[MANHWA] You Think It's Easy Rewriting a Story? / 원작은 아무나 비트나 (2025)

Season 1. Based on a novel, also has alternative title, Anyone Beats the Original (title of the novel).

Reincarnation stories are all the rage these days, but I never thought I’d be the one getting reborn! But still, life as a rich man’s beautiful daughter is pretty sweet... except for one thing. No matter what I do, where I run, or who I romance, this novel is dead-set on getting me hitched to the handsome duke destined to kill me! There must be some way to change my fate, right? I won't go out like this!

I have no idea why the rates are so abismal on NU, this story in the form of manhwa is simply everything I search in the story. Great characters, slowly progressing plot that promises some twist, beautiful art. And COMEDY. Honestly, maybe the story may not seem like that, but the way it is drawn is simply HYSTERICAL.

FMC is a menace. She may be having the face of an angel (those who know load of villainess character have blonde hair will get PTSD from this), but she is so much more than just a pretty face.

In order to survive and change her fate FMC acted a bit unhinged at first, before she realized nothing changed her fate of marrying the villain. But later she realizes that there is more to the story and she.. actually joins her husband in his revenge.

Although he is a "villain" but he is such a sweet giant as well. He came to like this unusual woman who became his wife. She also came to love him.

The way they protect each other is everything.

It's also great that FMC befriended the original female protag. You know how often female characters are pitted against each other? Of course there is a fair share of those cannon fodder women here too, but when it comes to main characters it's not very often seen. It's a good trend that they get it done this way more and more.

Also it is obvious that something is brewing about the original male protag who is the crown prince. We do not like him in this house and he can piss off.

Although the stakes may seem high or low it is still very fun to explore the topic of fate or inevitability. Because FMC has no auxilary helping hand she has no idea if she changed anything or not. Something is definitely changing but is it enough? Will it work? Her choice changes with the flow of the story, which is a nice change of some set in stone path, like it often happen with majority of protags. 

Honestly, I was smitten by the story and the characters. Waiting for more.

[MANHWA] Not Your Typical Reincarnation Story / 흔한 빙의물인 줄 알았다 (2023)

Nothing is original.

Summary: Not all villains are evil. When Suna Choi reincarnates as Edith Rigelhof, the villain from her favorite novel, she is determined to change Edith’s life around and treats everyone with kindness. Although she marries the handsome Killian Rudwick, he is madly in love with the original protagonist of the book and mistrusts Edith because she is from a rival family. Will her marriage survive the whirlwind of family feuds, love triangles, and more? Will Edith find her happy ending?

I say nothing is original anymore, because it isn't. Although it says not your typical reincarnation story, but those who read many stories like that, they know damn well how unoriginal this is. If you new to the genre and this type of story though you may be surprised, but I may not want to introduce you to it through this story. Although it's relatively short.

My main problem was and stays with how plot forces FL stay oblivious. Any other person after a try or two would suspect characters the closest to the OG plot. But FL did not do it till the very end. She honestly believed in the good of people, but it felt silly of her to do so. The same was for some places that felt fakely dramatic, as if they were made to be drama for the sake of drama.

The rest of it was quite typical melodrama befitting this type of story. Character who have no idea that they're part of the plot and are tragically follow it as puppets. Slow realization of your past mistakes. Awakening of the characters. And Edith who has to endure it all knowing that people surrounding her are affected by the plot and she can't do anything about it.

Another problem with FL was she acting like a nympho at first... It was so odd.

Another critic is how the romance is handled... I still have no idea how why Killian started to feel that way about her. He was breaking off from the plot quite quickly, but in an awkward way. Of course it's good that he found her positive sides when she tried to defend herself. Same for Edith, she is attracted to his face before he does something that proves she can rely on him, which I find a tad bit shallow. But it also takes some time, since he is also under the influence of the plot. He often said things in an awful way, you wouldn't expect her to ever trust this guy.

The overall story is same old. Though author tried too hard to twist it a bit.

Spoilers of course~

The OG blonde girl. Not bothered to remember her name. Laughed hard how someone commented they're going to have PTSD when looking at blonde characters since they all are villainous. The OG blonde girl wanted to save OG Edith (feels so yuri) and OG Edith is awakened. At first we hear from Edith that she awakened ablity to call for "outside help" and she thought the author will have mercy, but the author is the one who brought mysery to all consequent Ediths. Time after time the story starts, author replaced the OG heroine and used everything to make Edith myserable. Edith died many times, each time it's a different girl from author's world (S.Korea). Now it's like 13th time and our new Edith. She is wary of the og plot events so she tries to avoid them, not realizing someone is setting her up all the time. They don't have enough proof, but Edith ends up with bad rep anyway.

There were three instances when author can place "conditions" that Edith must accomplish. Author thinks they're impossible but Edith manages to do them, even if she has no idea what they are. But with each condition met athor's authority is diminished and eliminated completely. Meaning more and more characters are awakened from the plot, unlike most important character who took time.

Although tormented by the plot Killian started to believe his wife more, especially when he realized that the ones winning from it are those he did not expect.

The author and the elder brother are found guilty of what they were doing behind the scenes. Their parents tried to fix it. And at this moment author left, meaning the OG heroine who started it all came back and lived later in monastery to atone for her sins and bringing up innocent lives to this world.

Author was sent back to her world. The eldest son being so obsessed with her followed in a while, but they of course did not have a great ending since conditions changed so much. From nobility to rundown house with a woman who does not resemble his lover and needing to learn and work.

Since the last Edith won the freedom for all previous people they chose to leave to another world. Edith stayed with Killian to enjoy her happy ending. 

Some say that beginning isn't the greatest but the rest of the story picks up. I'm not denying it. But I can't say it's that one great story.

I actually am impressed that it happened to be forgettable. Like only few days passed since I read it and a lot of details except the main points slipped from my memory. And that I was baffled by how FL was forced to be oblivious to who the culprit is...

[WEBTOON/Manga] I've Fallen for the Empre's Greatest Villaness

Yeah, I'm also surprised that this is manga/webtoon. I'm too used seeing manhwa all over the place.

Did not plan to find anything good so soon. No really, I consider this a stroke of luck, a jackpot of search, beacause this manga / webtoon is simply adorable, I can't even express how fantastically fun and cute this is. I had so much fun reading it, I know it's not over and I will gladly continue following it. Eng version can be found on webtoon.

After reading now I understand why some want their man have a little wolfdog or a pup vibe, because this man n the cover is the exact embodiment of it. He is so good, he may have made few things hard for himself and for others because of his situation, but overall this man is perfectly good. 

Their dynamic is so fun to follow, the art style truly elevated it. Those funny moments, ah loved them.

#fantasy, European ambience, comedy, romance, fated lovers

The story takes place in a fantasy land that has an on-going situation with a protective shield against monsters and demons. The ones at the forefront are those who are known as guardians and saints. Many wield magic in order to defeat the dark forces that try to seep through to the peaceful world, but the one who bears the most tragic fate is the Guardian and Raven is the current one who knows that his fate is sealed. There is also another person who wields incredible purifying magic and that is Estrella, also known as the Greatest Villainess of the Empire.

Both of them did not cross paths when suddenly Raven's house receives an order from the Emperor to wed with the house of Sharens and his soon-to-be wife is none other than Estrella.

She is known for her behavior and he is known for being a womanizer, but are these even true?

The very first meeting she comes to him and says I want to see you kneel. You're sitting there gaging because I never expected such a turn, but she has such an adorable personality with an awkward touch, but she also moves forward with such resolution.

She is truly the domineering one in this relationship, at one point she even compares herself to old lecher because Raven, who is a rumored womanizer is nothing more but a paper tiger, those rumors are not true and he never had a relationship with a woman. All his love will be given to Estrella.

But it doesn't mean she doesn't have the moments of doubts and vulnerability.

Can't consider this a spoiler, this is given quite early in the story, but Guardians are said to sacrifice themselves because they know no other way how to fix the seal that loses power over time. This is why he pushes any love or relationships away because he is such a kid boy who truly doesn't want anyone to hurt over him, but he still manages to attract a load of people with his kindness. Despite his fierce looks among his people they all know he is like a mother hen.

Estrella promised herself that she will do anything within her power to protect him. Our girl is built different.

The story is truly light-hearted, of course stakes are high, but the vibe of this work does not allow you to feel pressured. These two are like two cutie-patooties that are so fun to follow and root for.

[MANHWA] My in-laws are obsessed with me

Pereshati Zahardt is a count's daughter who got remarried after her mother’s passing. When her father died, he left her all his fortune. Then, Pereshati's greedy stepmother and stepsister conspire with Pereshati's lover to kill her. However, under mysterious circumstances, Pereshati is brought back to life and travels back in time before her murder. To buy some time before getting her revenge, Pereshati visits the handsome yet notorious grand duke, Therdeo Lapileon, to marry him. During her visit, she uncovers a horrifying secret of his family. How will Pereshati deal with it? Will she be able to take her revenge?

 In a non-spoiler way I may say that I recommend to check out this manhwa. 9 out of 10 times I dnf a Korean manhwa or a novel, because we don't click. But this time I found myself engulfed in this story and I don't regret starting it (reason is: manhwa is currently on hiatus since Jan'25 due to artist's poor health).

 Despite such a cheesy title the story itself is very engaging and heart-warming, but much darker than average. Because I was surprised myself about attention to details and how this story concentrates on what this family has to go through. What each family member had experienced, their achievements and limitations. How it influences their life, values, life choices and many other sides of their lives. It feels like it occupies everything.

 This world might be not super complex but unlike many of the stories I've seen it gives you enough details to see the picture how this world lives. Surely it's not historically accurate (about this later) it's just "Europen ambience" and an inspired world with no parallels.

 This is the time when the story really wins from visuals. Especially the character of Therdeo who is a silent type and keeps everything to himself. He's a basic repressed person who also has points won from the fact that he does not have insta-love with Pereshati (like in many other novels or comics where MMC is said to be not interested in women, but the moment he laid his eyes on FMC all his convictions change instantly, so cheap). Here this shows his repressed nature and also his trauma. Pereshati's image also adds a note with her funny faces at times, which lightens up the story, which otherwise would be more dramatic than it already is. The romance may not be the first priority (understandably) but it's a very nice slowburn so when things finally progress you root for the two of them. They also go through different issues, which I thought was a great touch to add instead of something flawless.

 Pereshati is a kind and compassionate person, she is hard-working and smart. I like how they deal with each other and she has a progress of mostly having Lapileons as her shield to caring for this family. I loved attention to her state of mind from beginning which sowly changes. Unlike many stories she does not start with a perfect plan for revenge, her situation is more real (at least to me) since she does not even believe in what happened to her. Her relatives did not act obviously malicious, they were kind and loving for years and years, this is why she was caught by surprise. Which is more terrifying than most of the "villains". She decided to strike a deal with Lapileons only on her instinct to feel safe, because only later she realized that her experience was the reality with long-lasting effect. The Lapileons gave her the chance to find the family she can truly love and who truly love her back.

 Therdeo is a silent type but who bear responsibility of entire family, he has a lot on his plate. he really looks like he hasn't slept for at least a decade. But he tries to grow an dlearn when he does something he realizes was not right. Maybe one of few couple who actually talk it out when they meet with problems and in case of Therdeo it's a big deal becase it's really hard for him to trust and him slowly opening up is the result of progress. The two really complement each other.

 Now a few words about being historically accurate in manhwa. I love how historically inaccurate Korean manhwa usually is.

 It shouldn't be, but it also does not rely on any rhyme or logic of its own. Basically, they do not create a certain microcosm of their own world or even copy the existing one, they just throw whatever is what I noticed while watching some of the manhwa.

 I was surprised to see that some details were included in this manhwa to showcase the works of the estate and its servants, for example, like one I can think of is Chapter 85 from Season 2 when Pereshati is given a tour around the Dukedom but she sees servants rushing in and out with stuff like loundry and she is told that Grand Duke is the one who allowed it, which shows how unlikely it is to see servants, well, it's true after all in many existing historical manors like in Englad and France the servant stairs was in another part of the house. When I studied in an Academy, it was located in a revamped historical house (it wasn't anything fancy), but they still got the old stairs and it had such narrow and dangerous steps tbh, many people lost their footing there and I think someone was said to be hurt from the fall. While the main stairs were elaborate and wide and grand and took longer time to climb them, though somehow had smaller steps than what we usually use nowadays.

 Although the costuming in this manhwa also can be called "I'll just pick and choose from different existing historical period fashion", I wish any of them would follow just one template instead of going for whatever. The only thing that will always be consisten is the gloves that everyone in Lapileon household wear. But the rest of it, sometimes it is nice (like Pereshati always wears something less elaborate and also the color scheme is always in darker colors), but at other times it's really - just put whatever and let's mix periods. During the Pereshati's friend wedding we see her helter neck dress with exposed back, which looked just too modern. I say this because it takes you out of immersion. I also love how everyone uses the A4 paper and there's so much paper as if it costs nothing. It always throws me off a little bit when I watch, all this modern stuff here and there. But what can I do, the 3D models are used in every manhwa extensively, so don't be surprised if every estate looks the same, but different color. 

 Oh the word about their estate, it's a palace. It's huge and they even have a second building, it almost looks like a street. If we take this scale, they're loaded. Though see no need for such a large estate to be near the city. Take London for example, the city house wasn't comparable to the estate. But from another angle it shows how rich Lapileon family is, but actually their house is always empty and they don't invite guests to stay over.

 I also found it fun how we follow Pereshati on her journey to how run the estate, but we never hear of anything except her venture into charity, yet she spends so much time with papers. Note: though her charity project had great details I must say, author really thought it through. But here's the thing, outside some business mentioned we have no idea what they do, we know they do it, but the scale is unknown. At least they have mines.

/-SPOILERS-/

Well, anyone who read a bit will know that Lapileons suffer from a curse, their blood is poisonous.

I found the scene where Perishati dies from it and finds herself at the bottom of dug grave like a touch of black humor, I know it's not funny but I laughed, since she had such a stunned expression and these fuckers planned to bury her.

Here's the scene, Perishati as a single woman who knows her stepmother is capable of murderng her, so while she has a chance to get away from a situation she does want to extend a deal to Therdeo, since she knows he needs a marriage to stay away from Imperial family. She visits him and no one is aware of her visit, so when they talk she is on edge, which is her earlier state of mind, which nicely portrays her psychological state at the beginning of the story. She bites her fingers and they bleed. The Duke is not impressed and lives up to impression that he doesn't deal with women. While he wanted to leave she grabbed him and he pushed her hand, being scratched by her ring. Somewhere she has a contact with his blood and dies. Then is revived. He finds it peculiar and even makes her die again (unhinged behavior he apologizes for later). So they strike a deal, he needs her for experimenting with their curse and she will get protection.

This arranged marriage starts really from lowest of the lows. But slowly she sees the true nature of this curse and how it influences this family.

This family knows how to deal with the curse, it is said that they need to make a woman the head of the family and this eneration did, but Pereshati's sister-in-law lost her husband and her child to poison, so she was not in the right state of mind and relegated her power to the youngest, which is Therdeo.

The number of Lapileon's direct descendant is not much, they also have collateral branches. But due to their curse they have to keep an eye on every member of the family and this curse is the biggest secret they have. Otherwise it may lead to a disaster, which we find already happened in a place where they had no idea about.

Pereshati's arrival is not only a key to starting solving this curse, because everyone is invlolved in it, but she also has influence on the members of this family to varying degree. She is not some super savior who will lift the curse with a move of her finger, but you can feel her presence.

The story really revolves mostly around the curse, but it's actually interesting how detailed it is.

Also even the reason why they haven't found the way to deal with it is justifiable. They really wouldn't be able to move on without the participants who now take the central place.

Although I said spoilers, but I just removed a big chuck of what makes this story great. It's the case when you really need to read it to see for yourself.