Review:

I.N.V.U (pronounced 'I envy you') is the first mainstream girls manwha (Korean comics) to hit America. Written by the talented Kim Kang Won, it's about four teenage girls trying to fulfill their dreams while still in their teenage years. *coughneverhappensinreallifecough* Well... there are equally as much male main and supporting characters as much as females but this is a shojo, so what did you expect?

Kim Kang Won knows her audience. This is the kind of manga you'd call "hip". I had wondered whether some of these stuff was actually experienced by the creator herself personally or whether she just made it up on the spot to be "hip". The focus sometimes changes in a subtle way. None of the supernatural or futuristic robots here, just a take on the everyday teenage life. Joy!

I think Kim Kang Won tries to speak out for all the teenage girls out there, and thus grouped them into four:

• Rea Yoo is the shallow, self-absorbed-image-obsessed girl that everyone has met. More into looks than books, her dream is to model in the fashion industry. She's best friends with Sey Hong.
• I think the person I relate to most in Sey Hong. She plays the pissed off chick on triple power PMS. She's naive and oblivious to other's feelings and sometimes incredibly petty. Her talent at playing 'hard-to-get' unknowingly is unparalleled.
• Jae Eun's dream is to become a mangaka. She has a bishounen cook and cosplaying obsession *ahem*. Maybe the creator intended for us to think that her personality is somewhat reflected in this character. She does say things that make you wonder whether it's really Kim Kang Wong speaking for herself. She's best friends with Sey Hong too.
• Hali Kang is the black sheep. She has a dark past (typical), and experienced traumatizing events. She's the tortures soul and you can't help but wonder about her. She's always that girl that's got an air of mystery surrounding her.

Vol 1
The plot kicks off with Sey's mother moving at the last minute (what the hell?) leaving the surprised Sey with an unfamiliar family. They seem normal at first and she meets Terry Kang (son of the Kangs). But wait, she hates him because he's a complete bastard to her! *sarcastic gasp* Predictable! Sey will fall in a love-hate relationship with Terry and everything will be peachy keen! ...or so we think. Terry is actually dead and Hali takes on her brother's role because of her mother's suppressed amnesia. Damn my normal mind!

Can you believe that's not even half of the plot to the book? I wont give too much away but it includes an almost perfect teacher, Mr. Hajun Cho and rollerblade expert, Siho Lee, brother of perfect teacher Youngjun Cho and Simon. Sigh.

Vol 2
Bishounen everywhere you turn! Whoa, I found another one! Sey has a fever and was taken to the hospital and Mr. Cho picks her up and brings her to his house. I can hear all rasing your eyebrows and looking as if they're screaming why in an uncomfortable manner but Mr Cho. is actually Sey's childhood friend. Hali picks her up and things happen. Rea and Hali gets interests to model. They meet Taegi Kwon who is a famous casting director and college buddy of Hajun Cho which happened in Vol. 1 too, but it gets more serious as Rea comments on Hali's wonderbra-ized breasts.

In this book, you find that Sey Hong and Hali Kang's life are more intertwined than they think they are. Much better plot. It makes me anxious and thirsty for the next volume.

Comment on the art:
Kim Kang Won's bodies are androgynous and ectomorphic. I personally think that her women are just men with boobs and a girly face. The bodies are extremely long and lean. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. It's a sort of unisex way of drawing humans. It gives the art a little more elegance and delicacy. Excellent use of tones. It's definitely manga (or manwha) with personality.

There is one tiny thing that is bothering me and that is the translation. Sometimes I can see that what they're saying is not actually what they're saying, do you know what I mean? And there are typos. Yes, those irritating typos. But whatever the message was, I'm sure it came across fine but I think it could have been better.

If you're the sort of person who loved M.A.R.S, then you'll definitely like this. Sometimes too much a cliche, sometimes typical, but never uninteresting or boring. I encourage you to pick it up and buy every single series available. It gets a 7.5 out of 10.

note: I wrote this review for myself in Notepad about 2 or 3 years ago. I saw the category manwha and I was just ever so tempted.