Snow Drop, Volume 5

So-Na and Hae-Gi are growing closer, but they continue to be held back by their own personal demons. So-Na has never gotten over being kidnapped and raped, and Hae-Gi's is willing to go to any length to save his mother, even if it means making serious personal sacrifices or pushing So-Na away. So-Na knows that she's attracted to Hae-Gi, but she's unsure as to what he wants out of her. So when So-Na finds out that Hae-Gi is modeling in a scandalous fashion show, she doesn't know what to think. Will romance continue to blossom between these two flowers, or will their own personal doubts (or Sun-Mi) tear them apart? The artwork has been gradually improving from volume one and in volume three it really starts to get strong. There are less awkward moments, and more moments of lovely and at times stunning detail. The plot still remains a little over dramatic and over the top (a Hae-Gi's fashion show? Sun-Mi drugging So-Na?) but when the emphasis is on So-Na and her thoughts and feelings, things feel more believable and real. I'm also happy to say that Ha-Da, who was painfully two-dimensional in the first volume, looks to be shaping in as more like a real person here. Sun-Mi proves to be nothing more than the stereotypical evil character who wants to tear the main couple apart, but she's funny enough so it works for now. The romance in this volume can be quite sweet as well, but also realistic. Often in early stages of a relationship, it's difficult to figure out what the other person wants, so So-Na's hesitance, paired with her past, is very realistic. I'm eager to see where these characters go in the next volume. It ends on quite a tense note!