you have such a discerning eye omg!!! I didn't even pay attention the tatts, but yeah I'm starting to think they were both involved in the underground fighting ring - building on your weapon theory, that one gym member giving the exposition on jumin mentioned some fighters being armed so ig that makes sense if that's where jjk learnt how to fight!
I feel like there's a bit of an age gap there, so I could definitely see jjk not being able to recognise someone who was a lot younger when they were in the same circles. thinking in terms of betrayal and vengeance, I could see jumin wanting revenge for something jjk did to someone close to him in the past (maybe an older brother??)so much to think about!
NGL I cried. Poor Dan. So Jaekyung and Dan haven’t been going anywhere together and Dan is quite heartbroken all around. Jaekyung is in a strange mood as well and probably straining himself during training. He recognized the other fighter he was paired with after the previous one broke his leg (I’m sure the thugs broke his leg) which feels like something in the far past. Maybe he looked different? Maybe the two fought in the early days but Jaekyung beat him and he’s vengeful? Maybe it went back before that to school?
This is the second time Team Black fighters talked about Jaekyung being a thug. The first time, they joked that they’re glad he found sports because otherwise he’d be a thug. This time they mentioned again that his behavior is thuggish. The question begs to be asked, was Jaekyung previously in a gang or something? Did he and Baek Jumin go to the same tattoo shop? Why did they both choose giant Korean goblin masks? Notably, Jumin’s mask has a dagger in its mouth which, when I looked it up, could mean a number of things (obviously), but particularly
-danger, protection, sacrifice, betrayal, and overcoming something life-threatening.
I’m banking on betrayal and overcoming death. I think you can see where I’m going with this.
Theory: Jaekyung got his tattoo first. It’s more traditional in its lack of colors, it’s on his shoulder, so it can be covered, and it doesn’t look entirely evil. In contrast, Jumin’s is full color (new, fresh), on his neck (his whole neck), and holds a weapon, something Jaekyung’s doesn’t have. It’s uglier, with its yellow eyes and yellow horns, its mouth is blood red. Furthermore, Jaekyung’s tattoo is more removed on his shoulder, whereas Jumin’s is close to all his vital points around his head. In wrestling, and in the picture we saw of Jumin, you try to pin the opponent or choke them. It seems like Jumin is flaunting his ability to avoid being choked, that the closer you get to his face, the more trouble you’re in. I don’t think wrestling is going to be to Jaekyung’s advantage. Additionally, both tattoos appear to be protection for their hosts. One guards the neck, the other reinforces the arm.
Another theory: Jaekyung’s goblin turned on him. Goblins in folklore look human but are mischievous. You could describe those masks as protection, rewarding “good” and punishing “bad”. I think Jaekyung’s tattoo is punishing him since it’s right over the injured shoulder and seems to reflect Jaekyung’s growth (better for a second with Dan, as told by the doctors and Namwook, but worse as their relationship deteriorates).
I think they were both in gangs but Jaekyung left or got out while Jumin stayed. Also, Jumin’s other tattoos, though difficult to see, seem to be waves. The seas/ocean surrounding Korea are strong and threaten livelihood. The waves are a threat. In contrast, Jaekyung has clouds: loftiness, rising above adversity, top of the world. In life, Jaekyung wants to have the peace afforded to gods. He wants to be untouchable. Does he want to touch the clouds because he’s mourning someone?
Storms are formed between the sky and the sea, so when the two clash, it will cause something huge to happen. This is going to be the pivotal match (again, pretty obvious). Will the thugs decide where the MFC match takes place? They clearly have insiders (the shake incident linked to thugs hired by some ceo-type in the MFC).
I think Jumin probably looked very different in Jaekyung’s memory. It would be difficult to say what his real haircolor is, the shape of his eyebrows, and details of his skin covered by tattoos.
I need to look more closely at the pictures. I want to see if Jumin’s goblin has a scar under it.
I still remember that odd interaction between Jaekyung and the thugs, when the leader pulled a knife on him. Jaekyung seemed… he might’ve been surprised but all he said was “A knife?” Like “Really?” before he got low and changed his attack. He wasn’t fazed by the knife. He’s probably been threatened with knives before and feels it’s cowardly and tactless.
I still don’t get why his Jinx is to have satisfying anal sex before a match. It feels very ominous now.
What do you guys think?