Mated To An Enemy

entertaining and suspenseful. this was a very enjoyable read.

This story is great. Not sure how often you update but I am soooooo looking forward to them.

You can tell straight away that a great deal of effort has gone into this work: from the costume designs (always incredibly detailed and fitting with the historical theme) to the character development. (SKIP TO END FOR A BRIEF CONCLUSION)

Firstly, compared to the art in other Korean manhwas, I found this one to be quite impressive. There were moments when I thought, "Wow, that must have taken forever to draw—it's so intricate and beautiful." The clothing and architecture are truly stunning and diverse.

Secondly, the story. Be warned, this part will include some venting... The premise of the story is outstanding. If it had been executed slightly differently, it would have been the perfect shoujo manga that I would revisit time and again. However, as written by the author, it quickly became tiresome and overly long. It was repetitive, and the plot twists were predictable. Even when an event surprised me, I could foresee who would ruin it and how. Eventually, you just want to give up because the main characters are constantly torn apart—again and again and again. It feels like the author stretched the story out unnecessarily to prolong its duration, which ultimately spoiled it. If it had been a few volumes shorter and had a more satisfying ending (a better "reward" for enduring all of that), it would have been one of my favorite mangas.

Lastly, the characters. This was a significant flaw: there were many instances where I was utterly confused about their decision-making or how they fit into the narrative. There's also an excessive focus on background characters, which only adds to the confusion (for example, the eunuch and Yul's relationship is bizarre—oscillating between love, hate, and something awkward). The main characters and the king/queen are the only consistent ones. They are well-developed and not the typical "black and white" archetypes often seen in mangas: they evolve, act unpredictably, and behave like real human beings (I believe this is the charm of the book).

In conclusion, this is a decent read, and I'm glad I went through it, but I genuinely think that once you reach volume 12 or 13, it starts going downhill and becomes repetitive. By volume 17, I was pulling my hair out. Something the author seems to have overlooked is that when someone picks up a shoujo manga, it's usually because they want to feel good about a relationship—like experiencing catharsis: overcoming obstacles with the couple and then being rewarded with happiness when they finally come together. This manga does not provide that. If you're looking for a sweet romance that makes you smile foolishly (unfortunately, a habit of mine ;)) and cry, finishing with a huge grin and feeling giddy, DO NOT READ THIS. But if you're after a proper story, essentially a novel with pictures, then this book is definitely for you and is very well-written (despite all my complaints... I was just so frustrated!!!).

Goong offers a unique twist on the "historical" genre of drama. This blend of the modern era with a historical monarchy centers around The Palace and the royal family. Yet, it also provides glimpses into everyday life, such as school experiences.

Many aspects are characteristic of shoujo manga, like the main characters' relationships, but the character growth and plot evolve into a truly engaging drama. Additionally, the spirited interactions between the female protagonist and the aloof male lead bring a delightful comedic element.

Goong also boasts stunning artwork. From the palace landscapes to the clothing depicted, there is exquisite detail throughout the narrative.

Most excitingly, Goong is still being released, and I anticipate even more impressive developments in the upcoming chapters.

I began my journey with "Goong" by watching the live-action drama, quickly falling in love with the story and feeling compelled to read it until the very end. The concept is truly fantastic, a common theme in K-dramas and manhwas, revolving around a fictional monarchy. This particular tale focuses on a girl who becomes a princess, paired with a prince who couldn't be more different from her, as her free-spirited nature clashes with the confines of palace etiquette. Additionally, the story delves into the love triangles that emerge, leading to scandal, death, and plenty of apologies.

I greatly appreciated the character designs in this manhwa, particularly the attention to detail in the eyes and lips. While the architecture was decent, the depictions of people and their clothing were truly exceptional.

As I mentioned earlier, I became deeply invested in the story and the evolution of its characters. However, I felt the author unnecessarily prolonged the narrative. It could have concluded a volume or two earlier. Certain parts were rather dull and stagnant, with the overarching theme remaining unchanged for about five volumes. The side stories seemed largely inconsequential, and the author even admitted to wasting pages in the second-to-last volume. Due to the drawn-out pacing without significant new developments, I believe the ending was rushed, leaving it unsatisfactory. In 2010, this was one of my favorite reads, easily deserving a 9, but the poor conclusion brings it down to an 8.

Nevertheless, I still recommend it, because who wouldn't dream of their parents secretly betrothing them to a HOT prince?

Enjoy.

In spite of having so many chapters and reaching 27 volumes, this manhwa continues to capture my attention. Although I sometimes feel weary due to its length, the conflict remains compelling, urging me to keep reading.  

There is only one overarching conflict in this manhwa that persists until the very end, and it makes me appreciate it even more because the conflict feels genuine. Even after the main character (MC) and love interest (ML) finally come together, a new conflict arises that separates them, yet it never bores me. I can clearly see the growth of each character, especially the male lead (Shin), who starts off as cold and prideful but gradually softens into a genuinely caring person.  

Overall, I thoroughly enjoy reading this manga and highly recommend it to fans of shoujo romance.  
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If you've seen the drama, don't pass up on this manhwa. It's quite distinct and boasts its own unique appeal.

That said, having viewed the drama first, I was struck by how different Shin appears in the original source material. Here, he’s your typical arrogant and pampered rich kid—unlike in the drama where he comes across as colder, more composed, and rather restrained.

Chae-Gyung, however, remains the standard, relatable heroine with whom it's easy to empathize. Her life drastically altered, I can genuinely feel her loneliness and misery within the confines of the palace. Moreover, compared to the drama, the royal household in the manhwa is exceedingly strict and far more stifling.

Anyway, I'll stop comparing it to the drama and focus on the manhwa itself.

One aspect deserving praise is its originality. It's no small feat to imagine plausible scenarios set in an alternate universe version of Korea, and it's truly remarkable how the author brings these "what-ifs" to life.

The artwork here is stunning and only gets better with each volume. I appreciate the intricate details of the scenery and costumes. The characters also grow more appealing, particularly Shin and Yul.

As for the plot and characters, what I admire most about the manhwa is witnessing how the protagonists fall in love. It unfolds slowly and gradually but feels incredibly convincing.

Raised in such an environment, Shin initially appears as a self-centered jerk incapable of caring for others. As he and Chae-Gyung are forced to coexist, he begins to experience unfamiliar emotions and eventually realizes what he's been missing in his life.

Similarly, Chae-Gyung, once a lively and cheerful girl thrust into an unwanted marriage, grows closer to Shin. The more time she spends with him, the more she understands and pities him, which eventually evolves into love.

Their relationship took me on an emotional rollercoaster: I laughed, got angry, and cried alongside them and their predicaments. Although the story did drag at times, I didn't mind too much because I thoroughly enjoyed the journey, flaws and all.

The only letdown was the ending. It was left open-ended with some unresolved plot points. However, given the manhwa's extensive character and relationship development, one can reasonably assume a positive conclusion.

Additionally, I found it amusing that the author pokes fun at shoujo/drama/romance novel tropes. Even Hana Yori Dango gets a mention!

In summary, the author skillfully balances comedy, drama, and romance. Highly recommended!

*SPOILER-FREE*  

I think the main reason this manhwa failed was due to its poorly developed characters, repetitive plot structure, and an excessively prolonged narrative that quickly grew dull.  

The start of the series was actually quite promising. While there are countless tales about forced royal marriages, I initially found myself drawn to this one. I saw immense potential, and given the large number of chapters, I anticipated a compelling storyline with significant character growth. However, I was mistaken. By the midpoint of the story, I realized I was becoming increasingly frustrated and irritated while reading it. I couldn't pinpoint the cause at first, so I pressed on. Eventually, I understood that I had started to despise every single character. All of them were whiny, spineless individuals who repeatedly made the same atrocious mistakes over and over again. This wouldn't have been as problematic if it had only applied to one or two characters, but it encompassed the entire cast. Special mention must go to Hyo-rin, who became the most detestable character I've ever encountered. Despite these terrible characters, the series still had a chance to succeed. If it had been limited to 50 chapters, the manhwa might have been enjoyable. Instead, the plot dragged on, recycling the same ideas until I no longer wanted to continue reading. As the story progressed, my hatred for the series intensified until I reached the conclusion, which I found utterly disappointing.  

This manhwa was a major letdown, and I genuinely regret spending time on it. I would not recommend it to any reader, regardless of their preferences.  

Story - 5  
Art - 8  
Characters - 1  
Enjoyment - 6  
Overall - 5