The Breaker (manhwa)

Updated on Jan 18, 2024

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The Breaker (Hangul: 브레이커; RR: Beureikeo) is a Korean manhwa series written by Geuk-Jin Jeon and illustrated by Jin-Hwan Park under the pen name Kamaro. The Breaker was serialized in Daiwon C.I.'s Young Champ's magazine between June 2007 and July 2010. It is followed by The Breaker: New Waves (브레이커NW; Beureikeo NW) which is published on Daum Communications' online comics portal beginning 2010.

The story follows Shi-Woon Yi, a timid highschool student who becomes the disciple to Chun-Woo Han, a martial artist who is an enemy to the secret martial arts society known as the Murim. The Breaker has been localized outside of Korea into other languages such as French, German, Italian, Russian, and Polish.

Plot

Chun-Woo Han is a martial artist who earned the title of Nine Arts Dragon from the Murim, a secret martial arts society that exists in harmony with modern society. The Murim's government is the Martial Arts Alliance who has garnered Chun-Woo's hatred by killing his martial arts teacher. In the present, Chun-Woo Han transfers to a fictional school in Seoul for a mission given to him by the Black Forest Defense Group, an anti-government group who opposes the Martial Arts Alliance. At the school, he meets the protagonist Shi-Woon Yi. To solve his bullying problem, Shi-Woon has Chun-Woo train him in martial arts. Chun-Woo initiates his mission and frees So-Sul, the head of the Sunwoo Clan, from the Martial Arts Alliance. As Chun-Woo prepares to leave the country, the Martial Arts Alliance take Shi-Woon hostage, forcing him to intervene. In the conflict, Chun-Woo publicly renounces Shi-Woon as his disciple and destroys his Qi-center which cripples his potential as a martial artist. In doing so, Shi-Woon is no longer considered part of Murim and will be protected by law from martial artists who wish to take revenge on Chun-Woo through Shi-Woon. In the aftermath, Shi-Woon is greeted by the Sunwoo Clan who reveal So-Sul has named him as her successor.

The sequel The Breaker: New Waves continues with Shi-Woon who has declined his position as the head of the Sunwoo Clan. Meanwhile, the Martial Arts Alliance is losing its control over the world and a new group, acronymed SUC, begins terrorizing normal citizens under the name of the Nine Arts Dragon. Shi-Woon becomes acquainted with Sera Kang who arranges a series of events and successfully restores Shi-Woon's Qi-center. After learning about the existence of SUC, Shi-Woon resolves to destroy them for tarnishing his teacher's name.

Characters

Shi-Woon Yi (이시운; I Siun)

Shi-Woon was a weak and cowardly boy who was constantly bullied. After meeting with Chun-Woo Han and learning he can't be overly dependent on others, Shi-Woon begins to improve himself, becoming more convicted to his sense of justice. In order to fix his body's weak Qi, Shi-Woon ingests the One Moon Divine Pill (일월신단; Il-Wol-Shin-Dan). Shi-Woon is revealed to be a martial arts genius as he is able to learn techniques quickly. He is taught the The Black Heaven and Earth Techniques (현천지공; Hyun Chun Ji Gong) by Chun-Woo. During the course of the series, Shi-Woon is instated as the head of the Sun-Woo Clan. His Qi center is destroyed in The Breaker which prevents him from doing martial arts but is repaired over the course of New Waves.

Chun-Woo Han (한천우; Han Cheonu)

Chun-Woo is the last user of the The Black Heaven and Earth Techniques. He earned the title of Nine Arts Dragon in a Murim tournament after defeating the other Arts Dragons. Because of his victory, his teacher, Un-Wol (은월; Eunwol), was killed by the Martial Arts Alliance out of spite. He joins the Black Forest Defense group as he intends to destroy the Martial Arts Alliance to avenge his master. He enters Shi-Woon Yi's school to infiltrate Seoul for a mission and touched by Shi-Woon's conviction, teaches him martial arts for a month before leaving Seoul. His lover, Shi-Ho Lee is killed by the Martial Arts Alliance, furthering his hatred.

Sun-Woo Clan

So-Sul (소설; Soseol) was the previous head of the Sun-Woo Clan. She was held captive by the Martial Arts Alliance in order to control the Sun-Woo Clan who were gaining political power equal to them. She is a teenager but has the appearance of a child because she is born with the Nine Yin Type Body. Chun-Woo Han and the Black Forest Defense group free her from her captivity where she meets Shi-Woon Yi and develops a crush on him. She gave Shi-Woon the Phoenix Medallion, essentially making him head of the Sun-Woo Clan.

Jae-Kyu Kwon (권재규; Gwon Jaegyu) is one of the elders of the Sun-Woo Clan. He is the grandfather and guardian to Jin-Ie following her mother's death. Initially, he intended to manipulate Shi-Woon Yi in order to rule and restore the Sun-Woo clan but came to have a change of heart after witnessing Shi-Woon's conviction during a fight to protect Jin-Ie.

Jang-Il Jeong (전장일; Jeonjangil) is an elder of the Sun-Woo and grandfather figure to Shi-Woon Yi. During Shi-Woon's fight against SUC., he would sacrifice himself to save him. The other elders are Min Sa-Oak and Kim Sul-Joong.

Gyu-Bum Yi (이규범; I Gyubeom) is part of the Sun-Woo clan. His skills earned him the title of Southern Red Star. He acts as Shi-Woon's escort in New Waves.

Jin-Ie Kwon (권지니; Gwon Jini) is the granddaughter of Jae-Kyu Kwon, an elder of the Sun-Woo Clan. She was Shi-Woon Yi's bodyguard and becomes infatuated with him as the story progresses.

Ha-Ill Gang (강하일; Gang Haeil) is a member of the Sun-Woo Clan.

Martial Arts Alliance

The Alliance Chief in The Breaker is never referred to by name. He caused the death of Chun-Woo Han's teacher out of spite. His desire for the The Black Heaven and Earth Techniques caused him to lose his position after he attempted to use hostages to convince Chun-Woo to teach him the techniques.

Kang-Sung (강성; Gang Seong) is a martial artist who stopped at the Three Arts Dragon rank out of respect for the Martial Arts Alliance. He becomes the Alliance Head after the events of The Breaker.

So-Chun Hyuk (혁소천; Hyeok Socheon) is the acting head of the Heavenly Way School. He is a prodigy who was touched by Shi-Woon's conviction.

Mun-Gi Ma (마문기; Ma Mungi) is the leader of the Torrent Clan which has allied itself with the Martial Arts Alliance. His clan was in charge of keeping So-Sul captive. When he is about to be killed by Chun-Woo Han, Shi-Woon Yi saved his life causing Mun-Gi to swear loyalty to Shi-Woon. He is known as the The Northern Black Star due to his skills.

Jae-Myung Cho is the head of the Iron Fist School, a school that specializes in physical strength and defense. He is killed by Chun-Woo during the events of The Breaker.

Won-Jae Hyun is the head of the One Moon School, a school which excels in medicine. He has a one sided love for Shi-Ho and attempts to bring her back from the dead in New Waves.

Yae-Won is the head of the Artist's Society School. She sympathizes with Chun-Woo's hatred towards the Martial Arts Alliance. In New Waves, she teaches Shi-Woon how to simulate battles within his mind in order to train.

Soldiers Under Command (SUC)

Chang-Ho (창호; Changho) is Shi-Woon's bully who is extremely violent. When Chang-Ho tried to rape Sae-Hee, Shi-Woon scares him off. Feeling intimidated, Chang-Ho brings a weapon to school and attempts to kill him. He is expelled from school afterwards. In New Waves, he receives training from SUC and fails to kill Shi-Woon again.

Jung-Chan Hyuk (혁정천; Hyeok Jeong Cheon) is the commander of SUC. His right hand man is Jae-gal (제갈). The five captains are: Yong-Hyun Yan (양 용현; Yang Yonghyeon), codenamed Cool Guy. He prioritizes his pride over SUC's goals; Ji-Woo Li (이지유; I Jiyu) codenamed Dark Princess. She dresses in a gothic lolita and is a cruel fighter. For unknown reason, she panics if the scar under her make up is exposed; Ha-ru, codenamed Thousand Faces. She excels in disguise and is able to adjust her skin and bones; Kwon-Young, codenamed Blood Stream. He is known in the Murim as Western White Star; Ryuji, codenamed Solitude. He knows how to use the The Black Heaven and Earth Techniques as he was the disciple before Chun-Woo Han.

Other characters

Sae-Hee (세희; Sehui) is Shi-Woon's childhood friend. She is unaware of Shi-Woon and the Murim world and lives as a normal highschool girl.

Shi-Ho Lee (이시호; I Siho) is an assassin who uses her charms for her missions. She is from the Heavenly Maiden Skill school and excels at medicine. She is killed during the events of The Breaker and put into stasis by Won-Jae in New Waves.

Sera Kang (강세라; Gang Sera) is the head of the Mil-Yang Clan after her grandfather is killed by Chun-Woo Han. She orchestrates an event involving Shi-Woon Yi in order to reinforce her position as the head of the Mil-Yang Clan. Afterwards, she becomes an ally to Shi-Woon and helps him rebuild his Qi center. She has feelings for Shi-Woon.

Ji-Gun Yoo (유지건; Yu Jigeon) is a prodigy from the Strong Dragon School, school which excels in sword techniques. He transfers to Shi-Woon's school during Sera's plan to reinforce her position as the head and fights Shi-Woon on her behest. Ji-Gun aims to destroy SUC for unknown reasons.

Release

The Breaker was serialized in Daiwon C.I.'s Young Champ's magazine between June 1, 2007 and July 20, 2010. The series' individual chapters were encapsulated in ten volumes released between August 31, 2007 and July 27, 2010. The sequel, The Breaker: New Waves, is currently serialized on Daum Communications' online comics portal beginning 2010. The Breaker has been localized into other languages such as French, Italian, Russian, and Polish.

Reception

Manga News described the plot of the beginning chapters of The Breaker as conventional but intriguing. In further volumes, Manga News praised the action and the increased pacing of the story. Animeland agreed and praised the series for its extraordinary action scenes.

References

The Breaker (manhwa) Wikipedia

(Text) CC BY-SA

Contents

Plot

Characters

Release

Reception

References