Goong - An Adorable Story

Hello! I'm back with more information about Goong! What happens in this comic book? What happens between Shin, Chae Kyung, and Yuul? Keep reading to find out!

http://cafe.daum.net/NO1MUSIC/2OHQ/225?docid=cV4n|2OHQ|225|20081023102952

Plot

Before Shin and Chae Kyung could even walk, the two’s grandfathers decided to marry the two children. Therefore, when Chae Kyung becomes seventeen, she is suddenly forced into a marriage which turns her life upside down. In the midst of trying to get accustomed to life in the palace, Chae Kyung grows closer to and falls in love with Shin Lee. As for Shin Lee, he had a childhood sweetheart. He only realizes later on that his true love is Shin Chae Kyung. The two grow closer to one another day by day and also fight through various challenges of life in the palace and as a public figure and role model, as well as other challenges any young lover may encounter.

Meanwhile, the story also includes government conspiracy. Yuul’s mother is furious because, according to current standings, her son cannot become the next king of Korea. In order to raise her son’s and her own status, she starts to create allies within the government and plot against Prince Shin Lee. Yuul, however, starts to grow tired of his mother’s endless plots. This changes when Yuul decides to become a “bad boy.” In order to bring Chae Kyung to his side, he threatens Shin’s mother. If Chae Kyung does not divorce Shin Lee, Yuul says that he will do everything in his power to knock Shin off the line of succession. Although Yuul is second in line, Shin’s mother knew the danger of his resources and power. As a mother who wishes the best for her son, she tells Chae Kyung that Chae Kyung must divorce Shin if she truly loves him. Chae Kyung, hoping to protect Shin, asks for a divorce. Although Shin refuses at first, he sees that his wife is having a hard time in the palace and lets her go. However, he is determined to find out the secret behind Chae Kyung’s actions. In volume twenty, the fact that Yuul was the mastermind behind Shin and Chae Kyung’s misery is revealed and Chae Kyung is overwhelmed by the fact that her friend betrayed her. Although the secrets are revealed, it is not easy for a prince to announce a marriage, a divorce, and yet again another marriage. In addition, Yuul, now that he has nothing to lose, decides to step up his own game. Volume twenty one ends with conflicts still on high and Chae Kyung telling Shin that they should just run away together.

My Thoughts

Quite frankly, this comic does not contain a mind-blowing story line and often times, the character drawings are out of proportion; Goong would not have caught my eye on a book store. However, I skimmed through a few volumes at a friend’s house and learned why this comic book is enjoyed so much. The story is funny, light, and adorably sweet. It makes the readers laugh and smile to see how two teenagers grow accustomed to one another. At the same time, there is just enough serious scheming and back stabbing. All the characters, major, minor, good, or bad have their own charm. For example, although Yuul seems like a bad character, many readers grow to sympathize with and understand his sorrow because he has a story of his own, which, told from Yuul’s point of view, raises pity for the lonely character. For me, Goong is a great way to spend a boring afternoon; I have a lot of fun and reading this helped me improve my Korean grammar. I also learned a lot of terms, which were actually used long ago in Korea, that specifically address different people of the royal family.

Goong was also made into a live action drama which became a big hit. If you want a glimpse of what the drama is like, click the link below to see a short music video of one of the soundtracks of the drama.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCoQFks_9ew

Goong - The Lineup that Shines

Goong

http://images.google.co.kr/imglanding?q=Goong&imgurl=http://www.lastleaf.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/goong.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.anivide.com/user/luzdurano12&usg=__776ofh0E_iMQgyFZlxhN_KNT-eQ=&h=557&w=382&sz=134&hl=ko&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=CysApvAAEE7qwM:&tbnh=133&tbnw=91&prev=/images%3Fq%3DGoong%26um%3D1%26hl%3Dko%26lr%3D%26newwindow%3D1%26complete%3D1%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&lr=&newwindow=1&complete=1&tbs=isch:1&start=7#tbnid=CysApvAAEE7qwM&start=11

Today I will introduce to you one of my favorite comic book series, Goong (Palace Love Story). Although Japan is very famous for their manga and animation culture, Koreans also enjoy reading comic books very much and Korea's comic industry has risen significantly. Just like we call Japanese comics Manga, Korean comics are called Manhwa. Let us take a brief look at what this manhwa is all about.

Title – Goong (translation: Palace)

Author/Artist – So Hee Park

Genre – Korean Comic (Manhwa), Romantic Comedy

Setting

This comic is set in modern-day Korea under the set-up that Korea is a constitutional monarchy.

http://www.anivide.com/viewmanga.html?cid=381&chapter=108

Characters:

Chae Kyung Shin – Chae Kyung is a typical, high school girl. She is a very bright and kind person. She was married to Shin, but later divorced him.

http://www.anivide.com/viewmanga.html?cid=381&chapter=006

Shin Lee – Shin Lee is the crown prince of Korea (first in line). At first, he seems like a stoic character who is not very interested in Chae Kyung. However, after time, he falls hopelessly in love with her.

http://www.anivide.com/viewmanga.html?cid=381&chapter=010

Yuul Lee – Yuul, Shin’s cousin, used to be the crown prince and first in line to the thrown. However, with the sudden death of his father, he became second in line. Things get complicated when Yuul also falls in love with Chae Kyung. His jealously and obsession drives Yuul to do whatever he can to break Shin and Chae Kyung apart.

http://cafe.daum.net/NO1MUSIC/2OHQ/225?docid=cV4n|2OHQ|225|20081023102952

Other than these three main characters, the members of government as well as some of the main characters’ friends add to the story line.

Characters are an essential part of any story. What each character brings may make the overall work shine, or die. In Goong, we see a love triangle rather typical for East Asian comics and dramas from countries like Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, etc. However, in this particular story, each character's style is portrayed well. That is why Goong kept my interest. For example, Chae Kyung's hilarious words and actions keep the readers deeply engaged. On the other hand, the seriousness that the older government officials bring into the scene keeps the story down-to-earth and less sophomoric.

http://www.anivide.com/viewmanga.html?cid=381&chapter=033

http://www.anivide.com/viewmanga.html?cid=381&chapter=059

Today I will keep my introduction at this. Don't fall into despair! I will continue uploading more information related to Goong, so stay tuned for more.

http://www.anivide.com/viewmanga.html?cid=381&chapter=116

Today's Dinner-Instant Curry

Ottogi's Three Minute Curry

Today's dinner was Ottogi's Three-Minute Curry. The best part of today's dinner was that it was served in lightning speed; my stomach did not have to squirm under the grasps of hunger.

How to make Three-Minute Curry:

1. Pour water into a pot and boil.

2. Place one pack of curry into the boiling water. Note: Do not cut open the seal!

3. After a three minutes, use a chopstick to carefully take out the pack of curry. Using scissors, cut open the pack and pour onto a bowl of rice.

4. Dinner is served!

Overall

Curry, an internationally popular dish, is also known for being a healthy one. However, some people find the strong scent of curry a downside. Personally, I enjoy curry and its biting scent whether it be Indian curry or Thai curry. Today, it was instant curry. Contrary to my expectations, the curry was quite good. It was a bit more watery than I would have preferred, but considering the given situation, today's dinner was a success.