I love a good romance. I'm also a big fan of anything promoting girl power! That is why I really wanted to be completely in love with I.N.V.U., a Manhwa by Korean writer and artist Kim Kang Won. Unfortunately, I feel I was slightly misled by the blurb on the back cover, I.N.V.U. is touted as a story of four girls and they're quest for love. Yet, I found myself a little disappointed about how the manwha unfolded, and a little torn about how to feel towards the story.
I.N.V.U. is the story of a young girl named Sey who's mother decides that she is going to move to London to write her book and that her daughter will be left behind to be raised by her best friend. Unfortunately she neglects to tell Sey her plans. So one day Sey’s life was rudely interrupted by movers who entered her room one morning while she slept. With that, the girl's life takes a swift change as she moves in with the Kang family. Mr. and Mrs. Kang have a son, Terry, who Sey quickly discovers isn't a boy at all-her name is Hali, but for reasons Sey can't imagine, she is made to dress up like a boy and act as though she is Terry. Unfortunately, Sey's newfound "brother" is also competition. Both girls are in love with their teacher, Hajun Cho, a family friend of Sey's, and Hali's former tutor.
But, one love triangle is not nearly enough for one girl. No, besides being in love with her teacher, Sey is beginning to garner the attention of a young rebel named Siho Lee, who just happens to be dating one of Sey's best friends, Rea. Add that to her other best friend Jae Eun and her relationship with a baker and you've got a fairly interesting tangle of relationship storylines.
The only trouble I find with I.N.V.U. is the lack of presence from Rea and Jae Eun. The story behaves as though it is just about the romantic entanglements of Hali and Sey, when it is advertised as being centered around all four girls. Personally, I find Hali/Terry's story to be very interesting, but I found myself wanting to see what the other characters had to say, and I didn't find what I was looking for here. I can only hope that more on the other two girls will be present in Volume 2.
The art on the book is gorgeous, and drawn in your basic manwha style except for the characters of Hajun and Siho who are drawn so realistically, it's as though they are standing right next to you. The art truly draws the reader into the story, beautifully depicting the emotions of the character.
All in all, I liked this story. It was cutesy, romantic and with a little angst thrown into the mix. All of the characters, especially Hali/Terry, drew me in and wouldn't let me go until I finished. If I get a more well-rounded Volume 2, I.N.V.U. will have a big fan on their hands!
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