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 Sound Of Water (third version)
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The trigger for this essay were quotes from “The Art Of Loving”, a book written by Erich Fromm. In my essay “The Art Of Loving” I had already introduced the German-American socio psychologist, psychoanalyst, sociologist and humanistic philosopher, where I presented his definition of love: Care, knowledge, respect and responsibility. However, notice that the title of my analysis is “To give or To Take?”, which was inspired by other books from Erich Fromm: “To Have or To Be?” and “Escape From Freedom”. The reason is simple, the quotes led me to his other theories which give explanations to the origins of unhappiness or happiness. There he outlined the problems of our modern society and gave advices how to lead a good life. This brings me back to the Korean Manhwa Jinx, where (un)happiness is in the center of the story. As the seme and uke are both really miserable despite their different social status. Both believed to be jinxed. The reality is that they were trapped, and their unhappiness was the result of their own bad choices. How would Erich Fromm explain this?
1. Masters and Slaves
In works like Escape from Freedom and The Art of Loving, Fromm suggested that humans often avoid the responsibility of true freedom by conforming to societal norms, seeking authority figures to follow, or focusing on material gains. This “escape from freedom,” as he called it, results in a loss of autonomy and self-awareness, keeping individuals from mastering their own lives. While Fromm believed we have the potential for self-mastery, he cautioned that this requires a conscious rejection of limiting social pressures and a commitment to self-discovery and personal responsibility. Under this new perspective, my avid readers can grasp my selection for the heading. Freedom defines the distinction between a master and a slave—those with freedom have agency, autonomy, and control over their choices, while those without it are subject to another’s will and have nothing to give to others. It highlights how freedom is fundamental to self-determination and power, establishing a boundary between control and subservience.
1. 1. The poor child and dog
And if you read my previous analysis “Sound Of Water “, you should have realized that Shin Okja embodies the slave who chose to escape from freedom. Thus she blamed life and others (“we”) 
(chapter 53) for not realizing her biggest wish: to return to the West Coast. With her words, she implies that she never had any choice. Hence she is not responsible for her “misery”. However, after reading Erich Fromm’s philosophy, it becomes clear that she must have always followed social norms and listened to authority figures (parents, husband, doctors, …). That’s how she gave up on her own freedom. One might argue that her scoop of maneuver was limited due to her poverty. However, the Mother Of Pearl Wedding Cabinet is definitely expensive and no junk 
(chapter 16), especially since the latter is rather old. The grandmother could have sold it, but she never did, for the latter has a sentimental value. Consequently, I would say that she had missed her chance, and naturally her misery is the result of her own wrong choices. Under this new light, it becomes comprehensible why the grandmother portrays herself as poor who has nothing to give to her grandchild. 
(chapter 53) As a slave, she can not become responsible for Kim Dan and his life. However, she is wrong here again. She was not entirely powerless. She could have talked about her experience with the ocean, she could have loved her grandchild more properly so that Kim Dan wouldn’t have to suffer from abandonment issues and a low self-esteem. Yes, love is something free and no one has control over the emotions of a human being. Due to her lack of self-awareness (Peter Pan Syndrom), she influenced her grandchild negatively, and the latter became a copy of herself: trapped in the past, living in an illusion and rejecting reality. Funny is that by relying on Kim Dan constantly, she was actually teaching her grandson to become accountable and independent. She was entrusting her life into his own hands. Consequently, the main lead chose to accept the deal from Joo Jaekyung during their first night and later asked for a higher salary. Finally, at the end, he chose to leave the penthouse out of obligation 
(chapter 53) (filial duty), a sign that he is not able to break free from social norms. At the same time, it displays that his feelings for Joo Jaekyung are much stronger than the ones for Shin Okja. His short time spent in the penthouse left a deep impression on him.
On the other hand, we shouldn’t overlook one important aspect. The halmeoni asked for a favor from Kim Dan, and her wish is actually the expression of her own will. In other words, she is making a choice and as such becomes responsible for her own destiny. She can no longer say that life or others had a saying in her desire and choice. That’s the reason why during that night, she turned Kim Dan into a puppy dog. 
(chapter 53) Her vocabulary exposes that she became a master and in her mind, the puppy dog has to follow her owner. Therefore it is no coincidence that Mingwa created such an image: 
(chapter 53) The grandmother is now the master of her own life and Kim Dan’s. On the one hand, just before her death, she is learning to become accountable for her own life, even though I still have my doubts that she is really realizing the consequences of her choice. She is still chasing after after an illusion. As you already know, I am anticipating a rude awakening fron her part, as she can not escape from reality and her own mortality. On the other hand, with her request, she gets responsible for her grandchild’s career, and someone could criticize her for making him quit. She didn’t take his job’s obligations into consideration. Simultaneously, this image illustrates a relapse of Kim Dan. He is once again trapped, though he wished to be freed. Thus he wrote this to Joo Jaekyung: 
(chapter 53) Deep down, he would like to be recognized as a competent physical therapist. Moreover, my avid readers should recall that the champion had already noticed the change of heart in the doctor before the scheme took place. 
(chapter 53) So the athlete could come to the realization that his departure was related to the grandmother’s sickness and dying wish, a new version of episode 20 and 21. However, even if the fighter helps the grandmother, he can not entirely free the physical therapist. How so? It is because the doctor has to free himself, breaking free from conformity and his own psychological constraints (lack of confidence and as such courage). And the best evidence for his servitude mentality is the absence of his love confession to the athlete. He disguised it behind gratitude.
(Chapter 45) But how can he change his condition? I will give the answer below.
1. 2. The release of the rich slave
As you can imagine, the person I am referring behind this heading is the champion. Interesting is that in the story, he received the title “Emperor”. 
(chapter 14) Yet, the reality is that despite his wealth, he is not free at all. Actually, he reminded me of a Roman gladiator. Gladiators in ancient Rome lived under challenging and contradictory conditions. Although they were often slaves or prisoners of war, some achieved fame, wealth, and admiration comparable to modern-day sports stars. Successful gladiators could earn prizes, attract fan followings, and even enjoy certain luxuries within their restrictive lives. However, they remained under the control of their lanista (manager) or the state, with little freedom to make personal choices. They could not select their opponents or refuse combat, and each fight carried the risk of injury or death, underscoring their vulnerability and lack of autonomy despite their celebrated status.
Most gladiators were enslaved people forced to fight. But a small contingent were free-born citizens who volunteered in hopes of earning money and fame. Before they could enter combat, gladiators trained for months in specialized schools managed by wealthy investors who profited from their fighters’ success.
Contrary to popular perception, gladiators didn’t necessarily battle to the death. Instead, fighting progressed until one of them surrendered, usually by holding up a single finger. All told, only between 10 and 20 percent of gladiators died during matches—a reflection, in part, of their high financial value to investors.
It wasn’t easy for gladiators to stand out. Each warrior fought only two to three times per year, usually in events featuring 10 to 13 gladiator fights, according to Murray—with each individual match lasting about 10 to 15 minutes. But some, owing to their extravagant personalities, personal backgrounds or memorable performances, gained lasting renown via ancient artists or historians. Quoted from https://www.history.com/news/most-famous-ancient-roman-gladiators
This comparison between the main lead and a Roman gladiator reinforced my negative perception about Park Namwook. He acts as the owner of the athlete 
(chapter 40), though the gym belongs to the celebrity. But let’s return our attention to the American-German philosopher. The latter pointed out the importance of self-awareness and the rejection of materialism and social pressures (authority figures, conformity) in order to become truly free.
This aspect is really important, because the athlete Joo Jaekyung is a homosexual which represents a huge taboo in the MMA world. Remember my hypothesis that the jinx could also be an excuse in order to hide his own sexual orientation. 
(chapter 2) Therefore sex is linked to prostitution and work. Back then, this had nothing to do with pleasure, sensuality and entertaining. It was revolving around power and domination. That way, he wouldn’t appear as weak, he is not controlled by his sexual desires and emotions. That’s how it dawned on me why the champion has been denying the existence of feelings in his past relationships. Naturally, it is possible that he got his heart broken before, but it is also possible that he could never live out his own true homosexuality. Note that his father figure, Park Namwook, has no idea about his sexual life. The athlete could fear to disappoint him. This raises the question how the manager will react, when the athlete’s secret is exposed. Should he request from his boy to organize a conference and deny the allegation there, he would divulge not only his lack of loyalty, but also his hypocrisy. Why? It is because this is something he should have organized after the last match. A conference to expose the existence of schemes. But everything got swayed under the rug. On the other hand, I deduce that if the topic of sodomy is brought up in season 2, there is no ambiguity that both main leads won’t give in to conformity and external pressure (even in the form of threats). Why? It is because during season 2, both characters will come to be true to themselves. That‘s how they can become master of their own life.
This signifies that in order to go on the past of self-mastery, the champion needs to break free from materialism 
(chapter 41), from his manager’s influence (father figure) and even from the MFC world (authorities) !! What is the common denominator between these three persons? MONEY! 
(chapter 50) Hence the last match was not cancelled in the last minute. The athlete is not fighting out of fun and passion, but out of obligation and survival. He is trapped in a world where money is everything. Thus he was always pushed to accept any challenger despite his injuries. That’s how I realized why the athlete always suspected Kim Dan of being greedy. It is because he projected his own thoughts onto his partner. However, this negative perception was definitely influenced by his “hyung”, we have the best example in episode 46. Due to Park Namwook, Joo Jaekyung was the one who was constantly thinking and talking about money in front of Kim Dan. 
(chapter 26) No wonder why he got so surprised by Kim Dan’s reaction in the locker room: 
(chapter 51) He was disarmed by a single question and a shocked and disappointed face: 
(chapter 51) The question implied that the doctor had been trusting him.
1. 3. The “lanista’s” chains
We had another perfect example of “Escape from Freedom” in episode 43 at the restaurant. Note that Park Namwook underlined that the fight was the champion’s decision
(chapter 43), yet he added shortly this comment: : 
(chapter 43) The hypocrite coach utilized the personal pronoun “WE” indicating that he and his peers had played a role in the athlete’s decision. Funny is that though he complained about the schedule, he still accepted the switch of the fighter later. But he could have voiced his fears and objections. Nevertheless, he did nothing. Since I connected the halmeoni to past, I suddenly realized that the “lanista” embodies the opposite notion. He is trapped in the future, thus he is always anxious. Imagine that in that scene, they were celebrating Joo Jaekyung’s birthday, it should have been a good time. Yet, the manager kept talking about work and the future. 
(chapter 43) 
(chapter 43) This is a sign that he was not “enjoying the present”. In my eyes, with his comments, he was actually ruining the party. Fortunately, no one paid attention to his words except the physical therapist and Yosep. By talking like that, he gives the impression that he is caring and paying attention to the fighter. Yet this is just an illusion, for he is not focused on the present. He neglected his duties, therefore the schemers were able to bring drugs to the champion’s rooms. 
(chapter 49) Notice that he was afraid of an outburst from Joo Jaekyung in the locker room, therefore they were restraining him. This was no real protection. I am suspecting that the manager is trusting MFC and its organization. In addition, his obsession with the future explains why the athlete’s mental health has been neglected by the coach and manager. As a conclusion, Park Namwook is himself trapped in his own world: money, fear of the future and the champion‘s retirement which means the end of his own career as manager and coach. Therefore he is pushing his fighter to race against time. It is only a matter until his boy gets injured!!
This means that we should see the athlete’s suspension as his moment of release. He is no longer forced to fight. He is “abandoned” by MFC, fans and even by his manager 
(chapter 53). The latter announces that his “boy” can take a break. What caught my attention is his idiom. The suspension got turned into a break which sounds much more positive. Interesting is that break is not only a synonym for “rest”, but also for “opportunity, chance”. This new discovery reinforces my previous interpretation: the loss of his “title” and his suspension are in verity an escape to freedom. Why? It is because he is no longer exposed to manipulations and external pressure like in episode 36: 
(chapter 36) money, social media, the agency, the lawyer, Park Namwook and Jeong Yosep. For the first time, Joo Jaekyung can think of something else other than work. Nevertheless, the athlete had not realized it yet. Striking is that the longer the fighter thought about the PT’s resignation, the longer he came to object to it. 
(chapter 53) This means that the fighter was acknowledging the “uke” as an important member of Team Black. In addition, he was recognizing Kim Dan’s effort and talent as PT. Moreover, it exposes the absence of change in Joo Jaekyung’s mentality. He was still “thinking” of work and fighting. It displays that the protagonist had not realized the true signification of his suspension yet. Hence the doctor’s departure was necessary. Joo Jaekyung is forced to think about his fated partner, making him forget his work and his career. His “obsession” with Kim Dan will push him to stop being a workaholic. But there is more to it.
By leaving the city behind (my prediction), the champion’s not aware that this trip will become a spiritual journey where he will discover his true self. But for that, meditation is required. In my opinion, the grandmother’s illness should serve him as a wake-up call. He spent a lot of money on her treatment, but she couldn’t be saved. It looks like he never visited her again. Should he see her again, he could get shocked. From this 
(chapter 21) to this 
(chapter 47) Money is powerless in front of death and terrible injuries. Therefore he is lucky that his shoulder is not ruined forever. Moreover a trip represents a good metaphor for an escape, a travel is a synonym for freedom and the end of “routine”.
2. The ability to love
Far away from medias, public eyes, the agency and his manager, he can discover a different world: the West Coast and nature. And this brings me to a quote from Erich Fromm:
Paradoxically, the ability to be alone is the condition for the ability to love. (The Art Of Loving)
Through this statement, we have the explanation why Joo Jaekyung can love and why he couldn’t love Kim Dan properly in season 1. The fact that he lived alone in the penthouse is a proof of his independency 
(chapter 35). However, since he didn’t spend much time in his own home, he never took the time to take care of his soulmate. By leaving the city and Team Black behind, he would become truly alone (as opposition to his trips to Busan, the States) which would give him an opportunity to become more honest to himself and to Kim Dan.
In addition, this quote exposes the absence of “unconditional love” from the grandmother. (chapter 53) So far, she could never be alone, she always needed the assistance of others: Kim Dan, the doctor, the nurse, Joo Jaekyung. She always relied on others (“we”, “life”). But it is also the same for Kim Dan who has always been listening to people, as his desire was to get accepted. His conformity led him to experience misery, as he lacked critical thinking. He never questioned people’s words, decisions or behaviors. Only thanks to his soulmate, he started changing. His psychological restrains were his abandonment issues and his low self-esteem. That’s the reason why their love couldn’t flourish in season 1. Nevertheless, Kim Dan still had a good disposition for being capable of loving someone, exactly like his fated partner. He could live on his own as well.This signifies that their future love relationship won’t be toxic, as they won’t be needy or dependent on each other, the exact opposite between the grandmother and Kim Dan or Joo Jaekyung and his hyung Park Namwook. However, this doesn‘t mean that they won‘t help each other.
I am quite certain that the fighter must have noticed the doctor’s low self-esteem in the letter. Therefore he felt bad for his reproaches and lack of trust. Remember that the champion never expressed a compliment or even showed gratitude towards the doctor.
(chapter 43) In episode 1, he gave a positive feedback
(chapter 1). Nonetheless, his words sounded more negative due to the usage of negation. Moreover, Kim Dan was too scared to take his words seriously. Consequently, it becomes obvious that Kim Dan needs to hear praises from the athlete himself. It is not just about an apology about his misjudgment, the “hamster” needs to hear from his own patient that he trusts him and his hands. Thus he wants to be needed: 
(chapter 53) This explicates why the young man kept questioning the actor’s intentions behind his gifts. He could see that the man didn’t need him. This thought displays his desire to give a meaning to his own existence as well. If he is needed, he has a reason to exist. This desire of being needed can be expressed by words, but also with the hands: 
or like this: 
And what does the hand symbolize? The latter symbolizes gratitude and love! Hence the grandmother took the MMA fighter’s hand in order to thank him. 
(chapter 22) (chapter 22) As a conclusion, love and gratitude represents the key to freedom and as such to power. And now, you comprehend why The Art Of Loving can not be separated from „Escape from Freedom“.
2. 1. Love and Power
This explains why the famous author declared this:
“For a productive character, giving is the highest expression of his abilities. It is precisely in the act of giving that I experience my strength, my richness, my power.“
This means that by giving, the person feels strong and powerful. Why? Fromm views the act of giving not as a depletion of oneself, but rather as a fulfillment and actualization of one’s capabilities. The productive character, according to him, doesn’t define himself by what he possesses or hoards, but rather by what he can give to others. It is his heart which defines his strength. Giving becomes a way of affirming one’s own power and abundance, showcasing that true fulfillment is found in one’s ability to be generous, creative, and life-affirming. Notice that the author contrasts generosity with passivity. By giving, the person becomes proactive and is no longer passive. In the past, I had described Joo Jaekyung as a person suffering from “inner passivity” [For more read “Couch Confession”]. As soon as I read the quote from The Art Of Loving, I realized why the champion disliked receiving presents 
(chapter 45) so much and preferred organizing a charity event for his birthday . 
(chapter 41) Being on the receiving side makes him feel weak and powerless. He is reduced to become a passive man. Furthermore, we shouldn’t overlook that such presents are not entirely selfless. Companies or admirers have expectations from Joo Jaekyung, earning some money or getting his attention. At the same time, these presents are strongly connected to his title and fame as champion. Thus they are not taking into consideration about the athlete’s dislikes and likes. Thus he was offered a bottle of wine 
(chapter 12), though he is no drinker or he doesn’t eat cakes. 
(chapter 41) The fact that the athlete organized a charity event for his birthday exposes not only his huge heart, but also that he had long recognized the power of generosity. Under this new light, it becomes comprehensible why the champion was willing to pay off the doctor’s debts. 
(chapter 18) Here, he hoped to see gratitude on his fated partner’s face, but it didn’t happen like he imagined. Yet, notice that despite their argument, Joo Jaekyung proposed to the main lead to live with him in the penthouse: 
(chapter 18) His facial expression is exposing his true thoughts. He was definitely happy to help the doctor. The reason is simple. He is in control of his heart and life. This shows that deep down, the man has always had a soft heart and could find fulfillment in giving. However, the problem is that the champion had also internalized that there is nothing free in this world. Due to his past experiences, he realized that receivers would exploite his goodness. The green-haired guy was the perfect example. 
(chapter 2) Therefore it is not surprising that he kept denying his kindness to the doctor: 
(chapter 18) He had to, because the man was now living with him. Joo Jaekyung feared that his roommate could come to take advantage of his new position and even consider this place as his own. As you can see, the champion had long discovered the power of giving to others. Yet his problem was that he couldn’t live out this principle: he was either exploited or he has no family or close friend so far.
And now, let me ask you one question: who likes giving presents in Jinx? One might reply Kim Dan and Choi Heesung. The doctor and the actor have both something in common. 
(chapter 30) They both desire to be acknowledged and appreciated. 
(chapter 45) With this image, it was, as if Kim Dan wanted to be distinguished from all the stans. Yes, I do think that this has something to do their own negative feelings. However, there is a difference between Choi Heesung and Kim Dan. Note that the gifts are related to his sponsors and the agency. They were related to his work. Moreover, the gumiho rarely gave the meals or the presents personally. 
(chapter 31) 
(chapter 31) Furthermore, the actor gave these things for one reason: it was to obtain the doctor’s heart or to maintain his good image as a celebrity. In other words, these gestures were not selfless at all. This explains why the athlete was so weary of such “gifts”: a return of favor or a service. But the comedian is not the only one donating things. Naturally, it is the manager Park Namwook. 
(Chapter 26) 
(chapter 36) However, my avid readers should ponder on the following aspect: how did he buy the jackets and the junk food? 
(Chapter 37) This last scene is terrible, for this purchase happened behind the boss’ back. Naturally, everything was bought with the company card!! In other words, Park Namwook’s generosity is fake, for he is not spending his own money. After this new realization, I started wondering if the athlete’s negative attitude towards Kim Dan is not the consequence of Park Namwook’s behavior as well who takes it for granted to spend money on the athlete’s account. Why did the champion anticipate an expectation from Kim Dan, when he received the keychain? 
(Chapter 45) It is because his relationship with his coach has always been based on „conditional love and expectations“. Don’t forget that the coach was particularly nice to the athlete after winning his match in Busan. He was willing to be his „servant“ in that moment. Furthermore, there exists another evidence that in episode 45 the fighter latched out on the doctor because of his unresolved feelings towards his hyung. (Chapter 45) Kim Dan had not only followed the stans‘ behavior, but also listened to Park Namwook‘s words constantly. ’
(chapter 41) This frenzy was portrayed as something positive. Jinxworms can observe that the manager is mentioning the existence of „favors“. For me, it is no coincidence that in episode 45, the arrival from presents coming from his hyung coincides with the present with Kim Dan. It shows the underlying conflict between the celebrity and the former wrestler. Nevertheless, the fighter has not grasped it yet. So far, Joo Jaekyung has not tried to defy Park Namwook openly, to claim his place as the true owner of Team Black. We should see his words here as a first attempt to act as the boss
(Chapter 46) The tension reached its peak in that scene: 
(chapter 52) The manager imagined that he could act like in the past (recurring to force), for Joo Jaekyung was „used“ to take his slaps. 
That’s where the generosity from Park Namwook comes from: he gives his punches to Joo Jaekyung and takes Joo Jaekyung‘s company for granted. And now, you comprehend why I selected such a title for this essay. 
(Chapter 26) The sparring in episode 26 represents the positive version of giving a punch and taking it. The fighter was not upset about his defeat, moreover he was acting like a real teacher asking the physical therapist to overcome his own fears. On the hand, the slap at the hospital embodies the opposite notions: resent, no real teaching, no reflection, no listening, the one slapping is not overcoming his own fears and vents his anger. The give and take in episode 26 was happiness, true generosity, self-awareness, while this slap displays misery, anger, ignorance: (Chapter 52) True generosity, for Kim Dan had risked his health for the sake of Potato. 
(Chapter 26) The contrast not only exposes Park Namwook’s fake generosity, but also his greed and selfishness. For me, he missed the opportunity, as at the gym, Kim Dan took the chance, when the athlete was distracted. Hence in my opinion, chapter 52 was the turning point in their toxic relationship. Moreover, it signifies that the manager lost his special position as hyung. Far away from the gym, Joo Jaekyung will see Kim Dan under a different light, maybe even as a true role model, for he is wearing his heart in his hand.
2. 2. The wolf, the hamster and the world
But Erich Fromm wrote this about love:
“If I can say to another, ‘I love you,’ I must also be able to say, ‘I love in you all others, I love through you the entire world, I love in you also myself.'”
For Fromm, love transcends a personal or exclusive attachment to one individual; it is a universal force that connects the self to humanity and existence as a whole. True love, in his view, is inclusive and expansive. It’s not a possessive or isolating sentiment but rather one that opens the lover to the wider world, fostering a connection to humanity and, ultimately, a deep acceptance and love for oneself.
Thus I come to the following conclusions: the moment the doctor and the champion admits their affection for their fated partner, they won’t be suffering from self-loathing or low self-esteem. But there is more to it. If you keep the quote in mind, you will realize that the champion’s affection for Kim Dan was not true love. [Like mentioned above, he couldn’t love properly] He couldn’t stand the idea of sharing his partner to others. 
(chapter 7) 
(chapter 43) He needed to seclude him from the others. But where does this possessiveness come from? In my opinion, it is not just the result of his own insecurities, but also the influence of the bad role model he had: Park Namwook. First, only in chapter 45, the manager sent congratulations from his family: (chapter 45) This means that Joo Jaekyung was never treated like a real family member. Then, due to his bad portrait of Joo Jaekyung 
(chapter 9), the manager kept creating a bad image of the athlete: brutal, moody, maniac… but the reality is that the man is actually generous and caring, like mentioned above and the coach knew this. Hence he could lie without any remorse: he is a savior and the gym owner. Moreover, the athlete can speak well and be polite. 
(chapter 22) This scene at the hospital displays that the fighter had been mirroring the behavior of his counterpart: Shin Okja is sweet and kind. And who is moody, yelling, brutal ? Park Namwook: 
(chapter 43) (chapter 52) The one who raised him like that is actually him: 
(chapter 7) Therefore I conclude that this possessiveness and obsession with Kim Dan is the result of the manager’s influence. Park Namwook treated him like a possession. And this brings me to my next part. How to become happy? One might reply: by loving someone. However, how can Joo Jaekyung drop his insecurities and open his heart like that? As you can see, we need another explanation.
3. The guide for happiness
Erich Fromm’s philosophy in To Have or To Be? revolves around two fundamental modes of existence: the having mode and the being mode. These modes represent distinct ways of interacting with the world, structuring relationships, and understanding one’s identity.
I am posting this video which I found very well made. Funny is that the blogger used a haiku to illustrate the difference between the being mode and the having mode.
3. 1. The Having Mode
In the “having” mode, identity and value are based on possessions and control over objects, people, and even oneself. The having mode is characterized by:
- Possession and Ownership: One’s self-worth and sense of security are derived from what one possesses—material wealth, status, knowledge, even relationships. (Chapter 40) This explicates why the manager is happy in this scene. Thanks to him, he earned a lot of money and felt recognized.
- Security in Stability: Individuals in the having mode seek to secure their identity through accumulation, feeling stable only when they can cling to things.
- Alienation and Objectification: Relationships and experiences become objects to be owned or controlled, reducing people and emotions to mere assets.
Fromm argues that the having mode can lead to anxiety and insecurity because possessions can always be lost or taken away. It fosters competitiveness, isolation, and a fixation on external validation, ultimately stunting genuine self-growth and connection with others. Under this light, Manhwa-philes can grasp why the athlete, pushed by his mentor, kept accepting fights after another. The champion was suffering from self-loathing, but in order to get recognition and admiration from his hyung, he needed to win. Notice how gentle and proud the man was after the victories 
(chapter 15), but as soon as his idol lost his title and got even suspended, he yelled and slapped his fighter: (chapter 52) Why did he not blame the cheaters who had tricked Joo Jaekyung and framed the physical therapist? If you read my previous analyses about the coach, you will certain recall about my diagnosis: he seems to suffer from decidophobia. But as you can see, the man is unhappy, for he is living in the “Having Mode”. Hence he is taking no risk and letting the athlete make decisions. Furthermore, it explains perfectly why the manager lied to the members here: 
(chapter 22) Since his relationship with the main lead is so secure, he could claim the gym as his own. Notice how he treats the members here: he’s putting them under pressure, threatening them. Everything is revolving around competition, seriousness and greed. Why doesn’t Joo Jaekyung mess with his weight and nutrition? It is because his hyung made sure that the latter would fulfil all his expectations. He needs to be ready for the next fight. Why was the manager not present here? 
(chapter 43) This exposes his lack of engagement and indifference in the end, but this becomes even more obvious during the night: 
(chapter 43) Where was he, when his star was drunk? It was, as though he had vanished. 
(chapter 43) But the best evidence for this interpretation is this image: 
(chapter 52) The manager is upset, because his boy lost his title and his reputation is ruined. Moreover, many members left the gym which means that the company lost a lot of money.
“If I am what I have and if I lose what I have, who then am I?”From Erich Fromm (To Have or To Be?)
This highlights the danger of building identity around possessions and the resulting vulnerability. And how did Park Namwook define himself in his life? He was a coach, a manager, the owner of Team Black…. 
(chapter 9) However, he never presented himself as a father or a husband. It was, as if his children or wife were not a source of his happiness. Why? It is because they don’t bring money, but rather cost money. Thanks to Joo Jaekyung’s popularity, the manager could stand in the spotlight 
(chapter 40), yet notice that no fans or fighter know his name as a successful coach or manager. He is not a famous manager in the end. His income depends on the athlete’s career and victories. No wonder why he put so much pressure on his celebrity. Thus I had the following revelation: he was actually exposing his true self in front of the doctor at the restaurant. (chapter 43) Joo Jaekyung would have to pick himself up, Park Namwook wouldn’t be there in order to assist him. Why? It is because it represented his own fears. Don’t forget that he is a former wrestler and athlete. He must have experienced it. The end of his boy’s career represents the end of his own career. Hence I am suspecting that the real savior of Park Namwook was the fighter himself, as the latter offered him an opportunity to find a good job.
But there is more to it. Why did the coach neglect doctor Kim Dan 
(chapter 40) in the States and even at the gym? 
(Chapter 43) It is because he doesn’t view the uke as a possession contrary to his „boy“. Why? It is because the young man doesn’t bring money or contribute to boast the manager’s self-esteem. In fact, Kim Dan is an expensive PT and the manager is aware of his high salary. Moreover, contrary to the hamster, Park Namwook was never seen in the penthouse, and the celebrity refused to invite the members. This is a clue that the champion could have refused to invite his coach there. The doctor’s stay at the penthouse is something Park Namwook discovered by accident. 
(Chapter 22) And now, it is important to recall that in the mode of Having, rivalry and competition are predominant. Therefore I deduce that deep down, the coach and manager sensed the physical therapist as a source of threat and rival. Therefore Jinx-philes shouldn’t be surprised that the coach did nothing to keep Kim Dan. 
(Chapter 53) Here his gestures and words should be judged as lip-services. He can even rationalize his departure: bad luck, they save a lot of money, for the next PT will have a lower salary. In addition, Kim Dan was treated as the celebrity’s possession, therefore he used him as a tool in order to compensate the actor. The manager is definitely imagining that once the break ends, things will work like before. (Chapter 53) Here, I feel the need to add that though I am portraying the coach in a rather pejorative light, I am not saying that he is a malicious or evil man. My point is that he needs to change and realize his wrong-doings. As long as he lives in this mode, he won’t be able to be happy: always in the fear of losing his possessions. So should a separation take place, it is possible that the distance brings more clarity and helps them to improve their relationship. However, I have to admit that I wished to witness a real argument between the hyung and his pupil. A new version of this scene: 
(chapter 17)
Interesting is that the sociologist stated this as well:
“In the having mode, one’s happiness lies in one’s superiority over others, in one’s power, and in one’s capacity to conquer, to defeat, and to kill.”
With this observation, it becomes comprehensible why the coach not only used violence against the athlete but also pushed the main lead to be rough with his own body. (Chapter 43) It is not random that Mingwa showed a rough manager while complaining about his star. She was implying his responsibility for mistreating his body in this scene. Park Namwook needed to prove his superiority over the celebrity to justify his position. And he used the fighter’s good heart, trust in him and social norms to manipulate his prize and possession. As a conclusion, both characters have a toxic relationship, exactly like between the halmoni and Kim Dan.
But Kim Dan was not different from the manager. He also lived in the mode of “having”. Hence once he earned money, he would buy gifts to others: 
(chapter 41) In his eyes, possessions and money determine someone’s values. Hence he bought an expensive keychain for his fated partner. Furthermore, I have been wondering if this spending is not related to Shin Okja, the latter could have been a spendthrift. In the essay „Click 📸: Between Fleeting illusions and Enduring Realities“ I had outlined that all the objects in the flat would belong to the grandmother 
(Chapter 19). Another possibility is that she made sure that her grandchild would spend money on her: (chapter 41) And this brings me to my next important revelation. The grandmother never said thank you to Kim Dan. She either apologizes (chapter 53 ) or makes it sound like a reproach „Spoil me to death“. There is no THANK YOU. She didn‘t give him her hand like in episode 22 with the celebrity as well. But there is another detail that caught my attention: the nurse mentioned the paid bills 
(chapter 22) after the departure of Joo Jaekyung, but notice how the halmeoni thanked the benefactor: 
(Chapter 22) She didn’t express the reason for her gratefulness. She didn‘t bring up the hospital bills, but she knew about it. In other words, when she showed her gratitude, she was in reality just thanking him for his company. That‘s how Kim Dan perceived it first and we should do it as well. To conclude, the grandmother is not really thankful, when it comes to money. Exactly like the manager, she takes it for granted. In fact, she gave him the yoghurt which was offered by the hospital. 
(chapter 21) One might argue that the poor woman couldn’t do much to express her gratitude. However, this is just a deception. Shin Okja could have written a letter to express her gratitude to Joo Jaekyung. Why do you think Mingwa created two scenes with a letter or card? 
(chapter 45) 
(chapter 53) The comparison lets transpire the importance of words. The champion might have judged the keychain differently, if he had read the card. But he didn’t. Another parallel between these two scenes is the rejection of a gift! However, in the final episode, Kim Dan voiced genuine gratitude towards his benefactor. The latter had allowed him to work as his PT. With the letter, he could voice his thoughts and emotions much better. And now, you realize that Shin Okja could have acted the same way. This made me realize that deep down, she resents being poor. She likes Dan spending money on her. (Chapter 41) Despite her rebuke she actually doesn’t meant it. She never actually told him to stop or rejected Joo Jaekyung‘s generosity. Instead, she made the following request to her grandson: 
(chapter 41). He should treat the sportsman nicely (“do good”). Kim Dan is the one who should be indebted to Joo Jaekyung. However, observe what she said in front of her grandchild before: she was the one who was grateful to the main lead, and not Kim Dan!! 
(chapter 41) She should have been the one who expressed her gratitude to Joo Jaekyung, but not Kim Dan for the trip (it was work related anyway). One might argue that the poor woman is trapped in the hospital, she can not do much. But you are wrong. She could have written a letter to her benefactor which means that she would have sacrificed some of her time for the athlete. Imagine that she had sent a message to the athlete, the latter might have decided to pay a visit to her. He is not truly heartless. With this silence, she created the impression that his assistance had changed her situation.
As you can see, she delegated her “gratitude” to her relative. Hence no wonder why Kim Dan chose to work hard for the keychain. He had to “work hard” in order to repay the huge debt (the trip to the States, the hospital). That’s why I come to the conclusion that the grandmother doesn’t represent true gratitude. She is similar to her male version: putting the responsibility on others and using words as lip-services. Simultaneously, this new discovery exposes another cause for her own suffering: she was also living in the mode of „having“. As my avid readers can notice, all the characters in Jinx were living the wrong way.
And this brings me to another aspect: Kim Dan’s diploma as physical therapist. In the having mode, education is centered on acquisition and possession of information. Knowledge is seen as something to be accumulated, memorized, and quantified—often in terms of grades, certificates, or degrees. Hence the doctor thought for a brief moment to take a MMA trainer seminar. 
(chapter 22)
Focus on Outcomes Over Process: Success in the having mode is defined by external achievements, grades, or credentials, rather than by actual understanding or personal growth.
Competitive Learning: Students are encouraged to see education as a competitive endeavor, where success often involves outperforming others rather than cooperating or collaborating.
Dependency on External Tools: This mindset can make students more prone to relying on shortcuts like cheating or using AI to complete assignments without really engaging with the material. In this context, tools like AI might be used to bypass learning rather than deepen understanding, reducing education to a means to an end.
Lack of Internal Motivation: The focus on external validation makes intrinsic motivation scarce. This dependency on external rewards may undermine creativity, critical thinking, and the desire for genuine understanding, as students prioritize “having knowledge” over “being knowledgeable.”
Kim Dan was not a proud PT. In fact, he had no problem to take a job as a courier. For him, the diploma was just a piece of paper. Why? It is because he was not truly motivated to become a PT. His choice was influenced by his halmoni and his financial situation. He was doing it for the money: 
(chapter 1) In other words, he was not passionate about his profession. This means that he didn’t define himself as PT due to his lack of engagement and low self-esteem. Besides, let’s not forget that he judges people based on their social status and seniority. I would even add, the main lead had not recognized the existence of his own skills (knowledge, genuineness and dedication). But by working for Joo Jaekyung, he came to enjoy his job. This explicates why he kept buying books. 
(chapter 53) He likes not only his job now, but also learning as such. This is no coincidence that education in the mode of “being” means that the focus is on learning and developing skills. Hence I still see a change in the hamster at the end of season 1: (chapter 53) He is defining himself by his skills: he is a PT!! Money plays no longer a role. He is about to live in the mode of „being“.
However, there are other students in Jinx. Fromm’s explanations about human psychology made me realize why many members from Team Black left the gym soon after the champion’s loss and bad PR: 
(chapter 52) In this panel, the author let us see glimpses of their motivation and thoughts. For them, the champion has nothing to teach them, since he lost his title and is injured. This shows that they are only interested in the outcome, success and as such fame, but not in the process, how to become skilled! In other words, they see “success” as a possession. He has no title, then he has nothing to offer. They are all living in the mode of having, which can only lead to misery and even self-destruction. No wonder why they were not too upset or shocked, when they heard that the game had been rigged. But what led them to make such a decision?
Naturally, the manager played a huge role in this. The gym gave the impression that by being by the athlete’s side, they would become successful as well. Park Namwook contributed to this wrong evolution, for he didn’t confront the fighters with reality: he made false promises. 
(chapter 23) Then he only focused on the “outcome” and not on the process. Hence he neglected them, delegated his task on the pressured athlete. The latter had to train them: 
(chapter 25) and 
(chapter 36) In my eyes, he didn’t want to play the bad guy. The meeting or his worries were more important 
(chapter 36) than their training and career. Moreover, he kept bribing them with junk food (chapter 26) or new jackets or towels. He was only interested in getting new members, but not in developing their skills. This explains why he treated Seonho so well: 
(chapter 46) The latter was a new source of income and fame. Everything was revolving around money. That’s how it dawned on me why the manager got angry for the bet in episode 26: 
(chapter 26) We shouldn’t judge his words as a verity, he was just using the doctor as a false excuse. The reality is that the sparring had brought no money at all! This fight was strongly intertwined with fun. The notion of „entertaining“ stands in opposition to money. Fun means feeling emotions and being to true one’s self. In other words, Kim Dan stands for a different notion of MMA fighting: the sportsmen shouldn’t work for money, but for fun. They are artists too. This signifies that as time passed on, the members of Team Black lost their passion for fighting 
(chapter 26) and became more obsessed with possessions and fame. Potato and the remaining members represent the exceptions. They enjoyed the lessons despite the pain and struggles. The other members became dependent on external tools which led them to lose their integrity. To conclude, the reason for their disloyalty is that at the end, they had long internalized the mode of having and were just interested in getting successful.
3. 2. The Being Mode
In contrast, the “being” mode focuses on authentic self-expression, inner fulfillment, and experience rather than ownership. Key aspects include:
Living Authentically: People in the being mode derive meaning from their experiences, creativity, and actions, rather than from acquiring or possessing. That‘s why fun is so important. And who embodies fun in Jinx? Naturally Heesung
(special episode2 ), but also Cheolmin 
(chapter 13) who likes making jokes. That‘s how I came to understand why Cheolmin appeared only one time in season 1. He will come to replace the manager: 
(chapter 13)
Dynamic Engagement: This mode emphasizes growth, spontaneity, and a deep, active engagement with life. Here, identity is fluid and self-renewing, driven by inner growth rather than external gains.
Connectedness and Compassion: Fromm sees the being mode as fostering a sense of unity with others and the world, as it’s grounded in compassion, shared experience, and a true sense of community.
The being mode fosters qualities like love, empathy, joy, and creativity, enabling individuals to experience life in a richer, more meaningful way.
Cheolmin stands for understanding and trust in humans. He criticized the man first, but he didn‘t imply that he had done it with bad intentions. Secondly, he believed his sunbae, 
(Chapter 13) when the latter denied his responsibility. This shows that the man doesn’t mistrust people. He has faith in humans. And in this short scene, the doctor shows alle positive notions mentioned above: love, empathy, joy and creativity. Therefore I come to the following interpretation: he embodies the being mode. No wonder why he was not present in season 1. The main lead was definitely obsessed with work. Hence the moment Cheolmin’s path crosses Kim Dan’s, the funny doctor should become the hamster’s new role model.
3. 3. The Larger Philosophical Context
Fromm’s philosophy reflects a critique of modern consumerism and materialism, which, in his view, has led society towards the having mode. He argues that this mode is ultimately destructive, as it alienates individuals from their true selves and from others. The being mode, on the other hand, aligns with the principles of humanistic and existential philosophy, emphasizing the pursuit of self-actualization, meaning, and interconnectedness.
Fromm warns that without a shift from “having” to “being,” society risks falling into moral and psychological decay, driven by the insatiable quest for possessions and power. And we can observe this in Jinx. MFC and the medical world 
(chapter 48) are full of greedy people who have no problems to commit crimes in order to achieve their goals (more fame, more wealth, revenge, more connections). Baek Junmin became a champion by cheating.
(Chapter 49) Thus he thought, the athlete had earned his title the same way. His fights were rigged, yet the verity is that the idol worked hard to achieve this level. The irony is that The Gunshot experienced much too late that his assumption was wrong. 
(Chapter 52) His shaking is exposing his fears. Like mentioned in the past, I am anticipating that The Shotgun will avoid a new fight with the celebrity.
Thus I interpret these two panels from Mingwa like this: They embody the mode of being. The hands are touching each other directly. They are not attached by money. Moreover, the hands express positive emotions and thoughts: support, gratitude, honesty, tenderness, acceptance and more importantly trust and fun. They are enjoying the present moment. Mingwa announced with these images the happy ending for these two characters who thought that they were jinxed. The reality is that they were responsible for their own misery.
This work urges a reassessment of values and priorities, where personal growth and human connection take precedence over material wealth and social status. And that’s where Joo Jaekyung is standing now. 
(chapter 53) He is standing at a crossroad. What does he truly want in life? Fame? More money? Or happiness and as such love and fun?
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(chapter 19) However, in chapter 47, Mingwa revealed that in the past, Kim Dan had many pictures taken with his grandmother 
(chapter 47) . 
(chapter 47) 
(chapter 47) 
(chapter 47) One might argue about this interpretation, as these panels are presented as “memories”. However, the author left three important clues that these memories were pictures in reality. First, the perspective is not from the protagonist’s, but from an invisible third person’s. Then in the last image, in the background, you can observe a family posing for a picture in front of a person with a cellphone. This was the allusion that someone must have taken these pictures. The last evidence is the bouquet of flowers, the symbol for congratulations, but also affection!! After this realization, I couldn’t help myself wondering about the whereabouts of these photographs. Where are they? 
(chapter 17)
(chapter 17) 
(chapter 17) They are nowhere to be seen!! I would even add that this place contains no traces of Kim Dan’s presence! 
(chapter 53). And here, I feel the need to correct my past interpretation. Back then, I had assumed that this was the doctor’s repressed wish to go to the beach. It turns out that this was Shin Okja’s. Thus I deduce that the papers on the board are related to her health issues. Then in this image 
(chapter 19) The framed photograph isn’t visible on the chests or the shelves, when Joo Jaekyung confronts the loan shark and his minions 
(chapter 47) Thus I conclude through the absence of his pictures and belongings that nothing was exposing the presence of Kim Dan in this small flat. We could say that he had been living as a ghost child (the piggy bank) in his halmoni’s place. It implies the existence of an invisible wall between himself and his grandmother. This perception reinforces my previous interpretation. This place was like a “cursed place, where the “Sleeping beauty” was waiting for his “prince charming”. 😉 Therefore, when the doctor removed the framed picture from the drawer, it symbolizes his own “release”. It is no coincidence that one week later, he became “a man and as such an adult”. 
(chapter 19) He was slowly detaching himself from his halmoni’s shadow. The mirror is a reflection of a photograph. Here, he is facing reality: he has a long phallus and he can have a climax.
(chapter 7) and actions.
(chapter 38) 
(chapter 42) or “waiter”. As my avid readers can detect, there is a strong link between “pictures” and “pride and love”. Their absence is the expression of neglect from the grandmother, who was definitely too focused on herself and her own suffering. At the same time, it lets also transpire the low self-esteem from the grandmother. In her humble dwell, there is no picture of her as well. 
(chapter 19) She was wearing the same shirt, when Kim Dan was speaking on the phone. In other words, the photo was also bringing painful memories to the grandmother. My theory is that the grandson’s parents vanished after that day. But this was not the same for the boy. He remembers the warmth from his relative. He is not making the link between this moment and his abandonment. In addition, this picture represents a frozen moment in time. It was, as if the woman desired to turn back time or hoped to stay in that moment forever. This explains why she kept the picture and continued treating her grandson as a child. For her, he was still the little boy from that time. However, at the end of season 1, it is no longer possible for her to treat Kim Dan as a child, because she needs him to move to the West coast. 
(chapter 47) Why? By acknowledging him as an adult man, she would give him a choice. He could refuse to do her a favor. As a puppy, he can not live on his own. Besides, by turning him into a dog and as such animal, she is denying him his right as a human being. She is appealing to his instinctive nature, his loyalty. And the moment I thought of a dog and death, I couldn’t help myself thinking of the famous dog Hachiko who kept waiting for his owner’s return at the train station, unaware that the latter had died a long time ago. As you can see, doc Dan’s pictures are strongly intertwined with reality and confrontation. Therefore the pictures with her grandson were not shown or treasured. The grandmother has been avoiding mirror and even pictures. As a person suffering from “Peter Pan Syndrome”, she is trying to do anything to escape “death and responsibility”. How ironic is that she just needed a picture to express her wish to move to the West Coast! 
(chapter 38) Clouds are a reference to heaven and dream, while the green display displays loneliness and emptiness. They have no one by their side. Furthermore, just like Kim Dan, Joo Jaekyung has no family pictures in his house
, (chapter 19) which could be seen as a clue that he is an orphan. Or in the best case, they live, but there is a huge wall and gap between them and the fighter. I would even add that no one could even identify the owner of the penthouse. He is a famous MMA fighter, yet there exist no picture of himself in this flat! Not even this one: 
(chapter 1) That’s why I had compared the penthouse to a hotel room in a previous essay. So we could say that he also lived like a ghost. However, since he is a celebrity, he should be rather compared to a god. He has no home and privacy. Thus the penthouse contained no memories, until the doctor started living with the champion.
(chapter 5) The first personal video and message from his manager only appeared in chapter 43. This shows that the owner of Team Black had no family at all and not even friends. This observation brings me to my next remark. What about the gym Team Black? 
(chapter 5) There are only pictures of the champion and of no one else. Not even from Park Namwook or the ex-professional fighter Jeong Yosep. Everything is revolving around the celebrity. The absence of pictures from others is indicating neglect. The gym was not advertised as a great place to have fun! It is all about fame, wealth and glory! Therefore it is not astonishing why the rats left the sinking ship. 
(chapter 52) The champion’s image is tarnished, he will get less admiration and sponsoring. The decoration of the gym exposed the mentality of the owner, Park Namwook. The gym is about the celebrity, money, fame and sponsoring! Under this new light, it becomes comprehensible why the other members were neglected and why the athlete disliked it so much to be taken in pictures. 
(chapter 30) It is because the photographs are a synonym for “money, glory and fame”. Choi Heesung was using him to get attention. His name 
(chapter 46), his face and body are like “merchandises”. 
(chapter 43) That’s why he disliked the idea that Seonho would advertise that he was his sparring partner. The pictures in the god’s world have nothing to do with memories or love, but with work! It is about making business and getting sponsors and making his fans happy. That’s why the author included the magazines in the same chapter with the actor.
(chapter 30) Naturally, Heesung’s picture is not only related to business, they have a frenemy relationship. The photos with Joo Jaekyung stand in opposition to Kim Dan’s values: glorification, illusion, superficiality and futility. Under this new light, it becomes comprehensible why Joo Jaekyung would never put any framed picture of himself or others in his flat. His gym and the photographs are related to work. Who would like to be “reminded” of work and money in his own home? No one…
(chapter 45) Imagine that the doctor had to work to exhaustion to give him an expensive gift! Yes, his gift was strongly intertwined with money, business and work! However, birthday is a symbol for home, pleasure, joy, simplicity and genuine gratitude. This has nothing to do with work and “replacement”. Yet, contrary to the other presents, the champion did open the hamster’s gift, for the latter had brought it personally. 
(chapter 45) Yes, his birthday was turned into a business event, a merchandise where he even had to pay for his own birthday party. 
(chapter 43) His popularity among the staff was based on his spending: 
(chapter 47) It was not just because the athlete had been encouraged by his mentor to trust no one, to see relationship as a business. 
(chapter 46) This remark leads me to the following conclusion. Since the manager started sowing distrust in the champion’s heart, we can see it as another proof that this man has never truly loved “his boy”:
8chapter 35) When this article was released, the author selected a photograph exposing the champion in good health! He was raising his arm and as such using his “injured shoulder”. The content of the article contradicts so much the image which can only raise doubts among the readers. By using such a picture, they created the illusion that the athlete was hiding something. And this remark brings me to the last articles about the fallen legend: 
(chapter 52) His beaten face is exposed to destroy his “good image”: he appears not only as weak, but also as a bully. This shows how the medias are trying to manipulate the public with pictures. His face and body are damaged, therefore he has less value. This deceptive trick becomes more visible, when you include Baek Junmin. 
(chapter 52) The article utilized a picture of the fake fighter taken right after the match. He is smiling and barely injured… yet, the reality is that he got so wounded by the champion that he needs a long time to recover. As you could observe, all these photographs symbolizes money, business, work, superficiality and publicity. Thus they are strongly intertwined with temporality, fake love and emptiness. No meaningful moment…
(chapter 46) The ones in this panel ooze privacy, selflessness and intimacy. The champion is seen carrying bottles and opening the door for the doctor, a sign of Joo Jaekyung’s respect for the doctor. Yes, these images expose the truth about the athlete: he really treasures his physical therapist. He is also seen listening to the doctor. This observation corroborates my previous interpretation. The pictures with the physical therapist symbolizes verity and reality. The problem is that Joo Jaekyung never got to see them, hence he didn’t realize his affection for the doctor. However, Choi Gilseok could notice it. In fact, the celebrity was delivered a different kind of truth: 
(chapter 48) Kim Dan’s meeting with director Choi Gilseok! However, note that these photographs were also a deception, for they never expose the outcome of the meeting. These pictures display the negative notions of privacy and intimacy, it is about plotting, betrayal and as such about “business”. How so? It is because they met at a café. As a conclusion, the photographs have a total different meaning in the athlete’s world. They represent coldness, superficiality, temporality, deception and work. This new interpretation reinforces my hypothesis that the main lead’s car must have been followed by a paparazzi during that night: 
(chapter 33) A black car was following him. But they couldn’t take any picture, for the windows of his car were tainted.
(chapter 53) which left him deeply impressed. Joo Jaekyung was turning around his head and looking at him! This shows that the star was paying attention to him. And what had happened in that moment? What is the light next to the protagonist? Yes, these were the flashes from the cameras! 
(chapter 40) It is no coincidence. Though he had no memory of the previous night, he felt this moment as magical. He had saved him and claimed him as a part of Team Black. Then he had look at him back, though he was facing journalists. However, the journalists didn’t take a picture of such a moment, for this was not relevant to them. It shows not only the true value of “memories”, but also that both were now truly living! During that night and day, both created wonderful memories. 
(chapter 41) Kim Dan experienced that he was not alone, he was part of “Team Black”, while the other heard a love confession for the first time. This memory displays 
(chapter 17) He is relying too much on his eyes. He paid no attention to details and their words. Hence their words are not visible. In addition, the author created such a panel.
(chapter 17) in that scene.. But why is he trusting too much his eyes? It is because he adopted this poor habit from his mentor and hyung, Park Namwook. who judges people based on prejudices and impressions. When the manager faces a problem or some criticism 
or delegating responsibilities to others: 
(chapter 36) Furthermore the man with the red tee-shirt has always been by his side for a long time. The time spent together is a proof of his “loyalty”, yet if the athlete had paid more attention to his words, he should have noticed his hypocrisy, lack of empathy and disrespect: 
(chapter 49) 
(chapter 27) In addition, he had to rely on the expertise of doctors, but he only trusts himself, his hyung and no others. But let’s return our attention to Kim Dan and his letter.
(chapter 53) The letter stands in opposition to the articles and photographs. Through the letter, the main lead is teaching to the wolf this important life lesson. He needs to use his mind and as such his heart to see the truth and reality. 
(chapter 53) The latter might have no photograph of Kim Dan, but his face is now engraved in his memory. To conclude, the letter should be perceived as a mirror of truth to the athlete. He needed to hear the hamster’s words without seeing his face in order to see him properly. 
(chapter 26)
(chapter 26) The gym will face some changes. 
(special episode 1) The actor chose to use the black-haired sportsman as “Friends with Benefits”. But what would be Potato’s benefits then? Support and connections, like we could see it in special episode 2: 
(special episode 2) So when Heesung is already envisaging to get rid of his new lover 
(chapter 35) Because he is famous and wealthy, he is expecting a similar reaction from the chow-chow. At some point, he will appear too clingy, hence he will perceive his relationship as burdensome. This is no longer fun.
(chapter 33) However, the change of Heesung’s mind-set (Friends with Benefits, no longer the search for a soulmate) is also related to Potato’s reaction after their first night together. 
(special episode 1) With his words, the sportsman implied that he had taken advantage of the actor, while in reality the opposite had happened. Heesung had taken advantage of Potato’s drunkenness 
(special episode 1), ignorance and purity
(special episode 1).The confession of Yoon-Gu’s wrongdoing could only shock the actor. 
(special episode 1) How did Yoon-Gu come to this reasoning, when he admitted in the same breath that he was drunk? It is because the night before, Heesung had confided that he was heartbroken due to Kim Dan’s rejection. 
(chapter 35) With his behavior, the fox gave the impression that his affection for Kim Dan was running deep. Under the tent, he was drowning his sorrow with soju. Hence in the maknae’s mind, Heesung was still in love with the physical therapist. Yes, the irony is that the chow-chow was also projecting his own thoughts onto the comedian. Let’s not forget that when the young fighter discovered the true nature of the relationship between the doctor and the emperor, he didn’t give up on his admiration and affection for Joo Jaekyung. 
(chapter 35) My avid readers should keep in their mind that the chow-chow is famous for his strong loyalty. To sum up, Potato imagined that Heesung was still loving Kim Dan, exactly like him with the fighter… he would remain faithful and keep his one-sided love.That’s why I came to the following conclusion: their relationship started on a misunderstanding, which was also reflected in this situation: 
(special episode 1) It was, as if he had disregarded the gumiho’s feelings, he had incited the latter to commit a sin. Heesung had broken his vow of faithfulness 😂. That’s the reason why he mentioned “zero regrets”. It is important, because with such a mind-set and attitude, he is indirectly pushing the gumiho to face the truth: his dishonesty. His affection for Kim Dan was just a crush, a superficial attachment, as he knew nothing about him. In fact, he was just chasing after an illusion. He even admitted it at the restaurant: 
(chapter 35) His description for a partner and as such love doesn’t correspond to the definition of true love: care, respect, knowledge and responsibility (Definition from Erich Fromm, for more read “
(chapter 32) He didn’t try to protect him from the athlete’s fury. He never clearly stated his true desire, he wished to date the doctor, until he was cornered (threatened).
(chapter 45). This means when the MMA amateur fighter decided to become responsible and as such to make up for his mistake, 
(special episode 1) and why Potato couldn’t refuse the role-play. 
(special episode 2) However, he is not entirely powerless, like I mentioned in the first part. He is not forced to admit that he had fun after the intercourse. 
(special episode 2) In other words, he is not obliged to say YES either! It is funny because thanks to this examination, I realized that Yes and No have “become” like taboo words. Yoon-Gu is avoiding these idioms by using the expression “I don’t know”. Hence I am suspecting that Heesung will become obsessed with the word “yes”! 😂 Only Heesung can procure him fun and pleasure, and no one else. He is getting disarmed by the sentence “I don’t know”.
(special episode 2), yet in the past he had a different reaction. 
(chapter 23) The reason is simple. This was not patting, but rubbing. Neither Oh Daehyun nor Kim Changmin did it to express gratitude, rather for selfish reasons. They wanted luck on their side. Potato didn’t feel recognized and accepted, rather used as a tool. Hence he was bothered. Under this new light, it becomes comprehensible how Heesung can win Yoon-Gu’s heart in the long run. It is not because of his sexual performances, but thanks to his selfless gratitude and generosity!! We have the perfect example in these two scenes: 
(special episode 2) He was attempting to hide his growing affection for the comedian. He feared that his feelings for him could become a burden for the comedian. In his eyes, Heesung should remain faithful to the physical therapist. He shouldn’t expect any affection from the actor either. 
(chapter 13) And the moment I read this expression, I couldn’t help myself thinking of a leash as a new sex toy. 
(chapter 34) In this scene, the physical therapist looked like attached to his owner. In the first part of “Passions in Purple: Jealousy and Joy”, I made the following prediction. Heesung would order a sex toy 
(special episode 2) out of annoyance and jealousy
(special episode 2), for Potato had run away from him. He needs to put him on a leash to feel in control, to obtain his chow chow’s attention. Naturally, there is no guarantee that this prediction is correct. Yet since according to my examination, Potato is thinking that Heesung is in love, it signifies that Heesung is already attached to Kim Dan. Hence he won’t do anything to ruin this attachment… therefore Heesung can only be put in front of a dilemma. How can he make Potato look at him? He could reveal the truth to Yoon-Gu, but by doing so, he would ruin his image as a good and caring guy. Moreover, since he has lived for a long time deceiving himself and others, it is very unlikely that the actor might change his behavior so suddenly. Old habits are hard to die. Therefore for me, honesty won’t be his initial choice, rather acting. He will express his thoughts and emotions behind a new role-play and sex.
(chapter 52). In the past, Heesung saw Joo Jaekyung as a rival, hence he made sure that Potato didn’t participate in the champion’s surprise party. So I believe that he was not upset about Joo Jaekyung’s downfall. In fact, he could have envisioned that this could help him to gain Potato’s attention. However, what he didn’t realize is that since feelings and affection can change, this could also happen towards other persons: the physical therapist. Potato’s attachment towards the doctor deepened, as time passed on, especially since they spent some time together in the States. Therefore I conclude that the departure of the doctor will not only affect the relationship between Potato and the comedian, but also force them to follow the main couple to the West coast. Mingwa left many clues for this prediction. Where?
There, I included two gemstones, the Bloodstone and the Aquamarine! Choi Heesung, born on 21st March, is represented by these birthstones! In this composition 
(chapter 30) And what was he wearing in the poster? A blue pale suit which is close to Aquamarine and even to light purple ! The color is no coincidence. I have the impression that thanks to the weak woman, Heesung will become a part of the “new family”. If you look at the sunset again, you will detect glimpses of purple in the sky. As for the second image which came to my mind is this: the actor swimming in the ocean. When the bloodstone is put in water, it changes the color of the sun: red for love. Yes, we should expect a new version of this scene: 
(chapter 28) which I had interpreted as a baptism, a purification. If the actor bathes in the Yellow Sea, he will be purified and as such his true self will come to the surface. That’s how he will recognize his love for Potato, but also his friendship for the doctor. So far, the man has no real friend, but he has been longing for one. At the same time, the metaphor (the sun turning red) could be a reference to the interaction between the actor and the emperor, the former helps the latter to recognize his true feelings for the physical therapist. As a conclusion, we should expect to see Heesung under the sunset and next to the ocean or water. There, he should ponder and have a realization.
(chapter 37) Here each fighter was on his own, they were not really training together. The champion was the leader due to his imminent match, he put the others under pressure, as he was himself stressed. But with his suspension, he is no longer racing against time. In other words, the training routine should be different. They will help each other, encouraging each other to become better. The presence of Heesung should help them to see the training under a different light. But for that, he has to reconnect to his true nature: bloodstone and aquamarine.
(chapter 37) or the switch of medicine. Unfortunately, the gumiho was not present both times, hence Kim Dan and Joo Jaekyung became the targets of revenge. On the other hand, the author stated that in season 2, the focus would be more on emotions, which means that there shouldn’t be many plot. Nevertheless, my avid readers should keep in mind my previous interpretation about the “beautiful” Kim Miseon 
(chapter 21) I had criticized her on many occasions, like disculssing a case in a hallway. Before, she had proposed an expensive treatment, well aware of the grandmother’s age and her weak condition. Moreover, I had suspected her to have leaked information to the director Choi Gilseok. Thus I hope that season 2 will expose her misdeeds and the corruption of the medical world. This was already present in episode 1. But let’s return our attention to the gemstone and its symbolism. In medieval Europe, the stone was deeply linked to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, believed to have formed when drops of His blood fell to the earth. As you can see, the gumiho is strongly connected to selflessness, sacrifice, death and rebirth. This reinforces my expectation that his encounter with the grandmother will have a huge impact in his life, like for example the “neglect and indifference from his parents”. Exactly like the other main characters, he has abandonment issues. Bloodstone is commonly associated with the root chakra, which governs grounding, stability, and physical well-being.
(chapter 34) Here, he forced the champion to claim the doctor as his possession. However, in season 1, the main lead came to regret his actions (34, 43), for he has never been honest to himself. And now, it is time to focus on the second gemstone. 
(chapter 31) They were green. He is attracted to “green”, his origin self. Nevertheless, in episode 31, this was rather a khaki version due to his corruption. No wonder why he played a trick on the champion. And this observation brings me back to the doctor’s clothes. What was he wearing, when he was young? 
(chapter 35) At the same time, it explains why Heesung changed for the better thanks to the physical therapist. Thus I assume that Heesung is destined to become an aquamarine, bringing all these characters closer to each other: Potato, Cheolmin, Kim Dan, Joo Jaekyung. However, contrary to the past, he won’t use his money to help people to become happier. His smile and happiness should affect the others: 
(chapter 31) However, this should no longer be superficial. The celebrity is associated with flowers, stars, fun and happiness. Because he symbolizes “Spring”, I deduce that his rebirth and as such his Enlightenment are primordial. He is there to assist the others. And the color for understanding, compassion, self-awareness and wisdom is purple:
(special episode 1) Since the elderly woman confided to Joo Jaekyung, we can assume that she could do the same with the gumiho, as soon as she sees her idol. It is important, because he could grasp the physical therapist’s suffering and low self-esteem. 
(chapter 48), but the actor would be replacing the fake director. We had a sunset here, dark water (the coffee), the symbol for corruption. Then notice that he is wearing a blue t-shirt (but two colors, a symbol of his hypocrisy)!! This reinforces my expectation that we should witness the actor’s awakening, the exact opposite of the other Choi, who chose revenge and manipulations. But there is more to it. Thanks to the comment of @Milliformemes24, I had another revelation. The latter wrote that places of knowledge and self-awareness are related not only to the ocean, but also to the mountains. It is normal, as the hill is closer to the sky and as such closer to the gods. Notice that Heesung’s new home is situated on the top of a hill, surrounded by a forest. 
In other words, Heesung could get enlightened on a mountain too, during a stroll for example. And the moment I read this from my friend, this image came to my mind: 
(chapter 41) The huge tree at the hospital!! The latter is even strongly connected to a stroll. In that scene, the doctor thought of his lover, as he associated him with the sun. 
(chapter 41) That’s the moment when he realized his feelings for the fighter. As you can see, Mingwa used the tree and as such nature as a source to spirituality. And now let me ask you this question. Since the story is written with reflections, the tree should have appeared before and after. Where was it then? First, the first plant to appear was the bouquet. The roses from Heesung 
(chapter 31) could be seen a mirror of the tree. The roses encourage the doctor to ponder and show an interest in his employer. 
(chapter 37) However, the first time, the tree appeared as such was in the States, and this on two occasions: 
(chapter 47) Kim Dan imagined going on a trip with his grandmother, totally delusional, as he was in denial about his grandmother’s deteriorating health conditions. However, the vision shows the desire to become closer to his relative, to become more proactive as well. His words (“She’s been so busy raising me, she’s never had a day’s rest”) imply the presence of reflection. It indicates his gradual transformation and maturity. But this doesn’t end here. The tree was also present in the special episode 2: 
(special episode 2) Yes, the barn!! The tree had been transformed into a home. However, don’t forget that this was just a fantasy from Heesung. However, during this intercourse, he came to expose his jealousy and growing attachment towards his soulmate. Yes, the last two mentioned scenes have two common denominators: a mixture of fantasy and Enlightenment. Nature is strongly intertwined with meditation and communication. To conclude, we should expect the presence of woods and trees in season 2 as well. And this hypothesis got reinforced, when Mingwa released this image on X: 
We have a sunset, a palm tree and purple in the sky… Joo Jaekyung is wearing a similar shirt than Heesung: 
(chapter 34) I consider this as an allusion that the actor will be by the fighter’s side. On the other hand, since the shirt is open, I interpret as the star’s emancipation. The latter has been able to escape from his mental prison and suffering. In his cage, he was racing against time. Now, he is able to relax and enjoy time. At the same time, since the champion in the image from X is seen wearing rings with stones, it somehow confirmed my interpretation about the role of birthstones in Jinx. 
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.
(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 “
(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.
(chapter 31) and finally camel 
(chapter 35) Here, I added a screenshot of 57 different types of beige. 
(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 
(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 31) 
(chapter 32, the lavender suits) This observation reinforces my previous statement. Heesung is looking for neutrality. 
(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. 
(chapter 30). However, if you compare the pink from 
(chapter 30) episode 30 and 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. 
(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: 
(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) 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. 
(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.
(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) 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) 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: 
(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! 
(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!
(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
(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. 
(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 
, we have to envision that his role during the night was to absorb the actor’s negative energy.
(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: 
(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” 
(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.
(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.
(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 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.
(special episode) 
(chapter 35) 
(special chapter) He is constantly caught by surprise! 
(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!
(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: 
(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: 
(chapter 1) The problem is that Kim Dan blamed himself for his suffering, as he must have often not paid the interests on time. That’s the reason why he got surprised, when he saw his enemy in front of his humble home. 
(chapter 1) Due to the lack of rest and time, he didn’t have the opportunity to ponder on his life and even have dreams on his own. Therefore he had no ambition. At the same time, he couldn’t become energetic and proactive due to his low self-esteem and his abandonment issues.
(chapter 29) The vision about his opponents is mirroring his own reflection. That’s how he views himself. He is surrounded by enemies who will attack him, as soon as he exposes any weakness. Thus it is normal that he is always on the alert. Episode 29 divulged that he was on survival modus. Consequently, it is not surprising that he could trust no one. Should one get too close to him, the former could become a traitor in the last moment. Moreover, this interpretation explicates why he has been so rough on his own body. First, he considered pain as a normality, the side effect of his profession and as such his corruption. In addition, he didn’t have the time to take care of his wounds, for he could get “killed” at any moment. Surrounded by this wave of “rotten bodies”, he imagined that once defeated, he would be swallowed by darkness and literally vanished. This vision displays another important aspect of the athlete’s philosophy. His job is not connected to fun and dream, but to work and nightmare. And now, you comprehend why I selected this panel in the middle of the illustration. 
(chapter 25) It is no coincidence that he employed that expression in front of his fated partner. To conclude, chapter 26 stands for life and happiness, proving that their life is not cursed per se. Consequently, red was the dominant color of this chapter. This pigment stands for love and life. Both felt alive during that day. Moreover, we could see glimpses of the sportsman’s true psyche as well, when he proposed to spar with the main lead. He desired to help the doctor himself. Hence he acted as his mentor and teacher in the ring. There, we could see his generosity, interest and open-mindedness. He wasn’t looking down on the doctor, he saw him as a true member from Team Black.
(chapter 29) He has no one by his side. And this observation leads me to my next interpretation. The existence of Joo Jaekyung’s belief is exposing Park Namwook’s neglect and bad management and coaching. We could say that he is partially responsible for the champion’s misery and bad luck. Therefore it is no coincidence that the sparring took place during his absence. 
(chapter 26)
(chapter 49) But why hasn’t the athlete confided to his manager yet? First, homosexuality is definitely a taboo among boxers and MMA fighters. Their masculinity and strength are questioned. Secondly, his coach views him as a spoiled brat. 
(chapter 31) 
(chapter 46) Yet, according to my interpretation, the main character’s departure was not the sign of stubbornness, but rather of fear and avoidance. Since the manager doesn’t know his star that well, he judges him based on appearances. Moreover, I believe that he has the tendency to generalize, just like certain readers. Since the athlete beat a doctor and was quite brutal with a fighter, he is stigmatized as “thug” or a “spoiled kid”. I am suspecting that the way the hyung met the celebrity affected his perception about the young fighter.
(Chapter 26) Oh Daehyun repeated this story, because he had heard it from someone and that can only be from the manager and coach. And it is the same for Kim Changmin either, for the two aren’t long members from the gym. They are not close enough to know the celebrity’s past. These stories must have been spread by the hyung. In my eyes, Park Namwook views himself as Joo Jaekyung’s savior, because Joo Jaekyung 
(chapter 26) could have become a criminal. Nonetheless, it is an illusion, for MFC is connected to the underworld.
(chapter 46) Despite his attitude, Joo Jaekyung still listened to his hyung’s warning, for from that moment on, he kept his distance from everyone, including the physical therapist. But there’s more to it. Park Namwook keeps associating his star with “good luck”. 
(chapter 1) 
(chapter 27) This represents the exact opposite of the star’s jinx. It shows that he is not trying to understand his celebrity. With such a mind-set, it is normal that the champion wouldn’t trust his manager. And the absence of the manager in this panel 
(chapter 33) The latter truly worries for his star, although he is well aware of his shortcomings. 
(chapter 30) In addition, he knows about his private life and love life. 
(chapter 33), he didn’t report it to his hyung. He also kept it a secret. That way, he was not only protecting Kim Dan’s misdiagnosis, but also Park Namwook’s misjudgment. On the other hand, he acted as a real boss, for the comedian is an important client. 
(chapter 47) Therefore he bought chicken for them. Instead of showing compassion and understanding for his hungry and miserable champion, he allowed Potato and Oh Daehyun to buy junk food behind the celebrity’s back. 
(chapter 23) He never confronted the members with the truth. They lack skills 
(chapter 46). It was, as if they didn’t have the goal to create a new champion. How come? It is because the gym was initially created for Joo Jaekyung’s needs. And now, Jinx-lovers comprehend the dilemna. Team Black needs to redefine itself and its purpose. Moreover, Park Namwook’s true wish is to open the gym for “kids”. And that’s how he treated the staff from Team Black, like little kids. No wonder why many left the gym in the end. They didn’t feel truly supported by the manager and coach. Jeong Yosep and Park Namwook didn’t put any real effort to turn the members into professional fighters. That’s the reason why none of them had a MMA manager, only a coach and nothing more. 
(chapter 52) He blamed Joo Jaekyung for everything: the tie, the doctor’s departure, the suspension and as such the loss of his good reputation. However, even if the champion had vented his anger onto the physical therapist wrongly, he had reasons to doubt Kim Dan. He had not only received the pictures, but he had been warned by the coach himself to doubt the members’ loyalty. There was a spy and a traitor among Team Black. One detail in the last panel caught my attention is the idiom “facts”. It is in plural and not in singular. Fact could be seen as a reference to his own warning, he had not checked the fact either (rumor, suspected disloyalty), yet this is not what he meant. Potato had exposed only one fact to the group: the switch of the spray organized by Choi Gilseok.
(chapter 52) So what other fact was Park Namwook referring to? The fighter Baek Junmin and director of King Of MMA had paid Kim Dan. This shows that he had heard the conversation between the two protagonists. 
(chapter 52) And what did the manager do, after the champion had left the room? He abandoned Kim Dan, followed by the other men. At no moment, he asked Oh Daehyun or Yoon-Gu to take care of the physical therapist. But by following the celebrity or remaining passive, they had implicitly supported Joo Jaekyung’s decision. They had taken his side. And now, you comprehend why all these men chose to put the whole blame on the celebrity. 
(chapter 1) 
(chapter 49) He should be responsible for his contracts, yet the reality is that the Entertainment agency is the one managing the champion’s career. 
(chapter 41) However, as his manager, it is his duty to protect his star, as the career of a MMA fighter is rather short. Imagine, he let Joo Jaekyung fight three times within 3 months (April- June- July). It is definitely too much. To conclude, he is not doing his job properly, as he is trying to put a lot of responsibility on others (Kim Dan- Joo Jaekyung – the Entertainment agency). According to Mingwa, Kim Dan had been taking care of administrative tasks. However, as the director of Team Black, he should be the one handling it. After the incident at the health center, Park Namwook didn’t contact the press to explain the whole situation. 
(chapter 52) Park Namwook never tried to correct this negative reflection, for this is how the manager perceives the man himself. He is an ill-mannered child. This explicates why Park Namwook could slap the patient in his bed. So we should judge the argument between the fighter and his manager 
(chapter 52) as the negative reflection from that blue night. 
(chapter 29) He is not standing next to the main lead, but he is facing him. He is like an opponent. Another divergence is that Kim Dan was alone, whereas Park Namwook utilizes Potato and the others from Team Black to corner Joo Jaekyung. The doctor was willing to listen to him, whereas the other gets upset, when the other admits his suffering. Since the gym is facing a crisis, the patient should find a solution to the problem. 
(chapter 52) The hospital is a place for reconvalescence, rest and not work and pressure. Indirectly, it shows the coach’s lack of respect for the medical world. The champion was right to criticize his hyung, for blaming him was totally pointless. He couldn’t turn back time. The manager desired to hear from the champion 
(chapter 52) that he regretted his decision and outburst. By admitting his mistake, he would have become responsible for the whole mess. Funny is that he asked compassion from Joo Jaekyung, whereas he showed none to the patient. And what was Kim Dan thinking during that night? 
(chapter 52) resembles a lot to the image with the opponents. 
(chapter 52) For the first time, the champion is no longer looking at his cellphone. He shared his thoughts to others and exposed his powerlessness 
(chapter 40) These two situations have many similarities. Both were confronted with an accusation, they were surrounded by people, who were acting as righteous and honest workers. Both were coerced to admit a wrongdoing. In addition, they are actually abandoned by Team Black members, especially the manager. No one is looking for them out of concern. The reality was that they were not their “true colleagues and even less friends. However, like mentioned in a previous essay, the men in black were actually covering up a crime in order to hide the corruption from the organization. This makes me truly wonder if Park Namwook is truly ignorant about MFC’s corruption. He could simply know about the crimes, but he chose to close an eye to the whole situation. 
(Chapter 46) He is already aware of the existence of illegal betting. Besides, since Joo Jaekyung is paying his taxes properly, Park Namwook could have the impression, he is doing nothing wrong. However, if he knows something and is remaining silent, he “becomes an accomplice” de facto. And what is the other common point with the interrogation from MFC security guards and the hospital visit? No lawyer and the incident was swayed under the rug. 
(chapter 40) He had rescued him. So by slapping the champion
, (chapter 29), I deduce that the slap had the opposite effect than this wonderful night. The gap between the hyung and the athlete got bigger. This represents the moment where Joo Jaekyung is emancipating himself from the hyung’s influence. By refusing the letter of resignation, he clearly indicates that he is rejecting Park Namwook’s suggestion.
(chapter 30), but failed due to his roughness and cowardice. Hence I assume that the slap was the trigger for the champion to switch Park Namwook’s position with Kim Dan’s. The latter is finally recognized as a friend and even as a competent physical therapist. He is on the verge of becoming Joo Jaekyung’s “hyung”. So far, the athlete has been calling the physical therapist “Kim Dan”. And exactly like that wonderful night, Joo Jaekyung will attempt to seek the doctor’s closeness, resolve the misunderstandings and close the gap between them. He will follow his footsteps, but have a different attitude. Why? It is because the grandmother will be next to them.
(chapter 49) He was no longer relying on the ritual. 
(chapter 53) He is now missing him, but he is not capable to express it properly. For the first time, he is confronted with reality. His penthouse feels cold, lifeless and empty. 
(chapter 19) Yes, we should see episode 53 as the negative reflection from chapter 19, the doctor’s arrival at the penthouse. 
(chapter 19) 
(chapter 21). By interacting with Kim Dan, he will be able to reconnect with his true self which will change him forever. Notice that after the night in the States, at no moment, the champion mentioned his jinx, but spoke about his physical health. In reality, he was including his mental health. This shows that he was already moving on from his jinx. Moreover, after the tie and the suspension, he is not mentioning or thinking about his former belief. The reason is simple. Because of the doctor, the champion was allowed to perceive glimpses of the truth: corruption and the existence of tricks. This image 
(Chapter 44) So he was able to create good memories. Besides, he came to fall in love with Joo Jaekyung. Thanks to the latter, doc Dan could overcome his fear 
(chapter 26) and make others happy too. 
(chapter 42) This shows that his self-loathing is gradually vanishing as well. The fact that he is employing the personal pronoun “I” indicates that he is able now to distinguish himself from his grandmother. 
(chapter 35) He is still cheering the athlete on and even wishing him happiness. This exposes that the physical therapist discovered “happiness” through the celebrity. He is no longer believing in the athlete’s jinx.
(Chapter 53) Here, I feel the need to remind my avid readers that though the doctor was victim of a trick, he was not entirely innocent either. He should have come clean with the champion concerning his meeting with the director from the rival gym. His lie still played a huge role in the champion’s mistrust. But why did he not tell him later? It is because he was under the influence of the manager. 
(chapter 48) The hyung had been his mentor and advisor. Thus he copied his actions and followed blindly his recommendations. 
(chapter 44) The intimacy is rather superficial, for it is limited to pleasure and sensuality. This has nothing to do with the partner’s personality. Secondly, during that night, the champion was drunk. In season 1, both protagonists only discovered physical closeness without sharing their thoughts and emotions 
(chapter 44) . 
(chapter 44) He never told the athlete that he was so cute or handsome. He kept his thoughts and happiness to himself. The only moment they shared real intimacy was this night: 
(chapter 29) Moreover, during that sex session, the athlete employed dirty talk. 
(chapter 29) It was not to express affection.
(chapter 2) prostitution and rough sex. He never experienced true romance and the birth of “first love”. The courting and seduction were totally absent. His first kiss is connected to fighting, pain, survival and protection. 
(chapter 14) It had nothing to do with innocent and pure love. For me, Kim Dan didn’t have the time to fall in love with the champion properly. He could even say that his affection is related to his job and he could reduce it to mutual physical chemistry. Thus I deduce that he became a ghost again for one reason. Both need to experience the innocent first love. In other words, we should expect a new version of this magical night: 
(chapter 20) Till that moment, he lived like a ghost. He had been trying to deny the existence of his own body. And how did the athlete describe his lover in the bathroom? First, he compared him to a whore 
(chapter 19) before describing him as a baby. 
(chapter 20) However, we should expect a more pure version, where both act as innocent and inexperienced teenagers, similar gestures: 
(chapter 44) There should be no drug or no time pressure!! However, there exists another reason why I have such an expectation. First, the grandmother should be close to them. Her presence should represent a hindrance, as the latter is falling back into childhood. Secondly, right from the start, Joo Jaekyung was under the spell from Kim Dan. 
(chapter 1) He was so attracted to him physically, hence he didn’t pay attention to his partner’s personality. In fact, he had a negative perception of his nature: 
(chapter 1) By becoming a ghost, the champion is forced to perceive the main lead as a person and as such to pay attention to his personality (dislikes, likes, qualities, career). That’s the reason why I believe that in season 2, he won’t make the same mistake again. He will study the doctor and get to know him better. That’s how he will be able to identify his feelings for the protagonist. He doesn’t love him because of his cute face and body, but because of his big heart and warmth. He is so responsible, generous and dedicated that there’s no one else like him. He embodies true kindness and loyalty. His care and worries are genuine. That’s why the champion will voice his affection differently from the past: “Secret and innocent love behind work”. Under this new light, it becomes comprehensible why both characters had to go to the seascape. Nature is the perfect place to nurture innocent and pure love. Consequently, I don’t think, the author will rush to create a new chapter full of sex… rather full of tenderness and caresses! Thus Mingwa created such panels: 
(chapter 7) Kim Dan had just punched his boss. How would he react to this wrongdoing? In fact, I realized that all the episodes with the number 7 are strongly connected to an intrigue and riddle. Why? The answer lies in the number. 😉 So what does 7 symbolize in the end?
(chapter 18) He believed to see someone selling his body to a loan shark, while in reality the main lead was about to get raped. Hence we have -7! This represents the absence of reflection and even the refusal of meditation. 
(chapter 47) He didn’t get included in the conversation. This explicates why when Kwak Junbeom witnessed the encounter between Choi Gilseok and Kim Dan, the sportsman didn’t approach the PT in order to protect him or his champion’s interest. 
(chapter 48) The connection between 7 and anguish in Jinx seems to contradict the notion of “lucky 7”. Yet we shouldn’t forget that through pain, the characters are incited to learn life lessons and become wiser. Torment led them to face their fears and reflect. Consequently, what appears as a jinx will turn into luck and blessing in reality. Like mentioned in the previous analysis, the 90 day suspension represents a liberation for the athlete, for he is no longer under pressure to fight constantly. He is pushed to meditate and view life differently, thus he is looking out of the window. 
(Chapter 52) He will realize that he needs to select his opponent more properly. 
(chapter 5) He remained passive, because he had already an answer to his silence. He was refusing the job. He implied that his lack of reaction had been caused by the champion’s action. In addition, he reproached his boss that he was getting worked up for nothing. His behavior displays that he saw no value in Kim Dan. Moreover, Mingwa left a clue why the man has always been passive all this time. It is not just a question of fear. The other reason is that he used prejudices and superficial thoughts to explain people’s attitude. Hence he never investigated the matter why the doctor didn’t contact them. His attitude in episode 52 hasn’t changed at all.
(chapter 52). By mocking him, he was provoking Joo Jaekyung and he knew it. Yet, he never expected that he would be punched so violently that he would be KO. In episode 7, the champion “invited” the doctor to enter the shower room, 
(chapter 7) reminding us of the kidnapping in episode 16. Here, on the other hand, Heo Manwook must have judged his presence at doc Dan’s house as an “invitation” 
. (Chapter 16) and not trespassing. Each challenge or invitation is strongly connected to moving. Heesung had to drive through town in order to discover the secret between the two protagonists. Moreover, I distinguished another similarity: abduction and sequestration. Kim Dan was forced to stay in the shower room or his home or in the penthouse (34,43). Chapter 25 represents the exception, for it was the only case, where Kim Dan was given a real choice. 
(Chapter 25) He could refuse the sparring. Thus I deduce that in episode 52, the opposite is happening to the doctor. Something happened to him, and he could do nothing. On the other hand, this signifies that at the hospital, the members from Team Black were seeking the consent and support from their boss. 
(chapter 44) Kim Dan agreed to have sex with the fighter, because he wanted to know him better. Thus I deduce that the athlete discovered new aspects about Kim Dan’s life. 
(chapter 8) In 25 and 34, we never saw Park Namwook. He was either outside the gym or in his office. Then in episode 43, Potato was missing, but no one mentioned his absence. But I would even go further, all these chapters are strongly linked to the doctor’s vanishing. Notice that in episode 7, he got dragged to the shower room, but no one caught his disappearance, not even Park Namwook. 
(chapter 25) He received only attention, when he got strangled due to the maknae’s mistake and notice that the protagonist was too focused on training the others that he neglected his soulmate. Then in episode 34, Kim Dan was supposed to meet Choi Heesung, but he missed the appointment due to the athlete’s trick. 
(chapter 34) 
(chapter 34) Since the latter had not replied, Choi Heesung assumed that Kim Dan was not free. And now, you know why the actor never contacted the angel and asked about his whereabouts. The main lead never replied and confirmed the meeting. Then in episode 43, no one missed Kim Dan at the table, when they ate their dinner. 
(chapter 11) So Park Namwook might have already been aware of this, which would explain why he felt uncomfortable, when he met Choi Gilseok.. 
(chapter 49) Remember that he had avoided him on purpose. And episode 49 is related to number 7. Hence we have this contrast: 
(chapter 30) In this scene, we see that the doctor made a decision on his own, as he knew that he was not needed. Park Namwook should have asked why Kim Dan would join the gym later, if he had not been informed. As you can see, through the comparison, I realized Park Namwook’s huge wrongdoing. He didn’t miss doc Dan during that time, I would even say, he didn’t look for him. But he knows where he lives and he has his cellphone number. Like mentioned in a previous analysis, the vanishing of the coach and manager at the gym was exposing a professional mistake. 
(chapter 52) And funny is that as soon as I contrasted these episodes, I had another revelation. How did Joo Jaekyung know that Kim Dan was supposed to meet the actor? 
(chapter 31) That’s the reason why Park Namwook asked the doctor to fetch the celebrity in episode 34. 
(chapter 34) Kim Dan could refuse to go to that meeting. He was not obligated, for there was no contract between the artist and the “hamster”. They had never asked for his consent. Choi Heesung used work to meet the doctor, but the manager had also heard from the actor’s manager about the comedian’s love life 
(chapter 43) Yet, Park Namwook joined them for the dinner at the restaurant. Only through the comparison, I detected the absence of the manager which I consider as a sign of his neglect. Yosep’s gesture 
(chapter 43) represents the positive gesture from Namwook’s slap.
(chapter 35) He needed Potato to work off some stress. That’s why the reason why NO ONE wondered about the young fighter’s absence during the birthday party. 
(chapter 7), 16 
(chapter 16) 
(chapter 16), 25 
(chapter 25) 
(episode 25) and 
(chapter 40), but also paid attention to his actions and work. 
(chapter 25)
(chapter 41) However, notice that her desire to watch the match was related to her grandson, the source of her pride and joy. As soon as I made this connection, I had another revelation. Gradually, the chow-chow’s admiration is shifting towards the doctor. 
(Chapter 25) and showed no fear to fight with stronger men. 
(chapter 52) I sense some future tension between him and coach Park Namwook, for the maknae embodies enlightenment, great intuition and open-mindedness, whereas the other stands for prejudices, ignorance and herd mentality. Naturally, the manager is changing for the better, nonetheless his metamorphosis is progressing much more slowly. Only in episode 52, he questioned why Baek Junmin was placed next to his athlete. 
(Chapter 52) Yet, he didn’t complain to the staff or to director Choi Gilseok. He remained passive contrary to the young member from Team Black. Moreover, because Kim Dan has always felt a certain closeness to Yoon-Gu, I believe that the latter will be the reason why the champion and Kim Dan can rekindle. Thanks to him, he can approach the poor doctor and convince him that Team Black is his home. 
(chapter 29) I doubt that it will be just for the athlete’s sake and recovery, for this would make him a hypocrite. He is truly interested in the doctor’s well-being. Let’s not forget that his worries in episode 43 were genuine. Moreover, since Joo Jaekyung’s name number 3 and Potato 4, we come to 7! They will work together. Joo Jaekyung will share his knowledge how to rule in the ring.
(chapter 26), his tolerance, patience, understanding 
(chapter 37), his humbleness 
(chapter 25), his dedication and meticulousness. 
(chapter 49) Yoon-Gu could only perceive Kim Dan as the symbol of loyalty. Hence I come to the deduction that after meeting doc Dan, he must have realized that only one could change the situation, it was Joo Jaekyung and no one else. 
(chapter 43), but also Park Namwook’s neglect. How so? First, look how Kim Dan came to offer his services to the members from Team Black. Kim Changmin had an old shoulder injury which had been neglected: 
(chapter 7) But the coach should have noticed it and advised him to go to a doctor. He was responsible for them. But no… and we have two other evidences in episode 52. First, the manager didn’t ask about Potato’s injury. Secondly, he slapped a patient, because he felt “provoked” by the outburst from Joo Jaekyung. 
(chapter 52) Why? One might say that he was worried for his star. But for me, the drop of sweat is showing a certain discomfort. How so? A surgery means that the athlete can no longer fight for a while. Without him, the coach is put under pressure, for he needs to ensure that other fighters can enter MFC. 
(chapter 13) Furthermore, he heard from the grandmother that he had a weak constitution. 
(chapter 21) Finally, let’s not forget that the doctor took a drug recently, but the champion never verified how it affected his physical therapist. 
(chapter 41) That’s how it dawned on me that the news about Kim Dan could be referring to his health too. But does it mean that doctor Dan is now ill, especially when you look at Potato’s facial expression here? 
(chapter 25) Back then, his dream was to train and spare with the athlete, thus I deduce that his new dream got “crushed”. But what was his new wish? To work with doc Dan! Thus he assisted him and asked for his opinion. He trusted him blindly. Therefore I have the impression that the physical therapist stopped on his own working for Team Black. However, I don’t think, Kim Dan made this choice himself. The news definitely caught the athlete by surprise. 
(chapter 52) Either he is sick, or it could be a reference to the doctor’s mental health as well. This would mirror the champion’s unwell-being. 
(chapter 10) Let’s not forget that after his first night, the doctor numbed his physical pain with soju, while he was not eating properly. 
(chapter 5) He would spend money for soju, but not for healthy food. Not even his grandmother was aware of this habit. But by living with the champion, he could no longer live like in the past. He had stopped drinking any alcohol, but notice that it changed after the drug incident. He was encouraged to drink again: 
(chapter 43) The champion represented the doctor’s motivation and as such “sweet drug”. That’s the reason why he could always overcome the pain afflicted by his soulmate: 
(chapter 47) 
(chapter 51) And this brings me to my next observation. All the episodes are showing the champion’s weak mental condition which got even worse over time. From this 
(chapter 7) to this 
(chapter 34) and to this: 
(chapter 34) Though the celebrity was getting easily irritated, the manager never took the matter seriously. He saw it as the result of bad education, hence he never tried to change it either. 
(chapter 43) 
(chapter 43) and care are not selfless, for the PT could improve the celebrity’s performance and even treat his shoulder injury in such a short time. However, what Park Namwook is not realizing is that he is becoming responsible for Kim Dan and his return. 
34 and 52) is not the expression of fun, rather it indicates fear, frustration and anger. In episode 25, the maknae wounded the doctor out of jealousy and frustration unconsciously. He wished to be close to the celebrity. Interesting is that chapter 43 represents the true exception. Here, the readers could discover the champion’s true face: he was behaving like a brute and thug 
(chapter 43) 
(chapter 43) Yet, his words were just empty threats. And what have episode 25 and 43 in common? Fun and learning. 
(chapter 43) To say that the athlete always has a bad temper 
(chapter 25) Why? It is because the doctor protected him by explaining the circumstances: he was learning jujitsu. He diverted the champion’s attention from Yoon-Gu. He had not been “caught”. However, when Kim Dan was offered to become the celebrity’s sparring partner, Potato got angry and voiced his anger and wish: 
(chapter 34) He employed the exact expression than the manager, an indication that the latter had influenced the actor. I consider his thoughts as another evidence for the coach’s intervention. However, he couldn’t report it to Park Namwook, for he had used work as a reason to meet the protagonist. On the other hand, I am quite certain that he divulged the incident to Potato in episode 43, therefore the latter agreed to the statement of the other fighters: he was a thug. 
(chapter 47) Chapter 52 contrasts to all the previous scenes, for this time, the champion got caught and sentenced. 
(chapter 51) Moreover, people saw parallels between this slap 
(chapter 46) He had to leave the gym, for he noticed that he would become the target of gossips. 
(chapter 46) He refused to face reality. That’s the reason why he became a traitor. He was tasked to bring members to the gym King Of MMA 
(chapter 52) Themselves… and their dream. They were imagining that they were one step closer to the spotlight. Through Jinx, Mingwa is criticizing our modern society and indirectly Jinx-philes who would easily jump from one ship to another. Twenty days earlier, the so-called hero was insulted for treating Kim Dan poorly. 
(chapter 50) If there are “heroes” in this story, it is the main couple. Joo Jaekyung is a protagonist and not a villain, hence the slap was not deserved. The antagonists are Choi Gilseok, Baek Junmin, Heo Manwook, Seonho and other invisible hands.
(chapter 36) The main lead was here put under immense stress due to the article. 
(chapter 36) Yet, he still took his job seriously, hence he spent time training himself the fighters despite his shoulder injury. 
(chapter 36) Here, he had become their coach and sparring trainer. Under this light, it becomes comprehensible why the author often portrayed them as chicken 
(chapter 43) or chibbies. 
(chapter 47) and still chose to leave the gym. This means that they can not feign ignorance about their involvement in the criminal world. Even the cheating was discussed at the restaurant. 
(chapter 7) If you read my essay “Guilty Truth or Dare – part 1”, you know that the beating in episode 1 was in fact an anomality. In chapter 36, 45 and 52, Joo Jaekyung never utilized violence, only when he was provoked 
(chapter 46) I am not saying that he shouldn’t change. But he is a far better person than he is perceived. He is loyal, tolerant, sincere and generous. In fact, he shared his PT with the fighters. 
(chapter 47). Thus I am already anticipating a rude awakening for the sportsmen, the moment they realize that in that new gym, the law of the jungle is ruling. Moreover, they should realize that they will be used as tools to make money. Choi Gilseok will throw them under the bus, if it is necessary. They will keep rigging the matches, as now MFC has become the official ground for betting. The dark side of MFC is coming to the surface. Baek Junmin is the perfect example. Choi Gilseok and his “Shotgun” provoked the main lead on purpose. However, the fake Angel of Death never realized the consequences of his words. 
(chapter 52) Secondly, for me, the director is the epitome of cowardice. Hence he resorted to the cheap trick. Let’s not forget that in the past, he wagered on the champion’s loss with the drugged beverage. I doubt that he would repeat the same mistake. To conclude, the fighters felt good, when they left Team Black. 
(chapter 9) King Of MMA stands for the philosophy: “it’s everyone for himself”. Hence the generosity from the director is fake, he will ask for something in return! Remember how he lured the doctor to commit a crime with his “sweet temptation”. I am still expecting the usage of steroids and other tricks. Moreover, through their participation, they become involved in money laundering.
(chapter 21), the manager’s violation becomes more obvious. The hospital is a place where a patient needs rest. And what had Kim Dan done in the past? He had not revealed his problems to his grandmother so that she wouldn’t worry too much. He had tried to solve them on his own. Stress is not good for an ill person. In other words, the manager revealed his true face: 
(chapter 52) But that means as well, the athlete will emancipate himself from his hyung. Furthermore, he showed him that it was okay to weep in front of others, though his weeping was short-lived. 
(chapter 52)
. )chapter 52) 
(chapter 47) It is no coincidence that he delegates tasks to others. 
(chapter 7), he turned into a trainer and coach. On the other hand, I doubt that the champion should do everything on his own. Exactly like his hyung, he should ask for help and advices, but contrary to the past, there would be a real discussion where everyone comes to an agreement. All of them should make the decision together. But let’s return our attention to the manager and coach.
(chapter 5) and the emperor’s talents thinking that he could do the same with the other fighters. But that’s impossible. Each sportsman is different. One thing is sure. He hid his fears behind people. His dream was to live a life on a script, like wrestling which is impossible. But now they have all abandoned the ship, thereby it is becoming more difficult to avoid responsibility. At the same time, it explains why he is asking for the return of Kim Dan. It is his way to avoid accountability.
(chapter 52) They did nothing to stop the tragedy, though they knew about his bad temper. To conclude, Park Namwook didn’t feel good for the slapping, hence this action was not truly necessary. On the other hand, this could only make the champion realize how precious Kim Dan is. The latter allowed him to speak up
(chapter 51), even to voice his emotions and thoughts without resorting to violence, though the doctor was wounded by them. Here is another contrast.
(chapter 52) He has to get surgery and he got suspended. 
(chapter 41) Moreover, thanks to the punishment, the champion learned that he couldn’t use his fists in order to solve a problem. Remember what he said to Kim Dan during the breakfast: 
(chapter 41) He wanted to kill the mastermind behind the plot. From my point of view, the champion is incited to discover the existence of other means to get justice. According to my theory, the fighter is a chaebol. So he has power, but he was never taught to use his power properly. As time passes on, he will realize that he has to report a crime on his own, file a lawsuit but not for himself, for others. Finally, he will come to utilize medias to expose a crime. Hence I am expecting a new version of this scene at some point 
(chapter 35), where he contacts a journalist and reveals everything with the help from his loved one. From my point of view, he became a fighter because of manipulations. That way, the truth could get buried.
(chapter 51) However, his question at the hospital 
(chapter 45) He had never judged him for his yelling and reproaches. He had accepted everything from him, the good and bad. 
Joo Jaekyung must have realized that Kim Dan misunderstood his words in the locker room. 
(chapter 26) I can only feel good, when the two protagonists are smiling. 
(chapter 26) Both were listening to each other. 
(chapter 26) It was the happiest moment, for all the characters were genuinely cheering and smiling. 
(chapter 26) 
(chapter 36) They will no longer feel good while recalling their decision and even this evening
(chapter 140) 
(chapter 149) Both were suffering from survivor guilt. To conclude, Joo Jaekyung and Kim Dan represent the bitter medicine for their scars. I mentioned “bitter”, because through their loved one, they are forced to face painful moments. That’s how they can overcome their past and discover happiness. However, while looking for a new title, I rediscovered the first illustration 
, and it suddenly made click in my head. To conclude, I had another revelation concerning episode 50.
. (chapter 50) At first glance, the champion is blaming Kim Dan for the wound. He betrayed him. However, his words could have a different signification. Don’t forget that a message always has 4 sides according to Schulz von Thun. 
(chapter 51) But note that he never accused Kim Dan of assault, but of leaking information. That’s the reason why I don’t think that this inquiry “What have you done” was about seeking accountability. In that case, he wouldn’t have rejected the doctor’s offer. By letting him treat his wound, Kim Dan would have become responsible for the injury. 
(Chapter 50) It becomes comprehensible why the Emperor refused the offer. The rejection was the symbol of his “trust” in Kim Dan unconsciously. Astonishing, right, though people and Kim Dan had the opposite impression. Yet, because of the “tie”, Kim Dan felt responsible for the incident, therefore he apologized. 
(chapter 51) This means, the main lead recognized his responsibility. He should have checked the spray more carefully. The champion could perceive this excuse as a confession of his complicity. Hence he asked his lover if he was the spy. 
(chapter 51) This signifies that in episode 51, he dared to question his physical therapist’s loyalty. Yes, we have another “Truth or Dare” in episode 51.
(chapter 50) This is the face of a scarred man. Yet, contrary to the past, he is not expressing his fear through rage. That’s the reason why his emotions were controlled. Under this new light, Manhwaworms grasp why the athlete asked such a question from his soulmate: 
(chapter 51) Interesting is that he was more pained by the idea of a betrayal from Kim Dan than the tie, if you compare these two panels: 
(chapter 51) Thus Kim Dan could overcome this shocking but terrible discovery: he hadn’t earned the full trust from Joo Jaekyung yet. 
I believe you = I trust you 
(chapter 15) He told him something that he didn’t know. Note that after the terrible meeting with the actor, Joo Jaekyung couldn’t even find the answer himself: 
(chapter 35) He was still clueless about the trigger for his behavior. With this inquiry “You don’t trust me”, the hamster pushed his destined partner to face his biggest fear: trust someone and in particular him. This conversation can only incite him to meditate about their relationship. So while in episode 15, he behaved like a pouting child 
(chapter 15), in the latest episode, Jinx-philes can perceive his growth and maturity. 
(chapter 15) This painful incident was a wake-up call Thus I come to the following deduction. Kim Dan will try to earn the champion’s trust, whereas the champion will be forced to take a leap of faith towards Kim Dan. Contrary to episode 34, the champion could see the truth directly through the doctor’s gaze and voice: 
(chapter 34) This signifies that in the sauna, truth was not standing in opposition to daring. The sauna reminded me of the cavern where an imugi hides, until the latter leaves its hidden place and find his star, his yeouiju. Only then, he can turn into a dragon. To conclude, because of Heesung’s pressure, the imugi had to select between daring or lie. In other words, telling the truth became the challenge itself. Heesung knew that Joo Jaekyung would never confess. 
(Chapter 34) What Heesung wanted was actually a lie by omission or commission which would have been presented as the truth. Through this game, the actor thought that he could impose his will onto the celebrity. He anticipated the athlete’s silence. This signifies that he knew about the star’s denial and turned it against him. Besides, that way Heesung could maintain his good image: he had not stolen his partner and as such there was no cheating. No one was betraying him.
(chapter 34), but also his hand.
(chapter 34) Despite his words, the gumiho still got scared. The racing of his heart is an indication of his fright. Therefore he ran away more or less after ordering his trainer not to meddle in his love life. 
(chapter 34) Note that when he did this, he avoided his counterpart’s gaze. Deep down, he knew that he shouldn’t provoke his frenemy too much. Only when he was at the door, he turned around and LIED! 
(chapter 34) Yes, after that incident, he chose to give him a fake excuse for his departure. As you can see, this conversation was strongly intertwined with the notion “truth or dare”, but both ended up lying. Whereas the champion didn’t admit any feelings, the other acted, as if there was nothing wrong and he was not scared. The gumiho thought that if he were to remove the champion from the doctor’s side, the latter would be able to open up to the actor. 
(chapter 34) What does it reveal? The actor had been projecting his own thoughts onto the future dragon too. He was the one who didn’t dare to become more honest with the physical therapist. He used work to spend time with Kim Dan. One might say that Heesung failed terribly. Yet, this is just an illusion, because his “failure” pushed him to become more honest with Kim Dan. Thereby he asked to meet the doctor again. 
(chapter 34) The champion dared to challenge his rival. 
(chapter 35) Yes, by challenging the athlete because of Kim Dan, the comedian ended up telling the truth. 
(chapter 34) He was not telling the truth, when he stated that Kim Dan was his “possession”. This explicates why he couldn’t stay by the doctor’s side 
(chapter 45) or left the doctor in the locker room in episode 51. 
(chapter 45) It is because by denying his affection, he needs to justify his presence next to him. He is his PT… forcing his enemies to portray the doctor as a traitor or a bad PT. However, they failed, as the champion is not doubting the doctor’s innocence concerning his wound on the foot. Nevertheless, the incident is not closed, as the culprit has not been brought to justice.
(chapter 50) First, the schemers’ MO corresponds to the game Truth or Dare. Choi Gilseok asked his minion to cross the line. This explicates why they are trying to use tricks and manipulations. Daring means no truth, thus someone will be framed: Kim Dan. Yet, the plotters are not aware that thanks to the cute hamster, the alpha is turned into a mirror of truth. Hence he couldn’t get deceived by the MFC security guys: 
(chapter 40) 
(chapter 36) The lawyer, the journalist and the manager pushed him to choose “dare” and not truth! That’s why there was no interview and the leak was not investigated. He had to prove his strength. 
(chapter 36) And exactly like at the sauna, daring became a synonym for verity. No wonder why the fighter is never rejecting the challenge. It corresponds to his past attitude: he has been burying the truth and as such the past. But let’s return our attention to the plotters.
(chapter 42), Baek Junmin whom the champion couldn’t truly identify 
(chapter 47), then he recognized the director without naming him, 
(chapter 48) and finally the ghost from the past 
(chapter 54). These characters are all connected to “Truth or Dare”. 
(chapter 50) This scene exposed that the champion repressed a certain incident which is rather common among victims of a trauma, especially people suffering from PTSD. This shows that some traumatic event took place for quite some time, but the champion acted, as if nothing had happened. 
(Doctor Frost, chapter 140 ) That’s how the champion became a zombie, he couldn’t live properly due to his untreated scars. 
(doctor Frost, chapter 139) But thanks to his fated partner, the traumatic past is slowly coming to the surface.
(chapter 48) Should the athlete remember this night, he will realize that he was the one dismissing his physical therapist, although the doctor could have come clean later. At the same time, Joo Jaekyung’s attitude could be mirroring the parent or guardian’s in the past. They didn’t have the time or the inclination to listen to their son, hence the traumatic incident got buried. 
(chapter 27), hence truth comes to the surface! Kim Dan and Joo Jaekyung feel attracted to each other and have come to love each other. When they speak their mind, they feel comfortable around each other. Truth is strongly connected to communication. Hence the painful conversation in the locker room was necessary. “You don’t trust me?” also reflected the doctor’s attitude. He never tried to approach his room mate 
(chapter 49) The latter didn’t even greet the director or acted, as if they didn’t know each other. He exposed the existence of a secret, an uncomfortable secret. Consequently, I believe that the champion could only jump to the conclusion that Kim Dan had been indeed acting behind his back, even coerced to do something. 
(chapter 51) Note that the star never came clean with the truth either. 
(Chapter 35) Through the doctor, the champion is encouraged to become honest to himself.
(chapter 9) And what did happen after they left the restaurant? The champion discovered the truth: 
(chapter 10) 
(chapter 10) Kim Dan was terribly poor, but he was also on his own, missing his grandmother.
(chapter 34) “Are you drunk?” With this question, the protagonist revealed something about himself. He associates dating and love confession with drunkenness. He implies the existence of a lie. But a confession is strongly associated with verity and sincerity. On the other hand, for the sportsman, no one in his right mind would admit to be in love and in our case to love another man. For me, one part of the problem is that the champion is afraid of admitting his homosexuality. The latter is still a stigma in South Korean society. But there’s more to the game Truth or Dare. If you paid attention to the origin of the last quote, you will realize that this fun is linked to bullying and even hazing.
(chapter 49) Furthermore, bullying is never done alone, but in groups. 
(chapter 57) There is one leader and the others are following the flow, the latter even become more proactive by making new bets and suggestions in order to ensure their own safety. As long as no one divulges the truth, the bullies are safe. But there’s more to it. Striking is that the way they coerced the champion to fight resembles to bullying too. He was manipulated with the articles, then with the advises from the lawyer and manager. Once in the States, they tried to drug him, which corresponds to a physical assault. 
(chapter 37) Finally, note that the schemers are working in teams exactly like the bullying students. Therefore I judge Park Namwook’s attitude as the teacher’s who is closing the eye to the truth. He is rather passive and puts the whole responsibility on his “boy”. 
(chapter 37) Interesting is the athlete described this night as a party which made me think of a students’ party. Therefore I couldn’t help myself wondering if the champion didn’t go to college, but due to an incident, he was forced to drop out. And the latter could be related to a party organized by students. The latter chose to cover up the incident by remaining silent. I would like to outline that the doctor got fired, though he was actually sexually harassed by his superior. The nurse never testified in his favor, she chose to close an eye to the crime. 
(chapter 1) The main lead never considered her behavior as betrayal and abandonment. In fact, he never considered the crime as a betrayal from an institution. 
(chapter 1) He put the whole blame on the hospital director himself. He is a liar. Furthermore, through these pictures 
(chapter 1) It is important, because it implies that Kim Dan avoided to socialize and participate in gatherings. Interesting is that in season 2, Jinx-philes discover that Kim Dan had been bullied in the past. 
(chapter 9), yet Park Namwook made sure that the physical therapist wouldn’t be abandoned drunk. Thus he tasked his boss to bring him home. And as for Potato, it is clear that Oh Daehyun would take care of him, as he was sleeping in the dormitory next to him. In other words, no one was left behind drunk. But this scene contrasts so much to episode 43. First, no one was missing Potato. No one asked about his absence. Secondly, pay attention that the fighters invited Kim Dan to join them for another round, while they were neglecting their boss, though it was his birthday party. 
(chapter 43) Moreover, they never wondered about his physical condition. Was he drunk or not? Funny is that the intoxicated character was the one who forced Kim Dan to go home. 
(chapter 43) That’s what a friend is supposed to do.
(chapter 35) So the auntie could keep an eye on the judo fighter, and it was only a matter of time, until his friend would return. Nevertheless, this scene is implying a certain problem: a drunken person shouldn’t be left unguarded. Thus imagine that during a party, an unconscious person is brought to a room and left there unguarded, as the friend desires to keep partying, similar to this scene: 
(chapter 37) The person could get sexually assaulted, and no one would notice it. Secondly, I would like to outline that the hazing party from the article reminded me a lot to bullying. These freshmen were humiliated, and the perpetrator excused her behavior behind traditions and social norms. So the champion could have been betrayed by a friend, as the latter would have justified his action similarly. So instead of admitting his mistake, he could have justified the incident like this: the victim was responsible for his misery, because he was at the wrong place at the wrong time. It was just his misfortune or better said his jinx. Yes, for me, the jinx is indicating that people responsible for the champion’s traumas were denying their wrongdoings.
(chapter 3) Neither Kim Dan nor the protagonist were seen both naked in the shower room. 
(chapter 8) 
(chapter 20) 
(chapter 30) Therefore I perceive the champion’s last comment as relevant. In my opinion, Kim Dan’s gesture reflected the champion’s mind-set. So by saying this, Joo Jaekyung was forced to admit the absurdity of such an attitude. Therefore Manhwalovers can understand Joo Jaekyung’s annoyance at the sauna. He imagined that he would be alone there. 
(chapter 36) Kim Dan’s entrance could be perceived as a violation, for the champion was naked. This intrusion caught him off-guard. But since his gaze was covered, his anxiety masked behind his anger was diminished. On the other hand, this led him to leave the bathtub undressed and have sex in the kitchen. 
(chapter 36) For me, everything is pointing out that one of the champion’s fears is intimacy with water. He has long internalized this association. Don’t forget that the sexual encounter in the swimming pool started with clothes, before they got completely removed. 
(chapter 27) Under this new perspective, I don’t think that it is a coincidence that the champion felt the need to take a shower after meeting Baek Junmin and recalling the past. 
(chapter 49) This helped him to overcome his trauma and past wound. 
(chapter 8) they dared to have sex next to Oh Daehyun and the other fighter. However, note that in all these scenes, neither the doctor nor the champion were honest. They were both lying… not only to their counter-part, but also to themselves. 
(chapter 51) doesn’t represent the final moment where both main leads opened up their heart and mind to each other. They were not truly honest to themselves and to each other. There was no water… and according to me, the spray was a pepper spray, so the champion’s ankle should have been cleaned and not simply covered. For me, both characters need to prove their trust and loyalty to each other. But they are moving in the right direction, for Joo Jaekyung divulged a huge information to Kim Dan. 
(chapter 70) His sexual orientation was exposed in high school, his friends were behind the rumor 
(chapter 70), although we have to envision that his crush played a huge part in it. Why? It is because he didn’t want to be associated with homosexuality. 
(chapter 70) Not only he cut off ties with him, but also he made sure to isolate the main lead from other students. The worst is that this person acted, as if this ostracizing had never occurred. 
(chapter 69), as if he had done nothing wrong. For me, it shows that the traitor never grasped the significance of his actions. Hence Park Sung-Woong could forget Dong-Gyun, while the latter could never forget him at all. The result from this huge betrayal was that the cute uke decided to keep his distance from people. 
(chapter 70) He could no longer trust people, he avoided meetings. In order to outline how severe betrayal trauma can be, the Webtoonist showed us the immediate effects of betrayal trauma: physical and emotional reactions 
(chapter 70) 
(chapter 70) and the long term effects: 
(chapter 69) he is trembling so much, he can not look at his former friend. Readers shouldn’t underestimate the issue. Betrayal trauma is so severe that it is comparable to being hit by a white truck. The pain is so great that it affects the brain functioning and as such personality.
(chapter 9), trust issues 
(chapter 05) Then when he stayed at home,
(chapter 32), it was clear that the doctor’s actions were constantly on his mind. He was so bothered that he had to bring him to Heesung. He made sure that Kim Dan would forget Choi Heesung in the car. 
(chapter 33) Interesting is that this trauma resembles a lot to PTSD.
(chapter 49), the latter was not loved, as he didn’t reach the first place like his older brother. Then we have Interpersonal with Nam Dong-Gyun and his high school friend. However, since the rumor circulated at school, and no adults intervened, we could see it as a reference to Institutional betrayal. Finally, Mingwa presented the last type (partner) with Hweemin. 
(chapter 51) But why is betrayal trauma so severe? It is because everything appears as a lie, as an illusion. All the memories become tainted. The victim can only question his own senses and judgment. How could he not detect the lies? Since PTSD and betrayal trauma share some common points, it is not surprising that such persons come to blame themselves and develop huge self-loathing. 
(doctor Frost, chapter 139). And now, it is time to expose my latest observation: 
(BJ Alex, chapter 51) Ahn Jiwon caught his first lover cheating on him at a club. Interesting is that the new lover resembles a lot to Joo Jaekyung! Mingwa said that characters from BJ Alex will only appear, but Jinx is not connected to her previous work. Note that they were kissing in a public place. Moreover, the club is a location where students not only meet, but also drink alcohol together. However, once Jiwon saw Hweemin, he dragged him outside so that they could talk. In other words, the “new lover” was left behind. Thus I come to the following conclusion. Joo Jaekyung has been suffering from betrayal trauma exactly like Ahn Jiwon. He was betrayed by his guardian 
(BJ Alex, chapter 51). If this theory is true, then Mingwa would finally outline the devastating effects of Betrayal trauma on people, something she barely touched in her previous work.
(chapter 51)
So how did I come to connect the main lead to a puppy dog? 
(chapter 47) It is because Shin Okja called her grandson “her puppy dog”.
(chapter 5), but a young dog. This signifies that in the bathroom, the main lead’s true nature came to the surface due to the bad news concerning his grandmother. 
(chapter 47) Yet, a puppy embodies innocence and inexperience. Thus it needs the guidance of a mother. On the other hand, in my essays about the doctor, I kept describing him as a person who would constantly grow and mature. So “a puppy dog” would appear as a contradiction to my previous interpretation. Nonetheless, we shouldn’t forget that this was representing the grandmother’s desire. By turning him into a puppy dog, she expects from him obedience and loyalty. She is denying his right to determine his own life. He needs to follow its master. Hence this scene announces a certain regression for Kim Dan. On the other hand, I believe that this is just temporary. What the elderly woman didn’t know is that by linking him to a dog, she was freeing Kim Dan from society as well. He is now an animal. He belongs to Nature from that moment on. This animal symbolizes freedom and independency. So when the grandmother described him as a puppy dog
(chapter 48) Furthermore, Jinx-philes could observe how the doctor had followed his instincts during the conversation with Choi Gilseok in different panels, like for example in this image. 
(chapter 48) The idiom “fishy” is a reference to smell, indicating that he was relying on his own senses. But we have another evidence that the puppy dog was using all his senses to judge his counterpart: 
(chapter 48) He rejected the touch from Choi Gilseok. That’s how he could detect the director’s hypocrisy. He refused to drink the coffee from the senior, although it had been recommended. As you can imagine, all his 5 senses were on alert, and the latter are strongly intertwined with instincts. In addition, when he asked his counterpart to go to the point and speak frankly 
(chapter 48), he was urging Choi Gilseok to drop all manners. Yet, Manhwalovers should keep in mind that the synonyms for manners are etiquette and ceremony. This proves that manners stand for civilization. But what are good manners?
(Chapter 48) This means, he was disrespecting the elder. However, his disrespect didn’t start at the café, but in front of the gym. 
(chapter 48) He refused to take the card from the director. However, the moment his grandmother was brought up, he became obedient and accepted the invitation. 
(chapter 48) He acted out of loyalty and love for her. Nevertheless, the director’s offer for his halmoni served him to see the truth. His behavior during the conversation exposes the awakening of his wild and rebellious side. Thus we could say, Doc Dan showed more and more his rudeness. He left without asking permission and saying goodbye.
These two characters symbolize true friendship. Thus I come to the following deduction: Kim Dan is about to get truly adopted by Team Black, while it looked the opposite at the end of the season. He might have been wearing a uniform and a jacket Team Black, yet there were signs that he wasn’t truly part of the team.
(chapter 47) In my eyes, Doc Dan didn’t dare to ruin the maknae’s illusion about his idol, though he thought otherwise. His broken sentences and his drop of sweat are revealing his discomfort and skepticism. He was not sure about the success of his VIP client. But Kim Dan as his PT knew about the champion’s true conditions: he is not truly healthy. But why are the fighters so innocent?
(chapter 31) It looks like I am diverting from the topic, as I am now talking about the fighters and the gym. No wonder why most of the members switched the gym, as soon as the champion lost and his reputation got tarnished. Nonetheless, keep in mind that his game with Baek Junmin ended up with a TIE. So it is not a complete defeat. In my opinion, the schemers desired to tame the Emperor, not to ruin him, as they definitely need him to make money. 
(chapter 23) Kim Dan and Yoon-Gu had no task at all. The latter were treated like playmates and nothing more. Hence the manager asked patience from the doctor. 
(chapter 46), but also by his greed. He had lost so much money. He needed to refill his pockets. Thus his wish was to “kill” the emperor and as such to ruin Team Black. In other words, he had planned the destruction of the rival gym. With the victory, Baek Junmin could replace the champion, and Choi’s gym King Of MMA would attract members. And my prediction came true. With the tie, many members from Team Black went to King Of MMA hoping that they would come to get rich and famous very quickly. 
(chapter 49) It was not just about Kim Dan’s fate, but also Team Black’s. Hence he can not quit or run away. This new interpretation made me perceive the entrance of Kim Dan in the arena in a new light. 
(chapter 50) Remember how I said that the locker room had become a temple. Thus I come to the conclusion that he got baptized there. He discovered the power of his hands, similar to this scene. 
(Chapter 14) So when he comes to the arena, he is still following his instincts, unaware of his own metamorphosis. He is no longer a puppy, but a dog. Deep down, he feels that he has to be there despite his agony. He needs to be there in order to protect his home. To conclude, in the locker room, the doctor reached adulthood. Interesting is the chosen perspective from Mingwa. It was, as though he was flying high in the sky, like a yeouiju. 
(chapter 40) In this image, he has to look up, whereas in the other panel, the beholder has the impression that doc Dan is rather standing on the same level than his soulmate, the alpha Jaekyung. However, since the athlete blamed him for the incident and rejected his hand, for Kim Dan, it sounded that he was no longer needed. 
(chapter 27) Thus I come to the following conclusion. With the switch of the spray, Joo Jaekyung was forced to recognize the importance of a physical therapist. Keep in mind that till his meeting with Kim Dan, he never saw them as necessary. Even before his immanent match, he kept looking down on his soulmate. 
(chapter 42) Here, it becomes obvious that he didn’t see his PT as a partner, but as an underling. 
(chapter 40) And that’s how the champion will come to realize that he can not live like before, as Kim Dan can not keep up to him. He is physically weaker. He desires his loved one to always look at him, to never leave his side, to stop living like a stray dog. 
(chapter 9) The image divulges us the origin of this nickname: coach Jeong Yosep. Yet, this shows us the naivety from the hyung. And what did the other fighters do? They simply followed the suggestion from their elder: 
(Chapter 23) This shows that he was not infantilizing him despite judging him as a child or “puppy”.
(Chapter 49) Not only he yelled, but also he protected his star by standing in the front line. 
(chapter 35) He stood up, yelled and gave an order to the artist, though he is a junior. No wonder why the other guests turned around and looked at him. But this shows his strength, as he is following his instincts and as such his heart. He has already developed his own moral codex.
(chapter 23) His desire was to become the Emperor’s companion and as such best friend. The problem is that he was projecting his own thoughts onto the protagonist. The latter is not a dog, but a wolf. Moreover, Jinx-philes can sense that in his mind, the maknae was viewing the training as a playground. However, for the Emperor, life is like a battlefield, where death can strike at any moment. It is deadly serious. So in the star’s eyes, training has nothing to do with pleasure and fun, but survival. That’s why Joo Jaekyung received punches from his soulmate, a reminder that he needed to be careful. And that’s how Kim Dan earned the athlete’s respect. 
(Chapter 8) I noticed that the champion initially only listened to violence. It was, as if he had internalized this Nature’s law: the strongest prevails. No wonder why the champion didn’t react to Potato’s admiration so positively. 
(Chapter 23)
(chapter 23) Interesting is that she cut the chibi Kim Dan in half. Why? In my opinion, the main lead had not found his true self yet. She didn’t place any puppy above his head as well, because she wanted to keep her readers in the dark. However, let’s not forget that a puppy will recognize another puppy much more easily. Therefore Potato felt jealous and resentful first. 
(chapter 25) It is relevant, because the maknae was acting like a sunbae and not like a junior. He was given responsibility. His task was quite important compared to the coffee incident. With such a task, the cute puppy got to learn the importance of PT. This explicates why Potato always paid attention to the protagonist and his duties afterwards. Though Kim Dan had been constantly diminishing himself as physical therapist, in front of Potato he acted differently: meticulous, dedicated and caring. As you can see, this training session had huge repercussions for the chow chow.
(chapter 26) He was following his heart and as such his instincts. That’s the reason why money was out of question.
(chapter 25), then he lowered his face like a moping mutt. 
(chapter 30) and not expensive stuff like designer clothes or electronics. So Potato was not wrong either to mistrust the actor first, for the latter was indeed expecting affection in return despite his claim. He did want to date the doctor, but the puppy knew that the protagonists were together. He represented a threat to his new found home.
(chapter 40), the former came to appreciate the doctor much more than before. 
(chapter 37) When Potato and Daehyun saw that Kim Dan was feeling down, they tried to cheer him up. Moreover, let’s not forget that when they got caught partying, the hyung tried to protect them: 
(chapter 37) Besides, Yoon-Gu witnessed the effects of the drug 
(chapter 38). Contrary to the other fighter, he touched his head. This gesture reminded me of a mother’s. And now, I know why Kim Dan saw Potato as a puppy. 
(chapter 25) On the other hand, Yoon-Gu lacks experiences, for he has never been exposed to the cruelty of this world, unlike Kim Dan or Joo Jaekyung. His fighting spirit is not developed yet.
(chapter 1) and rudeness, for he didn’t criticize the athlete in the first episode or episode 7. In my eyes, the maknae lacks critical thinking. Nevertheless, we shouldn’t overlook that he followed the members’ behavior. No one from Team Black called Kim Dan and looked out for him. They all abandoned him after the match. 
(Chapter 49) and helped him. I have to admit that the way the main lead was holding his hand reminded me a little dog. 
(chapter 50) He was cheering him up! On the other hand, he still remained passive, and didn’t question the sunbaes like Park Namwook or Yosep. One thing is sure. After the last incident, he should have realized cheering someone is not truly loving someone. And this brings me to the other reason why Kim Dan was alone between 41 and 47. Yoon-Gu didn’t know doc Dan that well. He has no idea about his past and his actual situation. He can not expect the champion to act like in the States, as now the situation is different. He is already injured. Consequently, I am quite certain that it is also time for the semi-professional to reveal his true nature: he is a chow chow in verity! He sometimes acts more like a mother towards Kim Dan, though the latter is his hyung. Take the last panel as an example. Yoon-Gu is strong, extremely loyal and intelligent! His nickname Potato might be cute, but it doesn’t reflect his personality.
(Chapter 50) However, the doctor
(chapter 47) was hiding his sadness and pain behind his job. How could Potato notice his suffering? Kim Dan never let his wounds transpire. Finally, we shouldn’t overlook the fact that Kim Dan never confided to the puppy dog as well. The protagonist has always been a loner, like we could see it in his memories. 
(Chapter 21) He was first of all his boss and his landlord. Yoon-Gu is not connected to the main lead because of money. The foundation of their relationship is based on trust, care and respect. Thus I deduce that Potato is on his way to become not only his first true friend, but also his second stan. He might have noticed his angelic nature in the past
(Chapter 33) Yes, through them, the dragon and the gumiho can become real friends. So far, they had been more frenemies. They know each other’s secret 
(chapter 33), hence they can talk frankly to each other. Heesung knows that he won’t be condemned for his confession. 
(chapter 44). He was telling him that he was doing a good job! One might say that he treated him like a little child. The second interpretation is that he was treating him like a pet. The dog was complimenting his lover, the wolf!
(chapter 49) Respecting the elders! For me, Kim Dan will see red, when he hears the truth about the incident. From that moment on, he will start questioning not only seniors (manager Park Namwook), but also authorities (doctors). 
(chapter 42) 
(chapter 52), at the end he chose to leave the restaurant on his own accord. Yes, he stopped being a follower of “herd mentality”. 
(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) They could put themselves in his shoes: he was left behind. On the other hand, the reaction from Joo Jaekyung was totally understandable. 
(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 
(chapter 27) But only Dr. Lee and Kim Dan got to see the results
(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 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 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. 
(chapter 50) That’s the reason why he turned into a dragon at the end of the chapter. [For more read the essay “
(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.
(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) 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) to the golden keychain. 
(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 36) or to let others make decisions. I would even add, he often delegates things to others: the manager from the Entertainment company
(chapter 46) and 
(chapter 21: he was criticized by Kim Miseon, he feared to lose his halmoni) 
(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.
(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 5) 
(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. 
(chapter 48) So the moment you perceive this moment 
(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?
(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.
. (chapter 36) 
(chapter 45) And now, you comprehend why I stated earlier that he acted rather instinctively. For me, he still trusts the physical therapist.
(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 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 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!
(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 32)
(chapter 1) by bosses, it becomes comprehensible why he didn’t fall into the trap a third time. 
(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! 
He has just his blue uniform.
Hence he could get into trouble! The MFC could report the incident to the authorities! 
(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. 😉
(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 “
(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 49) Here, he is almost smiling. He was telling the truth, when he said that he was fine contrary to the States. 
(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 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 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.
(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 
(chapter 49) By meeting Kim Dan there, 
(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) 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.
(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 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! 
(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 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.
(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.
(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 35) But there is more to it. The departure from the restroom corresponds to the doctor’s realization at the hospital.
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. 
(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 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 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) 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 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), 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 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. 
(chapter 22) Compare his reaction, when Oh Daehyun was talking about his penthouse 
(chapter 22). The latter was silenced with a threat. 
(chapter 22) Then when Potato got rejected by his idol, Kim Dan felt the need to ask the young fighter why he was so upset. Therefore he left the office. 
(chapter 23) 
(chapter 23) A sign that he stands for connection and advice. Interesting is that right after, Joo Jaekyung listened to his sex partner in the treatment room. 
(chapter 24) Thus he gave a task to the maknae.
(chapter 24) And Jinx-philes will certainly recall what the pure fighter did during his task: he called Joo Jaekyung! 
(chapter 23) Another symbol for communication. He should voice about his desires. As you can see, his presence helped to improve the relationship between Kim Dan and his boss. Then the next morning, Potato also showed curiosity towards the physical therapist: 
(chapter 25) Once he heard Kim Dan’s intentions, he offered his help and while practicing, both men came to exchange their thoughts and emotions. 
(chapter 25) This explicates why Joo Jaekyung came to propose the sparring to Kim Dan. We could say that Yoon-Gu’s presence gave the doctor’s courage to accept the challenge. 
(chapter 29) And now, you comprehend why the relationship between the main couple improved so much between 22 and 29, it is because of the lucky charm, the “Sardonyx chow-chow”! Thanks to his presence, he encouraged the main couple to communicate and to be more curious about each other. He stands for respect, responsibility and connection. Only through conversation, it is possible to get know someone. No wonder why he is so treasured by Team Black. 
(chapter 31) So he used work to get closer to the physical therapist, which was quite similar to the champion’s approach. Simultaneously, Yoon-Gu was able to detect Heesung’s true intentions. 
(chapter 31) He was interested in the main lead romantically and sexually. We could say that the maknae pushed the comedian to meditate and to be more honest to himself. I would even say that he has a similar effect on the physical therapist, for the latter started pondering on the champion and himself. 
(chapter 36) The fact that he took over the youngest member’s task during that evening indicates his influence. The problem is that the Sardonyx was not present, therefore his dark thoughts couldn’t be pushed away. This scene reveals the hidden power of the gemstone. But there’s more to it. Mingwa created the positive reflection from that night in the States: 
(chapter 40) Once again, Potato helped the main lead to perceive the champion in a positive light. Soon after, he came to accept his feelings for the star. Under this new approach, it becomes comprehensible why after chapter 41, neither Kim Dan nor Joo Jaekyung talked to each other properly. 
(chapter 41) 
(chapter 40) Under this new light, it becomes comprehensible why the hamster accepted the harsh criticism from his employer in the penthouse. 
(chapter 47) thanks to him, one fighter spoke up and revealed his knowledge about Baek Junmin and the underground fighting ring. 
confronted him with the truth. He should admit to himself that he was sexually attracted to the celebrity. 
(chapter 26) The red protection gear incited the athlete to see this sparring as a game, it helped him to rejuvenate and rediscover fun. Thus he was smiling. 
(chapter 25) 
(chapter 35) He could smile again and move on from his past failure. It encourages its wearer to embrace life’s challenges with courage and determination, knowing that they possess the inner strength to overcome any obstacle and emerge victorious in the end. My avid readers can grasp why red spinel shares some similarities with Sardonyx: courage and strength. 
(chapter 45) This is a sign that the champion had liked that night, but exactly like doc Dan in the past, he chose to lie to himself out of fear. How is this related to Potato? Don’t forget that he was not present at the birthday party, but more importantly he was no longer acting as a supportive friend and confident. Because Yoon-Gu’s philosophy is not to intervene and to admire from afar, he is not realizing that he is actually abandoning Kim Dan and even Joo Jaekyung. 
(chapter 25) The latter had been repressing his homosexuality. I see some parallels between the two characters. Joo Jaekyung ‘s sexual orientation was strongly connected to his career. He could have sex with men, as it was his way to chase away bad luck. Thus I come to the following conclusion: the relationship between doc Dan and Joo Jaekyung can only improve, when Potato interacts with them. It will push him to accept his feelings for doc Dan. While the champion was jealous of him in the past 
(chapter 26), I feel like the chow-chow could become a great source of comfort for Kim Dan and also for the boss of Team Black, just like he did it with Heesung. How so? It is because he stands for courage and strength. Moreover, the moment the owner of Black Team knows about the relationship between Heesung and Potato, he won’t longer feel threatened by them. He needs to discover the existence of friendship. Besides, since Kim Dan sees the maknae as a puppy dog, 
(chapter 24). Then he accepted the request from Doc Dan and announced to Potato that they would be sparring together from now on. 
(chapter 36) It was, as if the doctor’s presence had activated Yoon-Gu’s qualities from the Sardonyx and Red Spinel: lucky charm and communication. Note that in the States, Potato and Oh Daehyun made sure to deliver the incident with the drugged beverage to the coach and manager. 
(chapter 40) And now it’s time to examine Heesung’s gemstones: Diamond and Sapphire.
(chapter 31), then the hospital and halmoni: 
(chapter 33), aggressive 
(chapter 30) the latter treated him like a human. He could sense that his offer was not motivated by greed or admiration, for he didn’t know him that well. He was just an uncut diamond. And how is the god Saturn alias Kin Dan connected to the diamond Heesung? 
(chapter 31) Since Potato and Heesung view both doc Dan as an angel, their mission should be to protect their lucky charm. And that’s how next to his soulmate, he will be able to shine as a hero… He would no longer use dirty tricks to achieve his goal. I would say, he would become responsible for Potato and Kim Dan in the end. And this brings me to the second April birthstone: Sapphire.
(chapter 48) Thus I deduce that the moment Kim Dan gets the support and protection from Heesung, the former could indeed become the infamous “lord of karma”. So far, Kim Dan has not been even thinking that he could press charges against Kim Miseon. 
(chapter 48) The reason is that he views himself as powerless. But like I had already announced, Heesung is a trickster himself, therefore he can perceive the deceptive nature of humans. This corrupt doctor could get into trouble because of the actor. 
(chapter 48) Kim Dan as Shani Dev was pushing away evil spirits, but at his own expense. Moreover, this signify that the alliance between Heesung and Kim Dan will bring bad luck to the schemers… as Heesung is the sapphire giving power to Kim Dan. Furthermore, the myth of Shani Dev made me realize why there is no “family” and love in the penthouse. Kim Dan needs to receive the support from Potato and Heesung, because their assistance would boost his self-confidence. Since the maknae represents courage and strength, I believe that his influence will rub off on the comedian too. But because Shani Dev symbolizes karmic justice, people came to view him as a god of misfortune.
(chapter 31) It was not his right to intervene in the doctor’s business. The protagonist is actually a free-lancer. Hence he should be the one to select his clients. This shows that as long as the athlete doesn’t consider the comedian as a friend and supporter, he will never achieve his goal. He needs to value human relationships and see people as precious gems and not everyone as a rival and source of danger. On the other hand, I would like my avid readers to keep in mind that Joo JAekyung still remained silent, when he discovered that the comedian had tricked him. 
(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)
(chapter 46)
(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.
(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 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 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 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). 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) That’s the reason why the thug had hired the man himself. This confirms that this man 
(chapter 40). How so? It is because Heo Manwook doesn’t explain how the plot failed!! 
(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 23) Back then, he initially denied the existence of intimacy between them, until he was confronted with reality. 
(chapter 25) Thus from my point of view, Mr. Choi must have come to a different perception than the maknae: 
(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 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 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.
(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) 
(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. 
(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.
The house stands for power and propriety. But Choi has another signification.
(chapter 43) The package arrived right on time.
(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 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. 
, (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.
(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. 
Bebebisous33s' analyses in K-Dramaland and Manhwas 