Making Connections

Connections between The Friendly Winter and  Annarasumanara

Dajeong from The Friendly Winter

      Both Ai and Dajeong believe that they are under a spell. While Dajeong believes that she is under a magic spell, Ai believes that she is cursed. With the growth disorder, Dajeong cannot age properly and live life like a normal teenager. Along with her growth disorder, her father cannot provide the luxurious life he imagine for his daughter. Dajeong believes that she is under a magic spell that keeps her from growing and gives her a rough life. Living in a cursed life, Ai tries to survive with very little. Taking responsibility for herself, she also takes responsibility for her sister. Being buried in debt her father built, she does not know where to get the money or support to pay these off.

     Both main characters, Yoon Ai (Annarasumanara) and Han Dajeong (TFW) are experiencing great drought in finance; both only have enough to get by everyday. Although Dajeong is a little bit more fortunate than Ai, the two are going through a hard time. Both stories do not revolve around the theme of money however, I would say it plays an important part in it.

   

Ai's words from Annarasumanara

     

     The one connection that appealed to me the most it that they are both abandoned. I spent quite sometime wondering where their mothers are. The sad truth is that both of their mothers left them. The harsh reality of poverty pushed them to depart from their husband and children.

Dajeong and her mom from The Friendly Winter

Connection between The Friendly Winter and Dear, Only You Don't Know

Jinhui from Dear, Only You Don't Know

     

     Han Dajeong (TFW) reminds me of  Cho Jinhui (D,OYDK). Both look very sweet and loving girls though, they are more than that. Dajeong and Jinhui both have strong personality. I would say both are great leaders, they are not afraid to say what are on their minds and they are both tough.

Dajeong from The Friendly Winter

Cho Jin Hui 

From left to right:
Chae Rim, Soo Jin Mi

Dear, Only You Don't Know! 

(당신만, 몰라!)

Author: Yuria   Artist: Yuria   Scanlator: Easy Going Scans

Summary

Six women takes all kinds of risk to keep their secrets hidden.

First Read

December 8 2014; Chapters 1-6

     Today, I have read the first six chapters of Dear, Only You Don't Know. This story revolves around six women and each is keeping a secret from a friend or a loved one. Jin Hui, is known to be a lovely wife who owns a pet hotel by her husband but is secretly a boss of the Golden Dragon Gang. Doh Ari has been rejected by men several times and promised herself to not fall in love again but now is hiding her feeling for her co-worker. Na Young Min is a makeup artist that covers herself with cosmetic products to hide her true face. Jin Mi is a middle schooler that falls in love with a 30 year old man and lies about her age to match his. Chae Rim hides her "nerdy" hobby to seem cooler in front of her crush. Madame Mi is a bar manager that holds dark past. So far, I would say the story is kind of messy—in which i do not blame the author because it is still the introduction portion of the story. There are still a lot to be introduced and developed, thus I look forward to it. In my opinion, I would consider only three of them to be hiding a deep secret. The rest seems to be childish. I am just curious how these secrets will affect them. The illustration for this webtoon I would say is excellent; it is visually amusing, it is colorful with great portrayal. Like I said, the plot is a little complex at the moment, I personally think that the characters are quite weird which is what intrigues me the most. Because of the characters' weird persona and the situation they are in, I am encouraged to read further.

Madame Mi

Doh Ari

Na Young Min

Final Read

December 17 2014; Chapters 7-40

     In the beginning of this webtoon, the story was quite confusing. However, as I got deeper in the story, the plot slowly unravels. It eventually clear out some of the confusion I have from the beginning of the story, but there are a lot of things I am still confused about. The plot of the story seems childish at first but I later realize that this webtoon actually contain deep matters. The story deals with scenarios like, bullying, depression (depression of a dog. It's pretty deep) and personal problems. Also, it plays around stereotypes which is quite intriguing.

A/N: She stood up to the man by the way. She is quite a fighter. Literally.

     Something I would say I really like is the illustration of this webtoon and its format. As I read, it gives me this feeling that I am watching it rather than reading it. It sounds odd but it provides an illusion that the characters are actually moving and speaking. Something i do not like about this webtoon, as I said, is that the story is still confusing and complex and I would say that is the only problem I have. But over all, I was kind of hesitant in the first chapter, but I wind up to enjoy this webtoon.

Status: Series Ongoing
Interested? Here's the link: http://mangafox.me/manga/dear_only_you_don_t_know/

Smile Brush 

(스마일 브러시)

Author: Waroo   Artist: Waroo
Scanlator: LINE Webtoon

Summary

An everyday life of a long haired boy named Waroo

Final Read

November 24 2014; Chapters 1-35

     You might (probably not) be wondering why there is no first read for this review. It is because I read it in a day; it is such a simple webtoon. For every chapter, Waroo shares his everyday life with his readers. The chapters are not very long, the illustration is very simple and some stories are very relatable. Waroo the main character, is a normal adult that is sometimes being treated differently because he has long hair. I believe the stories and the character are based off of the author which I think is pretty engaging. Like I said, the stories are relatable, heartwarming and quite witty which made it really interesting. What I like about this webtoon is that every chapter has a different story. Its purpose is very clear; it will not proceed along a plot. Every chapter has a its own story and purpose. I also have noticed that each chapter is short enough to be used as comic strips for newspapers. I think this webtoon is perfect for that. If ever someone has a spare time, I would recommend Smile Brush. It is very easy to read and enjoyable.

There is a sequel to this webtoon if ever you are interested. It is called Smile Brush: My Old Pictures. This webtoon is quite similar to the first one but unlike the first series, the stories in each chapter is based on Waroo's old pictures. The illustration in this series is stronger than the previous one but it is still as great I would say. The sequel is still on going.

Status: Series Completed

Interested? Here are the links:

Smile Brush: http://www.webtoons.com/episodeList?titleNo=94

Smile Brush: My Old Pictures : http://www.webtoons.com/episodeList?titleNo=302

Annarasumanara 

(안나라수마나라)

Author: Ha Il-kwon   Artist: Ha Il-kwon   Scanlator: Webtoon Live

Summary

Yoon Ai, one of the top students in her class, wants to become an adult as soon as possible to escape her bitter reality; poverty. Suddenly finding herself in an abandoned amusement park, Ai meets a childish magician asking "Do you believe in magic?"

First Read

November 05, 2014; Chapters 1-9

     The start of new reading has come! The manhwa Annarasumanara  is a despairing story about a teenager who is going through a hard time surviving on her own. It does not have heavy drama like my previous reading, but this story is quite sad. The main character Yoon Ai, has a sweet personality, almost too pure. After her dad has left her, she becomes the breadwinner for her and her sister. Maintaining grades, working for hours after school, barely having enough to get by everyday, any one would feel bad for her. Later in the story, she meets a mysterious magician that i believe will be the one who changes her life forever *wow*. While she is not convinced that he is a real magician, I am.

   

     The story seems to start off on a right pace but with a dim plot. In the beginning, I would honestly say that I am not really fond of the art style used for this manhwa. But as I get deeper in the story, this style fits the mood the author is trying to establish. At times, it would even have different effects and it really is cool. Overall, this toon is intriguing as I have a few questions i would like to receive an answer to and this is definitely what interests me the most. It feels like all the explanation will just blow up in the end.

Final Read

November 09 2014

     Today, i finished reading the 27 chaptered manhwa, Annarasumanara. I will admit in the beginning, the story line is quiet, the mood is dull and illustration is not my type. But as I get deeper in to the manhwa, like i said in the first read, it gets so much better. The story has a moral, and different art styles are used which is quite entertaining. This story did not have heart pumping, action-packed scenes, nor did it have a sorrowful drama. It is gloomy, it is mystique. In my opinion, what makes this manhwa work is that everything together, the illustration, the story, the characters, and the settings just fits perfectly.

 

      I have a lot of questions all throughout the story. My curiosity did not leave me. That is one of the things I like and did not like about the story. The story will get you thinking, asking a lot of questions. The sense of mystery is there but I thirst for answers. I want to find out a lot of things and i did for most part but some are just left unanswered. Overall, I really like how everything went in the end. It did have a plot twist and I think that ends the story on a good note.

A contrast between old
and new Il Deung

Something I've always wondered is why does Il Deung have a strange head. Everyone in the story looks normal except him. Then, I later understood why he and his family look different from the others; because unlike Ai and the other characters, Il Deung is expected of greatness. Everyone expects him to be the smartest, to be the most successful, to be the best. All these times, he is being pressured , even he puts pressure on himself, until he learns what it really is like to live life, Il Deung burst (literally) and let go of the cold path he is heading to in life.

Status: Series Completed

Interested? Here's the link: http://mangafox.me/manga/annarasumanara/

The Friendly Winter 

(다정한 겨울)

Author: Lee Jun    Artist: Lee Jun    Scanlators: Supreme Cream Scans

Summary

A nineteen year old girl named Han Da Jeong possess a rare growth disorder leaving her trapped in a body of a child meets Kim Min Seong, a seventeen year old with a mental disorder making him act like a child.

First Read

October 22 2014; Chapters 1-8

     Today, I have started reading The Friendly Winter and all I could say is, I AM HOOKED! This manhwa gets me feeling all types of emotion. From the beginning, with the main character, Han Dajeong's strong personality has caught my attention. At first, she appears to be a bratty kid, however she suddenly revealed to be a nineteen year old girl in a body of an infant. Kim Minseong's gentle personality has also captured my affection as well. Living in a body of a seventeen year old, Minseong's childish and sweet character makes it hard for him not to be likable. Moreover, the sudden twist in chapter two between Dajeong and Minseong is very much enjoyable. I sense that the first 2 chapters are supposed to be funny but I cant help but feel sad for both characters. Both of these characters possess an illness that is not very easy to run away from. Compassion is felt all throughout the first two chapters.

     Overall, the toon is funny and pretty dramatic. The graphics are well designed and story is well built. I am definitely intrigued, and definitely looking forward to read more.

Final Read

November 2 2014

     After a week of reading, I have finally finished TFW! One thing i could definitely say is that this manhwa has surpassed my expectations. I honestly expected a cute and super bubbly story line with the thought of " I hope it is not one of those". But what all this manhwa gives me is heavy drama with comedy, and a tad bit of romance. TFW is all about the drama, the abandonment, the sorrow, and the solid friendships. You can almost forget that romance even exists in this story because all the drama has overlaid it and on top of that, the story did not seem cliche. 

     This story has got me thinking, and my thoughts just lead me everywhere trying to find a clear conclusion as to why this or that happened. At the beginning of the manhwa, one of the questions that I am eager to find the answer to is "Has DaJeong's mom ever thought of DaJeong after she abandoned her?" Yes, it is a very simple question but this is the one thing that really intrigues me. Luckily for me, I get to find the answer to my curiosity. 

     In my opinion, i did not feel the sense of the author leaving behind any details or slacking off in the story plot. The story is fully developed and well thought of. I could understand the story, the purpose is clear, and the events are not too overwhelming to the point i cannot keep up with the story. One thing i did not like is the drama being too heavy where it feels like somebody has to cry in every other chapter. But despite that,  to be honest it didn't bother me much, I still enjoy the story. With the drama going on, I can sense that the author still tries to sneak in jokes every now and then. I just cannot point out something i do not like about this manhwa.

     Out of 5 stars, I would give this manhwa 5.1. I really like the story, i love how the visual is laid out, i love how the author kind of used his personal experiences in this story, i love how i did not feel bored while reading it, i just love it. 

Status: Completed

Interested? Here's the link: http://mangafox.me/manga/the_friendly_winter/

Won't you join me?

     I will try something new and different from what i usually do.... read webtoons! What are webtoons you say? Webtoons are comics that can be found on the internet and can also be referred as 'manhwa'. Webtoons are slightly designed differently from comics and mangas and they are purposely posted in the web. This is something I have always wanted to try doing but the big question is, will webtoons be able to Intrigue me...