Many thanks to Yen Press for providing a review copy

About the Mangaka

Another I couldn’t find anything on sadly. If anyone has any information on Uhm JungHyum please let me know through the Contact Page.

About the Manga

I’m not sure what I was expecting when I started to read this, but the synopsis on the back cover is very misleading.

The problem with this two volume series is that it’s too short, and it’s made very clear early on that it’s rushed. I find this a bit sad really, since to be honest I loved this story and would have loved it if Uhm had spent another volume on it.

Uhm’s art is nothing spectacular, it has it’s moments, but mostly it’s average. However the story makes up for it, though it’s nothing new, it’s handled well.

Sadly, as I said the speed of this story is it’s down fall. We go from happy family values one page, to death and destruction on the next, and then happy families again.

This would have been one of those unforgettable series if only it had been a bit longer. For example they needed to set up Bum-Moo’s family before killing them off. The same with the other elements and flow, it happens to fast, ruining the mood that gets built up.

Uhm’s art has it’s moments, for example the double colour panel is beautifully drawn. It’s really a shame that she (or he) didn’t keep that quality consistently through the volume. Though I have to admit only a few of the Korean titles I’ve read recently have had consistent art.

Maybe because I’ve not read the first volume, but I found the relationship of Bum-Moo and his step-sister to be very annoying. One minute it feels like he’s about to confess undying love for her, the next he’s the opposite, and she’s the same. One minute she’s just the older sister, but then she looks like she’s in love with him, and gets all angry and frustrated when she over hears him confessing to another girl

It’s strange really, despite the flaws this series has, I really enjoyed this volume. I think part of it is because the characters all seem normal, there’s no celebrity styled sexy guys or girls, just normal looking ones, and the story has a sense of reality to it that many others lack.

This is another IceK title being released by Yen Press, and as expected, they did an exceptional job with it. Only a minor guttering problem, but it’s not to bad all told. The translation is smooth and flows well, or at least as well as the fast paced story allows. As usual, they left the colour panels intact, which is great, I love it when they’re left in place.

While I liked this volume, the way it flowed and felt means I can’t add it to me Essential Read list. Maybe after I read volume one I’ll change my mind.

Where to Buy

This volume is due for release on the 7th August 2008, and is the final volume

For the Brits: Waterstones, Little Brown, Book Depository

For the Yanks and Canadians: Amazon.com and Amazon.ca