Kim Soo-ji's number one manhwa Under the Oak Tree is a great place to start your manhwa journey, especially if you enjoy deep, character-driven stories and want to test your patience. This gripping story delves into the protagonist's traumatic past, exploring her path to freedom and independence. The story masterfully depicts the complexities of trauma and healing, while the interactions between the main characters offer a fresh take on character dynamics. With slow-paced yet impactful character development, Under the Oak Tree is a profound exploration of personal growth. If you appreciate emotionally charged stories, read it.
Under the Oak Tree is a manhwa (Korean webtoon) published on Manta, an online platform, with a print version (volumes 1-24) published by Inklore. The webtoon is an adaptation of the novel of the same name. Inklore describes the plot:
Most fairy tales end with a wedding and a happily ever after—but this is no fairy tale. The first volume of the official webcomic based on Suji Kim's hit webnovel.
When stuttering Maximilian is forced to marry Sir Riftan, a lowborn knight caught up in one of her father's schemes, her communication skills and his gruff manner cause their relationship to sour before it can even begin. Riftan leaves for war the morning after their disastrous wedding night, and it is three years before Maxi sees him again.
Now the husband she barely knew is a war hero. And when he returns home to claim her, Maxi will need to master her own wild desires—and Riftan’s—before she can hope to become the true master of their massive castle. That task will require courage from Maxi, even as she struggles to find her own voice.
Manhwa Review: Under the Oak Tree – Full Story Review
Under the Oak Tree was actually the first manhwa I read. This story has led me to read over 500 manhwa – which is a pretty crazy number. Now, onto the review: this story was a test of patience for me as a reader. I was surprised at my patience, as I often found myself screaming. Despite this, the story still gripped me so deeply that I could imagine myself being a part of it.
The story revolves around trauma and a character’s journey through a traumatic life, striving for freedom and independence. The protagonist’s efforts to find herself amidst her trauma and her interactions with the male lead are compelling. Their differing perspectives make the story difficult at times, with some seeing their actions as red flags. However, looking at it from the lens of someone who has survived a lifetime of hardships paints a different picture—like a newborn, learning about life and looking for support.
What I really appreciate about this story is how much patience and maturity it requires from the reader. If this wasn't my first manhwa, I probably wouldn't have had the patience and might have lost it. Compared to other stories I've read, it has a slow pace of character development. If you're into that, it's a rewarding journey. I've never experienced trauma as great as this, but it's interesting to learn about such experiences through a fictional lens. The story may be fictional, but it reflects real-life situations where someone might be struggling with deep trauma.
I haven't read the original novel but I've read a few prequel chapters from the new Riftan perspective (because TikTok) and it's been fun to see a different perspective that we don't usually see. Honestly, I hope they make a manhwa for his story because it gives more context before the main plot.
The story has an arranged marriage, a cold husband and a shy and gentle wife, not an uncommon story but I found the characters to be quite diverse in many ways. For example, it has the classic arranged marriage trope without the strong, wise female lead that is often seen in other stories. Instead, it has real characters with realistic flaws and chemistry.
A story doesn’t need a plot or characters to be interesting and successful, but it adds value if it does. You might want to read other manhwa if you like strong, wise, and flawed main characters. Real characters go through stages of mistakes and growth. Even the most perfect characters have flaws and backstories that shape who they are.
Why you should read it
Under the Oak Tree is a very slow-paced story. Maximilian starts out as a weakling with severe PTSD, which leads to psychological and physical abuse as a warning to potential readers. She heals slowly, makes friends, and grows at her own pace. You may have a hard time with this if you like strong, confident female leads. However, it is completely worth it when she finally overcomes her trauma. The male lead is a sweet, gentle guy to his lady who can also be very scary and dangerous – the type of character I love. You won't regret reading it, so give it a try.
Under the Oaks Vol. 1 print
Under the Oak Tree – Is the Print Worth It?
I had the honor of receiving a pre-release copy of Under the Oak Tree Vol. 1. This experience was quite different from my last review of an Inklore title, Dear Father, I Don't Want This Marriage Vol. 1 review.
First, let's talk about the cover. It's really beautiful and I love looking at it. The physical copy is the original design by illustrator P. I think it's great that they asked the story's illustrator to design a new design for the print version! The design of this physical edition is absolutely gorgeous. Honestly, I'm planning on giving this book a special place on my shelf to show it off—it's that beautiful! There's no Korean print that can compare.
Now, let’s talk about how the book feels. This is not your typical hand-readable or easy-to-open print. Be aware of that. I didn’t expect it to be this thick; if I had to compare its size, I’d say it’s similar to a notebook. Also, this is a hardcover, not a paperback. Think of a nice, heavy-feeling hardcover, like a history textbook, to give you an idea of how it feels and looks. On Amazon, it’s listed as 7.27 x 1.14 x 9.3 inches and 2.31 pounds, but if you’re not good with numbers and good at taking pictures, that’s how I’d describe it.
I knew the book was going to be big, but I didn’t dig too deep into it because I wanted to be surprised when it arrived. As for the inside, it feels like the standard print for any manhwa, which is fine by me. One thing to note, though, is that you’ll need to be gentle when reading because the pages feel quite light, especially compared to the sturdy cover. This contrast can make it a bit difficult to open the book for the first time. The printing is excellent and it feels like you’re reading an actual comic and not some cheap print that ruins the design. Also, there are no page numbers or chapter divisions for each volume, in case anyone is curious or concerned about that.
Overall, I think this book is a lovely addition to any collection. There are also some extras that you won’t find online, which is a nice bonus. While it’s a beautiful book, it may be difficult for some people to hold as it’s not as easy to open and read as regular books, which are usually designed to fit comfortably in the hand. This one requires a little more effort to keep the pages open without turning them, so it’s quite different from Father, I Don’t Want This Marty, which is easier to read but has a less impressive cover in my opinion.
For $30 I think it's a fair price. It's a hardcover and hardcovers tend to be more expensive. I don't consider this a cheap purchase, so $30 is a fair price, especially if you want the aesthetics and ease of reading, even if the size and weight may require some adjustment while reading.
Volume 1, printed by Inklore, contains volumes 1-24. You can also read Under the Oak Tree on Manta. There are 95 volumes, with 18 short stories between seasons 2 and 3. The series is currently on hiatus, with volume 4 set to be released on September 3, just as this print is being released to the public.
UNDER THE WEST OAK by Suji Kim, Illustrated by Illustration by P, Adapted by namu, copyright © 2024
Anime Corner received a copy of Under the Oak Tree Vol. 1 in exchange for a review.
