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Goong #1
Goong: The Royal Palace, Vol. 1
Monarchy ended long ago in Korea, but there are still other countries with Kings, Queens, princes and princesses. What if Korea had continued monarchism? What if all the beautiful palaces which are now only historical relics were actually filled with people?! What if the glamorous royal family still maintained the palace customs?! Welcome to a world where Korea still has the royal family living their lives! Only for one high school girl, Che-Kyung, is this a tragedy, since she has to marry the prince who apparently is a total jerk!
208 pages, Paperback
First published November 25, 2002
60 people are currently reading
1714 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
July 27, 2015
A few months ago, I tried watching K-Drama adaption. I had no clue that it was adapted from a manhwa and the concept itself was pretty interesting.
Now, looking back, I realise that going into a show without really understanding or knowing any of the terminology used for each member of the royal family, the traditions and rituals they follow and just about anything else, was a little bit foolish on my part. Its no wonder I gave up just after 3 episodes.
The really great thing about reading translated versions of manga or manhwa is that new terms and such are always explained above or below the panels, which is what made me really enjoy reading this. I knew what they were talking about, I knew who they were taking about and I got to know a lot more about Korean culture, which is awesome!
A lot of this manhwa centers around the palace politics and the drama within the royal family, rather than just Shin and Chae Kyung's (really,really awesome) relationship (will get on that later), so it was always interesting and never dull. The antics of the elder members of the family always made me laugh after a particularly emotional scene.
I love Shin and Chae Kyung's relationship. It had its good times, bad times and ugly times, but in the end, you knew there were going to come out of it victorious. It was slow, honest, realistic and...not easy. And it only 90 chapters for them to finally confess their feelings to each other *eye twitch*. But whatever, I still like it.
Though I will not say I was never frustrated with them. Sometimes, it was Shin I wanted to throw out of the window and sometimes it was Chae Kyung I wanted to throw out of the window. But because we see things through both their POVs, you dont know who to throw first.
So yes, there are times when both of them made me angry ( I'm looking at you especially Chae Kyung ). Although this would not have happened if Yul hadnt given his two cents where it wasnt needed. Ah, Yul. Most of the time, I didnt know whether to pat his head and go "There, there" or to maim him with a chainsaw.
For someone who doesnt get the time to read more than 10 chapters of manga a day, I have no clue how I finished all the 179 chapters of this one in just 2 days. It made me laugh, it made sad, it made frustrated and it made me love it even more. Though that ending was the most inconclusive, iffy and fickle thing ever, though there are a million misunderstandings and though I often raged at the characters, I would read it all over again with no regrets. That, my friends, is the power of a good manhwa.
Rant over.
PS- I'm going to binge the hell out of the K-Drama on Viki now since I'm not a lost puppy anymore!
Now, looking back, I realise that going into a show without really understanding or knowing any of the terminology used for each member of the royal family, the traditions and rituals they follow and just about anything else, was a little bit foolish on my part. Its no wonder I gave up just after 3 episodes.
The really great thing about reading translated versions of manga or manhwa is that new terms and such are always explained above or below the panels, which is what made me really enjoy reading this. I knew what they were talking about, I knew who they were taking about and I got to know a lot more about Korean culture, which is awesome!
A lot of this manhwa centers around the palace politics and the drama within the royal family, rather than just Shin and Chae Kyung's (really,really awesome) relationship (will get on that later), so it was always interesting and never dull. The antics of the elder members of the family always made me laugh after a particularly emotional scene.
I love Shin and Chae Kyung's relationship. It had its good times, bad times and ugly times, but in the end, you knew there were going to come out of it victorious. It was slow, honest, realistic and...not easy. And it only 90 chapters for them to finally confess their feelings to each other *eye twitch*. But whatever, I still like it.
Though I will not say I was never frustrated with them. Sometimes, it was Shin I wanted to throw out of the window and sometimes it was Chae Kyung I wanted to throw out of the window. But because we see things through both their POVs, you dont know who to throw first.
So yes, there are times when both of them made me angry ( I'm looking at you especially Chae Kyung ). Although this would not have happened if Yul hadnt given his two cents where it wasnt needed. Ah, Yul. Most of the time, I didnt know whether to pat his head and go "There, there" or to maim him with a chainsaw.
For someone who doesnt get the time to read more than 10 chapters of manga a day, I have no clue how I finished all the 179 chapters of this one in just 2 days. It made me laugh, it made sad, it made frustrated and it made me love it even more. Though that ending was the most inconclusive, iffy and fickle thing ever, though there are a million misunderstandings and though I often raged at the characters, I would read it all over again with no regrets. That, my friends, is the power of a good manhwa.
Rant over.
PS- I'm going to binge the hell out of the K-Drama on Viki now since I'm not a lost puppy anymore!
September 2, 2009
Oh, it's alright. You know, basic girl-hates-boy-boy-hates-girl-boy-is-actually-the-crown-prince-WHOOPS-girl-and-boy-are-secretly-engaged-due-to-grandfathers'-arrangement story. Whatever. I actually spent a lot of this series thinking, "Dang, I wish my hair would do that."
Still, despite the slow build, Chae-Kyung isn't overwhelmingly annoying and Pak doesn't take all the well-worn routes. By volume 5 I was pretty well hooked, though I couldn't say why exactly--but the palace politics are getting more fierce, nasty and dangerous, while life for Chae-Kyung continues its "one step forward, two steps back" kind of pacing.
Still, despite the slow build, Chae-Kyung isn't overwhelmingly annoying and Pak doesn't take all the well-worn routes. By volume 5 I was pretty well hooked, though I couldn't say why exactly--but the palace politics are getting more fierce, nasty and dangerous, while life for Chae-Kyung continues its "one step forward, two steps back" kind of pacing.
April 21, 2012
Half the fun of a shoujo is watching the couple struggle to figure out their feelings and get together. This series is unique in that the two get married first and then awkwardly understand one another. Shin and Chae-Kyeong are a really compelling couple and I anxiously await to see their fate. I think I’m all the more anxious just because of all the extra pressures and possible dangers to their relationship as a royal couple than they are to your typical high school love story. They have far more drama in their relationship then I would ever want in mine, or wish in anyone else’s relationship for that matter.
I think the girls in the Manhwa series I’ve read are really drawn with wonderful delicate beauty. The guys are usually drawn with too much beauty and it creeps me out because I get attracted to them. But in this series, Yul is the only one drawn a bit too much like a girl for my taste.
One thing is how weird it is that all the covers portray the couple as very much in love and happy with one another… you don’t see much of that in the series. They disliked one another prior to the marriage, Shin only agreed to the marriage so the nation would suffer under a terribly dumb princess. Chae-Kyeong only agreed to the marriage to save her family financially. But she actually decided against marrying a few hours prior to the official announcement, but the paparazzi had gotten hold of the news by then and there was nothing more to be done, the world knew her face and she could never go back to being normal. Shin is quite cruel to her in their relationship, and frankly is probably borderline abusive. But I guess girls looking for a good romance would be less inclined to buy the series if the cover was of Shin throwing her off a balcony huh?
All in all, I liked it. I squealed and giggled too much. Looking forward to the next volume.
I think the girls in the Manhwa series I’ve read are really drawn with wonderful delicate beauty. The guys are usually drawn with too much beauty and it creeps me out because I get attracted to them. But in this series, Yul is the only one drawn a bit too much like a girl for my taste.
One thing is how weird it is that all the covers portray the couple as very much in love and happy with one another… you don’t see much of that in the series. They disliked one another prior to the marriage, Shin only agreed to the marriage so the nation would suffer under a terribly dumb princess. Chae-Kyeong only agreed to the marriage to save her family financially. But she actually decided against marrying a few hours prior to the official announcement, but the paparazzi had gotten hold of the news by then and there was nothing more to be done, the world knew her face and she could never go back to being normal. Shin is quite cruel to her in their relationship, and frankly is probably borderline abusive. But I guess girls looking for a good romance would be less inclined to buy the series if the cover was of Shin throwing her off a balcony huh?
All in all, I liked it. I squealed and giggled too much. Looking forward to the next volume.
November 21, 2020
I've already seen the 2006 K-drama adaptation and I absolutely loved it. After I finished the K-drama, I found out that it was based on a manhwa. I just knew that I would have to read the manhwa series. This is my first time reading a manhwa. I absolutely loved this book. So far I think the K-drama adaptation that I watched is pretty accurate. There are a few differences but it is not bothering me. I've heard there are a few differences between the two and I can't wait to see more of them. I heard the differences are due to making the story fit better for tv because something work in manhwa but not for a drama. The author has also said she wanted something to be different in the drama than the manhwa. I can't wait to continue on with this series sometime soon.
February 7, 2009
I'm addicted to this series, and already have book five on pre-order.
This is basically a Cinderella story set in Korea with a very unwilling Prince Charming and an equally unwilling Cinderella. I like it! As the later volumes come out, the political machinations take center stage which are compelling, but this first volume is pure fun for the surprise of everything and getting to know each other. The art is beautiful and all the men are gorgeous. What's not to love?
This is basically a Cinderella story set in Korea with a very unwilling Prince Charming and an equally unwilling Cinderella. I like it! As the later volumes come out, the political machinations take center stage which are compelling, but this first volume is pure fun for the surprise of everything and getting to know each other. The art is beautiful and all the men are gorgeous. What's not to love?
June 12, 2019
4.5 stars.
It's been years since I last watched the adaptation. There are some things that they changed for the sake of live action but the original is much more entertaining. The humor is fresh, it didn't felt forced at all and successfully made me laugh out loud a few times!
January 8, 2019
The artwork and dialogue is amazing! I watched the kdrama and this is different, which is no problem because I have read and watched different versions of other plots. I really enjoyed reading it and I can't wait to read the other volumes!
July 7, 2010
Imagine if Korea still had a monarchy. Now imagine you are a seventeen year old high school girl who suddenly discovers she was betrothed to the crown prince when she was a baby by her grandfather, a friend of the deceased King! Even worse, the crown prince goes to the same high school as you and is known for being a complete jerk. Such is the situation Chae-Kyung finds herself in in this funny, endearing, and slightly romantic manhwa. This manwha was so popular it was made into a television drama starring real people (not an anime show) in South Korea.
Despite having many of the convents often found in sunjeong manhwa (순정 만화) – quirky tomboy-ish female character, the overdone “hate first, love second” romantic plot, misunderstood teen boy, etc. – readers will find this manhwa incredibly endearing. Park manages to play with conventions and still create a storyline that feels fresh. Plus, what teenager girl (or adult woman, for that matter) doesn’t fantasize about marrying a prince?
The art in this manhwa is relatively simplistic, but it’s more realistic than many other stylized manhwas. The characters look more like real people than other manhwas where characters have larger than life hair or grossly exaggerated bodies. The more realistic drawings help to create a sense that this could have actually happened, if Korea still had a monarchy.
This is appropriate for ages eleven and up. There are no curse words or sexual situations.
Despite having many of the convents often found in sunjeong manhwa (순정 만화) – quirky tomboy-ish female character, the overdone “hate first, love second” romantic plot, misunderstood teen boy, etc. – readers will find this manhwa incredibly endearing. Park manages to play with conventions and still create a storyline that feels fresh. Plus, what teenager girl (or adult woman, for that matter) doesn’t fantasize about marrying a prince?
The art in this manhwa is relatively simplistic, but it’s more realistic than many other stylized manhwas. The characters look more like real people than other manhwas where characters have larger than life hair or grossly exaggerated bodies. The more realistic drawings help to create a sense that this could have actually happened, if Korea still had a monarchy.
This is appropriate for ages eleven and up. There are no curse words or sexual situations.
February 7, 2010
One of my favorite series, and a manhwa at that. Like many of the romance manga/manhwa I tend to read, some of the situations can edge into the melodramatic...but I wouldn't have it any other way. The premise of this series follows Korea to a fictional present when the monarchy is still in place and the country is full of royal-fever (comparable to modern-day England). Chae-Kyung is a normal girl, living a normal life, when she suddenly finds out that her grandfather made a pact with a peer (who just happened to be the former king). They pre-arranged a marriage between Chae-Kyung and the crown prince and one of Chae-Kyung's classmates, Shin Lee. Chae-Kyung agrees to the marriage to ease the financial woes of her own family, by Shin Lee is in love with another classmate. And the loop-de-loops of love triangles only grow from there. Through many trials and tribulations, readers see Chae-Kyung and Shin Lee evolve from forced companions, to friends, to life partners. *happy sigh*
November 18, 2014
This series starts off with an asshole love interest and a pretty ridiculous premise...like about 75% of manga/manhwa. What does make it stand out, however, is the way the author totally doesn't mind flaunting the conventional shoujo stereotypes and blatantly making fun of them. This is definitely NOT a story that takes itself too seriously.
The artwork ranges from appropriately silly for the funny stuff to absolutely gorgeous and elaborate for some of the palace scenes. Park So Hee has a very distinctive style that's not quite like any other I have seen in manhwa or manga, so that's a refreshing change.
In the end, this was a fun little read and I'm intrigued enough to stick with the series.
The artwork ranges from appropriately silly for the funny stuff to absolutely gorgeous and elaborate for some of the palace scenes. Park So Hee has a very distinctive style that's not quite like any other I have seen in manhwa or manga, so that's a refreshing change.
In the end, this was a fun little read and I'm intrigued enough to stick with the series.
December 30, 2018
A little bit different from the kdrama, but I really like it! I want more!
July 3, 2010
I'm giving this 5 stars because it was hilarious. I laughed my through this manga, the drawings were absolutely wonderfully funny. The plot is also quite nice, a royal family guy and the girl he's forced to marry. The guy is a total jerk and I'm thinking he'll grow in the future. Right now, the main couple have the potential to bicker a lot and I love stories where the hero and the heroine bicker first love later :)
May 23, 2015
The art is good -- except where they go into cartoonish drawing when a character i uncomfortable.
I liked the premise of what would it be like if the Korean Royalty had not been taken from Korea. Chae-kyung is a funny girl who embarrasses herself quite often. She's feisty though and just what Shin needs.
I'm liking how different aspects of their life have been developed from her family to his family.
BOTTOM LINE: I consumed it! Cute.
I liked the premise of what would it be like if the Korean Royalty had not been taken from Korea. Chae-kyung is a funny girl who embarrasses herself quite often. She's feisty though and just what Shin needs.
I'm liking how different aspects of their life have been developed from her family to his family.
BOTTOM LINE: I consumed it! Cute.
December 16, 2012
Only about 10 or so chapters (or probably more, I can't remember) left in the manhwa and I decided to stop (a pity because I spent almost three days reading it non-stop). Read somewhere how it had a "wtf ending" (plus I did peek) and that's it, I've given up (Goong has been on hold for months).
It did have some heart-pounding scenes though! Especially at the beginning. I think I'll re-watch the korean drama instead, at least it had a better conclusion ;)
It did have some heart-pounding scenes though! Especially at the beginning. I think I'll re-watch the korean drama instead, at least it had a better conclusion ;)
November 14, 2012
Manhwa çizimlerini aslen Manga'larınkine tercih ediyorum, hikayeleri de Japon muadillerinden daha ilgi çekici geliyor bana (özellikle kadın karakterlerin daha güçlü oluşu). Son yıllarda Kore'li sanatçıların Manhwa için webtoon ve webcomics'e geçişi de bu tarz çalışmalara ulaşımı da kolaylaştırıyor. So Hee Park gördüğüm en iyi çizimlere sahip artist, konu da ilginç. Ne yazık ki yoğunluktan yarım bıraktığım bir seri ama en kısa sürede tamamlamak istiyorum.
March 18, 2017
this was my first manhwa. i never read manhwa before and i love the pictures and the story.
I know this story had been drag out like a weekend drama in korea. The thing that i love the most from this manhwa is there's no innocent characters. everyone has their own fault, Shin, Chae kyung, Yul, king and queen. There isn't 100% truly protagonist believe me, you want to choke shin and in the next chapter you want to hug him because he was so pitiful.
i' ll tried to read another manhwa
I know this story had been drag out like a weekend drama in korea. The thing that i love the most from this manhwa is there's no innocent characters. everyone has their own fault, Shin, Chae kyung, Yul, king and queen. There isn't 100% truly protagonist believe me, you want to choke shin and in the next chapter you want to hug him because he was so pitiful.
i' ll tried to read another manhwa
October 8, 2008
Loved this. I like the story so far.
April 19, 2011
kebiasaan baca komik jepang, baca komik korea berasa ga alus gambar na. dan sesuai dengan gambar na, cerita na pun ga alus alias ga datar. :D
November 10, 2011
Starting today I am going to start with this series.
It looks promising and I already like it very much!
It looks promising and I already like it very much!
March 24, 2012
I liked it cuz I saw the Korean tv drama and liked it. I found myself chuckling out loud at times :)
April 9, 2012
Love it. Shin is dreamy, Chaekyung's back fetish is entertaining, and Yul grates on my nerves ;P oh, and also Prince William shows up sometime during the series-- the eunuch (?) makes me laugh.
June 4, 2012
Decided to read the manga since I've seen the Korean Drama based on this series, and I have to say I really like the manga. It's a cute series to read :)
November 19, 2017
3.5 ⭐️
My friend first introduced me to Goong in 2010, through the live action drama. I was hooked straight away but had no option of completing the series at that time. So I pined away for a few weeks and then forgot about the show/manhwa altogether for the next seven years. Oops.
The art style is probably my favorite aspect of Goong. There’s a lot of detail on each page, and I feel like the people are drawn to look more realistic than characters in other manga/manhwa. The storyline of a Korean royal family is highly entertaining, and I admire the historical reasons behind the artist drawing the manhwa in the first place.
Filial piety is a fairly important aspect of Korean culture, I get it. I understand why Chae-kyung agreed to marry the prince, but as a strong-willed girl myself who is defiant in nature, I'd be horrified and angry at the prospect of basically being sold to a family to fulfill some unknown promise - and I would do everything to rebel against said arrangement. Though, I guess there'd be no story if she was like, "Marry a prince? No, thanks." However, she doesn't even really fight it, and when she tries to have a frank discussion about the marriage, her mother slaps her for being selfish. Ridiculous.
I'll definitely continue reading the series, but it might take me a while at $6.99 a volume.
My friend first introduced me to Goong in 2010, through the live action drama. I was hooked straight away but had no option of completing the series at that time. So I pined away for a few weeks and then forgot about the show/manhwa altogether for the next seven years. Oops.
The art style is probably my favorite aspect of Goong. There’s a lot of detail on each page, and I feel like the people are drawn to look more realistic than characters in other manga/manhwa. The storyline of a Korean royal family is highly entertaining, and I admire the historical reasons behind the artist drawing the manhwa in the first place.
Filial piety is a fairly important aspect of Korean culture, I get it. I understand why Chae-kyung agreed to marry the prince, but as a strong-willed girl myself who is defiant in nature, I'd be horrified and angry at the prospect of basically being sold to a family to fulfill some unknown promise - and I would do everything to rebel against said arrangement. Though, I guess there'd be no story if she was like, "Marry a prince? No, thanks." However, she doesn't even really fight it, and when she tries to have a frank discussion about the marriage, her mother slaps her for being selfish. Ridiculous.
I'll definitely continue reading the series, but it might take me a while at $6.99 a volume.
September 11, 2017
Charming And Quirky With The Amazing Artwork Of So Hee Park!!!
Goong is the graphic novel that the hit Korean drama " Palace aka Princess Hours" is based on. In this first installment they story begins in an alternate Korea, where the monarchy is still ruling. Happy go lucky commoner Che-Kyung finds herself engaged to Prince Shin due to an arrangement between their grandfather's. I won't day anymore because O don't want to spoil this wonderful book. Can't wait to read installment number two and see what's instore for Che-Kyung and Shin.
Goong is the graphic novel that the hit Korean drama " Palace aka Princess Hours" is based on. In this first installment they story begins in an alternate Korea, where the monarchy is still ruling. Happy go lucky commoner Che-Kyung finds herself engaged to Prince Shin due to an arrangement between their grandfather's. I won't day anymore because O don't want to spoil this wonderful book. Can't wait to read installment number two and see what's instore for Che-Kyung and Shin.
May 21, 2019
Goong will always be a favorite. With a far fetched story (that the author for some reason feels the need to justify? Come on, it’s fantasy. Your story, your rules,) creative and lovable characters in a plot that feels scarily familiar (arranged marriage? To the guy you hate the most in this world?) there’s lots of laughs along the way, and cutesy drawings that implement the mood (super deformed at some points to get the silliness across.) I can’t help but to love Chae-Kyung, and swoon for the hot prince she is to marry.
March 18, 2020
3/5
La historia me gusto pero por el final no he podido calificarlo mas alto.
Me ha decepcionado tanto ese final que no puedo ser mas benevolente.
Creo que es un drama que con dos tomos mas y hubiera sido perfecto, ya que asi me hubieran podido dar un reencuentro como se lo merecían despues de tanto sufrimiento, ademas que hubieran podido añadir un poco de sus futuro juntos. Pero no, cortaron todo de la nada y sin un verdadero final.
Yul es el personaje mas odioso y egoista que se haya creado.
La historia me gusto pero por el final no he podido calificarlo mas alto.
Me ha decepcionado tanto ese final que no puedo ser mas benevolente.
Creo que es un drama que con dos tomos mas y hubiera sido perfecto, ya que asi me hubieran podido dar un reencuentro como se lo merecían despues de tanto sufrimiento, ademas que hubieran podido añadir un poco de sus futuro juntos. Pero no, cortaron todo de la nada y sin un verdadero final.
Yul es el personaje mas odioso y egoista que se haya creado.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2023
🖤 Their first encountered was so hilarious. Although the plot was a bit stereotypes during that time, it doesn't stop me for loving it. The enemy-to-lover trope plus with royal palace monarchy, this is just my kind of reading. ☺️
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🖤 Glad that I got this manhwa for my own collection. Yay! Who doesn't love the drama adaptation from this manhwa before? I can't wait for the remake of Princess Hour.
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🖤 Glad that I got this manhwa for my own collection. Yay! Who doesn't love the drama adaptation from this manhwa before? I can't wait for the remake of Princess Hour.
September 9, 2020
My 10 year old daughter is getting into Manga and picked this one up at our look used bookstore. She liked it and thought it was cute but didn't want to pick up anymore in the series. I checked out the story and it was cute but choppy and the artwork is not consistent. Not a favorite for either of us.
January 1, 2018
4 stars
Now that the series is complete, I'm going to try to read all of it.
Now that the series is complete, I'm going to try to read all of it.
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