Picky Reader created a topic of Debut or Die

so in the latest manhwa chapter, it's about to be his 21st birthday.

but based on the details in the novel (moondae's ID card / registration, his age difference with real Ryu Gunwoo, the year Gunwoo took CSAT), there is a high possibility that Sejin (along with Moondae and Ahyeon) were born exactly in the year 2000.
so this year they're already 25...!!! and is in their 5th year with TeSTAR
(so i'm a noona fan.... hahahahah!)

can anyone recommend me other manhwa with artstyle like this?
or other artists who draw in similar art style?

specifics:

- manhwa art style / semi-realistic.

- anatomically correct/believable and pleasing to the eyes, where the artist mix both figure AND gesture drawing.
where the shapes, silhouette, or the use of negative space are interesting.

- stable / consistent art style... BUT not too stiff / neat / "robotic" either. you can see most of the visual is drawn by HAND & regular brush instead of using 3D models or overusing pre-made assets (like stiff abs usually bcs the artist use muscle asset from acon3D).

- PEAK action. raw energy. the right amount of exaggeration, doesn't feel jarring. smooth strokes and flow where the artist draws using the whole forearm instead of just the wrist, if you get what i mean. the kind where we can see the artist is having fun drawing instead of "dull work" like repeating similar angles or boring poses.

- bonus points if the storyboarding, directing, and pacing is on par with this manhwa.
- and even better if the finishing is not too sparkling. (y'know... like exploiting too much effects to cover the lack of actual drawing skills.)

asking because i'm both picky and i intend to collect them for studies. (๑•ㅂ•)و✧
(in other ways, i'm also gushing about how great this webtoon's art is!!)

okay, we all know how PEAK and BEAUTIFUL and TEARJERKING this story is.
but i need a discussion!!

so my faves so far that i can't gush about enough are:
- this (Mission: Save The Hunter / Death Delayed Because of The Wills)
- Debut or Die
- Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint

i see a lot of people seem to agree...?
why, though?

for me it's because:
1. the MCs are GOAT, PEAK character writing.
they grab me by the heart and keep pulling me!! their qualities, their flaws, their growth, but especially how they feel believable and very HUMAN?? i care for them, root for them, fond of them, LOOOVE them — i'm THAT invested in them it drives me nuts! (even if the story sucks i WILL still read it just for the characters.)
(... is it also a coincidence that they fall into the "suicidal/sacrificial MC" trope?)

2. Immersive Experience & Emotional Rollercoaster.
the stories are written so well!
the plot are GREAT, at some points they're even mind-blowing. we get to experience fun, enjoyment, comedic laughs, adrenaline rush, heart-warming / touching arcs, and even sad arcs that really break our heart and bawl our eyes. like they have it all blended so well in one story. but the most satisfying emotion is probably the bittersweet and cathartic exhale we get to experience by reading these stories.

if you have other reasons to add, or more similar recs, feel free to reply!!!
i LOVE good stories!!!!

Picky Reader created a topic of Pure Love Operation

i've been wanting to read this for so long because the art style is so pretty.
but i've tried reading a few chapters when it first released and i DON'T like the FL nor the typa story...
i see the characters are adult now so i thought at least we'd get a better quality josei storyline, but nah... reading the comments, seems like the story sucks.
but i want to marvel at and study the pretty art.... but i also can't stand characters i don't root for and badly written stories..... ughhhhhhhhh... (╯°Д °)╯╧╧

Read manhwa Eternally Regressing KnightYou’re a genius.” Those words he heard as a child...

  • Author:
  • Genres: Webtoons / Action / Adventure / Fantasy
Picky Reader created a topic of Debut or Die

i can't...!!! keunsejin and moondae's friendship, aughh, my heart!!!!! their friendship will only grow stronger and more heartwarming from here on, guys!!!! also love the group chat huhuhuhu testar are so cuuuteeee and loving with each other

but also... SEJIN??? EXCUSE ME— WHAT'S WITH THAT HOT, FOLDED-TO-THE-FOREARM, BLACK SHIRT???? it's not helping that he's so HUGE??!!! and him being so reliable, caring, and cool-headed??? AGHHH why is he so boyfriend material with a look that's so alpha, my heart is burninggg
(i love them better as bestfriends because that's how it is in canon but tbh i also don't mind keunsejin as moondae's alpha )

i love how this story is literally about the many ways a person can grow and get closer towards his dream his insatiable hunger, man... can't believe i find another story (almost) as passionate as haikyuu.

what... the first chapter is good?!! beyond my expectation!
the main conflict as hook is immediate. the main character's intro is executed very well! the characters dynamic are funny the overall setup, the premise, and mystery-action-comedy vibe is also promising!

ohoho i hope the rest of the episodes are as good!

only 3 chapters in (74-76)... and my eyes are already swollen... this story really is a beautiful, beautiful tearjerker

i always admire the visual storytelling and directing style of this webtoon...!!
the storyboarding, pacing, panelling, and everything else is so good! makes the story even more engaging and enjoyable to read
so happy it's back now

Everyone between the age of 15 and 25 worldwide is required to participate in the death game of twen...

  • Author: 킹소다, Gold Hand
  • Genres: Action / Adventure / Fantasy / Martial Arts / Shounen / Webtoons

not exactly atmospheric but the art direction is TOP NOTCH, literally study-materials worthy! the art style, the character designs, the coloring & rendering, the textures, the effects, the assets used, the boss monster designs, the composition of the action scenes, even the typesetting... everything is so well-done, elaborated, and visually appealing!! it's so good!!!

Naryecheong, a national secret agency that protects humans from disasters and misfortunes caused by ...

  • Author: 톨쥬
  • Genres: Yaoi / Romance / Fantasy / Webtoons

Naryecheong, a national secret agency that protects humans from disasters and misfortunes caused by ...

  • Author: 톨쥬
  • Genres: Yaoi / Romance / Fantasy / Webtoons

Hanuel, whose hobby is collecting pictures of his unrequited love, Chanil. However, he was caught by...

  • Author: Kim Pas
  • Genres: Shounen Ai / Psychological / Webtoons / School Life

i'm not the novel reader but i'm currently rereading and have reached chapter 57...
and what kwon jihan said about the final plot twist of the kimchi stew drama sounds so much like foreshadowing.

"the competition was about finding people who can reach the ultimate kimchi stew universe, something ordinary people don't know about.
a new kimchi stew world would open up, and the couple who won the competition were asked to be the pioneers.
basically, the whole thing was a tutorial to prepare the newbies for entering the new kimchi stew universe."

... sounds much like dungeons, chosen ones, and the gaia system, right?


meanwhile domin's summary of the drama:
"it's a grand drama about love, the han river, kimchi stew, and the deep philosophy of the universe!"

is like telling the reader that this webtoon is this kind of story....
han river is probably to symbolize "a romantic concept, moody/atmospheric/tragic setting, a certain sentiment, suicide & dying wishes, and where all problems are solved."
while kimchi stew resembles the dungeons and system—another big aspect of this story.

domin's review of the drama makes sense...

Picky Reader created a topic of Debut or Die

this chapter's visual is no joke...!! in the novel, the description of Magical Boy MV is so ethereal and dreamy it made me so excited, and the webtoon art DELIVERS IT PERFECTLY!!
though the official music released by kwbooks doesn't match the magical boy i've always imagined hahaha.
go take a listen on testar's SoundCloud guys!! https://m.soundcloud.com/kwstore/magicboy-piano

p.s. MOONDAE'S BEDHAIR SO CUTE, and KIM RAEBIN WITH HIS NEW HAIR AND A NECKLACE SO PRETTYYYY

Picky Reader created a topic of Sam Plays the Game

i'm not the type to be like this but, ah... LunaToons is back again with their machine translation that doesn't make sense( ̄へ ̄)
i have several of my reading list ruined to the point of dropping them because LunaToons "take over", i'm so sick of them haghhh!!

yesungswaifu only translated until ch.41 so far guys. don't bother read the next chapters, the translation sucks....

Picky Reader asked a question

guys please recommend me a wholesome #Character-driven #Childhood Friends #Slice of Life #Feel-good webtoon

Picky Reader add manga to list Actually good JOSEI

Jieum Ban has an extraordinary ability: she can remember the memories of all her past lives. After h...

  • Author: Lee hye
  • Genres: Romance / Drama / Fantasy / Supernatural / Webtoons