May Lee Jinju


 * In this Korean name, the family name is "Lee". "Jinju" is her given name, and "May" is just a nickname.

"May" Lee Jinju (Hangul: ; Hanja: ; Japanese: ), usually referred to as just May Lee, is a character in The King of Fighters series who debuted as a member of the Korea Team in The King of Fighters 2001. She is depicted as a perky teenager who fights for justice using Taekwondo. She is unique within The King of Fighters for her ability to change into a separate Hero Mode, in which she dons large gloves and a red scarf.

Development
May Lee's main reason for creation was to please Korean KOF fans, in addition to Eolith desiring for a Korean fighter. Originally, May Lee started out as an "idol-like visual fighter", or more specifically, like a "Korean Athena." Although her final design was far from the original concept, Eolith was pleased with the end result. May Lee Jinju was named after from the person who was in charge of Eolith at the time.

Personality
May Lee is very happy towards good people. She is very joyful, and her personality resembles that of Athena Asamiya. Like Kim, May Lee has a very strong sense of justice, and will punish any evil being she encounters.

Powers

 * Electric Punch - During her Hero Mode, she can deliver punches of electric energy.
 * Explosive Kick - During her Hero Mode, she can deliver exploding kicks.
 * Teleportation - During her super desperation move, she can be seen teleporting.

Fighting Style
May Lee is a unique fighter who utilizes two stances, referred to as "Modes". The first Mode, "Standard Mode", uses Taekwondo as her fighting style, although they function nothing like her master Kim or even Jhun. While in Standard Mode, her moves mostly involves her rekka follow-up kicks, juggling opponents, and countering incoming attacks. The second Mode, "Hero Mode", uses more forceful attacks, and even gains a command grab. However, she cannot block while in this Mode, and getting hit once switches her back to Standard Mode. As expected with stance characters, mastering both Modes are crucial for mastering May Lee.

Music

 * Nerichagi - The King of Fighters 2001
 * Diet - The King of Fighters 2002
 * SHINING・BRAVE! - The King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match
 * Tame A Bad Boy - The King of Fighters All Star

Voice Actors

 * Tomoko Kawakami - The King of Fighters 2001~2002 UM
 * Aimi Tanaka - The King of Fighters All Star

Appearances
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Games

 * The King of Fighters 2001
 * The King of Fighters 2002
 * The King of Fighters Neowave - PS2 exclusive and hidden character
 * The King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match

Mobile

 * SNK High School Collection
 * Kimi wa Hero
 * KOF98 Ultimate Match Online
 * The King of Fighters All Star
 * SNK Fighting Age

Cameos
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 * SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos - cameo in Kim Kaphwan's ending
 * The King of Fighters '94 Re-Bout - background cameo in the Art of Fighting Team and Korea Justice Team stages
 * KOF: Maximum Impact 2 - Chae Lim's Normal Outfit-Variation G

Trivia

 * May Lee's Hero Mode is a reference to the Kamen Rider Series. This can be seen throughout most of her poses and attacks while in Hero Mode.
 * Because May Lee Jinju appeared as part of the Women Fighters Team in KOF 2002 (a Dream Match game), she has canonically not been an official Team member.
 * This might be the reason why she doesn't appear in the Women Fighters Team's ending in The King of Fighters XIII.