On or Off (Vol. 1 – 3) – Review
Saturday is the perfect time to wander through the stacks (that’s librarian-speak for “bookshelves”) and talk about books and the people who write them. Pull up a comfy chair and settle in, because today I want to chat about a manhwa that I’ve been devouring over the last few months, On or Off.
Manhwa, for those of you who may not know, is a close cousin of manga. The difference? Country of origin. Manhwa are Korean made comics, while manga comes from Japan. Here’s your fun fact of the day!
On or Off follows college student Ahn Yiyoung as he navigates the intricacies of corporate life, adult life, and his love life – specifically his relationship with his boss/coworker Kang Daehyung, whom he falls head over heels for the instant he lays eyes on him. Kang proves a bit cagier, suspecting Ahn’s motives in pursuing him and, well, things get complicated (and deliciously spicy) very fast.
There is so much to love about this manhwa, I don’t even know where to begin. First, I suppose I should say, the art is just to die for. Full color! A rarity! And I love how the expressions are drawn and everyone is embodied. They act like real people on the page and that is so refreshing. Second, the spice is top tier – if you’re looking for a book that’ll make you sweat, this is IT. Third, it doesn’t take long before you’re deeply invested in both Ahn and Kang’s personal journeys. Not only do you want to see these two crazy dudes get together, but you really root for their individual growth and learning moments.
TL;DR: If you were looking for a great BL manhwa with a story (and smut) to die for, On or Off is something you have to check out! You won’t regret it!