JINX: Another Chefs Kiss for Mingwa’s attention to detail
Kim Dan leaves his hospital bed the exact same way he left Jaekyung’s bed the last time they were together. In chapter 53 when JJK realizes Kim Dan is gone, he remembers their last time together and thinking that Dan was a bit off. Dan performs his service and withdraws with no attempt to speak to or look at Jaekyung. He wishes him well in parting, “Well, try to get some sleep”. But doesn’t look back. He stumbles out of the room on his last legs leaving a trail of fluids and asks for nothing. In episode 60, Dan tell JJK “I don’t want to work under you anymore” (NOT “work for”—words are important), pulls out the IV and leaves the bed without looking back. But he still wishes him well. “Have a safe trip home.” Dan stumbles from the room leaving a trail of blood this time, but again, he’s resolved. No eye contact nor backward glance. Jaekyung has strengthened Dans resolve to leave. Had JJK told Dan he’d been out of his mind since he left, that he’d seen his pic and hightailed it to him because everything sucks without him(and he was wrong and he’s sorry) Dan would have caved. Because Dan still loves that asshat. If Jaekyung had given Dan any indication that Dan matters to him, Dan would have forgiven all of it. Instead, Jaekyung made Dan feel like a whore. Again. He led with money and why it’s in Dans best interest to come back(money) and also did he mention Dan owes him. He reveals he really has no clue who Dan is. He never has. He doesn’t understand why Dan accepted his money and surrendered everything from his first kiss to body autonomy to JJK. It was in the hopes of supporting and saving his only family. Dan isn’t driven by material goods. The only time he bought something was for Jaekyung’s birthday present. And he worked a side job to buy it with money that didn’t come from JJK. All of this went completely over Jaekyung’s head. Whoosh. And still JJK doesn’t get it.
Dans breaking point wasn’t the rant and accusations over the medical spray. Jaekyung broke him to pieces rejecting his gift and abusing him for giving it. It drove home to Dan that Dan was not worthy and never would be. Dan still would have stayed and done his job—all of his jobs: nutrition, housekeeping, physical therapy, sexual service. But he would have kept bleeding to do it. Jaekyung’s declaration of mistrust is the reason Dan resigned. There was no reason to remain. The parallel scenes are a subtle highlight of Dan’s inner strength, and resilience even as he looks like a whipping boy.
Kim Dan leaves his hospital bed the exact same way he left Jaekyung’s bed the last time they were together. In chapter 53 when JJK realizes Kim Dan is gone, he remembers their last time together and thinking that Dan was a bit off. Dan performs his service and withdraws with no attempt to speak to or look at Jaekyung. He wishes him well in parting, “Well, try to get some sleep”. But doesn’t look back. He stumbles out of the room on his last legs leaving a trail of fluids and asks for nothing. In episode 60, Dan tell JJK “I don’t want to work under you anymore” (NOT “work for”—words are important), pulls out the IV and leaves the bed without looking back. But he still wishes him well. “Have a safe trip home.” Dan stumbles from the room leaving a trail of blood this time, but again, he’s resolved. No eye contact nor backward glance. Jaekyung has strengthened Dans resolve to leave. Had JJK told Dan he’d been out of his mind since he left, that he’d seen his pic and hightailed it to him because everything sucks without him(and he was wrong and he’s sorry) Dan would have caved. Because Dan still loves that asshat. If Jaekyung had given Dan any indication that Dan matters to him, Dan would have forgiven all of it. Instead, Jaekyung made Dan feel like a whore. Again. He led with money and why it’s in Dans best interest to come back(money) and also did he mention Dan owes him. He reveals he really has no clue who Dan is. He never has. He doesn’t understand why Dan accepted his money and surrendered everything from his first kiss to body autonomy to JJK. It was in the hopes of supporting and saving his only family. Dan isn’t driven by material goods. The only time he bought something was for Jaekyung’s birthday present. And he worked a side job to buy it with money that didn’t come from JJK. All of this went completely over Jaekyung’s head. Whoosh. And still JJK doesn’t get it.
Dans breaking point wasn’t the rant and accusations over the medical spray. Jaekyung broke him to pieces rejecting his gift and abusing him for giving it. It drove home to Dan that Dan was not worthy and never would be. Dan still would have stayed and done his job—all of his jobs: nutrition, housekeeping, physical therapy, sexual service. But he would have kept bleeding to do it. Jaekyung’s declaration of mistrust is the reason Dan resigned. There was no reason to remain. The parallel scenes are a subtle highlight of Dan’s inner strength, and resilience even as he looks like a whipping boy.