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𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲: “Imitation” is a satisfying and well-executed romantic comic, thanks to its focus on realistic interactions between members of the K-pop industry. Though fictionalized, the characters offer insight into how dating works within the field and the pressure on the performers as they try to find their voice. The manga picks up in the first 10-15 chapters. There is a senior-junior romantic relationship. Ryoc, the male lead, who initially seems scary, falls for Maha, the female lead. The manga shows the major and minor problems within the entertainment industry. Aside from that, there are family problems, love triangles, etc. The characters are all great with personalities that stand out, no characters are there to create pointless drama and randomly disappear, each character serves a purpose. The pacing is excellent and no chapter feels like it's a drag or taking too long for the arc to complete. More than anything, I loved the character development of the main couple and supporting characters. The ML is everything you would want in a partner, he's a genuine sweetheart and so is the FC. The growth and development of the FC is awesome too, it was great seeing her become a mature, confident, and wise woman from an insecure and unsure young girl.
𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐬: The art, presented mainly in soft palettes, is one of the more visually appealing entries in the WebToon format, which can often be stunted by publishing schedules and over-reliance on digital techniques. KyungRan Park further excels in capturing the emotions of her characters in a way that is ideally suited to draw readers into its romantic themes. Consequently, the book is well-rounded in its visual presence, and any shortcomings (lack of backgrounds) melt away as one gets wrapped up in the characters and the soft, welcoming color tones.
This webtoon deals with anxiety, pressure, problems in the K-pop industry, jealousy, eating disorders, depression, self-esteem issues, and so much more. Ultimately, “Imitation” may not even be the best romance WebToon currently in print, but the audience it caters to and those who like series that thrive in a familiar structure will surely fall for its charms. Recommended!
