Seduction more beautiful than love

Manhwa finished at 5 volumes, 2 volumes out in English, vol. 3 out on 4 November 2008. Decided to update this as I have been waiting for the third volume forever and was just wondering if my bookstore wasn't bringing it in. On Tokyopop's website, it is still at vol. 2. Guess there just wasn't demand for this.

Brief Summary: Pretty young teacher is harassed by handsome mysterious student who seems to have a crush on her, or is it something else?

Interesting title isn't it? The other alternative is "beautiful fascination better than love". I do find this a bit slow moving and up to volume 2 there isn't much development of the characters or plot. (Is it just me or are most manhwa rather? Just think Bride of the Water God and Goong/Palace).

I was a bit disappointed with the teacher's character, she didn't seem very mature, but perhaps it was that one bad incident that really brought it out. The guy is as usual a dark horse, dunno what is going on inside his mind at all and there are flashbacks to suggest that something horrible happened in his past (which we're sure to find out later). I think it might be related to the reason he's stalking/having a crush on the teacher. I think I do need a reason; or else it's just not meaningful. Read a comment that it gets creepy in book four, but I wouldn't know since book three is not even out in English yet. I'm just glad it doesn't seem to drag since it's complete at book five. Let's hope it settles all the issues nicely. Frankly the first chapters got me interested but after reading book 2 the interest faded. I'm right now not sure if I'm going to follow the rest.

The art seems quite typical of manhwa, not over cutesy (with long bodies) as is to be expected I guess, as the characters are not young, and also the topic is rather serious.

One of my friends told me she can't appreciate this and the storyline wasn't good, another told me that it was pretty good and the art wasn't bad. So, guess it's really up to the eye of the beholder.

My Rating:
Story: B- (too slow! a bit confusing with the guy's girl friend, etc. angst! I wonder if it's the translation or it's just not coming out in the art what's going on or is it just me?)
Art: B
Recommended? I am on the fence. I just don't know where all this is going. There doesn't seem to be much direction and so far don't really feel much for any of the characters. And, the publisher doesn't seem interested in it anymore so perhaps we'll not see the end of this series for a while (ever?).
Similar to: Somehow reminds me of Akahime Ranshin, but then again I know of only four titles (the other I won't mention since it's not worth mentioning) that involve this female teacher male student relationship as a storyline. The other one that I did find was one of the stories in a volume called Koi Moyou. That was a bit different but quite a rush too as it's only a oneshot.

Teachers...

Wow, at this point I must say that there are LOADS of shojo with this teacher-student thing going on. What gives? I read someone else commenting the same and that they've never fallen for a teacher and can't understand it. Me neither. Firstly I think the students are really just that - students. The maturity is just not level. The girls are interested in little trinkets, polishing their nails, winning the next game, getting to school on time, their hair in place (ok, no offense to any students reading this post ;p I'm saying this is how the girls are portrayed in these mangas)...etc.etc...surely the more mature and older male teachers are thinking of other things? Well, erm, sometimes they are, and it leads to trouble, if you know what I mean! Ok, so this genre is a fantasy. I get that. Here are some with bishi teachers and the premise that starts it all:

1. Chocolate Chaos: Nothing special in how they get together. The girl just happens onto the teacher during an outing to the beach.
2. Crossroad: The girl basically uses the teacher as emotional support from her problems at home with her brother (brother-sister relationship).
3. Aakahime Ranshin: Female teacher gives extra lessons to a student who isn't in school much as he is involved in kabuki.
4. 7 Jikanme Rhapsody: Girl gets close to teacher who runs counseling sessions on love.
5. Secret Kiss: Very simply, the "teacher" is the girl's cram school instructor.
6. Faster than a kiss: Girl and her brother are orphans and the teacher sort of "adopts" them through marrying the girl.

Basically, the elements of this genre focus on the fact that this type of relationship is frown upon (irony isn't it?) and so they try to hide the relationship from others in school.

For more, click on the teacher-student label.

Akahime Ranshin

This oneshot manga actually got me started on the teacher-student genre but actually was disappointed in all the ones I found after this one. I particularly like this because it is quite subtle and sweet. The ending is left to your imagination. Usually I like a better clear cut ending, but I guess it was good this way too (altho I wouldn't mind if they came out with part 2).

Some other things I liked were that this is a female teacher and male student, whereas most with this topic is the other way (male teacher who smokes too much more likely). I also like that the guy is not overly hyper, perverted or agressive and isn't childish in the least really. That's nice for once, cos the difference between the student and teacher isn't so exaggerated, which I think is good or else it makes the whole relationship unbelieveable. There's jus some good chemistry between the two protagonists.

My Rating:
Story: B
Art: B
Recommended? Good for a quick read.
Similar: Can't think of any in particular at the moment.