Apr 4, 2015
Oh, My Romantic Kumiho is another one of shoujo's beloved supernatural romances.
OMRK pokes a bit of fun at Twilight (with some obvious parallels to it as well) and references the love of a human and supernatural being (Kumiho in this case; ninetails) beyond fantasy. I have never read Twilight, but the manwha explains some of its references.
The main character, Ji-Eun is a normal girl, who writes (you guessed it) her own supernatural romances. She is also a member of a supernatural-romance-lovers fanclub with her friends, that meets at a local cafe. Imagine her surprise when her boyfriend of three years, Gyuho, reveals he
...
is a kumiho. Kumihos eat livers like vampires suck blood, but apparently they can do choose to do without this delicacy. Gyuho is one of those few kumihos who won't eat livers (despite, Ji-Eun having one of the purest livers found in centuries). The Kumiho Society members just happen to live in Seoul, and they appear often throughout the story.
::STORY::
Well, the supernatural romance genre doesn't give much to work with, but the manwha writer tries her best to add humor. There's even some easter egg references to K-Pop idols (Gyuho shape-shifted into TOP once)! Originally, this series was only suppose to be an oneshot, which turned into a three-shot then a regularly serialized series. I suppose I can't fault the characters for being a bit flat at times, because they were not meant to be expanded upon.
The only plot at this time is Ji-Eun deciding whether she will marry Gyuho, Gyuho trying to get Ji-Eun to enlist in Kumiho Society for protection, and the slow telling of characters' backstories.
Concerning Gyuho's back story, if you have read Kamisama Kiss/Hajiemeshashita you will notice many similarities to Tomoe's past and his. There are minor twists in Gyuho's developing back story to keep it different. Since, I have read (and enjoyed) KH/KK and others like this I found this storyline repetitive.
::CHARACTERS::
Gyuho acts as the story's Edward and adores Ji-Eun in every way. He has this weird sense to show up ANYWHERE and ANYTIME Ji-Eun's in trouble. He is hilariously clueless at times, but intelligent too for he understood to give Ji-Eun space after his reveal. Of course, he did not give her any space until after he proposed! It doesn't seem like he has any flaws at this point. Ji-Eun gets annoyed at him many times, but he has yet to be annoyed with her. He has an excellent grasp on his temper! Surprisingly, he is twenty-nine years old (human age), that could be the reason he carries himself so mature. I've never read a supernatural romance where the guy was so old... I say that, if you don't take in account their supernatural being age. This is the first one I have read where I did not ask, “Why are you thousands of years old, but act like a teenager?”
Gyuho is a real sweetie, but he can come off as stalkerish. I blame the Edward influence on him for that. He has an actual shrine dedicated to Ji-Eun in his room. I find that creepy but Ji-Eun found it endearing. He once painstakingly pulled out one of his ninetails' tails to give to Ji-Eun as a scarf. Needless to say, she didn’t want it!
Ji-Eun is really plain to me in personality and appearance. She makes me laugh with her questioning the weird events happening in her life though. Sometimes, she wonders if Gyuho only wants her for her liver. She's around twenty years old and seems to be out of school. Before moving in with Gyuho, she lived in an apartment by herself. Not too much is known about her, that does not revolve around her writing, Gyuho, or her family's restaurant. It is realistic how she contemplates whether she should continue her relationship with Gyuho.
Dan, a half-kumiho and half-human, published freelance writer, acts as the story's Jacob. He looks up to and respects Gyuho. He comes off too rude to me for little to no reason. He is the Korean equivalent of a tsundere. He is also a playboy too. He's been away on a life-changing journey and conveniently returns to meet Gyuho and Ji-Eun in their new house. Oh yeah, Dan owns the house they live in because Gyuho lives with him. Due to this fact, Dan takes the liberty of walking around in a towel, whenever he pleases to Ji-Eun's nosebleed-chagrin. He hasn't shown in any romantic interest in Ji-Eun yet but if this says true to the genre trope he will eventually.
Hae-Su is the most interesting of the cast so far. She has a resting bish face and a mischievous personality. She also likes to prank Ji-Eun by pretending to eat her liver. She seems to have a big-sister role to Gyuho! Thank you! She does not seem to be the cliché love rival to Ji-Eun.
I don't have a favorite character, because I don't really connect with any of them. If I had to choose it would probably be Hae-Su.
::RELATIONSHIP::
Meh.
For a shoujo there were not many 'aww couple moments.' In the entire three year relationship, Ji-Eun and Gyuho have barely kissed. Gyuho says they are in a bit of a platonic relationship.
::ART::
OMRK has a unique art style. Besides, Ji-Eun everyone looks like they have stepped out of a magazine. Long mascara eyelashes, elongated necks, and pouty, plump lips are traits of all the characters. I don't find the art style appealing. The lip thing in particulate always looks like someone has bloodied or chapped lips. Sometimes, Gyuho looks great, but other times he looks off. He just has to have a smoldering gaze in every panel.
Also, the Ninetails' form is so ugly! The tails are fuzzy and mangy. I guess I am so used to Pokemon's elegant-looking Ninetails, that these are a major turn off. XD
::CONCLUSION::
OMRK definitely has its funny moments in a otherwise dull story. If you have read few shoujos this storyline will all be entirely new to you. Unfortunately, if you are like me and have read a bunch of this genre, you will want something to break the mold. OMRK could be better, but it's an okay manwha. As the story progresses, I hope the characters can become more meaningful and the story more imaginative.
Still, this could not capture my interest so I am dropping it.
Quick Reminder: Since, this is a manwha you read it left to right.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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