Goodbye, mom

by Kim In-Jeong

"Cold-hearted." That was the word Lee Eunyoung always used to describe her mother. But after her mother's passing, Eunyoung discovers a diary that shows her things she never even knew about the woman who raised her. Reading the entries allows Eunyoung to continue to feel her mother's presence and resolve their complicated relationship, but as the remaining pages dwindle and the visions that kept her company begin to fade, she's forced to face her new reality and say her final farewell.

Goodbye, Mom is originally a webtoon series which was officially published in book format by Gobooki Books (거북이북스) on October 17, 2019. The series was published digitally in English by Tapas Media on June 11, 2023.

Genres: Manhwa

324 pages, Paperback

First published October 17, 2019

Reviews

[dee ⋆˚࿔ · Rating 3 out of 5]

some beautiful and relatable quotes:

"I'll regret things that you don't regret and you'll regret things that I don't regret. Is it possible not to have any regrets? I don't think it is... In the end, it's about love. If you don't love, there's less to regret. But we can't help ourselves."

"She was just a child, so how could I expect her to understand my life? It's only natural for a child and a parent to be different..."

"If there really is such a thing as the next life, then at least once, I'd love to be your friend. Living as the same age at the same time, listening to popular music together, eating snacks together, and chatting about all kinds of things all day long... Then, only after the sun had come up, we lean on each other and fall asleep. That's what I prayed for. Then, after that... Please be my mother again."

"Did I love you properly when I had never been given proper love?" 🥲

[Yan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This manhwa is both heartbreaking and heartwarming in the quietest way possible. It reminds us that every family has its own dynamics, and that what we see from the outside rarely reflects what truly happens inside a home. Some families appear close and loving, and it’s hard not to feel a sense of longing or jealousy when we realize we never received the same warmth. At the same time, the manhwa also shows that even people who come from loving families can feel sadness, restraint, or a desire for freedom. What makes this story especially painful is how it portrays loss. Losing a parent or a loved one hurts deeply, even when the relationship was distant, strained, or imperfect. The manhwa captures that lingering regret, which is the questions that only arise once someone is gone. We begin to wonder about the life they lived before us, the parts of themselves they never shared, and what our relationship could have been if things had been different. There’s a quiet ache in realizing we can no longer clarify misunderstandings, mend broken connections, or make up for lost time. Despite its emotional weight, this manhwa feels honest rather than overwhelming. Its short chapters make it an easy read, yet each one carries a lasting impact. Overall, it’s a touching and reflective manhwa that gently explores family, grief, regret, and the love we sometimes only fully understand after it’s gone.

[icedcoffeeandreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
ᯓ★
This manhwa made me sob like a baby, the mother daughter relationship portrayed was so realistic, our relationships with our mothers, the gap between our and our mom's thoughts, their sacrifices and our growing up, the dependency yet the love.

This manhwa was about Eunyoung who didn't have a good relationship with her mother, but after her mom's passing away, she discovered a lot about how her mother was.
The mourning, the regret , this manhwa is short yet so so impactful.

"Eunyoung, my little ocean".😭😭

[MatchaGirl5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this story almost 5 months ago and I still get teary thinking about it. I wasn’t expecting to cry as hard as I did upon finishing this but the end got me where it hurts. Seeing the main character cope with her grief in losing her mother (despite their rough relationship) and her learning more about her mom through the diary was beautifully portrayed.

I will never forget how heart broken I was after reading that every time her mother wanted to see the ocean, she really just missed her daughter.

[subaha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never spoke to my mom's sighs
I didn't look back at my mom's footsteps
I never paid attention to who my mom was

I read this first thing in the morning and was choked up the whole day. I can't believe I had to go through the day like my soul wasn't just crushed. I need a sick leave to recover from it.

[Sato · Rating 5 out of 5]

If i could erase my memory, i would read this all over again. Just because i enjoy suffering of course. Without doubt best and shortest manhwa i’ve read so far, I love how it doesn’t give you a rollercoaster of emotions It’s just straight up pain. (We love angst gang)

[Duong Trang · Rating 5 out of 5]

crying sobbing throwing up

[Zanjabeel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The one manhwa that everyone needs to read😭

Rating: 5 stars

[Junialan · Rating 5 out of 5]

We end up becoming everything we thought we hated and would never become.
This is beautifully written. Painful, but beautiful.

[Kethllyn Failla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vtnc chorei pra caralho, minha cara toda inchada ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️