Kung Jin is the nephew of Kung Lao and is a playable character in Mortal Kombat X. It was retconned in Mortal Kombat 11 described as Kung Lao's cousin.
Kung Jin made his debut in Mortal Kombat X, serving as one of the protagonists in the game's Story Mode. As a child, Kung Jin admired his uncle Kung Lao and considered him a hero. After his uncle's death, the Kung family lost their family fortunes and moved to the United States of America. Because of this, Jin became a thief and blamed Raiden for the death of his uncle. However, after meeting the Thunder God, he let go of his resentment and trained under the White Lotus Society, who Jin originally thought would not accept him because of his homosexuality. Having learned much of Outworld and the ways of the Shaolin, Jin now fights to protect Earthrealm in honor of his family.
Like his uncle, Kung Jin excels with projectile weapons, using a bow and arrow. However, he also seems to have inherited Kung Lao's immaturity, impulsiveness, and ego, as he will talk offensively even to his own team. For example, Jin initially does not respect Cassie Cage's leadership and will make rude remarks to Jacqui Briggs about her father being a Revenant. Despite his shortcomings, Kung Jin's shrewdness and street smarts prove useful to the team and is a firm believer in second chances and redemption, due in part to his own experiences as a thief. Over time, he comes to respect his team, going as far as risking his own life in kombat to protect their lives.
An evil version of Kung Jin appears alongside Jacqui Briggs, Takeda Takahashi and Cassie Cage during the Second Battle of Armageddon on the side of Titan Shang Tsung. However, they are quickly dispatched by Titan Kitana.
Theme song: Kung Jin: Bojiutsu - Statronika
Ikran's themes: No Limit (2 Unlimited) - Kombat Kids Theme
Locke (Final Fantasy VI) - sschafi1
Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks, Part II[]
Kung Jin was only six when he was first seen being carried to his room by his uncle's loving arms, as well as being tucked in. He was so ecstatic to see him after a few gruesome weeks in Outworld and the Tarkan attack. He always believed Lao has what it takes to be the best defender of Earth next to Liu Kang and uphold their ancestor's legacy. He went to sleep before the random monk was distraught of Lao and Liu having the eternal curse as MK Champions.
Jin was seen again reuniting with his lost uncle after three months. Lao then introduced Aiko to him and to his fellow monks. While he needed to take care of some business with the elders, Jin joyfully offered to show Aiko the rounds.
Jin and Aiko enjoyed a hearty meal consisting of sushi, white rice and Oriental vegetables. Jin was ecstatic that the monks weren't limited to warriors, but also very talented artisans, agriculturists and scholars. He wished to follow in his uncle's footsteps and join the White Lotus Society once he's old enough. He then shown Aiko the Academy's most sacred place, the Dragon Grotto housing the Jinsei, Earthrealm's lifeforce. If they're qualified, the monks rotate and guard the Jinsei from evildoers on usurping and corroding the sacred water. He stated that Raiden and a few warriors occasionally visit the cavern after battle to heal, the effigy of dragons was crafted in gold and limestone to honor the Elder Gods, and they'd offer food, gold, and other offerings to them. He said Lao was one of those monks, if they should traverse thru the traps they'd set. Later on, the sky became opaque, and the Academy was ransacked by Kahn's extermination squads! He and the hapless monks stayed underground while he tearfully reunited with his uncle. He promised to return as Raiden, Lao, and Aiko teleported to Nightwolf's coastal land.
Kung Jin stayed within the Dragon Grotto until Earthrealm and Outworld restored themselves by the time Liu Kang destroyed Kahn! He excitedly reunited with his uncle and Aiko! He was also enthusiastic on her staying at the Academy training herself as one with the White Lotus Society following his uncle's footsteps and exploring more of the monks' unique culture. She can also be a possible babysitter and adult companion to him...
Shinnok's Uprising[]
Jin didn't play much of a role since Earthrealm's heroes were urged to protect Edenia from Quan Chi and Shinnok. He was relieved to see his uncle and Aiko alive and well upon their victory! He was enthralled with the Edenian refugees escorted from the prisons by the couple, and he desires to explore other realms and meet other tribes if he were to become a member of the White Lotus Society. Jin noticed the refugees heading thru the large portal leading back home, and Lao said he needed to settle some unfinished business with Goro. Moments later, Raiden summoned several of his warriors for his final farewell to Earth as he attained Elder God status. Jin was among most of the emotional bystanders mourning goodbye to him...
Mortal Kombat: Vengeance[]
Kung Jin was with his mom, Aiko, and Kung Lao having their hearty breakfast before his uncle began his usual training and Jin'd start school. Unfortunately, the sporadic, severe lightning strikes outside stunned him and Aiko the most. His mom claimed she never saw the likes of such a storm, though his uncle wasn't fazed by it. Observing the bolts licking around the Wu Shi Arena, he thought it could be Raiden. Jin stayed with his mom while Lao and Aiko went on the pursuit.
About a week had passed, and Jin was jovial on seeing his uncle alive and well! The monks cheered for his and Aiko's return, while some mourned for Liu's ascension. They led the small group thru the clearing to Liu's Tomb. The kid cried almost as much as his uncle did, even when he bowed and prayed for a safe passage, until Nightwolf broke the news that Onaga has been reincarnated in Outworld!
Return of the Dragon King[]
Kung Jin was first seen during Aiko's delirium as she witnessed him playing the NES version of The Legend of Kage; he was so frustrated with the unfair difficulty! Although that vision was triggered after the cardiokinetic received a koncussion by Ermac.
Final Kombat[]
Jin was first mentioned he'd be returning from school before Armageddon shall commence. He was still joyous as he discovered Lao and Aiko were still alive, even when he heard of Liu and Raiden's sacrifices with Fire God Liu Kang visiting his relatives. Soon, Aiko was engaged with Lao and Jin went with her to meet up with Lao and Kai; he shall be adopted by his relatives and start training in the ways of the Shaolin by 18!
Several years later, he was one of the fresh, new faces of the Special Forces as he embarked with several others in a Black Hawk en route to Kotal's turf! He fought alongside his fellow compatriots, even went out of the closet like Smoke and Fujin, into battle once more.
Koherence[]
Kung Jin was first seen sitting in his bedchamber, going thru the anxieties of Kung Lao leaving for the Matoka with Liu, Raiden and Nightwolf. Aiko visited him in and had a pep talk, mentioning separation anxiety over how Ernie used to go thru this with Bert away, even when Lao is out in kombat, and highlighting how important it is to stay with his destiny while encountering the Neverland Aboriginals and never lose his identity over them. At times, he's also seen with his mom when Aiko completed her training with Kenshi during dinner until his uncle, Liu, Raiden and Nightwolf returned from their Matokan odyssey.
Several weeks after Armageddon, Jin was seen with Lao and Aiko inside his relatives' shared bedchamber as she was still uncertain as to how/why she'd be affected by tribal customs. Until Fire God Liu Kang paid a visit and offered her to visit the Hourglass in Yin Yang Island. Nevertheless, Jin was still interested, despite his uncertainties, in learning archery and other ways from Nightwolf and his people; he became more intrigued with the Matoka ever since.
The Tribal Ceremony[]
Tribal Revenant Kung Jin
Kung Jin stuck with his mentor, Nightwolf, during the 4th Ceremony
Kung Jin, as a teen, got his opportunity to join the annual Tribal Ceremonies described by his close mentor, Nightwolf. He was his closest trainer even embracing his tribal side and teaching him to be a skilled archer! Since Nightwolf was converted by Aiko, Kung Lao, and Chieftain Liu Kang, Jin wasn't far behind. Seeing his family in the same faction, he was eager to become another champion like them, even be involved with the war against Darkseid. Aiko promised no one would ever reject his homosexuality and no longer be an outcast. It's rumored that Nightwolf and Fujin were the first to embrace it as well.
Side MK Stories[]
During the gift exchange in Christmas of 94, Aiko gifted him a few movies, games, and even a rubber mouthguard for his karate class. In '95, she got better on gift ideas, including getting Jin a game and a movie or 2, in which he shared the original Mortal Kombat film. In 96, which was the year when she and Lao moved into the Kottage together, she gave Jin more current films, games, and even shared the collectible Beanie Babies. And in 97, she even shared some old plushies, movies, and even some music from her younger counterpart, courtesy of Lord Liu Kang's temporal duplication!
Trivia[]
- Kung Jin was at first supposed to be Kung Lao's cousin by MKX, but in MK11 he was known as his nephew. It may've been retconned on account of their age gap, since Lao would've been in his 20s by the 2nd tournament, while Jin would've been around the same age in MKX.
- He was voiced by Johnny Yong Bosch, the same guy who voiced Ichigo from Bleach, Rush from The Last Remnant, and Firion from Dissidia Final Fantasy as Final Fantasy II's hero.
- In Ikran's first fanfic, it was difficult to find an ideal VA for him; at first, she would've stuck with the child actor of Joseph Cousins who played Dominic in Kindergarten Cop, however, since he has grown up, she'd have to stick with someone else. Perhaps Ceyli Juliann Delgadillo as Young Kung Jin, who also voiced Young Goku and Young Dende.
- As he'd reach his teen years, Ikran decided it should be Christopher Gray. In her mind, since he voiced Young Enzo in ReBoot with a sudden deeper voice, sometimes flamboyant, she thought he'd be the perfect fit when he should hit puberty.
- An interaction between Tanya and Kung Jin would have Jin rejecting Tanya. This, followed by a scene in the Story Mode between Raiden and Kung Jin would lead to the speculation that Kung Jin was the first homosexual character in the Mortal Kombat series. This was later confirmed on Twitter by creator Dominic Cianciolo that Jin is indeed homosexual.
Gallery[]
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