Kenny Ji (지광석, Ji Gwangseok) is the older brother of Jake Ji and a former executive of Manwol.
Appearance
Kenny Ji has short orange hair that is a duller shade than his brother's. He has black eyebrows and orange-brownish eyes. He wears a purple shirt with with a yellow shield and LA in the middle.
Personality
Kenny Ji cares deeply about his younger brother and advises him to focus on school. Due to being a member of Manwol, it can be inferred that Kenny has participated in some level of bullying in the past. Kenny doesn't want to drag Jake into the gang life and refused to recruit him into Manwol, despite being directly ordered to by Changyeon Lee.
Kenny is also shown to have taught Jake about toxic masculinity. He thinks that men walk alone and the only ones they can rely on are themselves. This mentality, unfortunately, caused Jake to try to deal with his problems by himself rather than relying on his friends for help, much to Dean's irritation.
Plot
Episode 91
As Ben is leaving the hospital after a check up, Kenny's name is called next and an unknown person accompanies him.
Episode 102
A flashback shows Kenny at a field with Jake sitting by watching him. Kenny bounces the soccer ball on his leg before kicking it and hitting the goalpost. Jake remarks that Kenny's soccer skills had gotten rusty, but Kenny claims that he was aiming at the goalpost. Kenny tells Jake that he'll focus his all on soccer and that Jake should focus on his studies too. Jake says he'll always listen to Kenny and jokes that Kenny's shooting got worse and his dream of becoming the next Beckham is long gone.
Later at night, Kenny is at an abandoned construction site with the rest of Manwol. One member swings a wooden beam mere centimeters away from Kenny's face, but Kenny doesn't even flinch. Changyeon approached Kenny and claims that he's hurt since they've been through thick and thin together.
A flashback within the flashback shows that Changyeon had heard that Kenny's brother was the head of Daehyeon Middle School, and that Changyeon wanted Kenny to recruit Jake. Kenny doesn't want to drag Jake into Manwol's shitty mess.
The flashback within the flashback ends and Changyeon congrats Kenny from seceding from Manwol and that they'll go by the rules. He orders the other members to grab Kenny and Changyeon swings the wooden beam down onto Kenny's ankle, causing Kenny to scream in pain as blood soaks through his pants leg. Kenny is beaten up even further.
It is unknown who brought him to Malkeun Hospital. Jake visits Kenny, who is unconscious and severely injured. The doctor tells Jake that Kenny won't be able to continue soccer. Even after Kenny recovers and starts to walk again, it'll be dangerous for him to run. The doctor also states that Kenny's leg is in a very critical condition and may need another operation.
This incident causes Jake to want to go after Manwol, but Dean points out that it's suicidal to go alone. Jake goes to the Union to get Donald Na's help.
Episode 103
When the Union attacks Manwol, Changyeon recognizes Jake as Kenny's little brother. Jake, filled with rage, declares both Changyeon and Manwol to be gone without a single trace as he proceeds to beat Changyeon up.
Episode 125
As Jake fights Ben, he recalls Kenny teaching him about toxic masculinity. Kenny had told him, “Men walk alone. Don’t rely on anyone. Be strong. The only person you can depend on is yourself.”
Episode 163
Jaeryeong Lee is reporting to Juwon Lee. He tells Juwon about Kenny, who was a low-rank executive from Manwol. Juwon responds by saying that he has met Kenny several times. Jaeryeong says that Jake is Kenny's younger brother. Juwon couldn't believe that Changyeon Lee's empire fell all because of Kenny.
Episode 172
Juwon mentions to Jake that he used to respect Changyeon Lee until he saw how Changyeon couldn't even take care of one bad apple AKA Kenny. He says that it is the leader's job to make sure that there is no flaw. Jake angrily asks if Juwon is referring to Kenny and Juwon says that Kenny was Manwol's only flaw. Juwon's insults about Kenny makes Jake angrier.
Episode 173
Juwon and Jake continue to fight. Juwon says that there's something called tradition and that he knows what fate awaits worthless scum (Kenny) that breaks that tradition. A panel of Kenny in the hospital is shown.
Episode 267
Kenny is shown sleeping in the van while Jake says goodbye to his friends. It is unknown where he and Jake are going to, but it is away from Yeongdeungpo. Kenny has crutches next to him, indicating that he is now able to walk with them.
Relationships
Jake Ji
Jake is Kenny's younger brother whom Kenny cares very deeply about, and vice versa. Kenny was willing to go against Changyeon's orders to recruit Jake, knowing that refusal and seceding from Manwol meant that he'd be beaten up badly. Jake was willing to join the Union in order to avenge Kenny.
Dean Kwon
Dean says that he considers Kenny to be like an big brother to him, implying that he and Kenny are close. He is willing to fight to the death against Manwol alongside Jake.
Juwon Lee
Juwon despises Kenny Ji. He thinks Kenny was Manwol's only flaw and says that Kenny got what he deserved for going against tradition.
Changyeon Lee
The two seem to have known each other for a while, seeing as how Kenny was an executive. Changyeon mentioned that they've been through thick and thin together, but he didn't hesitate to cripple Kenny after the latter refused to recruit Jake and wanted to leave Manwol.
Abilities
Fighting
Given that Kenny was an executive of Manwol, although a low ranked one, it can be assumed that Kenny has proven himself to be able to fight competently.
Soccer
Kenny Ji was a skilled soccer player prior to seceding from Manwol. He was able to accurately hit the goal post on his first kick. He dreamt of becoming the next David Beckham, a professional soccer player. Unfortunately, after Manwol beat him up, Kenny had to give up his dream. He was no longer able to run and was only be able to walk after intense therapy.
Gallery
Trivia
- Kenny Ji has appeared in a total of 46 panels throughout the entire series.