REVIEW: Love on Hold
This review is about a completed webcomic with a total of 73 episodes and contains major spoilers.
Love on Hold is a webcomic written and illustrated by Yu Hyun Suk. His other work includes A Stranger in My House, previously licensed by Spottoon.
The comic follows Danhee, the story’s female lead, after her boyfriend Jeonghu asks for a temporary breakup. Ever the optimist, Danhee agrees to Jeonghu’s request, as she chooses to look at the situation positively, planning to use it to enjoy different aspects of life rather than moping. However, not long after she embarks on her new single life, she runs into her former crush and classmate, Taeyong, who is recovering from a painful breakup with a woman who not only left him but married another man right away. Danhee and Taeyong explore their friendship as they both attempt to work through their traumas while getting to know one another again.
When Jeonghu suggests the pair take a break from their relationship for a year (in Episode 1, no less), Danhee’s initial reaction is surprise and shock — not hurt, as one might expect. In fact, Jeonghu himself worries that Danhee will cry over their breakup because “he’s all she has.” (Gross.) For the most part, Danhee’s disappointment stems from the fact that they won’t be able to do everything she planned together. Still, regardless, she accepts his proposition and refocuses herself on planning the “100 Things I Want to Do While We’re on a Break.”
Danhee’s easygoing but strong personality resonated with me. I found her acceptance of Jeonghu’s suggestion to break up, to her embracing her new life as a single woman without looking back inspiring. Danhee reminds me of a jellyfish — she goes with the flow but protects herself when she perceives bad intentions from others.
While Danhee optimistically pivots her life around current events, Taeyong recently found out that his girlfriend was not only cheating on him but getting married to a wealthy man after professing her love to him! Taeyong believes Chaewon’s family pressured her into the marriage, so he rushes to her wedding to rescue her… Only to find that Chaewon chose to enter the marriage voluntarily, telling him, “If I’d told you… would it have changed anything? All it would do is ruin the beautiful memories I have with you. I could never do that. Those memories are so special to me.” As Taeyong remains in disbelief that this is his life, we find out through text messages with his best friend Deokgu that Chaewon owes Taeyong $42,000! Talk about adding insult to injury.
As the story continues, Yu Hyun Suk addresses each character’s issues — from Deokgu coming out to his parents to Danhee and Taeyong overcoming the traumas and misunderstandings keeping them apart. Everything about the story was deeply satisfying, particularly because everyone found their happily ever after in their own ways, with Danhee and Taeyong giving love a chance, Deokgu openly embracing his sexuality and Chaewon deciding to stand on her own two feet for a change.
I love Yu Hyun Suk’s work. A Stranger in my House is arguably one of my favorite Korean webcomics, even though I can’t read it anymore since Spottoon closed up shop. Yu Hyun Suk’s artwork is deceptively simple but distinct and eye-catching, and their flair for storytelling that grips your heart is almost unmatched. With that said, Love on Hold met all of my expectations. As with their other works, each character has a unique background story that is briefly explored, giving readers insight into why they are the way they are, from Chaewon’s selfishness to Deokgu’s pridefulness. Even when each character behaves at their worst, the insight into their background makes it easy for readers to empathize — if not sympathize — with them.
I highly recommend Love on Hold, which is completed and available to read on Manta.
Source: Manta
