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When Soah’s poor and desperate village decides to sacrifice her to the Water God Habaek to end a long drought, they’re hoping that offering a beautiful girl will save their community and bring much-needed rain. Surprisingly, instead of being killed, Soah is rescued by the Water God and welcomed as a guest into his magical kingdom, where she finds an exciting new life awaiting her. But the biggest surprise is the Water God himself, who is nothing like the monster she imagined.
With Valentine’s Day nearing, it’s a great time to dive into the ultra-romantic saga of “Bride of the Water God.” The series began in 2006 and spans 16 volumes in English, with the 17th expected soon, all while gaining a multitude of loyal readers and earning its creator, Mi-Kyung Yun, a “Manhwa of Today” award in Korea.
So what’s the appeal? First off, it’s one of the most beautifully illustrated graphic novels out there. Mi-Kyung Yun puts incredible detail into her drawings, more than the average manga artist. Each book not only features stunning cover art, but also includes several color plates at the start of each volume. The detail in the palaces, costumes, and surroundings is exquisite, with blossoms and butterflies appearing frequently. The characters themselves are exceptionally attractive, resulting in a visually stunning experience.
But great artwork needs a great story to match, and “Bride of the Water God” delivers. The tale starts with Soah being sacrificed to the Water God Habaek and finding herself in the realm of the gods, Suguk. She doesn’t know that her new husband is cursed to be a boy during the day and a man by night. To complicate things, the adult Habaek introduces himself as Mui, making Soah believe she is cheating on her husband with, well, her husband. And let’s not forget the handsome archer god, Huye. Yet, this story is not just about romantic entanglements; there are darker forces at play in Suguk, including manipulative and jealous gods with their own agendas. Mysteries about the past abound. Did Habaek kill his previous human bride? What are the true relationships between the gods? Who is pulling the strings? As the series progresses, we delve deeper into the past, uncovering the tragedies of Habaek’s parents and ancient feuds in the heavens. Will Habaek and Soah ever be able to live as husband and wife, or will the wars between rival gods tear them apart?
A word of caution: “Bride of the Water God” can be slow to get into at first. Unlike a lot of manga, it doesn’t move quickly. It uses techniques from East Asian cinema, often pausing to focus on small details like a flower opening or water dripping into a pond. Mi-Kyung Yun also incorporates a lot of quotes from traditional Korean poetry, adding a poetic layer to the series.
The flashbacks can be tricky too, as they aren’t always clearly marked, and there’s no recap at the start of new volumes. You have to remember what happened or piece it together from the flashbacks. Also, between-chapters artwork sometimes appears without any indication that a chapter has ended. This confusion might require reading the first volume twice, but once you’re hooked, like I was by Volume 15, it’s hard to let go.
If you enjoy a deeply romantic story of star-crossed lovers with a touch of gothic mystery, “Bride of the Water God” is perfect for you. Dive into Soah and Habaek’s enchanting world and get swept away by their story.
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If “Bride of the Water God” hasn’t been adapted into an anime or stage play, it certainly should be! The beautiful cosplay inspired by the series is also something worth checking out.
