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Yu Ijin is a central character in Mercenary Enrollment. He is a gifted young mercenary and a survivor of the plane crash who lost his parents where he returns to Korea after a decade to reunite his family. His sole intention is to keep a low profile but is thwarted by school bullies, kidnappers, and International Criminals
His story if often a complex character shaping his traumatic past and a strong will to protect those he cares about as he taken the role of protector, often protecting his sister from School Bullies, Cha Dusik, and his fellow Comrades (Numbers). His recognition also stood up for Shin Yuna, shin Jiyeh and Cha Seoha. Those who he has relations or connections with are often those who have high power and Influence but also those who abuse their power and authority which his action are taken due to his own personal values which will be seen in the later manga/Manwha
Appearance[]
Ijin is tall, lean, and has a sharp, stoic expression that often reflects his no-nonsense personality. His appearance is typically serious, often giving off a cold and distant vibe due to his emotional restraint. He has dark hair and sharp eyes, and often wears clothing that fits his tough, mercenary persona. His eyes, however, convey the burden of his tragic past. He is usually portrayed with a slender build but his strength outmatches the entire Special Military Force especially everyone, in terms of combat skills that is introduced in the story with the exception that 002 was the one who taught him how to fight for Survival
During is mercenary days, he often wears shemagh and olive fatigues in order to conceal his identity, but mainly he is wearing in his normal attire, school attire in school days and his formal suit (during Bodyguard training and missions. When angry, his face is emotionless which makes him difficult to sense his emotions but is portrayed irises eyes and blue aura surrounding him. Whenever Ijin experiences moments of true happiness, peace, or worry, his eyes are either closed or obscured from view. When he's shown shirtless, his torso and arms are marked with scars from knife and bullet wounds.
Personality[]
Ijin is emotionally reserved, keeping his feelings under control. He rarely shows vulnerability, even in situations that would otherwise break someone. His demeanor gives off a sense of detachment, but it's rooted in the trauma he's experienced and the need to keep his focus. Despite his emotional distance, Ijin is deeply protective of his friends and loved ones. He views those he cares about as family, and he will go to great lengths to ensure their safety, even if it means facing grave danger. Ijin values loyalty and trust above all. His bond with those he considers close is unbreakable, and he often carries a heavy burden to protect them, making him someone others can rely on.
Character Flaws[]
While Ijin is predominantly portrayed in an ideal light, there are moments that reveal his flaws. In the earlier chapters, his interactions with Shin Yuna and Koh Sukjoo came across as cold and distant, lacking genuine emotional engagement. Furthermore, Ijin appears to be wary of romantic love, fearing it would interfere with his primary goal of safeguarding his family. As a result, he deliberately kept Shin Yuna at arm's length. However, recent chapters suggest that a potential romance may be beginning to blossom between them.
Anonymity[]
Ijin is highly protective of his privacy, particularly when it comes to his family and school life. He reacts sharply and bluntly, as seen when he was rude to Yuna for having Sukjoo investigate his background. As a secretive person, he tends to answer questions with brief, curt responses and avoids situations where he might feel indebted, such as dinner invitations. Sukjoo was the first person Ijin personally invited to share a meal, as a gesture of appreciation for helping him. Ijin respects those who honor his boundaries and dislikes those who force him into situations or fail to listen to him. He is willing to share his secrets with individuals who accept his explanations without question, as Sukjoo did with his hints about his past and 006.
Despite his formidable strength, Ijin has no desire to become a "bully" or a "boss" at school; he prefers to blend in peacefully. Like many intelligent people, Ijin hides his emotional scars, likely stemming from a childhood where he experienced abandonment, manipulation, and control by those in power. While he may have saved many during his mercenary days, the only person to truly rescue him and help him reunite with his family was Lt. Hamchan, with whom he shares a deep bond. Ijin has a strong sense of being "wronged," and his thoughts at the end of Chapter 29 powerfully reflect this. In Chapter 44, there is a subtle but noticeable panel in which Ijin, having nearly sacrificed his life to protect Shin Jihie, shows his irritation when she walks away without expressing much gratitude.
The manga often portrays politicians, like Senator Kim, and wealthy businessmen in a negative light, while the military is depicted more favorably. Gang bosses, too, are generally shown unfavorably, except for Cha Dusik, who maintains a somewhat friendly relationship with Ijin. Despite this, Ijin kept Cha Dusik at a distance until recently, even though he borrowed Cha's motorbike on several occasions, such as to rescue his sister Yu Dayun in Chapter 17 and to confront mercenary 006. Ijin's reluctance to grow close to Cha Dusik stems from Cha's past associations with Senator Kim.
Ijin's initial distrust of the Shin family—Shin Yuna, Shin Jihie, and even the Shin family patriarch—gradually changes when he learns that Shin Yuna's father had been kind to him during his mercenary days, treating him like a son. Even when Ijin begins working as a bodyguard for Shin Jihie, he remains distant at first.
A notable contrast in Ijin’s behavior is his response to his younger mercenary comrade, 032, who was severely wounded. While Ijin calmly offered him food despite his injury, his reaction was completely different when it came to Lt. Hamchan. Ijin was willing to risk his own life to protect Hamchan, driven by the desire to avoid living with the regret of not helping. Though 032 was devastated by rumors of Ijin's death, Ijin later went out of his way to rescue him, proving that he genuinely cares about people and is willing to put his life on the line for them.
I won't let anyone take away the life I've finally regained.—Ijin Yu
Skills and Abilities[]
- Exceptional Intelligence: Unlike other numbers and 002, he has a well higher level of understanding due to his peak surroundings and environment which he can calculate especially when observing from afar. Which makes him the best of the best which others fear him due to his exceptional abilities especially his early years of Trauma.
- Peak Human Conditions:
- Military Training:
- Combat and Intelligence mastery:
Relationships[]
Yu Dayun (Younger Sister)[]
Ijin shares a protective and caring relationship with his younger sister, Yu Dayun. After being separated for many years, Ijin’s primary motivation is to reunite with her and ensure her safety. This strong familial bond is a driving force behind many of Ijin's actions, and his deep commitment to protecting her is evident throughout the series.
I don't care who you are. If you touch my sister, you're dead.—Ijins Yu
Yu Kangsu (Grandfather)[]
Ijin shares a close and heartfelt relationship with his grandfather, Yu Jinwoo, who took him and his sister in after their parents' death. Jinwoo’s care and wisdom provide a grounding force in Ijin’s life, serving as a reminder of the normalcy and peace he strives to protect. Ijin deeply respects his grandfather, and this relationship shapes his determination to keep his family safe.
Lieutenant Kang Hamchan[]
Lt. Hamchan plays a pivotal role in Ijin's life, especially after Ijin's mercenary days. He is the person who ultimately helps Ijin reunite with his family. Ijin shares a deep, almost familial bond with Hamchan, who is one of the few people Ijin genuinely cares about. Their relationship goes beyond that of a mentor and protege; Ijin is willing to sacrifice his own life to protect Hamchan, showcasing the strength of their connection.
Park Yeongchan[]
Park Yeongchan is a fellow student at Ijin’s school. He becomes involved with Ijin after experiencing firsthand Ijin’s protective nature and resolve when dealing with bullies and external threats. He respects Ijin for his calm demeanor and brute Strength as he values Ijins sense of justice and willingness on helping others
Lee Jaehyung and Ju Hyeokjin[]
Initially one of the bullies at Ijin’s school, Lee Jaehyung was part of the group that sought to intimidate weaker students. His encounters with Ijin marked a turning point in his behavior. Jaehyung’s aggressive tendencies were subdued after Ijin effortlessly dismantled their bullying schemes. Ijin’s strength, coupled with his unwavering sense of justice, forced Jaehyung to reconsider his actions. Like Lee Jaehyung, Ju Hyeokjin was part of the bullying group that dominated the school. His transformation begins after Ijin intervenes and dismantles their power dynamic. Hyeokjin initially views Ijin as a threat to his authority, but after witnessing Ijin’s skills and moral resolve, his perception changes.
Over time, Jaehyung comes to respect Ijin and works to change himself. Their interactions, while not deeply personal, highlight Jaehyung’s growing admiration for Ijin’s principlesLike Lee Jaehyung, Ju Hyeokjin was part of the bullying group that dominated the school. His transformation begins after Ijin intervenes and dismantles their power dynamic..
Cha Dusik[]
Ijin initially keeps Cha Dusik, a gang boss, at a distance due to Cha's past association with the corrupt Senator Kim. Despite this, Ijin occasionally relies on Cha Dusik, such as borrowing his motorbike to rescue his sister, Yu Dayun. Though their relationship starts off strained, it evolves into a more neutral, albeit distant, understanding, with Ijin respecting Cha Dusik's somewhat friendly demeanor.
Koh Sukjoo[]
Ijin develops a strong friendship with Koh Sukjoo, who respects Ijin’s decisions and boundaries. Ijin appreciates Sukjoo's willingness to understand him without questioning his past or motives. Sukjoo is the first person Ijin personally invites to share a meal, signaling the depth of their friendship. They have mutual respect for one another, and Sukjoo often provides emotional support to Ijin.
Shin Yuna[]
Shin Yuna, the heiress of the influential SW Group, shares her class with both Sukjoo and Ijin. At first, Yuna and Sukjoo harbor doubts about Ijin due to the discrepancies in his background. However, their perceptions shift profoundly after Ijin heroically rescues Yuna and his sister, Dayun, from a dangerous kidnapping.
Following this, Yuna is astonished to learn that Ijin once knew her late father, Shin Ingook. She is deeply moved when Ijin shares Ingook’s final regret: not spending enough time with his daughter. This heartfelt revelation solidifies Yuna’s emotional connection to Ijin, and it becomes subtly evident that she harbors romantic feelings for him.
Ijin begins as Yuna’s personal bodyguard, tasked with safeguarding her from the threats that come with being the granddaughter of the powerful Shin family. Initially, he approaches this responsibility with a strictly professional demeanor, keeping an emotional distance and prioritizing her safety above all else. However, as their bond deepens, Yuna’s admiration for Ijin grows, while his protective actions hint at a growing, albeit restrained, mutual understanding
Shin Jiyeh[]
Ijin is initially aloof and distant towards Shin Jihie, mainly due to his distrust of the Shin family. However, his perspective changes when he learns that her father treated him kindly during his time as a mercenary. Ijin eventually takes up a part-time job as her bodyguard, and despite his earlier reservations, he begins to develop a sense of trust and duty toward her.
Cha Seoha[]
Cha Seoha, a well-known television celebrity, becomes involved with Ijin Yu when he’s hired as her bodyguard after she’s targeted by a stalker. At first, she’s taken aback by Ijin’s skills and surprised to learn that, despite his remarkable abilities, he’s still just a high school student. In terms of her connection to Ijin’s sister, Yu Dayun, Seoha’s relationship with her is mostly a gesture of gratitude. After Ijin resolves her stalker issue, Seoha visits Dayun to wish her a happy birthday, showing her appreciation for Ijin’s efforts. Seoha’s relationship with Ijin is founded on mutual respect, and she appreciates the help he’s given her during tough times. While she’s independent and prefers to handle things herself, Seoha’s actions show her gratitude for Ijin’s influence on both her and Dayun’s lives.
SW Bodyguards[]
When Ijin first joined the SW Group, his arrival was met with resistance from the bodyguards, as he effortlessly outperformed all of them in sparring and every training exercise. However, over time, Ijin toned down his abilities to better integrate with the team. Gradually, he earned their respect and developed a strong bond with them, despite his reserved nature. The SW bodyguards came to see Ijin not only as one of their own but as someone they could trust implicitly in the face of any adversary. When Lewin Bailey made an offer to Ijin, the bodyguards were left in shock, fearing that "their Ijin" would be taken from them, a testament to the deep loyalty and bond they had formed.
The Numbers[]
After the airplane crash, Ijin is discovered by members of a camp, where he is swiftly treated with medical supplies and first aid. He is then enrolled in the grueling training of a specialized unit under the command of "Mad Dog." Out of nearly a thousand trainees, only 40 survive to the end, and Ijin is assigned the code number "001," marking him as the leader of the unit, which becomes known as "The Numbers." The brutal training fosters a deep sense of camaraderie and brotherhood among the survivors, and a rule is established: they do not kill one another. However, as Ijin regains his memories and decides to leave the camp, his departure is seen as a betrayal by the others, leading them to attempt to kill him at least once.
"I don't care who you are or what you want. If you hurt my family, you won't be forgiven."—Ijin Yu
Trivia[]
He is the only survivor of the plane crash when he was only seven except his parents who were killed among the others.
External Links[]
The Numbers on Villains Wiki