I've been on a new wave of reading manhwa lately, but I noticed several peculiar things about the creative process in manhwa that seemed to be dominating for the one final result - efficiency. A lot of usage of 3D modeling, same images, patterns etc. The only thing that makes them look different is the art style. Though sometimes it also looks rushed.
I personally love costuming, especially in movies, if it's a decently budgeted film and the director invites a visionary we can end up with some amazing costume decisions that will distinct the movie from the rest. The movie even may up ending a complete garbage truck, but costuming may take it to another level and impact the viewer.
And it doesn't matter the genre, be it fantasy or urban story. Costuming may play a big role and become some sort of an iconic moment.
As of lately I've read some decent Korean novels and manhwas, which was surprising to me. The reason being the love of Korean authors writing many toxic plots just for the sake of it. It may be completely illogical and bad, but it will mask itself behiind some heart-wrenching moments that people will be distracted by to notice the fallacy. But I digress.
But I found it surprising how downright foolish some of the visuals actually are and how lazy the thought process behind the costuming is. All for the sake one goal - efficiency. Draw fast, throw some stock images and be done with it.
If you've read at least one or two manhwas, you probably have seen the majority of them, because they look the same. The excessive use of 3D modeling for everything, starting from houses, horses that will give me nightmares and even the plates and food. Sometimes artists are lazy to draw correctly around those and the entire thing often looks wanky and uggo.
While the costuming uses no rhyme or reason, the female gowns are always these wackadoodle pastes of hundreds details that are meant to distract you from how crazy it looks or how modern it feels. And they mean to say it is "European ambience". These are not my words, it's a legit tag used for romantasy set in a country that will remind you of something European, even though it's a fantasy country.
I'd love to talk about how messy it looks with styles mixed, too many modern pieces included everywhere, which to me as a reader doesn't help to immerse myself into what supposed to be a fantasy.
But when it comes to dresses... girl. This is a mess.
Even if they would just follow some past historical fashion they would be totally fine, copy and paste what a big deal, but they need to bring this girl fantasy of sparkles and gems that often just looks illogical.
Before I dive into it I must have an honorable mention, this should be given best costuming award, at least arist had put some thought in it - My In-Laws are obsessed with me. And not to mention artist will never forget the gloves, which is a big part of the story (if you know, you know). But has a better distinction between day wear, ball gowns and overall female / male fashion. The artist even takes care of the hairstyle for the FMC. Also the story is great, I loved it.
Another one that stood out to me among others was Mother's Contract Marriage, which is visually stunning, totally stands out among others. And I don't care if our main characters wardrobe looks too modern tbh, but it looks cute.
Back to manhwas. The fashion is weird. Mostly, it exists, but trends don't. I see no trends in romantasy manhwa, ever. It always feels like - whichever idea came to mind, we will realize it. And I find it funny because often time they mention fashion in the manhwa itself, but they don't have distinct elements to make up a trend. Like the FMC can wear a full skirt, then it's more fishtail, she can wear a hat, then she wears a bonnet. It's like mix and match of styles. It can exist, but it looks like a mess.
There are no trends, no silhouettes that are fashionable, it's always just a lot of ruffles and a lot of stock images that are used. You know those, 2D images of necklaces that look obviously flat or other embellishments and patterns that looks same dead.
There is often no distinction between day wear and ball gowns. This is baffling to me because otherwise characters look like Christmas trees in their everyday life, dressed in full evening gowns with jewellery glittering to the universe.
There is no distinction between status. Like you look at people who definitely should have different status, but they all look the same.
Why I mention this is because I think it's missed opportunity and secondly, artists make some interesting mistakes while disregarding what they're writing about just for the sake of being "pretty".
I can give an example, can't make screenshots though.
In manhwa called Marchioness Marron (or just call it moron, would be fitting considering the story), FMC is sent to isolated territory and she basically has nothing with her outside the dress she's wearing. The mansion Marron is a dilapitated building that does not seem to hold much. Let's admit she might have found a change of clothes.
But later she develops the territory slowly and brings in several occupants. The manhwa draws attention several times to the fact that they need to sell some of their produce to survive and Marron herself mentioned the lack of money. So on one of their outings she buys a dress, it's an investment, I admit, but later on she is seen to be walking around always in more sophisticated dresses, not to mention embellishments are all gems, which makes her dresses look expensive. Which in her current settings looked quite not right and conflicting. Not to mention she does not need to wear those for her everyday wear. There is no one to see her, she established her status among her (small bunch of) people.
One of the main trends in romantasy is actually the copy of what GoT. Northern territory ruled by a Duke that defends against monsters.
Almost every other romantasy manhwa is about a Norther territory that protects from monsters and they also have beef with central territory which is supposed to be the ruling center. Not to mention almost every other male lead character has dark hair and red eyes, watch out for that shit.
But it's hilarious when characters are drawn in some fine embellished dresses while it's a winter territory they describe as COLD. Clothes always look thin and you would expect more fur but no.
I forgot which manhwa I've opened up lately and it basically showed a female character walking around in winter in her heels. It's not a boot, it's a full high-heeled shoe with some gems and stuff. And it's not a single occurance and no, she did not run out out of urgency, she wore it as if it was okay.
Clothes always look the same in many manhwas, they're elaborate and don't take into consideration anything except looking flashy. Like details of the plot, status, purchase ability etc.
I can understand efficiency, but sometimes it looks more than that, that artists did not waste even two brain cells on creating something unique or of their own. Sometimes gowns look simple only because the overall art style is like that.
I think novel covers art looks the best out of all, since the artists only draw this one picture and if they add too many details it might end up looking gaudy, but just the working on the texture and making the drawing look good make the most basic things shine. And I don't think it's realistic to draw like that all the time. I'm sure there are plenty out there just drawing, not really aiming to create a masterpiece.
But from time to time it's nice to see at least something. Although usually it's simple things, but at least it will give you something. For example, a color scheme that belongs solely to some regions to distinct the rivalry is the easiest to draw. Or often time the soft-looking female villain who always cries so the males will pity her will look innocent and wearing some light-colored clothes with lots of ruffle to support the girlishness.
I remember someone made a hilarious comment how they're gonna have a PTSD from pink- or light-haired villains who look and act innocent (Chinese equivalent of White Lotus x Green Tea Bitch mix).
So basically, not everything is lost and it looks good, but often time it just does not look appropriate for what scene / situation the characters are in.
Well, ranting is over. I can go on even longer, but that's the gist of it.
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