Writer and Artist: Lee Huchu
Localization: Kakao Ent.
Platform: Tapas (All Ages / Mature) (Ongoing)
Publication Date: February 04, 2022
Rating: All Ages & Mature
Genre: VSC (S. Korea), Boys Love, Romance, Drama
The Insatiable Man on Tapas is Lee Huchu‘s first commercial Boys’ Love series and their English language debut. The third season is in full gear with all the drama and heartache, yet I feel this series’ popularity is not at the level it deserves. It’s a little embarrassing that most tweets under the series’ hashtag are mine, but it will hopefully change after this review.
Jiho is a passionate food critic who writes columns and guests on radio shows. During a recording, his ex-colleague Heeyoung asks whether he’d be interested in being a food consultant for the ever-so-popular author Lee Inwoo’s new novel. How could Jiho turn the offer down, when he’s the most devout fan? Heeyoung attempts to warn Jiho about Inwoo’s “prickly” personality, but our fanboy is already too far gone to hear any of it! People say you should never meet your heroes, and their first encounter is undoubtedly a disaster. However, even when Jiho gives Inwoo an earful before storming out of the cafe, he does so by surprisingly leaving a good impression on the author.
There are lots to expect from and love in The Insatiable Man; gorgeous art style, pretty men to feast your eyes on, healing and heart-pounding moments – I could go on. However, one of the core themes in this series is the concept of the heterosexual family and LGBTQ+ identity. The series’ appeal lies in the way Lee Huchu incorporates the different facets of queer individuals’ relationship with their family and the notion of it. The delivery is not overly dramatic or heavy, but not self-indulgent either. Bit by bit we explore what family means to Jiho and Inwoo, how their relationship with their parents, or lack thereof, has shaped them as people, and the ways it affects their romantic relationships. Lee Huchu is clearly gifted for telling stories that feel real, all the while keeping the romantic and sweet feel to it.
The series will not disappoint you in terms of its characterization either. It’s easy to figure out why a certain character acts a certain way, not because we are explicitly told, but because they are thoughtfully fleshed out. When you find yourself feeling frustrated or heartbroken, the cause is not the poor writing, but the situations themselves or the choices the characters make.
I was already content with the art style in the initial chapters, but as you read further, you can see the characters’ appearances settling in. The color palettes are muted and soft from start to finish, though the lines, and eventually the characters themselves, look like they have mellowed out. It’s always exciting to see an artist’s stylistic evolution throughout a series, but the level the series is at now is simply too beautiful to pass up!
The title of the series might not sound as appetizing, but I’m sure you won’t regret giving this series a chance. The narrative is balanced and eloquent, full of imperfect but lovely characters and tangible relationships, romantic or otherwise. I genuinely recommend Lee Huchu’s The Insatiable Man and I’m looking forward to witnessing their growth as an artist!
