Kung Jin in Mortal Kombat X

Kung Jin is a playable character in Mortal Kombat X, whose primary fighting style involves his abilities as a master archer. Kung Jin is a Shaolin Monk and a cousin of canonically deceased Kung Lao. During a cut-scene encounter with Raiden (a series regular), Kung Lao implies that his sexuality is something that he fears would prevent his admittance to the White Lotus Society (a reoccurring secret organization in the Mortal Kombat universe). Raiden responds to this worry with “They care only of what is in your heart, not whom your heart desires.” While this aspect of Kung Jin’s identity isn’t developed further in the story, the game’s cinematic director Dominic Cianciolo tweeted that fans were picking up on “the subtle exposition contained in Kung Jin’s flashback”. Some fans have expressed frustration with Kung Jin’s “implied gayness”, while others are supportive of this bit of info about his background.

Citations:

  1. Daniel Starkey. (2015, April 17). Gamespot. Retrieved from http://www.gamespot.com/articles/mortal-kombat-x-has-series-first-gay-character-may/1100-6426727/
  2. Dynasty. (2015, April 12). Youtube Video. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/JToqcBFRrb4?t=7m32s
  3. Dominic Cianciolo. (2015, April 14). Twitter (User’s Tweet). Retrieved from https://twitter.com/domcianciolo/status/588050845763301376
  4. Jenna Pitcher. (2015, April 17). IGN. Retrieved from http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/04/17/introducing-mortal-kombats-first-gay-character
  5. Evan Narcisse. (2015, April 15). Kotaku. Retrieved from http://kotaku.com/meet-mortal-kombats-first-gay-character-1698060987
  6. Vikki Blake. (2015, April 17). Destructoid. Retrieved from https://www.destructoid.com/here-s-mortal-kombat-s-first-canonically-gay-character-290603.phtml
  7. Various. (n.d.). Mortal Kombat Wiki. Retrieved from http://mortalkombat.wikia.com/wiki/Kung_Jin
  8. Various. (2015, April 15). GameFAQS (Forum). Retrieved from https://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/802908-mortal-kombat-x/71633336
  9. Various. (2016, March 3). GameFAQS (Forum). Retrieved from https://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/802908-mortal-kombat-x/73385690
  10. Various. (2016, May 30). GameFAQS (Forum). Retrieved from https://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/802908-mortal-kombat-x/73809795
  11. Matt Kane. (2015, April 2015). GLAAD (Blog). Retrieved from http://www.glaad.org/blog/mortal-kombat-x-confirms-new-gay-character
  12. James McDonald. (2015, April 15). OUT Magazine. Retrieved from http://www.out.com/popnography/2015/4/15/new-mortal-kombat-unveils-first-gay-character