Author: KwangHyun Seo
Manhwa-ga: JinHo Ko
Publisher: Yen Press
Rating: Teen (13+)
Released: January 2009

Synopsis: “There are dark forces at work that seek to manipulate the young croquer Da-Il for theri own ends. When he and his friends are held hostage on the subway in the Dead Zone, Da-Il learns more about the fuel for his croquis from a mysterious croquer with a camera. But not all teachers have benevolent motives . . . and, as Da-Il discovers, some are downright deadly.”

Tearing off where the previous volume ended, this third volume of Croquis Pop wastes no time in showcasing some dramatic one-sided battle scenes to its reader, giving a glimpse at the untapped powers lurking under the manhwa-ga student, Da-Il. Unbeknownst to him, he continues to a big part of someone else’s plans, and while this volume doesn’t expand too much on the fact, it does offer a different look at some familiar faces and the introduction of another Croquer who could very well be friend or foe.

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Manhwa-ga: Shin JiSang and Geo
Publisher: Yen Press
Rating: Teen (13+)
Released: December 2008

Synopsis: “When E-Soh issues an ultimatum to Kum-Ji, she has to choose him on the spot or watch him walk away for good! Happy couplehood seems imminent for the two friends until former Yo-I fan club president Barbie makes her debut on the idol scene. Is this her new ploy to win E-Wan over?! And will it work against E-Soh and Kum-Ji’s budding relationship… since Kum-Ji still hasn’t quite gotten over her broken heart?”

I still have so much trouble telling these characters apart! Doesn’t help most have the same profession, close to the same character design and names that I have difficulty remembering. Fortunately I can always tell who Kum-Ji is which gives me a grounded starting point in most situations. Keep an eye on the romantic-heroine and everyone else will fall in around her eventually, right? Fortunately Chocolat usually makes it all worth the effort.

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Author: KangHo Park
Manhwa-ga: HaNa Lee
Publisher: Yen Press
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Released: September 2008

Synopsis: “When Chiwoo’s epic battle with Yi-Yun is rudely interrupted by Il-Lak of the Heavenly Emperor’s army, the truth behind the death of Yi-Yun’s father is revealed. As alliances shift, Chiwoo’s clash with this new enemy brings about an unexpected casualty. Can Chiwoo overcome the sorrow dredged up by this tragic turn of events in order to become a better mangnani and deafeat hte Heavely Emperor once and for all?”

There’s lots to reveal for fans of the series here in the fifth volume of the series, as the story leaps off from where the previous one left off. Chiwoo continues to face one of the strongest opponents of his life in a desperate struggle to save those he came for. But despite all his efforts, lives are lost and some dramatic truths are exposed.

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Author: KwangHyn Seo
Manhwa-ga: JinHo Ko
Publisher: Yen Press
Rating: Teen (13+)
Released: June 2008

Synopsis: “As the studio erupts in chaoe over Ho Go’s new comic, one of his former students – Ga In – appears at the door! Da-Il, who ends up sharing his room with boss’s former protege, wakes p in the middle of the night to find his guest in the grip of a huge monster! Under attack himself, Da-Il is thrown into a stragic story from Ga-In’s past, where discovers that Mu-Huk can’t always save him and even superpowers have their limits.”

A lot more of the story’s key elements made much more sense to me here in the second volume of Croquis Pop. While the manhwa-ga, Ho Go, and his students make a fuss over his new comic starring themselves. the group are greeted with a surprise guest, an old student named Ga-In. It’s into the past of Ga-In that Da-Il finds himself next, the ‘Dead Zone’ which reflects the strong emotions of a person manifested into a place. Or atleast that seems to be the simpliest way I can figure it, much more concise than my confuddled thoughts after finishing the first book.

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Manhwa-ga: Park SoHee
Publisher: Yen Press
Rating: Teen (13+)
Released: November 2008

Synopsis: “ChaeKyung and Shin return to their separate quarters at the palace, but the crown princess can’t shake the feelings aroused by her new husband. Try as she might, there’s no denying it — she’s completely fallen for him! When ChaeKyung lets a confession slips, she braces herself for the prince’s rejection. Instead, he doesn’t even acknowledge her! Though the suspense is killing ChaeKyung, does she really want to know what Shin has to say?”

Shin the man-beast is still at it, working his royal charms, if only to drive Chae Kyung crazy! The more something makes her happy, the more he wants to ruin it for her. He seems to have some kind of insane complex where if he can’t have something, he doesn’t want anyone else to have it, even if it’s something as simple as happiness. He’s still growing as a man, and being subjected to a girl like Chae is definitely changing the way he looks at things.

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Manhwa-ga: Kang EunYoung
Publisher: Yen Press
Rating: Teen (13+)
Released: November 2008

Synopsis: “Weighed down by the connection between his family and Da-Eh’s, Sun-Nam plans to get the truth out into the open. When Da-Eh and Da-Hwa show up to meet their boyfriend and half-brother respectively, they’re both shocked to find they’re waiting for the same person! Already frustrated with matters of the heart, Da-Eh blames her younger brother for complicating things further. But her anger quickly dissolves into sorrow when an unthinkable tragedy occurs.”

The love triangle is relentlessly trying to shed one of its corners in this fifth volume of Hissing, but it just can’t seem to shake either of the heartthrobs off. Everytime one of them starts to move further away from Da-Eh, they get pulled right back in by her smack-talking, sentimental attitude. Being boys with lovely faces, I guess it’s their destiny to be attracted to the only girl who doesn’t appear to care about how they look. With all this going on, one can’t help but wonder how on earth she’s going to meet the deadline for that manhwa contest!

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Manhwa-ga: Lee Eun
Publisher: Yen Press
Rating: Teen (13+)
Released: December 2008

Synopsis: “Donning a disguise complete with a pair of antique galsses for an impending (and potentially embarrassing) doctor’s appointment, Bun-Nyuh never expected to find true love in the waiting love! But when the handsome young physician seems equally floored by her, a romantic escapade might just be around the corner. However, love at first sight is not all it seems… especially when you’re looking at the world through someone else’s glasses…”

Some womanly concerns send Bun-Nyuh to a doctor but embarrassment over the possibilities leave her bundled under a disguise. But one look at the doctor and it was love at first sight! And maybe the same from him…?

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Manhwa-ga: Yun JiUn
Publisher: Yen Press
Rating: Teen (13+)
Released: October 2008

Synopsis: “The gaiety of the school festival takes an unexpected turn when Ma-Ha is accosted by a group of his former girlfriends! Unabashed, Ma-Ha introduces them all to a shocked Hye-Min: How can they all stay friends with him when he’s such a player? But with Hye-Min’s popularity at an all-time low, she is surprised to find such good friends among Ma-Ha’s slighted exes. Hye-Min finds herself in a group of companions, forcing her to look closely at the cold, isolated person she’s always been.”

It’s a new beginning for Hye-Min, as the life of being girlfriend to the famous playboy, Ma-Ha, takes her down new roads. Her past has been full of elegant silence, but there’s no way Ma-Ha will let her get away with sitting on the sidelines anymore. Dragging her into his world by the wrist, she is forced to find out that other people aren’t so bad, and there is life beyond the walls of Piper.

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