Kung Jin

Kung Jin is a character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game franchise by NetherRealm Studios. He debuted in Mortal Kombat X (2015) as a Shaolin archer and relative of fellow Shaolin Kung Lao who joins a new generation of heroes defending Earth from evil otherworldly forces. Kung Jin wields a bow and arrow system for melee and projectile attacks.

The character is the first male LGBT fighter of the Mortal Kombat series, and has received significant media attention and discussion about the representation of LGBT characters in fighting games in general.

Kung Jin was introduced in Mortal Kombat X preview trailers and gameplay streams in March 2015. According to developer NetherRealm Studios, his creation was the result of the company wanting both an archer character and a relative of Kung Lao in the series. His main costume was inspired by Mongolian nomadic archers, with him wearing it as a symbol of his acceptance of his role as a hero.

Kung Jin was confirmed as the series' first gay character on social media by Dominic Cianciolo, NetherRealm Studios' story and voiceover director. Although this was not explicitly stated in Mortal Kombat X, dialogue in the game's story mode alluded to Kung Jin's sexuality during a conversation between him and Raiden, where the latter convinces him to continue the legacy of his kinsmen who were Shaolin monks. Kung Jin expresses his fear of the Shaolin not accepting him for who he is, but Raiden reassures him by responding, "They care only about what is in your heart. Not whom your heart desires."