Ja Wangnan


 * "I will one day... be the king of this tower!" 


 * - Ja Wangnan's motivation to climb The Tower



Ja Wangnan is the title and main protagonist of Tower of God: Part 2 - The Return of the Prince. He aspires to be the king of the whole Tower. Officially, the Zahard Family has no Prince but his exact relation to Zahard is unknown. It's unknown if he's an informal Prince (as the antonym of "official" is "unofficial" or rather, "informal") or some self-declared Prince.

He values his determination in life more than anyone else's desires. He plans to scale up The Tower's Floors and reach the true top of the Tower, unlike those who have given up.

His real name is currently unknown but he might bear the surname of Zahard (or not).

Appearance
He usually wears jump-suit like clothing, with a slightly more intricate coat, but wears a formal suit underneath. He has red horns at the top of his neck, has 2 fangs in his mouth and wears a ring bearing the emblem of Zahard (the same as Karaka's). {C}

Personality
He is quite a haughty person, as shown by his confidence that he will one day conquer The Tower and rule over everyone. He has an unbreakable determination, no matter how many times he is beaten. He seems to be easily influenced by young girls such as Yeo Miseng. Possibly due to his repeated failures, he has a practical mindset for completing the tests such as when he says that it's better to drop the person who looks the strongest in a test during the voting.

He has been shown to be sympathetic to people, even to those who have wronged him. First was to Nya Nia, who betrayed him but was forgiven because of Nia' reasons. Second was to Kim Lurker, who he saw was similar to him in circumstances. Though Wangnan has a practical mindset when it comes to completing tests, he is also driven by a conscience and struggles to resolve his morals with the situations he faces.

Powers and Abilities
Ja Wangnan is at a relatively normal standard for Regulars, though appears to have some luck and strategic skills on his side. He doesn't do particularly well in his tests, as he is bankrupt and in debt, and commonly runs away from the loansharks, if possible.

In terms of physical strength, he might be weak to moderate.

He appears strong enough to significantly punch and launch someone flying a few metres.

He is also quite agile, seeing he at least managed to avoid being hit by Jyu Viole Grace even though it is true his opponent was restraining his powers in order to possibly, eliminate him without causing any fatal injuries.

His arsenal includes a few different types of bombs he uses, depending on the situation. He has used powerful Shinsoo Bombs, which he trusts and is quite accurate with. He will also use normal explosives as a last resort. He also uses bombs containing pepper powder, to probably blind the enemy. It seems that most or all of these bombs also create a smoke screen, to buy him or his team some time, to retreat or to perform some other action.

His aim and eyesight are quite good, seeing as he at least managed to hit Love with a pepper bomb, from quite a distance. His bombs have varying sizes but they don't extend in length unlike a sword, spear, hook or reel. So, he still has to be very precise when guiding their "trajectory path".

According to SIU in (Ch 81), it's likely his ability will progress from time to time.

History
When Ja Wangnan reached the 20th Floor with a group of friends, they were not able to pass. That being said, all of his friends eventually gave up until he was the only one still trying to pass the test. At that point he was all alone in his dark room (mirroring Baam in the cave), with an accumalating debt, an empty bowl of rice, and no one to talk to. But still, he held on to hope.

Last Chance
Ja Wangnan's first appearance has him being approved for the 20th Floor test, followed by him asking himself whether he should destroy everything, because he'll be king of the The Tower. This was quickly followed by him failing due to being set on fire by a teammate. He then nurses his burns and claims revenge, until the loan shark, Kim Lurker comes to claim his money. Wangnan tries to flee but gets smacked into the ground and questioned about the test results. He gets offered one more chance at the 20th Floor test but this time if he fails the loan shark will harvest his organs. Then another Regular (Nya Nia) comes to deliver his food, which the loan shark pays for claiming Wangnan will pay for it with his body later. Wangnan questions the Regular about why she's delivering food, before answering himself. He then states the difference between him and those up top, the Regular then leaves and gives him a coupon to use after the test, telling him it's a congratulations. Wangnan is very pleased by her and thinks to himself that he'll reward her with a restaurant. He then proceeds to retake the test only upon to find entrance an unknown figure standing in a room with filled with corpses.

Deciding that he didn't want to become a skeleton when he fails the test, he 'persuades' Baam to team up with him. He tries to make small talk but Baam stays quiet. 3 minutes later, Kang Horyang comes in and Wangnan rallies Baam to fight with him. He's intimidated by his size so he decides to team up with him as well. He knows that the next test will be harder with more competitors so he decides he must defeat the next person that comes in. The next one happens to be a a tiny schoolgirl and Wangnan couldn't manage to kill her because she's wearing a uniform. The next person who comes in is a girl with huge... glasses, who Wangnan cannot attack due to her affection for Miseng.

With his life on the line and wondering if the competitors came here to play, Wangnan denounces everyone saying that it's a test and everyone should be fighting each other, much to the distress of the others. Hon Arkraptor enters and catches the attention of the large person and Ja Wangnan. Akraptor tells Wangnan it's useless to waste strength for nothing but he says that there are too many competitors. He has a vote to pick one off the team in where he chooses Miseng. Wangnan chooses the 'silver shithead' saying that the strongest one should be voted off first. Baam then rises and declares that he will drop everyone.

Baam begins fighting the stronger regulars and Wangnan hopes that all three of them will kill each other at the same time. After Viole defeats everyone else, he turns his attention to Wangnan, who begins running away like a coward throwing "Super Strong Shinsoo Bombs". As none of the Bombs have any effect, and Baam pulls him to the ground. He uses a last resort cheap bomb hoping to get away. He realizes that it had an effect and throws another one. After the smoke dissipates, a giant lobster-like mass appears around Baam, who then stands up recovered. At that point the test ends.

The Strongest Regular


Wangnan and the survivors proceed to a large room, where they share a little food. A massive Regular enters, on the verge of death, and Wangnan tells the others not to help him, as he would probably fight them if they did. Other teams begin to enter, and Wangnan recognizes the girl who set him on fire among them. Also to his shock, he finds the Kim Lurker is also in the test with the Lurker boss's son. Kim tells him about the Regulars who have come to participate in the test, including the mercenary "Devil of the Right Hand" who managed to beat Hatsu.

The Examiner for the next test, Love, introduces the next test which is a Shinsoo Strengthening Test in which the top 8 get to pass to do the final test. Unfortunately. After everyone has taken the test with Viole placing first, Ja Wangnan is placed 15th. Thinking that his dreams and life is forfeit, he begins to cry. When Love announces that Viole will be picking the remaining 7 team members, Wangnan jumps up and introduces himself to "Viole-nim." He advertises himself in a comedic fashion as "a man beyond his stats" and that he could sing and dance. After seeing how this has no affect on Viole, he drops to his knees and begs. This causes the other regulars to either look at him with pity or contempt. When several others try to copy his tactics, Wangnan points out some of their bad points in order to make himself look better. Viole makes the bold statement that he would not pick any of them, since they were unqualified, and states that he is their enemy. After Love challenged Baam to a game, he invites everyone who wished to participate into a resting area. Wangnan chooses this option. While resting in his room, he thinks about how Baam said that he would kill all Zahard and becomes worried. His roommate is Nia, who he was surprised to find out was a boy. While bathing, he meets the other regulars who decided to participate. Wangnan pokes fun at Akraptor. He warns Prince not to go over to the other bathing area, since Baam was there. After he bathed, he find his ring missing from his locker. Baam, who found it, confronts him about it, asking if this was the Zahard symbol. As Wangnan tries to explain the situation, Prince barges in yelling at Viole for ignoring him earlier. Viole tosses the ring back to Wangnan telling him to keep it safe as it seems 'important' to him. Later in his room, he decides to call everyone over to play cards where he loses all of his winnings. He is also noticably confused by what Goseng meant when she said to forget everything about the Tower. But he tells Nia to definitely pass the next test. {C}

Untrustworthy Room Test
In the middle of the night, Love announces the next test, 'A Trustworthy Room'. He tells Nia to employ the S.I.R. plan (stay-in-room) because he thinks Viole will be hunting down Regulars. Soon after, Goseng comes by and tells Wangnan to open the door. Goseng scolds the two for being cowards and instead gives them her connector to do as they wish. Wangnan decides to join with her and walks with her back to her room. He gets into an argument with Arkraptor, who was waiting at the door, about who was less afriad of Viole. They all dash into the room when Goseng spots Viole walking down the hall. Wangnan comments how Viole probably killed everyone in the top floors already, though Akraptor disagrees. Wangnan, Akraptor, and Horyang succeed in stealing rooms from other players, while Goseng, Miseng, and Nia guard their rooms. When Wangnan calls Nia to inform him of their success, Lurker is there and informs them of Nia's betrayal, then reveals that he tricked Nia and kills him. Wangnan begs him to stop to no avail, then swears revenge. He runs out of the room, much to his teammates' dispair. He manages to distract Love and steal the connector, which he uses as leverage to gain Viole's help. Loves fights Wangnan for his selfish actions, but Wangnan argues that it is better for just Viole to advance than let bad guys go up. He ends the argument by throwing the connector to Viole.

Later on, with the combined help of Viole and Horyang, the test turns in favor of the Wangnan team. Viole manges to get into the room Lurker is hiding in. Wangnan takes this chance to punch Lurker. Lurker and Wangnan argue about the morality of Lurker's decision to murder Nia. In the end, Wangnan realizes that the problem laid with the tower's system and decides to change it. He sets an example by forgiving Lurker because he wants others to forgive Nia and himself. When Viole attempts to take the room, it is revealed that Wangnan had switched their connectors. This results in Wangnan and his team passing the test. Later on he is seen celebrating with the others. When he goes outside to look at the sky, Viole confronts him on his decision and motive. Wangnan begs for his life, but answers Viole's questions. The next day it is revealed that Love conducted the test illegally, so Wangnan and his team get to pass to the next Floor.

FUG
Wangnan appears to have changed his opinion of Viole a bit. This is because not only did Viole provide their lodgings, he also does his share of the housework (and a little more since Yihwa cannot cook). Wangnan is still nervous about other FUG members, breaking out in a nervous sweat when he was introduced to Ha Jinsung. HwaRyun reveals that Jinsung was sent to eleminate them in order for Viole to form a better team but took a liking to them. Wangnan is surprised at their investment of Viole and expresses doubts of FUG being able to reach their goals, believing that it is impossible because of Zahard's contract. HwaRyun reveals that Viole is the one they have been waiting for and that he is an irregular, putting him outside of the scope of the contract.

Flower of Zygaena
Wangnan decides on the name Team Tangsooyook, much to Prince's displeasure. When the enter the testing area, Test Administrator Noma tells them that the other Team ran away after hearing that Viole was in their team. Noma informs them that they would be taking a different test instead and brings them out into the sea. A Zygaena appears and Noma tells them that they are to retrieve a flower from inside its body. They split up into two groups as suggested by Noma. Wangnan, Akraptor, Miseng, and Goseng form a group and enter first. Goseng searches for information using her lighthouse but they arenot able to gleen much information from it. A pink pig jumps past them and they see the flower on its back. The group run after it but a large open gap cuts them off with only big, colored rings floating around to allow them to chase after the pig. Wangnan desperately chases after it and the other follow his lead. The pig eventually runs into a small tunnel but it is too small for most of their group. Wangnan suggests that Miseng go in after it, to which she agrees. Akraptor and Wangnan decide to look around while Goseng waits for Miseng at the entrance of the tunnel. Akraptor sees Wangnan's determined face and asks him why he has been putting so much effort after meeting the people from FUG. Wangnan glances away and reveals that if they lose this test, a friend of Viole's will die. He then says that Viole climbs the tower to protect his friends and that Viole's place is not with them (Team Tangyoosuk). After receiving Horyang and Prince's message, Wangnan rushes to help Viole fend off Urek (who easily brushes off their attempts). Wangnan is irritated at how easily the flower is given to them but is shocked to find out their opponent had been the famous Urek Mazino. After they pass the test, Jinsung warns Wangnan off. Wangnan is troubled by this and wonders what the best course of action would be, but with the help of Team Tangyoosuk, realizes that he wants to reconnect Viole to his friends. He makes the firm resolution to follow this path and tell Jinsung to leave Viole to their care. He approaches HwaRyun for her guidance to the path he needs to take in order to help Viole meet his friends. She implies that Wangnan's motives might not be completely altruistic and calls him the "Prince of the Red Light District."/ "Prince of the hong Family" (depends on the scanalator). She informs him that in order to reunite VIole and his friends, they will need to climb to floor 30 and participate in the Workshop Competition.

Relationships
Nya Nia: At first it looked like Wangnan inspired Nia to retake the 20f test with his determination. The two of them struck a friendship when they became roommates. When Wangnan found out the truth, he sympathized with Nia and forgave him, lying about being able to retake the test in order to make Nia feel better about his actions. Wangnan felt anger over Nia's death and swore to avenge him.

Jyu Viole Grace: From their first meeting Wangnan was intimidated by Viole and tried to avoid fighting him. Wangnan is mostly afraid of Viole, especially after Viole declared that he wished to see all of Zahard dead and Viole found his ring. Wangnan seemed to overcome his fear because of his desire to avenge Nia and his goal of creating a better place for people to live. Later on he appears to think well of Viole because of his personality and contributions to their team. He now thinks highly of Viole because of Viole's reasons for fighting. He also considers Viole a friend and wants to help Viole in passing the test as it is said by Akraptor before he was slacking in training but after meeting FUG he is been training hard. He seems to really care for Viole and wants to help him in the test so his friends won't die.

Lurker: From the beginning their relationship was antagonistic: Wangnan owed money and Lurker was a debt collector. Later on Wangnan hated Lurker for killing Nia, but decides that he didn't have a right to judge Lurker because he was the same type of person.

Yeon Yihwa: They get into fights easily since Wangnan likes to tease people and Yihwa is easily angered. Wangnan especially likes to make fun of her because of Viole (who she has a sore point about). Their arguments are mostly petty and don't appear to cause any real harm or resentment.

Akraptor: Initially they were antagonistic to each other, but they are now on good terms (with some light teasing). Akraptor has helped Wangnan sort out his feelings on helping Viole. They have been seen teaming up in fights.

Prince: Prince initially saw Wangnan as inferior, often looking down on him and his attempts to pass the test. After they became a team, they still fought each other but it was less malicious and more petty. Even while they agree on a goal they argue about who wants it more.

Ja Wangnan seems to get along fairly well with the regulars he met in the first part of the 20F test and teams up with them for the Untrustworthy Room Test and 21F. He likes to poke fun at people and teases them.

Notes and Trivia

 * It's seems pretty obvious, but the Shinsoo Bombs look like Pokéballs from the Pokémon series, Dive Balls in particular.
 * He's horrible at strength tests. He's 15th in the Shinsoo Strengthening Competition. Also interesting to note, he's worse than Nia when it comes to shinsoo strength.
 * His name read backwards, actually means (Nan-"I am") (Wangja-"prince").
 * In Season 2 Chapter 35 Hwa Ryun refers to Ja Wangnan as "the Prince of the Red Light District" (홍등가의 왕자, Hongdeunga-eui Wangja). However, it is unknown what Hwa Ryun exactly meant.
 * As shops in red light districts have girls on display, this could be an insult against Zahard's Family, as people often figuratively say that Zahard puts his Princesses on display.
 * This could also literally mean that Wangnan is an illegitimate son of Zahard.
 * Karaka wears the same ring as Wangnan.

Quotes
"I believe the difference between those up there and me is the question of whether you have given up or not." -Ja Wangnan to Nya Nia

"Pick me please! If you just pick me, I'll do anything! If you tell me to bark like a dog, I'll bark! If you tell me to lick, I'll lick! Just pick me!" -Ja Wangnan pleading to Jyu Viole Grace

"The one who beats down the bad guy is not a good guy, but an even worse guy. You…aren’t you the worst guy in this tower? So why don’t you go punish that pathetically evil guy with me." -Ja Wangnan to Jyu Viole Grace for the connector

"Even if everyone laughs at me and tells me it’s impossible! Even if I fail the tests thousands of times! Even if I’m betrayed and forgotten! I will never give up!" Ja Wangnan to Kim Lurker

"If I was your friend, I don't think I'll regret it even if I were to die for you." Ja Wangnan to Jyu Viole Grace