So I had a little thought experiment, with the Major Arcana and the Lookism cast. It's very much interpreted on my own perception of the characters, so you might have a different idea to the themes, but I explained my thoughts on each one, considering the intent of the cards ;3c
0. The Fool – Little Daniel Park (with Enu)
Of course little Daniel is the fool, guided by his trusty dog Enu. As the first card, the fool indicates the start of the Journey and that you’ll have to grow through your journey. At the start of Lookism, Daniel starts his life away from home and of course he was naïve enough to believe this would change it all, but the Fool has to overcome various obstacles.
Even though Enu isn’t a big part of the Manhwa, it’s still nice that little Daniel has a dog companion, much like the classic version of the Fool.
The Card of Action. If anyone in this Lookism is all about taking action instead of just reaction or inaction, it’s Vasco! From the very beginning he is a character that has the abilities to step in and change a situation. Throughout the series he just gains more and more tools / techniques to ramp up his skills.
II. The High Priestess – Jinyeong Park
In contrast to the Magician, the High Priestess is a card of stillness and wisdom. And while Jinyeong suffers in his psyche, he is still able to make a very conscious decision at the end of the Workers Arcs. He listened to himself in a way that was unburdened by emotional attachments.
III. The Empress – Seonhui Park (Daniels Mom)
Honestly, the only one that came to mind, when it came to the Empress. The motherly Arcana. A card that radiates compassion and strength in gentleness, with a love that doesn’t bind you, but inspires you. Especially since our fool is her son, the card fits so well. Seonhui loves her child so much, that she lets him find his own path and she supports him with everything she can and when they have an argument she listens and takes action to protect him, instead of shutting him down.
IV. The Emperor – Gapryong Kim
The counterpart to the Empress, the father within the Arcana. His role is not the one of a loving parent or partner, but the one that brings stability and protection to you in difficult times. Gapryong hasn’t been that towards Jake, but he was definitely this person for the Fist-Gang and more that were inspired by him, like Jinrang. A card that indicated that you must stand strong and do what must be done.
V. The Hierophant – Zack Lee
I could have easily gone with ANY mentor within Lookism, but I love to see the Hierophant as the one who seeks the knowledge, and that is none other than Zack Lee to me. Now, he was always good at what he did, if we recall the praises of his coach but Zack lost his way somewhere and needed to get back on track, yet, his coach was of no help, so he started to fight with dirty means. That was a form of seeking knowledge by Trial and Error. Nothing that satisfied his hunger for more. Only after he sought out Gongseob Ji, he found what he was looking for… But I think, he still wants to learn more and more… About Boxing, that is. Don’t ask him about his grades.
VI. The Lovers – Warren Chae, Sally Park
There’s not that many couples in Lookism, but this one gets the Lovers Card. Especially since they have known each other for such a long time and at least in Warren’s case he only had eyes for her, and they were standing by each other’s side for the longest. Among all the romance types in the Series they had the healthiest development – I mean Warren even respected Sally’s boundaries and stopped expressing his adoration until he really confessed his feelings, years later. They’re definitely a gem for each other.
VII. The Chariot –Hudson Ahn
Funnily enough the Sun of Ansan is not the Sun, but the Chariot! He still has a long way to go, but he seeks Triumph and has a strong will to never waver in his conviction. A warrior full of confidence. If he manages to stay on the Chariot, he will definitely succeed in his endeavours!
VIII. Justice – Joon Goo Kim
This sly Fox has made his decision to betray Charles Choi and built his own circle of “Secret Friends”, though it also cost him a strong bond with Gun. We don’t know yet if his decision was right or wrong for him. But so is the card of Justice. It implies that there is a heavy choice you’ll have to make, and it will likely impact you and those surrounding you a lot. It’s a heavy weight card that can’t be taken lightly.
IX. The Hermit – Seongji Yuk
Even though Seongji wished for a family surrounding him; to feel connection to other people, he retreated to solitude a lot. Yet, his experience, no matter how brutal they were, gave him a wisdom that was needed, especially by the other kids in Cheongliang. It is no wonder they looked up to him so much. He’s very self-aware and helped them see the truth in a calmer environment than the village. And much like the hermit, when Seongji was taking action, there was a fire within him and everyone could see it.
X. Wheel of Fortune – James Lee
The wheel of Fortune is a card that indicated a Change of Course or your Destiny. I am very sure, that James Lee is very driven by this card, since he has taken matters into his own hands to break free from Charles Choi and started to work on his own life’s purpose. For himself, it is a positive change, but the others that will be affected by it, probably don’t see it the same way.
Honourable Mention: This card feels a lot like Eugene too!
When we talk about the Card of Strength, we don’t mean the physical one, but the spiritual one. And we’re talking about Taesoo Ma post “James Lee” arc, after he humiliated himself by betraying his conviction. Because ever since then he rose to be worthy of this card. Taesoo Ma has an inner strength unlike many other. That is especially apparent, when we see him talk to Hudson Ahn after he lost. This man is compassionate, patient and composed with a courage that makes us understand why Hudson looks up to him!
XII. The hanged man – Jake Kim
The hanged man is a card that will make you tilt your head and try to see what you haven’t before. Maybe you need to see the situation at an entirely new angle? Well, this works for our perception of Jake Kim from when he was first introduced to how he actually is, but it also works for his overall arc! Starting out, he never wanted to be a leader. Especially, since he was always seen as some force of nature just because he’s Gapryong Kims son. And while he always had a strong moral compass, he needed someone like Sinu Han to show him what makes a good leader… Until he lost him. Well, then he had to tilt his head again and look at a solution that wasn’t in line with his conviction… For the greater good. Well, aren’t we happy that this hanged man is now able to see the world in colours that suit him?
Unlike the first assumption, Death has nothing to do with a desire for the Macabre, but with Change and closure. And while Samuel hasn’t found closure with his inner turmoil, he will inevitably change once he does. For the better? For the worse? Well that is yet to be seen. The card of Death indicated that something HAS to end, like everything does eventually, and for Samuel it is definitely his paternal inferiority complex and envy. It will happen… Voluntarily or Involuntarily. But during that time, he will also suffer a lot, because it is hard to find closure, especially with something that accompanied your entire life.
XIV. Temperance – Eli Jang
What happens after the suffering of Death? Healing and Renewal. I think this fits Eli Jang – post Workers Arc – the best, since he was able to find closure with his guilt. For him it’s important now to find harmony in his life. He’s back together with his found family and they’re living a good all things considered. Now is also his time to offer a helping hand to others, focusing on cooperation and compromise – which he does.
XV. The devil – Charles Choi
The devil is one of the most negative cards among the Major Arcana. It carries an urgent message: It implies addiction or dependency, negativity and materialism. I feel like Charles Choi himself was very addicted to this power-play he had going on. He had money, he had legal might, but he still wasn’t satisfied. Being the card of the Devil, he made people dependable on him in the worst form possible. Honey-sweet opportunities, but at what cost? Truly, if you dealt with him, you dealt with the devil. It is no surprise James, Eugene, Jinyeong, Goo and many more sought to free themselves from his influence.
XVI. The tower – Jong-Gun Park
If you deal with the tower, you deal with a heavy obstacle. It works in both ways, seeing Gun as the tower and also seeing him trying to overcome the tower himself! In the version that he IS the tower, well, to get to Charles Choi, you had to get through him. The man is the challenge to all the fighter that want to approach Charles Choi. And while it had been a breakthrough when they finally got Choi cornered, the tower crumbled. Seeing it from the perspective of our protagonists, it’s a win. But if we consider that Gun also has to overcome a tower? All his life he sought recognition from a strong person. Someone who tells him what to do, whom he see’s rising above them all. But neither Charles Choi nor his biological father gave him that. I think the moment Choi ended himself made Guns world feel like would fall apart all anew… In this case, Guns breakthrough would be to find a new reason to live or even fight for. That would be his breakthrough. Let’s hope he takes his time in prison to meditate on that.
XVII. The Star – Jay Hong
Although the Star is my favourite card among the Major Arcana, in Jays case it’s got a bittersweet meaning. You see, the Star is the card of hope and peace of mind. Something you’re unsure of but at least you have hope. It matches very well to his infatuation with Daniel. We don’t know Daniels stand on this and he’s always so occupied with other things that I don’t think he ever took the moment to ponder why Jay is doing SO MUCH for him and not for others? It would be a big surprise if this hope came to fruition, but I also wish for Jay to be in a state of mind, in which he can process disappointment… Unless???
XVIII. The Moon – Vin Jin
This card indicates that you’re stepping through the dark, unsure of your goals and ambition. It’s often called the shadow realm, and well, Vin Jin has quite literally wandered through the dark, thanks to his tinted sunglasses. But jokes aside, Vin has been dealt a card most people wouldn’t ever consider playing. Before he met Seongji he was wandering alone and afterwards he was, again, consumed by darkness. It filled him with an inferiority complex; self-doubt and he projected by lashing out at his peers. In these times he has lost his way and ran away from his past. But I am happy that he started to make connections with others again – I think it also must be relieving to Mary, seeing her friend acting less on his trauma, even though his antics don’t become less! The moon also indicates mysteries and there’s still a lot left untold about everything that happened in Cheongliang I think, especially about his father, too.
Honourable Mention: Johan Seong! They both have been through dark times after all, but I must admit, someone else might be better versed with analysing Johan.
In all Arcana, the objectively BEST card. And post Workers 2nd Affiliation? Well, it fits Sinu Han like a glove! His presence among Big deal is healing. Finally, he’s back home and peace can finally settle into the group. Also, he still acts as a protector to the street, seeing how he took on Kitae when he arrived. I struggled a bit to find a good fit for this card, but I feel like Sinu really makes it! Also, he’s considered a legendary fighter, so I guess he gets points for this, too.
This came as a surprise, even to me, but hear me out! Judgement is not about the fist of law, judging you if you were right or wrong. It is about seeking the truth, reflection and even forgiveness. Avoid pettiness and don’t let yourself be guided by fear. And if we think about it, Tom Lee isn’t petty. What does he do when he finds out his student has a child and is slacking in training? Well, he basically gives him a reason to go all out, and might I say – he’s very good at babysitting apparently?! How long has he sought for Jinyeong? And when he found him, he was concerned about his friend, not patronizing him. He also knows what Manager Kim is up to, but instead of feeling betrayed and being petty, he’s inactive, giving Kim enough freedom to train Warren. Or how he acts around Ms. Kim? Yes, she annoyed by him, but despite his size and strength he doesn’t force himself upon her. He seems hurt that the adoration isn’t reciprocated, but he isn’t petty about it
XXI. The world – Big Daniel Park
It’s the end of the journey. Completion, wholeness, harmony and contentment are the keys of this card, and while Daniels spirit is the fool and still in turmoil, there’s something slumbering within him that seems to have a wider knowledge of things. The other way around, completion could also indicate perfection, and none other is called “Perfect” as often as this body of Daniel. I also really just liked putting both Daniels at the start and at the end of this~
