Yoo Joonghyuk (유중혁)

A (work in progress) characterisation document with conclusions I've drawn about the Yoo Joonghyuk of ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’ (+ supporting quotes) for me to return to when writing about her. She/her pronouns will be used throughout (see Transgenderisms) unless in quoted text. Contains spoilers through to the end of ORV, as well as both the ‘Mia’ and ‘Dumplings Made by Others’ side stories.

Motivations

Finding the truth about her origins & missing memory

Yoo Joonghyuk desperately wants to know about her origins - why does she have so little memories from before the scenarios, the 0th, 1st, 2nd turns? Why don’t her parents exist? Where did Yoo Mia come from? Even once she knows she was written into existence, she still wants to know who wrote her into existence. She is willing to give up both a happy, fulfilled life after the scenarios AND the memory of this happy ending to find out where she came from! This is so deeply, deeply important to her.

• “And maybe, he wasn’t sure how much the agency’s costs were, but—
  Maybe he could find his parents.” - ‘Mia’ side story
• ““Then what?”
  Yoo Joonghyuk […] muttered involuntarily.
  “Maybe I’ll find the person who made me.”” - ‘Mia’ side story
• “The newcomer’s words were like the hidden comments. The words from a world he didn’t know, the words that he longed to know so much.” - ‘Mia’ side story
• “He had little memory of his childhood, and didn’t know the faces of his parents. He didn’t know why he was abandoned, or when. But he was alone, grew up alone, and came here.” - ‘Mia’ side story
• “Yoo Joonghyuk wished to know about his origins. To find out who gave birth to him. To find out who left behind a little sister in his care when he was on a fast track to success.
  Yoo Joonghyuk oh-so-desperately wanted to find out.” - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 518 - The World of Zero II
• “As he rode in this noisily-clunking subway of the 3rd line, Yoo Joonghyuk was facing a philosophical quandary for the first time ever in his life.
  ‘Just who… am I?’” - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 518 - The World of Zero II
• ““I am happy. [...] that’s why I’m even more curious about what lies beyond the wall. [...] I’m also curious about the meaning of my life, where I was born, and why I had to come here.”” - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 525 - The World of Zero IX
• “What kind of person was I originally in that world? For instance, during the 0th turn or 1st turn…”
  “What rubbish are you on about? Why are you asking me that, anyway?”
  “For some reason, I can’t seem to remember the past all that well. [...] [My memories] are completely fragmented.” [...]
  “Is that really important? What you were like back then?” [...]
  “It is important to me.”” - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 522 - The World of Zero VI

Protecting & caring for Yoo Mia

Yoo Joonghyuk's only family, she wants to protect and care for her little sister.

• “In order to raise a child alone, Yoo Joonghyuk studied various things. He searched the internet and read books. He bought the necessary preparations for childcare.
  The attitude needed to raise a child. How not to create bad habits. Education methods to instill the right values in children.” - ‘Mia’ side story
• “His sides were occupied by both Yoo Mia and Lee Jihye, their eyes filled with deep anticipation.
  “Now.”
  Yoo Mia opened her mouth, and Yoo Joonghyuk moved his chopsticks with an emotionless face. He was like a mother bird, picking up a piece of meat to place it in her mouth.” - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 455 - The Square Circle II

Protecting her companions

xxx

• quote - source
• quote - source

Personality

Ruthless

Hardened from multiple regressions, Yoo Joonghyuk develops a 'kill/maim first, ask questions later' strategy that gradually lessens as she decides not to regress and instead continue on in the current worldline.

• "In the beginning, Yoo Joonghyuk was more intimidating than any other figure. His personality had worn out after going through regression three times. His principles were cut away in order to maintain his sense of self. The current Yoo Joonghyuk would never hesitate for the sake of his purpose." - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 11 - Protagonist V
• "Then the power holding me disappeared. I was grabbed by the force of gravity. I saw Yoo Joonghyuk's face as I was falling. Yoo Joonghyuk was smiling brightly like something made him happy.
  Son of a bitch.
  "I believe you. You are definitely a prophet."" - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 11 - Protagonist V
• Yaksu Station was filled with dead bodies and ground rat corpses. Based on the injuries, some of the people were killed by Yoo Joonghyuk, not the ground rats. - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 26 - Judgement Time III

Lonely

• "The weight of this word, 'companion', was too great for Yoo Joonghyuk. Since his faliure in the first round of regression, Yoo Joonghyuk had never made a real 'companion'. It was rare for humans to easily follow the growth of a regressor. As a result, he solved everything alone, was revered as a savior, and was naturally lonely." - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 12 - Contract I
• "「A prophet isn't a big deal.」
  Yoo Joonghyuk closed his eyes with disappointment. He would go on his own again, without any companions. It wasn't a big deal—he had been alone all this time." - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 16 - Line of Hypocrisy I
• "「Once the regression begins, everything will go back to the beginning.」
  「All my companions will lose their memories and my history is erased.」[...]
  「Then everything will repeat again.」[...]
  「I am the only living thing in this world.」
  A lonely voice. [...]
  「I am alone.」" - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 41 - Omniscient Sunfish V

Idealistic

• “At a casual glance, Yoo Joonghyuk might seem like a realist, but actually, he was far more of an idealist than anyone out there. From the get-go, there was no way someone would repeatedly regress unless he doggedly held onto his ideals. And in order to protect those ideals, someone had to take on the role of realist.” - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 477 - One Single Story I
• “Yoo Joonghyuk watching that spectacle spoke up.
  “...Maybe it’s the last miracle.”
  “A miracle, was it? That was certainly a word that didn’t suit him. Because that was the one word he believed the least. Even then, his utterance loosened the expression of the companions.” - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 516 - The Oldest Dream V

Protective

• Yoo Joonghyuk placed me behind him as protection and raised the Heavenly Sword of Gathering Clouds.” - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 234 – Swindler II
• “Despite his harsh words, Yoo Joonghyuk was constantly concerned with Lee Seolhwa’s movements. He blocked the front of her like he was worried she would be hurt by the passing incarnations and constellations. Some of the incarnations cursed him but Yoo Joonghyuk didn’t care.” - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 317 – Taste of Ruin II
• “Yoo Joonghyuk stepped forward and suddenly brandished the [Black Heavenly Demon Sword] in my direction, then drew a very tiny circle on the ground around my feet.
  “You do not step beyond this line.”
  “Eh?”
  “Move one step, and I’ll kill you.”” - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 429 - A Dumpling’s Reminiscence II
• “He was always looking at his companions from a certain distance. He stood there and protected them, and faced off against their enemies.
  "Yoo Joonghyuk, were you able to protect everything you wanted to protect?"」
  Always, he failed to protect those he had to protect.
  Even then, he remained in the same spot.” - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 433 - Outer God II

Worrier!!!

• ""Are you going to fight the monsters?"
  I shrugged.
  "You will die. Your four companions as well."
  "That remains to be seen."
  There was an unknown emotion in Yoo Joonghyuk's eyes as he glanced at me and left. I didn't use Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint. It wasn't always possible to express emotions with words." - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 31 - Landlord IV
• ““Kim Dokja.”
  “What is it?”
  Yoo Joonghyuk gazed at me quietly before speaking in a low voice. “It’s nothing.”
  What was with this bastard? Suddenly speaking out of the blue. I immediately used Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint and was exposed to Yoo Joonghyuk’s thoughts.
  「You don't seem confident.」” - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 332 – Gigantomachia II

Thoughtful and observant

• “Yoo Joonghyuk looked at her notebook, then her worried face. […] The newcomer was worried about him.
  Yoo Joonghyuk replied honestly.
  “Don’t worry.”” - ‘Mia’ side story
• “He wanted to ask. What happened to you, where are you injured—” - ‘Mia’ side story
• ““It doesn’t matter if you sit this one out. […] You have a woman you love.” […] Perhaps he didn’t want to take me to the scenario out of care for me? […] It wasn’t necessarily impossible when I thought about it. […] It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that Yoo Joonghyuk was arguably the world’s greatest authority when it came to losing a loved one.” - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 120 – Abandoned World, V
• ““The others… are they doing well?” […]
  “Lee Hyunsung went to the army. […] Jung Heewon and Lee Jihye are training new incarnations. […] Yoo Sangah and Han Sooyoung are in contact with government officials.” […] It was the first time I saw Yoo Joonghyuk saying so many words. […] “Gong Pildu is buying land in Seongnam to build a huge castle. […] The two children are doing well. They seem to throw a coin every time they are bored. […] Everybody is busy living. […] They say it a lot. Your story. […] Let’s go back to earth, Kim Dokja.””- ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 226 – Asmodeus VI

Touched by kindness

• ““...I did it because of you.”
  “...What?” […] Yoo Joonghyuk read the details of the scenario that had just arrived and was silent for a moment. “...The Black Heavenly Demon Sword?”
  “Yes. You said you wanted it.” […] Yoo Joonghyuk’s eyes were greatly shaken as he released me. This jerk, you didn’t need to be so moved.” - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 234 – Swindler II
• “Yoo Joonghyuk’s eyes trembled. “...It’s just my feeling, yet you are willing to believe it?”” - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 418 - The Secretive Plotter III

Doesn't eat food made by others

• “Arriving at the cafeteria, Park Jinsang lined up to get a meal. Instead, Yoo Joonghyuk took out a lunch box he had brought in that morning.” - ‘Mia’ side story
• “During the last game of last season, Yoo Joonghyuk got food poisoning after eating the rice prepared by the company. The agency pointed out that only Yoo Joonghyuk was sick and insisted that they weren’t responsible, but no matter how much he thought about it, Yoo Joonghyuk had no memory of eating anything other than that meal that day.
  Yoo Joonghyuk had been packing lunches since that day.” - ‘Mia’ side story
• “Yoo Joonghyuk spoke in a cold tone. “I don’t consume food made by others. […] It is because it’s not delicious." - Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 131 – Scenario Destroyer I

Gives things her all

• “I never quit easily. I always do my best.” - ‘Mia’ side story
• ““You’ll try? I know. I know Joonghyuk is always working hard.”” - ‘Mia’ side story
• ““Don’t give up until the end! It’s what you do best!”” - ‘Mia’ side story

Incessant spam texter ♡

• “The first message started as followed:
  Kim Dokja, I saved Biyoo / Sender, Yoo Joonghyuk, 47 hours and 39 minutes ago.
  The messages continued to come over the next few days.
  But why did you suddenly disappear? […]
  I have no time for your childish antics. […]
  I will kill you if you don’t show up again. […]
  It isn’t a joke. […]
  …
  Kim Dokja. […]
  After that, the dozens of messages continued. The last message was:
  I will go. / Sender: Yoo Joonghyuk, 23 hours and 14 minutes ago.” - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 259 – The Best at Something I
• “[There are unread messages left in Midday Tryst.]
  An item with the traces of the past three years. […]
  [There are ??? unread messages.] […]
  The messages left by Yoo Joonghyuk started to play in an incomplete manner through the Fourth Wall’s mouth. […] They were funny messages. Did this brat use a chat window as a notepad?” - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 310 – Kim Dokja’s Company I

Emotional tells

• “Why was this? Yoo Joonghyuk’s expression, the one I thought was calmness personified, was now pale-white in fright.” - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 517 - The World of Zero I
• “Yoo Joonghyuk ignored me and got up to go to the window. […] According to Ways of Survival, Yoo Joonghyuk pretended to have a cool face when he was caught.” - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 227 – Breaking the Sky Sword Saint I
• “Yoo Joonghyuk’s shoulders were shaking slightly. […] It wasn’t easy to calm down the trembling. As if he didn’t want to acknowledge the fear, Yoo Joonghyuk opened his mouth with a nasty expression.” - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 222 – Asmodeus II
• “Yoo Joonghyuk breathed heavily while calming his legs shaking almost out of control.” - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 414 - Twist VI
• “Yoo Joonghyuk’s expression was frozen pale-white. And as if he had lost a protective wall of his mind, he seemed to be muttering something to himself, too.” - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 540 - The Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint V

Likes

Dumplings

• “Scenario Master: BTW, what’s up with the dumpling? [...]
  You’re currently accompanied by your pet ‘Murim Dumpling’. [...]
  [Player 1-nim says that ‘It’s fine if it’s a Murim dumpling’.]” - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 426 - Our Greatest Ally IV
• “Yoo Joonghyuk really liked [Murim dumplings]. It was verging on obsession, even.” - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 429 - A Dumpling’s Reminiscence II

Cooking

• “He was slicing and roasting meat and vegetables. […] It was damn delicious. Really, it was delicious. No, it was the best dish I had ever eaten. […] One side of the expressionless Yoo Joonghyuk’s mouth curved up.” - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 131 – Scenario Destroyer I

Kids

Yoo Joonghyuk seems to like children even outside the bond she has with Yoo Mia. Out of her original companions, Kim Namwoon, Lee Jihye, and Shin Yoosung are all children. You could argue that it was simply due to their strong attributes, but she also had a child with Lee Seolhwa in the second regression.

• "[Green Zone 1/2]
  There was already someone inside. [...]
  I could feel Lee Gilyoung's breathing. I stared into Yoo Joonghyuk's eyes. We spoke at almost the same time.
  "Take the kid."
  "Give me the child." - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 32 - Landlord V
• "Then Lee Gilyoung started talking.
  "It is okay."
  "...You really won't go with me?"
  "Yes."
  "You can become much stronger with me than with him. You still won't go?"
  "Yes. I won't."
  "...Stupid kid."
  Yoo Joonghyuk frowned and looked my way." - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 32 - Landlord V
• ““Children really loved that, Joonghyuk-ssi. As expected, you’re really great at teaching kids.”
  “...They all seemed bored by my dull story, however.”
  Lee Seolhwa grinned wryly at Yoo Joonghyuk’s monotone voice.
  “That’s not true.”” - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 524 - The World of Zero VIII

New things

• “”Not bad. Some of them are still fairly useful.”
  Yoo Joonghyuk had strode over to the props before I had even noticed it and began exchanging his equipment. [...]
  Seeing how his eyes were sparkling so dangerously like that, he must be feeling very pleased with himself.” - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 500 - Gaecheon IV

Strong coffee

• “Yoo Joonghyuk’s day began like this. After brewing a strong coffee and slicing the rye bread he’d bought yesterday, he grilled a chicken breast marinated in soda.” - ‘Mia’ side story.

Dislikes

Candy

• “Yoo Joonghyuk stared at the sky, obsessively thinking about it while munching on a lemon candy. He didn’t like candy but there was no substitute for it right now.” - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 345 – Good and Evil I

White

Skills

Cooking

Notably, this is a skill Yoo Joonghyuk picks up sometime after the Mia side story is set - even though she still only eats her own cooking at the time due to fear of poisoning, she views food as a means to an end and doesn't put effort into making it enjoyable or flavourful.

• ““How is the food supply here?”
  “That… It is a bit embarrassing to say… Some people, including me, are dependent on Jihye. Jihye hunts and asks Yoo Joonghyuk-ssi to cook…”” - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 28 - Landlord I
• ““How delicious can the food you make…” I said this but I quickly took a bite out of the dish Yoo Joonghyuk was making. [...]
  “Is it delicious?”
  “...Yes.”
  It was damn delicious. Really, it was delicious. No, it was the best dish I had ever eaten. […] Damn. Even if he was a regressor, how did he cook so well?” - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 131 – Scenario Destroyer I

Fighting

xxx

• “His sword technique on display was beautiful enough to entrance the viewers. His swordsmanship had taken yet another leap forward when compared to before.” - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 429 - A Dumpling’s Reminiscence II

Video games

xxx

• “64 wins, 5 losses, 1 draw.
  MVP OVERLORD Yoo Joonghyuk” – ‘Mia’ side story
• “But at least there was one thing Yoo Joonghyuk knew he was good at.
  “[Orabeoni] is a gamer. He’s the best when playing games.”” - ‘Mia’ side story

Medicine

Presumably a skill he picked up in previous regressions from Lee Seolhwa.

• “Yoo Joonghyuk was holding my right wrist with enough force to pop it like a balloon while feeling for my pulse. Now that I thought about it, this guy possessed the next best medical skills after Lee Seolhwa in our group.
  He scowled deeply as he continued to observe my condition. “Not a single blood vessel in your internal organs is intact. It’s a miracle that you even managed to participate in this scenario.”” - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 433 - Outer God II

Weaknesses

Regression depression

xxx

• "「It is painful.」
  「Several more times in the future.」
  「Do I need to repeat this?」[...]
  「Once the regression begins, everything will go back to the beginning.」
  「All my companions will lose their memories and my history is erased.」[...]
  「Then everything will repeat again.」
  In fact, sunfish were very durable creatures. They died because they were vulnerable to stress, not because they were weak.
  Just like this guy in front of me." - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 41 - Omniscient Sunfish V
• ““Think about it. You weren’t always unhappy, right? In all the rounds, there were moments you were happy. […] The 173rd round. You protected Earth for quite some time. You also saw Lee Jihye receiving her high school diploma and Lee Seolhwa smiling at someone’s child.” [...]
  Every time I spoke, Yoo Joonghyuk’s expression collapsed. It wasn’t despair that broke down Yoo Joonghyuk. […] All those words were destroyed. All the happy memories flowed back to a time they could never return to. Through the countless regressions, the meaning of happiness faded. All the values he preserved became torn pieces of paper.
  “Yoo Joonghyuk.”
  Yoo Joonghyuk’s self was sinking into the deep sea. It was to a place that he could never come up from without someone’s help.
  “Have you protected all the things you wanted to keep?” - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 287 – Demon King Slayer III

Autistic Traits

Has trouble understanding the intent behind other’s words

Yoo Joonghyuk has trouble on multiple occasions with telling whether someone is joking or not, understanding non-literal speech, and in general "reading between the lines". This is especially apparent in the Mia side story, as it's both from her perspective and in a more normal environment than during the scenarios.

• “Yoo Joonghyuk didn’t know whether Kang Woohyun was really glad, or if he was just saying so. It was difficult for him to tell what a person was really thinking.” - ‘Mia’ side story.
• “To him, the director’s words, “There is no soul,” felt like a self-made, incomprehensible poem rather than advice.” - ‘Mia’ side story.
• “To Yoo Joonghyuk, the inside of a person was as difficult to read as the writing on the other side of the wall.” - ‘Mia’ side story.
• ““The traffic across the river is too heavy. It would be faster to swim across.”
  “Then why don’t you do that?”
  “Should we swim? Or we could ride a fish.”
  Yoo Joonghyuk didn’t know what the newcomer was talking about.” - ‘Mia’ side story
• “Yoo Joonghyuk couldn’t tell if her words were a joke or not.” - ‘Mia’ side story
• "The Breaking the Sky Sword Saint thought for a while and then said,
  "You seem like someone who never had parents."
  Yoo Joonghyuk mulled it over then asked:
  "Are you insulting me?"
  "You're like a person that's fallen from the sky." - ‘Dumplings Made by Others’ side story

Doesn’t understand social niceties

xxx

• ““Joonghyuk-ah. Are you eating well? [...] Are you just eating salad and chicken breast again? What sort of meal is that? Eat rice, eat beef!”
  Yoo Joonghyuk didn’t respond. He just felt strange. Why did people ask him what he ate if they weren’t actually curious at all?” - ‘Mia’ side story
• "—Yoo Joonghyuk, how is your condition today?
  The reporters at the stadium always asked him the same thing.
  What is your condition today? What do you think about your opponent? What strategies do you have? What scores will you get? What do you think about the recent controversy?
  Sometimes Yoo Joonghyuk answered honestly, and sometimes he didn’t say anything. But no matter what he said, the published article always had an irrelevant headline that had nothing to do with what he had intended with his answer.
  If that’s the way it was going to be anyway, why the hell did they ask him questions? Yoo Joonghyuk couldn’t figure out the answer." - ‘Mia’ side story
• "He looked at Kang Woohyun for a moment before getting out.
  “What? Did you need something?”
  Yoo Joonghyuk wondered for a moment if he should ask Kang Woohyun if he was eating well, then shook his head and went to the practise room as usual. - ‘Mia’ side story
• “Yoo Joonghyuk couldn’t quite understand why he should express gratitude when someone complimented his appearance.” - ‘Mia’ side story
• ““...Have you been well? I was so busy I forgot to ask.”
  “There is no time to leisurely ask something like that.”
  I heard that hard voice and felt it was somewhat familiar, rather than feel upset. Yes, this was the Yoo Joonghyuk I knew.” - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 308 – Context of the Constellations IV
• quote - source

Keeps to herself, doesn’t talk to people unnecessarily

xxx

• “Even though Yoo Joonghyuk didn’t respond, the taxi driver continued to freely chatter.” - ‘Mia’ side story
• “He wasn’t used to having conversations like this with strangers, so Yoo Joonghyuk lightly breathed in and sorted out what it was he wanted to say.” - ‘Mia’ side story
• "Typically, he wouldn't have begun talking just because he was told to do so by a shameless teacher. He was always wary, the type to seldom talk about himself." - ‘Dumplings Made by Others’ side story
• ““You son of a bitch. You knew everything?”
  “…”
  “Why didn’t you talk properly? If you knew this-”
  “If I said it, could you change anything?”
  Yoo Joonghyuk’s cold voice rang through the room. Han Sooyoung’s mouth trembled. She didn’t know. Han Sooyoung couldn’t answer the question.” - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 342 – A Road That Isn’t a Road III

Needs time to think before speaking + has difficulty voicing what she wants to say

xxx

• “He wasn’t used to having conversations like this with strangers, so Yoo Joonghyuk lightly breathed in and sorted out what it was he wanted to say.” - ‘Mia’ side story
• “Yoo Joonghyuk didn’t say anything. It seemed like he was finding his words, or didn’t know what to say.” - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 294 – Happy Memories IV
• “Yoo Joonghyuk struggled for a while before stating, “I will go to Earth. You will take part in Gigantomachia alone.”” - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 325 – Gigantomachia V

Eats the same thing every day

By the time we meet Yoo Joonghyuk in ORV, she is a master chef who takes pride in her cooking skills. However in the Mia side story, she eats the same thing day after day, saying when asked that "food isn't for enjoyment, but for living."

• “After seeing the contents of the plate, Yoo Mia stuck out her bottom lip.
  “Leaves. […] It was leaves yesterday.”” - ‘Mia’ side story
• “Yoo Joonghyuk rarely eats anything other than salad and chicken breast.” - ‘Mia’ side story.

Doesn’t show a lot of emotion (habitually frowning)

xxx

• ““...Make your expressions lighter and speak a bit… can’t you? You can’t shoot any ads that come through with that face.”” - ‘Mia’ side story
• Even when reporters took pictures, he had a habit of frowning, making it difficult to take a good shot.” - ‘Mia’ side story
• “Yoo Mia watched her brother, who had spoken in a cold voice. There was a nuance different from usual in his voice. It was a small change, like a grain of rice, but Yoo Mia was able to perceive the change. It was because Yoo Joonghyuk was her oppa.” - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 157 – Tomb of the Scenario I

Transgenderisms

[Breaking the Sky Swordsmanship]

A fighting style supposed to be exclusively for women, Yoo Joonghyuk is the only "man" to learn it. Jang Hayoung, a trans girl, is taken as a disciple with no issues and learns it with ease, so whatever stops men from learning, it's not based solely on their biological sex. It's also notable that while Kim Dokja never elaborates on how Yoo Joonghyuk learnt it past saying she "overcame [the limitations] with effort", the [Dumplings Made by Others] side story instead says that she learnt Breaking the Sky Swordsmanship "at a glance" despite staying and training with Breaking the Sky Sword Saint for upwards of 2 years.

""I still haven't learned Breaking the Sky Swordsmanship."
"Don't you already know it?"
The Breaking the Sky Sword Saint already knew Yoo Joonghyuk's ability. Yoo Joonghyuk's devilish ability, which was able to learn anything at a glance, had already acquired the Breaking the Sky Swordsmanship." - ‘Dumplings Made by Others’ side story
• "「Splitting the Sky is an explosion.
  Don't hide yourself. Expand, blossom, flood. Don't allow the heavens to be above you.」
  It was the words of the Breaking the Sky Sword Saint, who taught him Breaking the Sky Swordsmanship." ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 144 - The Ultimate Sacrifice IV
• ““[Jang Hayoung] has a fair amount of talent. Her strange attribute means she is learning [Breaking the Sky Swordsmanship] very quickly.”
  “That isn’t a girl. He’s a man.”
  “Sometimes I don’t know where your eyes are.”” - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 235 – Swindler III
• "The original Breaking the Sky Swordsmanship was a skill that could only be used by women.
  Yoo Joonghyuk overcame it with effort but it was unreasonable for me. - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 242 - Gourmet Association VI
• ""You know that [Jang Hayoung] is a man."
  Originally, the Breaking the Sky Swordsmanship was only for women. Yoo Joonghyuk might be the exception but this school had never accepted many disciples.
  "You're still young. There isn't only one interpretation of a story."" - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 247 - Demon King Selection I
• ""...Are you talking about the Breaking the Sky Master? Was she a female?"
  "Did you forget that only women can learn the Breaking the Sky Swordsmanship?"
  Come to think of it... The Breaking the Sky Swordsmanship was like that. There were too many exceptions. For example, [Jang Hayoung] in front of me..." - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 259 - The Best at Something I

Transcendence

Transcendence is all about exceeding the limits placed on you and finding your own path outside of the system. It's also another thing Yoo Joonghyuk has in common with Jang Hayoung, a canon trans girl.

• "-The first course of transcendence is to go beyond the limits of the body." - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 166 - Kim Dokja's Love V
• "As if climbing a ladder, try and explore the limits of the system. [...] The final course is to kick away the ladder. Forget everything you have accumulated so far. Forget the level, forget the skills and forget the story. After all, the system that many beings choose is the 'universal' one. The important thing is that you find your own 'story'." - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 166 - Kim Dokja's Love V
• "[...] this power wasn't using the 'system'. It was a power built up by Yoo Joonghyuk alone." - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 166 - Kim Dokja's Love V
• “The process of endlessly exceeding many boundaries was part of a Transcendent’s training regime.” - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 424 - Our Greatest Ally II
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The Punisher/Breaking the Sky Beauty

A skill given to Yoo Joonghyuk by 'the constellation who likes to change sex' as a penalty, in return for her survival in the 73rd Demon Realm. While in the Demon Realm, Yoo Joonghyuk has to use the skill for 10 minutes per day. The skill remains even after she leaves the Demon Realm, as she uses it again as 'Breaking the Sky Beauty' in the Martial Arts Competition. Yoo Joonghyuk has "complex emotions" about using the skill, and has an issue with Kim Dokja specifically finding out about it.

• “Before I could approach the woman and use [the skill Character List], I had to stop in place. The woman’s eyes were looking at me. I trembled from the terrible emotions that were transmitted to me. Tremendous resentment and anger shot towards me. I was struck dumb by the sheer waterfall of emotions.
  ...What was this girl? Did she know me?
  ...Rather, why did she hate me so much?” - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 228 – Breaking the Sky Sword Saint II
• ““The problem of gender can be resolved to some extent.”
  “What does that mean?”
  [The constellation who likes to change sex is snorting.]
  Yoo Joonghyuk frowned at the indirect message. Complex emotions and enormous anger rose every time he thought about it but he had to take advantage of everything he could. […] After a while, the astonished Breaking the Sky Sword Saint’s mouth dropped open. Yoo Joonghyuk took out his sword with a blank expression.
  “You can never tell that guy out there.””- ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 235 – Swindler III
• “...He was using a shortcut to raise his power. This didn’t mean the power was a lie because he used a shortcut.
  A dazzling aura burst from Yoo Joonghyuk’s body. Soft hair poured down like a waterfall while his large size became a smaller and sleeker body. He took the form that allowed him to practise Breaking the Sky Swordsmanship. Yoo Sangah stared at the scene from behind and couldn’t help opening her mouth. “...Yoo Joonghyuk-ssi?”
  Yoo Joonghyuk slowly turned back, his long hair cut off by the Black Heavenly Demon Sword. The lines of the face had changed but it was clearly Yoo Joonghyuk. No, it was even more than before. Yoo Joonghyuk’s gaze stayed on Kim Dokja for a moment.
  “Take him away.” - ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’, Chapter 267 - Dokja’s Story IV

Breaking out of the role of 'character'

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Relationships