298 replies to this topic

[Purple Library Guy]

Aye. I was really surprised actually at how well it was all pulled off, happy but without seeming too much like this huge Pollyanna thing wrapped up in a bow. Min-Seong's reminiscence sequence, done in faded grey tones like that, really brought this feeling of closure, turning the whole comic into a memory in this odd happy-but-melancholy kind of way. And I thought the bit with the mom had a nice tone, positive and hopeful but nervous, not insta-happy-together; gave me this feeling of change continuing into the future . . .

[Comadrin]

You said it, PLG. The ending was pulled off with taste, subtlety, believability, and aplomb. Min-Seong's reminiscence sequence was beautifully done. Da-Jeong's and Min-Seo's relationship, was realistic, and everything one could have wanted it to be. I love how Da-Jeong's epiphany, for want of a better word, was so down-to-earth and so Da-Jeong-like. The author kept it in its' proper milieu, and didn't try to make a middle class Korean story (no belittlement intended) into a Wagnerian drama. All the things that the author brought to our attention about Korean society basically made their point without being belabored like a vaudeville villain. The author (a damned genius, in my humble opinion) made his/her point about his/her society, told a really nice story with characters that we could identify with, and ended it with some fireworks, which were not logical, but great from a literary point of view.

Bottom Line: I LOVED IT. This is the greatest webtoon that has yet come my way. The author's and scanlator's name is a signal for me to immediately tag a new batoto entry as a favorite.

[svines85]

It really is very, very good. I couldn't put it ahead of Annarasumanara as far as webtoons though http://vatoto.com/comic/_/comics/annarasumanara-r1639 ..........of course that one is in the handful at the top of all manga/manhwa for me, webtoon or traditional. As far as webtoons though, yeah, The Friendly Winter is definitely one of the best out there.

[Comadrin]

Good point. Annarasumanara was in a class by itself. It was awesome.

[guseung]

damn it - now I have to read 'hanamontanabananas'

P.S. Dajeong saved the world

[svines85]

Wow, that was a great epilogue, I always find it very interesting to get any insights into the process.

[hero]

would be interesting if we would get a sequel in the future.

[inzaratha]

Cool so we'll be seeing more from the mangaka.

[Purple Library Guy]

Yeah. Maybe even more about Da-Jeong at some point in the future. He said something about sometime maybe doing a more lighthearted romance with those characters. I can wait, I'm interested to see what else Lee Jun comes up with, but if the time comes for a reunion with Da-Jeong et al. I'll sure be standing by with popcorn.
Thinking of popcorn, was that an implication of a movie?! It would certainly make the first time I found myself waiting for a Korean movie.

It's hard to compare this with Annarasumanara (good lord, I'm such a fan; I just realized I can actually type that word without checking it). They're both brilliant, but such different stories (although they do both hit on social questions from kind of similar perspectives). Annarasumanara has amazing, unrivalled art and atmosphere, like nothing I've ever seen. Friendly Winter has the better characterization and, for all the author's disclaimers in the afterword, I think keeps firmer control of the plot and pace. Although it's not like Friendly Winter's art is anything but excellent, and Annarasumanara has actually very good characterization. The other thing is that Friendly Winter is basically a realistic story; there are one or two almost-perhaps-magical moments, but for the most part real life with a certain degree of grit is where it is planted. Annarasumanara shows real life by colliding it hard with the surreal. Neither could have told the other's story, both great works.

Edited by Purple Library Guy, 14 March 2013 - 10:55 PM.

[Yaomo]

Thinking of popcorn, was that an implication of a movie?! It would certainly make the first time I found myself waiting for a Korean movie.

i'm seriously hoping that movie or whatever it is will happen. and that it will be at least half as good as the original

[Comadrin]

For a fantastic Korean movie, watch Masquerade. My sister and I saw it advertised at KCon in Irvine California, and went to see it. It was mind-blowingly well done, and a great movie. Well worth anyone's attention, whether a Korean history freak, a drama freak, or someone who just likes a great dramatic movie.

Just a note: I'm not a K-pop fan (although it's not really bad), I escorted my niece and her teenage friends there, and had a great time eating fantastic Korean food, and even getting interviewed by a TV entertainment program (why a middle-aged, conservatively dressed honky like myself was at a K-Pop convention). I also enjoyed the music/stage show, although I still prefer classical, jazz, Japanese traditional and J-rock music.

Edited by Comadrin, 16 March 2013 - 03:09 AM.

[hero]

is this the sequel? http://cartoon.media.daum.net/event/view/4724

if not, what is it then?

[svines85]

Oh wow, that does look interesting. It almost looks like some sort of ad or public service campaign or something though, it's got that corporate looking logo at the top and then that same logo appears again a couple of times in the actual comic strip.........plus with the google translate on it's got a number of references to "Employment Success Package" and the like. 

 

Though yeah, it's definitely the characters.

Edited by svines85, 19 May 2013 - 09:14 AM.

[SAimNE]

i really want a follow up where the art school dude hooks up with the childhood friend(the little sister) and with frequent appearances of a Min-SeongxDa-Jeong relationship. tbh i know a brother sister relationship would suit them fine, but i cant really bring myself to think of them in a simple bro-sis relationship. min-seongs innocence is a perfect match for da-jeongs tsundere traits.... and the art school guy annoys me so i dont want to think of him as the love interest, nowhere near as sweet as the minxda pairing >_>

Edited by SAimNE, 04 July 2013 - 01:43 PM.

[svines85]

^^ True, I wouldn't mind seeing more, though of course I was so happy with the overall story already and  I'm always kind of leery of sequels........

 

Honestly though, I'd love to see another work by the author, this one was really, really good. I keep thinking of all the titles by Nasty Cat (Trace, Can't See Can't Hear But Love, Living With One Leg......) and HA Il-Kwon (Annarasumanara, 3 Level Combination, God Of Bath, Afterschool Military Academy.........) and know there's the chance this author will get another opportunity to start a new story. So yeah, just waiting with my fingers crossed hoping to see a new one by them too. 

[Vasu]

Fantastic Read! ... However, I was concerned that there was no tragedy tag for this awesome Manhwa. The main characters as well as the parents endure a lot of pain and suffering till the end. I am not sure if the Psychological tag covers all that ...

[inzaratha]

There is a lot of tragedy in it, but I think they only use that tag when important characters die, but of course there are a lot of types of tragedy in life that don't involve you dying.   Glad you enjoyed it!

[svines85]

Fantastic Read! ... However, I was concerned that there was no tragedy tag for this awesome Manhwa. The main characters as well as the parents endure a lot of pain and suffering till the end. I am not sure if the Psychological tag covers all that ...

 

 

There is a lot of tragedy in it, but I think they only use that tag when important characters die, but of course there are a lot of types of tragedy in life that don't involve you dying.   Glad you enjoyed it!

Yeah, I've personally always associated the tragedy tag with some extreme, tragic "event" which happens in the story or has great bearing on it...........I guess to me this one is just drama because of that.

 

Sad.......really sad at times......but yeah, I'd call it drama rather than tragedy. But of course it's just an opinion, so many of the genre tag issues really come down to just that. 

[Comadrin]

Tragedy, I think, is a tag given when something irreplaceable is given up.  In a Mitsuru Adachi manga, it's when the most wonderful girl (Wakaba in Cross Game) dies, or the brother in Touch is killed.  In Friendly Winter, a great deal of drama happens, but no one dies.   A great many unpleasant things happen, but no real tragedy.  To put it vulgarly, nothing happens that can't be redeemed.  Other than that, I will not say.