Narration of Love at 17
Posted: May 4, 2009 Filed under: Narration of Love at 17 1 Comment »It’s hard to keep reviewing this series, because while it’s incredible at capturing the inner thoughts and conversational nuances of Seyoung and her circle of friends, the same problems reoccur through each volume (usually someone liking someone who doesn’t like them back). This isn’t a bad thing, because very rarely are issues concerning romantic relationships resolved as easily as talking the situation out. In fact, this series does a great job at showing all these characters with unspoken enmity between one another. This makes for some great painfully awkward conversations. Conversely, there are exchanges where it’s clear the characters don’t want to hold grudges amongst one another, but can’t bring themselves to drop their hostility.
Really, there aren’t very many series that can capture these moments between friends like this one can. As I mentioned before, the pace is extremely slow, and the issues tend to keep circling one another through the volumes I’ve read, but that hasn’t hamper my enjoyment of it at all. It actually makes it more realistic.
This volume does add some elements to the story, including fleshing out Hyemi’s character to show the sheltered life she leads, and expanding/creating a love triangle between Seyoung, Yunho, and Hyunjung. It also throws a vicious girl with a crush on Yunho into the mix. This volume’s actually great for awkward group scenes, there’s a birthday party at Hyemi’s house, and an unusually cool summer break story where all the major characters (plus a handful of other people) go on a trip together.
I don’t forsee there being a satisfying resolution with all the loose ends wrapping up next volume, but I am looking forward to seeing how Seyoung and Hyunjung handle their mutual love interest.
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