I. N. V. U.   Korean title I. N. V. U. Manga-ka/Author 김강원 Kim Kang Won Genre drama, romance, shoujo Volumes: 4+ Distributor: Tokyopop Classification: 12 Rating   Introduction to the story   16 year old Sey Hong's life is turned upside down one morning when her mother announces that she is moving to Italy to finish her novel, and leaving Sey behind in Korea. So it's with some hurt feelings that Sey comes to live in the house of her mother's friend, Meja Kang. The Kang family are far from normal; daughter Hali Kang lives as a boy for her mother's sake, who suffers from amnesia caused by a car crash and believes Hali to be her brother Terry, who died in the accident. Sey's appearance as the 'daughter of the family' causes nothing but resentment and animosity in Hali. However, both girls have their separate problems to deal with; Sey, dreaming of becoming a radio announcer, accepts the help of her friend's boyfriend Siho Lee to secure a job at a local petrol station. Little does Sey realise at first that Siho has eyes only for her, incurring the jealousy and wrath of her friend Rea Yoo, who also aspires to be a model. Sey's other best friend, Jae Eun Kim, is an avid cosplayer, aspires to be a manhwa artist and has a huge crush on Simon, the boy who works in the local bakery. Hali, on the other hand, suffers from her unrequited love for Hajun Cho, her old tutor, who resisted her advances. Sparks fly when Hali begins attending Sey's school and discovers that Hajun is Sey's teacher. Frustrated and angered by Hajun's insistence to treat her only as a friend and little sister, Hali is driven to desperate measures in order to get his attention; measures which cross her path with Rea. Sey is shocked by Hali's behaviour with Hajun, as he and his cousin Young Jun are her childhood friends; but things begin to get even more complicated when Sey discovers that Siho and Hajun live in the same building; especially as Young Jun also transfers to Sey's school and shows signs that he's also fond of Sey. Trouble is brewing ahead for Sey and her friends...   My thoughts   Whew... complicated, ne? I. N. V. U. is a highly-fuelled series following the lives of the four girls Sey, Hali, Rea and Jae Eun as they each deal with their problems, differences and desires. A manhwa equivalent of a hot teen drama, this series should captivate and enthral teenage girls everywhere. The plot is indeed complex, but expertly managed so that it doesn't confuse the reader (quite an achievement I'd say, considering the complicated nature of the relationships between characters). The art style is also very good; while not utilising the deformed chibi art of many other releases, I. N. V. U.'s range stretches from adorably cute to elegant and sophisticated. The ease of transition between these two styles suits the fluctuating story very well, and together the art and story make a stunning combination.   Where to find it   Manhwa Creator Kim Kang Won has so far created three volumes of I. N. V. U. (all of which are available in English). However, the series is on hold as she took a break to work on her other series, The Queen's Knight. Now that's finished (in Korea), she'll continue with I. N. V. U.'s fourth volume.   Anime There is no I. N. V. U. anime as of yet.   Related web sites   If you are interested in I. N. V. U., check these web sites out. http://www.haksanpub.co.kr [Korean] I. N. V. U. at Hakusan Publishing http://www.tokyopop.com/S-1091 I. N. V. U. at Tokyopop http://www.animenewsnetwork.com I. N. V. U. at Anime News Network