Shi Woon is our loser protagonist, an Ordinary High School Student who is constantly picked on by bullies. He believes his life is so miserable, that he decides to end it all... until he is saved by Chun Woo, the weird new teacher and secret martial artist. From then on he is determined to learn to fight and stand up for himself, going so far to jump off a bridge to convince Chun Woo that he is serious. So far he has impressed everyone with his progress and character growth.
Anti-Hero: Type I in the beginning. He quickly grew out of it.
Badass Normal/Handicapped Badass: After losing his Ki center he is still able to punch Chang Ho who now has murim techniques. He also beat up a mook of the SUC before that.
Chang Ho? That's nobody. He beat up one of the five Captains of the S.U.C.!!
Finding that S.U.C. seriously injured his mom. Yi Gyu-Bum remarks Shioon has the same expression Chunwoo did when Shiho was shot.
Beware the Nice Ones: Even if you try to kill him, he will try to save you. Just remember that he is strong enough to easily punch through concrete walls.
Brought Down to Normal: at the end of Part I, this happens when Chunwoo destroys his chii center to prevent him from having to continue to be involved in the world of Murim.
Character Development: He starts out as a kid so driven to the edge by bullying that he is about to sell out his childhood friend simply to avoid another beating. After training under Chunwoo for a bit, he becomes strong enough to completely own the bully who is making his life hell with what is probably the single most satisfying punch EVER
Chick Magnet: If you think about it. Let's see here, Sae -hee, So-sul, Jinee, and potentially, Se-Ra.
Dangerous Forbidden Technique: Just about every technique done with a broken Ki center. His Megaton Punch ended with a broken shoulder, and doing a foot technique ended with him with a badly sprained ankle, if not broken as well.
The Determinator: You have to give Shi Woon some credit. He mentally defeated a martial arts prodigy just by his utter refusal to go down. Against Yoo Ji-Gun as well.
Distressed Dude: Two times so far, once in The Breaker and once in New Waves. Played for VERY serious drama both times. At the climax of The Breaker, the Chief of the Alliance grabs him by the throat at the last minute and threatens to kill him should Shun Woo Han refuse to show him the Black Heaven and Earth technique. The second time, he's abducted by the man who gave him medicine that temporarily subverted the whole De-power issue so that a sort of medicine could be made from his blood, one that would supposedly be a great resource to the S.U.C.)
Heir To Sun Woo: Some of the people in the Sun Woo clan are not very happy about it though.
Instant Expert, surprisingly enough. The Breaking Spirit Strike was supposed to take him a few months to master, but he managed to complete it on the same day Chun Woo showed it to him. The same thing happened with the Foot techniques.
The Foot techniques is an even bigger example because while Chun Woo explained how the Spirit Breaking Strike was supposed to work, he only showed Shi Woon the foot techniques once, and they had a very short discussion about it. Shi Woon also didn't practice the Foot techniques unlike the Strike.
Possibly justified. The Gu Eum is a line of martial artist, all of whom are said to have poor circulation, but if that problem was corrected they would be ungodly strong. Sounds just like Shi Woon's physical condition before he took the Ilwollsindan.
Super Toughness: He takes amazing amounts of punishment, even when he's just a novice, to the point that literally every character he fights comments on how indomitable his spirit must be. Several times he stands up and demands they keep fighting while technically unconscious or without a pulse.
Super Serum: When his ki-center is shattered, he is initially unable to use his martial arts beyond the simple movements. However recently a murin specialist doctor and the small group of allies he is gaining has given him a drug that circulates the latent amounts of ki in his body from when he ate the Illwolsindan, which gives him the ability to use his martial arts skills he's learned, but only for brief periods of time.
We Can Rule Together: Offered the or-you'll-be-horrifically-killed variety in chapter 71 of New Waves.
With My Hands Tied: His right arm is in a sling after injuring himself, still he manages to land a decisive punch on Chang Ho, and beat the crap out of other S.U.C members.
Shi Woon may be the protagonist, but the plot really revolves around Chun Woo. He is the eccentric, laid-back, and perverted substitute teacher at Shi Woon's school, but in actuality he is the "Goonmoonryung (Nine Arts Dragon)", one of the greatest martial artists in the world and a big player in the complicated politics of the murim-in. His conflict with the leaders of the murim-in eventually spills over into Shi Woon's life...
Give Him A Normal Life: Implied to be his REAL reason for depowering and disowning Shi Woon as a disciple, since Chun Woo has decided to MESS SOME SHIT UP. Naive fool.
A master has recently discovered that Shi Woon's ki center isn't actually destroyed. Instead his blood vesseles are much wider now, meaning channeling the ki he had before through them has no effect on his body. Though it seems to effectively cripple his martial arts ability, it has been said that this is actually part of an high-level training method to increase a martial artists upper ki limits. He may have in effect gave his disciple a massive increse in potential while still trying keeping him safe by making appear crippled.
Handicapped Badass: Pointed out by his opponent every time he fights, as he spends most of the story with a cast on his arm. Of course, this still doesn't stop him from pounding the tar out of everyone facing him.
Heel Face Revolving Door: We are initially shown he seems to be a nice, if gruff guy, then his motives are brought into question, especially after we see how strong his drive for vengeance is, and the possible consequences of revealing the murin to the normal world. Indeed, he is mentioned by many masters to be considered quite a villain in the murin. However he constantly goes way out of his way to save Shi Woon and cares for him properly....and then he destroys his ki-center, preventing him from doing martial arts....except it has been recently shown that this act many not have been largely to raise Shi Woon's upper limits yet again, albeit with major side effects.
Slasher Smile: A surprisingly effective one, considering how good-looking he usually is. Especially since he usually breaks it out while curbstomping mooks.
The sexy, mysterious Action Girl who takes a job as a health teacher at Shi Woon's high school. Although she isn't anywhere near Chun Woo's level, she's more than capable of taking care of herself. Much to Chun Woo's frustration, it's hard to tell if she has real feelings towards him or it's just part ofher act. She does.
Or not, as she appears as being in a coma in the sequel
She might indeed he dead, as a murin doctor mentions that the supplies needed by the person keeping her similar to what you'd need to bring someone back to life...if that were indeed possible.
Knife Nut: When she's serious, she uses lots and lots of kunai.
The new "janitor" at Shi Woon's school. He is a transporter with connections to the "Black Forest Defense Group", a notorious group among the murim-in. He has a crush on Shiho.
Badass Driver: Although his martial arts is very weak, his driving skill (no matter what kind of car you give him) is just godly. And now even a freaking helicopter!
Officially titled "Princess" Sosul, she is the leader of the Sun Woo, a prestigious martial arts clan. Shi Woon (with Chun Woo's help) saved her from the Torrent Clan, who had kidnapped her for unknown reasons. Although it took some time for her to warm up to Shi Woon, her loyalty now lies with him.
The current Big Bad, and the target of Chun Woo's revenge for his part in the death of Unwol, Chun Woo's master. He seeks the "Black Heaven and Earth" technique, which was passed down from Unwol to Chun Woo to Shi Woon.
The first disciple of Song Hak Jang clan and widely known as one of the strongest Murim currently around. For most of the Part 1, he is working with the Chief of the Alliance but shows to be more of Anti-Villain and all around level headed individual.
Dragon Ascendant: He becomes the new chief of the Martial Arts Alliance in Part 2.
Dynamic Entry: His encounter with Chun Woo at the end of part one starts of with a massive kick that takes everyone in the fight by surprise.
Humble Hero: Despite being one of the strongest fighters in series, he never flaunts it and even is said to have been capable of mastering more titles like Chun Woo to be called Nine arts but out of respect for tradition did not proceed any further the title of Three Arts Dragon.
Offscreen Moment of Awesome: Practically ever time he is (or is about to) get serious, it skips to the aftermath.
Tranquil Fury: After Chun Woo expels Shi Woon and calls him a toy. Kangsung prepares to go all out.
Worthy Opponent: Sees Chun Woo as potentially being this through out Part 1 of the story
Until they finally meet at the end of Part 1 that is.
Hyuk So Chun
The young leader of the Chun-Do-Moon (Heavenly Way School), another prestigious martial arts clan. He is considered a prodigy in martial arts. He ostensibly goes along with the Chief of the Alliance, but he has his own motives.
Double Agent: His clan is involved with S.U.C. One of the personnel close to him rescued Li Jioo from getting killed by Elder Kwong, and he himself might be involved as well
Teen Genius: He's not even old enough to drink alcohol.
Mamungi
The leader of the Torrent Clan, a biker gang (emphasis on "gang"). Most notable for having a freaky face and a strange habit of calling Shi Woon "cutie". He and his gang seem like complete monsters at first, but as of now Mamungi at least has become an ally. Mamungi is also one of the Supernovas, a group of four martial artists whose significance is yet to be revealed.
All Bikers Are Hells Angels: Mamungi and the Torrent Clan. They're not Hell's Angels; they're actually worse.
Hidden Depths: He's introduced as a scary biker thug, but if the "Supernova" group means anything he's definitely more important in the murim world than we've been shown. There's also the effective and insightful pep talk he gave to Shi Woon at the end of Part 1, where he guessed Chun Woo's motives better than anyone else.
Ho Yay: Calling Shi Woon "cutie" is kinda suggestive.
Sun Woo's retainer, introduced near the end of Part I as an antagonist. However, he switches sides and gains much more prominence in New Waves as an ally of Shi Woon. Like Mamungi, he is one of the four "Supernova".
Battle Butler: Played with in that he initially appears to be loyal to the Alliance, but it's revealed that he's the retainer for the Sun Woo family. As soon as he finds out about what happened to Sosul, he switches sides. And now he works for Shi Woon.
Undying Loyalty: Towards the leader of Sun Woo, whoever that may be—initially Sosul, but now Shi Woon.
Jinie Kwong
First appearing in New Waves, she is the bodyguard assigned to Shi Woon by the Sun Woo Clan. She's pretty and a skilled fighter, and has close connections to the Sun Woo leadership. Unfortunately, she's also loud, harsh, hard to get along with, and hates her new assignment.
The Worf Effect: Jinie is hyped as one of the top 5 fighters of the Sun Woo clan but suffers this from time to time. Sera Kang, Yoo Ji-Gun and Li Jioo have manhandled her.
Worf Had The Flu: In her first fight against Li Jioo, she had not eaten for several days. She fared much better in the second fight but still lost after forced to Run the Gauntlet.
You Have Outlived Your Usefulness: Done to her by her grandfather, in that he doesn't care whether she lives or dies at the hands of SUC.
First seen in New Waves. He appears to be a new transfer student at Shi Woon's school, but in actuality is a murim prodigy involved in a plot against Shi Woon.
Defeat Means Friendship: In the most recent chapters, he and Shioon have teamed up temporarily in order to fight SUC.
Defector from Decadence: Ji-Gun was once apart of the early S.U.C, until the new leader took command and reformed it into the current incarnation.
Drama-Preserving Handicap / Worf Had The Flu: The reason why he can't fight Yang Yong-Hyun at full strength is because he seriously injured his shoulder when Yong-Hyun rammed them with his Porsche.
Good All Along: It is revealed later on that the only reason he was trying to kill Shioon is because he thought Shioon was a member of SUC. After he finds out that this is not the case, he acts far less antagonistic and has even teamed up with him in recent chapters.
Jerk with a Heart of Gold: He's played off as an asshole villain near the beginning, but recent chapters have shown that he is a lot nicer than earlier hinted. For example, one of the main reasons he is opposing SUC is because he cannot stand how they are involving innocents in the world of the Murim.
I Am Not Left-Handed: An astounding fighter unarmed, but he's actually a swordsman who just happens to using his finger in place of a blade.
Whip Sword: When serious, he has a retractable sword he usually keeps wrapped around his wrist that is flexible as enough to be used similar to a short range whip at times.
Sera Kang
Also makes her debut in New Waves. The grandaughter of the principal of Shi Woon's school, she is apparently tasked with avenging her grandfather's death. A very skilled martial artist.
Action Girl: Is capable of curbstomping Jinie even while in a hanbeok (very restrictive traditional Korean dress)
Covert Pervert: Well, she does somewhat casually speaks of wearing Naked Apron and that teacher outfit (see Hot Teacher)? Totally unnecessary, but she did it anyways.
Deadpan Snarker: Seems to be either this or an Emotionless Girl. Her expression has never deviated far from that blank stare, even when telling Shi Woon that she would run around in only an apron if the Sun Woo Clan wanted her to.
Hot Teacher: When she tries to explain the nature of the Murim society to Shi Woo. Technically more of a Sexy Mentor, but given the her position at the school along with the last page from Chapter 37 she should count.
Older than They Look: When first introduced, he seemed to be around the same age or just slightly older then Jinie and Shi Woon, but later chapters show that he was between 5 and 8 years old before Jinie was even born.
Paper Cutting: Gets a small cut on his cheek when Elder Kwong in fit throws a small binder thrown with enough force to be lodge itself into a door right as he uses that door to walk out of the room.
Punched Across the Room: Elder Kwong sends him flying with one attack when he attacks him in regards to his stance on Jinie.
Secret Keeper: The only one that knew the true reason why Lady Hyae-jin left for America
One of the top elders of the Sun Woo Clan, he is considered second only to the Clan head within the ranks of the Sun Woo but has enough power that if he wanted he could form his own clan.
Evil Old Folks: Seems to take over this role in New Waves at the start for the former Chief but appears to grow out of it.
Flash Step: To the point of flashing forward about 30 feet, while beating 11 S.U.C. mooks, in the blink of an eye, in what was to him a single step.
Freudian Excuse: His primary concern is the Sunwoo Clan, this is in part because when he was younger along with Master Soh, one of the previous heads, they helped raise the clan to be one of the top of Murim world. But Soh sacrificed his life to save him during a battle. When the clan stability was threatened by his daughter, Lady Hyae-jin, who left for the US and broke the arranged marriage with Soh's son (Sosul's father), he worked hard to keep the Sunwoo clan relevant, and thus not very fond that Shioon is considered the new Head of the Sunwoo Clan thanks to Lady Sosul.
Heel Realization: After finding the truth regarding Lady Hyae-jin, how he blamed everything on her and Jinie; and realizing that Shioon, with a severe handicap, fought against Yang Yong-Hyun because he was protecting a gravely injured Jinie.
Misblamed: He realizes later on that his daughter became a willing scapegoat so that her father would hate her, and not the previous Sunwoo Head, who was the one who actually called off their arranged marriage, as that would be an even bigger threat to the Sunwoo clan.
Out of Focus: She hasn't been seen for a good portion of New Waves, and Shioon thinks more often about Jinie and her well-being than Sae Hee.
School Idol: Some other students describe her as the prettiest girl in her grade.
Shallow Love Interest: Pretty much seems to exist to just be a potential love interest to Shi Woon. However in Part 2 she had hardly made an appearance since the beginning with more focus towards Jinie.
One of the first of the Five Captains of S.U.C. introduced so far. Has a Hair-Trigger Temper and something of a non magical Vain Sorceress, who was actually appointed to her position late due to a loss to Yoo Ji-Gun and is still upset about the issue.
Villainous Breakdown: She suffers one after getting a facial injury at the hands, er... heels of Jinie.
The breakdown wasn't due to a fresh injury. Jinie's kick scraped off the make-up that was hiding an old cross shaped scar. She freaked out because she's ashamed of the scar and normally hides it with make-up; she didn't want anyone to see her "real face".
Yang Yong-Hyun
One of the first of the Five Captains of S.U.C. introduced so far. Made plans to capture/introduce Shi Woon to the S.U.C., because of orders to do so but would just as soon kill him as well.
Diabolus ex Machina: His first meeting with Shi Woon, after it was clear Chang Ho was not strong enough to beat Shi Woon, he takes over the fight and orders for the remaining S.U.C members to 'greet' the law enforcement that was on the way.
After Shi Woon, Jinie and Ji Gun are escaping on Ji Gun's bike. See Car Fu.
Pride Before A Fall: He is winning the fight quite handedly, but his defeat comes when he underestimates Shi Woon's actual speed and power while trying to deliver what was supposed to be the Coup de Grâce.
The person that seems to be in charge of the Five Captains of S.U.C.His real identity is that of Hyuk So Chun's personal assistant and a member of the Heavenly Way School
Blood Knight: Even when facing death he admired the insane strength and brutality he saw that the Sun Woo clan was prepared to display on him personaly. Although he had to resort to cowardly tactics in order to escape.
Dirty Coward: Shioon walks into the HQs midfight, so he holds him hostage in order to secure their exit..
Double Take: When he hears Shioon is the Sun Woo Clan Head.
Dynamic Entry: Enters Sun Woo HQ by literally stomping on the guards at the entrance as if he was Mario.
Oh Crap: When confronted by a pissed off Elder Kwong.
Pride Before A Fall: He provoked Elder Kwong and it nearly cost him his life.
A homeless man who lives in a train station. He is known as the "Genius Doctor" for his incredibly skilled medical expertise. He's actually part of S.U.C.
A murim, and head of the Illwallmoon. His school has a large pharmaceutical company as a front for its existence. He is also Shiho Lee's ex-boyfriend. He also has ties to S.U.C.
Oh Crap: After Sera puts two-and-two together and confronts him that he's in cahoots with Bae Sung-Jae and S.U.C.
Love Makes You Crazy: The most likely reason on why he's trying to bring back Shiho from the dead.
Necromantic: He's trying to bring back Shiho from the dead.
