. This emblem has been used in military contexts as well, representing valor and leadership. To conclude, this predator is strongly intertwined with nobility and healing, as the latter was perceived to have a connection to the beyond.
Leopard as a Spirit Guide often comes to you after tremendous suffering. The Animal is a healer and counselor in such times. When all seems lost, Leopard comes to help you take back your Power; this is the time to look at the skills you have and appreciate them. Get rid of negative patterns and embrace fresh approaches on all levels of your being.
If the Animal Spirit finds you worthy, you are most fortunate. Leopard has many other virtues that you might call upon in rituals and spells. These include cunning, personal survival, psychic skills, problem-solving, bravery, and dignity. Quoted from https://whatismyspiritanimal.com/spirit-totem-power-animal-meanings/mammals/leopard-symbolism-meaning/?srsltid=AfmBOor4wX5JaEaFzFfsB7Ofte3P6dU_rmudkvlLLfYdEAEUyrQMtZ8Q
That’s exactly how Joo Jaekyung has been affecting Kim Dan’s life. He is bringing luck in his life, he is healing him and the symbol for this healing is Doc Dan’s smile and laugh (chapter 44). He is the only one who can bring him joy and happiness. Note that he smiled for the first time after their first sparring: 
(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.
And now imagine that the young man is moving to the West Coast in order to watch the sunset: (chapter 44) That’s how the champion should reconnect with his true nature. Interesting is that leopards are adaptable animals that thrive in various environments, from savannas and rainforests to mountains and deserts. They prefer areas with dense vegetation for stalking prey, as well as access to water sources for hydration. Though leopards are not as dependent on water as some animals, they will drink when it’s available. They are often active at night or during dawn and dusk, making them well-suited to both sunny and shaded habitats. Their adaptability to different climates is one reason they have such a broad geographic range. It shows that the champion will adapt himself very well in a new environment. His hamster or duck has become his lifetime companion. He can no longer live without him.
One might reply that I am overinterpreting this story, because Mingwa only associated her characters with the hamster and the wolf. But I would like to remind my avid readers that there was a reference to chapter 30: 
(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 44) Kim Dan is teaching him how to control his strength and discover playfulness. And now, imagine Kim Dan patting a leopard 😉
(chapter 44) and the leopard fighting a wounded and isolated hyena: 
(chapter 52) But what had triggered the champion? 
(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.
To conclude, Kim Dan was slowly perceiving the champion’s true nature, his feline side. However, since leopard can not be domesticated and are extremely territorial, it signifies that the carnivore will be searching for his mate and master. In my eyes, thanks to the physical therapist, Joo Jaekyung will discover his second nature: raising cubs. Potato the chow chow 
(chapter 24), Oh Daehyun the eagle…
(chapter 9)
Leopard mothers raise their cubs with care and caution. After giving birth, they keep the cubs hidden in dense vegetation or secluded rocky areas to protect them from predators which reminded me of the gym. The latter is not famous. The mother frequently moves her young to new locations to avoid detection by other animals. Cubs rely on their mother’s milk for the first few months, after which she gradually introduces them to solid food by bringing back small prey. The mother teaches her cubs essential hunting and survival skills, often for up to two years, until they can fend for themselves. In other words, Joo Jaekyung will train the remaining members of Team Black to develop their killer instincts far away from public eyes.
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Jinx: La Vie En Rose 🌹💖
Please support the authors by reading the Manhwas on the official websites. This is where you can read the manhwa: Jinx But be aware that the Manhwa is a mature Yaoi, which means, it is about homosexuality with explicit scenes. Here is the link of the table of contents about Jinx. Here is the link where you can find the table of contents of analyzed Manhwas. Here are the links, if you are interested in the first work from Mingwa, BJ Alex, and the previous essay about Jinx Jinxed: Behind The Scenes
It would be great if you could make some donations/sponsoring: Ko-fi.com/bebebisous33 That way, you can support me with “coffee” so that I have the energy to keep examining manhwas. Besides, I need to cover up the expenses for this blog.
1. A World in 3 colors: Pink, Black and Orange
Like the illustration is revealing it, for me, two colors were dominant in the special episode: pink and black. Yet, if you pay more attention to the self-made picture, 
you will notice a third shade: orange which is represented by the Chow-chow and the comedian’s robe. Since the latter plays a minor role in the last chapter, it is normal to examine this pigment first. Moreover, its explanation is even necessary to grasp the significance of the other colors: pink and black.
1. 1. The predator is showing his true colors
First, Choi Heesung was wearing an orange bathrobe. 
(Special episode) Then he cooked a spicy ramen for the young fighter. 
(Special episode) This color contrasts so much to the pigments from the artist’s flat: black and white. 
(Special episode) Grey is a combination of black and white. One might think that tangerine appeared for the first time in episode 35
(chapter 35), but it is just a deception. In fact, there were traces of this pigment, when Choi Heesung was introduced for the first time. 
(chapter 29) Yes, we should perceive beige as a washed-out orange. So what does it mean? First, the cursed Romeo was not true to himself. Let’s not forget that in my eyes, Choi Heesung is a fox, and the fur of this animal is orange which is similar to the chow chow’s pigment. This means that both second leads would have a color in common: orange. Moreover, from my perspective, the comedian is a nine-tailed fox, a gumiho. In case, you didn’t read the analysis “Calculated Craziness (locked)“, I am giving a short explanation about this Korean mythical creature again. The nine-tailed fox, has a complex personality due to his dual nature. He is fighting between its animalistic instincts and its human aspirations.
- Shape-shifting Ability: The gumiho can transform into a beautiful woman, often to seduce or deceive humans.
- Predatory Nature: Traditionally, it is depicted as malevolent, preying on humans, sometimes consuming their hearts or livers to survive or gain power.
- Longevity: The gumiho is often considered immortal or possesses an extremely long lifespan.
- Desire for Humanity: Some stories depict the gumiho as striving to become human, which it can achieve through various means, such as abstaining from consuming human flesh for a certain period or performing good deeds.
- Ambiguity: The nature of the gumiho can vary from malevolent to benevolent, depending on the story. In modern adaptations, the gumiho is sometimes portrayed more sympathetically, struggling with its dual nature.
Then I noticed another detail. From a clear white t-shirt (chapter 29), it became a white-off shirt 
(chapter 30), before becoming beige. 
(chapter 31) This observation helped me to recognize that the more Heesung appeared, the more colorful his clothes became. So this discovery exposes that 
(chapter 35), white is not his true color! Whereas Potato represents black outside and white inside, his partner embodies the opposite values: white outside and black inside. In addition, the switch of colors indicates not only his transformation, but also that his world is becoming more colorful and as such less boring. Yes, Mingwa was applying the principle: clothes make the man. To conclude, the colors beige and orange are mirroring his gradual maturity.
Furthermore, Manhwaworms can observe that the switch of beige to orange is strongly connected to honesty. The darker the color is, the more the artist opens up. When the celebrity met the physical therapist in the café (chapter 53), beige had become darker and as such more pronounced, compared to the scene in the van (episode 29). Therefore, it is no coincidence that in front of the “angel”, he decided to divulge his true intentions. He desired to date the main lead. Then he admitted his trick and confessed to the innocent doctor that the champion had developed feelings for him. 
(chapter 35) To conclude, the darker beige is and as such the closer it is to orange, the more sincere Heesung is.
Interesting is that the actor selected different types of beige: Pale taupe combined with sand (chapter 31), peach 
(chapter 31) and finally camel 
(chapter 35) Here, I added a screenshot of 57 different types of beige. 
https://artincontext.org/beige-color/ It exposes more than the character’s personality, it divulges his fear!! 😮 How did I come to this interpretation? It is important to keep in mind that beige is considered as neutral.
“Along with beige, neutral colors include white, black, cream, and gray. Beige is also seen as a metaphor for bland things.” Quoted from https://artincontext.org/beige-color/
His flat and clothes are indicating that the actor is leading a bland and insipid life. No wonder why the actor is often feeling bored. 
(chapter 29) From my point of view, he doesn’t desire to stand out, to make a statement. Therefore it is not astonishing why he hides behind sunglasses, a hat and a mask. 
(chapter 35) He didn’t want to be recognized. One might argue about this perception (not standing out), for he is writing a vlog 
(chapter 30) and giving lunches to the fighters. Besides, he is a celebrity. But notice that he is not delivering the meals to the members of Team Black himself, just like he is not interacting with fans directly too. 
(chapter 30) The social medias serve as a way to control his image and keep people at arms’ length, exactly like his frenemy Joo Jaekyung. 
(special chapter) Therefore he is sleeping while hugging a beige and pastel pink pillow. This exposes his need for warmth and support. On the other hand, he is not realizing that he is his own enemy, for the pillow represents a hindrance. He is not allowing people to get closer to him. It looks like he fears embraces in the end. 
(chapter 33) Thus he would voice such a reproach: too clingy!
Moreover, I also noticed his preference for pastel colors: 
(chapter 31) 
(chapter 32, the lavender suits) This observation reinforces my previous statement. Heesung is looking for neutrality.
If you have created a pastel mood in your home, you are probably someone who is friendly, sensitive, gentle and caring. You do not like confrontation and drama in your life so you do not decorate your home in bold or dramatic colors. Quoted from https://www.empower-yourself-with-color-psychology.com/pastel-colors.html#:~:text=Defining%20Pastel%20Colors&text=If%20you%20have%20created%20a,in%20bold%20or%20dramatic%20colors.
He is avoiding conflict. At the same time, I believe that Heesung is simply trying to imitate people. He is simply seeking conformity which stands in opposition to his own mind-set: 
(chapter 33) He is amoral and to a certain extent immoral. We could say that he is a free spirit, but fears rejection. Hence he faked an injury and lied to people. The pastel colors are not reflecting his true mind and choices. We have the perfect example in this scene: 
(chapter 31) While he was wearing a peach jacket, his manager had put a vivid green with dark black pants. Shortly after, the comedian was seen with this beige/khaki shirt and grey shorts. 
(chapter 31) Interesting is that his hair shade reflects my previous remarks perfectly. He chose pink which indicates his desire to break social norms, on the other hand, his pink is so faded that it almost looks like beige. He wishes to be “neutral” and somehow “conformist”. Yes, his pink hair mirrors his inner conflict: trying to break free from social norms, yet not standing out too much. The antonym for neutrality is “commitment”, an indication why he was not capable of being committed in a relationship in the end.
To conclude, with such colors (beige and pastel colors), he is trying to validate the image of a friendly, sensitive and gentle celebrity. Hence I was not surprised why he came to deceive himself. I come to the following conclusion. The moment the actor started wearing the orange bathrobe, he chose not only to be true to himself, but also to give up gradually on neutrality. This signifies that he is one step closer of getting committed and as such responsible. Moreover, it means too that in the next future, he won’t be avoiding conflict and drama. This represents a huge step in his emancipation from his “family” and as such “agency”. He will have to stand up for his own values and love life: homosexuality, his younger partner Potato and even BDSM. But I will elaborate the last point further below.
1. 2. Pink, orange and soulmate
Now, let’s return our attention to the scene at the café with the beige shades. (chapter 35) Striking is that the pattern on the wallpaper were roses. The latter has for synonym “pink”. As you can see, the color orange (beige = faded orange) is strongly connected to “pink”. And this leads me to my next observation. When the celebrity interacted with Kim Dan, Mingwa had already combined pink with the artist 
(chapter 30). However, if you compare the pink from 
(chapter 30) episode 30 and 31
(chapter 31) 
(chapter 31) to the ones from the special episode 
(special chapter), you will notice a huge change in the shade. While in the past, the Webtoonist selected pastel pink or coral, in the special episode, we have now fuchsia as pigment. This is no coincidence that the color is now more pronounced, exactly like with beige/orange.
It shows that Heesung’s emotions are stronger compared to the past. This pink night corresponds to his union with his soulmate. In addition, the shade insinuates that Heesung could act more freely with Potato. Let’s not forget that the former had stated that he would become responsible for the sexual initiation (“leave everything to me”). 
(special episode) Consequently, it is not astonishing that he wore an orange bathrobe the next morning. It liberated him from his hidden fears. On the other hand, the transition of the pink indicates that the more Heesung interacted with the main leads and Potato, the more his feelings came to the surface. As time passed on, his true personality came to light. Under this new light, it becomes understandable why honesty played a bigger role, the more the comedian interacted with the main characters from Jinx. Consequently, in the special episode he is more honest to himself than before. Therefore by wearing the orange bathrobe, he is indicating that he is finally accepting his true nature. Simultaneously, Jinx-philes can grasp why in the dining room, he is finally admitting that so far, he had been playing with his sex partners. 
(special episode) While in the past, he told his sex partners, he was looking for his soulmate (chapter 33), in reality he just viewed them as his fuck buddies or sex toys. For me, he was not just deceiving his companions, but also himself. This explicates why after getting rejected by the physical therapist, he didn’t give up on his dream and ambition: to find his soulmate. 
(chapter 35) This shows how important it was for him to have a lover. He fears of being abandoned and being alone. Therefore he asked this from his new lover: 
(special episode) Notice that he is smiling with open eyes, a sign that his joy is genuine. He is imagining that he is in control of this relationship. Under this perspective, it becomes comprehensible, that (chapter 35) he started thinking about a soulmate, as soon as he got rejected by Kim Dan. He needed to keep this goal in order not to feel despaired and scared. Simultaneously, his reaction shows that his feelings towards the doctor were not that deep. Additionally, his statement (“whatever they’ll figure it out”) stands for “neutrality”. As you can see, he is refusing to assist the main couple.
That’s how I detected another connection: noninterference and soulmate. The artist rejected to help the doctor and the champion. We could perceive such an attitude at the restaurant. 
(chapter 32) Not only he didn’t want to be confronted with the champion’s anger, but also he didn’t care if the doctor had to suffer because of him! To conclude, Heesung prefers watching from the side line with the excuse: he is seeking his soulmate. 
(chapter 32) It is not his “problem”. Hence he was totally absent, when the scandal with Joo Jaekyung broke out. His AWOL corresponds to his passivity and even indifference. However, there is no doubt that this incident will affect his relationship with Potato greatly. 
(chapter 52) The latter looks not only sad, but also frustrated. Let’s not forget that Potato fought against MMA artists from a different gym. 
(chapter 52) Besides, Yoon-Gu embodies the opposite notions: loyalty and meddling. He doesn’t fear argument and criticism! 
(chapter 52) Heesung’s indifference and selfishness contrast so much to his new lover’s interest and selflessness. This shows that the young maknae is superior to the actor despite his lack of experience and ignorance. How do we explicate this divergence? It is because Potato had been showered with support and love at the gym. Kim Dan was even willing to risk his safety for him, a sign that he was lovable and worthy. Hence he is a confident man which is not the actor’s case. That’s the reason why the young man stated that he would become responsible for Heesung. 
(special episode) Thus I sense that Potato will force the actor to drop all his past believes: passivity, indifference, irresponsibility and as such betrayal. We could witness this in the special episode partially. (special episode) When he discovered how young his lover was, he got shocked for one reason. He could get into trouble, for his relationship could be vilified like this: an adult seduced a minor, a virgin! This late realization forces him to become responsible for their relationship. He has to ensure secrecy, he can no longer ask his manager to assist him. 
(chapter 31) That’s how he is encouraged to separate private life from his work and public life. Thus he is pushed to distinguish between “idolization” and “love”.
Moreover, through the previous remarks, I came to develop the following prediction: Heesung’s karma will be to be neglected by Potato. Since the actor didn’t care for the doctor and fighter, though he knows that Kim Dan has feelings for the celebrity, and the former left, I believe that Potato won’t have the time and motivation to become responsible for Heesung’s needs. Moreover, Heesung will quickly realize that Potato is not contacting him on his own!! Heesung is in reality the needy one!! Expect a new version of episode 5: 
(chapter 5) This is just another trick from goddess Mingwa to push him to become more responsible for his new relationship. My idea is that in order to discover that Potato is his soulmate, Heesung needs to help Potato and as such the main couple to be together. Only when the doctor and the champion are an item, he will have his partner.
However, after spending one night with the young fighter, (special episode) Manhwaphiles can notice a change in the actor’s mentality. He is more focused on the moment (special episode), which contrasts so much to the idea of soulmate. The latter embodies eternity and destiny. The celebrity is describing his relationship with Potato as momentary and deliberate. It is his own choice and not the work of “gods” playing with humans. In other words, he is dropping his old principle: “soulmate”. He’s enjoying the present, he is not really thinking about the future. In fact, he is expecting that at some point, Yoon-Gu will get tired of him and leave his side. He is lowering his “expectations”. He has the impression that he has the upper hand in this relationship. (special episode)
While many Jinx-philes saw the celebrity as the better lover compared to Joo Jaekyung, I had a different impression. They are equals. We should compare the intercourse in the special episode 
(special episode) with the one from episode 39
(chapter 39), as the shades are very similar. Heesung was as rough and selfish as the fighter. Notice that this whole sex session was focused on the actor’s needs and desires, 
(special episode) exactly like with the champion. He needed “comfort”, as he was in a depressed mood. (special episode) It was not about giving love and warmth to Yoon-Gu either. Thus the gumiho thrusted quite roughly, he removed the fighter’s hand suddenly, he didn’t caress his butt, but grabbed it. 
(special episode) The champion has a similar habit: 
(chapter 36) Besides, note that Yoon-Gu’s buttocks are red, a sign that the comedian focused on them!! The irony is that Potato felt pleasure right away, hence he had more climaxes than Heesung. (special episode) Yoon-Gu embodies honesty exactly his role model: Joo Jaekyung. That’s how the gumiho gets affected in the end. Though the latter is here smiling in the last picture, his words are divulging his discontentment. For me, the actor’s smile is not the symbol of happiness and sincerity, rather dissatisfaction and duplicity. Contrary to the physical therapist, the other uke is more genuine about his physical reactions and body. Hence he showed curiosity and not fear to this new experience. 
(special episode) This panel is interesting, because it shows that Potato was not focusing on Heesung at all. It was all about himself and his own pleasure. He was not recognizing that he was actually mirroring the actor’s thoughts and desires. Yes, from my perspective, the young man was in truth treating the actor as his sex toy or fuck buddy. There was no string attached, this explains why Heesung had to ask this to Yoon-Gu: (special chapter) He desired to be recognized by Yoon-Gu. Besides, he is not selfless enough to become the comedian’s fun toy. There’s a reason for that. MMA fighting means a lot to him. Moreover, he will only assist people who showed him kindness and care: Kim Dan and Joo Jaekyung.
That’s how it dawned on me what was Heesung’s major flaw. He is behaving similarly to the main lead, Joo Jaekyung. While the latter treated sex as a surrogate fighting in the past, the gumiho is thinking that life is a stage, therefore he is acting all the time. His pastel colored clothes are his disguises. He is totally immersed in the role: Choi Heesung the celebrity. Therefore I believe that in his mind, love is like in a romantic movie 
(chapter 29: black and white movie!!) and fairy tale: the end shows their blissed union and they lived happily ever after. This explicates why the comedian compared Kim Dan to an angel… 
(chapter 30) The latter stands for eternity and immortal love. But this is just an illusion, for humans are mortals. They are destined to die. And this leads me to my following remark. Why was black so present in the special episode? It is because this pigment often represents DEATH!
To conclude, his increasing honesty allowed him to divulge more his true emotions and thoughts. However, while Manhwaworms can discover the actor’s duplicity in the special episode, Potato is left in the dark concerning Heesung’s true intentions. The alcohol helped Heesung to show his amorality and selfishness, yet the maknae was too overwhelmed by his own sensuality and tipsiness to notice the comedian’s hypocrisy and selfishness. (special episode) His ignorance helped him not to get wounded. In my eyes, Yoon-Gu’s suffering is strongly connected with Team Black’s fate. That’s why he is spared by not knowing the gumiho’s true thoughts. Finally, there’s no doubt that these selfish thoughts will change very quickly.
1. 3. The mystery behind black
Since Choi Heesung mentioned the champion’s jinx, this shows that he is aware of its existence. (chapter 32) So what does it indicate? Initially, I thought that he could know about the involvement of others behind the jinx. Let’s not forget that he is working for the same agency, and based on the English translation, the Entertainment company seems to belong to his family. 
(chapter 33). He can also hear rumors there. Moreover, for me, the actor stands for power, control and as such knowledge… hence he was able to pull tricks on the star on multiple occasions. He is able to make the athlete angry, he can arrange a meeting without Joo Jaekyung’s consent
.(chapter 34) or make a deal at his expense 
(chapter 32.). Interesting is that these values (influence, dominion, competence and insight) are associated with the shade black!
In color psychology, black means power and control, hanging on to information and things rather than giving out to others. Quoted from https://www.empower-yourself-with-color-psychology.com/color-black.html
That’s why I thought that he could know the truth behind the jinx. Nevertheless, since I portrayed him as passive and noncommittal, I deduce that Choi Heesung could have heard about the jinx and never investigated the matter. It was not his problem anyway. In other words, I feel like Heesung might know a part of the truth, but not everything. Since his career is not directly linked to MMA, I doubt that the actor felt the need to question the origins of the jinx and the role of the agency. Thus the color “black” could symbolize ignorance and negligence as well, which is reflected in the idiom “left in the dark”. Besides, he doesn’t need to know the whole truth, some information is already enough to “get a glimpse of the verity”. Because of this interpretation, I was even wondering if this trick 
(chapter 35) was not a punishment against Joo Jaekyung for the actor’s injury which happened with the support of MFC. 
(chapter 31) Officially, he had wounded the actor, therefore his physical therapist had to take care of his treatment. Besides, I believe that MFC desired to corner the champion in order to force him to give up on his new lover. He was no longer hiring a prostitute. As you can see, black is an ambiguous color: it can symbolize knowledge as well ignorance. Thus this shade represents mystery. Thus it is no coincidence that the past and family of Joo Jaekyung, who is also associated with black, remain a riddle
So far, obsidian was only implied with Heesung’s personality, as darkness can symbolize evilness or guilt. 
(chapter 31) While Joo Jaekyung condemned him for his deception and constant switching of partners
(chapter 33), his manager accepts him despite his messy love life and flaws. (chapter 31) Funny is that he just considers this as a curse. Interesting is that Potato sensed his dark side too, but he has no idea about his past love life. While people mistakes Choi Heesung for a Samaritan, in reality, he is cunning, selfish and even ruthless, for he is a gumiho.
And now, you are wondering where black was present in the special episode. He was exposing his dark side to the readers. In truth, he is also a “selfish jerk”, a name that many Jinx-philes would use for the main lead. 
(special chapter) Potato is a sex toy, just like the doctor was a tool against the champion’s jinx. Secondly, the artist discovered a whole new world thanks to Potato’s purity and ignorance 
(special episode). Yes, the black color related to the universe is visualizing the actor’s own “ignorance”. He can not predict the maknae’s next moves and thoughts. It was, as if a big bang had just happened. 😂 Potato’s pure innocence could only disarm and even defeat the slick comedian. Hence the latter was left totally speechless. Finally, since Potato embodies the shade “black”
, we have to envision that his role during the night was to absorb the actor’s negative energy.
Black absorbs negative energy. It is useful to carry something black with you to protect you from harm and negativity when traveling or when going about your usual daily activities outside your home. Quoted from https://www.empower-yourself-with-color-psychology.com/color-black.html
Choi Heesung was definitely depressed after experiencing the main lead’s rejection. His drinking 
(chapter 35) reminded me of Kim Dan who used to drink in order to numb his pain. By meeting the black and yellow Chow-Chow, the fox was able to see light in his sorrow. Potato could absorb his negative thoughts and even enlighten his night. Therefore it is not surprising that Heesung made such a statement: (special episode). That’s how it dawned on me why the artist could move on so quickly after dumping his last companion in chapter 33. 
(chapter 33) First, the VIP club is painted with dark colors. Secondly, the athlete was wearing a dark brown jacket with a black pullover. For me, Choi Heesung’s true personality comes to light in the dark!! We could say that he shines in a black room. Surrounded by darkness, he feels more protected. Thus at the club, he revealed his immorality and hypocrisy… He didn’t stand out. The more white the room is, the less the actor is honest! His preference for neutral colors expresses his need for “conformity and passivity”. They are an evidence for his hypocrisy and acting. Under this perspective, Manhwaworms can grasp why the mysterious man has a hidden dark room! 
[I am assuming that Mingwa didn’t change the flat] Only there, he exposes his true nature: BDSM. In my eyes, there he can voice all his desires and thoughts. His true self can come to the surface. I saw another evidence for this hypothesis (BDSM) in this expression: “kick him to the curb” (Special episode). This expression exposes the second lead’s hidden ruthlessness, selfishness and disregard. Naturally, since BDSM focuses on power dynamics, role-playing, and the exchange of control, often incorporating physical restraints, sensory stimulation, and psychological techniques, it signifies that consent, communication, and safety are paramount in BDSM relationships and activities. Hence if this expectation is correct, I deduce that such a sex session can only happen, when both are on the same wave length.
Finally, the reference to Black was palpable in this comment: 
(special episode): DEATH! This notion contrasts to the actor’s belief: soulmate! What is Potato’s goal in life? So far, it was to follow Joo Jaekyung’s foot steps! He wants to be a MMA fighter. He is destined to fight and as such to be exposed to danger. In the ring, he can die. He already fought for the physical therapist’s sake. 
(chapter 52) This means, he is already one step closer to the MMA arena. With the last incident, the young fighter must have caught the attention of opponents. He created himself “enemies”. Therefore he could become the next target for a plot as a revenge. In other words, with such a companion, Heesung is confronted with reality. His destined partner can be wounded and even die. Thus he has to ensure his safety. He can no longer be indifferent and passive. As you can see, Heesung will be put in a similar position than the physical therapist: 
(chapter 40) And this observation leads me to my second part, the explanation for the title: La Vie En Rose.
2. Heesung and La Vie En Rose
While reading the special episode from Jinx, I couldn’t help myself connecting the actor Choi Heesung to the expression “La Vie En Rose”. (special episode) (special episode) I am not sure if anyone is familiar with this French expression. The latter means “life in pink” or “life through rose-colored glasses.” It is a philosophy that emphasizes finding beauty, joy, and positivity in every aspect of life. This philosophy encourages a mindset that focuses on gratitude, mindfulness, and the appreciation of both the small and significant moments. As you can see, it is strongly connected to the heart and as such to love.
But where does this idiom come from? The expression “La Vie En Rose” originates from the famous French song of the same name by Edith Piaf in 1947. Piaf co-wrote the lyrics with Louis Guglielmi, who composed the music.
Interesting is that this song is associated with the rose and the colors black and white. First, the flower and shade in French have the same name. Moreover, back then colored pictures and videos were inexistent. After reading my first part, Jinx-philes can recall that the second lead, Heesung, is strongly connected to pink, black and white too.
But why did Edith Piaf write such a song? “La Vie en Rose” was released at a time, when France was recovering from the devastation of World War Two. The song quickly became a symbol of hope and resilience.
| La Vie En Rose Edith Piaf – Original version | Translation |
| Des yeux qui font baisser les miens Un rire qui se perd sur sa bouche Voilà le portrait sans retouche De l’homme auquel j’appartiens Quand il me prend dans ses bras Il me parle tout bas Je vois la vie en rose Qu’il me dit des mots d’amour Des mots de tous les jours Et ça me fait quelque chose Il est entré dans mon cœur Une part de bonheur Dont je connais la cause C’est lui pour moi Moi, pour lui, dans la vie Il me l’a dit, l’a juré pour la vie Et dès que je l’aperçois Alors, je sens en moi Mon cœur qui bat Des nuits d’amour à ne plus en finir Un grand bonheur qui prend sa place Des ennuis, des chagrins, s’effacent Heureux, heureux à en mourir Quand il me prend dans ses bras Il me parle tout bas Je vois la vie en rose Il me dit des mots d’amour Des mots de tous les jours Et ça me fait quelque chose Il est entré dans mon cœur Une part de bonheur Dont je connais la cause C’est toi pour moi Moi, pour toi, dans la vie Il me l’a dit, l’a juré pour la vie Et dès que je t’aperçois Alors, je sens dans moi Mon cœur qui bat | Eyes that make mine lower A laugh that is lost on his lips This is the unretouched portrait Of the man to whom I belong When he takes me in his arms He speaks softly to me I see life in pink He tells me words of love Everyday words And it does something to me He’s entered my heart A piece of happiness The cause of which I know It’s him for me Me for him, in life He told me, he swore it for life And as soon as I see him Then I feel inside me My heart beating Nights of endless love Great happiness takes its place Troubles and sorrows fade away Happy, happy to death When he takes me in his arms He speaks softly to me I see life in pink He tells me words of love Everyday words And it does something to me He’s entered my heart A piece of happiness The cause of which I know It’s you for me Me for you in life He told me, he swore it for life And as soon as I see you Then I feel inside me My heart beating |
The lyrics describe a state of bliss brought on by being in love, where everything seems beautiful and radiant. If you read the analysis “The Art Of Loving”, you will realize that the author is advocating the same ideas than the German-American philosopher and psychologist Erich Fromm’: love leads to happiness. At the same time, the verse “my heart beating” is referring to the notion of “life”. The fictive narrator feels alive and full of energy thanks to his affection. This interpretation brings me to my next observation. Choi Heesung has a similar mind-set. Without love, he feels that he is not existing. That’s why he keeps looking for his soulmate. (chapter 33) I can comprehend how he came to develop this mentality. It is related to his work. He is an actor. If he was not famous, he couldn’t work. He is relying on fans and their admiration. However, this kind of affection is superficial, for the stans only know the face and the man as actor. To conclude, his definition of love is linked to his job and as such veneration. That’s the reason why his “soulmate” has to be perfect (“perfect in every way”). His words imply that his companion has to be a celebrity himself as well. Why? It is because humanity embodies imperfection, but not a star. And the moment a celebrity’s flaws are exposed, the latter loses his special status as “star” and “god”. He is now just a human. 
(chapter 36) That’s what the athlete experienced at the end of season 1. I could describe the fans’ devotion and appreciation as idolization and veneration which can have terrible consequences.
- Loss of Objectivity: Idolization can lead to a lack of critical thinking about the idolized person or thing, making it difficult to see their faults or mistakes.
- Unrealistic Expectations: Placing someone on a pedestal can create unrealistic expectations that the idolized figure may ultimately fail to meet, leading to disappointment.
- Dependency: Excessive idolization can result in emotional dependency, where an individual’s sense of self-worth or happiness is tied to the actions or opinions of the idolized figure.
In this panel (chapter 33), we could see a reference to dependency. The comedian dumped his last boyfriend, for the latter had become too clingy. His words (“perfect in every way”) also display that Heesung’s love life was affected by unrealistic expectations. After he got rejected by Kim Dan, the comedian opened up to Potato and confessed this:
(chapter 35) Either he would break up, as he felt no excitement for his boyfriend, or when he would finally reveal his true side, the latter would leave him. Why? Both were disappointed, neither of them would fit the portrait they had from each other. The smiling and generous actor is in fact selfish, childish and probably apathetic. I am even suspecting that he has been suffering from depression too. Not only the choice of his colors indicates blandness, boringness and lifelessness, but also his body language. He is often seen resting his head on his hand. 
(special episode) 
(chapter 33) or sighing, the symbols for boredom. Thus I have the feeling that his job as actor is not procuring him any joy. That’s how I realized why Heesung is the champion’s frenemy. While the latter stands for training and routine (he hates surprises and novelties), the other embodies the exact opposite notions: he loves adventure, spontaneity and variations. (chapter 33) This explicates why he became an actor, why he moved from the building, but at the same time why his job is not truly fulfilling too. There is still a routine and there is no real thrill. This remark brings me to my next observation: Heesung must believe that affection is an emotion and sensation. He is reducing it to “thrill, excitement and butterflies in the stomach”. Thus it is normal that he felt bored with his sex partners quickly. In addition, since Heesung selected neutral colors for his clothing and apartment, I deduce that until he met Kim Dan and Potato, he was avoiding emotions. Yes, in the end, he was similar to his frenemy. He was refusing to open his heart to others out of fear. Yes, he was afraid of getting wounded and broken. And now, you comprehend why his path had to cross the physical therapist’s first! The latter stands for selflessness and gratitude. He is the perfect “worshiper” (Halmoni and Joo Jaekyung). Heesung couldn’t be mad at Kim Dan for his rejection. He understood why the man could not reciprocate his feelings. Yes, the doctor taught him to respect his counterpart. Hence there was no resent from Choi Heesung contrary to the other Choi: 
(chapter 48) As you can see, the main lead announced a turning point in the gumiho’s life. Exactly like his frenemy, he was taught that money and fame can not buy affection. Moreover, for the first time, the young man learned the existence of boundary and respect.
In my opinion, Heesung only feels alive, when he is provoking reactions and emotions in his counterpart. He needs them, as he has been controlling his own heart this entire time. That’s why he likes being with the champion (chapter 30) or having sex with someone! He is reducing love to lust and physical responses. Under this new light, it becomes clear why his bedroom was colored with pink colors: 
(special episode) (special episode) He felt his heart beating, and sensed so many emotions. Without LOVE, his world becomes colorless and insipid again: black or white. Here, he was following the flow.
Because Heesung hates boredom and as such routine, this signifies that he enjoys novelties, trips and adventures. And now, the actor is destined to fall in love with the sweet “Potato”! It is because each time, the chow chow is able to “surprise and even scare” the keen second lead. Observe his reactions each time Yoon-Gu voices his thoughts: 
(chapter 35) (special episode) (special chapter) 
(special chapter) He is constantly caught by surprise! (special episode) That’s why he is often left speechless and paralyzed. He can not use his skills like with other people. Hence his interactions with Potato remain memorable. And now look at this memory: 
(special chapter) He sees Yoon-Gu as fun! Simply because he is allowing himself to express his emotions. He is never hiding his thoughts and emotions, the exact opposite of Heesung. He is so transparent, on the other hand, totally unpredictable. Yes, in the end, Yoon-Gu represents a huge riddle for Heesung. What caught my attention is how Yoon-Gu didn’t mind to yell his affection and admiration in front of people. He doesn’t mind people’s judgement and gaze. He is strong enough to bear this kind of attention… the exact opposite of the actor. He is not afraid of committing, making a different statement, he can diverge from majority. Hence he left the restaurant in front of others. 
(chapter 52) He can make his own judgement and choice. To conclude, though Yoon-Gu is the younger one, he has so much to teach his fated partner who chose conformity and ended up bored and half-dead!
And this brings me to my next remark. How did these two meet? By coincidence!! They bumped into each other. 
(chapter 31) We could say, their meeting was like a big bang, an explosion! Caught by surprise and annoyed by such an incident, the actor couldn’t help himself voicing his thoughts about Potato: 
(chapter 31) For a short moment, he dropped his mask and expose his true personality. And for the first time, he received such a gaze: 8chapter 31) Yoon-Gu glared at him, which left a deep impression on the actor. 
(special episode) That’s how both ended up creating unforgettable moments. Under this perspective, my attentive and patient readers can grasp why I created such an illustration for this essay: The pink in the middle symbolizes the collisions of two stars, spontaneity, shock, surprise, the birth of love and life… So the moment the actor will recall their first meeting, he can only remember it as “fate”. If Potato hadn’t crossed his path, he would have never met his soulmate… I come to the deduction that the actor was not able to find his soulmate, for he always picked up guys similar to him. They would prefer normality, social norms and “conformity”. With Potato, he is taking a risk. (special episode)
But let’s return our attention to the song “La Vie En Rose”. Notice that the lyrics are also referring to death: “happy to death”. What does it mean? Edith Piaf’s “La Vie en Rose” captures the essence of seeing life through love and beauty, a perspective that can also apply to how we view death. Embracing this philosophy can help us approach death with peace, acceptance, and appreciation. Recognizing the finite nature of life enhances our appreciation of each moment and encourages mindful living. Accepting death as a natural part of life reduces fear and transforms it into a peaceful transition. This perspective also inspires us to create meaningful legacies and honor the memories of those who have passed. Practical steps include setting meaningful goals, savoring everyday moments, having open conversations about death, and engaging in end-of-life planning. Celebrating the lives of deceased loved ones and performing acts of kindness in their memory keeps their spirit alive. Integrating the “Vie en Rose” philosophy with our understanding of death brings a profound sense of peace and appreciation to both life and mortality, allowing us to live with love, gratitude, and positivity. And now, you comprehend why this chapter appeared after the separation of the main couple. Joo Jaekyung and Kim Dan are on their way to practice this philosophy La Vie En Rose” (chapter 53), for the grandmother’s death is imminent.
The egocentrism from the crazy fox was truly palpable in the special episode. (special episode 1) Here, he made sure that Yoon-Gu wouldn’t reject him and leave him. (special episode) In the second picture, he believes to have the upper hand. He imagines that he will keep the maknae by his side, as long as he feels like it. However, keep in mind that Heesung hates routine and normality. But if Yoon-Gu becomes a star and MMA fighter, his life will never be “normal”, as he is risking his health and life. Besides, the young maknae admires other people, Kim Dan and Joo Jaekyung, so he has other interests. Heesung needs to learn that not everything is revolving around him. In order to catch Yoon-Gu’s interests, he will have to change his mind-set and way of life. He will be forced to “catch his attention”, do things out of ordinary and as such to make a committment.
But there’s one detail that caught my attention: (special episode) He described Potato as easy”, a sign that Heesung is linking love to conquest. And now, you comprehend why Heesung had no problem to woo someone in a relationship. (chapter 33) He saw it as a challenge… he enjoyed the thrill to earn the prey’s heart. But once they were together, the second lead got bored, as there was no longer this tension and fever. In other words, he confused excitement and lust with love. However, according to Erich Fromm, love is care, knowledge, respect and responsibility. That’s the reason why Heesung had to drop this belief of “soulmate” first! This principle helped him to avoid responsibility in the end. Secondly, with Potato, Heesung has lowered his expectations. (special episode) Moreover, he is not lying to Potato with fake promises and illusions: fated love etc. (special chapter)
The character from Jinx reminded me a lot of Edith Piaf, for the latter is famous of having many lovers. Moreover, she had a terrible childhood which explains why she tried through her lovers to overcome her traumatic childhood. Moreover, it makes one wonder if the artist hadn’t false perception of love too, similar to Heesung. There is no doubt that the latter fears commitment and as such responsibility. But there’s more to it. Edith Piaf fell in love with Marcel Cerdan, a French-Algerian boxer. Marcel Cerdan tragically died in a plane crash on October 28, 1949, while flying from Paris to New York City. His death deeply affected Edith Piaf, and she mourned him for the rest of her life. And now, you comprehend why I couldn’t help myself connecting Heesung with the French singer. This is what Edith Piaf sang 3 years before her death:
| Je ne regrette rien from Edith Piaf – Original version | Translation |
Non, rien de rien Non, je ne regrette rien Ni le bien qu’on m’a fait Ni le mal Tout ça m’est bien égal Non, rien de rien Non, je ne regrette rien C’est payé, balayé, oublié Je me fous du passé Avec mes souvenirs J’ai allumé le feu Mes chagrins, mes plaisirs Je n’ai plus besoin d’eux Balayé les amours Avec leurs trémolos Balayé pour toujours Je repars à zéro Non, rien de rien Non, je ne regrette rien Ni le bien qu’on m’a fait Ni le mal Tout ça m’est bien égal Non, rien de rien Non, je ne regrette rien Car ma vie Car mes joies Aujourd’hui Ça commence avec toi | No, nothing No, I do not regret anything Nor the good that was done to me Nor the evil, all that doesn’t matter to me! No, nothing No, I do not regret anything It is paid, swept away, forgotten I don’t care about the past! With my memories I started the fire my sorrows, my pleasures I do not need them anymore! Swept away the loves With their tremolos Swept away forever I go back to zero No, nothing No, I do not regret anything Nor the good that was done to me Nor the evil, all that doesn’t matter to me! No, nothing No, I do not regret anything Because my life, because my joys Today, it begins with you! Share as link |
And that’s exactly what Choi Heesung will think about this night and their relationship! Life begins with Yoon-Gu!
PS: There will be a new essay about the special chapter.
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Jinx: Effective 👼 Anguish 😭😈
Please support the authors by reading the Manhwas on the official websites. This is where you can read the manhwa: Jinx. But be aware that the Manhwa is a mature Yaoi, which means, it is about homosexuality with explicit scenes. Here is the link of the table of contents about Jinx. Here is the link where you can find the table of contents of analyzed manhwas. Here are the links, if you are interested in the first work from Mingwa, BJ Alex, and the previous essay about Jinx “Dire Youth Mystery Unraveling“
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1. Why Anguish?
Feel like dropping Jinx? Perhaps you’ve reached chapter 50, and the weight of the narrative feels too heavy to bear. Yet, despite the urge to abandon ship, you shouldn’t. Why? One might say, that’s how life is: harsh, painful and unfair. On the other side, others might argue about this perception, as people can experience happiness too. Besides, anyone knows the idiom “to look on the bright side”. Nonetheless, people can only enjoy life to its fullest, when they experience sadness and agony either.
The popularization and misinterpretation of Positive Psychology has led us to praise positive emotions and try to escape negative feelings at all costs. However, in our emotional universe everything is important and has a reason for being. As Carl Jung wrote: “The word happiness would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness.” A study conducted at Colorado State University, for example, revealed that experiencing feelings that we wouldn’t exactly classify as positive actually promotes psychological well-being. […]
These results indicate that we are often not affected as much by the situation and the primary emotion it triggers as by our response to it (the secondary emotion). It’s like feeling stressed for being stressed or feeling depressed about being sad. If we believe that we should not experience negative emotions, we will reject, ignore or repress them, which will end up reinforcing them since we will not understand the message they are trying to convey to us, so the discomfort they generate will continue latent within us. […]
Sadness, like the rest of the emotions, brings with it a message, so we must try to understand it. Recognizing our emotions and accepting pain as part of the human condition is essential to achieve the balance essential to growth. Sadness is a natural self-regulation mechanism, something we are born with and that we do not consciously choose. We don’t wake up thinking: “Today is a great day to be sad!” It is a perfectly adaptive response to something that has happened to us, usually a loss, something we wanted to have, or a situation that hurt us emotionally. Quoted from https://psychology-spot.com/it-is-good-to-be-sad-benefits-occasional-sadness/
This article explains why sadness and heartache are necessary in life. And this rule also applies in the world of Jinx, especially since the Webtoonist is promoting Positive Psychology. Chapter 50 was so painful for both Joo Jaekyung 
(chapter 50) and Kim Dan. While the former was tormented by his challenger directly 
(chapter 50) and indirectly, the other had to witness how the members from Team Black turned their back on him in the locker room. 
(chapter 50) Interesting is that on X, hamster Dan received more affection and attention than the champion. Though I have always pointed out the doctor’s flaws, in episode 50, I couldn’t help myself being upset and heartbroken for Doc Dan too, until I had a revelation. Many readers were disappointed or mad, when they saw him in this panel. 
(chapter 50) They could put themselves in his shoes: he was left behind. On the other hand, the reaction from Joo Jaekyung was totally understandable. 
(chapter 50) He acted on instinct. Moreover, he had a match, therefore they had no time to discuss or investigate the matter. 
(chapter 50) And everyone knows this saying: Time is money. Yes, the hyungs didn’t decide to postpone the fight, because they would have to pay huge fees, and this could have affected the Emperor’s reputation. It exposes that the fight as such the show was more important than the well-being of their star. As a conclusion, money played a huge role in their decision. On the other side, the annulation would have brought more trouble to Kim Dan, as it would have caught the attention from journalists and fans, though it can still happen later. Under this new perspective, it becomes comprehensible why they left the locker room and didn’t argue with Kim Dan. They were under pressure. Nevertheless, the readers had a different reaction, for they knew the truth: Doc Dan was the victim of a new scheme. Therefore they judged the whole situation as unfair. Some were mad at the manager for yelling at the physical therapist. 
(chapter 50) Yet, we shouldn’t allow our emotions cloud our judgement, for this image displays the doctor’s metamorphosis. Notice that he talked back. Though his sentence is still not complete, the thickness of the writing and the point of exclamation are indicating that he was not whispering. He was speaking loudly and clearly. He was talking back firmly. Moreover, he was not avoiding his counterpart’s gaze contrary to the argument in the penthouse. 
(chapter 45) In other words, the scene in chapter 50 exposes the doctor’s growing strength and resilience. That’s the second reason why anguish is necessary in Jinx. Through their suffering, the characters can change, and Jinx-philes have the opportunity to witness their growing maturity. At the same time, the author is able to underline the other figures’ flaws thanks to torment. Between the essay “My hero (full version)” and chapter 22, my perception of Park Namwook changed totally. While in the beginning, I judged him as a hero, I came to consider him as a naïve and blind man. Chapter 50 proved my interpretation correct. In episode 50, his superficiality and hypocrisy became so obvious that he was resented by Dan’s stans. On the other hand, his behavior didn’t surprise me at all. The irony is that his behavior is actually improving too 😮, though the manager is still far from being a hero. Episode 50 represents an evidence. To sum up, Mingwa is using anguish for three reasons:
- The characters should accept sadness, agony and anger in order to be able to enjoy life and discover happiness.
(chapter 44) Now, the doctor is no longer associating sex with prostitution and corruption, but with love. - Through painful events, the characters are encouraged to face their fears and overcome their trauma. Anguish helps them to metamorphose.
- Finally, terrible incidents serve as a tool to expose the characters’ true personality and as such their flaws.
Interesting is that I had selected the title “Effective Anguish” even before the release from episode 50! My follower and friend @Milliformemes can vouch for it. How come? It is because I discovered two patterns.
2. Pain and wounds
2. 1. The painful awakening of the dragon
First, I noticed that the champion’s wounds are coming to the surface. In the beginning, the injury on his shoulder could only be detected thanks to Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). 
(chapter 27) But only Dr. Lee and Kim Dan got to see the results
(chapter 27), not Park Namwook. He just overviewed the medical file quickly. But for that, the manager needs to be capable of understanding medical terms. Thus I doubt, he could visualize the seriousness of the situation. 
(chapter 27) Then, after the match in the States, the manager asked his “boy” how his shoulder was. 
(chapter 40) Here, he chose to rely on the celebrity’s words, 
(chapter 40) while the manager had witnessed how Dominic Hill had targeted his shoulder. He should have realized that his star’s shoulder had been damaged. Nevertheless, we shouldn’t overlook that the athlete’s statement was corroborated by the medical checkup from MFC. That’s how he got fooled. Hence there was no treatment. However, doc Dan could detect the champion’s lie not only through observations
(chapter 41) but also through touching.
(chapter 41) As you can see, the wound was slowly coming to the surface. Thus I consider the incident in episode 43 as a metaphor for the shoulder injury. 
(chapter 43) It was exposing the damage in his body. Consequently, when the champion’s foot got wounded by the pepper spray, 
(chapter 49), I realized what was happening. Mingwa is forcing the Emperor to admit his suffering. Hence his wounds are becoming more and more visible.
| Chapter 40 | Chapter 41 | Chapter 42 | Chapter 49 | Chapter 50 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  | |
First, he let transpire his pain more through his grimaces. Secondly, his moans are getting louder and louder. The point of exclamation and the facial expressions are indicating the increasing pain. But why? Don’t forget that in the past, the champion used to reject any assistance from a physical therapist,. 
(chapter 5) for he was simply relying on the prostitutes due to his jinx. Thus I consider this argument in the penthouse as a huge step for the athlete: (chapter 45) He can not win, if he is not receiving the help from a PT. That’s the reason why he didn’t mention the jinx at all. Under this new light, it becomes comprehensible why the athlete is suffering more and more. The goddess of Jinx is cornering the athlete: the latter has to admit that he doesn’t just need the assistance of any PT 
(chapter 45), but the help from the angel Dan.
Finally, during the fight with Baek Junmin, the athlete’s foot is bleeding. 
(chapter 50) So far, he just had a cut above his eye, nothing serious. 
(Chapter 40) However, the wound on the foot is different, for his skin is damaged. The recovery will take longer. It is relevant, because Park Namwook can no longer feign ignorance about his star’s wounds. He is less susceptible to manipulations.
On the other side, through the injuries, the champion’s mental health gets boosted. He can sense his own strength and appreciate all the punches he could give to his opponent despite his injuries. 
(chapter 50) That’s the reason why he turned into a dragon at the end of the chapter. [For more read the essay “Color Clash: Decoding MMA Posters] The blue is exposing that he is not controlled by his emotions (rage, anger or fears), he is totally rational. As the suffering pushed him to become the better version of himself, his victory can only appear even sweeter than before. In other words, the easier his victories were, the more he came to doubt his talent. 
(chapter 5) And now, you comprehend why he got so nervous and angry, when he imagined that Kim Dan had blocked him. 
(chapter 5) This shows that his belief in his jinx had been reinforced after his first night with Kim Dan.
On the other hand, Kim Dan could be held responsible for his injuries, similar to this scene. 
(chapter 31) He could take the fall for everything. The main lead is put in such a position so that he has no other choice: he needs to clear his name! 
(chapter 1) He shouldn’t accept his fate like in the past, but fight for his rights and reputation. In other words, the painful incident serves another purpose: Kim Dan is incited to develop a fighter’s spirit. That’s the reason why the situation is quite similar to the past.
On the other hand, we should question why the champion felt a pain in his ankle during that morning. 
(chapter 50) From my perspective, this is the result of the overexerting. 
(Chapter 50) Even the coach is noticing that the athlete is overtraining himself. Remember that the athlete refused to listen to his PT. 
(chapter 42) In addition, he would return home late, a sign that he would train even more than before. 
(chapter 48) Finally, we shouldn’t overlook the fact that after his match in the States, he never visited the hospital due to the law suit. 
(chapter 41) According to me, the MFC medical checkup was not reflecting the verity. Hence he never got a real check-up and MFC could definitely say that the athlete was definitely fine. 
(chapter 41) This shows that the more the champion refuses to his PT’s advice, the more injuries he will substain. That’s how it dawned on me why Joo Jaekyung is now getting more and more wounded during the fights. It forces him to take a rest! However, in the past, he had a reason not to listen: he got barely injured. He needed to treat his body roughly in order to prove his effort and strength. This observation reinforces my conviction that there is a second group manipulating the champion’s matches: MFC itself. For me, Heo Manwook and Choi Gilseok are rather puppets. How so? It is because someone knew about the champion’s sexual habits, hence he was supposed to take an aphrodisiac in the States. But neither the loan shark nor the director from King Of MMA are aware of this. To conclude, the champion’s anguish is necessary to expose the deceptions and the schemers as well.
2. 2. The pleasant Park Namwook, Tolstoy and pain
What caught my attention is that in the locker room, the manager didn’t make the decision for the fight. (chapter 50) How? Through a question, he let the coach Jeong Yosep give the answer. Through their words and actions, Jeong Yosep and Joo Jaekyung called shots, and Park Namwook just followed. The darkness around his forehead and the drop of sweat indicate his torment. But he can not voice his suffering, for it is nothing compared to the star’s. Hence if something were to happen to the celebrity, I can already predict that the manager will put the blame on others. Mingwa already left many clues about his lack of responsibility. First, the manager 
(chapter 27) refused to force the champion to take a day-off by saying that the protagonist would never listen anyway. With such a statement, he pushed Kim Dan to make the decision and announce it to his VIP client. Moreover, the manager didn’t stop his “boy” from exposing his injured shoulder to the public. 
(chapter 41) However, by doing so, he was exposing his vulnerability to his opponents, though I am still suspecting that MFC leaked information too. So far, the headlines are not indicating which shoulder is wounded. Yet, the moderator knew which one: 
(chapter 50) So why was the manager so shocked with such an attack? 
(chapter 50) It was clear that during such a match, the challenger would use the opponent’s weakness. What did he expect in the end? The panel exposes his stupidity and his immaturity. He should have anticipated such a move. These observations lead me to the following conclusion: the champion needs to realize that his hyung will never recognize his suffering, as long as Joo Jaekyung is in denial. Until now, he hasn’t been protecting Joo Jaekyung’s interests, rather his own comfort. His MO was to put the whole responsibility on the athlete. But it was his duty as his manager not to accept the new challenge. 
(chapter 41) Observe that he is just asking questions once again, when he voices his doubts. He is not making a statement. However, the manager is changing. While in the past, the manager was not treating the celebrity like real family, though he was called hyung, I detected a switch, when Park Namwook sent messages from his family for his birthday. 
(Chapter 45) In other words, his loyalty towards the star is improving. 
(chapter 46)
On the other hand, the nature of their relationship is still rather like a boss or employee. Thus he is his advisor or superior. It depends on the situation. I noticed the ambiguity of Park Namwook’s position. First, he introduces himself as the star’s manager 
(Chapter 9) and coach for Team Black, but he acts like the director of Team Black.
(Chapter 49) This explains why he claimed that Team Black was his gym, 
(chapter 22) yet the reality is that this power comes from the champion, as the latter is the real owner of Team Black. Therefore the captain warned the two hyungs. 
(Chapter 46) Thus I deduce that the role between the star and his hyung must be redefined because of Kim Dan’s presence. But wait… the heading is referring to the Russian author Leo Tolstoy. So what is his connection to the manager from Team Black?
The reason is that I found an interesting article about Tolstoy entitled: “How to live with purpose: Leo Tolstoy’s 5 secrets after his existential crisis”. The Russian writer noticed the existence of 4 different types of people: Ignorance, Epicureanism, Strength and Energy and Weakness. The moment I read his descriptions, I couldn’t help myself connecting these types to characters from Jinx: Park Namwook, Halmoni, Joo Jaekyung and Kim Dan. Interesting is that Tolstoy suffered immensely before he was able to give a meaning to his life.
1. Understand that reason has limits (…)
2. Search within yourself (…)
3. Find spirituality (…)
4. Learn to accept (…)
5. Embrace simplicity (…) Quoted from https://psychology-spot.com/how-to-live-with-purpose-according-to-leo-tolstoj/
The latter advice reminded me of the champion’s philosophy. He definitely preferred the breakfasts 
(chapter 41) to the golden keychain. 
(Chapter 45) As you can see, the famous writer is connected to Positive Psychology, for he was also promoting meditation and experiences. This fits our story, as both main characters are on their way to give a meaning to their life and as such to find happiness. But let’s return our attention to the manager Park Namwook as a representative of “ignorance”.
1. Ignorance. In this group, the writer placed people who chose not to know and not to understand, those who embraced what could be called “motivated ignorance.” They were those who preferred to close their eyes to the basic questions of existence and settled comfortably in ignorance. Quoted from https://psychology-spot.com/how-to-live-with-purpose-according-to-leo-tolstoj/
This description corresponds to Park Namwook’s mentality, as the latter is always seeking the easiest way out. He is always avoiding discomfort. Hence not only he closed an eye to the doctor’s wounds in episode 11
(chapter 11), but also he never tried to correct the star’s false conclusion. 
(Chapter 11) He just got angry giving the impression that he was siding with Kim Dan. But the reality is that he did nothing for the poor doctor at all. He remained passive and silent. His “ignorance” explains as well why he is not questioning events and his athlete’s success. 
(chapter 43) Through the two examples, Manhwaphiles can sense that his “ignorance” is a mixture of willingness to close an eye and real naivety. Under this new approach, it dawned on me why the manager used to beat his star so brutally. 
(Chapter 7) 
(Chapter 31) It is his way how to deal with uncomfortable situations. He stands for social norms and conformity. It is not surprising that the manager proposed to use Kim Dan as compensation for Heesung’s fake injury. (chapter 32) Furthermore, he forced Joo Jaekyung to take the blame without investigating the matter. (chapter 31) That way, he avoided to get into trouble. Under this new light, it becomes comprehensible why he is gentle and polite, when he is not under stress. 
(chapter 43) The latter triggers his anxiety and nervousness. Thus when there is a problem, his MO is either to threaten, (chapter 22), to scold
(chapter 36) or to let others make decisions. I would even add, he often delegates things to others: the manager from the Entertainment company (chapter 27), the MFC manager, the lawyer, the advisors, coach Jeong Yosep
(chapter 46), Kim Dan [f. ex. He should accept the bad mood from his VIP client] 
(chapter 36) However, he is not trying to solve the problem himself. Yet, he can not keep such an attitude in the long run, for his passivity and blindness are the reasons why the main couple can be targeted so easily. Park Namwook is failing to protect his champion and his team. However, I detected a positive change despite the heartache in episode 50. He stopped using violence after episode 31. He learned that he needed to treat the champion’s body more kindly, hence we have this confession: 
(chapter 43) Furthermore, compare his behavior towards the celebrity and the doctor:
(chapter 46) and (chapter 50) Mingwa didn’t use any red in the last picture, a sign that the manager’s anger was controlled. So he is trusting the physical therapist. Consequently, his words at the bar were not empty. (chapter 43) Nevertheless, I am expecting Park Namwook’s effective anguish at some point. He needs to be confronted with his biggest fears and pain. And who will act as his mirror of truth?
While Park Namwook stands for ignorance, the champion embodies fire!
3. Strength and energy. They are people who “burn” life. These are exceptionally strong and resilient people who, although they perfectly understand the problems of human existence, prefer to live quickly, burning through stages and opting for drastic solutions without reflecting too much on the consequences since they are convinced that it is better to put life into the years that add years to life. Quoted from https://psychology-spot.com/how-to-live-with-purpose-according-to-leo-tolstoj/
This description reflects the fighter’s mentality. Therefore, it is normal that he is suffering. Under this new light, readers can grasp the severity of the star’s situation. Kim Dan is there to save him from self-destruction. I would even say, the hamster’s love represents his safety belt and salvation. As for Kim Dan, the latter is destined to suffer, as he has always considered himself as powerless. And until he realized his grandmother’s mortality, he acted, as if she was his goddess. Hence he was willing to sacrifice himself for her sake. 
(chapter 16)
4. Weakness. “It consists in seeing the truth of the situation and yet clinging to life,” Tolstoy wrote. These types of people wait for a kind of divine rescue to occur or for an escape route to open up before them as if by magic. Although they do not find meaning in life and do not feel satisfied, they continue forward on autopilot. In fact, that was the position with which the writer himself identified. Tolstoy felt lost and powerless. Quoted from https://psychology-spot.com/how-to-live-with-purpose-according-to-leo-tolstoj/
And now, you know why the doctor had not projected himself into the future. He was simply surviving. Though the champion had paid off his debts, Kim Dan had not dropped his life principles: money was important, and it should be spent as quickly as possible, as if there was no tomorrow. Why? It is because he had internalized that his earnings would immediately get wired to a different bank account. That’s why he needed to be confronted his biggest fears: the loss of his job as PT. The incident would not only ruin his career, but also turn the efforts of his grandmother into meaninglessness! Don’t forget that she supported him to become a PT! He was her pride and reward! 
(chapter 47) And what was the halmoni’s wish? He should give his all to Joo Jaekyung, 
(chapter 41) and he should assist him during his matches! 
(chapter 41) Therefore I believe that in the locker room, Kim Dan must have recalled her words. She became his source of strength once again. That’s why we have parallels between these three scenes: 
(chapter 21: he was criticized by Kim Miseon, he feared to lose his halmoni) 
(chapter 47) and finally 
(chapter 50) That’s the reason why Kim Dan could become a star. Contrary to Joo Jaekyung, we didn’t assist to the birth of the yeouiju. It is no coincidence that birth is connected to pain and happiness. Mothers forget the suffering of the delivery, as their child can procure them a lot of joy and happiness.
3. The Overman Kim Dan
Striking is that Psychology and Literature are not the only fields advocating negative emotions and suffering. I have to confess that while reading Painter Of The Night, I noticed parallels between Friedrich Nietzsche’s philosophy and the Manhwa. And since Mingwa’s writing is very similar to Byeonduck’s, I am not surprised that the readers are exposed to heartache and misery. Friedrich Nietzsche, a German philosopher from the 19th Century, developed complex ideas about pain and suffering, as well as the concept of the “Übermensch”, or “Overman.”
- Pain and Suffering: Nietzsche believed that pain and suffering were inherent aspects of human existence. Nonetheless, he did not view them solely as negative experiences to be avoided. Instead, he argued that ache and hardship could serve as sources of growth, strength, and self-discovery. Nietzsche famously stated, “That which does not kill us makes us stronger,” suggesting that overcoming adversity can lead to personal development and resilience.
- Transcend Conventional Morality: Nietzsche critiqued conventional morality and values, arguing that they often inhibit individual freedom and self-expression. He described it as herd mentality. “Madness is rare in individuals – but in groups, parties, nations, and ages it is the rule.” This quote highlights Nietzsche’s critique of herd mentality, suggesting that individuals are less prone to madness or irrational behavior when acting alone, but when they become part of a collective group, they are more likely to adopt the behaviors and beliefs of the group, even if they are irrational or detrimental. To find one’s real self, he suggested transcending societal norms and conditioning, questioning traditional beliefs, and forging one’s own path based on personal values and principles. As he provocatively declared, “God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him.”
- Strive for Self-Overcoming and Übermensch (Overman): The concept of the Übermensch is central to Nietzsche’s philosophy. The Übermensch represents an idealized individual who transcends conventional morality and societal norms. Nietzsche saw the Übermensch as someone who creates their own values, embraces life’s challenges with courage and creativity, and strives for self-mastery and self-realization. The Übermensch is free from the constraints of traditional morality and embraces the full spectrum of human experience, including joy, suffering, and struggle. In relation to pain, Nietzsche believed that the Übermensch would not shy away from pain and suffering but would instead confront them head-on as part of the process of self-overcoming. By embracing pain and integrating it into their existence, the Übermensch achieves a higher state of being and transcends the limitations of ordinary human existence. Nietzsche wrote, “I teach you the overman. Man is something that shall be overcome.”
- Embrace Individuality: Nietzsche celebrated the uniqueness and individuality of each person, urging individuals to embrace their authentic selves without conformity or compromise. By embracing one’s individuality and embracing one’s unique strengths, weaknesses, and experiences, individuals can cultivate a deeper sense of self-awareness and authenticity. Nietzsche emphasized, “Become who you are.“
- Create Meaning and Values: According to Nietzsche, individuals have the power to create their own meaning and values in a world devoid of inherent meaning. By engaging in creative expression, pursuing passions and interests, and embracing life’s challenges with courage and resilience, individuals can discover and affirm their real selves. Nietzsche famously proclaimed, “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.”
In essence, Nietzsche’s philosophy offers a provocative perspective on finding one’s real self in the face of suffering, pain, and adversity. This reminds us of the famous sparring in episode 26.
(Chapter 26) By embracing misfortune, transcending conventional morality, striving for self-overcoming, embracing individuality, and creating meaning and values, individuals can embark on a journey of self-discovery and self-actualization, ultimately becoming the architects of their own lives. At the heart of Nietzsche’s vision lies the concept of the Übermensch, or Overman, who embodies the pinnacle of human potential and serves as a beacon of courage, creativity, and self-mastery. Through the pursuit of the Übermensch ideal, individuals can transcend their limitations, confront their fears, and forge their own destinies, thereby finding their true selves in the process.
If you watched the video, then you know why doc Dan 
(chapter 5) or Heesung drank alcohol (chapter 35). Both were trying to numb their pain, though they shouldn’t have according to the German philosopher. The soju stopped them from becoming the better version of themselves. I am suspecting that doc Dan copied this poor habit from his grandmother, who drank in secret. Don’t forget that in all the memories, the halmoni is smiling (chapter 47), though she must have struggled a lot. Her smile is a sign that she tried not to burden her grandson. However, her toxic positivity had the opposite effect.
And now, you are wondering how chapter 50 is linked to Overman and Kim Dan. From my perspective, when we look at this scene, ‘ (chapter 50) we shouldn’t see it as a betrayal, rather as an opportunity for Kim Dan. He is not following the herd, because he needs to reflect on the incident. (chapter 50) The latter forced the doctor to question his identity and his desires. What does he want to be in life? Let’s not forget that he selected PT because of his grandmother. 
(chapter 47) In other words, he had selected this job, as he was following traditions and expectations. Only in episode 47, he realized that she was his real motivation. Yet, he discovered shortly after that she is about to die. Thus he needs to find a new motivation for his job, or better said, he needs to question himself about his profession. Does he truly want to be a physical therapist? Since the beginning of the story, doc Dan has never identified himself as a physical therapist. Thus he accepted to be judged as a whore 
(chapter 16) or as a tool for the jinx, therefore he mopped the floor
(chapter 36), acting like an errand boy. Then he doubted Heesung’s words and admiration 
(chapter 31) 
(chapter 31). Furthermore, he took a side gig in order to buy the champion’s present and finally, he rejected Choi Gilseok’s praise and offer. 
(chapter 48) He was always diminishing himself as a doctor. Therefore in the locker room, he was confronted with his biggest fear: is he really a physical therapist? 
(chapter 50) He injured his patient. The spray is there to let him see that he has power in his hands. He should trust himself and his magical hands. Don’t forget that this request was made by Joo Jaekyung. (Chapter 49) He never asked him for his expertise and advice. He practiced self-medication in the end. Thus his karma was to be betrayed by the drug, since he keeps mistrusting people. In other words, because of the switch, Kim Dan is encouraged to become brave, to see his job as a great chance: his power is in his hands and nothing else. Heesung described it as magical touch. Doc Dan is talented and he is the champion’s private physical therapist 
(chapter 50) And from my point of view, the locker room became the doctor’s new temple. There, he must have recalled his grandmother’s wishes. She would like to see him on TV. For me, the light over his head symbolizes Enlightenment. He has become the champion’s yeouiju. Thus I deduce that Kim Dan is on the verge of proving his worth to Team Black. I am anticipating, he will approach the ring, and even treat him during a break, something he denied to his halmoni. (chapter 41) This signifies that he has to become strong and determined, for he has to impose himself in front of the other hyungs. By intervening, he would not only prove his innocence, but also earn his right to be viewed as a hyung! So far, the doctor was always excluded from the meetings, though the manager and advisors should have asked for his opinion. Don’t forget that till episode 42, he relied on the recommendations from other physicians and therapists. If this theory comes true, Joo Jaekyung would show to the public that he is trusting him. This would stand in contrast to this image. (chapter 50). Let’s not forget that MFC doctors can not intervene during a match, but only before or after. Like in the video above, I am expecting that Kim Dan will distinguish himself from the others! PArk Namwook only appeared in the spotlight after his boy’s victories. 
(chapter 5) 
(chapter 40) I am expecting a surprise in the next episode. Kim Dan will no longer stand in the shadow, he will no longer follow the “herd”. But there is another reason why I am hoping for such an intervention. It is because neither Baek Junmin nor Choi Gilseok are not expecting the intervention of the physical therapist during the fight, for it never happened before. Besides, the demon could see that their trick had worked. 
(chapter 50) It is relevant, because through such an intervention, hamster Dan would teach the champion an important lesson. He is not alone in the ring, the doctor is watching his physical condition and helping him. 
For me, chapter 50 announces a new start! Interesting is that the number 50 is associated with the planet Mercury which stands for poison but also medicine! And now, you comprehend why I consider the painful chapter as treatment sessions. The two protagonists are forced to redefine themselves. Joo Jaekyung might be injured, but he no longer sees himself jinxed! (chapter 50) And keep in mind that the poster was portraying the two fighters looking at hamster Dan (as Dan means red and sweet in Korean). 
(chapter 48) So the moment you perceive this moment )chapter 50) as something positive, Kim Dan is on the verge of turning over a new leaf, similar to the one in episode 19, 
(chapter 19), this signifies that Potato was acting like a true friend in the locker room. (chapter 50) He had truly grasped what Kim Dan was going through, and he was giving him a good advice. He was not abandoning his hyung, he was taking care of Kim Dan in his own way. His words were actually showing genuine care and true interest. To conclude, anguish is there to turn Kim Dan into a hero! But so far, he was standing in the shadow! 
(chapter 37) 
(chapter 40) 
(chapter 42) In the first part of Jinx, the doctor was the star’s companion of the night, but since the incident with the birthday present, he stopped being the night partner. Now, he is about to become the famous private physical therapist acknowledged by the public and media. In other words, his destiny contrasts to Baek Junmin’s, a shooting star, it will last longer. Why? It is because the main lead is Saturn! He brings fortune and karma to the evildoers. This interpretation corresponds to Übermensch from Nietzsche, which is sometimes translated as “Superman”. Under this new light, you comprehend why I added the protagonist’s pink angel wings. It was an allusion to his transformation, he is destined to become an “Overman” or Superman. 
And this brings me to my next observation. The doctor’s pain is exposing his recovery! Weird, right?
4. Healing
But discomfort and pain are strongly intertwined with healing. What? Another video! Yes, watch this while thinking of Kim Dan and Joo Jaekyung.
I have to admit that I will use mostly Kim Dan as an illustration in order to prove his recovery, as the essay is already getting very long.
1. You allow yourself to feel your emotions. In chapter 47, the doctor accepted his halmoni’s imminent death 
(chapter 47) and his agony. He was no longer under the influence of toxic positivity. While he cried, he admitted his flaws making him realize that he had never been abandoned by his grandmother. 
(chapter 47) That’s how he overcame his abandonment issues.
2. You’re getting better at expressing and maintaining boundaries. I could use the following panels as illustrations that Kim Dan is getting better at setting boundaries. 
(chapter 27) For the first time, he rejected a suggestion from his lover and even slapped his hand. 
(chapter 37) He wanted the party to continue. It shows that he was having a good time with Oh Daehyun and Potato. He has no problem to stop kissing his soulmate, when the latter shows his discomfort. (chapter 44)
3. You accept that you’ve been through difficult experiences 
. (chapter 36)
4. You’re less reactive and more responsive. Before the incident took place, he made sure that everything was fine. He was meticulous and proactive. 
(chapter 49) He didn’t wait for an order from PArk Namwook or the champion.
5. You realize that healing is not linear. Therefore it is normal that the relationship between the two protagonists is progressing or regressing. 
(chapter 50) They are trying to find themselves, therefore they must constantly adapt to each other. While the image gives the impression that the trust between them is vanishing, it is in reality an illusion. People should pay attention to the color of the speech bubble. It is white, there is no point of explanation. It reveals that the champion is not raising his voice. He is rather calm. In reality, the champion was not truly mad at Kim Dan. He was restraining himself. Jinx-philes should compare this image to the following two panels: 
(chapter 34) (chapter 45) As you can see, Joo Jaekyung is not glaring at the poor doctor. He didn’t yell at his lover too, and he never took the spray away from his lover and threw it like the golden medal! 
(chapter 45) And now, you comprehend why I stated earlier that he acted rather instinctively. For me, he still trusts the physical therapist.
6. You begin to step out of your comfort zone. Despite the rejection, he didn’t run away. He still went to the arena. (chapter 50)
7. You easily accept disappointments and take them in stride. Though he was scared and hurt, he answered to Namwook. He never apologized for the incident. 
(chapter 50) He is no longer blaming himself. He refused to admit his wrongdoing. He didn’t commit any mistake.
8. You have more inner peace. (chapter 44)
9. You welcome help and support. In this scene, he accepted the assistance of Potato. (chapter 49) After watching the video, I realized what Kim Dan’s next step should be: asking for help! In the beginning of Jinx, he was always relying on himself. He rejected any help. 
(chapter 18) When the champion paid off his debts, he saw it as meddling. Interesting is that he came to accept the champion’s support, but he never asked for Joo Jaekyung’s help directly. In addition, Jinx-philes should notice that in the interrogation room, he thought just about the champion and not himself. 
(chapter 40) It never came to his mind that he should ask for assistance. Finally, observe that after he got drugged in the States, he let the champion deal with the problem. 
(chapter 41) He accepted the statement from his boss. Nevertheless, doc Dan was the real victim. He should have become more involved in the matter. Besides, he was a witness. And this brings me to my next thought: if Kim Dan gets into trouble, he should remember Heesung’s words: he should give him a call! (chapter 35) For me, the incident is there to teach Kim Dan that he can ask for help! This would show him that he is no longer alone. He wouldn’t appear weak at all. That’s how he would end up to gain his first friends. Let’s not forget that Heesung’s relationship with the doctor is no longer tainted by money or by lust or greed. In fact, thanks to him, he found his soulmate. What unites Kim Dan and Heesung is the heart and the desire to help. Heesung stands for brotherhood, so he could be the one outlining the problems to Team Black. Finally since Potato likes Doc Dan very much, there is no doubt that Heesung and Potato will work together to assist the main lead. This image still exposed doc Dan’s loneliness. He needs to have a true friend. And Heesung would be the perfect person, for he is cunning and quite perceptive about people’s true nature. In fact, he already possesses certain features that Nietzsche admires. He is disregarding social norms (chapter 33). He is not hiding his sexual orientation, he is greedy, but in a good way. Hence he tried to win the doctor’s heart. He never gave up, till he was properly rejected by the doctor. 
(Chapter 35) Interesting is that after his confession, he still chose to come clean with the doctor. He revealed the truth to Kim Dan, though he could have lost the protagonist’s respect. He admitted his lie and manipulation, 
(Chapter 35), but Kim Dan’s reaction was not to scold his future friend. In fact, he appreciated his honesty. In front of Kim Dan, he could show his true self. He was not entirely a good guy, but he didn’t get rejected. But so far, the actor is not present in the arena. Therefore Potato could be the first person Kim Dan asks for help. He shares some similarities with his soulmate. He doesn’t fear people’s gaze, hence he raised his voice under the tent. 
(chapter 35) he doesn’t represent the herd mentality, for he never thinks and acts like others. (chapter 31) While the fighters all liked the actor, he judged him in a different light. Then he was not present during the champion’s birthday. Therefore he possesses all the qualities to become a hero. He could cause a scandal, 
(chapter 49) similarly to his idol and hero in the States. He noticed the issue right away: the security didn’t do his job properly. To sum up, Potato would follow his foot steps and that’s how he would get noticed by MFC!
But there exists another evidence that the cute hamster is healing. For the first time, he asked WHY! 
(chapter 50) The word is displaying that the doctor is not accepting the incident simply like that. It is showing that the doctor is slowly losing his naivety. Before the incident with the spray took place, he still trusted the words from people. 
(chapter 49) Naturally, he can not get rid of his naivety totally, for keeping a certain purity is necessary in life too. On the other hand, it becomes clear that his naivety is the result from his education. The halmoni is herself quite too trusting. Hence she ended up being harassed by loan sharks. On the other hand, the incident was like an eye-opener for the physical therapist. He should stop judging people based on their words (chapter 43) but on their actions.
- 1. Recognize When People Are Manipulating you.
- 2. Learn to Say No. Politely but firmly
- 3. Don’t Be an Open book.
- 4. Trust Your instincts.
- 5. Don’t Assume Everyone Has Good intentions.
- 6. Pay Attention to People’s Actions, Not Just Their Words.
- 7. Guard Your Time and Don’t Be a People-pleaser.
(Chapter 32) - 8. Don’t Loan Money or Co-Sign Loans for People You Barely know.
- 9. Don’t Believe Everything You’re told.
- 10. Look for Actions, Not Just words.
- 11. Question Everything
- Conclusion Quoted from https://www.believeinmind.com/mindset/how-to-stop-being-naive/
The vanishing of his naivety is caused by his constant suffering. Because he got deceived twice 
(chapter 1) 
(chapter 1) by bosses, it becomes comprehensible why he didn’t fall into the trap a third time. 
(Chapter 48) He is pushed to question impressions and people’s motivations. As a conclusion, anguish is a tool to push people to become wiser and happier. And this leads me to my final part.
5. Painful pattern und fortunetelling
I discovered another pattern, which is strongly intertwined with suffering and purpose. For the first match, Joo JAekyung, his coach and his manager left to Busan without him. However, due to a pain, Kim Dan had to join them. Thus he came running. 
(chapter 14) But back then, Kim Dan didn’t mind staying in Seoul. 
(chapter 13) Furthermore, after having sex in the locker room, Kim Dan was left behind. 
(chapter 15) And notice that this pattern was the same in the States. For the second match, Team Black left without him, hence Kim Dan arrived late. 
(chapter 40) Therefore he was running once again. However, back then, no readers felt angry at the team, though it could also be perceived as a betrayal and abandonment! Kim Dan was not perceived as necessary, neither for Joo Jaekyung nor for Park Namwook. Hence the bedroom could be judged as the place of the betrayal: “
(chapter 40) That’s how I realized why the Webtoonist never showed the athlete’s caring gesture. He moved him in the middle of the bed! It is because the celebrity was still not treating his soulmate as a physical therapist. The second reason for the absence of anger is that Kim Dan had been drugged and as such was not fit. In addition, he needed to rest after having sex for the whole night. And now, you comprehend why the doctor could get dragged away by the MFC security guards, and no one from Team Black intervened. 
(chapter 40) It was to outline their previous disregard and betrayal! Thanks to Potato, Joo Jaekyung got informed, hence he could rescue the physical therapist. 
(chapter 40) But he never revealed the hamster’s role in the team! This explains why Kim Dan was used by Choi Gilseok. He needs to expose his role in Team Black to the world. He is the champion’s private PT!
| Chapter 13-14-15 | Chapter 40/41 | Chapter 49-50 |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Match: Randy Booker | 2. Match with Dominic Hill | 3. Match with Baek Junmin |
| They left without him | They left without him | They left without him |
| He arrived late to the arena. He had to run. | He arrived late to the arena. Hence he had to run , but no one was expecting him except Potato.  | He arrived late in the arena. Contrary to the two previous fights, the match has already started, when the doctor reaches the stadium. Thus he didn’t see the shoulder injury. But this time, he is not running. Once again, only Potato is expecting him: “Take your time, doc Dan”. |
| He was left behind in the locker room. | He was left in the bedroom behind.  | He was left behind in the locker room |
He has no uniform of Team Black, hence Joo JAekyung gave him his own jacket. But the latter was taken away later  He has just his blue uniform. | He has now his own jacket which he is carrying with the blue uniform. | He has the jacket and uniform |
He was interrogated by a MFC security guard  | He is interrogated by MFC security guys and they are framing.  | |
There was a checkup from MFC doctors , for both characters. (chapter 41) | Joo Jaekyung went to the MFC medical center  Hence he could get into trouble! The MFC could report the incident to the authorities! |
Since I detected similarities between the three matches, I can’t help myself thinking that Kim Dan will be interrogated again. He could end up dragged away after the match. But this time, the champion can not save him, as he is himself badly injured. Therefore expect another anguish in the next episode! Since my theory is that MFC doctors are corrupted, there’s a high chance that the doctors will frame Kim Dan. And now, you comprehend why Kim Dan needs more than ever a friend who can help him! Potato is the witness of the doctor’s innocence 
(chapter 49) in both cases! He was present, when Kim Dan drank the drugged beverage. 
(chapter 38) To conclude, it was not in Kim Dan’s interest to run away or hide! This would have been judged as a sign of his culpability and complicity. He needs to face the problems so that he can shape his destiny with his own hands and not remain the playball of dark forces! Yes, this chapter announces a huge change at Team Black, the start of a real friendship between two puppies. 😉
I hope, this long essay gave you the strength to keep reading this terrific Manhwa! Let’s us become a better version of ourselves and embrace the pain, as it means that we are not indifferent and even changing.
Feel free to comment. If you have any suggestion for topics or manhwas, feel free to ask. If you enjoyed reading it, retweet it or push the button like. My Reddit-Instagram-Twitter-Tumblr account is: @bebebisous33. Thanks for reading and for the support, particularly, I would like to thank all the new followers and people recommending my blog.
Jinx: Dire 😢 Youth 👦 Mystery🔍 Unraveling
Please support the authors by reading the manhwas on the official websites. This is where you can read the manhwa: Jinx. But be aware that the Manhwa is a mature Yaoi, which means, it is about homosexuality with explicit scenes. Here is the link of the table of contents about Jinx. Here is the link where you can find the table of contents of analyzed manhwas. Here are the links, if you are interested in the first work from Mingwa, BJ Alex, and the previous essay about Jinx “Facing The Shotgun: Embracing Change“
It would be great if you could make some donations/sponsoring: Ko-fi.com/bebebisous33 That way, you can support me with “coffee” so that I have the energy to keep examining manhwas. Besides, I need to cover up the expenses for this blog.
1. Clock and past
One might wonder why I selected such a picture for the background. While looking for a symbol for past, I discovered on Canva the clock as symbol for “past”. Why? It is because the clock represents time which includes past. As you can imagine, in the illustration, the clock is representing not only the past, but also Joo Jaekyung and his youth. But before presenting my new observations about the champion’s mysterious youth, I would like to focus on the clock.
There was another reason why I chose this image. I couldn’t help myself thinking of this panel: 
(chapter 48) Why did the Webtoonist gave us the time, when the next episode starts another day? On the one hand, it exposes that the schemers knew about the champion’s nightly activities. He wouldn’t sleep much and he would keep his cellphone next to him. 
(chapter 48) It shows once again that the traitor is close to the athlete, for he knows about his way of life. Furthermore, the unknown person could text to the champion, hence this means that his cellphone number got leaked by a person close to him. On the other hand, I am quite certain, the Webtoonist desired to fool her readers making them anticipate a confrontation between the two protagonists. However, nothing happened indicating that Joo Jaekyung didn’t react, like the plotters had anticipated it. Thus they had to create a new scheme. First, let’s not forget that they had used a similar method in the past. 
(chapter 35) This made me think of Painter of The Night and No-Name’s advice: 
(chapter 76) “A deed once foiled has no chance of success the second time around”.The criminal was referring to learning through experience. After going through such an event once, the athlete is no longer caught by surprise. We could say that he learned not to jump to conclusions and control his emotions. That’s the reason why in episode 48 he remained level-headed. Because the champion didn’t get angry, he could be more attentive. 
(chapter 48) Secondly, (chapter 48) contrary to the journalist, the sender of the pictures remained anonymous. He was exposing his personality: a traitor and a coward. So what did the anonymous sender want to divulge with these images? In my opinion, they wanted to create the illusion that Kim Dan was leaking information about the champion’s physical condition. That’s the reason why Choi Gilseok was seen smiling and taking the doctor’s hands. It looked like he was thanking him. 
(Chapter 48) The irony is that the doctor had been able to treat the star’s injury. For me, the Summer Night’s Dream played a huge role, as during that night, Joo Jaekyung felt treasured and loved. Therefore the pictures could only expose the duplicity of the director of King of MMA. Under this new light, it becomes understandable why the celebrity didn’t fall into their trap and why they had to turn doc Dan into a traitor by giving him a weapon without his knowledge. Finally, I believe that Joo Jaekyung had another reason not to confront the physical therapist. How so? It is because he had sent away his soulmate, while the latter had approached him. 
(chapter 48) He had missed the opportunity.
“The past is already gone, the future is not yet here. There’s only one moment for you to live, and that is the present moment” Buddha Quoted from https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/80868-the-past-is-already-gone-the-future-is-not-yet
Too obsessed with his upcoming match and as such the future, he had neglected the present. But imagine this. If he had gone to doc Dan’s bedroom and questioned him, once he had received the message, the latter would have appeared not only as selfish, rude, but also as indecisive, mistrusting and easily manipulated. However, the athlete’s biggest desire is to look confident, reliable and strong. Because he had missed the timing, he was encouraged to analyze the images and ponder on them. Furthermore, I couldn’t help myself connecting this scene to the one in the bathroom: (chapter 30) Here, he wished to seek the doctor’s closeness. Nonetheless, if he had gone to Kim Dan’s bedroom during that night, he would have achieved the opposite: he would have created distance and caused an argument. The latter could have told him that he was looking out for himself, for Joo Jaekyung had threatened to fire him. Through these observations, it becomes visible why the athlete couldn’t ask Kim Dan at all. Consequently, I come to the conclusion that the clock (chapter 48) was announcing missed opportunity. It is important, because it displays the falsehood of the champion’s belief. 
(chapter 2) He is not jinxed, but his failures are the result of his bad choices, like for example trusting the wrong people or not listening to the trustworthy ones or keeping secrets. Or we could say that he is just the product of his education and childhood. He is cursed, for he was not properly raised. He refused to listen to his PT, when the latter wished to tell him something. (chapter 48) He had ignored him by not even looking at him. And this brings me to my next observation: REGRET. I am quite sure that after receiving the message, Joo Jaekyung must have felt regret. First, he had yelled at Kim Dan and menaced him to terminate his contract. (chapter 45) Then in the bedroom, he had rejected all his requests (massage, conversation). It was, as if he no longer needed him. He was no longer eating his breakfasts too. 
(chapter 47) Under this new light, Manhwa-lovers can comprehend why he looked annoyed in the hallway. 
(chapter 49) The gaze displays not only worry and anxiety, but also regret. It was too late to ask the doctor. For me, he chose silence, for he was regretting his reactions in the penthouse. He feared to ask Kim Dan, because if he brought up the meeting with Choi Gilseok, this could push the hamster to quit his job. However, thanks to Kim Dan, the star’s condition improved greatly. That’s how it dawned on me why the champion became a beast and why he is hiding his past:
(chapter 26) It is because the man is full of regrets and resent. But by creating new regrets, the champion is incited to focus more on the present so that he stops missing the timing. Because of his immense regrets and frustration, he was still trapped in the past. So he was unable to move on. To conclude, Kim Dan and Baek Junmin pushed him to face his youth and the source of his own unhappiness. His biggest suffering is a secret, because he would appear as weak and pitiful which would ruin his image as the strongest man in the world.
2. Midnight: the magic hour
Nevertheless, I believe that the author had another reason to create such an image. (chapter 48) It is related to the time. It’s 12: 13 and 47 seconds. I have to admit my hesitation about the minutes: 13 or 14 minutes? But I opted for the first choice, for there are only 13 seconds left, until it is 14 minutes. So the minutes hand had to move closer to 14. Because it is midnight, I couldn’t restrain myself thinking of Cinderella and her transformation, especially when Kim Dan noticed that the athlete returned home just before midnight! (chapter 48) But why is midnight so important? It is because the number 12 carries religious, mythological and magical symbolism, generally representing perfection, entirety, or cosmic order.
The number 12 is strongly associated with the heavens—the 12 months, the 12 signs of the zodiac, and the 12 stations of the Moon and of the Sun. The ancients recognized 12 main northern stars and 12 main southern stars. Quoted from https://www.britannica.com/science/the-number-twelve
This explicates why in the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty from Grimms 12 fairies who are called as “wise women” in the story.
He did not just invite his relations, friends and acquaintances but also the Wise Women so that they would favor the child and help her. There were thirteen in the kingdom. But because he only had twelve golden plates, one of them had to stay at home. Quoted from https://www.ellajsmyth.com/fairy-tales/sleeping-beauty-brothers-grimm/
In episode 12, 
(chapter 12) the couple was supposed to reach Nirvana, but the athlete failed terribly. Under this new light, it becomes comprehensible why the protagonist chose not to confront Kim Dan in episode 48. It was, as if the champion was closer to the heavens. This represents the champion’s leap of faith. Don’t forget that the star got scared for one moment
(chapter 48), when he noticed doc Dan’s presence too late. But nothing happened to him, that’s how he got incited to trust Kim Dan. The latter wouldn’t backstab him. Under the blue light, the champion got transformed. (chapter 48) Observe that Jinx-philes can see the champion’s gaze again, an indication that his “blindness” vanished which contrasts to this image: 
(chapter 48) On the other side, the fact that the champion is always targeted during the night is a sign that the villains desired to approach him, when he was isolated. So they know not only about his insomnia, but also about his solitude. I would even add that the plotters are aware of his association between the night and danger. Remember how he described relaxation: he would give an opportunity to his enemies to attack him 
(chapter 29) This new observation reinforces my past theory: he would be suffering from Somniphobia due to traumas. [For more read Twinkle, twinkle … little star] That’s how I realized the role and significance of the nights Joo Jaekyung spent with Kim Dan. One purpose of these nights was to change Joo Jaekyung’s perception of the night. That’s how the Beast could be tamed and even transform into a lovely and cute cat. In other words, he should make different experiences during his nightly activities. But there’s more to it. Thus I listed all the nights where the couple was together.
| Chapter 4 | Chapter 9/10 | Chapter 12 | Chapter 13 | Chapter 19/20 | Chapter 29 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  |   | |  |  |   |
| The champion called the doctor, because it was urgent. The reality is that he wanted to have good sex due to his jinx. Yet he enjoyed the night so much that he allowed Kim Dan to sleep in his bed. | Kim Dan voiced his loneliness and his longing for warmth. He wished that his grandmother wouldn’t leave him behind. For me, that’s the moment Joo Jaekyung took over Shin Okja’s role. | The sex was initiated due to Kim Dan’s request. He needed money: dire situation. Interesting is that he called this night a lucky day! | Here, he had restrained himself out of fear that he might endanger Kim Dan’s life. No emergency, but a secret, as he was turning his back to Kim Dan. | “I want to fuck”: urgent, hence the doctor had to prepare himself. The champion witnessed for the first time Kim Dan’s ejaculation. He could procure pleasure to his partner. He compared the doctor’s anus to a baby’s mouth. | The champion confessed a lot to Kim Dan, before they ended up having sex. Joo Jaekyung brought up the notion “pregnancy”, when Kim Dan expressed the wish that the athlete would use protections. No urgency, but he divulges his secrets: fears and insomnia. |
| Chapter 33 | Chapter 34 | Chapter 39 | Chapter 44 | Chapter 45 | Chapter 48 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  | |   | |
| The sex here was an emergency, for Joo Jaekyung feared that he might end up losing Kim Dan. The doctor didn’t know the cause for such a behavior (secret). | Contrary to the previous sex session, the champion directed his fears and anger at Choi Heesung. Another emergency! The actor’s visit was kept a secret. | This wonderful night was an illusion, for the doctor was acting under the influence of the drug. Emergency! The doctor had to join his boss during the night: secret meeting. | Here, the roles were switched, as now it was the champion’s turn to act under the influence of the soju. The doctor chose to have sex, as he didn’t want to miss an opportunity. But the hickeys threatened to expose the nature of their relationship: secret. | The protagonists kept secrets from each other. The champion noticed the departure of his soulmate which could only make him anxious. | Like mentioned above, the champion refused to listen to Kim Dan. Since the latter entered silently, he caught his room mate by surprise: secret visit which stands in opposition to episode 29. |
By creating this table, I noticed the following parallels: emergency, delicacy and secrecy. What I mean with delicacy is the allusion to babyhood, vulnerability and inexperience (chapter 9, 10, 12, 13, 19, 29, 44). After the “lucky day”, the champion had to hear that he was risking his partner’s life with such a rough behavior. 
(chapter 13) It is important, because through this terrible experience, Joo Jaekyung came to internalize the connection between sex and danger. This would explain why he has been so rough in bed before. He came to see it as a normality, a sign that his perception of sex had been negatively influenced. And this can only come from bad experiences. It had nothing to do with “enjoying the moment”, until the protagonist met the shy hamster. We can see his gradual transformation. In episode 12, he definitely saw the night as “carpe diem” (chapter 12), until he was confronted with the consequences of his lack of empathy and interest. Due to his selfishness and prejudices, he didn’t notice the bad shape of his partner. Secondly, the fact that sex is strongly connected to urgency made me think that in the past, Joo Jaekyung must have been himself in a dire situation too. And it must have happened during a night, because all his memories with Baek Junmin are connected to darkness. 
(chapter 49) In the previous essay, I had mentioned the theory that the champion might have been raped and even gangraped which would fit the criteria (sex, danger and urgency). Finally, the recurrence of “delicacy” during the night is an indication that the athlete must have been like Kim Dan in the past! Vulnerable and alone!
And the moment I recognized the role of the nights in Jinx, it is to push the protagonists to open up their mind and heart, I started pondering on the symbolism of the night. The latter can signify:
Fears and dangers: The darkness and shadows of night can evoke feelings of apprehension and vulnerability, as visibility decreases and the unknown becomes more prominent. Therefore the halmoni sang the lullaby “Twinkle, twinkle little star”. 
(chapter 21) Furthermore, the champion exposed why he could never relax: (chapter 29) He could get assaulted the moment he rests or sleeps.
Reflection and introspection: The quietude of the night often invites contemplation and self-reflection, providing an opportunity for individuals to delve into their thoughts and emotions. This would correspond to the night in episode 29 
and 48:
Transformation and rebirth: The transition from day to night can represent a period of transformation or renewal, as darkness gives way to the promise of a new day. Remember how I compared Jinx to the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast [for more read Belle 👸 and the Bear🧸 in the penthouse – part 1] and Summer Night’s Dream. [For more read 🌹A Summer Night’s Dream 🧚♂️]
During their evening conversations, away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, Beauty and the Beast have the opportunity to truly get to know each other beyond their initial impressions. These moments of quiet reflection and intimacy allow them to share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences, fostering a sense of understanding and empathy between them. For example, in the evening scenes, Beauty and the Beast engage in heartfelt discussions about their pasts, their hopes for the future, and the true nature of love and compassion. These conversations reveal layers of complexity in their characters and deepen their bond as they learn to see beyond outward appearances and appreciate each other for who they truly are. The evening setting adds a sense of intimacy and vulnerability to their interactions, creating a space where they can open up to each other and build trust and affection over time. As they share these moments together, the evening becomes a symbol of the transformative power of connection and empathy, marking the beginning of a profound journey of growth and love for both Beauty and the Beast.
As for “Summer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare, the night serves as a pivotal time for the characters, marking the beginning of transformative experiences and the resolution of conflicts. One example of this is the final scene which brings resolution to the romantic entanglements and conflicts among the characters. As dawn breaks, we witness the reunion of Hermia and Lysander, who had been separated by the interference of magic and the meddling of others. Similarly, Helena and Demetrius find themselves united in love, overcoming the misunderstandings and obstacles that once stood between them. Moreover, the fairy king and queen, Oberon and Titania, reconcile their differences, restoring balance to the natural world and the fairy realm. Their reconciliation symbolizes the restoration of order and harmony after a night of magical mischief and confusion. As the sun rises on a new day, the characters emerge from the enchanted forest transformed by their nighttime experiences. The transition from night to day signifies not only the resolution of conflicts but also the beginning of a new chapter in their lives, marked by love, reconciliation, and the promise of a brighter future.
Spiritual connection: Many cultures view the night as a time for spiritual connection or communion, whether through prayer, meditation, or rituals performed under the cover of darkness. So we could see the doctor’s kneeling in the bathroom as a spiritual connection, for he had been recollecting the diagnosis from Kim Miseon and kept thinking of his grandmother. After this painful meditation, he came to recognize his selfishness and his relative’s love and generosity (chapter 47). And what was the main lead feeling after that terrible night? Regret, for he had not been able to notice his relative’s suffering and sacrifice! (chapter 47)
Creativity and inspiration: For some, the night sparks creativity and inspiration which could be observed during the sex sessions: we have sex in front of a mirror 
(chapter 19) or a new request like swallowing the sperm 
(chapter 39) or kissing the champion’s ruined ears 
(chapter 44)
Surrender and release: As the day comes to a close, the night can symbolize a time to let go of worries or burdens, embracing a sense of surrender and acceptance. After his conversation on the couch, the star attempted to seek closeness and intimacy with his fated companion. But he failed unfortunately, as he was not truly honest: (chapter 30) He was rough and used the toothpaste as an excuse.
Temptation and allure: The darkness of night can also evoke feelings of temptation or allure, drawing individuals into the unknown or enticing them with forbidden desires. (Chapter 29)
Endings and beginnings: In literature and mythology, the night often marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another, symbolizing transitions and turning points in characters’ lives. The Beast turned into a prince during the night, when Belle’s tears fell onto her husband. And now, if you look at all the nights mentioned above, you can see how they marked a change in the relationship between the two protagonists. I would say that between 30 and 39, the star was forced to question the place Kim Dan had in his heart. In chapter 40, he came to admit that the PT was part of his team. 
(Chapter 40) That’s the moment he stopped considering the hamster as a prostitute, while from chapter 2 to 18, he viewed Kim Dan as a tool, as a talisman against his jinx. However, I detected a transition after he kissed the physical therapist. From that moment on, the doctor was connected to food and sweetness. 
(Chapter 18) And now, observe that during the night in the bathroom, doc Dan was associated with a baby receiving food:
(chapter 20) As you can see, here the champion started viewing him as a human being. It exposes that little by little, his perception of the physical therapist improved. So from chapter 30 to 39, Joo Jaekyung was forced to question the nature of his relationship with Kim Dan: a PT or a prostitute or a pet? 
(Chapter 34) Here, he was in denial, he described the main lead as a possession, but he couldn’t fool the actor. Under this new light, it becomes comprehensible why the nights in chapter 19, 29 and 39 were so magical, they announced a transition or better the end of viewing Kim Dan as an object (tool for his jinx) and possession. From 41 to 49, the champion was cornered to recognize Kim Dan as a physical therapist and not just as a member from Team Black. Don’t forget his attitude in the car, when the main lead suggested him not to train. 
(Chapter 42) He rejected his advice, a sign that he was doubting doc Dan’s skills and competences. That’s the reason why I come to the conclusion that with the pictures, the champion was pushed to admit that Kim Dan is his physical therapist (chapter 48) and he can not fire him like that. Thus I come to the conclusion that in the locker room, there should be an open conversation between all the members of Team Black. 
(Chapter 49)
3. Clues about the champion’s youth
But wait… if Joo Jaekyung has been trapped in the past, this signifies that in the present timeline, he has to be confronted with his past. That way, he can overcome his traumas and become happy. And now, you comprehend why his path led him to meet the star Choi Heesung
(chapter 34), then the fake star Baek Junmin
(chapter 49). These meetings are not random at all, a sign that someone knows about the athlete’s hidden suffering very well. Observe that both characters challenged the celebrity by giving him an order: 
(chapter 34) “Don’t get in the way” and “make sure you give her a good polish”. 
(chapter 49) The sportsman is viewed as a hindrance to their dreams, he should clear the way for them. I deduce that in his youth, people must have treated him the same way. He represented an obstacle, therefore these two figures must have challenged him in the past too. Their confidence comes from their past experiences with the athlete. Both must have defeated Joo Jaekyung, but naturally they must have tricked him. 
(chapter 33) 
(chapter 49) Then I noticed another parallel between the two plots: the presence of a scapegoat, and the involvement of a third person. Heesung faked his injury by putting the blame on the athlete, while he asked Kim Dan as compensation. In the second plot, the roles are switched. Kim Dan is now the perpetrator, while the athlete is the victim! Baek Junmin is the beneficiary of this scheme. And what do these plots have in common? Joo Jaekyung is the victim of a trick, though Heesung’s manipulation was rather benign. First, he acted on his own. (Chapter 31) Moreover, he utilized the genuine concern and innocence of his surroundings. In other words, he used his image as a good and honest man to his advantage. Thus I come to the conclusion that the artist’s sin in their youth was rather minor, as the artist tends to violate social norms. So though it was no illegal, the actor’s wrongdoing definitely left scars on the protagonist’s heart. (chapter 29) Probably, Heesung utilized Joo Jaekyung’s innocence to his advantage in order to maintain his good reputation, like for example he was not supposed to be smoking or he took away a friend from him, as the topic of their conversation was about the theft of a person (chapter 33) (chapter 34)!! That’s why Choi Heesung had a smile on his face, when he thought of the champion’s future reactions: sour mood. He likes provoking the celebrity (chapter 30), because it always makes him appear as a well-mannered and honest man. He gets fun at his frenemy’s expense. In addition, he could play tricks without getting caught… and the other would appear as the bad guy and take the blame, like we could observe at the gym with the manager’s judgement. 
(Chapter 30) Another common denominator between The Shotgun and Heesung is their envy and greed. (chapter 49) The actor tried to get the doctor as his lover. The expression “That’s rich” is not random, it indicates that The Shotgun is jealous of his social status.
Furthermore, I am assuming that his scheme is related to gambling and the arcade. (chapter 26) Why would the athlete go there and utilize the punching machine so many times? The arcade is a place for young people, especially for high school students seeking entertainment. So I assume that Joo Jaekyung went there, because he was trying to find someone, and at the same time he wanted to prove something: he was not weak at all. My avid readers will certainly recall this scene: (chapter 5) Joo Jaekyung destroyed the sandbag, when he imagined that doc Dan had blocked him! This signifies that the former could no longer contact the shy hamster. Joo Jaekyung saw it as an affront, a challenge! (Chapter 26) Thus I view this past incident as a challenge which led him to face terrible consequences. He got blacklisted. It made him look like a black sheep. As you can see, I believe that there exists a connection between Baek Junmin and the arcade. This panel 
(chapter 46) could be seen as a reflection from the arcade and the star’s past. And since Kim Dan wounded Joo Jaekyung in the locker room 
(chapter 49), I deduce that such an action must have happened in the champion’s youth. He got not only hurt by people, but also betrayed by a friend. There exists many reasons for this hypothesis.
Many Jinx-philes initially thought that Joo Jaekyung was an uneducated brute due to his lack of manners and poor vocabulary. He would constantly swear 
(Chapter 04) and be rude towards others. 
(Chapter 7) 
(chapter 37) But Mingwa left many clues that the celebrity’s personality shouldn’t be judged by impressions. During their first night together, Manhwa-lovers could see books next to the bed. 
(Chapter 3) Some of them are not written in Korean or English. Moreover, the Webtoonist revealed that one of his hobbies is reading. This explains why he can talk prettily. 
(chapter 22) This shows that his behavior mirrors the counterpart’s. Consequently, it is not surprising that the champion is rough with his own body, as Park Namwook is not treating him like a delicate child. (chapter 31) But there exists another proof for his intelligence. The celebrity is capable to lead an interview in English on his own. (Chapter 37) Even stressed and filled with anger, he could understand and speak fluently in English. 
(Chapter 40) Compare Kim Dan’s English skills in the same scene: 
(chapter 40) Besides, Jinx-philes should question why Mingwa is not divulging his scores as a student contrary to Kim Dan or Jinwon from BJ Alex. It is because she wants to create a certain image about the champion: he is a bad boy. In my eyes, she is playing with prejudices about MMA fighters. People often imagine, they lack social manners and education. They chose this path, for they could do nothing else. And this brings me to my next remark. We know that Kim Dan selected PT because of his halmoni. (chapter 47) So what was the protagonist’s motivation to become a MMA fighter? In my eyes, this question represents the core of the mystery. My idea is that the suffering in his youth led him to become a boxer. It is definitely related to his experienced powerlessness and loneliness. So when he suggested the sparring to Kim Dan, we should see it as a reflection from the past: 
(chapter 26) Joo Jaekyung was also an amateur in the past, but his motivations were his rage and resent. On the other hand, contrary to his soulmate, the athlete likes sports as well. His other hobbies are jogging and swimming. Thus I am suspecting that Joo Jaekyung might have been part of a swimming club in the past. Striking is that he forgot his passion due to his career as a MMA champion. 
(chapter 27) I see a contrast between these two sports: swimming which is related to relaxation, pleasure and fun and MMA fighting which stands for challenge, pain and seriousness. This contrast is even more present in the following panel: (chapter 29) The position of the zombies made me think of waves of challengers. I feel like the protagonist’s future was changed and even manipulated. Similar to the way Kim Dan ended up as the champion’s PT. First, he was treated like a prostitute, until the athlete came to value him as a real physical therapist.
Another thought came to my mind when I examine the last image closely. The champion views life as a constant battle, where he is always challenged. It was, as if his masculinity and strength were constantly questioned. If he doesn’t accept these defies, then he will submerged and end up drowning. However, thanks to Kim Dan, the champion was able to touch the ground. He is a champion, hence he never loses. 
(chapter 49) Is it a coincidence that this Enlightenment took place under the shower? For me, no! I see a strong link between water, swimming and the champion’s job. It looked like swimming represents a source of danger for the athlete’s job, as it is an entertainment! Hence I can’t shake the feeling that in the past, Joo Jaekyung might have shown aptitude for becoming a natation athlete! Let’s not forget that for the calendar 2024, the champion was seen carrying swimming googles and not “MMA gloves”. This detail caught my attention and made me wonder why Mingwa selected these items.
But one detail from this image (chapter 29) caught my attention. He described himself as a prey chased by a pack of hyenas. The expression “nipping at my heels” implies that the athlete is trying to flee, but he is followed by dangerous and voracious animals. Consequently, I consider this confession as a reflection from the past. Note that he doesn’t say “fighters”, but “challengers”. For me, we should include the actor under this idiom. Don’t forget that he challenged him at least twice. And what is the symbolism of “hyenas”?
In African literature and folklore, hyenas are commonly associated with cunning, trickery, and deceit. They are often depicted as opportunistic scavengers, lurking in the shadows and preying on the weaknesses of others. In many African myths and stories, hyenas are portrayed as cunning and sly creatures who use their intelligence to outsmart their prey and rivals. They are sometimes seen as symbols of chaos and disorder, disrupting the natural order of the animal kingdom.
In some African cultures, hyenas are also associated with witchcraft and dark magic. They are believed to possess supernatural powers and are often feared and revered as powerful spiritual beings. In this context, hyenas may symbolize the unknown and the mysterious forces of the spirit world.
The Mbugwe believe that witches use their hyenas to perform various malicious acts, such as causing sickness and death in people and animals. When one of these night cattle is seen prowling around a village at night, it is assumed that a witch is present, and the villagers will take steps to protect themselves from any potential harm. As with many superstitions, the Mbugwe believe that certain methods can be used to ward off the power of a witch’s hyena. […] African mythology and folklore have long seen the hyena as a symbol of cunning, trickery, and conflict. In East African legend, hyenas symbolize chaos and discord, while in West African lore, they represent the trickster figure. In some communities, hyenas are associated with evil and witchcraft. Quoted from https://centerspirited.com/animal-symbolism/hyena/
In Asian literature and folklore, hyenas are less commonly depicted but still hold symbolic significance. In some cultures, they are associated with similar traits of cunning and deception as in African folklore. However, their symbolism may vary depending on the cultural context and beliefs of the region.
One notable modern depiction of hyenas in literature and popular culture is in Disney’s “The Lion King.” In the film, the hyenas are portrayed as villainous characters who serve as the henchmen of the main antagonist, Scar. They are depicted as greedy and power-hungry creatures who will do anything to serve their own interests, even if it means betraying their fellow animals and causing chaos in the Pride Lands. And how do we recognize hyenas? Through their laugh and as such smirk!
Communication is among the Hyena’s attributes because its warning calls, just with a change of inflection, have many purposes. Hyena’s mindful chortle shows its age, social rank among other Hyenas, and even acts as a letter of introduction. They use their voice to organize strategic food-gathering groups, gather allies in the face of a formidable predator, and establish dominance. A Hyenas have complex relationships based on, in part, their verbalization and a rich repertoire of visual cues. Quoted from https://whatismyspiritanimal.com/spirit-totem-power-animal-meanings/mammals/hyena-symbolism-meaning/
This explains why this animal represents communication. The latter is needed to create a plot. Is it a coincidence that Choi Gilseok has connections and is constantly talking and smirking? 
(chapter 49) He is a hyena, hence his color is brown. 
(Chapter 48) And The Shotgun has a similar attitude: 
(chapter 49) Interesting is that his description of the challengers fits the situation in the new plot perfectly. The Shotgun imagines that he will fight against a diminished champion. His shoulder is injured and they have planned to add a new injury. The hyena stands for balance and cleansing as their task is to remove the weak ones.
Throughout history, the Hyena has gotten bad reviews, perhaps this is because of their scavenging behavior. Yet, scavengers are the world’s cleaning crew. Hyenas are an essential part of the African ecosystem. It is the most abundant carnivore playing a pivotal role in the food chain. They waste nothing and teach humankind the value of things that they often overlook or think unimportant. As a Spirit Animal Guide, Hyena has ties to resourcefulness, balance, and gratitude. Quoted from https://whatismyspiritanimal.com/spirit-totem-power-animal-meanings/mammals/hyena-symbolism-meaning/#African-Asia-Hyena
And the moment I read gratitude, I was reminded of the fake star’s fake gratitude: (chapter 49) He was thanking the star, as the latter would be delivering the medal on the silver plate. And the moment I made the connection between King of MMA and hyenas, I started laughing because of the athlete’s criticism to the director: 
(chapter 49) As an old man, Choi Heesung is revealing vulnerability and senility. Due to his old age, he could be replaced by another hyena, a younger hyena!
And this observation brings me back to the champion’s youth. The latter became the target of schemers due to his vulnerability, isolation and probably due to his wealth. For me, the star comes from a chaebol family. The hyenas took advantage of his “innocence, ignorance and solitude” to gain something in exchange. However, there is no ambiguity that karma retaliated. Baek Junmin’s scheme led him to become a criminal, while Choi Heesung’s popularity never reached the same peak than Joo Jaekyung. And because of my association with the hyenas, I come to the following conclusion that the main character was bullied and even physically assaulted. But no one took his side, until he caught the attention from someone: (chapter 26) That’s how he ended up entering MMA. This person knew about his struggles and fears from the past and took advantage from this. Hence I am suspecting Seo Gichan
(chapter 5), as he is the only person who has not appeared yet, though the champion has his cellphone number. And this remark brings me back to the present and the night messages and the hyenas.
The latter are working as a team in order to corner the target. In other words, their task is to ensure the prey’s isolation. But what is the point of such a MO? It is to exhaust the prey. The latter is forced to run constantly, until he is too weak to keep fleeing. That’s why the champion described it as an endless running. (chapter 29) And that’s how they are operating with the messages: isolation. We could see it through the article and its impact. The protagonist was in a sour mood
(chapter 36) which could only affect the members from Team Black. Their loyalty could waver. Then he got to hear bad comments from the Internet (chapter 36), creating the illusion that he was losing popularity. That’s how the lawyer could convince the champion to accept a new match in such a short-time. Finally he got reprimanded for his outburst. 
(chapter 36) Under this new perception, Manhwaphiles can grasp why the MFC manager offered him a new defy right away. They needed to exploit his injury! (chapter 41) With the pictures (chapter 48) and the switched spray, they are now attempting to portray the doctor as a member of the pack. He is a hyena himself, a backstabber. Joo Jaekyung shouldn’t trust his soulmate, he is a hypocrite. But what these villains don’t know is that the champion committed wrongdoings against Kim Dan in the past, like for example the sex session with the dildo. 
(chapter 13) This could have ended badly. Another wrongdoing could be the rejection of his birthday present and his harsh reaction. (chapter 47) At no moment, the physical therapist brought up his misdeeds and asked for an apology. His silence became the symbol for his tolerance and even forgiveness. In addition, the doctor and his halmoni embody both vulnerability and poor health, which is strangely connected to crime and scandal. (chapter 13) 
(chapter 48) Through them, the champion is learning that hunting weak and pitiful creatures is not only a sin, but also a crime! In the first case, he could be accused of hurting an innocent.
Since the beginning of this Manhwa, I have been presenting theories about the champion’s youth, like for example he could have suffered from Traumatic Brain Injury (for more read the essay Joo Jaekyung, the strongest man in the world) which would explain why he has problems with memories. Then in Shocking discoveries!!” I had pointed out Somatosensory affectionate deprivation, SAD as an explanation for the champion’s attitude. He was deprived of motherly affection. This made me think that he had no female role model in his youth. Then I had described him as a silenced and invisible child due to neglect. This interpretation got validated in chapter 45. How so? It is because he only received the presents from the fans and a text from Park Nawmook accompanied with a short video! (chapter 45) At no moment, the author let us see the celebrity receiving a gift or a message from a family member! It was, as if he was an orphan and had no family. Their absence and silence are the evidences of neglect. But one might argue that his parents could be dead, something I had already envisaged in the past. However, if so, as a teenager and young man, he needed to have a guardian by his side, exactly like the doctor with his halmoni. And Park Namwook is not acting as his guardian, for he doesn’t visit him in the penthouse or calls him there. So where was the guardian in episode 45? Invisible, silent and passive! Like mentioned above, I am suspecting the mysterious Seo Gichan. Thus I consider the champion’s criticism as the expression of deep scars which came to the surface: (chapter 45) He wanted Kim Dan to look at him and take care of him. In other words, he wished to be seen and not neglected! He has not realized it yet, but he is longing for a companion, a playmate. He desires to have someone by his side who would talk to him and listen to him. From my point of view, the champion must have received on his birthdays many presents, but he was all alone. He had no one by his side. The gifts couldn’t replace the warmth from a loving parent. The moment I made this connection, it dawned on me what the nightly desertions could have meant for the star. (chapter 45) He could have been reminded of the behavior from his family (father, mother or guardian) who would abandon him during the night for work or would return home very late due to work. In other words, the doctor’s departure triggered his abandonment issues too. Under this new light, it becomes comprehensible why Joo Jaekyung rejected the golden medal and why he became workaholic. There was no family celebration like here: 
(chapter 11) He wished to receive attention and to have a normal conversation. Consequently, I assume that the champion has been copying his role model. That’s how he was pushed to grow up too quickly. For me, he had no childhood at all, hence when he met Kim Dan, he was encouraged to develop his inner child!
The inner child is a young part of our psyche that influences how we think and react as adults. Often used in psychotherapy and spiritual settings, the inner child can symbolize hardship, trauma, and even triumph we experienced during our youth.1 Yet, when we ignore our inner child and subsequently ignore how our past is painting our present, we do ourselves a major disservice. We can end up overlooking important formative experiences that may be critical in healing some of our maladaptive coping mechanisms. […] When you lose conscious awareness of your inner child, you lose conscious awareness of a part of yourself. In turn, you may experience difficulty regulating your emotions and act from a regressed state when upset. Quoted from https://www.verywellmind.com/inner-child-work-how-your-past-shapes-your-present-7152929
We could observe the awakening of the champion’s inner child, when he suggested a sparring to Kim Dan. 
(chapter 26) For the first time, he had fun sparring. Hence he kept smiling. It is no coincidence that soon after he chose to accept to take a day-off, when Kim Dan made the suggestion. 
(chapter 27) That’s how he remembered that he liked swimming and he could play a prank on his lover. 
(chapter 27) Here, he could smile, because it was fun and there was no real expectation. It was not truly connected to money.
There are many reasons to why our inner child gets wounded. Most of us have experienced various forms of trauma. However, trauma does not necessarily have to be as extreme as growing up in a war or being physically and mentally abused. There are many forms of trauma:
Having unavailable parents who withheld their affection from you and didn’t emotionally encourage or support you.
Being the recipient of inappropriate sexual behaviour, including getting subjected to pornography.
Growing up in a home where your parents kept fighting, arguing and eventually ended up divorcing.
Being given inappropriate or burdensome responsibilities such as looking after the family and doing most of the chores.
Being abandoned by one or both parents.
Being rejected by your peers.
Not having a safe home to sleep in, or a clean hygienic environment.
Growing up with parents who would abuse various substances, such as drugs or alcohol, to numb their emotions.
Parents or family members who were overprotective and interfered with everything you wanted to do, which denied you of your confidence.
Judgement of your personality, interests, passions or sexual orientation.
Parents or family members who were excessively demanding and had high expectations or who projected their feelings in unhealthy ways (i.e. anger, verbal attacks and emotional blackmail).
Parents or family members who humiliated you, or did not address any issues you experienced at school (such as bullying).
Growing up with a parent who had low self-esteem and body image issues.
Emotionally unavailable parent/parents who did not know how to hold space for your feelings. Quoted from https://mentalawakening.com.au/the-inner-child-and-its-connection-to-tms/
As you can see, this long list contains a lot of elements which I observed with Joo Jaekyung. Everything is pointing out that the young man suffered in his youth, and feared rejection and condemnation for showing vulnerability and tears. And if his family or guardian was too busy, there is no ambiguity that when the athlete faced a huge problem (bullying, rape etc.), he wouldn’t have confided to his relatives.
Moreover, I had already underlined the great importance of the cellphone in the champion’s life, the fake illustration for “sharing is caring”. Maybe it is because his family or guardian were too busy to take care of him, that they used the cellphone to keep in touch with him. That’s how he internalized this terrible habit: connect with people through the cellphone. I noted that when the doctor was next to him during the night, the champion would never bring his cellphone! This exposes that the item is embodying a “person”. And now, you comprehend why the champion fell for this trick here 
(chapter 35) and not in episode 48. It is because Kim Dan had paid him a visit during that night, a sign that he was thinking of him as his patient and VIP client. 
(Chapter 48) On the other hand, I am inclined to think that when a terrible incident in his youth occurred, he couldn’t contact his family or guardian. Hence he keeps his cellphone by his side constantly. Yes, I was thinking of the doctor’s assault in the street and his failed rape: 
(Chapter 16) Heo Namwook’s minions had confiscated his cellphone. Hence it was impossible for him to call for help. And now take a closer look at this scene:
(Chapter 16) Though he had been on the phone and it was daylight, no one stopped the thugs from kidnapping the main lead or reported the incident to the police. Hence I am also suspecting that Joo Jaekyung must have faced a similar situation: he was surrounded by malicious people and no one had assisted him. So he could have been targeting at school due to his grads or his social status. And his isolation at home could push to seek company outside, to look for friends at school.
What caught my attention is that before each scheme, his hyungs were both seen talking over the phone. 
(chapter 37) 
(chapter 49) And the anonymous person on the other side of the phone was definitely calling in order to be updated about Joo Jaekyung, for his coach asked him about his physical conditions. 
(chapter 49) That could be the hidden guardian who has not showed up yet, I am thinking of Seo Gichan. And now it is time to close this long essay.
Since the champion, as a new version of Simba, was chased away by hyenas, I am inclined to think that his bad luck is not the result of a curse, rather the cause of a bad surrounding. He was not raised properly, for the adults failed to protect him correctly. Despite his super living conditions, he was confronted to the cruel brutality of the civilization where he was exposed to violence, schemes, gambling, drugs, prostitution and abuse. He discovered the existence of hyenas among Korean society behind their fake smiles and “gentle gestures”. The problem is that no one has ever detected their presence. That’s how he lost faith in humanity and developed Philophobia. (For more read (Un)Wanted love) But thanks to his soulmate, he is learning to see the positive aspects of life. What appeared as a weakness can become a source of strength. Compassion and love can put an end to the loneliness and misery. And in order to be happy: 
Feel free to comment. If you have any suggestion for topics or manhwas, feel free to ask. If you enjoyed reading it, retweet it or push the button like. My Reddit-Instagram-Twitter-Tumblr account is: @bebebisous33. Thanks for reading and for the support, particularly, I would like to thank all the new followers and people recommending my blog.
Jinx: Facing The Shotgun🔫: Embracing Change ☸️
Please support the authors by reading the manhwas on the official websites. This is where you can read the manhwa: Jinx. But be aware that the Manhwa is a mature Yaoi, which means, it is about homosexuality with explicit scenes. Here is the link of the table of contents about Jinx. Here is the link where you can find the table of contents of analyzed manhwas. Here are the links, if you are interested in the first work from Mingwa, BJ Alex, and the previous essay about Jinx “Reflections of Mr. Choi’s Shadow Network“
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In chapter 49, Jinx-philes could finally face Baek Junmin and perceive his personality correctly. Mingwa left many clues in this episode, like for example his nickname “The Shotgun”. 
(chapter 49) Under this new light, my inquisitive readers can understand the title of this composition. My focus will be the infamous sportsman and his interactions with the main lead, in the past and present. Consequently, the composition will contain theories about the champion’s past. Nevertheless, since I am examining the present, it signifies that I will explain Baek Junmin’s role in the new scheme too. So who is Baek Junmin in the end? In the essay “Angel(s) of Death: Shadow versus Serenity, I had already painted him as an antagonist and as a villain. I called him a fake Angel of Death. This interpretation got reinforced with his nickname “The Shotgun”.
1. The different reflections of Shotgun
1. 1. The Shotgun’s colors and task
The moment Manhwaworms read his name, I am quite certain that they were all thinking of a firearm. It implies not only the dangerousness of Baek Junmin, but also his resilience to pain. He is as hard and cold as metal. Furthermore, the gun is associated with the shade black, which is often linked to negativity and death (chapter 49) Yet I couldn’t help myself seeing in the following image glimpses of purple (around the eyes). (chapter 49) Interesting is that this color is also associated with death.
darker shades can represent sadness and frustration. In some parts of Europe, purple is associated with death and mourning. https://www.verywellmind.com/the-color-psychology-of-purple-2795820
I have to admit that this shade even made me think of decomposed bodies or old bruises. It shows the coldness from The Angel of Death or we could say his rotten soul. However, exactly like his boss, Choi Gilseok, he is hiding his true colors. Thus I see grey as his “official” pigment. 
(chapter 49) It exposes his duplicity. Because of his sobriquet and his color, I assume that the schemers consider the boxer as a weapon. His role is to kill the Emperor, and probably in one blow. He is the executioner of the invincible legend. It should be a quick, merciless “death”. From that fight, Baek Junmin has to ensure that Joo Jaekyung can never come back to the ring. How is it possible? 
(chapter 49) It is because they know about his injured shoulder. That’s the reason why Baek Junmin is patting him on his left shoulder. Remember what the sports doctor told to the physical therapist: 
(chapter 42) He was on the verge of getting surgery. Besides, it is important what the manager suggested to his “boy”: 
(chapter 47) He should make the fight last in order to tire his opponent out. So the plotters thought that during the fight, Joo Jaekyung would ask for a relief spray on his injured shoulder. That would be the end for him. Kim Dan would even deliver him the victory on a silver plate. He would be framed as an anti-fan. The irony is that Kim Dan could heal his VIP client within a short time. Here, the champion looks relaxed and not concerned with his shoulder. (chapter 49) Here, he is almost smiling. He was telling the truth, when he said that he was fine contrary to the States. (chapter 40) I would like the difference between the two statements. He is now utilizing the personal pronoun “I” and not “it’s”. It indicates that the champion’s condition is good. But now let’s return our attention to The Shotgun”
1. 2. The secret meanings of The Shotgun
On the other hand, the idiom “shotgun” has more than the signification “firearm”. First, I am sure that anyone has ever heard the expression “ride shotgun”.
to accompany for protection, as in the front seat of a motor vehicle https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/ride-shotgun
This corresponds to Kim Dan’s position in the car. 
(chapter 49) He has now taken over the manager’s place. This reflects the doctor’s rising within Team Black. At the same time, this expression lets us perceive the role of Baek Junmin at King Of MMA gym. He is the protector of Choi Gilseok, the “old man”. On the other hand, his position also insinuates his passivity, as he is not the driver, like here. (chapter 42) In my eyes, it reflects his laziness. He lets other people do the dirty tricks, like we could observe it with the incident in the locker room. 
(chapter 49) The director had to suffer a great humiliation for this trick, while a helping hand had to switch the spray. For me, the expression “The Shotgun” displays the inaction from Baek Junmin. He was catapulted to the top thanks to the assistance of others: Mr Choi thanks to his money and connections with the media and with the CEO of MFC. Then the members from his gym had to gathered intel about his opponents. This was truly palpable in the description from the moderator. (chapter 49) In fact, the idiom “flying up the ranks” and “rising star” made me think of a shooting star. However, this star is just artificial, for the athlete didn’t have to prove really his strength. Beholders can even detect that the Shotgun’s muscles are less developed. Moreover, a shooting star implies that his success will be short-lived and momentary. He is destined to vanish, especially because people helped him. And this association reinforces my interpretation that Joo Jaekyung is a dragon and Kim Dan his yeouiju! As Jinx-addicts can perceive, the expression ” The Shotgun” shows his lack of humanity and cowardice. At the same time, it indicates that he is not the mastermind behind the plot, as he is just a tool. He is not a lucky charm, but bad omen. So when he whispered this to Joo Jaekyung, (chapter 49), in reality he was exposing his own personality, as he was projecting his own thoughts onto the star. Others have to do the dirty work for him (f. ex. polishing the belt, gathering intel) to prepare the battlefield for him. This contrasts so much to the champion and doctor’s attitude, for both embody hard work. Baek Junmin is imagining that the title will fall onto his lap thanks to the tricks and their insight. And now, take a closer look at the negative features of purple.
[Purple] Negative keywords include: immaturity, being impractical, cynical and aloof, pompous and arrogant, fraudulent and corrupt, delusions of grandeur and the social climber. […] Dark purple is related to higher spiritual attainment. A powerful color, it can also indicate arrogance and ruthlessness. https://www.empower-yourself-with-color-psychology.com/color-purple.html
This quote fits my description about Baek Junmin. He is corrupt, hence he feels no remorse to scheme. Then he believes that the victory is already in his pocket, as everything has been carefully planned. The way he reached the top exposes him as a social climber. And now, I can even validate my previous interpretation: his golden watch and jewels were fake! 
(chapter 47) Where did I find the evidence for this? It is because Seok (from Gilseok) can signify “brass”! As you can see, thanks to two different notions “shotgun”, I could give a better portrait of the fake star. But this is far from being finished. Funny is that “Shotgun ” can also refer to a position in American football.
an offensive formation in which the quarterback lines up for a snap unusually far behind the line of scrimmage Quoted from https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/shotgun
Interesting is that we had a similar formation in the locker room. Choi Gilseok and the other minion diverted the attention from Team Black, while the “Quarterback” could pass the frontline to bring the weapon to the other side. 
(chapter 49) It was, as if the team of King of MMA had scored a goal by bringing the pepper spray to the other side and switching it with the relief spray. 
(chapter 49) And what is the common denominator between the meaning “firearm” and “American football position”? Attack! But there’s more to it. As adjective, “shotgun” is indicating coercion and duress. And this corresponds to Choi Gilseok and Baek Junmin’s tactics. The director tried to put the physical therapist under pressure, when he met him in the café: (chapter 48) For that, he utilized the grandmother. I feel the need to add here that this scene confirmed my previous interpretation about Baek Junmin and Shin Okja. [For more read Angels of Death: Shadows versus Serenity] The latter was his enemy, and because of her request (Kim Dan should accept her death and stop the treatment), Kim Dan didn’t fall into the trap of the malicious director. Then, the dirty director of the gym reiterated his action in the hallway. 
(chapter 49) By meeting Kim Dan there, 
(chapter 49) he tried to sow seeds of doubt and even discord between the couple. It was to give the impression, they were working together. But the champion didn’t fall for it. The reason is that his fated partner was able to heal his injured shoulder. As a hypocrite and arrogant fighter, he utilized his small talk to threaten Joo Jaekyung. (chapter 49) As you can see, these “villains” were targeting both main characters mirroring another signification.
with no fixed direction or target Quoted from https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/shotgun
We could include the encounter between the two teams in the locker room as another illustration, for Oh Daehyun, Potato or Park Namwook were forced to become involved. 
(chapter 49) Interesting is that “shotgun” can also refer to a flat.
having all the rooms opening one into the next in a line from front to back Quoted from https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/shotgun
This made me think of the doctor’s humble home immediately. 
(chapter 10) (chapter 10) And what was the couple’s reaction during that night? While Kim Dan wept, as he was longing for his grandma (chapter 10), exposing his abandonment issues, the other looked down first on the physical therapist 
(chapter 10) before he had a change of heart. Kim Dan’s plea had moved his heart. (chapter 10) The problem is that the doctor couldn’t remember this scene due to his drunkenness. This scene leads us to another meaning of Shotgun.
Shotgunning a beer is the action of drinking an alcoholic beverage quickly by adding an additional hole to the bottom of the can. One can only say they have “shotgunned” once they have performed the griddy after. Quoted from https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Shotgun%20%28Beer%29
This definition is not included in the Collins dictionary yet, as it is still under observation. Interesting is that ” shotgun” is not just connected to alcohol, but also to other drugs.
Doing a shotgun: a drug use practice and its relationship to sexual behaviors and infection risk There has been a rise in the frequency with which inhalational routes such as smoking are used for illicit drug use. A growing population of new inhalational drug users augments the pool of individuals at risk for transition to injection drug use. […] Shotguns may be seen as a form of drug use which has close ties to sexual behaviors, and which has both pragmatic and interpersonal motivations, combining in a single phenomenon the potential direct and indirect risk of disease transmission by sexual, blood borne and respiratory routes. Quoted from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10369443/
Interesting is that smoking was introduced with Choi Heesung who went to rooftop in order to smoke. It was, as if he desired to keep his image clean. (chapter 31) And this leads me to the following theory that Baek Junmin’s sin towards Joo Jaekyung was linked to drugs. Don’t forget that Mr. Choi is himself symbolizing “drug” due this image: (chapter 48) And both are working together. My hypothesis is that Baek Junmin was involved in drugging the athlete. The sportsman admitted that The Shotgun had schemed against him. (chapter 49) This would explain why Joo Jaekyung would never join the team’s dinner and why he reacted that way, when he drank a glass of soju: 
(chapter 43) He could recognize the alcohol, a sign that he must have tasted it before. His threat and anger were masking his fears. For me, he had a terrible experience with alcohol. And this brings me to the last signification of “Shotgun”: SEX! This was already brought up with the quote above, but I am quite sure that people have already heard the expression “Shotgun wedding”. Then I also found this description “Shotgun Sex”:
“right before you are about to blow your load you cock your dick along with a cocking noise and spooge all over the face.” Quoted from https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=The%20Shotgun
the penis used to go boom pow in a girls face;aka cumm shot in the face. Quoted from https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=shotgun%20sex
And this corresponds to the champion’s action in the penthouse 
(chapter 6), when Kim Dan had accepted the deal from the main lead. The erected phallus looks like a weapon and Kim Dan also made the connection, when he saw his huge anaconda with the sex toy: 
(Chapter 12) The idiom “shotgun sex” suggests a situation where sexual intercourse occurs hastily and impulsively. It has nothing to do with love and warmth. It is something done quickly or without much forethought, which corresponds to the scene in chapter 6. 
(chapter 6) And what do we see here? Submission!
1. 3. The Shotgun’s possible past with the Emperor
That’s how I came to the following conclusion: Baek Junmin is involved in the champion’s sexual assault in the past. And it has something to do with drugs. I am even suspecting gambling debts, and someone used the athlete’s generosity. Imagine that by combining these elements, I came to reinforce my follower @noteadrinker’s hypothesis. The latter even thought of a gangrape, and associated it with the loan shark’s scene. 
(chapter 17) Don’t forget that during that night, the soju was present as well. 
(chapter 17) Because of his nickname and the reflections from episode 10 and 17, I deduce that Baek Junmin was present, but he didn’t help the athlete. He turned a blind eye to the situation. (chapter 49) In other words, he didn’t behave like a hero contrary to Joo Jaekyung. I can’t help myself thinking of this scene: 
(chapter 11) Though Joo Jaekyung despised the doctor and called him pathetic, he still accepted his request. But let’s return our attention to The Shotgun. Moreover, the fact that he employed the expression “kid” insinuates that Baek Junmin is older than the athlete. So he could have the same age than Kim Dan. I feel like the physical therapist is slowly taking over Baek Junmin’s place. He is on the verge to shine like a star. With the theory of a gangrape or rape (phallus as a weapon), we would have the explanation why the criminal insulted the athlete with “A little bitch ass punk”. He was describing him as a poser and “douchebag”, whereas in verity, he is the coward. Hence he resorts to tricks to achieve his goal. And now, you comprehend why the champion felt the need to clean his hair after meeting the fake star. 
(chapter 49) He usually takes a shower in the morning, however this scene took place in the evening. Under this new light, it becomes comprehensible as well why Joo Jaekyung couldn’t remember the criminal 
(chapter 49). It is related to a painful but short experience which scarred the athlete’s heart and soul.
No wonder why he was paralyzed after their short meeting. 
(chapter 49) It is because the latter had repressed his traumatic past. The other reason he didn’t remember him is that the latter had betrayed him. He was not worthy of being remembered and being noticed. Would you remember a poser and coward? No, not really. In my opinion, Baek Junmin stands for immaturity, betrayal, irresponsibility and false manhood.
Finally, we would have an explanation why the champion couldn’t identify the crime in the doctor’s house properly 
(chapter 18) and why both have no notion of “rape”. Joo Jaekyung must have been told that he was “responsible” for his misery, just like in this scene: “You did this”.
(chapter 6) He brought him upon himself. He shouldn’t have drunk or taken drugs, he shouldn’t have been weak, he shouldn’t have been there that night… I see his statement there as an evidence for manipulations
(chapter 18) If they are criminals, then the authorities should be informed, because the latter need to stop them, to make things worse for them. It was, as if he was advocating loansharking, though it is illegal. One might argue about this theory, for I deduced it simply from the name The Shotgun and its different reflections. However, Mingwa left us two other clues for this hypothesis.
2. The Jinx: the hidden line
The first one is the absence of sex. Many readers were caught by surprise. They wondered why Mingwa didn’t create any sex scene and how the couple treated each other during the sex session before the match. The answer is simple. The jinx of Joo Jaekyung had changed. It didn’t truly matter, if he had good sex or not with his physical therapist. 😮 And the evidence is this image: (chapter 49) He never loses! He sounded so confident and sure. His words contrast to his confession in his bedroom: (chapter 02) Never contradicts the idiom “I need”. He feels no need to have good sex in order to boost his ego. But how did this happen?
The reason is simple. By triggering the champion’s memories, Baek Junmin didn’t realize that he committed a huge mistake. He pushed Joo Jaekyung to meditate. The latter was silent in the car and looked through the window. (chapter 49) Secondly, once home, he went to the bathroom and the latter is the place for insight and reflection, like I explained it in the essay The duck and the dragon in the bathroom. One might argue that reflection in the bathroom is strongly intertwined with the mirror, like in this scene: 
(chapter 20) But contrary to the physical therapist, the champion had never denied the existence of his body. He didn’t need to look at his reflection to see any change. The pondering was triggered by The Shotgun’s words. Baek Junmin saw the protagonist in a different light: weak and pitiful. (chapter 49) In English, the MMA boxer portrayed Joo Jaekyung as a crybaby, while in the Spanish version (“Dabas much pena, miserable de mierda”) the translator referred with pena to shame, pity, sorrow and hurt. Through his words, the champion was forced to recall his past and how he was younger. He had to visualize himself, when he was a teenager. That’s the reason why in the bathroom, the champion was pondering under the shower, lost in his thoughts 
(chapter 49) and not looking at his own reflection. Here we were witnessing the birth of the champion’s third eye. In addition, this scene corresponds to the one in episode 3: 
(chapter 3) As you can see, the moment you connect these two scenes, it becomes clear that there was no sex. In episode 3, the doctor was fetched and had to have sex, while in episode 49, the PT waited for a signal from his boss, but it never came. Furthermore, the bathroom is the only place where the athlete doesn’t bring his cellphone! And the latter represents a huge hindrance to his meditation, like Jin-philes could observe it in chapter 35: (chapter 35) But there is more to it. The departure from the restroom corresponds to the doctor’s realization at the hospital.
| Chapter 47 | Chapter 49 |
|---|---|
| |
In the bathroom, the doctor spent the whole night crying, recalling the conversation from the oncologist. We have the same colors in his memories than in the altercation between the two fighters.  Gradually, Kim Dan came to accept the truth: his grandmother couldn’t keep her promise, as she would never recover from her illness. He went on his knees, too devastated by the terrible news. However, he didn’t question the doctor’s action and behavior. Nonetheless, he was able to move on. He was forced to mature and become more independent. | Here, the fighter must have spent a lot of time under the shower too. Nonetheless, he didn’t get devastated like his soulmate, for the simple reason that Baek Junmin had mocked him and even challenged him. This had triggered his anger. |
The restroom symbolizes more than reflection, it stands for privacy, purification, transformation, transition, vulnerability and intimacy. There, he could cry internally 
(chapter 49) without getting disturbed. But don’t misunderstand me. I am not saying that the athlete was weeping. What I meant is that he was admitting the existence of his pain and suffering. This represents an important step to treat his own body with kindness. (chapter 43) He used his hand to protect his gaze, a sign of vulnerability. His shower in episode 49 is full of symbolism. He is cleansing himself, moving on from the past. Hence I deduce that this scene (chapter 49) corresponds to the doctor’s baptism in the swimming pool. 
(chapter 28) Because of this special day and night, Kim Dan came to accept sex and sensuality in his life. 
(chapter 29) 
(chapter 36) As you can see, all the scenes reflecting the bathroom scene in episode 49 contain SEX. Hence I see it as another evidence that the sex during that night had a different meaning: it was more a habit than a real need. And don’t forget that in the States, he had already complained about the timing. 
(chapter 39) He didn’t feel like “fucking” and it must have been the same during that night before the match. And if he had been sexually assaulted, anyone would comprehend why he didn’t feel any desire. Under this new light, Manhwaworms can understand why the title is “Embracing change”. 
The star is gradually dropping his old belief. He is one step closer to realize that he is not jinxed, he is strong enough to win the next fight. My avid readers should keep in their mind that when the couple argued on his birthday (chapter 45), he never brought up the jinx, a sign that he was already forgetting his old principles. This match represents a turning point in the athlete’s life, for from that moment on, he will perceive fighting differently. He is no longer pushed to take any challenge, for deep down, he felt that he was still weak and vulnerable. He was still trapped in the past.
On the other hand, Kim Dan must have been waiting for a signal from him. However, nothing happened. Hence the next morning, the physical therapist chose to take precautions! That’s why he brought the cream. 
(chapter 49) which was used for the sex session at the gym. 
(chapter 24) Moreover, he even took an ointment in case his anus would tear, for they didn’t have sex for a long time. (chapter 49) While searching for a treatment for skin irritation due to pepper spray, I discovered lidocaine topical.
Lidocaine topical (for use on the skin) is used to reduce pain or discomfort caused by skin irritations such as sunburn, insect bites, poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac, and minor cuts, scratches, or burns. Lidocaine topical is also used to treat rectal discomfort caused by hemorrhoids. Quoted from https://www.drugs.com/mtm/lidocaine-topical.html
Hence I am suspecting that the doctor took topicals in case. Imagine that they didn’t have sex for quite some time. So what pushed the champion to overcome the shock and his suffering? It is because Baek Junmin’s words helped him to canalize his anger and rage at the right person, the one responsible for his wounds! 
(chapter 49) But Baek Junmin was not alone in this. Due to his traumatic past, Joo Jaekyung came to resent and mistrust humans, for he never got the chance to get justice from his tormentors. That’s the reason why he rejected social norms. As time passed on, he repressed the incident and buried the identity of the persons responsible for his wounds, whereas his pain couldn’t vanish. Hence he was still boiling inside and his anger was directed at anyone. It would come to the surface at the slightest provocation or rejection. That’s why he was still trapped in the past. He had the impression, he could get assaulted at any time. Therefore he needed to prove his strength. And this brings me back to the whispered confession: (chapter 49) Baek Junmin forced the star to recall the past and face his deepest anxieties. I see another evidence in this panel that The Shotgun must have faced a crime. How so? It is because pity has for synonyms “catastrophe, crime and sin”. But it doesn’t end here. The Shotgun’s description made me think of this scene: 
(chapter 37) When the athlete saw the doctor’s reaction, the latter was looking away, 
(chapter 37) the VIP client got so angry that he sent Kim Dan away. And now, take a closer look to this image. (chapter 49) The characters are placed in the same position. The comparison between these two scenes reinforces my hypothesis that Baek Junmin mocked Joo Jaekyung, resented him and refused to help the younger fighter back then, as Kim Dan was looking away. On the other hand, by using the expression “baby” in English, Jinx-philes could sense parallels with the fight with Randy Booker. 
(chapter 14) Interesting is that this image represented a distorted memory from the main lead, and it happened again after meeting his old “acquaintance”. (chapter 49) This is the sign that Joo Jaekyung repressed a terrible incident, and the expressions “baby” and “pitiful” triggered his fears and repressed memories. And by confronting him with his past, The Shotgun shot himself in the foot! 😉 The reason is that Joo Jaekyung is now drawing a line under the past, which was reflected in the red poster.
(Chapter 47) The names are in the middle indicating that they won’t be able to switch places. The line represents the boundary which the fighters can not cross. In addition, the color was already implying anger, but also energy and action.. In my previous analysis about the poster Color Clash: Decoding MMA Posters, I elaborated that the red in the eyes was the doctor’s reflection. He is facing them, but he is caught in the middle. So while Baek Junmin saw in him a tool to wound the athlete, the protagonist is not seeing Kim Dan, but The Shotgun, for Kim Dan is the mirror beyond the clouds. He exposes the monsters. This means that in the long term, they will be able to expose the schemers and cheaters. Furthermore I have another reason to believe that his past relationship with the Shotgun will affect his with Kim Dan. It is because Joo Jaekyung remembers The Shotgun’s nature, he is a cheater and traitor. (chapter 49) Anyone can see the doctor’s shock and fear. (chapter 49) On the other side, this match has another signification for The Shotgun. How so? It is because he needs to win. He claimed that he would take away his belt. He believes that since Choi Gilseok paid a lot of money, he bet on his victory. Besides, the director of the gym even got humiliated himself. However, he is deluding himself, for he was just a tool to ruin the Emperor. A shotgun is an firearm and as such it is dispensable. Furthermore, this panel displays Junmin’s jealousy towards the celebrity. (chapter 49) Joo Jaekyung has been in the spotlight for a long time 
(chapter 49), whereas The Shotgun was relegated to fight in the shadow! He was fighting in the underground fighting ring, but since it was illegal, he couldn’t become famous and rich. He couldn’t be exposed to the spotlight. This shows that deep down, Baek Junmin was also trapped in the past. He came to resent the protagonist, for the latter had been able to rise the ranks. That’s why he couldn’t forget him contrary to the celebrity. The latter was not only successful professionally, but also admired as a hero. It looked like he had been able to move on from the past, whereas for The Shotgun, it was the exact opposite. He became more and more involved in crimes. Don’t forget that he is helping the director from the King of MMA gym to launder money. Thus I deduce that Baek Junmin is underestimating his opponent. (chapter 49) First, he has this image of the young main lead from the past. In his eyes, he is still a little crybaby. Secondly, don’t forget that all the games from The Shotgun were rigged, so in his mind, the star must have been doing the same. He views himself as a Shotgun, in verity he is just a pepper spray, a big mouth which can lead to irritations and tears, but the wound is rather superficial. It can not cause real damages. On the other hand, the pepper spray is harmless, as long as the other can not talk. Consequently, I am expecting The Shotgun’s defeat. He won’t get scot free from this match. One reason for this positive outcome is that Joo Jaekyung has been able to free himself from that darkness. He is slowly able to see the light. Furthermore, since my hypothesis is that Kim Dan utilized a pepper spray in the locker room, I couldn’t help myself of viewing this as a talisman. Surprised, right? First, there was no witness of the incident except the members from Team Black. Hence the doctor can avoid troubles with the authorities. But there exists another reason.
Also known as OC (from Oleoresin capsicum), pepper spray produces significant eye irritation with watering, pain and temporary blindness. It is used as a crowd control agent and for personal defence. The active ingredient in pepper spray is capsaicin, which is a chemical derived from plants in the Capsicum genus, including chillies. Quoted from https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/capsicum-oleoresin
As you can see, this weapon is derived from red peppers. Interesting is that in Italy, red chilly is considered as a luck charm.
Very similar to the evil eye, the good luck charm that is believed to protect its bearer from the envy and harmful intent of others, is the red chili pepper. In Italy, this traditional charm is thought to prevent the hurtful gossip of envious tongues, while also attracting good fortune to its owners. It is a belief that originated in Naples but which soon spread throughout the rest of Italy and, in time, became widely known to most Western cultures. Although the reasoning behind this charm and its protective qualities is quite obvious ―namely, that chili peppers are so hot they can prevent tongues from wagging― there is also a perplexing acronym associated with this object, the acronym RRR. For the especially inquisitive, this acronym can be broken down into its respective parts: the first R stands for the word Rosso (red), the second R for Rotto (broken) and the final R for Regalato (gift). The explanation is, therefore, that red chili peppers offer someone the gift of breaking or, rather, stopping the bad words of others who might wish to speak ill of them. Quoted from https://www.fenalie.gr/en/chili-pepper-story-symbolism-qualities/
Hence I believe that this terrible incident will remain a secret within Potato, Joo Jaekyung, Park Namwook, Jeong Yosep. As for Joo Jaekyung, the afflicted pain in the ankle can only increase the rage and resent towards the scheming, but blinded Baek Junmin. This can only reinforce Joo Jaekyung’s determination to defeat The Shotgun. The latter should realize very quickly that he is not a firearm, but a human too. He is not made of metal, but of flesh and blood. So he could cry tears of blood or even get injured. The athlete won’t show any mercy. The Shotgun is not capable to adapt himself to new circumstances. He is no all-rounder, for he adapts his tactics based on the intel. With no insight, it was, as if he had become a blind man. He lacks strategies and experiences, for he is a new comer and a cheater. This explicates why the fight ended up in a tie, 
(chapter 51) they had never planned to turn the new comer into a champion, people would have questioned the outcome. The real intention was to tarnish the champion’s reputation, to isolate him, to make him lose his stans. And they almost achieved it. Baek Junmin never realized his true position. He was just a middle-man, a hit-man that they would discard right after his “victory”. Hence he is no longer in the media, because his name is now linked with the incident with the switched spray.
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Like the illustration is displaying it, my main focus will be on the last part of chapter 47, the phone call and message from the “executive director” of King of MMA. 
(chapter 47) Now, you are wondering why I decided to dedicate an essay about this scene. It is because the phone call and message raise a lot of questions. Why did the mysterious man call Kim Dan at such an early hour? Notice that it is in the morning, at 5. 15 am. 
(chapter 47)
1. Evidences for 5:15 am
How can I be so sure that it is in the morning, and not in the evening? Notice that in the Spanish version, the translator wrote “Buenas tardes” for hello giving the impression that it was in the afternoon. The person came to this conclusion because during the night before, Kim Dan looked at his cellphone. The doctor’s meeting with Kim Miseon was in the afternoon. 
(chapter 47) The Spanish translator thought, the person calling Kim Dan was contacting him, after the doctor had met the oncologist. She imagined that not much time had passed. Yet, I believe, it is in the morning. First, it is important to place the day in the year. Since Joo Jaekyung’s birthday is on June 21st, and the next match is shortly after
(chapter 47), I deduce that we are in July. However, the sunset in Seoul during that month is between 8:29 and 8:12 pm, whereas dawn in the same period and place is between 4:44 am and 5:07 am and sunrise between 5:15 and 5:36 am. Jinx-philes can now determine the time thanks to the position of the sun: 
(chapter 47) It is in the morning. Moreover, the Webtoonist tipped off her avid readers with this panel: 
(chapter 47) In Korean, it is written MONDAY!! I had already detected a certain pattern. The protagonist would visit his grandmother on Sundays, 
(chapter 30) as Saturdays are Kim Dan’s days. The morning in chapter 30 took place after the couple had spent their day-off together.
2. Reconstruction of his weekend and its interpretation
Thus I deduce that when the doctor returned home 
(chapter 47), it was Saturday evening. Then the next day, he went to the hospital in order to get the results. After hearing the terrible news, he lost track of time. Hence he didn’t look at his cellphone contrary to episode 5. 
(chapter 5) On the other hand, I don’t think, he visited Shin Okja right after meeting Kim Miseon, for his grandma would have known that he had remained by her side the entire night. Nonetheless, her worries were about eating and not about lack of sleep. 
(chapter 47) Thus I come to the conclusion that he spent the whole night at the hospital like in episode 21: 
(chapter 21) This explains why the grandmother was not wearing her headgear. She was sleeping. But back then, Kim Dan returned to the penthouse at dawn. 
(chapter 21) Therefore the grandma didn’t notice that he had stayed by her side for quite some time, for she was asleep. Hence she requested his presence the next morning. Nonetheless, there exists another difference between chapter 47 and 21. In my eyes, Kim Dan entered her room during the night and spent some time in the bathroom. 
(chapter 47) He didn’t approach the bed the same way: 
(chapter 21) However, I doubt that he spent just one hour in the restroom covering his tears by running the tap water. (chapter 47) I have the feeling that this scene is a reflection from their first night. 
(chapter 3) Here, he was also sitting on the floor pondering if he should still accept the deal. And what had happened back then? The protagonist was lost in the moment, he had no notion of time because of his fears and social norms. As a first conclusion, Kim Dan spent a lot of time in the bathroom reliving the moment when he was receiving the bad news. This interpretation displays how much his grandmother’s imminent death devastated him. He had spent the entire night crying: 
(chapter 47) Therefore he had red eyes. Furthermore, the halmoni’s name is Shin Okja, and Shin can signify “morning, dawn and daybreak”. For me, it is no coincidence. First, it was her moment to shine due to her compassion. (chapter 47). She symbolizes humanity in both senses of the word: empathy and humankind (mortality). Though she is weak physically, she is strong mentally. At the same time, Okja can only treasure this moment, for Kim Dan was by her side, when she woke up. (chapter 47) In my eyes, this scene represents the positive reflection from that nightmare: 
(chapter 21) As a little boy, he had asked his grandmother to never leave his side, unaware that this meant that he should do the same. He should remain by her side too. Yet, he didn’t do it. 
(chapter 47) This observation made me realize another aspect. When he heard the diagnosis from Kim Miseon for the first time, he admitted his powerlessness. 
(chapter 5) In his eyes, he could do nothing for his grandma. But he was wrong, as he could support her by spending time with her. From my point of view, when the halmoni left home for the hospital, deep down, he must have felt abandoned. On the other hand, we shouldn’t forget that he also had other worries and problems to solve: the loan, the hospital bills and finding a job as a PT. Hence I deduce that through his grandmother, he learned the following lesson: he should spend more time with his loved ones, as they can vanish at any moment. He learned how precious time is. This remark made me realize the huge contrast between these two scenes:
(chapter 47) He was in the bathroom crying and kept recalling the terrible monologue from the oncologist. He felt lost and trapped in the same moment. It felt like an eternity for him. But when he listened to his grandmother, bathed in the sunlight, it triggered his memory about his childhood with her. 
(Chapter 47) Not only she had kept her promise, but also through this recollection, he got a notion of time again. We could say, he could feel time again. He sensed her true nature: her mortality. It is important, because of this new realization, he can move on and focus on the future in a long term. That’s the reason why I see this scene as a new leaf for both characters: 
(chapter 47) Shin Okja is no longer a goddess, a star during the night… but a human facing her mortality. Besides, the doctor focused too much on money, not realizing that goods are irrelevant in front of death. 
(chapter 41) This explicates why the champion is not attached to clothes and presents.
3. The call at 5:15 am
And now, it is time to return our attention to the phone call in the morning. Why would he call the physical therapist at such an early hour? One might reply that it was an emergency, for the next match is around the corner. 
Yet, I can refute this point. How so? Note that the caller only let the phone ring 3 times: 
(chapter 47) Then he left a message. This stands in opposition to Joo Jaekyung’s action in episode 5: (chapter 5) The latter even spent about 23 minutes to reach the protagonist. He started calling at 10: 12 am and the next person he called was the MFC manager at 10:30 am. 12 + 23 times = 25 minutes. It means that for each call, he waited more than one minute before calling again. Another difference is that the athlete phoned him each hour: around 10 am, before around 9.00 am., hence I am assuming that he must have called around 8:00 am. This exposes the champion’s despair and huge desire!! However, he never tried to reach him at 5: 15 am. The director’s action appears as tactless and selfish. Since it was not an emergency, then why would he call the doctor so early? What was the point to act that way, when he left a message right immediately? (chapter 47) One might say that he feared that the doctor would reject his phone call, as he couldn’t recognize the number. On the other hand, I would like to outline that the man didn’t introduce himself properly. He didn’t mention his name at all. He just described his work and position. Compare his message to the one from the journalist: 
(chapter 35) So what does the divergence display? I would say, the lack of seriousness and integrity from the executive director. Shim Yoon-Seok wished to appear as a serious reporter, though he was intruding in the champion’s private life. Don’t forget that the latter messaged Joo Jaekyung during the night, but he didn’t call him: (chapter 35) He desired to give the impression that he was a hard-working journalist. On the other hand, because he just sent a message, it indicates that the reporter wished to hide, to remain anonymous. In other words, he was hiding his identity behind a name. How so? It is because the champion could not hear his voice at all. Joo Jaekyung can not recognize the journalist contrary to this scene:
(chapter 36) This divergence reveals that the executive director has a different approach than the reporter. The former seeks to „get close to Kim Dan“, while the journalist desired to avoid the famous fighter’s wrath. Shim Yoon-Seok anticipated his reaction. Therefore I have the feeling that the mysterious man contacted the physical therapist so early to create the illusion that it was urgent. They needed him. Interesting is that when the champion received the message from Shim Yoon-Seok, he never questioned how the reporter got his contact. (Chapter 35) Besides, I noticed that the text from the journalist was ambiguous, especially for the readers. (Chapter 35) The latter doesn’t claim to be the author of the article. He doesn’t employ the possessive pronoun „my“, then the column doesn’t expose the name of the author. And we have a similar situation with the message. (Chapter 47) No name and as such no identity… Kim Dan could not recognize the man in the street, if he were to meet him. Furthermore, the message could be from someone else, impersonating him… the latter could deny that he ever sent such a message, as it is not his „phone number“. As you can see, I detected a pattern. The schemers are playing with ambiguity which mirrors the doctor’s situation. The MFC security guys had no idea about Kim Dan’s identity: (chapter 40) A fighter, a prostitute, a lover or a physical therapist? Another difference between the two texts (35 and 47) is that (chapter 47) above the anonymous message, Manhwalovers can read the warning about phishing and spasms, while the champion’s cell phone doesn’t show such a message. It could be an indication that the debts from Kim Dan are related to phishing scams.
Fraudulent phone calls and text messages, also known as phishing, in South Korea have caused nearly 1.7 trillion won ($1.3 billion) in damage over the past five years, data showed Tuesday.
According to data received by Rep. Kang Min-kuk of the People Power Party from the Financial Supervisory Service, a total of 227,126 scams were reported from 2018 to 2022, and the expense of reported loss from these scams was some 1.66 trillion won, with the number of such crimes seeing an uptake since 2020. […] More than 60 percent were victimized by scammers claiming they would help them with loans, which accounted for nearly 1 trillion won of the phishing damage. Some 22.8 percent of phone call fraudsters preyed on people by impersonating public institutions, while 17.1 percent of the crimes were carried out over mobile text messages by impersonating the victims’ acquaintances. Quoted from https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230221000590
After this quote, Manhwaworms can grasp that phishing represents a huge problem in South Korea. Therefore I have the feeling that this number could get blocked or even reported as spam. Let’s not forget my previous conclusion. The fact that the mysterious sender didn’t mention his name is exposing his mind-set. He doesn’t want his true identity to be discovered in verity. This would corroborate my theory that the man behind the message is Mr. Choi. In the analysis “Angel(s) Of Death: Shadows versus Serenity”, I had already outlined the similarities between the mysterious phone number (chapter 47) and Mr Choi’s: 
(chapter 46) And now, imagine the consequences, when Kim Dan or Joo Jaekyung reports the text as spam. Not only he doesn’t prevent the scammer from sending more texts to him, but it does let the authorities know as well that there’s a problem. Carriers might block the sender’s messages. Government bureaus might take action to prevent the scammer from messaging other cellphone users. 
(Chapter 46) And remember that Mr. Choi used this cellphone to contact his underling, a sign that their relationship was not official and should remain a secret. Hence if the line got cut, then Heo Manwook and Mr. Choi would be forced to meet. As you can imagine, the moment I discovered the connection between „carrier“ and „spam“, I couldn‘t help myself thinking that Mr. Choi might have received the CV from the courier company!! 
(Chapter 42) Yes, we have here a text on a cellphone too. Therefore I couldn‘t help myself laughing!! Why? It is because I believe that the schemers are thinking that Kim Dan is a member of Team Black, a fighter, and he is Joo Jaekyung‘s protégé. My reasoning is the following: since my hypothesis is that he got the doctor‘s curriculum vitae through the courier enterprise 
(Chapter 46), I doubt that Kim Dan mentioned that he was working as PT for Joo Jaekyung. This would have raised an eye-brow!! His side gig was supposed to be a secret implying that his official work was to be kept hidden as well. Furthermore, I am assuming that Mr. Choi must have tried to figure out Kim Dan based on his CV. He worked for a short time at the hospital and after he chose to take odd jobs. So he could have had a change of heart, he desired to pursue a different career, like for example becoming a professional MMA fighter. I don‘t think, people would mention such a hobby, as it could give a bad impression. Finally, if my theory is correct, then it signifies that Mr. Choi got tipped off by the hidden person from chapter 42. 
(chapter 42) Remember my previous interpretation: the anonymous person had discovered a secret, but back then it was difficult to determine the secret. 
(Chapter 42) First, I thought that they knew that Kim Dan was probably his „sex partner“ as a fan, as he didn‘t object to this statement (chapter 42) But note that Kim Dan had protected the champion’s name and reputation first. Hence my idea is that in the mind of the anonymous observer, Kim Dan might have been left speechless for a different reason. He was described as a parasite, for he was using Joo Jaekyung‘s care and talent to become himself a professional MMA fighter!! In other words, they are mistaking him for Potato. And now, you comprehend why I added the green fox in the illustration: 
They are trying to snatch away the favorite athlete from Team Black in order to destabilize Joo Jaekyung mentally (chapter 46), as the champion was seen quite caring towards Kim Dan. We could see that fighters at Team Black believes in luck
(chapter 23) So they could think, Kim Dan is not questioning the belief too, as he is a fighter. However, in the picture, Kim Dan looked depressed alone. So the picture was exposing his disillusion and Mr. Choi could misinterpret the origins of his disappointment: he was not able to achieve his dream. (Chapter 47) Because he is a member from Team Black, he is not paid well. He is not sponsored by Joo Jaekyung, in fact he needs to pay fee memberships. One might argue about this theory (Kim Dan is confused as a fighter) for the sender addressed the protagonist as Doc Dan. This is the indication of a spy, only members from Team Black know his nickname. Nonetheless, the Spanish version diverges, as he is addressed as Mr. Kim. Hence that could be an error made by the English translator, similar to „Buenas tardes“. On the other hand, let‘s not forget that during the sparring, the main lead’s nickname got a different meaning. 
(Chapter 26) They could have jumped to the conclusion that Doc Dan was his stage name as a reference to his education and past, unaware that in reality it was indicating his true job. Thanks to @joojaedan, I got access to the original version. 
He is addressed as Kim Dan, and @joojaedan told me that he got addressed the same way than the fighter and Joo Jaekyung would call him. I have to admit that I let the app Deepl translate the Korean version. This is what I got:
Hello Mr. Kim Dan, I’m the representative of Baek Junmin’s gym “King of MMA”. Please contact me, when you are available.
The official English version is definitely the better translation for two reasons. First, what caught my attention is the title “executive director”. According to my research, executive director is not the same than CEO or “jefe del gimnasio…”. In Spanish, the author of the message is presented as the owner of the gym, but now take a look at this source:
An executive director is the senior operating officer or manager of an organization or corporation, usually at a nonprofit. Their duties are similar to those of a chief executive officer (CEO) of a for-profit company. The executive director is responsible for strategic planning, working with the board of directors (B of D), and operating within a budget. Quoted from https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/executive-director.asp
This shows that the author of the message is presenting himself as the right-hand of the fighter. He is not the owner of the gym officially, for he acts as a representative and takes care of the finances and PR!! I would even say, he must be working with a law firm as well. As you can see, thanks to the original and English translation, I discovered a new aspect, the connection between the Entertainment agency and the law firm, which corroborates my previous interpretation: the lawyer and the manager from the agency were working together, covering up for each other.
(Chapter 36) Moreover, this signifies that Baek Junmin is presented as the owner of the gym 
(chapter 47), as he is the face of that gym. In reality, he is just the cover, whereas the true owner is the mysterious sender of the text. (Chapter 47) This signifies that he is acting like Park Manwook (chapter 22). Yet, he is his negative reflection, as Mr. Choi is the real owner, but he hides behind the thug Baek Junmin. On the other hand, Park Manwook views himself as the owner of the gym, for he takes care of contracts and finances, but the one with the final saying is in truth Joo Jaekyung. To conclude, we have a similar situation between the two gyms: the owners are keeping a low profile, they stand in the shadow. However, there exists a difference between them. Joo Jaekyung is allowing his hyung to call himself the owner of the gym out of respect, whereas the other is doing in order to hide his criminal activities. I would even say, he is making sure that Baek Junmin would take the fall in case he would get into trouble.
Moreover, since he asked Kim Dan to call him back, it implies that he wished to be in touch with Kim Dan through his cellphone. In other words, he doesn’t desire to meet Kim Dan personally. I would even add that he wished to be connected to Kim Dan like to Heo Manwook, not through the official line, but a private and secret phone. (chapter 46) As you can see, through this comparison, we can discern the personality and the intentions of the anonymous caller much better. It stands for secrecy and intrusion. At the same time, it exposes that the schemers are not exchanging information between each other which can only need to a failure. Heo Manwook knows that Kim Dan is well paid, whereas Mr. Choi thinks, he is still struggling financially. But why did he call him at 5:15 am then?
One might reply that he needed to call him before the doctor would go to the gym with Joo Jaekyung. (chapter 46) He wanted to ensure that the athlete wouldn’t notice his phone call. He couldn’t reach him around 9:00 or 10:00 am, this would have been noticed by Team Black’s members. On the other hand, he could have called him during the weekend, especially on Saturday evening or on Sunday. The last picture with Kim Dan is portraying him leaving a place alone, in my opinion, it is the hospital. Thus my hypothesis is that Mr. Choi must have known that the main lead would visit his relative on Sunday. On the other hand, since my theory is that he got the CV through the carrier enterprise, it is also possible that Mr. Choi imagines that Kim Dan is still working as a courier, especially if he is assuming that the doctor is planning to become a professional MMA fighter. He has no idea about the truth: it was to offer a present to the star.
Don’t forget that the two protagonists reflect each other. While Joo Jaekyung was misled to think that the hospital leaked information to the journalist (chapter 36) which was definitely not true, I deduce that this must have happened to Kim Dan in reality. A company leaked his information, yet the doctor is unaware of it.
Therefore I assume that Mr Choi called him briefly at 5:15 am, as he knew that his night shift as courier would end around dawn. 
(chapter 42) He let it ring three times before texting him in order to catch the doctor’s attention, to distinguish himself from the previous calls (for his job). If so, then Mr. Choi must believe that Kim Dan is being “exploited” by the athlete. Hence the doctor would look so unhappy, when he is alone. In other words, the pictures taken in secrecy would expose the hypocrisy of the celebrity towards the main lead. (chapter 46) That’s how Mr. Choi interpreted the images. Nevertheless, it would signify that the executive director is projecting his own thoughts onto the fighter. According to me, Baek Junmin is his “slave”. He needs to bring him the result Mr. Choi desires. (chapter 47)
That’s how I came to the following deduction. In order to perceive the caller’s intention, we need to compare his text to the previous ones. And we have two other messages in Jinx:
In chapter 34, Heesung, Kim Dan and Joo Jaekyung communicated to each other through messages. 
(Chapter 35) Here, the actor had planned to confess to him, while the other wanted to divulge the true nature of their relationship: 
(chapter 34) It was pure sex, yet the comedian didn‘t get fooled. Joo Jaekyung had feelings for him. Striking is that during that night, the doctor got fooled and this twice!!: 
(chapter 34) First, the star knew about the invitation from Choi Heesung. This even caught Kim Dan by surprise. This image exposes that the champion had violated the doctor’s privacy. So how did he know it? We have different possibilities, yet my idea is that he had seen the message!! Thus he replied with a text to Heesung. Besides, observe how he dissuaded the doctor from visiting the actor. 
(Chapter 34) He should CALL him… a sign that the champion had not called anyone. Since Mingwa is writing like Byeonduck, I have the feeling that the message from Mr. Choi will be discovered by Joo Jaekyung. Remember how his hyungs had warned him
(chapter 46), but he had refused to listen to them. (Chapter 46) But the moment the champion is confronted with such a message directly, this would be a wake-up call for Joo Jaekyung, he should treat his members much better, as the existence of his company is in jeopardy. Moreover, I am hoping that such a discovery will push Joo Jaekyung to play a trick on his enemy too, like for example he gives a task to Potato, act as a spy!!
But it is relevant to recall that the executive director initially called Kim Dan before leaving a message on his cellphone. Hence I believe that we should also compare it to the previous phone calls the main leads received in the past. This led me to notice the recurrence of certain notions: sex, emergency, treatment, interruption, spying, secrecy, manipulations, rejection, and finally ignorance.
| Chapter 1 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 11 | Chapter 13 | Chapter 16/17 | Chapter 19/20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Emergency, treatment, manipulation, sex and interruption |  Kim Dan saw the calls, but he ignored them.  Here, Joo Jaekyung heard that the doctor could have blocked him. Emergency, treatment, secrecy (the reason behind the contract) and rejection |  It was another emergency call, for he needed to leave the place within a week. Interesting is that the person didn’t present himself. No name… As you already know, I am suspecting that the doctor got fooled, for I doubt he ever received any compensation for his move. He should have received money. Emergency, rejection, manipulation, interruption and spying (Heo Manwook interrogated the doctor right after) |  In this chapter, we have in fact two calls related to a danger. Emergency, treatment, sex, interruption, manipulation and secrecy | Treatment, interruption, sex, secrecy, rejection and manipulation  |   Sex, interruption, „emergency“, as the champion didn‘t take off his shoes and put down his bag. Then during the intercourse, the doctor was called by the hospital  Sex, treatment, interruption, secrecy (hidden in the bathroom) Here, the doctor could not refuse the champion‘s suggestion. |
| ChaPter 21 | Chapter 24 | Chapter 32 | Chapter 38 | Chapter 45 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  Here, we have sex, interruption, secrecy (grandma‘s existence and illness), rejection and ignorance. Kim Dan didn‘t answer the phone calls right away, as he was sick. |  Sex, interruption (food), secrecy, manipulation, ignorance and spying. Potato had tried to listen to their conversation. | Treatment, emergency, interruption (food), ignorance, manipulation and „spying“. Heesung tried to discern the nature of their relationship. |  Interesting is that here, there was no emergency from the champion‘s part. This time, Kim Dan was the one longing for the athlete. Sex, emergency, ignorance, manipulation, though here the victims of the trick were the two main leads. | This message stands in opposition to all the other messages: honesty, family. But it shares a common point from the text in chapter 34: love confession. Park Namwook and his family view him as a family member. Yet, the star saw it as an intrusion, it happened right after the sex-love session |
And now, which notions do we find in the phone call from Mr. Choi? Manipulation, because he is not introducing himself properly. He doesn’t explain how he got his contact. Then we have secrecy, because he is calling so early. Interesting is that the caller gave the impression that it was an emergency by calling at dawn, (Chapter 47) yet his words contradict the notion of crisis and danger. Kim Dan can determine the time. Then we have ignorance, for Kim Dan didn’t notice the ringing and the texting. (Chapter 47) That’s why we have NO interruption. Furthermore, it displays spying, as the contact raises the question how the executive director got his phone number. Funny is that the notion of rejection is present through the notice above the text: (chapter 47) As for treatment, it is related to the grandmother, a sign that the sender is not interested in any treatment. Hence I come to the following deduction: the mysterious sender has the intention of deceiving Kim Dan. In exchange for betraying the champion, the executive director will promise him a career at the gym „Kim of MMA“!! Yet, I don’t think, he has the intention to keep his promise, because Baek Junmin has been used as his tool to get rich. The fame in the underground fighting ring is not only fake, but also dangerous. 
(Chapter 47) And how should he betray the athlete?
We have different possibilities. Since I linked this scene to the altercation with the goblin and his mysterious room mate, they could ask him not to be his sex partner before the match. Or they could ask him to drug the champion like in the past. According to my previous observations, MR. Choi was left in the dark concerning the failure of the last trick. (Chapter 40) He has no idea that Kim Dan became the victim and got framed later. 
(Chapter 46) Furthermore, since Heo Manwook was the one who hired this man 
(chapter 37) indicating that he used another channel than Mr. Choi‘s. Hence I am suspecting that Mr. Choi wasn‘t informed about the corruption of the MFC’s doctors. (Chapter 47) So my idea is that they could ask Kim Dan to injure the athlete during a sparring. First, Mr Choi judged the champion based on his performance. He still won the fight against Dominic Hill, though he was supposed to be injured. So in his eyes, the shoulder injury was exaggerated. Besides, he received a go from the MFC doctors and his match is very soon. Everything is pointing out that the athlete is healthy. Moreover, Alfredo was replaced in the last minute due to an injury. 
(Chapter 47) The MMA fighter could have been asked to fake an injury, similar to Heesung‘s plot. As for Kim Dan, his task would be to „target his shoulder, his weak point“. Another possibility is to expose his vulnerabilities. One thing is sure: their approach will fail, hence they will propose the deal to Seonho. 
(Chapter 47) And the latter has a reason to get revenge on the celebrity because the suffered humiliation and beating. 
(Chapter 46) What caught my attention is that this athlete definitely boosted his situation by advertising that he was the champion’s sparring partner. I doubt that the main lead‘s criticism was unfounded. 
(Chapter 46), for he had been bragging about his merits. 
(Chapter 46) By the way, I believe, Seonho was a recent recruit. Therefore he doesn‘t know the champion that well and he is not close to the other fighters. Hence they didn‘t protect him 
(Chapter 46) like in episode 1 
(chapter 1) He had no idea about the roughness during the sparring, though this scene exposes that the champion had toned down the brutality during the sparring.
(Chapter 46) 
(Chapter 25) So Seonho could expose the true identity of the main lead, he is a physical therapist… Hence the schemers would understand why he got blocked or reported as spam. Their retaliation would be to tarnish his reputation as physical therapist.
Besides, I am envisaging that Seonho could be encouraged to trespass and steal the files 
(chapter 42) On the other hand, since I am predicting a failure of their scheme, they could decide to take revenge on Seonho by sending him to an illegal fighting game, where he could get badly injured. Moreover, the moment they discover how weak the red-haired man is, they could jump to the impression that Seonho deceived them!! 
(Chapter 46) Don’t forget that the champion is the mirror of truth, while the doctor‘s role is to expose the hideous side from people: the goblin and the green fox! It divulges their true nature: greed, ambition, selfishness, ruthlessness, immorality… That‘s the reason why Mr. Choi made his entrance.
Moreover, because of the files, they could frame the physical therapist as the leak for the article, unaware that the doctor is living with the athlete. And that would force Shim Yoon-Seok to come out of the shadow. At the same time, the doctor‘s past suffering would come to the surface. So far, Joo Jaekyung only met trustworthy doctors, Dr. Lee and Cheolmin. Hence he had no reason to doubt the integrity of doctors. Notice that after the release of the article, they framed the hospital, but not the doctor himself. (Chapter 36) And this is what Kim Dan and the champion will have to learn: the corruption of organizations like the Entertainment company, MFC and hospitals, if their directors are themself dishonest and greedy.
Since my idea is that the champion discovers the message, I am hoping that he can hear and recognize the voice of Mr. Choi so that he can realize that he got betrayed by the Entertainment agency. Interesting is that coach Jeon Yosep was tasked to investigate the matters about the underground fighting ring. 
(Chapter 46) But he was sitting with the others later. Consequently, I come to the deduction that he failed to discover any lead, or better said, any connection between the bets and Mr. Choi. Why? It is because he is a former champion, and professionals among MMA world must know that he works for the star.
(Chapter 47) Joo Jaekyung needs to realize that he can not just rely on his hyungs alone, he needs the assistance from the whole staff: Kim Dan and the other fighters, as they are not known in the MMA world.
(Chapter 47) They couldn‘t break into MFC, on the other hand, their position helps them to get insight, to approach the illegal fighting ring. (Chapter 47) To conclude, I am sensing a new undercover mission and a trick from Team Black.
Feel free to comment. If you have any suggestion for topics or manhwas, feel free to ask. If you enjoyed reading it, retweet it or push the button like. My Reddit-Instagram-Twitter-Tumblr account is: @bebebisous33. Thanks for reading and for the support, particularly, I would like to thank all the new followers and people recommending my blog.
Jinx / Doctor Frost : Harmony’s clash⚡: Prince S 👸 and Emperor 🤴- part 2
Please support the authors by reading the manhwas on the official websites. I am also using doctor Frost as reference again. This is where you can read the manhwas: Jinx and Doctor Frost. But be aware that the first Manhwa is a mature Yaoi, which means, it is about homosexuality with explicit scenes. Here is the link of the table of contents about Jinx. Here is the link where you can find the table of contents of analyzed manhwas. Here are the links, if you are interested in the first work from Mingwa, BJ Alex, and the previous essay about Jinx “Angels of Death: Shadows versus Serenity (second version)“
It would be great if you could make some donations/sponsoring: Ko-fi.com/bebebisous33 That way, you can support me with “coffee” so that I have the energy to keep examining manhwas. Besides, I need to cover up the expenses for this blog.
1. The prince S and his negative reflection
In the first part, I examined Kim Dan’s mentality more closely. There, I portrayed the physical therapist as someone suffering from Dependent Personality Disorder. Moreover, I underlined that so far, Kim Dan had been raised under the influence of toxic positivity. Therefore he was constantly denying his own pain and struggles. Because of these two characteristics, I came to the following interpretation: the physical therapist was raised like a princess, and by meeting Joo Jaekyung, he got confronted with reality. Hence the argument with his fated partner incited him to change his mind-set. First, he was pushed to acknowledge the existence of his broken heart. Then from that moment on, he would no longer rely on the champion. 
(chapter 46) On the other hand, chapter 47 exposes that the doctor didn’t lose his interest and attention towards his boss. 
(chapter 47) This exposes that Kim Dan didn’t choose resent or indifference towards Joo Jaekyung despite the inflicted pain. On the other hand, why did I write that the celebrity is Kim Dan’s reflection? Why is the athlete the doctor’s mirror of truth? It is because Joo Jaekyung embodies his negative reflection: independency and toxic negativity. But what is the latter exactly?
Interesting is that I connected the physical therapist to Dependent Personality Disorder thanks to the case of “Tears of Princess Pyeonggang” from the Manhwa Doctor Frost. When the patient Sihyun met Doctor Frost, the latter explained to her why her last relationship was doomed to failure. How so? 
(chapter 31) It is because when the psychologist met the patient with her boyfriend for the first time, he paid attention to his micro-expressions, and more particularly to his mouth. He saw his smirk. Here, I feel the need to give an explanation how these micro-expressions were discovered. 
(chapter 30) As my avid readers can detect, the expression from the boyfriend’s mouth displeased the white-haired psychologist. He could recognize his emotion, though such facial expressions are very short-lived
.(chapter 30) So what was the “jerk” feeling, when he was conversing with Sihyun? Cynicism. 
(chapter 31) And the reason why he stated that as soon as cynicism or scorn was present in a relationship, the couple would end up breaking up is because of John Gottham’s observations and conclusions. 
(chapter 31) And now, you are wondering how this is related to Joo Jaekyung. It is because the famous sportsman is full of cynicism 
(chapter 45) We could sense it in different scenes, though I would say that his cynicism was slowly vanishing: 
(chapter 3)
(chapter 40) This is the so-called toxic negativity. Therefore it was to expect that the champion would reject the doctor’s present. He could only doubt the sincerity behind his gesture. How so? Remember how the team desired to celebrate his birthday: a surprise party. They bought a cake… 
(chapter 43) but what happened afterwards? Yosep spoke in the name of the gym’s owner: the latter would pay for the dinner (beef restaurant) 
(chapter 43) So technically, they offered a cheap cake and got in exchange a super expensive dinner. One might say that this was just a joke. But cynical people are taking things very seriously. This is what the champion learned from this experience, the cake in exchange for a super expensive meal … and now imagine that the next morning, he received an „expensive“ present from Kim Dan which was similar to the gifts from fans (exchange of favors). It is normal that he doubted the genuineness from his doctor, not only because of his past experiences, but also because of the parties before. But there exists another reason why he had to refuse the gift: Cynicism… the end of relationship. Thus dating for the athlete was impossible. 
(chapter 45) He is not ready yet. But was it Cynicism exactly and how does it represent a hindrance for a healthy relationship?
2. The cynic dog-wolf
First, I would like to present the philosophy of Cynicism in order to outline certain positive aspects of such a mind-set. The latter, originating in ancient Greece, is often associated with the notion of living a life of simplicity, virtue, and independence. The term “Cynic” comes from the Greek words “kynikos,” meaning “dog-like,” and “kyôn,” meaning “dog.” While the origins of this name are not entirely clear, there are two popular beliefs regarding its origin:
Firstly, it is believed that the Cynics were called dogs because the first Cynic, Antisthenes, began teaching in the Cynosarges gymnasium in Athens. “Cynosarges” translates to “the place of the white dog,” hence the association with canines. Another possible origin for the term “dog” in Cynicism is attributed to Diogenes of Sinope, one of the most famous Cynic philosophers. Diogenes famously lived in a large ceramic jar (known as a “pithos”) and embraced a lifestyle of extreme simplicity and disregard for social conventions. He would reportedly wander the streets of Athens with a lantern in broad daylight, searching for an honest man.
Cynic ethics revolve around the principles of freedom, parrhesia (frank speech or fearless expression), living according to nature, and rejection of societal norms and conventions. Cynics believed that true happiness and virtue could only be attained by living in accordance with nature and rejecting the desires and comforts of society. They often practiced asceticism, eschewing material possessions and living a life of self-sufficiency.
The Cynics emphasized the importance of living in accordance with one’s true nature, rather than conforming to societal expectations or pursuing external desires. They criticized authorities and traditions, they valued self-reliance, resilience, and inner strength, believing that true freedom could only be achieved by freeing oneself from the constraints of society and material wealth. In addition to their rejection of societal norms and conventions, Cynics also challenged the traditional notion of family and social hierarchies. They believed that attachments to family and social status were sources of unnecessary suffering and constraint on individual freedom.
Cynics advocated for a radical form of individualism, promoting self-sufficiency and independence from familial ties and obligations. They viewed the traditional family structure as a hindrance to living a virtuous and authentic life, arguing that it often led to conflicts of interest, attachment to material possessions, and moral compromise. Instead of relying on familial relationships for support and identity, Cynics encouraged individuals to cultivate relationships based on mutual respect and philosophical kinship. They believed that true friendship and community could only be found among those who shared their commitment to living a life of simplicity, virtue, and freedom from societal constraints.
By rejecting the traditional notion of family, Cynics sought to liberate themselves from the expectations and obligations imposed by social norms and hierarchies. They embraced a lifestyle of radical individualism and self-sufficiency, prioritizing personal autonomy and philosophical integrity above all else.
Central to Cynic philosophy was the concept of parrhesia, or fearless expression of truth. Cynics advocated for speaking openly and honestly, even if it meant challenging social norms or offending others. They believed that by speaking truth to power and living authentically, individuals could cultivate inner freedom and achieve true happiness.
In summary, Cynicism is a philosophical school that advocates for living a simple, virtuous life in accordance with nature, free from societal constraints and material desires. It emphasizes the importance of parrhesia, self-sufficiency, and fearless expression of truth as essential elements of living a truly fulfilling and authentic life.
After reading this short presentation, Jinx-philes can sense some similarities between the athlete and this philosophical movement. First, he rejects norms and conventions. He is behaving like an animal, compared to a wolf. (chapter 7) This approach also gives us an explanation how Joo Jaekyung came to develop such an exhibitionistic sexual behavior: sex in the shower room
(chapter 8), in the office, in the car, in front of a mirror, in front of Heesung in the living room… Don’t forget that Diogenes would even masturbate in public.
Additionally, he doesn’t see Team Black as “family”, but as a place to learn toughness and endurance. That’s where he could experience “freedom”. Thus his honesty is brutal. (chapter 46) (chapter 46) Consequently, he never tried to get close to his members either. In fact, he is expecting from the staff to follow his lead. Potato could only get rejected with such a request. 
(chapter 23) The latter had to act like a true disciple and follow the champion’s recommendation. 
(chapter 23) The gym is like his sacred temple. Yet, the gym is just a simulacre of “nature”, as it is in the middle of Seoul. Therefore I realized why after their argument, Joo Jaekyung avoided the penthouse and Kim Dan in the end. (chapter 47) It is because deep down, the champion sensed that his flat had become a home. He wanted to ensure that the penthouse was still a workplace or a hotel room. Thus he refused to eat the breakfasts prepared from his PT. In his eyes, these meals must have appeared as a violation of his self-imposed discipline. It was more than self-sufficiency. Under this new light, Jinx-philes can grasp why he rejects presents and prefers donating money.
(chapter 41) He is looking for freedom and self-sufficiency, detached from any material need. This explains why the golden keychain from Kim Dan could only offend him. (chapter 45) It symbolized everything he hates: a reminder of wealth, superficiality, attachment, secrecy and silence. It also exposed the huge difference in their mind-set. Kim Dan is not his disciple! He imagined that he had found a kindred spirit, especially after that night: (chapter 39) The reason is simple. The champion had finally found someone who accepted his roughness in bed and could match his stamina.
As you can imagine, Joo Jaekyung is naturally a fake Cynic, for he is not giving up on his comfort. 
(chapter 10) He is not resigning on designer clothes. 
(chapter 42) His dress room is the evidence of his hypocrisy. He might have encouraged Kim Dan to have sex in “public places”, yet he is still hiding his sexual orientation. Furthermore, his jinx is the evidence of his dishonesty. (chapter 2) He needs someone to have sex. This stands in opposition to Diogenes’ masturbation. Besides, he had to pay the goblin and Kim Dan in order to have a sex partner. Hence he needs to be confronted with truth as well. Manhwaworms can grasp the rage from the athlete, when he heard the doctor’s justification: 
(chapter 45) He might advocate autonomy and self-sufficiency, the reality is that he likes luxury. Hence he is unable to live in harmony with nature. This shows that the fighter is in denial and is living in an illusion. Thus he can not find true happiness, for his freedom is not real. He is attached to the gym which is also strongly connected to his career as the Emperor. 
(chapter 46) With his brutal attitude, he is doing himself a disservice. Exactly like Kim Dan, he is even ruining his career and own reputation. Not only he lost 4 athletes (I am including Seonho), but also his loyal admirers are calling him a thug now: 
(chapter 47) Even Potato announcing the gradual Coming-Of-Age from his admirer. However, like Dr. Frost mentioned it, humans are social beings. 
No one can survive on his own. This explicates why Cynics had disciples in the end. And now, you comprehend the role of Kim Dan in Joo Jaekyung’s life. It is to remind him of his true nature. He is a human and not a dog-wolf. Thus the champion recommended his PT to live elsewhere, a sign that he was indeed a human. 
(chapter 10)
Yet, pure cynicism is not the way to find happiness. We have the perfect example with Diogenes:
He was so devoted to living a Cynic way of life that, upon seeing a child drinking water with his hands, he threw away his cup, stating that a child had beaten him to living a simple life. Quoted from https://www.orionphilosophy.com/stoic-blog/the-philosophy-of-cynicism
He had the impression that it was never enough, and the pure action from the child caught him by surprise. He seems to have been obsessed with his theory.
3. The cynic emperor
However, in the first part, I mentioned Cynicism from a psychological perspective. So now, it is time to examine what Cynicism means for psychologists.
Cynicism is a philosophical and psychological attitude characterized by skepticism and a general distrust of the motives and sincerity of others. Cynics tend to view human behavior as selfish and driven by self-interest, often dismissing conventional social norms and values as hypocritical or insincere.
This worldview is rooted in the belief that people act primarily to fulfill their own desires, without genuine concern for others or higher principles. Cynics may adopt a critical and sarcastic demeanor as a defense mechanism against perceived deception and disingenuousness in the world. Read more here: https://mind.help/topic/cynicism/
In other words, they have no trust in human beings. Hence Cynicism is undermining relationships. They judge people as selfish hypocrites. Therefore they use Cynicism as a way to keep people at a certain distance. 
(chapter 2) This explicates why the champion was crossing his arms while confronting the goblin. He was on the defensive. That’s how it dawned on me why the celebrity fell in love with Kim Dan at first sight, and why he enjoyed their first night together. The “hamster’s fear” was genuine. His desertion displayed respect towards the celebrity. He was recognizing his strength and power. 
(chapter 1) Then the micro-expressions from Kim Dan exposed his lie 
(chapter 3) On the one hand, the champion’s worldview about humans got reinforced, on the other hand the doctor’s deception symbolized his purity. He was a virgin, which was contradicting his “theory” too.
But wait… the title of this essay is Prince S and Emperor and not wolf or dog. Interesting is that the notion of an emperor or ruler could indeed symbolize cynicism, especially in the context of power and authority. Here’s why:
Skepticism and Distrust: Cynicism often involves skepticism and a general distrust of motives and intentions. An emperor or ruler, representing authority, may be associated with a cynical outlook on the motives of others, assuming that actions are driven by self-interest. This explicates why the champion assumed another intention behind the doctor’s present. (chapter 45) He imagined that the doctor had ulterior motives. This explicates why he felt no empathy, when Kim Dan asked for an advance. 
(chapter 11) He even looked like a ruler abusing his authority. (chapter 11)
Negative Interpretation of Intentions: Cynicism often leads to a negative interpretation of others’ actions. An emperor or ruler, when used symbolically, can represent someone who interprets the actions of others with suspicion, assuming that individuals are motivated primarily by personal gain.
Lack of Idealism: It tends to reject idealism and a positive view of human nature. 
(chapter 11) Here, the champion thought that Kim Dan had been gambling. An emperor or ruler, especially one characterized by a lack of idealism, may embody the cynical belief that individuals are primarily driven by self-interest and that altruistic motives are rare. Therefore the celebrity rejects the notion of soulmate (chapter 33) or even the idea of friendship (chapter 30) Heesung was not just taking advantage of his reputation, he was also teasing the sportsman. Joo Jaekyung has such a negative perception of humans. 
(chapter 33) Hence he looks down on poor people. (chapter 10): Gamblers, laziness, no sense of hygiene etc. Consequently, he is not capable to understand the worries from Kim Dan (chapter 42), Park Namwook (chapter 46) and Jeon Yosep. He feels like they are questioning his success. It was, as if they had other motives. He only relies on himself, he is not “truly” listening to others… though it is not correct. He is getting manipulated by his “counselors”. 
(chapter 36)
Use of Power: An emperor or ruler traditionally holds significant power, and cynicism may be associated with the idea that those in power are inherently self-serving. This aligns with the cynical perspective that individuals act in their own interest, particularly when they hold positions of authority. Thus the protagonist is selfish and abused his position during their first night together: 
(chapter 2)
On a personal level, cynicism can have several impacts. While it may provide a form of self-protection against exploitation or disappointment, chronic cynicism can also contribute to stress, alienation, chronic pessimism, hopelessness, depression and anxiety. It may inhibit personal relationships and lead to a reduced sense of life satisfaction or happiness. Though the champion is rich and even famous, he is far from being happy, as his negative perception of humans represents a hindrance to his inner freedom and peace of mind. He rejects society, yet he needs people to fight and spare with. And now, you comprehend the origins of his inner passivity and emptiness. (chapter 26) He is standing in front of a dilemma. Fighting is the expression of nature and self-reliance, yet his fights serve as entertainment for MMA lovers. MMA is strongly intertwined with business and money.
That’s the reason why he was condemned to loneliness, until he met the physical therapist. As time passed on, he had the impression that he had found a kindred spirit, his real new disciple. But the present which was bought in secret ruined everything. What Joo Jaekyung failed to realize is that the golden keychain 
(chapter 45) was showing the doctor’s golden heart. He was just judging his lover based on his past experiences and his negative worldview. And this brings me to list the cause for Cynicism:
Experts researching into what causes cynicism point to the following developmental factors:
Negative past experiences or betrayals
Observing dishonesty or hypocrisy in others
Feeling disconnected or disillusioned with society
Perceiving pervasive corruption or unethical behavior
Exposure to cynicism from influential figures or media
Psychological defense mechanism against vulnerability
Lack of trust-building experiences or positive relationships
Personal feelings of powerlessness or lack of control
Cultivation of critical thinking without balance in perspective Read more here: https://mind.help/topic/cynicism/
Manhwaworms can grasp why the athlete is a control-freak, why he hates to expose his vulnerability 
(chapter 45) He fears to be taken advantage. There is no ambiguity that his negative mind-set is definitely influenced by his childhood and family. I would even say that he must have been exposed to emotional blackmail. I came to this hypothesis, because I detected that the champion had been using “blackmail” as MO in order to control Kim Dan. 
(chapter 6)
Emotional blackmail within parent-child relationships can have particularly damaging effects on the child’s emotional development and well-being. Here’s how emotional blackmail may manifest in the context of a parent raising a child:
- Threats of abandonment or punishment: A parent may use threats of abandonment, punishment, or withdrawal of love to manipulate their child into compliance. For example, a parent might threaten to stop loving their child or to send them away if they do not behave according to the parent’s expectations. This can instill fear and insecurity in the child, leading them to comply with the parent’s demands out of fear of losing their love or approval.
- Guilt-tripping: A parent may use guilt-tripping tactics to make their child feel responsible for the parent’s emotions or actions. For instance, a parent might say things like, “You’re making me so unhappy by not doing what I want,” or “If you really loved me, you would do as I say.” This can create feelings of guilt and shame in the child, causing them to prioritize the parent’s needs and desires over their own.
- Victim-blaming: In some cases, parents may engage in victim-blaming by attributing their negative emotions or behavior to their child’s actions. For example, a parent might blame their child for causing them stress, frustration, or disappointment, even when the child is not at fault. This can lead the child to internalize feelings of guilt and self-blame, eroding their self-esteem and sense of worth.
- Withholding affection or approval: Parents may withhold affection, attention, or approval as a form of punishment or manipulation. For instance, a parent might give their child the silent treatment or withdraw affection when the child fails to meet their expectations or challenges their authority. This can leave the child feeling unloved, unworthy, and desperate for the parent’s validation and approval.
- Emotional manipulation: Emotional blackmail often involves subtle forms of manipulation aimed at undermining the child’s autonomy, self-esteem, and emotional well-being. For example, a parent might use gaslighting techniques to distort the child’s perception of reality or invalidate their feelings and experiences. This can lead the child to doubt themselves and their own emotions, making them more susceptible to the parent’s control and manipulation.
This would explain why Joo Jaekyung fears and even rejects any affection and relationships. This is the lesson he learned through his bad experiences. No attachment and no love is freedom, as love is synonym for vulnerability, That’s why he chose independency, rejection of norms and brutal honesty. He sees relationships as a source of danger and vulnerability. I am quite certain that no one would suspect the emotional abuse from his family. Hence he came to view people as selfish hypocrites. The absence of his “family” for his birthday is the proof of their bad education and “abuse”.
That’s how I realized why Joo Jaekyung chose MMA fighting as career too. It was not just a mere coincidence. (chapter 26)
Cynical depression may be the most common form of the many-faceted disorder.
It’s usually masked by energizing or sedating coping habits.
Sufferers don’t feel depressed; they use adrenaline to raise their mood or illusions to numb it.
The adrenaline mask takes the form of risky behavior, chronic resentment, anger, chronic envy, dogmatic zealotry, or abuse of loved ones. Sufferers don’t look or feel depressed; the adrenaline militates out of depressed mood. It gives a surge of temporary energy and confidence, manifested in facial expressions and body language. https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/anger-in-the-age-entitlement/202205/your-partner-may-be-suffering-cynical-depression
The adrenaline from the training and fighting is diverting his attention from his misery. He can mask his depression behind his anger and his fighting. It was to numb his negative thoughts and emotions. Hence he can not “meditate”. But he knows that Kim Dan is fragile, he can not treat him like the others. 
(chapter 2) He learned through Cheolmin that he could kill him. This shows his good nature in verity. Hence he resorted to such gestures, when his cynical depression resurfaced: 
(chapter 32) 
(chapter 36) (chapter 37) (chapter 45) As you can see, little by little, the champion is learning to control his rage and “cynicism”. During the last argument, he didn’t touch the physical therapist at all. He still allows him to stay at his place and he is shown as caring later. (chapter 46) The irony is that Joo Jaekyung is not recognizing his own transformation. The most obvious evidence for his metamorphosis is the absence of his jealousy towards the doctor. 
(chapter 47) It shows a certain trust. One might argue about this interpretation. This could be seen as indifference. However, I believe that his altercation with Seonho must have been quite an eye-opening for the champion. 
(chapter 46) It is because Kim Dan had not talked back to Joo Jaekyung during their argument. He had accepted his criticism silently contrary to Seonho. Right now, he has the impression that he still has the upper hand, but he couldn’t be more wrong.
Since the champion has such a long mistrust in people, Jinx-philes can grasp why the champion believes in the power of money. 
(chapter 26) He has the impression that he can control people, since he is wealthy. Yet, he is not realizing that he can get stabbed because of money as well. We have two perfect examples. Because of the drug incident, the MFC security guys betrayed him, as they protected the organization (chapter 40) Then in episode 47, the emperor got manipulated by his so-called loyal advisors. 
(chapter 47) First, I would like to outline that neither the manager from the Entertainment agency nor his acolyte brought up the underground fighting ring and Baek Junmin’s dubious success. (chapter 47) With their video, they presented him as an average and reliable fighter. (chapter 47) Observe the divergence between the advisors’ words and the members’ from Team Black. 
(chapter 47) The latter portrayed Baek Junmin as dangerous, for he would use any mean to win the fight. He doesn’t stand for fairness and responsibility. The champion didn’t get to hear anything about these rumors.
And how can the champion change his cynical view of life? Naturally, through pain… as he needs to be confronted by his fears. Nonetheless, I believe that the halmoni next to Kim Dan has a huge role in his healing as well. Since the latter is so weak and gentle, he doesn’t fear danger from her. 
(chapter 21) Moreover, the grandmother’s mortality could serve as a reminder for the champion that he is also a human… just like the others he condemns. Besides, she embodies true selflessness and gratitude. Hence she took the champion’s hand to thank him
(chapter 22) This is what psychologists recommend to overcome Cynicism:
Practice self-awareness and recognize cynical thoughts and attitudes.
Challenge negative assumptions and beliefs about others’ motives.
Seek support from friends, family, or a therapist to discuss and process emotions.
Engage in activities that foster positive emotions and a sense of well-being.
Cultivate empathy and understanding by considering others’ perspectives.
Focus on building positive and genuine relationships with trustworthy individuals.
Limit exposure to excessively negative media or influences.
Practice gratitude and focus on the positive aspects of life.
Adopt a more balanced and realistic perspective on human behavior.
Set realistic expectations for others while acknowledging imperfections. Read more here: https://mind.help/topic/cynicism/
As you can see, COMPASSION, GRATITUDE, MEDITATION and CONVERSATION play a huge role in changing the mind-set. So far, the couple never shared their fears and own thoughts. They still kept secrets from each other and they didn’t converse a lot. Moreover, the problem was that Kim Dan had acted in secrecy for the gift, which could only reinforce the fighter’s negative disposition. That’s the reason why I believe that Joo Jaekyung needs to learn through a positive experience that not all people are selfish and have ill intentions. He has to discover his own bias through the doctor’s reflection. He needs to receive unconditional love and respect: 
(chapter 41) He never heard her recognition. In addition, until now, Kim Dan spoke in the name of others or didn’t defend his own point. Team Black’s loyalty would be the evidence that it is dangerous to judge people based on prejudices and past experiences. He needs to reflect on his own actions as well. If the Emperor heard “his members”, he would realize that MFC as an organization is corrupted and is even involved with criminality. He is already sensing something, but he can not identify the problem. 
(chapter 47) Should Kim Dan divulge Baek Junmin’s connections to the underground fighting ring or simply show him the message, (chapter 47), he would prove his faithfulness and sincerity to the fighter. And the vicious circle would be broken. Though he is broke, he would give up on an opportunity to earn some money easily. To conclude, as long as the champion is still a cynical character, he can not enter a relationship with Kim Dan. For that, he needs to open up his heart and third eye so that he can recognize his partner’s selflessness and honesty. Finally, he will realize that he needs the assistance of others in order to be able to keep his reputation intact (witnesses, supporters). There is no doubt that the Emperor will be badmouthed again.
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Protected: Jinx: Angel(s) of Death⚰️: Shadows 👹🤟 versus Serenity 🙏 ☸️ (Third version)
Jinx: Plotting Shadows: Enigma❓ of a Mysterious Collage🧩
Please support the authors by reading the manhwas on the official websites. This is where you can read the manhwa: Jinx. But be aware that this Manhwa is a mature Yaoi, which means, it is about homosexuality with explicit scenes. Here is the link of the table of contents about Jinx. Here is the link where you can find the table of contents of analyzed manhwas. Here are the links, if you are interested in the first work from Mingwa, BJ Alex, and the previous essay about Jinx “Harmony‘s Clash: Prince S and Emperor – part 1
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1. The first piece of the puzzling plot
If you read my essays “Agent Blue – part 1 (Second version) and Agent Blue – part 2“, you already know about my theory that Heo Manwook was involved in the drug incident. And this hypothesis got proven correct: 
(chapter 46) I had even truly perceived his motivations: 
(chapter 46) He desired to get revenge on the celebrity. But from my point of view, there exist other reasons for his trick. He was seeking validation for his statement: 
(chapter 17) Such fights are fake. The irony was that his perception got discredited once again. And now, we know why he thought like this. He is involved with the underground sports gamblers. (Chapter 46) His computer screen is indicating that Heo Manwook is gambling himself. 
(Chapter 46)
However, the loan shark was just the peak of the iceberg, for he is working for someone else: Mr Choi! (chapter 46)
Before examining this new character more closely, I prefer determining their relationship, as my focus is first on the moneylender. The way Heo Manwook saved the contact under Mr Choi indicates a certain respect and distance. He doesn’t call him by his first name. Additionally, though the moneylender calls Mr Choi “Boss” (chapter 46), their work relations are not official. Yes, they are bound to each other by an oral contract and as such by loyalty. And how do I know this? Mingwa left two important clues: Mr Choi is using his wireless telephone, though there is a normal telephone on his desk. (chapter 46) This shows that this call is private and even secret. No one should know about his connection to the thug. From my point of view, Mr. Choi doesn’t want to interact with Heo Manwook too often, as this could expose the true origins of his wealth and fame. He is not a real self-made man, rather a criminal who could climb the social ladders thanks to his cunningness and connections.
Secondly, Jinx-philes should recall how Kim Dan had wired the 14.000 $ to Heo Manwook’s personal account. 
(chapter 16) And this raises the following question again. 
(chapter 17) To which account did the champion send the money? Heo Manwook’s or a different one? If this is the second case, this signifies that Heo Manwook has been embezzling money from Mr. Choi through the poor physical therapist. The latter was sending the money to his personal account. 
(chapter 16) This would explain why Heo Manwook would harass the main lead, though he had paid the interests on time. 
(chapter 1) Under this new light, it dawned on me why the moneylender interrogated Kim Dan later. 
(chapter 11) It is because the doctor had paid a huge amount making it impossible for the loan shark to filch it. And now take a closer look at the infuriated thug: he employed the expression “laundering money”! He was projecting his own fears onto Kim Dan. For me, this scene exposes the true nature between Mr. Choi and Heo Manwook. He is laundering money for Mr. Choi. This explicates why their work relations is not official, as they are engaged in illegal activities. Thus their labor relations can not be known to others. On the other hand, if the champion paid the loan to the same account (chapter 16), then Joo Jaekyung has a way to track down the moneylender. 😮 Moreover, remember how I had underlined the importance of business account and personal account. If the loan shark were to get sued, he would be held responsible personally for any damage. He could go himself into debts.😉 And Mr. Choi could act, as if he has nothing to do with him. Since I detected the presence of “respect and distance” with the contact registration, it seems doubtful that the criminal would steal from his “boss”. Yet, we shouldn’t overlook the fact that the moneylender used his “boss” to achieve his own goal: getting revenge on the champion. 
(chapter 46) He had to convince him to bet on Joo Jaekyung’s defeat. The thug could use the interference of the champion on his side business, as this secret “laundering money” could come to the surface. His actions prove us that his “respect” towards his boss is just superficial. He is prioritizing his own interests. Hence he could have definitely taken advantage of his own position to earn more money through side “hustles”. 
(chapter 45) Yes, the negative reflection from the physical therapist’s. So should the broker indeed have embezzled money, that would be the end between him and Mr Choi. He would be abandoned. However, since my assumption is that the moneylender is laundering money for Mr. Choi, it signifies that the latter is dependent on him as well. However, he could choose to replace him. We could detect through the years that the thugs were switched. 
(Chapter 5) 
(chapter 1) Thus I come to the following conclusion: We are assisting to the gradual disintegration of their secret relationship. I am already envisaging that Heo Manwook could end up not only losing Mr. Choi’s favor, but also getting switched by this man. (Chapter 37) And the starting point of their estrangement is the suggestion made by Heo Manwook which led to the loss of the bet. Mr. Choi trusted his „underground assistant“, hence he wagers a huge amount of money. 
(Chapter 46) The sum reflects the faith he had in Heo Manwook. Yet, the conversation displays the increasing mistrust between them. Note that the usurer is not taking responsibility for the failure of his scheme: „on their end“. (Chapter 46) It was because of the others. Moreover, observe that the moneylender was looking at his screen, a sign that he is slowly getting addicted to underground sports gambling. (Chapter 46) There’s no doubt that the moneylender will act on his own. (chapter 46) He won’t listen to his boss’ request. Why? First, the thug never got his revenge, but it was his main motivation for his last trick. We could say that it is a matter of pride and money 
(chapter 46). Secondly, since Mr. Choi is now taking the matter into his own hands, this signifies that the criminal won’t be involved in the next scheme, so he won‘t gain anything. (chapter 46) Consequently, it implies that Mr. Choi won’t inform him… Yet, keep in mind that Heo Manwook is looking at illegal sport bets, and the champion’s next fight is scheduled in two weeks, which the moneylender must definitely know. Therefore I am envisaging a new bet on the athlete from his part. And this brings me to my second piece of the “collage”.
2. The drug incident and its consequences
For that, it is time to return our attention to the last scheme. Mr. Choi had not organized himself the drug incident, he had just been informed about the plot.
(chapter 46) That’s the reason why the thug had hired the man himself. This confirms that this man (chapter 37) met the moneylender, but he was not in touch with Mr Choi. Hence the man in black could not reveal the incident in the States to Mr Choi. The latter has no idea what truly happened there: they missed their target and afterwards they involved MFC security guys to cover up the incident by framing the physical therapist.. What only mattered to Mr. Choi was that the champion had not drunk the drugged beverage. And we know for sure that Mr Choi is left in the dark concerning this 
(chapter 40). How so? It is because Heo Manwook doesn’t explain how the plot failed!! (chapter 46) At no moment, he elaborates that someone else drank the poisoned nutrition shake. Besides, Heo Manwook has no idea about the identity of the drinker. From my point of view, Mr Choi is unaware of the involvement of MFC security guys. Yes… though this chapter was painful for Jinx-philes, it still gave me hope, for the author is showing that the villains are not communicating to each other. They keep information from each other which represents the exact opposite to the argument in the penthouse. (chapter 45) Their reason for not sharing their secrets is simple: they don’t want to expose their vulnerabilities, mistakes and problems. That’s the reason why their plots can only fail in the end. They didn’t possess all the information. Simultaneously, it displays their cowardice, for they are acting in the shadow, behind people’s back.
We have the best evidence of miscommunication with Kim Dan. The latter never interacted with Mr. Choi directly, but he was connected to him through the debts. Moreover, he was not the borrower of the loan 
(chapter 5), thus I doubt that Mr. Choi is aware of the connection between the physical therapist and Heo Manwook. The curriculum vitae sent to him certainly doesn’t contain any information about Kim Dan’s past financial situation. (chapter 46) Moreover, the CV can be seen as a source of information, just like the photos. As you can see, Mr. Choi gathered insight through others, I would even add through indirect channels. Another common denominator is that this intel is on paper. He is not interacting with the celebrity or the doctor. It is important, because he is judging the situation from the distance. He is put in the same situation than Potato: 
(chapter 23) Back then, he initially denied the existence of intimacy between them, until he was confronted with reality. 
(chapter 25) Hence he envied the doctor for his closeness with the celebrity. 
(chapter 25) Thus from my point of view, Mr. Choi must have come to a different perception than the maknae: (chapter 46) The champion not only must trust the doctor, but also exposes his attachment towards the physical therapist by opening the door and sharing the burden with his fated partner. The fighter is seen gentle and caring. Hence it becomes clear that Mr. Choi is now targeting Kim Dan. His goal will be to separate the couple. I didn’t come to this conclusion just through deductions, but Mingwa also left a clue: the “stalker” took a picture of Kim Dan alone, a sign that the photograph was now following the physical therapist. But if Mr. Choi had showed the picture to Heo Manwook, the latter would have revealed that Kim Dan was “selling his body” for “Team Black”. The documents are the proof of miscommunication, though they are conversing over the phone. This stands in opposition to these short messages from Park Manwook: (chapter 45): sincere congratulations from a family, as he showed his kids to the celebrity. Finally, observe that during the phone conversation, Mr. Choi refused to listen to his minion. (chapter 46)
Furthermore, I would like to outline that when the fake MFC guy brought the poison, he saw Kim Dan wearing an uniform with the tag Team Black. (chapter 37) However, the man with the cap couldn’t determine Kim Dan’s true identity based on his uniform. Who was he exactly? A fighter? Or a coach? He could jump to the false conclusion that it is an uniform for the members of Team Black and not for the physical therapist. The unknown man could only recognize him by his face and hair. That’s how he got denunciated to the MFC security guys (chapter 40) Therefore you comprehend why the “fake” agents for order tried to determine his identity. (chapter 40) But the champion’s response couldn’t give them any satisfaction: 
(chapter 40) He only declared that he was part of his team. They had no idea who the person actually was. However, Joo Jaekyung didn’t realize that through his action, he was bringing attention to the company “TEAM BLACK”. That’s what the criminal saw on the uniform and the jacket! Thus I come to the following deduction: the hired man will report to Heo Manwook the existence of Team Black and its connection with Joo Jaekyung. (chapter 16) 
(chapter 16) Thus there’s a high chance that they will try to ruin the champion by tarnishing his company. It is a hidden brothel. Imagine Park Manwook’s reaction, when he gets to hear that his gym is a whorehouse. (Chapter 45) Another possibility is that they decide to target the members from Team Black, especially Potato, and rig his games. (chapter 46) But here is the thing: (chapter 30) Choi Heesung has been promoting the athlete and his company. 
(chapter 31) That’s how the actor’s reputation would get affected. As you can see, the actor and Mr. Choi share the same family name. So are they related or not?
3. A star against evil versus a overseer of a mountain
Before answering this question, I would like to portray him first, based on the clues Mingwa left in the chapter. Who is this man?
He is definitely a new villain, as he wagered on the champion‘s loss. Interesting is that Mingwa didn’t reveal everything about this character. First, she never showed his eyes! (chapter 46) Don’t forget that eyes are the mirror of the soul. Secondly, the readers can only see his chin and nose, while the top of his head remains in the shadow. For me, the Webtoonist didn’t truly expose Mr Choi’s face. Why? The purpose is to keep his identity a mystery. Some people came to think that this person was the fan at the restaurant, for he was wearing similar clothes (green shirt). 
(chapter 43) Besides, on his desk, there were photos of the protagonists. But in my eyes, these two persons are totally different. How so? (chapter 46) The form of the hair on the neck diverges: round versus square. Moreover, both men are wearing the cell phone with a different hand: left versus right. But why did the author create such a confusion? It is because she is working with positive and negative reflections. This means that the admiration of the fan at the restaurant was genuine, whereas Mr Choi is just a hypocrite. He had been spying on Joo Jaekyung and Kim Dan. (chapter 46) I also don’t think that it’s a coincidence that Mr Choi is left-handed. The association between being left-handed and being considered a jinx or unlucky is rooted in historical superstitions and cultural beliefs. Throughout history, left-handedness has been viewed with suspicion or negativity in various cultures.
He owns a huge company, for his desk is covered with files. Besides, the small red box looks very expensive. First, I thought that it was a cigarette etui, until my friend @m1n_m1n_07 suggested a box for a stamp seal. The latter is the symbol for identity and ownership. Thus I deduced that Mr. Choi is running a business. In my opinion, he is the CEO of the Entertainment agency. Yes, this would fit the description about the „fake admiration“ for Joo Jaekyung. Then this would signify that the entertainment agency would launder money by receiving payments from the moneylender Heo Manwook that are proceeds from illegal activities, such as loan sharking or extortion. The agency might then use its legitimate business activities, such as concert promotions or talent management, to disguise the illicit origins of the funds. That‘s why they needed the athlete as their client! Behind his games, they could mask the illegal activities, thus the lucky streak!!
And remember what the actor said at the club: (chapter 33) He employed the personal pronoun “our” (even in the Korean version), a sign that he was identifying himself with the owner. From my point of view, Mr Choi and Choi Heesung are related, I would even say father and son. I know, when I presented my theory on X, people argued about this, for in South Korea, Choi is a common surname, just like Kim Miseon is not related to Kim Dan. 
(Chapter 5) Yet, I can refute their objections with the following points. Jinx is about emancipation and maturity, the leads are encouraged to become responsible and mature men. This signifies that they need to cut off ties with their parents and become strong mentally and emotionally.
Moreover, the moment you compare the introduction of the two Chois, you can detect huge contrasts. It indicates that the author is once again working with positive and negative reflections. First, the actor was not introduced as Choi Heesung, but as Heesung. 
(chapter 29) Note that the comedian is promoting himself with Heesung and not his surname. 
(chapter 30) It was, as if he didn’t want to be connected to this Mr. Choi. Moreover, contrary to the mysterious director, readers could see his face and identify his “job”: an actor! (chapter 29) Yes, the Webtoonist introduced the actor the opposite way. However, in this scene, Jinx-Philes were intrigued by him, as they had no way to determine his role in the story: antagonist or second lead? His personality was quite mysterious which stands in opposition to Mr. Choi. Readers can already judge him as a bad guy. The latter oozes ruthlessness, greed and dishonesty. His words are represented by the color “dark grey”. (chapter 46)
Dark gray is conventional and constrained. It is serious and solemn, inflexible and strict. It relates to self-denial and self-discipline. Quoted from https://www.empower-yourself-with-color-psychology.com/color-gray.html
These notions stand in opposition to the actor. (chapter 31) The latter hates conventions, discipline and even control. (chapter 33) In addition, Grey embodies boredom, neutrality and compromise, while the actor is always trying to “take a side”, to earn people’s admiration. As you can see, through this contrast, it becomes obvious that these two characters are related. The darkness from the relative rubbed off on the actor, for he is able to scheme. Moreover, Mingwa still created some similarities: both faces were first covered. 
(chapter 29) (chapter 46) And finally, the actor was seen wearing a similar shade on the rooftop: (chapter 33) Green, whose negative features are greed, jealousy and envy. And what had Heesung done during that day? A prank at the champion’s expense. He wanted to have the doctor for himself. Furthermore, we can grasp why Heesung’s manager complained about this: 
(chapter 31) His words expose the greed and selfishness of the CEO from the agency. They are accountable for Heesung’s actions. In my eyes, this condition was made in order to control Heesung, so that the latter would feel responsible for his manager and other employees. It was to push him to „work“. Under this new approach, it dawned on me why Heesung would sponsor lunches to the members from Team Black, 
(chapter 30). It was his way to get acceptance and recognition. From my point of view, he occupies a special position at the agency, as if his moves are supervised there. Hence he asked from his manager that the latter would keep the fake injury a secret. (Chapter 33) His laziness was already implied by the champion. 
(Chapter 31) As you can see, I sense that Heesung had an ambivalent relationship with his „father“. On the one hand, he rejects him due to his cold-heartedness and high expectations, on the other hand, he was still relying on him and his connections through the agency. In my eyes, he will be forced to choose between love or money in the end.
From my point of view, Heesung and his relative are not close, they have an estranged relationship. Finally, I would like my inquisitive readers to recall the way the actor appeared at the club: he was wearing slippers. 
(chapter 33) My initial theory was that he had been stalked. But he could have left the family house after a huge quarrel. And Mr. Choi is indeed acting like a stalker, though he did not do it himself: the pictures! (chapter 46) On the other hand, these pictures corroborate my previous observation: Joo Jaekyung had been followed during that evening. 
(chapter 33) This was the “stalker” working on Mr. Choi’s account. So it dawned on me that Heesung might have been living with his father in the huge building
(chapter 32), until he chose to move out and live on his own. And now, we have the perfect explanation why his house is so clean and impersonal: 
(chapter 33) It is because his father probably meddled in his life constantly. I have the impression that he must know about his father’s past and the true origin of their wealth. The fact that he introduces himself as “Heesung” is a sign that he wants to deny his origins, Choi.
Since people questioned my theory about their parentage, I chose to look into the signification of Choi. This is what I found:
It is fabled that the origins of this name were derived from the intermixing of Koreans and Chinese eons ago. Choi also means high, superior, lofty or towering, which might explain why this surname is mostly used as surnames of antagonists in Korean soap operas. https://www.babycentre.co.uk/babyname/1023279/choi
This quote explains why this mysterious man was introduced as Mr. Choi!! He is an antagonist and even villain of our beloved couples, while the actor had to be introduced as Heesung, for his role in Jinx is different. Moreover, since Mr. Choi is portrayed as a man obsessed with money and with no integrity, Manhwalovers can grasp why Heesung was obsessed with his search for a „soulmate“. (Chapter 33) He had been missing love and warmth too because of his family, exactly like the champion. Both came to a similar conclusion: fame served as a replacement. It was to get recognition and „affection“. The problem is that this type of attachment is rather superficial and temporary, as none of their „admirers“ or „fans“ has to become responsible for them. Moreover, their fortune played a huge role to undermine their relationship.
Then I found on a different website this information:
The name Choi is primarily a gender-neutral name of Korean origin that means Overseer Of The Mountain.Korean surname meaning “one who oversees the land and the mountain.” Quoted from https://babynames.com/name/choi#:~:text=What%20is%20the%20meaning%20of,the%20land%20and%20the%20mountain.”
This indicates Mr. Choi’s role in Jinx. He acts like a general or governor, and gives orders to his minions. He has the impression that he owns the world. Hence he can bet on the champion‘s defeat. He is treating people like „pawns”. That‘s the reason why I included a building below Mr Choi in the illustration. 
The house stands for power and propriety. But Choi has another signification.
The last name Choi is a traditional Korean surname. It stands for the powerful idea of “clear space,” emphasizing its bearer’s open-mindedness and wide scope of understanding. According to Korean legends, the surname originated from the five stars in the East of the sky that the ancient Korean nobility worshipped in order to ward off evil spirits. The popularity of the surname Choi has been steadily increasing since the 1960s as many Koreans have emigrated around the world in search of better opportunities. […] By and large, Choi is a powerful and meaningful surname. It is a reminder to its bearer to stay open-minded, aware, and ever-educating oneself in order to stay sharp and perceptive. Choi stands for optimism, understanding, and clarity; traits which, if embraced, can take any person very far. Quoted from https://www.igenea.com/en/surnames/c/choi
As you can see, this surname is associated with stars and lucky charms. It is important, because it implies the involvement of Mr. Choi with the champion‘s jinx. Is it a coincidence that the actor knows about the athlete‘s jinx? (Chapter 32) Note that when he was conversing with the celebrity at the bar, he never brought up his jinx. (Chapter 33) He only criticized Joo Jaekyung for his poor sexual behavior. So where did he hear it? Interesting is that 6 months ago, the champion signed a contract with the Entertainment agency, and this is what Park Namwook confessed to the physical therapist: (Chapter 43) His success felt almost unreal, as it was too beautiful to be true. And this would coincide with the signature of the contract between the athlete and the Entertainment agency. The lucky streak is to cover up the illegal activities. He is already envisaging an injury, because he was convinced that this is the fate of such celebrities. 
(Chapter 43) However, if he pondered a little more, he would realize that it is a lie. How so? Coach Jeon Yosep is the evidence that not all athletes are destined to end their career because of an injury. Yosep is still a fighter.
And the connection between Choi and the 5 stars reinforces my previous interpretation about the characters in Jinx. They are all associated with stars and as such planets: Saturn, Moon, Sun, Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Neptun and Mercury. Interesting is that number 46 corresponds to the sun. So we could say that Mr-Choi and Joo Jaekyung are represented by the huge star, and Mingwa placed Mr Choi next to the main lead as an indication of a future collision between the 2 suns. There will be a conflict of interests.
The 46 unbalanced is
A glossy image with no real substance or soul
Only concerned with looks, brand and image
Family values are only used as a political show
Submerged in chaos and scandals, desperately trying to keep it together
Inner ideals and mental images blur reality Quoted from https://www.numerologistpro.com/numerology-numbers/numerology-number-46-meaning/
Interesting is that this number is linked to scandal and family. Then the latter is used to achieve a goal displaying selfishness and heartlessness. As you can see, I am quite certain that very soon, we will have a new uproar. Moreover, I would like to outline that the mysterious man is wearing a watch! (chapter 46) It was, as if he was owning time. And we have the evidence that he is the one behind the timing, as he called Heo Manwook first, and this for one reason. he wanted to announce him that he should stop seeking “revenge” on the celebrity on his own. But he only did it after receiving the CV from Kim Dan and the pictures. (chapter 46) The desk is also referring to time, like we could observe it in this situation: 
(chapter 43) The package arrived right on time.
And naturally, this panel (chapter 46) raises the following questions. Who took the pictures without being noticed? I mean, they were in front of the gym, so they could have sensed the presence of a third person, unless the latter acted as a deliveryman. Then, how did Mr. Choi get the résumé from the main lead? Did the latter send it to find a new job? Or was the curriculum vitae delivered to Mr. Choi by someone else? Like for example… a hospital! Let’s not forget that the physical therapist has been blacklisted by all the hospitals. (chapter 1) I doubt that the incident with the perverted hospital director was leaked to the outside world, so the main lead must have been badmouthed. So if this rumor about Kim Dan reached Mr- Choi’s ears, then he will definitely see in him the perfect scapegoat for covering up his own involvement. He would even appear as a righteous person. According to me, he is the CEO from the Entertainment agency and the latter had pushed the champion to press charges against the hospital. (chapter 36) In fact, he could decide to leak the information about the physical therapist to the hospital so that the latter can put the blame on the free-lancer! (chapter 42) That way, the agency would divert attention from its own responsibility and even receive support from the clinic. Then we have this rumor circulating that people are sending spies to gyms. 
(chapter 46) Is it a coincidence that this terrible gossip reached the blind manager Park Manwook at this moment? No, nothing is random in this story. They could frame the physical therapist as someone who tried to “leak” information in order to rig a game. He could be portrayed as a gambler. Yet, Mr Choi is not aware that Kim Dan offered a golden keychain to the champion and even risked his health to buy the expensive present.
However, we shouldn’t overlook that because the MFC matchmaker was involved in the plot
, (chapter 36), he must have wagered too and lost money. This would explain why he asked the doctor from MFC to give it a go right after. He needed to create a new game in order to cover up the last losses. The problem is that since Mr. Choi wasn’t informed about the incident with the security guys from MFC, I don’t think, he is truly aware of the celebrity’s physical conditions. If he knew about the real diagnosis, he wouldn’t need to investigate Kim Dan. He would rely on time… within such a short time, Joo Jaekyung wouldn’t be able to recover. In fact, he would even bet on the athlete’s defeat once again. Since he saw these pictures, I am quite certain that he is misjudging the relationship between the two protagonists. They are close, hence he needs to sow discord and even plant a seed of doubts on the athlete’s mind.
Finally, I would like to outline that the first plot started with the publication of Shim Yoon-Seok’s article: (chapter 35) The athlete was pushed to prove the “wrongfulness” of this article by accepting a fight. 
(chapter 36) Hence I am suspecting that one of Mr. Choi’s intentions is to portray Kim Dan as a fraud, as a bad and immoral PT. They could even question his skills and competences, for MFC authorized the fight and the champion is now no longer treated by the famous hospital. They could imply that the main lead isolated the athlete on purpose and even aggravated his injury. But like mentioned above, Mr. Choi only knows half of the story. He has no idea about the connection between Cheolmin and the athlete and the former assisted him. Besides, he judges the poor uke based on his prejudices and past experiences. Exactly like the loan shark, Mr. Choi is also projecting his own thoughts onto the doctor. If the latter sent his CV, it signifies that the CEO imagines that Kim Dan is ready to “betray” the champion. Yet, the doctor doesn’t resent the main lead. In addition, from my point of view, the mysterious “general” received the résumé through connections.
Finally, once the characters make a connection between the drug incident and the agency, there is no ambiguity that the agent will have to take the fall, though he definitely followed the directives: (chapter 36) He acted on his own. The MFC matchmaker can even deny his involvement, for he didn’t contact the champion himself. (Chapter 36) Don’t forget that the man has his phone number. (Chapter 5) Imagine the consequences for the manager. The latter would not only lose his job, but also face a lawsuit for breaching the contract. There’s no ambiguity that Mr. Choi would feign ignorance. Finally, since Mingwa is using karma as punishment, the readers should expect that Mr. Choi’s papers will get leaked too. Heo Manwook plotted out of revenge and greed, the result was that he lost a lot: his boss‘ trust, his money and his „sanity“. Since Mr. Choi is now taking matters into his own hands, we have to envision that his actions will affect his company… and as such Heesung. The latter could become suspected as „spy“ or in the worse case as theft, he is „stealing talents“. All his past actions would appear in a different light: his generosity was fake. 
(Chapter 31) Yes, appearances would now play in Heesung‘s disfavor. Finally, an incident with the agency would push Heesung to fight against his relative… and to regain control over his life.
Feel free to comment. If you have any suggestion for topics or manhwas, feel free to ask. If you enjoyed reading it, retweet it or push the button like. My Reddit-Instagram-Twitter-Tumblr account is: @bebebisous33. Thanks for reading and for the support, particularly, I would like to thank all the new followers and people recommending my blog.
Jinx / Doctor Frost: Harmony’s clash⚡: Prince S 👸 and Emperor 🤴 – part 1
Please support the authors by reading the manhwas on the official websites. I am also using doctor Frost as reference again. This is where you can read the manhwas: Jinx and Doctor Frost. But be aware that the first Manhwa is a mature Yaoi, which means, it is about homosexuality with explicit scenes. Here is the link of the table of contents about Jinx. Here is the link where you can find the table of contents of analyzed manhwas. Here are the links, if you are interested in the first work from Mingwa, BJ Alex, and the previous essay about Jinx “(Un)Wanted Love“.
It would be great if you could make some donations/sponsoring: Ko-fi.com/bebebisous33 That way, you can support me with “coffee” so that I have the energy to keep examining manhwas. Besides, I need to cover up the expenses for this blog.
Anyone can imagine that with the name “emperor”, I am referring to the fighter Joo Jaekyung. That’s his nickname in the MMA world. 
(chapter 14) On the other hand, some readers might wonder why I am connecting Kim Dan to princess (Prince S). I have many reasons for this association.
1. Princess Pyeonggang and Kim Dan
Have you ever heard about the Korean folktale of Princess Pyeonggang and her “idiot” husband Ondal? It is the story of a “stubborn” princess who helped her timid and poor husband Ondal to become a famous general during the 3 kingdoms era.
The Odd Couple
When she entered Ondal’s humble home, Princess Pyeonggang immediately explained to his weak mother that she wanted to marry her son, who was out fetching tree bark for food. His mother identified the princess as a person of noble upbringing by her perfume and soft skin. The mother explained that she and her son were very poor and that a woman of high birth had no place there.The princess, however, showed no change in her determination. When Ondal arrived, the princess once again explained her reason for visiting. Ondal was instantly suspicious, however, and angrily sent her away. After the princess spent the night outside his house and offered to buy him a new house, food, land and a horse with the money she earned by selling her gold ring, Ondal was soon won over by her sincerity. The princess not only brought Ondal and his mother out of poverty, but also paid for his education and gave him professional training in the martial arts. https://www.korea.net/NewsFocus/Culture/view?articleId=122048
Moreover, their marriage transcends social classes, which reminds us a lot of Jinx. On the other hand, if we compare the Manhwa with the legend, the champion resembles more to the princess due to his status, actions and personality. He is the one helping the doctor, and Kim Dan appears more like the fool “husband” with his weak and poor relative. However, I came to make the association between the famous Korean princess and the physical therapist, when I was rereading Doctor Frost. How so? 
(chapter 30) This woman, named Sihyun, is suffering from Dependent Personality Disorder. And the author of the Webtoon Doctor Frost called her story: “The tears of Princess Pyeonggang”. Due to her personality, she was linked to the famous “princess”. She would do everything for her companions, yet she kept getting dumped. What caught my attention is that both women defined themselves through their partner. Their ultimate goal in life is to assist them, to make the other happy or recognized. But how is it a problem?
Let me give you an example with Sihyun and her first boyfriend.
Yes, she asks her first boyfriend to make choices and as such decisions. She is unable to voice her own opinion, to make a statement. She needs the support and advices from her boyfriends. By asking for her partner’s judgment, she imagines that she is respecting him. Nonetheless, the call at such a hour looks more like intrusion and disregard. By acting this way, she burdened all her boyfriends so that at the end, they all felt the need to break up with her. 
(chapter 33) What appeared as caring turned out to be a load, for the partners were all forced to be responsible for her and in every aspect of her life. They definitely felt asphyxiated, hence they could only get sick of her. Interesting is that this person would find shortly after the separation a new boyfriend, a sign that she could not live on her own. 
(chapter 33) And now, you are wondering how Sihyun is similar to Kim Dan, who only had one person in his life before he met the champion. It is related to traumas in their childhood. 
(Doctor Frost, chapter 39) After reading this, Jinx-philes can realize that Kim Dan is also suffering from Dependent Personality Disorder, though it is less obvious. He got abandoned by his parents making him feel insecure. 
(chapter 21) We could detect his low self-esteem 
(chapter 25) 
(chapter 46) and his overprotectiveness (chapter 16) 
(chapter 26) 
(chapter 42) on many occasions. He was risking his livelihood and health for the sake of others (his halmoni, Potato and Joo Jaekyung). His selflessness is actually the sign of his DPD. He had no purpose or ambition in his life… That’s why he is not able to project himself in the future. Until chapter 45, his life and future was determined by the celebrity, 
(chapter 42) and before it was by his halmoni’s fate. 
(chapter 19) However, here please don’t get me wrong. For me, the athlete is the physical therapist’s emancipator. This huge argument in the dining room pushed him to differentiate himself from the champion. In my eyes, Kim Dan would have returned to his old bad habits… relying on someone else, sacrificing himself for someone’s else sake. He would have neglected his career in the end.
As you can see, the problem is that his personality is affecting his career. At no moment, he voiced his own opinion concerning the champion’s health. He always used other doctors as references 
(chapter 27) (chapter 42) or he delegated the examination to a hospital. 
(chapter 31) Here, we get an explanation why he couldn’t detect the trick from Choi Heesung. He feared to make a diagnosis on his own, as he didn’t desire to question the words from the comedian. The hospital seems to be the sacred place in the doctor’s eyes. (chapter 41) There, nothing can go wrong. But by entrusting his patients to hospitals, he didn’t realize that he was appearing as untrustworthy or even “incompetent”. His lack of confidence and hesitation explicate why the athlete replied to his suggestion like this: (chapter 41) How could he question the doctor from MFC, when he kept hiding behind a hospital or the words from other physicians? That’s how the physical therapist got silenced. He couldn’t confront the athlete with his diagnosis. Interesting is that he never gave him the file later! (chapter 42) Consequently, it is not surprising why the champion complained about the doctor’s negligence. The latter was avoiding any responsibility in the end. On the other hand, the report is the symbol of his hard work, but also of his knowledge. That’s the reason why I am still considering the dispute in chapter 45 as a good omen for the physical therapist. He needs to develop his own identity. They are two different people. He needs to live for himself, to give a meaning to his life and not: (Doctor Frost, chapter 30)
Nevertheless, one detail caught my attention in this panel: (chapter 27) The presence of the personal pronoun “I”. Contrary to the conversation in the car (chapter 42), where there is no personal pronoun “I”, the doctor made a mini-statement. Jinx-philes can now grasp why the champion asked him to become responsible for his day-off. 
(chapter 27) That’s how it dawned on me why the doctor reverted to his old habits (not participating to the meeting, taking odd jobs, not voicing his own judgment, relying on others) after the night, when he was treated as sex toy. However, in my eyes, the trigger for this switch was the release of the tabloid article. (chapter 35). Why did the doctor appear so confident in front of his client to the point that he could reject his hand after going to the hospital? (chapter 27) It is because his self-esteem had been boosted by Dr. Lee. The latter had complimented him which didn’t fall on deaf ears. However, the relationship between the respectable hospital and the athlete went sour due to his article. (chapter 35) Imagine what it meant for Kim Dan. He could only remain passive, as he is called “doctor”. He views himself as a member from the medical field. Furthermore, observe what the sports therapist told him during the treatment session: (chapter 42) He mentioned the lawsuit against the most reputable hospital. The dispute could only diminish his self-esteem. As time passed on, there is no ambiguity that this lawsuit must have burdened more and more the physical therapist. Besides, there is no doubt that he felt some loyalty towards doctor Lee who had been complimenting him. Secondly, let’s not forget that despite his “efforts”, he had not been able to convince his patient to stop training for one day. (chapter 29) Hence he jumped to the conclusion that his patient would not listen to him anyway. (chapter 42)
After being confronted with harsh reality, he is forced to reflect on his own situation, to worry about himself. That’s the reason why I judge this scene as a positive moment in the doctor’s life. He is no longer seeking love and reliance on others in order to value himself. 
(chapter 46) This is not surprising that Mingwa zoomed on his feet. 
(chapter 46) It is full of symbolism. For the first time, he is standing on his own feet. His walk in direction to the trash bin illustrates his choice. 
(chapter 46) Besides, he is using the personal pronoun “I”. 
(chapter 46) It is his Coming-Of-Age. He is on the verge to become independent. On the other hand, he didn’t fight back verbally against his boss. He accepted his reproach. 
(chapter 46) He was just a physical therapist and nothing more. This shows his lack of criticism. He is still not mentally strong enough to question the champion’s words and argue back. In the past, he could do it, for he was identifying himself with his grandmother and her values. 
(chapter 18) This signifies that he needs to develop his own philosophy and values. What does he treasure in his life?
And here I feel the need to bring up the green-haired guy. 
(chapter 42) The latter was also dependent on the champion, but his “addiction” was money and not love or recognition. Therefore he picked up the money before leaving the flat
(chapter 2), while the other threw away the expensive keychain 
(chapter 46). This scene exposes the return of Kim Dan’s dignity. This comparison reinforces my interpretation that the champion misjudged the doctor’s present and actions. He imagined that Kim Dan had been acting like his “previous sex-partners” or stans. They would offer him some gifts in exchange of favors. Another contrast with the goblin is the absence of a fight and discussion. 
(chapter 2) I would even add that contrary to the green-haired guy, the doctor is not judging his patient’s personality, he is blaming himself. (chapter 46) Hence we should see it in a positive light: Kim Dan is not rejecting the athlete per se, but he is putting a distance between himself and his boss. Moreover, the presence of guilt is important, because in order to overcome DPD, the patient needs to recognize his own issues in order to change. By admitting his own flaws, he is able to move on. Our “Princess “Sihyun always put the whole responsibility on her boyfriends who dumped her. They were the bad guys, only interested in her money or body. 
(Doctor Frost, chapter 32) Interesting is that doctor Frost revealed to her later that her condition made her an easy target, as she kept relying on others. 
(Doctor Frost, chapter 39) And this observation brings me to my next conclusion: he will be approached by really bad guys, the mysterious Mr. Choi! (chapter 46) Thus I assume that his next lesson is to judge people correctly, to question their true motivation. So far, he fell into the same trap twice: (chapter 1) (chapter 1) He even needs to learn the difference between good guy and nice guy, but this remark applies to the grandmother.
When the dating coach Ruby Le came on the show, she explained the fundamental difference between good guys, who are genuinely nice people, and so-called “nice guys,” who are men who carry a lot of toxic traits. Good guys do kind and generous things because they are kind and generous. Nice guys, on the other hand, only say nice things because they think they are entitled to a women’s body, time, and attention, quickly changing their attitudes when they don’t get it. For example, nice guys think that, if they pay for dinner and drive a woman home, they are entitled to sex. But good guys give without any expectation of anything in return. They are able to love without attachment. Quoted from https://www.zachbeach.com/how-to-love-without-attachment/
Here, I was thinking of Heesung and Joo Jaekyung. Both acted as generous and gentle guys
(chapter 21), yet their actions were not truly selfless.
2. Dependence versus attachment
Finally, I don’t think that the doctor’s choice for the present (chapter 45) is random, for it stands for “attachment”.
Attachment, or the attachment bond, is the emotional connection you formed as an infant with your primary caregiver—probably your mother. According to attachment theory, pioneered by British psychiatrist John Bowlby and American psychologist Mary Ainsworth, the quality of the bonding you experienced during this first relationship often determines how well you relate to other people and respond to intimacy throughout life.
If your primary caretaker made you feel safe and understood as an infant, if they were able to respond to your cries and accurately interpret your changing physical and emotional needs, then you likely developed a successful, secure attachment. As an adult, that usually translates to being self-confident, trusting, and hopeful, with an ability to healthily manage conflict, respond to intimacy, and navigate the ups and downs of romantic relationships.
Beyond categorizing attachment as secure or insecure, there are three subsets of insecure attachment which give us the four main attachment styles:
Secure attachment
Ambivalent (or anxious-preoccupied) attachment
Avoidant-dismissive attachment
Disorganized attachment
Quoted from https://www.helpguide.org/articles/relationships-communication/attachment-and-adult-relationships.htm
Because of his abandonment issues, there is no ambiguity that the doctor belongs more to the second type, whereas the champion is more connected to the third type. Since Joo Jaekyung is suffering from philophobia, the keychain could only be rejected, as it symbolized “restrain” and “attachment”.
In my opinion, the princess must learn how to love without “attachment” and as such without expectations. Yes, Kim Dan has to discover the existence of “love without conditions”.
Conditional love conveys to children the idea that they are only worthy and deserving of affection and attention when they behave as others want. It teaches them that something is wrong with their true self. Therefore, they learn that they cannot be themselves, which ends up affecting their self-esteem and their ability to create and maintain healthy social relationships. It is no coincidence that a study carried out at the University of Bielefeld with more than 500 adolescents revealed that those whose parents conditioned their love had a very vulnerable self-esteem, were not capable of treating each other with kindness, were too self-critical, were very insecure and had a lower satisfaction with life. Quoted from https://psychology-spot.com/conditional-love-parents-consecuences-children/
On my search about attachment and conditional love, I found this blog where the author’s statement opened my eyes to the princess’ destiny.
“For most people, the idea of non-attachment calls to mind images of separation, of not caring, not being involved at all. It brings to mind spiritual bypassing: people who simply preach spiritual clichés like “everything happens for a reason” or “this, too, shall pass,” and are totally uninvolved with the emotional reality of the situation.
However, non-attachment is not the opposite of attachment. Detachment is the opposite of attachment, and non-attachment resides between these opposite polarities, between getting too caught up in our experience and being completely cut off from them. This is an incredibly important distinction. Attachment is too much involvement, detachment is not enough, and non-attachment is that very special middle path that allows you to be fully present in what is happening without complicating it. […]
In Yogic philosophy, the word is vairāgya, and is sometimes translated as “dispassion.” Both ideas focus on the importance of noticing our mental, emotional, and physical experiences without getting so caught up in them.
They also point to the fundamental truth behind non-attachment: it is a state free from desire, not trying to get anything from anybody. It arises naturally when internal peace is cultivated and when we aren’t so dependent on the external world for pleasure or validation. It comes from an incredibly wise understanding that happiness is not to be found through the fulfillment of our sensory pleasures, but rather from being free from craving anything at all and enjoying this moment from a place of peace. Quoted from https://www.zachbeach.com/how-to-love-without-attachment/
Kim Dan is better than other characters in Jinx, as he is not greedy by nature. He is not motivated by money and fame. Nevertheless, what did the physical therapist think during the Summer Night’s Dream? 
(chapter 44) He found fulfilment in sex, which stands in opposition to the recommendation of zackbeach. Moreover, I would like to underline that the doctor reduced knowledge to sex: 
(chapter 44) How could he get to know the champion better, when the latter was supposed to be drunk and they would have sex? Getting closer to someone means communication and not really sensuality. Hence his happiness could only be short-lived and illusory. He didn’t take the reality into consideration. Thus I see the physical therapist’s tears as a therapy session: 
(chapter 46) He allows himself to cry, to grieve and to admit his pain and loneliness.
(chapter 46) It helps him to face reality. He is on his own, he needs to stop relying on others. I would even say, he is encouraged to make decisions and as such to become responsible for his own life. It is important, because this means that he will have to fight back, if he wants to survive. He can not make any desperate and hasty decisions, like this one: 
(chapter 1) However, since he listened to the champion’s reproach and became submissive again, their relationship seems to have returned to normality. They even appear as close. (chapter 46) But this is not real communication. It shows that Kim Dan is now waiting for the right time and opportunity to leave Joo Jaekyung. He doesn’t need to rush anything.
3. The Prince S Sleeping Beauty
But Kim Dan is not just connected to Princess Pyeonggang, but also to Sleeping Beauty. My avid readers will certainly remember my comparison between Kim Dan and Sleeping Beauty. [For more read Painful awakening of Sleeping Beauty] I have to admit that his mind-set 
(chapter 41) reminded me of the ending of a fairy tale: they lived happily ever after. But the doctor was forgetting that life doesn’t end after the match in the States. Life ends with death. In verity, the champion is destined to be challenged, until he retires. What the doctor saw was not the end. This exposes his naivety. How could he have such a view? It is influenced by his grandmother. (chapter 19) His goal in life was determined by his familial and financial situation: 
(chapter 10) At no moment he pondered about himself. Happiness was never his goal, exactly like in fairy tales. Sleeping Beauty is rather passive. She sleeps, until the prince charming appears and kisses her. After that, they have kids. Interesting is that they don’t get married right away, so that the princess initially has the status of a mistress or concubine. Once the prince can secure his position, he marries her. Then the moment her husband leaves her side for war, she is tormented by her mother-in-law, the ogress. She can only escape death thanks to the intervention of her husband. We could say that happiness fell on her lap. Sleeping Beauty stands for passivity, dependence on her parents and husband and lack of critical thinking. Why? It is because the princess in fairy tales, in particular Sleeping Beauty, embodies toxic positivity.
But what is toxic passivity?
Toxic positivity is the belief that no matter how dire or difficult a situation is, people should maintain a positive mindset. While there are benefits to being optimistic and engaging in positive thinking, toxic positivity rejects all difficult emotions in favor of a cheerful and often falsely-positive façade. Quoted from https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-toxic-positivity-5093958#toc-coping-with-toxic-positivity
This means that such a person is denying reality, for they refuse to face negative emotions. Thus they are unable to express their true human emotions and don’t receive unwavering support. And now, you are wondering where in Jinx, the author left traces of Toxic Positivity. The first example which could come to your mind would be this: 
(chapter 21) She rejected her grandson’s fear and tears. She didn’t allow him to express his abandonment issues. She diminished his anxiety by questioning his behavior: “It’s okay, grandma was just in the kitchen getting a glass of water.” Then in the present, we could use his visit at the hospital: (chapter 41) While the halmoni didn’t mention her suffering, the doctor gave expensive gifts to the nurse and his grandmother. He acted, as if money was no longer a problem… as if everything was fine, as if she would recover soon. Yet, he never mentioned his problems with the champion during his stay in the States (no drug incident, the humiliation, the harsh words). He is never voicing his problems to his grandmother. Both are putting smiles on their face. And the moment, I connected Kim Dan to Toxic positivity, I had another revelation. The best example for this negative attitude is actually his own birthday. 😱 
(chapter 11) Imagine that the grandmother had left the house without her grandchild. He was left behind in the house. Though she meant it well, for the child, this must have been a real torment, as he constantly feared to be abandoned. However, he knew that he was not allowed to cry or to complain. Hence when he saw her returning, he put a huge smile on his face. Moreover, this is what they had for dinner: a sweet bread and two yoghurts. The grandmother must have been hungry. Both acted, as if nothing was wrong. 
(chapter 45) With this contrast, the fear from the champion becomes more palpable. Joo Jaekyung got angry, for he had been put in the same situation. But the latter was never influenced by Toxic Positivity. Besides, he was fighting against his own inner demons. Nevertheless, this new interpretation of the birthday made me recognize why the author chose this chronology concerning Kim Dan’s past:
| Chapter 5 | Chapter 11 | Chapter 19 | Chapter 21 |
|---|---|---|---|
 | |  | |
The longer Kim Dan lived on his own, the more he got confronted with reality. 
(chapter 1) However, he could never confide to his grandmother about the physical abuse from the loan shark. However, the moment his hope got up 
(chapter 11), as he imagined that he could pay off the debts, he recalled his birthday. He had a nice “souvenir”… convincing himself that everything was fine. He would be able to do it, like his grandmother had told him. 
(chapter 18) Nevertheless, the moment he was forced to move out, he couldn’t help himself to recall how he got abandoned by his parents. And the moment he saw his halmoni fighting for her life, his abandonment issues resurfaced. Hence this terrible memory came through a nightmare. The betrayal from the parents is what had been deeply buried by the grandmother’s philosophy. The fact that the halmoni never allowed Kim Dan to talk about his parents and the circumstances of his arrival to the humble mansion, is the evidence of Toxic Positivity. In my eyes, the relative was already struggling herself, for she had also been left behind. But here it is important not to mix Toxic Positivity with Gaslighting.
But what are the consequences of Toxic Positivity? A low self-esteem, stagnation, constant anxiety and guilt. But there’s more to it.
It’s shaming: Receiving toxic positivity can lead to feelings of shame.3 It tells people that the emotions they are feeling are unacceptable. When someone is suffering, they need to know that their emotions are valid and that they can find relief and love in their friends and family.
It causes guilt: Being toxically positive can also cause feelings of guilt.3 It sends a message that if you aren’t finding a way to feel positive—even in the face of tragedy—you are doing something wrong.
It avoids authentic human emotion: Toxic positivity functions as an avoidance mechanism. When people engage in this type of behavior, it allows them to sidestep emotional situations that make them feel uncomfortable. Sometimes we turn these same ideas on ourselves, internalizing them. When we feel difficult emotions, we then discount, dismiss, and deny them.
It prevents growth: Toxic positivity allows us to avoid feeling things that might be painful. But this denies us the ability to face challenging feelings that can ultimately lead to growth and deeper insight.” Quoted from https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-toxic-positivity-5093958#toc-coping-with-toxic-positivity
This explicates why Kim Dan kept his “innocence”, why he came to deny the existence of his own body and became a ghost. By denying all emotions, he got disconnected to his own body. 
(chapter 12) Therefore I understand why the doctor didn’t fight back against Heo Manwook and his minions. (chapter 1) It was his way to deny reality, hence he was covering his face. Because he trusted his grandmother, he imagined that as long as he was paying the interest on time, nothing would happen to him. (chapter 1) 
(chapter 11) But the moneylender and his minions are no honest bankers, but criminals. They enjoy using their strength, that makes them feel powerful. It boosts their ego.
Yet, until now, I didn’t explain how a princess from fairy tales embodies toxic positivity.
- Perfection Expectation:
- The concept of a princess is often associated with an idealized, perfect image. At no moment, Sleeping Beauty voiced her pain or despair. When she got hurt, she felt asleep right away. Similarly, toxic positivity can perpetuate the idea that one should always maintain a perfect, positive façade.
- Dismissal of Struggles:
- Princesses in fairy tales often face challenges but are expected to handle them with grace and a positive attitude. Toxic positivity may similarly dismiss or downplay real struggles and difficulties, urging individuals to maintain a positive front regardless of their experiences.
- External Validation:
- The image of a princess often involves seeking external validation, and toxic positivity can encourage individuals to seek validation through projecting a constantly positive image, even if it’s not authentic. Sleeping Beauty’s fate hinges on an external event—the prince’s kiss. This external validation is necessary for her to be acknowledged, valued, and freed from the curse.
- Dependence on Others: The princess’s well-being and the resolution of her situation are not within her control. She is dependent on the actions of the prince for her happiness and liberation.
- Symbol of Approval: The prince’s kiss becomes a symbol of approval and acceptance. It signifies that the princess is worthy of love and that her life gains meaning and purpose through external validation.
To conclude, Kim Dan embodies two negative traits, Dependent Personality Disorder and Toxic Positivity, due to his raising and traumas in his childhood. The elephant in the room was never brought up, the “rejection from the parents”. Therefore this secret could only poison the air in the little house.
Keeping secrets is bad. Not only does it represent an added mental and emotional weight, but it even becomes a burden on the physical level since it has been shown that secrets exhaust us physically. However, he who has never kept a secret should cast the first stone. Sometimes we may even feel that we are “forced” to keep quiet about certain things. Quoted from https://psychology-spot.com/the-reason-we-keep-a-secret/
The heavy silence had terrible consequences, he turned Kim Dan into a puppet, even a ghost. This explicates his passivity. For the grandmother, it looked like everything was fine, because her grandson did everything for her. There was never an argument between them. That’s the reason why I see this crying as a liberation. He allows himself to accept his wounds and tears. (chapter 46) (chapter 46) He allows himself to voice his thoughts. He admits to have denied reality. Mind and body are now united and synchronous. Consequently, I deduce that he is determined not to get fooled in the future.
And this brings me back to the story of Pyeonggang and Ondal!! Thanks to the selfish and stubborn “Prince S”, the fool Kim Dan received money and got trained. He became a true man, because he is now making decisions on his own. This means that from that moment on, the champion will have to become proactive in order to keep his “partner” by his side. Thanks to Joo Jaekyung’s attention, the doctor is now getting noticed by people. (chapter 46) This is the rising of the prince S. But this harbors a problem: he is also about to become the target of real bad guys. Yes, like in any historical k-dramas, we are about to assist to a battle of power, and this outside the ring.
The essay is already so long that I chose to introduce the Emperor in the second part. Naturally, I will include the scenes from chapter 46.
Feel free to comment. If you have any suggestion for topics or manhwas, feel free to ask. If you enjoyed reading it, retweet it or push the button like. My Reddit-Instagram-Twitter-Tumblr account is: @bebebisous33. Thanks for reading and for the support, particularly, I would like to thank all the new followers and people recommending my blog.
Jinx: 🐍 Serpentine🎗 Harmony in Dan’s Dynamic
Please support the authors by reading the manhwas on the official websites. This is where you can read the manhwa: Jinx But be aware that the Manhwa is a mature Yaoi, which means, it is about homosexuality with explicit scenes. Here is the link of the table of contents about Jinx. Here is the link where you can find the table of contents of analyzed manhwas. Here are the links, if you are interested in the first work from Mingwa, BJ Alex, and the previous podcast about Jinx “Hidden Echoes”
It would be great if you could make some donations/sponsoring: Ko-fi.com/bebebisous33 That way, you can support me with “coffee” so that I have the energy to keep examining manhwas. Besides, I need to cover up the expenses for this blog.
When my inquisitive readers contemplate the illustration for this analysis, they can detect the presence of a fragile balance between three people: Joo Jaekyung, Kim Dan and Team Black. The latter is represented by the snake. I selected beads for each group, because they imply movement and change. Naturally, the physical therapist is caught in the middle. It is because since episode 7 we have been witnessing a subtle fight between the captain of Team Black and the other sportsmen. But why?
1. Sharing and jealousy
First, it is related to the champion’s jealousy. 
(chapter 7) In the essay “Lucky loser and jinxed winner (full version)” , I detected how Kim Dan affected the champion’s relationship with his members. For the first time, Joo Jaekyung shared the shower room with Oh Daehyun and the other fighters. 
(chapter 8) Secondly, in the analysis “Sharing is caring“, I elaborated how the champion had never had a family dinner, but thanks to the second main lead, Joo Jaekyung discovered home-made breakfasts and was encouraged to eat with the staff from Team Black. Note that till the birthday dinner in chapter 43, he never ate the same dishes than the coach and the fighters.
(chapter 43) As a conclusion, the physical therapist embodies “sharing” which is strongly connected to eating. Furthermore, the symbol for giving is the hand which fits Heesung’s description about Kim Dan: “Magic Touch”. (chapter 31). It is important to recall that the artist came to discover the angel, for the latter offered his assistance unrequested. 
(chapter 30) As a conclusion, Joo Jaekyung is taught how to share through the doctor. This means that at some point, the champion will realize that he has to share the main lead too, if he wants to become truly happy. How so?
“Jealousy in romance is like salt in food. A little can enhance the savor, but too much can spoil the pleasure and, under certain circumstances, can be life-threatening.”
Maya Angelou
Like the quote above is indicating it, jealousy is not simply a negative emotion. In fact, this feeling serves as a reminder for the jealous person. The latter should improve their relationship.
Although jealousy is a painful emotional experience, evolutionary psychologists regard it not as an emotion to be suppressed but as one to heed—as a signal or a wake-up call that a valued relationship is in danger and that steps need to be taken to regain the affection of a mate or friend. As a result, jealousy is seen as a necessary emotion, because it preserves social bonds and motivates people to engage in behaviors that maintain important relationships. Quoted from https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/jealousy
Thus I deduce that on the one hand jealousy is strongly intertwined with modification and adjustment. The latter stands in opposition to routine and old habits. On the other hand, the condition for a positive change is that the person can identify this emotion and ponder on its causes and consequences. This signifies that the person has to be more rational and calm. Mingwa exposed it in chapter 35, when the athlete questioned his change of behavior and trick: 
(chapter 35) This scene represents the first step of the athlete’s meditation. Interesting is that this self-reflection got interrupted by the text from the journalist. Consequently, the athlete’s old habits resurfaced. Thus the athlete began neglecting the doctor again. Additionally, identifying jealousy and its cause means that emotional intelligence is necessary. However, Joo Jaekyung possesses a low EI… yes, he really has the mind-set of a baby.
These are the signs of low Emotional Intelligence.
trouble understanding what causes certain feelings
frequent emotional outbursts or mood changes
difficulty asserting opinions or taking charge in a situation
little interest in finding new ways of solving problems
trouble accepting criticism, constructive or otherwise
difficulty expressing ideas clearly or getting a point across
a habit of saying the wrong thing at the wrong time
a certain obliviousness to emotional cues from others
a tendency to fixate on mistakes instead of learning from them and moving on
pessimism and loss of motivation after setbacks Quoted from https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/low-emotional-intelligence?c=10167697281#signs
This list corresponds to the champion’s personality: his “jinx” exposes his pessimistic attitude. In these two panels, the beholder can view his poor emotional self-control 
(chapter 7), self-centeredness, poor social skills (chapter 43), low empathy, how he is blaming others. Thus I come to the conclusion that one of the doctor’s role is to encourage the celebrity to develop empathy, as the latter is necessary for a high EM. The other task is to let him experience mistakes and learn from them. Like mentioned in the previous essay, Joo Jaekyung is Mister Perfect and Kim Dan Mister Mistake. Through the mistakes, the athlete is experiencing the positive side of errors. This brings me naturally back to “sharing” which is also a synonym for compassion and love.
“Love is an activity, not a passive affect; it is a “standing in,” not a “falling for.” In the most general way, the active character of love can be described by stating that love is primarily giving, not receiving.”
― Erich Fromm, The Art of Loving
As you can see, jealousy is linked not only to love, but also to action and change. Therefore it is no coincidence that the champion felt the need to punch the sandbag, after Heesung expressed his desire to date Kim Dan. 
(chapter 34) He was presented as a hindrance to the artist’s happiness. (chapter 34)
2. The causes for the champion’s jealousy
But why is the champion so jealous and possessive of Kim Dan? It is related to his undetected low self-esteem and trust issues. Distrust is an important determinant in experiencing and expressing jealousy. This explicates why in the beginning of the story, the athlete was so rude to the doctor. (chapter 7) He didn’t know Kim Dan at all. Thus he utilized the contract as reminder 
(chapter 8), as he felt that he had no other tool to keep his partner by his side. In addition, in order to control his jealousy, he always employed the same method: SEX!! (chapter 34) Consequently, as long as Joo Jaekyung could not control his possessiveness and jealousy, he was shooting himself in the foot. Which corresponds to the metaphor with too much salt in the food. Mingwa gave us many examples for this situation. When the champion became jealous in episode 7, he forced the physical therapist to have sex with him. Thus his karma was to be perceived as a man obsessed with sex. Then, in episode 9, he provoked Kim Dan with the drink. (chapter 9) It was, as if he wanted to steal the show from the physical therapist. His punishment was to take care of the physical therapist, but the latter never witnessed his caring side due to his high intoxication. When he challenged the comedian (chapter 34), he deceived the doctor, imposed his will on Kim Dan out of fear that the latter might not choose him. The result was that the doctor came to view himself as a tool for the athlete’s jinx again. Then at the hotel, he poured the coca cola on the physical therapist’s head (chapter 37) giving the impression that he was resenting Kim Dan the most. However, in reality, he was jealous of Oh Daehyun and Potato, for the latter were having a good time with his lover, while he was left alone in his bedroom. While they were happily laughing with Kim Dan, he was totally excluded. (chapter 37) He was envious that they were the source of Kim Dan’s happiness, whereas he was not. Finally, when the athlete confronted them, the doctor sided with them. (chapter 37) In other words, sharing happiness is triggering his jealousy.
3. Jealousy and happiness
Manhwaphiles can observe this phenomenon in episode 7 and 22. Note that the boxers were all in a good mood, when the doctor was treating Kim Changmin. (chapter 7) The same happened, when Oh Daehyun expressed his envy at dinner: 
(chapter 22) Each time, the star put an end to this happy mood. In the break room, Joo Jaekyung threatened them, because he considered their suggestions as a threat. Their comments imply that he would have to share Kim Dan, if they came to the penthouse. It looks like the celebrity is in reality jealous of happy people. It was, as if he was going after “happiness and rest”. Therefore it is not surprising that he accepted the next fight. (chapter 41) He looks grumpy again. It shows that he is not truly enjoying his recent success. After the birthday party at the restaurant, the champion felt jealous again. 
(chapter 43) His gaze was betraying him. Though he was the star of the evening, the fighters didn’t invite him to the second round. Yet, he didn’t mind, until he heard them asking the physical therapist. But contrary to the past, episode 7 and 37, Joo Jaekyung acted more gently. (chapter 43) He didn’t vent his anger on the doctor, as he embraced him gently. Why? In my opinion, there exist different causes. One reason is the phone call and the long conversation. Another cause for this change of behavior is that the time spent with Kim Dan at his penthouse. Through the breakfasts and their days-off, the celebrity got to know Kim Dan better. The champion’s jokes 
(chapter 27) and smiles are an evidence that the protagonist is feeling more and more comfortable around Kim Dan. 
(chapter 41) Yet, he was still crossing his arms while talking to the physical therapist. This shows that he has not completely lowered his guard yet. Finally, Manhwaworms shouldn’t overlook the doctor’s drunken confession accompanied with kisses and embraces. 
(chapter 39) Consequently, I could observe that the athlete is gradually capable to manage his jealousy, the longer he is living with the main lead. Simultaneously, I believe that the recent transformation of the physical therapist (exhaustion, skipping dinners) incited Joo Jaekyung to observe his lover and meditate. 
(chapter 43) However, I would like to outline that in this scene, he didn’t feel jealous, as Kim Dan was excluded. Hence he had no reason to claim the doctor as his. As you can see, the star’s jealousy was the trigger to change his behavior in front of the members. Thus I come to the deduction that we were witnessing the positive aspect of “jealousy”. He was not questioning the doctor’s integrity and trust. Therefore it is no coincidence that contrary to episode 7, 9, 22 and 37, he didn’t look grumpy, when he stated that Doc Dan is coming with him. (chapter 43) He had almost a smile. Why? His words were revealing his intentions. Here, he wanted to make the members from Team Black jealous of him. Let’s not forget that his statement implied that he would have a good time with the physical therapist. However, his attempt failed, for the members expressed their surprise and happiness. 
(chapter 43) It was seen as a miracle that Joo Jaekyung was showing such a care for someone. Kim Changmin, as a representative of Team Black, was not at all envious, because they are used to sharing (dinner, dormitories, etc). The boxer felt that he just witnessed a wonder. It is important, because through this scene, we have an explanation for their passivity in the States. They thought that the athlete didn’t really care for Kim Dan. 
(chapter 40) The champion has always hidden his care for Kim Dan in front of Park Namwook and the others. Don’t forget that the athlete was even particularly rude towards the main figure before the match. 
(chapter 37) I could also include the scene with the new jacket. 
(chapter 36) When the sportsmen were all fighting against each other to give their new cloth to Kim Dan, the champion intervened by throwing his jacket to Kim Dan. He was not smiling at all. In fact, he gave the impression that Kim Dan was causing trouble. 
(chapter 36) At no moment, Oh Daehyun and the others could detect the main lead’s jealousy. That’s how it dawned on me why Kim Dan was not informed about the surprise birthday party. 
(chapter 43) He was as astonished as Joo Jaekyung. I deduce that they desired to protect him, in case the celebrity would react so negatively. (chapter 43) Since the athlete had been so impolite and rude towards the doctor in front of Oh Daehyun and the other members on so many occasions (7, 9, 
11, 36, 37), they imagined that Joo Jaekyung was treating him the same way than them: if he was not rough, then he was indifferent. 
(chapter 22) When he announced to the staff that Kim Dan was cooking for him, his facial expression and words are indicating that this is no big deal! He was not smiling and voicing his admiration for doc Dan. He created the illusion that the physical therapist was just living at the penthouse for the celebrity’s comfort. It was to do his job and nothing more. But this was only partially true. That’s the reason why I come to the assumption that this miracle in episode 43 will change the dynamics at the gym. Kim Changmin, Oh Daehyun and the others know now that the celebrity not only cares for the doctor, but also has become his friend. Thus they could seek Kim Dan’s closeness in order to get his advices and assistance.
On the other hand, the fighter was still ordering his lover. (chapter 43) Note that he had intervened at the same time than the doctor’s. 
(chapter 43) So he never took the doctor’s choice into consideration. Although Joo Jaekyung is no longer dragging the doctor like in the beginning of the story, he is not truly respecting Kim Dan’s decisions. But how did this rivalry between Joo Jaekyung and his team start?
4- The origins of the rivalry
Here, I won’t focus on the champion’s feelings, rather on the way the doctor entered the gym. His contract diverges from the other members’. 
(chapter 7) He occupies a special position, for he is only working for the alpha as doctor. But note that doc Dan crossed the line, the moment he started taking care of Kim Changmin’s problematic shoulder. 
(chapter 7) By treating him, he acted, as if he was the physical therapist of Team Black. Secondly, observe how he got introduced to Team Black. (chapter 7) Park Namwook is employing the expression “joining us”, he is insinuating that he is a member from Team Black. Therefore it is not surprising that the doctor decided to share his talent and give a treatment to Kim Changmin and others. (chapter 7) This short introduction could only encourage him to treat the other fighters too. As you can see, though the doctor has a contract, his duties and position among Team Black were not clear. Moreover, the moment the boxers discovered that the main lead had his own physical therapist, they asked if they could have one too. 
(chapter 7) Thus I deduce that Kim Dan still needs to find his own place at the gym. This can only generate tension. Moreover, it dawned on me, neither the champion nor coach Jeon Yosep nor Park Namwook recognized the consequences of his arrival at the gym. 
(chapter 7) First, they made the mistake not to bring Kim Dan to Busan. 
(chapter 36) After that event, they learned their lesson. However, note that the champion refused that the physical therapist would follow Oh Daehyun and the others to their fight. 
(chapter 23) On the one hand, he was reminding his companion that he was only working for him, on the other hand, the uniform and the treatment from the members were giving the impression that he was also part of Team Black. 
(chapter 23) That’s how he discovered the ritual with high five!! This is something he could share with his lover! By using this gesture, they would not only become closer, but the gap between the fighters and Joo Jaekyung would be reduced. On the other hand, by hindering Kim Dan to follow the group, Joo Jaekyung was hindering the main lead to do his job. This shows as well that they are slowly developing a new routine, but it is not fully deployed. The doctor is bringing the real changes due to his special but unclear position.
Besides, as a hyung and physical therapist, he should be part of the management, hence he should get the right to voice his opinion about a match. Yet, in chapter 36, he was not invited to the meeting (chapter 36). Moreover, by mopping the floor, he acted like an errand boy, as if he was the lowest member. I doubt that he got consulted for the next fight too. (chapter 41) On the other hand, Kim Dan is a freelancer, hence he could have simply joined the conference. That’s how I realized that until Kim Dan met the champion, he had always been working as an employee. 
(chapter 1) This indicates that the doctor has not the mind-set of an entrepreneur and free-lancer. He allowed Choi Heesung and Joo Jaekyung to determine his work. 
(chapter 31) (chapter 32) And now, you comprehend why Kim Dan chose to become a courier (chapter 42) and didn’t look for new patients. He needs a role model as entrepreneur and doctor. In my eyes, that’s where Cheolmin comes in. The latter should become Kim Dan’s mentor. Moreover, I would like to outline that by intervening in the doctor’s life and career, the champion was blurring more and more the boundary between private life and profession.
Another source for the tension between the captain and Team Black is that the doctor was treated like a full member by Team Black. Therefore he received an uniform 
(chapter 9) and the welcome elixir. 
(chapter 9). But like pointed out above, he is actually just his private physical therapist. For Kim Dan, the famous athlete is just a VIP client. 
(chapter 25) It is relevant, because the doctor is not technically involved with the other members. He is attached to them, because they are very nice to him. 
(chapter 9) There exists no contract between them either. Their relationship is simply based on the goodness from the characters. And now, you comprehend why the champion had to come to this welcome party. It is because he feared that the doctor would feel closer to them than to him. His money was already competing with the heart from the fighters. Is it a coincidence that the champion felt the need to remind them that he was the one paying for the party? 
(chapter 9) Funny is that for his birthday party, money was no longer rivaling with the fighters. Furthermore, he was joining the table for real. (chapter 43) Finally, he had another reason for not becoming furious during that evening. He had shared the goblet with the doctor, something that none of the fighters had done before. 
(chapter 43) To conclude, the causes for the tension between the alpha and his members are the undefine position and duties of Kim Dan.
In addition, I noticed that the captain and Team Black are both associated with dinner. Whereas the champion stands for healthy but tasteless dinner 
(chapter 13), Park Namwook and Oh Daehyun are representing the other extreme: junk food (too salty, greasy, too much sugar) 
(chapter 22) 
(chapter 37) or fasting!! Notice that Park Namwook preferred Kim Dan resting than eating dinner with them! 
(Chapter 43) Joo Jaekyung listened to his hyung, as he had already heard such an advice before. But actually by skipping dinners, the doctor is living like in the past. This could lead to malnutrition again. As you can see, I sense here a new source of problem.
Another interesting aspect is that the champion desired to spare with his lover, but the former got punished by his hyung. 
(chapter 26) He proposed this idea after seeing his lover learning moves from Potato. In other words, due to his jealousy, he offered his sex partner the possibility to learn from him. 
(chapter 25) This was the positive aspect of jealousy. It is not surprising that the champion smiled during this little game. (chapter 26) It helped them to become closer. Striking is that none of the boxers noticed the true meaning of this sparring. 
(chapter 26) The members didn’t recognize how gentle the celebrity was towards his partner, therefore Park Namwook imagined that Kim Dan had been coerced to spare and the punch was the expression from anger and frustration against the alpha. Thus he came to misjudge the situation. That’s how Kim Dan got excluded from the ring. And this observation brings me to the following conclusion. Till episode 43, none of the fighters realized that Kim Dan was receiving a special treatment from Joo Jaekyung. They were totally oblivious of the truth, even during this incident! (chapter 43) The boxer on his right was not shocked how quickly the athlete calmed down after realizing his mistake. They only got aware of this, when the athlete tried to make them jealous: (chapter 43) That’s how it dawned on me why the champion will be forced little by little to expose his sexual orientation to the members from his gym. It is because the nature of the competition is changing. He is fighting with the members with his heart and no longer with his wealth and fame!! Joo Jaekyung made the discovery during that night: 
(chapter 29) A puppy needs care and protection!!
This signifies that each decision from Kim Dan will affect the relationship between the alpha and his team. Imagine that the physical therapist decides to become a full member of Team Black and learn fighting. He would definitely work with Potato. 
(chapter 23) In addition, I would like to outline that Potato had been favored by his hyungs
(chapter 22), because the latter was somehow neglected by the champion. They were compensating for the lack of interest from the captain. Interesting is that no one was missing Potato during that day and party except the readers. Why? It is because little by little, his adoration for the champion is vanishing. He is starting to have a life on his own. It is important, because Kim Dan could receive now more attention from the members than before, especially because he is receiving the good grace from his boss. Don’t forget that Park Namwook never protected them from his bad mood. (chapter 36) He could become their speaker, their lawyer… a new version from this scene: (chapter 37)
So far, Kim Dan has always viewed himself as different from the sportsmen, because he was just standing by the side 
(chapter 36) or he was sitting in the office. It is not surprising that he kept his distance at the hotel, when the champion was taking his meal. 
(chapter 37) But it started changing, after the athlete declared him as a part of his team. 8chapter 40) The problem is that he met the green-haired uke which reinforced his insecurities and low self-esteem. Observe that while returning home, he was only remembering all the champion’s words 
(chapter 43) before his intervention with the MFC security guys. Hence I believe that this statement and embrace (chapter 43) can only move Kim Dan’s heart. Finally, I would like to outline that the champion was asking his lover to become responsible for him. 
(chapter 43) He should bring him home. If you read the essay “The Art Of Loving“, you already know that responsibility is one of the conditions for love. The others are trust, respect and knowledge! And this brings me to the final conclusion. Since no one among Team Black knows about the doctor’s past and second gig, it becomes comprehensible why Oh Daehyun, Potato and the others can not take care of Kim Dan properly. (chapter 43) But the more the champion is revealing about his relationship with the doctor, the more the latter will receive recognition and protection from Team Black. Though the manager recognized that Kim Dan had been beaten (chapter 11), he chose to close an eye to this. Thus he remained passive.
To conclude, the doctor is there to bring harmony and happiness at the gym. This can only happen through changes (like introduction of new rituals) and as such mistakes. His presence is little by little affecting the champion’s mentality. The latter is showing more and more concern for his fated partner. 
(chapter 43) Though the doctor’s hands had been bleeding, Kim Dan chose to treat his patient first before taking care of his own wounds. His selflessness could only catch Joo Jaekyung’s notice. Doc Dan’s benevolence can only make him realize that fame can never be a source of joy and adoration is totally different from true love and warmth.
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Painter Of The Night: Dropped amusement 😞
This is where you can read the manhwa. https://www.lezhinus.com/en/comic/painter But be aware that this manhwa is a mature Yaoi, which means, it is about homosexuality with explicit scenes. If you want to read more essays, here is the link to the table of contents: https://bebebisous33analyses.wordpress.com/2020/07/04/table-of-contents-painter-of-the-night/
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I have to admit that when I read chapter 126 for the first time, I was disappointed. Why? It is because Yoon Seungho appeared so stupid and weak. He kept running from one place 
(chapter 126) to another 
(chapter 126). He allowed his father to humiliate and abuse him 
(Chapter 126) once again. It was, as if the story was back to square one and the protagonist had learned nothing at all. Under this perception, my avid readers can comprehend why I selected such a title. However, instead of thinking that the author was a bad writer, I decided to ponder on the following question. Why did the author choose such an evolution?
1. The fools in love
First, since it is Baek Na-Kyum’s destiny to go through the same experiences than his loved one, I deduce that the main lead is now following Baek Na-Kyum’s path. In other words, they are switching their fate. This explicates why the lord is naïve, blinded by his love for the painter. Yes, Yoon Seungho is a fool in love too. 
(chapter 7) Like Baek Na-Kyum, he rushed to his loved one’s side. However, he was first stopped 
(chapter 126), because it was not the right time. How so? Notice that his brother had fetched him at the port
(chapter 125), but he never followed him to the bureau of investigation. And the same happened later. Why didn’t he go to his shed, when he was trapped there? Where was he, when the eldest son visited the father? 
(chapter 126) His absence exposed his passivity and betrayal. However, at no moment, Yoon Seungho noticed this. To conclude, Yoon Seungho was so worried for the painter that he didn’t pay attention to his surroundings, just like the painter didn’t see the learned sir’s disdain expressed through the cold gaze. 
(chapter 07) Therefore Yoon Seungho didn’t notice the presence of a civilian next to the governor. 
(chapter 126). Striking is that the governor knew about Yoon Seungho’s whereabouts before his arrival: the coast. As you can see, I am detecting a link between the governor and the younger master Seungwon. Yet, it was disguised as a rumor behind the expression “I had heard”. My assumption is that Seungwon came from the bureau of investigation in order to inform his brother. Therefore it is not surprising that Seungho was invited by his brother to visit the prison during the night. 
(chapter 126) And the moment I perceived the protagonist as a fool in love, I realized that chapter 126 is a reflection of episode 7, 29 
(chapter 29) and 40 
(chapter 40). Here, the painter was trying his best to protect Jung In-Hun’s interests (life, high position). Moreover, in episode 40, the painter had a dream, when he saw the announcement for the civil service examination. He smiled, for he was looking forward for the future. 
(chapter 40) And what have these episodes more in common? A betrayal, abandonment from a loved one and a paper (painting, poem). Hence I am more than ever convinced that the petition will resurface very soon and play a huge role in the downfall of the schemers and haters. Besides, chapter 40 represents the negative reflection of the conversation in the prison. 
(chapter 126) Though they are in a tough situation, Yoon Seungho is not leaving his side contrary to episode 40. 
(chapter 40) There is neither disdain nor mockery. The mentioned scenes are similar, for the present resembles the past. And this brings me to the second reason for the Webtoonist’s decision.
2. Past, present and future
It is because Byeonduck is now mixing the past with the present indicating that the future will be different. Let me elaborate my thoughts more precisely through the relationship between the protagonist and his father. First, when the incident with the stolen kiss was reported, 
(chapter 123), Yoon Chang-Hyeon considered Yoon Seungho as a human, for he employed the personal pronoun “he”. He was still his son. Then in episode 77, he judged him as a slave 
(chapter 77), hence he was submitted to the straw mat beating and was held captive. He even refused to send for a physician. 
(chapter 83) Here, the father is denying his humanity, he is just an animal. In their next confrontation, he describes him as a monster, hence he wished that he had never been born.
(chapter 86) However, his words exposed that he was still viewing him as a living being. Therefore it is not surprising that he accepted lord Song’s request to order the murder of his son! In the gibang, he decided to no longer acknowledge Yoon Seungho as his son. 
(chapter 107) The tragedy is that the protagonist still viewed the Yoons as his family because of Yoon Seungwon, who keeps calling him “brother”. This explicates why Yoon Seungho sponsored his brother to have an official position. 
(chapter 115) Therefore it is not surprising that he followed Yoon Seungwon’s advice again. 
(chapter 120). He would bring the petition to his own father. This means that he is acting like the painter who listened to his noona Heena so well. 
(chapter 46) But now, Yoon Chang-Hyeon believes to have the petition. 
(chapter 125) This explicates why the patriarch is now calling the main lead “nothing”. 
(chapter 126) He is not even a thing. This means that he is actually discarding him. This explicates why he sent him to the shed. 
(chapter 126) It was, as if he had become a merchandise. Or we could say that the elder master had been using him as a tool, which he can now abandon. 
(chapter 126) Interesting is that the idiom “plaything” has for antonyms tool, implement, instrument and utensil. And this brings me to the following remark. The father’s words are reflecting the last scheme. Yoon Seungho was used as the sword to get rid of an enemy, lord Song. It was, as if someone had decided to get rid of lord Song, for he represented a danger or threat. It also mirrors the trick in the shrine. Min and the others got killed, because Lee Jihwa went to his childhood friend. And who had seen the main lead using this sword, when he was enraged? Father Lee! 
(chapter 67) But let’s return our attention to the patriarch and his son. Yoon Seungho is no longer recognized as a Yoon member. Therefore I come to the conclusion that Yoon Seungho will make the following decision: to become an orphan. And this is symbolized by the loss of hair. I am expecting him to cut off his hair, something the painter has been doing for a long time. That’s why Byeonduck showed us the lord without a topknot. 
(chapter 126) This would coincide with my previous statement. The lord is going through the same experience than his loved one. However, people will come to the conclusion that this was done by the father. How so? Remember how each rumor became a reality. 
(chapter 1) I had already demonstrated that Yoon Seungho was not a fiend for sodomy with no regard for time and place, until he met Baek Na-Kyum. But once a deed is done, it can never be repeated. 
(chapter 101) So should Father Lee claim that he has long disowned Jihwa by cutting off his topknot, no one will believe him, for the young master was still seen with a topknot after confessing his feelings in public. 
(chapter 57) In other words, the topknot incident at the kisaeng would be brought up. It is impossible for 2 fathers to act the same way. Besides, the loss of the topknot has another signification: Yoon Seungho would cut off ties with valet Kim, for the latter was the one who gave him the topknot. And episode 126 reflected one more time his position: 
(chapter 126) He is the one dressing him. It was, as if he was the pope.
3. Abandoned plaything
Because of my initial disappointment, I examined the chapter more closely. This sentence from the patriarch caught my attention (chapter 126) Why would he call Baek Na-Kyum a “plaything”, when before he viewed him as a servant? 
(chapter 116) It is because someone had reported to him the conversation between lord Song and the painter. 
(chapter 122) There was a spy listening to their conversation. Since all the guards died 
(chapter 124) 
(chapter 125: I am assuming that the survivor got executed), I am suspecting the scholar. Moreover, why would Yoon Chang-Hyeon accuse his son to have abandoned Baek Na-Kyum? It is related to this departure of the staff and Yoon Seungho. 
(chapter 120) And who was present there? Jung In-Hun! But there is more to it. Since leaving Baek Na-Kyum behind is considered as an abandonment, it means that the patriarch abandoned his son too. 
(chapter 27) By speaking to Yoon Seungho, the elder master Yoon didn’t realize that he was admitting his own wrongdoings. Actually, he had abandoned him many times… like here for example 
(chapter 87) Therefore his words will come back to bite him. But these words are also exposing the valet’s betrayal and abandonment towards Yoon Seungho!! How so?
Where was he, when the protagonist was looking for Baek Na-Kyum? (chapter 125) Where was he, when the latter visited the patriarch’s home? Why did he only appear during the night? One might argue that he needed to wait the night in order not to be detected. But since Kim was supposed to be with Yoon Seungwon and the staff 
(chapter 122), then he should have been at the patriarch’s house. The absence of the valet is the evidence of his treason. For me, he is now working for Jung In-Hun which explains why he never mentioned his presence in the mansion, only lord Song. Besides, keep in mind that once deed done can not be repeated. In episode 27, the lord was too angry and busy to notice the learned sir’s spying activities. 
(Chapter 27) Moreover, Kim didn’t report the interrogation to his master. This means that the butler covered up for the teacher’s wrongdoing. But here is the deal: 
(chapter 120) The library was ransacked, hence this crime is bound to be discovered. Finally, his intervention in the shed is exposing his deception. (chapter 126) He could do something in the past! He entered the shed, and even brought him clothes. This stands in opposition to this scene: 
(chapter 83) That’s why I am convinced that these words (chapter 126) are reflecting the butler’s actions. He treated Yoon Seungho like a tool which he could use. In verity, he could have helped his master in the past by telling the truth!
Because my theory is that the lord was the king’s male kisaeng, the noble could utilize this principle against the monarch. Since he always left him behind, he just treated him like a plaything and not like a loved one and allowed others to use him.
4. The return of Yoon Seungho’s strength
Finally, I believe that Byeonduck had another reason to turn the table so that Yoon Seungho would appear as powerless. It is to outline his desire to live. 
(chapter 126) He is no longer suicidal, in fact he is full of hope! Though he was sent back to hell for a short moment, he came out of this as a winner. My evidence is that the lord has now become a believer. 
(chapter 126) Yes, episode 126 exposes the return of his faith! And where could we see the atheism of Yoon Seungho in the story? In chapter 92! 
(chapter 92) He didn’t believe in the spring poetry to ward off bad luck! That’s why he was sent back to the past. He needed to lose everything in order to find hope! In his darkest moment, he expressed a wish: to meet his loved one! And where did he pray to the gods? In the shed! 
(chapter 126) Observe how he is kneeling in direction of the bars. He is hoping to meet Baek Na-Kyum again. As you can see, though this scene (chapter 126) seems to be a repetition from the past, (chapter 83) it is not! The reality is that in episode 83, Yoon Seungho had lost all hope. This explains why he showed only resignation in front of his father. (chapter 83) However, the Painter Of The Night-philes certainly could observe how he had reacted, when he was put down by the guards. 
(chapter 126) He was showing resistance and anger towards his father. Moreover, he was no longer shaking in front of the patriarch or the guards. 
(chapter 86) Thus I deduce that though he was mistreated and insulted like in the past, he was no longer suffering from his traumas. He is healed. His will is now really strong, supported by his new found faith.
Under this new light, it becomes comprehensible why Yoon Seungho sent the painter to the shed after the so-called desertion! 
(chapter 62) Even if they were hugging, they were not close emotionally and mentally. This stands in opposition to the scene in the jail. They might be separated by the bars, but they are touching each other tenderly. 
(chapter 126) They are able to see each other.
What to Do When You Feel You Are Losing Your Faith
Acknowledge and Accept What You Feel (…)
(chapter 126) Try Meditation
(chapter 126) or Prayer
Count Your Blessings
Talk It Out
Spend Time With Loved Ones
(chapter 126)
Consider Counseling
Take a Break
Take The Time to Reflect
(chapter 126) Quoted from https://www.verywellmind.com/losing-faith-definition-suggestions-and-take-away-5214137
As you can detect, Yoon Seungho did everything to revive his faith. He didn’t listen to his father’s words in the end. He chose love over hatred. He might be a sinner, but he is no longer self-destructive. But more importantly, he went to jail while carrying the light. 
(chapter 126) It is relevant, because light represents knowledge and truth. He is now the bearer of the truth. And he got his blessing from Baek Na-Kyum, when he touched his hands. 
(chapter 126) Because he came with the candle, Kim had no reason to follow him. In other words, Yoon Seungho no longer needs the butler by his side. But why didn’t the domestic follow him to the prison cell? It is because he feared that if the painter were to see him, his memory could get triggered. The artist could ask him where he was, when the scholar came to the mansion? 
(chapter 120) Yes, chapter 126 mirrors 92! This somehow confirms my theory that the butler was the one hiding under the purple hanbok. 
(chapter 92) Moreover, we have another reference to this episode, the pouring of alcohol! 
(chapter 92) 
(chapter 126) It was, as if someone wanted the lord to pay for Min’s insult! That’s the reason why I come to the following conclusion: Yoon Seungho is now opening up to Baek Na-Kyum. He is confessing to the painter about his wishes. (chapter 126) Therefore I am suspecting that the lord will reveal his past to his loved one, something he never did before. 
(chapter 85) The manhwaphiles should keep in mind that the request from the artist in the study was strongly connected to forgiveness. And Baek Na-Kyum could also confess what happened in the past: his guilt and regret asking for the lord’s forgiveness. Right now, both are blaming themselves for the incidents, although they got fooled by many schemers. Because the lord proved his loyalty and blinded trust in the painter, I see the scene in the jail as a new version of this confession: 
(chapter 75) Thus I consider the prison cell as a sacred place, where both characters are about to be freed from their guilt! (chapter 126) That’s the reason why now I view the lord’s short torment as a necessity. His faith was and is tested through the trials which coincides with the upcoming trial. Through his love for the painter, he found support and strength. He is not resigned, though their situation looks terrible. He is now true to himself. This means that he chose to drop his life lie for good.
Life Lie : 1. the false conviction held by some individuals that their life plan is bound to fail due to other people or to circumstances beyond their control. This was postulated as a method of freeing oneself from personal responsibility. [defined by Alfred Adler]
2. any false belief around which an individual’s life is built. Quoted from https://dictionary.apa.org/life-lie
And what was his life lie? To be powerful…
(chapter 11) thus he could escape justice! 
(Chapter 11) Simultaneously, the first definition of life lie corresponds to Yoon Chang-Hyeon. The latter blames his eldest son for the downfall of the Yoons. 
! (Chapter 86) Secondly, he still thinks that he is powerful. But it is just an illusion. (Chapter 126) How so? The guards are able to manipulate him. He has become their puppet, for he follows their suggestions. Hence they make decisions on their own
(chapter 125). They fail their duty, for they allowed the main lead to barge in the room. 
(Chapter 126) Finally, observe how they keep apologizing without giving any explication. 
(Chapter 125) Their apology is fake. As you can see, the patriarch is living in an allusion. He is powerless, and the best evidence is that he doesn’t have the petition. (Chapter 125) He took the paper full of blood, the evidence of his involvement. This means that in this scene, (chapter 126) the elder master Yoon chose to maintain his life lie. This explains why he blames Yoon Seungho one more time. And this coincides with his speech about hatred. 
(Chapter 126) He is actually encouraging his son to hate himself and indirectly his own father! However, the son made the exact opposite decision: love!! Hence I am more than certain that the elder master is about to experience a harsh awakening.
On the other hand, the Manhwa lovers can grasp why I selected the title “dropped amusement”. Faith is something serious which stands in opposition to the gangrape in the shrine. Here, the lords had made fun of the spirits and gods.
(chapter 101) Thus they got punished. And now, the two main leads are about to face human justice. 
(chapter 65) But strangely, the painter is showing no fear at all. 
(chapter 126) He is ready to sacrifice himself. So why was Yoon Seungho dressed up in the end? One might say that with the topknot and the hanbok, the abuse from the patriarch got covered up. That way, Baek Na-Kyum wouldn’t detect Yoon Chang-Hyeon’s lies and abandonment! 
(chapter 125) The latter brainwashed him to take the fall for everything, implying that way, his loved one would be protected! However, I am suspecting that if the lord were to leave the prison, he could meet someone in the office. That way, this person is not confronted with the reality: the main lead was “abused”. According to the butler, he was supposed to meet his brother at the office. (chapter 126) If the noble encounters his brother there, then Seungwon would appear as hypocrite, for he would feign “ignorance”. He was not there, when he got insulted by their father. However, he could meet someone else. 
(Chapter 92) In episode 92, we have a mysterious man in the background dressed in black, but he is not wearing his gat. Besides, I would like my avid readers to remember this image from the trailer: 
which reminds us of the office: 
(chapter 98) This place symbolizes power and strength. And because episode 126 is a reflection of chapter 7, 11, 29 and 40, I think, Yoon Seungho is about to receive a deal, for these episodes are focusing on the deal between the painter and the protagonist: protection from the father and punishment in exchange for entertainment. He would appear as a fake savior in the end. Remember what in episode 11 the artist said in front of his fated partner:
(chapter 11) He would do anything except painting!! He was not willing to give up on this principle, which reminds us of faith. So when Yoon Seungho faced his father, he experienced powerlessness for one reason. (Chapter 126) They wanted to corner him, to make him desperate so that he would look for a way to become powerful! Moreover, they desired him to resent his father more than before. To conclude, he was pressured on purpose. And this brings me to the following remark. Why did the father describe the painter as “Plaything”? It is to minimize Baek Na-Kyum’s value in the lord’s life. However, if this theory about a new deal comes true (pedophile rekindling with him), then I believe that exactly like in episode 11, the lord will choose to follow his conscience and integrity over power and torment. He will make the same decision than his partner which corresponds to a rejection. However, I don’t think that he would make it obvious. He could fake submission.
5. Quit smoking
In fact, I have the impression that his memory could get triggered. What caught my attention is the absence of the pipe! According to me, the pedophile is a smoker, that’s how the main lead started smoking. But so far, the lord was not seen in connection with the pipe in season 4. This tool appeared on this drawing making fun of officials and the king
(Chapter 105) Then in episode 122, 
we discover that lord Song employed the pipe to beat the painter. Moreover, I detected a progression. In season 2, Yoon Seungho was still smoking. 
(Chapter 74) But once the painter showed that he didn’t like smoking, Yoon Seungho stopped taking the drug. This explicates why in season 3, he was no longer seen with the item in his hand. Even under stress, he chose to hunt instead of smoking in front of the window. We have two scenes where the pipe is present. One is when the lord is throwing it out of anger,:
(chapter 86) which reminded me of the incident with the music box.
(Chapter 85) This shows that this item had no value to the protagonist. Then the pipe appeared in the gibang on the table. 
(Chapter 96) However, here the lord had only eyes for the painter or Heena. Hence I have the impression that the pipe could resurface and serve as an tool to identify the perpetrator, just like the glasses were used to recognize the scholar. 
(Chapter 102) Finally, since the pipe appeared in the gibang twice, it indicates that this hobby is linked to the kisaeng house!! And this brings me to my final observation: the pipe is connected to paper (chapter 121), just like in the erotic book of sodomy! 
(Chapter 1) 
(chapter 1) However, there exists two books!! And one has no PIPE! This coincides with the decision of the painter to stop drawing erotic pictures! Yes… dropped amusement! At the same time, Yoon Seungho has long lost his interest for erotic publications. He also dropped this hobby. On the other hand, the books were dropped in front of the painter. 
(Chapter 1) Finally, the petition was dropped in front of lord Song 
(chapter 123) which announced his death sentence. To conclude, the papers have a strong connection to punishment and death.
As you could see, Byeonduck had many reasons to create such a chapter in the end. We are definitely getting closer to the end. And before closing this essay, I would like to point out that the Yoons’ mansion had been left empty, yet neither his father nor his brother moved in!! 
(Chapter 126) Yoon Seungho went to the father’s mansion, and it didn’t take him that long! As you can see, I consider this trip with Yoon Seungwon as a diversion. 
(Chapter 121) So why didn’t the elder master return to his old home? It is to drive the Yoons out of their propriety. In other words, the lies from the past are becoming a reality exposing the liars in the end. Their life lies will be ruined.
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