Model #4

Model [모델] #4

by So-Young Lee

We open with a dream in which it seems Jae sees Michael, but she isn't sure. A premonition of the future? We then follow Ken's story of growing up on the estate with Eva. Taking the job as Michael's servant allows Eva and Ken to stay together. But Ken hasn't yet met Michael. Ken almost stumbles upon the two adults one night, but Michael quickly disappears and three more years go past before Ken next encounters the vampire, this time in a giant underground swimming pool that ends up being Michael's bathtub! (Eva agrees to be Michael's servant because it's the only way she and Ken can stay together and also because Eva loves Michael and wants to be near him. Also, Eva isn't his real mother, though it's unclear how they came together.) Two more years pass before he officially meets Michael. He tells Jae that when he met him, he knew he wanted Michael to be his father. Jae is surprised because Ken seems to hate Michael so much, she assumed he always hated Michael. Years later, Ken returns from vacation and finds Michael and Eva in bed together with two other women. Ken's idea of being a family is destroyed and he begins to hate Michael. Jae tells Ken that she sees them as one family. Ken admits he came onto Jae to get between her and Michael because he didn't want Eva to be hurt. Now he says he's falling for her. Meanwhile, Michael asks Jae to be with Ken since he and Eva can no longer give him the love he needs. Then he tells her Eva is Ken's mother and they share the same soul. But then Michael talks to Adrian and we learn that there's been a plot about bringing Jae here all along. She's supposed to fall for Ken. Jae is about to reveal the big secret that Eva really is his real mother when she passes out-as does Ken. Michael and Adrian carry them away.

Genres: Manga, Manhwa, Romance, Vampires, Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Horror

Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review originally appeared on my blog, Books Without Any Pictures:
http://bookswithoutanypictures.com/20...

Paranormal shojo manga has quickly become one of my guilty pleasures. I blame the series Model by Lee So-Young. I picked up the first volume at an anime convention last year, and I’ve been hooked. So hooked that I binge-read the last four books in a single afternoon.

In case you don’t know anything about the series, the premise is pretty simple. A vampire named Michael invites a young artist named Jae to his home in order to paint his picture. In exchange, she has to let him indulge in some of her blood. When Jae arrives at the mansion, she quickly starts to uncover some of the secrets of its denizens, including the enigmatic housekeeper Eva, and Michael’s “son” Ken. The synopses and commentary below contain mild spoilers for previous books.

Model Vol. 4 is the most disjointed of the series. It contains several dream sequences that reveal more about the characters’ pasts. We get to go back in time and see when Eva and Ken first arrived at Michael’s house, and it provides some insight into the relationships between the different characters. We see Ken’s confusion as Eva goes from warm mother-figure to her cold housekeeper persona. In between the dream sequences, the love triangle between Michael, Jae, and Ken intensifies. Then the final dream sequence brings us to Jae’s childhood, and an encounter she had with a restless ghost. The last dream sequence has some cultural implications that don’t translate well in the English version of the story, and that could have used more explanation. And the events in the sequence aren’t connected to the rest of the plot.

While I enjoyed Model Vol. 4 enough that I immediately picked up the next one and the next one and the next one, it suffered from middle book syndrome, and didn’t feel as coherent as the other books in the series.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was happy to get more explanation, but then we were told it was all a dream?! Plus, what was that last chapter? I am so confused with this series. I think I'm going to have to reread the entire thing when it's done to see if it makes more sense.

[Alorrin · Rating 2 out of 5]

For my generalized synopses/thoughts/review... I did call it with vol 3. Ken got physical in 4. Not surprised, just--disappointed. Michael is pretty handsy too, but, he's a vampire so it's okay.
I'm kind of struggling to say anything with this one because it was pretty boring. And, I know there isn't much in the ways of action to the story as is, that's not what this story is about, buuuuut, you expect this kind of a plot crawl in a novel, but not in a 7 vol graphic novel--And before you come at me about the Walking Dead or whatever, yeah I know. That's a series though. Not just 7 short volumes.
Also, the freakishly tall 8-year-old Ken with his Cover Girl lashes and unsettlingly large eyes is...so very offputting. Just--uhh...
Anyway, on to spoiler territory.

***SPOILERS FROM THIS POINT ON!!!***

1) So, last read in vol 3, Ken told how he moved into the estate with Eva when he was 5. Then here in vol 4 a little bit in, he mentions how 3 years have passed and he still hadn't met Michael. So he's at least 8 when he goes swimming in the hidden pool he finds and Michael comes in referring to the pool as a bath and saying: "I prefer to be alone. Especially when I'm taking a bath. But I'll make an exception with someone who is so very cute." ......... Gross. Just, straight up gross. And, is this supposed to drive home the point/idea that he is so far removed from human and that he is the absolute the worst kind of evil? Okay... I can get behind that but, I don't think they want to continue on this "character development" path for Michael. Here's why...
2) A little past the middle of the volume, Michael talked to Jae and asks her if she thinks she could love Ken. He goes on to say that he FEELS sorry for him. And after that, "...he needs someone to love. Eva and I are no longer any help to him." So, in one fell swoop, they take a character that is supposed to be devoid of human emotions and has him both realize that love from him wouldn't be enough for Ken and that he FEELS for Ken, in a somewhat sympathetic? way. I understand "people change" but, they've been presenting him as this old, unfeeling thing. And we're supposed to believe all of this changed about him because of his bringing Jae to his home? (I'm gonna go ahead and ruin the hypothetical because I've already read vol 5 and say, YES. That is EXACTLY what we're supposed to believe).
3) Immediately after that Jae (we) learn that Eva is Ken's mother, by word of Michael. He then goes on to say: "and their souls are one and the same." Which is weird to hear/read, which is also brought up by Jae when she says: "How can someone share the same soul?" So, how literally are we supposed to take that? Especially when Michael has stated on the very next page that "I am a vampire. I have no need to lie." Not that he can't, of course, just that there's no point. So--is Ken also a supernatural? I mean, there is/was the debate back and forth on whether or not Michael is his father, which leads to a little before the middle...
4) When thinking of Eva Ken says "From that very day, the boy decided Eva would be his mother." And on the very next page "The boy became greedy. He wanted a father. Michael... That's how the boy decided who his father would be." So, is either or neither of them his blood parent? I'm SO confused. The roundabout wording in so many parts of this series drives me up the wall! I understand building suspense but, dear God, talking circles around key plots as a way to draw them out is annoyingly insane.
And, last but not least:
5) "You're crying... I'm probably the first one here who's ever seen you cry. You're so beautiful... I don't want to lose you to Michael. I don't want him to have even a single teardrop. I'm serious... Your tears... Never show them to Michel." ~Preditor Ken strikes again! This is after/while he's forced Jae down on the floor, stripped her of her clothes from her shoulders, and somewhat about her chest and kissed at her chest while she screamed for him to stop. Is this really supposed to be romantic!?
And this is rated for 13+? I mean, I'm no Mother Theresa, and I was reading some questionable content when I was younger but--should 13 really be the target audience for this?
So, with my peace said, I'm closing the book on volume 4.

(Please forgive any errors in the post. I'm too tired to re-read and make the right corrections. Sorry.)

[Katie Umland · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wasn’t a fan of this series. I was just bored most of the time. I do have to say I liked the ending. But for the most part I never got into the story line. There were too many sudden character switches in the story line with, there was zero transitions. It was hard to follow at times. The art didn’t help much. It wasn’t horrible, but the male characters all looked the same and with some of the shadings it was hard to tell if it was the main male character or a different male character. I’m a fan of supernatural shoujo, but I only finished reading this series was because I had hopes it was just slow and would catch my interest by the end.

[Rebo · Rating 2 out of 5]

This volume was so confusing and the characters feel so... contrived. In a way I’m glad that these are out of print so I could read them online. I’m struggling to see why this series tops the lists of “must read vampire manga.” Maybe part of the problem is I read Blood Bank first, which was phenomenal... I love whoever did the background art/architecture drawings but the figures are... it’s so difficult to tell them apart and at one point when Ken was telling his backstory it wasn’t entirely clear that we were still in a flashback... ugh if these weren’t so short I think I’d give up finishing this series.

[♡Kayla♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm just so confused. I honestly feel like I'm missing something, because nothing made any sense in this volume. We learn the backstory of Ken, and the "secret" that Michael told Jae, which I think is supposed to be a huge moment that makes the reader fall off of their metaphorical chair, but it seemed so obvious to me. Maybe I'll understand when I read the next volume?

[Your_Average_Magical_Girls_Fan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like other people already wrote in the reviews, this volume is incredibly confusing. Nothing makes any sense whatsoever and the way characters act is extremely contrived (and no, some Yaoi innuendo between Michael and Ken won't change that fact even if you're a Fujoshi/Fudanshi). A serious disappointment if compared to the excellent volume that preceded it.

[Alexander Adrien Ren Grey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ship Jae and Michael all the way~

[VampireNovelFan · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Your tears...never show them to Michael."

In this fourth volume of the seven part series, we learn a lot more about Eva and Ken's past and how they came to live with Michael. Eva's reason for wanting Jae to live is a lot more understandable now. Also Ken comes to terms with his feelings for Jae. Was he playing her all along, or does he really love her? That's answered here.

I was a little annoyed with the back and forth regarding everyone's relation to each other. Is everyone blood-related or no? How did they become so distant? There's a lot of back and forth which makes it a little confusing. I also wasn't sure that I liked the introduction of souls into the story. If we all have two souls and one passes onto your child, what about if you have a second child? Do you die? The lore isn't very detailed like it could be.

The story isn't the most original, and the men are drawn so beautifully to the point of where they look like women, at least if they have long hair. The art style isn't really my favorite as the features are a bit disproportionate for my tastes, but it didn't hinder my enjoyment of the series. Jae's character could be worse. She makes pretty stupid decisions, but I do like that she stands up for herself every so often. And she certainly has her dedication to art. You can't deny that. This being the fourth volume, she is still consistent with goal of obtaining Michael's portrait. I noticed Jae's hair looks a bit different in this volume compared to the past. You may not think she's the same character. It seemed like it was covering her face less.

I purchased the whole series at once on Ebay for about $30. It was an excellent deal and I've gladly kept every one. It is FAR from the best series, but I've certainly read worse.

*Review also posted to Amazon

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my favorite cover thus far. The volume opens with a quick frame chapter which I thought was pretty, though maybe it didn't add much to the story. I really enjoyed baby!Ken's backstory with Michael, which comprised about half the volume. Ken's sexual aggressiveness toward Jae is sexy, but I think this is the moment where I lost a lot of respect and sympathy for him. At least he finally backs off, for now. Also at least he isn't manipulating Jae for his own purposes like Michael is. Overall, there was very little action in this volume--it's mostly Jae getting pushed and pulled. It feels like setup for the next volume.

My edition has a separate story at the end called "Scissors," which I enjoyed as a short, creepy story. I do have to critique the drawings--upon the first few readings, I thought the characters were Jae, Ken, etc because the faces look exactly the same. Still, it's a fun diversion.

[Leila Anani · Rating 3 out of 5]

4th installment of this 7 volume gothic romance. A real flashback volume. The majority is taken up with Eva and Ken's backstory and how Ken came to resent Michael. Ken kisses Jae and the love-triangle deepens. There's a very odd additional story which seems to have Jae and Ken as different characters - Ken is the dead brother of Jae's grandmother and gran sends Jae to stop him haunting their house... odd.

Much more coherant than the last book, we finally get a few things answered. Detailed faces are wonderfully gothic, but I'm still not a fan of the elongated stick body style.

[Anna Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this latest installment of Jae and Michael’s story we finally learn some of Eva, Ken and Michael’s story and why Jae has become so important in Michael’s house. Of course, there are still a lot of unanswered questions and half answered questions. As always, this book is satisfying enough to be enjoyable, but it leaves you wanting to pick up the next volume.

[Kirsten · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just found this volume didn't fit with the previous ones. I guess it was supposed to make some big revelation of character's pasts but I found by the end I was just like "what was that about?" I found it was also hard to tell from the art and the dialogue what was actually happening and what was a dream. Also continued difficulty identifying which character was which and who was speaking.

[Anastasia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25
I liked the extra chapter. Though it was a bit confusing because of the names. But still cute.

[Jenny Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some character development here, and some secrets figured out. I do not like Ken at all... the kiss I could overlook, but the rest ummm nononono

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars!!

[Emi えみ Takami 鷹見 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really don't know what just happened, but the short story at the end was good.