Jin X Akin - Blog Posts

when their love language is speaking through their character's lines to communicate their deepest feelings (*T^T)

a Kat 🐈 rambles post

I apparently have a lot to say about Top Form, but in respect for the limited time I have, I'm here to say:

Jin's redemption is in giving Akin what he needed - even if it wasn't what I, as the audience, wanted.

Discussion of Top Form episode 6 and 7 under the cut. TW for discussion of SA.

I have a whole unwritten post in my head about The Nightmare Jin / Akin Heart Rending Fest at the end of episode 6, and how Jin, who has been a magical unicorn of giving Akin what he needs all along, failed Akin.

I have A LOT of feelings. I wanted groveling. I wanted to see Jin feeling all the shock and horror of understanding what he did. Of how he stomped on Akin in his moment of greatest vulnerability, of how broken and wounded Akin was in the garage, and how Jin - the one person Akin NEEDED to love him and hold him and comfort him - shattered what was left of Akin. I wanted epic level groveling and amends making. I wanted Jin to metaphorically rip his own heart out of his chest and lay it at Akin's feet. After the opening of episode 7 I wanted blood to run in the streets for that man. I was ready to go vengeance demon for Akin.

But what I wanted, is the exact opposite of what Akin needed.

Jin's biggest failure in the series was how he got so caught up in his own feelings in episode 6, that he couldn't SEE Akin and therefor wasn't able to give Akin what he needed. In episode 7, he could have repeated that mistake. I do think Jin was remorseful. I think he -WOULD- have groveled, and would have spent the rest of his life trying to make it up to Akin. I think he would have delivered Johnny's (metaphorical) head on a platter. I think he would have burned down the theater and his career and raged in defense of Akin. That man has shown us, and Akin, repeatedly that he is in it for the long haul.

There is a great irony in that as much as I wanted a bigger and better apology, I think that Jin apologizing in that way would have been another way to fail Akin. Because the big apology would have been about Jin's feelings, about making himself feel better. But I think his true was redemption is that he was able to step out of his own feelings, and once again see Akin and what Akin needed.

Jin apologized, but Akin didn't want it and couldn't tolerate it. Akin didn't need Johnny's head. Akin didn't need Jin to set the world on fire in anger and vengeance. Akin didn't need an apology. It causes me great pain that despite all MY anger and rage, that Akin wasn't angry. Akin didn't blame Jin. Akin wasn't mad. Akin was heartbroken. Akin blamed himself. Akin was full of shame.

Jin gave Akin everything he needed. Jin gave Akin his body back- by giving him the knowledge that he had not been violated in the way he feared most.* Jin gave Akin his innocence back- by giving him the knowledge that he hadn't done anything wrong. Jin gave Akin his heart back - by giving him the knowledge that he was loved and cherished.

Hello!!

As I am desperately absorbing any speck of Top Form content before the new episode tomorrow, I’d love to hear your thoughts on how Akin and Jin might possibly resolve their current rift/misunderstanding/situation. I have not seen the original anime, but I’m cautiously optimistic for how the live adaptation will handle this. (I desperately need at least one solid interaction where Akin has an understanding and compassionate audience)

I’ve found that I tend to fixate on moments in shows where characters encounter misunderstandings or friction, as the various paths to resolution fascinate me.

Anyway! Apologies for the long ask ♥️

Oh, we're so close to the next episode!

And I do think they could resolve this very well, though I cannot say that I trust the show to do that. But I do trust the show more than the fanbase at this point? Maybe?

I mean, all it takes is Akin telling Jin that he didn't consent to whatever happened and Jin believing him. It takes Jin calming down, realizing he needed to hear Akin out and then listening when Akin speaks to him. That's all it would take!

Will we get that? Ehhhhhhh. EHHHHHHHH.

I want to believe.

I want to be so, so hopeful and to see them resolve this like the 2025 show they are and have it be made clear that Jin reacted poorly and that Akin isn't to blame and that once they talk they can understand each other and be happier and then the Jin claiming Akin scene can be beautiful. Because that scene being about Jin and Akin, together, reclaiming Akin's body? Could be gorgeous. Could be everything.

I do not guarantee this.

I have also not seen the original but it sounds like this problem and dynamic might have been changed for this specific remake as well so how it could be handled and solved is up in the air.

Anyway.

I really, really hope the show sees that Akin doesn't deserve any of the blame and only deserves to be loved and comforted and held and chosen and lets Jin do all of that.

But I worry that societal pressure is going to say that Akin shouldn't have been drinking and that he's going to apologize to Jin and then Jin is going to reclaim him in a way that just... won't feel satisfactory.

I always, sincerely, worry when a show tries to solve a conflict with sex. But the honey scene was well done and well layered so hopefully they can continue that into this and not fall into victim blaming. They changed the original encounter with Jin and Akin so... fingers crossed.

But I do worry about this. This would not be the first show to ruin itself for me by deciding that this kind of assault just Didn't Matter if the two people are gonna fall in love later.