Jinx is an ongoing manhwa written and illustrated by Mingwa. It is the author's second yaoi series following the success of BJ Alex in 2017. Released in 2022, it is published by Lezhin, which also holds the English licensing rights. New chapters are serialized every ten days.
Synopsis[]
Physical therapist Kim Dan has been down on his luck for as long as he can remember. Between an ailing grandmother, menacing loan sharks, and an old boss making it almost impossible for him to find work, Dan is truly running out of options. Naturally, it feels like a dream come true when he’s finally hired to treat top-paid MMA fighter Joo Jaekyung, especially when the man then calls him out for a treatment the night before a match with an oh-so-tantalizing offer of five thousand dollars. He claims to have a “jinx” in need of a particular type of “treatment," but it's one that Dan isn't quite prepared to offer… You see, Joo Jaekyung may be a beast in the ring, but he’s even rougher in the bedroom, and Dan’s not sure he can survive Joo Jaekyung at his most primal. Nevertheless, the promise of much-needed cash has Dan agreeing to this ill-fated deal... Could a night fix it all?
Characters[]
Kim Dan[]
At 29,[1][2] Kim Dan is a diligent worker who lost his previous job as a physical therapist at a hospital after a traumatic incident involving a co-worker. Now facing mounting debts from loan sharks and hospital bills for his ailing grandmother, Dan eagerly takes on any available work. He wastes no time in accepting the position of Joo Jaekyung's personal physical therapist, unaware of the previous therapists who had fled due to the boxer's volatile temperament. Ever professional in his duties, Dan remains troubled by his predicaments.
Character Article: Kim Dan[]
Joo Jaekyung[]
By 26,[2] boxer Joo Jaekyung stands as the undefeated legend of the Mixed Martial Arts fighting championship. Both feared and respected for his dominance in the ring, Jaekyung is renowned as a tyrant and displays why. Jaekyung revealed to Dan that he has an unfortunate "jinx" that causes him to lose matches if he does not spend the night with someone beforehand. Calling him repeatedly to have him accept the contract to become on paper his personal therapist, Jaekyung sees Dan as a way to continue winning in the fighting ring. Although savage when fighting, and more than abrupt when speaking, Jaekyung is able to come to recognize what is better for Dan. Over time, Jaekyung enjoys spending time with Dan and becomes more sociable with other members at his gym as well.
Character Article: Joo Jaekyung[]
Park Namwook[]
At 38,[2] Namwook is both Jaekyung's manager and the coach for Team Black. Having arranged for Dan to meet Jaekyung as his new physical therapist, he mentions to Dan he will be fine so long as he does not irritate Jaekyung. Thrilled with Jaekyung's victory in the arena, and kind to Dan, he introduces him to the other fighters at the gym as Jaekyung's personal coach. He is the one who encourages Dan's Doc nickname for others to further respect him. Having noted Jaekyung's improved demenour, Namwook praises Dan as he sees him as responsible for the development. Married where his wife is also an athlete, Namwook is father to two daughters and one son.
Dan's Grandmother[]
She is currently ill in hospital yet is receiving treatments. Delighted to see Dan, she mentions he should not have come since she knows how busy he is. Cheerful around him, she comments how she never skips a meal before asking about Dan. She had asked a nurse to acquire some yoghurt drinks for when Dan arrived. Upon finding that Jaekyung has comes to visit her she is exalted and gushes with praise for him.
Miseon Kim[]
A doctor in the Department of Oncology at the hospital where Dan's grandmother is being kept. She informs Dan that the latest round of chemotherapy has not been as successful for his Grandmother as they hoped. With that, they may be able to try a new medicine that has just completed the trial phase which Kim suggests to him.
Oh Daehyun[]
An energetic and friendly athlete of Team Black. Attending the welcome party for Dan, he encourages him to eat up while joking how the other athletes will eat his share otherwise. At hearing that Jaekyung has not arrived at the party, Daehyun objects on account of how it is for his own physical therapist. When Jaekyung says for Dan to join him in the arena, Daehyun is concerned for Dan and cautions him not to go. When Dan is fine with stepping up, Daehyun acts as the MC for the round while favorably announcing Dan's entry.
Jeong Yosep[]
A coach in his own right and the eldest athlete of Team Black at 37.[2] He is Jaekyung's sparring partner and a former national champion. Yosep is among the few who is not afraid of Jaekyung when he is angry, earning him respect from the hot-blooded boxer. He observes how Jaekyung does not normally come to parties with the others. At Jaekyung's fight against Randy he attempts to motivate the former but to no success. Along with Namwook he brings back fried chicken for the team.
Kim Changmin[]
An athlete of Team Black and ranked a national player. According to himself he is the second most handsome member of the team after Jaekyung.
Kwak Junbeom[]
A former judo athlete. 21[2], Junbeom is said to look much older than he is. As with others he partakes in team activities such as training at the gym, as well as in social events. He is a member of Team Black.
Hwang Yoon-gu[]
The youngest member of the team at 20[3][2], Yoongu is not fond at being addressed as "potato". At a party with drinks involved, Yoongu falls asleep at the table. Viewing a video of Randy he is angered at his taunts to others. Demanding to know who he thinks he is, Yoon-gu states Jaekyung is going to tear him apart. Unsure of why he is so close to Dan, he desires to practice against Jaekyung. While there is a minor amount of envy, it is not taken out on Dan. Indeed Yoongu is elated and thanks Dan when he arranges for him to spar against Jaekyung.
Randy Booker[]
A combatant who fights against Jaekyung in the Light Heavyweight Bout. Booker is introduced as the challenger for MFC 272's main match, known by the moniker "The Butcher." Like Jaekyung he has just passed his weigh-in and is meeting him for the first time. Spitting in Jaekyung's face, Randy taunts him into hitting him, and asks if he is scared.
Choi Heesung[]
An actor of the same age as Jaekyung,[4] Heesung also works under the same talent agency. Napping with an Extreme Worlds screenplay resting on his face, Heesung is updated that Jaekyung is available to meet him. To prepare for a major action scene, Heesung seeks personal training and practices kick-boxing with Jaekyung, which he films for his vlog. Before departing, Heesung also acquires a selfie of him and Jaekyung for the road as he claims people love shots of them together. Drawn to pretty faces like Dan's, he pursues him, much to Jaekyung's annoyance.
Story[]
Kim Dan secures a position as the personal physical therapist for the world-famous mixed martial artist, Joo Jaekyung. As he arrives at the training facility to meet his VIP client, Dan is fraught with nerves due to his prolonged absence in this line of work, but is grateful for the opportunity.
Dan walks into the boxing gym to find Jaekyung in a physical altercation with another athlete in the fighting ring as his coaches vehemently admonish him. Jaekyung explains that his opponent wanted to spar, and he simply accommodated the request. In response, the coaches scold him for the injuries incurred.
Noticing an unfamiliar face before him, Jaekyung asks about Dan, stressing that he had told others not to bring strangers to his training sessions. Park Namwook, Jaekyung's manager, hurries in and warmly greets Dan, introducing him as Jaekyung's new physical therapist. Jaekyung questions the need for a new therapist, with Namwook reminding him of his violent mistreatment of the previous therapist and emphasizing his stress in finding a replacement on such short notice. Dan becomes increasingly nervous, fearing he too will be mistreated. Namwook reassures Dan that he will be fine as long as he does not agitate Jaekyung, wishing him luck as Dan follows the boxer to a private room to begin their physical therapy session.
As Jaekyung undresses, Dan inquires if there are any specific concerns Jaekyung would like to address. Jaekyung dismisses him and tells him to proceed as he sees fit. Dan begins the session with a full-body sports massage, admiring Jaekyung's well-toned physique and silently praising his dedication to training. However, Dan becomes momentarily distracted by Jaekyung's strikingly handsome features, and realizes that he has touched something he shouldn't have.[5]
Images[]
References[]
Wiki Link[]
- An overview article on the entire series, Create the Jinx Wiki! for total coverage details!