Perfect Buddy (The Comic / Manhwa) Vol. 1

Perfect Buddy #1

by daki (Art), Lash (Story)

As the new Design Team lead for the prestigious men’s magazine, City Casual, Seo Hyunsoo wants nothing more than to live a simple, routine life. But Planning Team lead, Baek Youngchan, is proving to be an irritating complication. The two constantly butt heads, and Hyunsoo cannot stand the other man’s sunny disposition! Try as he may to avoid Youngchan, Hyunsoo ends up catching the man doing something very not safe for work in the men’s bathroom. What’s worse, Youngchan won’t leave him alone after the awkward encounter! Can Hyunsoo keep his work on track, or will things heat up at the company retreat?

Genres: Manga, Manhwa, Romance, Yaoi, LGBT, Graphic Novels, Contemporary

304 pages, Paperback

First published September 10, 2024

Reviews

[Cheesy (Rhysand's wife) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.0 💫 | Okey, okey, en este primer tomo vemos como ambos protagonistas se conocen, al igual que la dinámica entre ellos y también de los compañeros de trabajo (me gusta que tenga protagonismo, son muy chistosos 😂).

Al ser el primero, tiene lógica que sea algo lento. Hay dos caps "hots", pero solo son sueños (no pasan de verdad). Aunque no me molesta para nada, al contrario, me gustó porque se siente la conexión entre ambos, a pesar de lo extremadamente diferentes que son, y como va aumentando conforme avanzas.

Me parece muy necesario que sea slow burn para que sea lo que sea que surga entre ambos pueda funcionar 💖

Como dijo una de las jefas: los opuestos van de la mano. Y que sus diferencias, en especial, funcionan bien porque se complementan.

A DESTACAR: Baek Youngchan es una verdadera bolita de masa, lo amo 🤧 y aún ni han mostrado gran parte de él.

Se terminó en un momento realmente bueno, pero estoy presientiendo que seguirá habiendo falta de comunicación. Que más bien para mí son malentendidos por una de las partes, y como el otro no sabe que rollo, pues no puede decirle que esta equivocado y que no es lo que cree.

Bueno, solo quería dar un breve resumen, voy por el siguiente 🤌

[Frank Chillura (OhYouRead) · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH! MY!!! GAWWWWWWWWWWWD!!!!

Office Romance is my favorite BL trope! This was perfect, but it’s giving slowburn and I need it to speed it up!!!!!

[Ben Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so glad volume 2 is out this December, because the slow burn is killing me!!

[Leila ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutamente hermoso. Es la versión larga y coreana de フェイクファクトリップス aka mi BL favorito de toda la vida.

4.25 de 5 estrellas.

[ellie ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely ADORED this. Wow. Perfection. I cannot wait to read the rest of this series 😭

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

The more I think about this one, the more I like it. It definitely has a golden retriever/black cat vibe to the pairing, and that's a dynamic I tend to enjoy. The overall tone of the plot is a bit inconsistent at times, presumably because we're kept in the dark about one of the lead's pasts. But this is overall pretty cute, and I want to see how this relationship develops.

[Say · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like a 3.5⭐️.

It took me awhile to be really invested in the characters and story. And I guess I was confused a lil with how the story was going? I dunno if it was because of how they translated it in english or probably my bad lol! But it was fun nonetheless.

And what really happened back then with his old department? I don’t think it was a simple misunderstanding. So yep with that in mind I will continue on with volume 2. Hopefully it would be better than this one.

[Whitney (The Cover Collector) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Already read this fun series, but I bought the printed book (SO HAPPY IT’S BEING PUBLISHED!) and read it immediately. Seo is like a feral cat but not without reason, and Baek is a bundle of rainbows and sunshine with a shark’s intellect.

[amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

read June 23, 2025 - June 23, 2025: 4 stars

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5🌟

This was just a silly little time! I wasn’t truly sure what I was getting myself into when I picked this up, but I thoroughly enjoyed it!

For such a thick first volume, however, I feel like I don’t really get where we’re going with Hyunsoo’s past. It seems so…vague yet troubling. Of course I know our goal is a relationship between Hyunsoo and Youngchan, but I’m more curious about what is being left unsaid.

I am impressed however that this truly does seem to be committing to a storyline, and we meet a lot of different characters in this volume alone!

This volume ended in a cliffhanger of sorts tho…so I’m definitely curious to continue!

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was very silly and I'm not sure how I feel about either of the characters. I mostly don't like them. I just want to figure out what the heck their motivations are because their actions are ridiculous. They give me so much second hand embarrassment too. I'm definitely interested in the story for now at least. I want to know what happened in his old department. Also they seem to have some history together or there's at least a one sided crush going on. I just want to know already!!

[Marvelous · Rating 5 out of 5]

This manhwa is so unserious I LOVE IT. It's tropey and silly but also surprisingly emotionally intelligent. I liked the way it touched on workplace bullying and how Youngchan is so protective over Hyunsoo. Did it feel slightly like me self-inserting myself into the story as Hyunsoo? ...maybe

Tropes included: golden retriever boy x black cat boy, enemies to lovers

[Fny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was honestly such a fun read at times. I don’t remember since I last laughed this much while reading a comic. A bl to booth. This first volume showed some much potential so I do so long forward to volume 2… it can’t be end of the December fast enough…

[nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

don't you just love it when the main characters have good bickering? not one boring moment in this manhwa.

perfect buddy really possess a lot of themes and tropes i love. the characters? a sunshine x grumpy office romance would always eat for me.

[Hayeley Norris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhh! One of my top favorite webtoons!!!

[Andria · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was alright.. Definitely sunshine character with a rainy cloud.

[Crystal Duarte · Rating 5 out of 5]

This slow burn is literally giving me life and killing me at the same time 👩🏻‍🦯

[Karen Delgado · Rating 3 out of 5]

Calificación real: 3.5 estrellas

Los haters to lovers, mi debilidad ❤️‍🩹

[Natalie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Uhhh BORING! Literally nothing happens but office talk. The banter wasn’t fun. It was repetitive and I didn’t like either characters.

[Precociousp · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very first chapter of Perfect Buddy, it’s clear that Lash is crafting something more thoughtful than your average office romance. Built around the beloved "grumpy and sunshine" trope, this slow-burn manhwa sets the stage for a compelling emotional journey—one that balances romantic tension with smart character development and a surprisingly grounded workplace narrative.

Seo Hyunsoo, the new design team lead at the elite men’s magazine City Casual, is a classic introvert who thrives on order and simplicity. All he wants is a quiet, predictable work life. Enter Baek Youngchan, the outgoing, annoyingly persistent planning team lead whose bright energy clashes with Hyunsoo’s need for calm. At first glance, their personalities seem entirely incompatible—but that’s precisely where the magic happens.

What makes Perfect Buddy Vol. 1 stand out is how earned the central relationship feels. Lash takes time to build tension and chemistry between Seo and Baek. Their interactions, whether awkward or antagonistic, always carry weight. Forced proximity, office politics, and shared projects naturally push them together, allowing their emotional dynamic to evolve without feeling rushed. This isn’t insta-love—it’s a slow, careful burn that rewards patience.

While the opening chapters feel a bit rough—perhaps due to heavy exposition or pacing—the story quickly finds its rhythm. Once the characters settle into their roles and the workplace world comes alive, the emotional stakes start to click. Readers who stick with it past the initial setup will find themselves deeply invested in both leads.

A major highlight of the volume is the artwork by DAKI, whose clean, expressive style beautifully complements the tone of the story. Facial expressions are especially well-rendered, allowing quiet moments to land with surprising emotional depth. One standout panel shows Seo caught mid-eye-roll as Baek tries to charm him with yet another unsolicited favor—it’s the kind of subtle visual storytelling that elevates character beats beyond the dialogue.

I also appreciate that Perfect Buddy keeps the smut low-key. Rather than relying on physical intimacy to sell the relationship, Lash focuses on emotional build-up and character interaction. In a genre that often leans heavily on explicit scenes, this choice feels refreshing. It gives room for quiet growth and for readers to really connect with the characters.

The supporting cast also deserves mention—office colleagues who aren’t just background noise but add texture to the workplace setting. There are minor antagonists, humorous side moments, and just enough real-world messiness to keep things grounded.

Overall, Perfect Buddy Vol. 1 delivers a smart, slow-burn romance with warmth, depth, and style. If you enjoy character-driven stories with emotional payoff, clean art, and just a hint of tension-filled banter, this manhwa is absolutely worth your time.

It’s already earned a spot among my favorites, and I can’t wait to see how Seo and Baek’s dynamic continues to evolve in future volumes.

[L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, wow. I was a little wary when I started this because I couldn't get a good read on where the story was going or the characters personalities, and I was exasperated with reading another workplace romance story that had one character overworking the other and/or one character taking advantage of the other. But manwha continues to surprise me, and truly never disappoints me, and by the end I was treated to a spontaneous three chapter long sports arc, our MCs being forced to share a room, a mildly erotic bandaging scene *foams at the mouth* erotic hurt comfort and bandages are SO up my alley like OH MY GOD I could not BELIEVE what I was seeing WHAT A TREAT!!! , and the very last page which made me burst out laughing.

So yeah, I really enjoyed this lol

Somewhere in the middle, Isaku Natsume's note about Onoe and Kaburagi from her manga Candy Color Paradox popped into my head: "two very schoolkid-like adults." And that is exactly how I can describe Seo Hyunsoo and Baek Youngchan -- two adults who are, ultimately, very schoolkid-like because of their bickering and general immaturity. And I really, really love that about them and like that as a dynamic but considering that Onoe and Kaburagi are my favorite relationship of all time, that tracks lol. There is just something so fun about watching two characters that are observant, reflective, and competent... but that also butt heads and bicker in an extremely immature way. It's compelling to me in a very specific and indescribable way, and it makes me so excited to see what develops between them next, especially considering Seo Hyunsoo's complete misunderstanding of what was going on at the beginning of the story and Baek Youngchan's very clear interest in, protectiveness of, and jealousy over Seo Hyunsoo.

...oh my god I just realized that in addition to being schoolkid-like adults they're also golden retriever x black cat, chat I am so fucking cooked with this pairing oh my god,,,,,,

[quynh · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
excellent blend of enemies to lovers, sexual tension, and a slight sprinkle of a complicated business plot (complicated bc i don’t get business terms)
the fact that it took around 90 chapters for them to actually get together in a ~100chapter manhwa was the worst part
i mean, the communication issues???
GOD it make me so mad like JUST TALK THINGS OUT
but i get it
ugh
hyunsoo is too scared
youngchan is a chicken
it can’t be helped
but omg
the tension at the beginning was perfect
i feel like they could’ve done more with yeongji and hyunsoo’s past coworkers idk
like his superior and the other guy that follows him idk i forgot their names sorry
i mean like what they did do with their characters was fine i just wanted more
like some of the story felt kind of dragged on and a little repetitive and at some parts slightly boring…. i can’t tell you which parts tho bc i forgot everhthjng
i mean i still thoroughly enjoyed everything and i binged the shit out kf this, watching hyunsoo figure out his feelings and seeing his development was so peak like he’s hardly recognizable from the hyunsoo we met from the first chapter
and despite their opposite personalities, they really do go together so well UGH its just so good you wouldn’t get it they COMPLETE each other so bad ughhh
there was a lot kf sex…. and i think youngchan’s dick is too big… it was scary…

[Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first manga read of the year, after telling myself I was going to try and read more fiction for this years challenge. I felt guilty for racking up reading challenge numbers with manga volumes and told myself to step back from them.

And now after my 3 month hiatus, I caved and stopped feeling guilty about picking one up. I needed a break from regular fiction, something more casual that I could finish in a shorter amount of time.

This volume establishes the ongoing and developing dynamic between the two protagonists, and didn’t immediately jump into anything inherently sexual between the two (aside from their separate endeavours at the beginning of the volume).
It’s very much sunshine golden retriever x gloomy black cat vibes, and I enjoy that dynamic a lot. It was nice to see the back and forth of the dynamic, and to feel like the characters are actually being fleshed out rather than just thrown into smut for the sake of it.

And we also get the mystery of ‘what happened in the marketing department?’. And I like that it’s not revealed yet, because that has intrigued me.

I give it 4 stars ⭐️

[Cassie Renais · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great grumpy/sunshine office romance! My primary gripe is with the cover which completely fails to convey the right character for BOTH main characters. The dark haired guy is a loveable asshole who is very misunderstood and socially awkward, and the brown-haired guy is a giant golden retriever who needs to be liked by everyone at all times. They have great, believable tension and chemistry because of those core personalities.

The first volume focuses on character and relationship development and really doesn't have any smut at all, though it works around to that in later volumes. The dynamic between the two characters is very fun, and they spend enough time together to earn their changing relationship. There's also an engaging plot with real-world events, secondary characters, antagonists and forced-proximity. In other words, there's plenty going on outside the romance to keep the story interesting, which only makes the romance sweeter.

Overall, really skilfully written and drawn. The art is great, and the story is fun and engaging.

[Rosa Posa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m really glad I got to read this full color story. I enjoyed a story about a workplace setting. This first volume focused a lot on introducing new characters, including the two protagonists. I’m hoping in the next volume we’ll get to see more positive interactions. This first volume did not have very many good interactions between them, but instead them constantly butting heads. There were a couple moments that seemed cute, but were instantly interrupted. I’m also looking forward to the development of these two characters and their pasts. Hopefully as the story continues, I’ll like them a little more. So far, they’re not too favorable personality wise. I’m looking forward to getting to know them more and seeing where the story takes me!

[Bee C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seo Hyunsoo seems like this uptight worker but there’s something that we don’t know about from his previous position that makes sorta makes you think all the rumors about him are not true. Baek Youngchan is his himbo coworker. Well at least that’s what he looks like in the surface but he actually is pretty sharp. We get the beginning of their acquaintance and some accidents but we just know those two are gonna end up together, whether it’s in each other’s arms or bed is yet to be seen. 😏 Starts off a bit spicy then slows down and leads to a funny cliffhanger. 😳 Looking forward to the next volume.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is for the whole series. This was really cute and funny. It is black cat and golden retriever energy and I loved it. I liked the banter between them and then once they became a couple how their banter didn't stop. But they are also so loving towards one another. There was a part at the begining where Hyunsoo bounces off of Youngchan's chest and it cracked me up. I also LOVED when Youngchan beat that guy up for Hyunsoo. It is funny how Hyunsoo is made to look "baby girl" when he is a 6'3 man...
I do think some parts were a little slow as the work history was bulit up but really loved these two.
3.75 overall

[Babu77 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed it! But it felt like a setup volume. Volume 1 focused heavily on introducing the characters and setting, which is nice for context, but it means that nothing really happened. The pair didn’t have many interactions yet — mostly butting heads and getting caught up in misunderstandings — though I do like the golden retriever/black cat dynamic between them.

It ended on a cliffhanger, so I’m curious to see how things develop in volume 2. Overall, a solid start, but a little light on plot for me. Still, the characters are charming enough to keep me invested.

[MAGGS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Golden retriever x black cat x enemies to lovers x romance de oficina, todo lo que me gusta está dentro de este bello manhwa.

La historia tiene un plot que estoy segura se desarrollará más adelante, sin embargo, la forma en la que vamos conociendo la personalidad de los personajes y sus capas me parece algo muy impresionante. Sin duda aunque la historia aún no tiene final, sé que se convertirá en una de mis favoritas. <3333333333

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

took me while to be really invested in the story as it was confusing a lil with how the story was going? It could be how they translated it in English, or it's just me. Hope the next volume was better.

Anyway, I still enjoyed reading it. It's definitely has a golden retriever/ black cat vibe to the paring. I want to see how this relationship develops. Cart wait for vol 2