The Breaker/Characters


Shi Woon Lee

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.
  • The Apprentice
  • Audience Surrogate
  • Awesome Moment of Crowning: At the end of Part I, he becomes the leader of Sun Woo clan. He's reasonably shocked.
  • Awesomeness By Analysis: Possibly.
  • Badass: In several ways.
    • Badass Adorable
    • 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.!!
  • Berserk Button: In later chapters, anyone threatening his friends.
    • Finding that S.U.C. seriously injured his mom. Yi Gyu-Bum remarks Shioon has the same expression Chunwoo did when Shiho was shot.
    • In chapter 75 of New Waves, Shioon enters the Black Origin Threshold after Bae-Seung Jae stabs Sera in the stomach. For reference, the Black Origin Threshold is the state that Goomoonryong goes into in Part I when Shiho is killed.
  • 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.
  • Bishounen/Cute Shotaro Boy: As the series goes on.
  • Butt Monkey: Everyone just seems out to get Shi Woon, poor kid.
  • 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
  • Chekhov's Gun: The Ilwollsindan that unlocked Shi Woon's ki circulation is now functioning as his new source of power.
  • Clueless Chick Magnet: Let's see here, Saehee, Sosul, Jinee, and Sera.
  • Cute Bruiser
  • 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 Black Origin Threshold is a more direct example.
  • De-Power
  • 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.
  • Dude in Distress: 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.)
  • Drunk on the Dark Side: Courtesy of Bae Sung-Jae seriously injuring Sera, causes him to use the Black Origin Threshold technique.
  • Generation Xerox: He is extremely similar to his teacher in many, many ways.
  • Heir To Sun Woo: Some of the people in the Sun Woo clan are not very happy about it though.
  • Heroic Spirit
  • Honor Before Reason: While he's genuinely beloved by his friends for his kindness, Shi Woon needs to be a little more suspicious of people.
  • Fan Disservice: Down to his boxers, ball gag in mouth, and being bled to death
  • Flash Step: See below.
  • 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.
  • Lightning Bruiser: In addition to his Spirit Breaker, he now even knows foot technique.
  • Made of Iron: Shi Woon gets special mention; he takes hits like none other.
  • Magnetic Hero: Not at first but slowly becomes this.
  • Martial Pacifist: His motivation.
  • The McCoy: The fact that he still cares for people who try to kill him annoys his Cynical Mentor greatly. There's also how he handled the whole Sosul deal.
  • Megaton Punch: His M.O. after he Took a Level in Badass.
  • Morality Chain: For Chun Woo.
  • Mr. Fanservice: His looks become better and better.
  • Nice Guy: He's a really sweet kid.
  • No-Holds-Barred Beatdown: Winds up getting one of these in nearly every fight he actively participates in.
  • Ordinary High School Student: Starts out as one.
  • Real Men Wear Pink: An amazing cook.
  • Rookie Red Ranger
  • Spell My Name with an "S": Shi Woon or Shioon?
  • 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.
  • Supreme Chef: Jinie thinks so.
  • 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.
  • The Call Knows Where You Live: Why he's still being attacked despite having his ki center shattered.
  • The Messiah
  • Thou Shalt Not Kill
  • Took a Level in Badass
  • 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.
  • When All You Have Is a Hammer
  • Wouldn't Hit a Girl: Arguably. He didn't use his Megaton Punch on Li Jioo, instead, he just tackled her.
  • The Woobie

Chun Woo Han

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...

Shiho

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 of her act. She does.

Alex

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.

Sosul

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.

"Idiot, worry about yourself when you're about to die."

The Chief of the Alliance

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.

Kangsung De-Hyung

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.

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.

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.

Yi Gyu-Bum

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.
  • Eyes Always Shut: Unless he is really pissed.
  • Hidden Depths: Initially appears to be just a guard, but like Mamungi he is a "Supernova".
  • Red Baron: His "Supernova" nickname is translated as Southern Red Star
  • Reasonable Authority Figure: He is one of the few Sun Woo authority figures that aren't trying to manipulate or deceive Shi Woon.
  • Sharp-Dressed Man/Badass in a Nice Suit
  • 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.

Yoo Ji-Gun

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.

  • Badass
    • Badass Crew: he's trying to set one up in order to oppose SUC.
  • Big Damn Heroes: He arrives just in time on his bike to save Jinie and Shioon from a large group SUC mooks.
  • Bishonen: Has a lot of fangirls at Shi Woon's school.
  • Cool Bike
  • Child Prodigy
  • 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.
  • Finger-Poke of Doom: One of his moves.
  • 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.
  • Jerkass
    • 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.
  • Mr. Fanservice: In-story.
  • New Transfer Student
  • Perpetual Smiler
  • Pet the Dog: Helps Jinie go into hiding, and later on saves both her and Shioon from an army of mooks.
  • Taking the Bullet: Taking Yang Yong-Hyun's attack that was aimed at Shioon.
  • They Call Him "Sword": Also known as Smiling Sword.
  • 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.

Kang Ha-il

A young murim master that is one of the top fighters of the Sun-Woo clan

  • Cool Hat: A fedora
  • Extremity Extremist
  • Facial Markings: A Tattoo under his left eye.
  • 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
  • Slasher Smile
  • Walking Shirtless Scene

Elder Jae-Kyu Kwong

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.

  • Badass Grandpa
  • Berserk Button: Do NOT threaten, look down on or possible endanger the Sunwoo Clan, when he is around.
  • Bitch in Sheep's Clothing: Few outside those close to him realize what a bastard he can be.
  • Cool Old Guy: After his Heel Face Turn
  • Curb Stomp Battle: Poor S.U.C. mooks
  • Death Glare: Li Jioo got one first hand when she tried to run over Jinie.
    • Jung Chun got his, after he barged in into Sun Woo HQs, supposedly under Martial Arts Alliance's behalf, and attacked Sun Woo clan members.
  • Disproportionate Retribution: Towards Shioon and Jinie
  • 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.
  • I Have no Granddaugther: Towards Jinie, initially.
  • In a Single Bound: When stuck in traffic he decides to just jump over a mountain to get to the location of Shi Woon's fight.
  • Let's You and Him Fight: Shioon and Yong-Hyun
  • Lightning Bruiser
  • 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.
  • Old Master
  • Papa Wolf: After his Heel Face Turn, he beats 10 shades of blue into the S.U.C. for hurting Jinie and Shioon.
  • Pet the Dog: To Shioon!

Elder Kwong: (To Shioon) You fought well, I'll take it from here

Elder Kwong: (To Li Jioo) I'll now proceed to school you on exactly who you have dared to touch
Elder Kwong: (To Jung Chun) Who gave you permission to go back as you please?

  • Sadistic Choice: Gives one of these to Jinie, when he orders her to try to kill Shi Woon or risk being exiled from the clan.
  • Tsundere: Well, now we know where Jinie gets it from.

Elder Jang-Il Jeong

One of the Elders of the Sun Woo Clan.


Sae Hee

Shi Woon's initial Love Interest, who genuinely cares for him. She is a very kind person, albeit a little naive.

Chang Ho

A student attending Shi Woon's school who frequently beats him up. Has SEVERE attitude problems.

Li Jioo

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.

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.

The Masked Man Jae-Gal

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

Haru

One of the Five Captains of S.U.C.

Gwong-Young

One of the Five Captains of S.U.C.

Ryu-Ji

One of the Five Captains of S.U.C.

Jung Chun

Hyuk So Chun's uncle and a representative of the Martial Arts Alliance. And a high ranking member of S.U.C.

  • Arrogant Kung Fu Guy
  • Attack Hello
  • 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.
  • Sharp-Dressed Man

Bae Sung-Jae

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.


Hyun Won-jae

A murim, and head of the Illwallmoon, Murim's most famous branch in dealing with special medicines. His school has a large pharmaceutical company as a front for its existence. He is also Shiho Lee's ex-boyfriend before she ran off with his branch's most powerful medicine. In New Waves he also is shown to have ties to S.U.C. through Bae Sung-Jae.

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