Aug 5, 2023
Delusion (현혹) by Hongjacga (홍작가) is one of those works that remain in your heart, not so much for the plot that has in itself nothing unmissable or new, but for its absolutely spectacular art style. As I read this work, I grew in the desire to own a physical copy of the Manhwa that would lend itself very well to a paperback graphic novel to be put on display on our bookshelf.
The story is set in the 1900s when Korea was still united and the young and economically broken painter I-Ho Yun (윤이호) is called to the hotel of the octogenarian Jeong-Hwa Song (송정화),
...
to realize a painting of her that is apparently on the verge of death.
Without a real surprise (and not even spoilers since everything happens in the first chapter), our eighty-year-old lady has the features of a twenty-year-old and a cathartic beauty worthy of a Greek Venus.
In short, a vampire.
A total of sixty chapters, thirty of which tell a fairly predictable story, going to explore the past of the lady, and the characters who did populate her life. Our I-Ho Yun in this part is only a spectator, nothing adds and takes nothing away from the story (he will later be redeemed in the finale). His is the role of readers listening to dramatic stories of vampires, conspiracies etc.
What is striking is the stellar artwork. Ms. Song I think represents one of the most beautiful 2D characters I've seen in comics literature in general. I must say that the author must have put so much into the creation of Ms Song. As mentioned, hers is an ethereal beauty that makes damned anyone who is in contact with her, even leading him to real hallucinations (Delusions, and hence the title). I myself was enchanted by the beauty of her features.
The Manhwa also offers us various paintings of her, absolute jewels that deserve to be exhibited in an art gallery, as mentioned the art that holds up the story.
But is it a failure?
Absolutely not. I've read vampire stories and many don't work well. But the author here manages an ultra-abused canvas making it credible and elegant although a certain section in the plot made me a bit cringe if I can say and turn up my nose.
With this saying I give Delusion an excellent 70 thanks to a simple story with some interesting peaks and magnificent artwork.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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