Semantic Error
Author/Illustrator: J. Soori and Angy
Translator: Manta Comics Staff
Publisher: Manta Comics (webtoon) and Ize Press (Print)
Publication Date: March 19, 2021 (Manta Comics) and November 2024 (Ize Press) Rating: 17+
Genre: VSC (S. Korea), Boys Love, Romance
The pettiness in the boys love Semantic Error by J. Soori and Angy is exquisite.
Most of us have probably been part of a group project where some of the members aren’t exactly helpful. It would be logical if the people who didn’t participate didn’t get credit right? That’s what the rule focused Sangwoo thought at least. After his group members flaked on their responsibilities, Sangwoo completed their group presentation by himself. The day of the presentation, Sangwoo had his classmates nearly falling asleep, until his last slide that is.
Sangwoo decided not to give any of his classmates credit so they all received failing grades. One of his group members was a graduating senior who was supposed to study abroad, Jaeyoung Jang. They all started calling and texting Sangwoo when they found out about their grade. Sangwoo just blocked them and moved on.
Sangwoo is working on developing a mobile game but his designer had to drop out, thankfully she had someone new lined up for him. She arranged a meeting between them and Sangwoo arrived early to meet him. After the designer arrived late, Sangwoo wanted to just find someone else but after looking at his art he knew he had to deal with this guy’s annoying attitude. They decide to work together and agree to exchange phone numbers. The designer tries to put his number in Sungwoo’s phone but he was already saved as ‘Free Rider 3’. The designer, Jaeyoung Jang, calls himself and sees that Sungwoo is saved as ‘MOTHERF*CKER’ in his phone. The same motherf*cker that kept him from graduating and studying abroad.
Jaeyoung wanted to rise above it and move on but after another infuriating encounter with Sunwoo, Jaeyoung starts thinking of special ways to bother him. As the new semester started, Sunwoo followed his usual routine to the second. He arrived to his first class thirty minutes early and was planning on sitting in his usual seat but there was a bag saving the seat. Class was about to start when the owner of the bag walked in, and it was none other than Jaeyoung.
Jaeyoung has a lot of time on his hands since he’s not graduating like he was supposed to, so his plan is to be everywhere in Sunwoo’s life. When Sunwoo tries to buy his favorite drink, it’s sold out. When he tries to take his afternoon walk, his usual path is blocked. Every class he took, Jaeyoung took his favorite seat from him.
Is it petty that Jaeyoung is going to such great lengths to get under Sunwoo’s skin? Yes, but I loved every moment of it. Sunwoo doesn’t know this, but he’s met Jaeyoung a few times and he’s forgotten him after each meeting. This time, Jaeyoung is going to make sure that Sunwoo never forgets him again.
The plot of Semantic Error isn’t complex or groundbreaking, but it doesn’t need to be.The series uses tropes that are used often like ‘hate to love’ or ‘forced proximity’ and it uses them exceedingly well. From the very beginning of the series you get hooked on the tension between Sunwoo and Jaeyoung. Since their relationship gets off to a horrible start you start anticipating those moments that will break down their walls.
They were ironically assigned as partners for a group project in a new class and Sunwoo was able to see a new side to Jaeyoung, someone intelligent who is charismatic and can take things seriously. Meanwhile, Jaeyoung was able to earn Sunwoo’s trust and their relationship dynamic started shifting for the better.
If you’re not a fan of a slow burn romance you might have a hard time getting through this series. One of the reasons why I love a slow burn romance is because it feels satisfying to see the little moments between a couple that lead up to them falling in love. Seeing one or both characters pine for one another, and slowly realize they need the other person in their life forever is exciting. That being said, I can also see why some readers would want faster progress. Some of the miscommunication in this series could be avoided if they were more straightforward with one another.
Although miscommunication can be frustrating to read, I enjoyed it in Semantic Error because Sunwoo was able to grow through the discomfort. Sunwoo is a very logical person who is guided by his strict morals. There is no gray area for him, he categorizes everything in his life without allowing any nuance. When his classmate’s family member died, he didn’t think about the grief that his classmate felt, he only had the capacity to think about how not having the slides affected him.
Sunwoo starts to be more in tune with his emotions and in turn is more empathetic. Because he is no longer compartmentalizing every aspect of his life, he struggles to work through his feelings. He’s not sure if he genuinely wants Jaeyoung or if he just wants sex. He can’t possibly fathom the idea that he can want someone even though he doesn’t need them in his life.
If the story itself fails to catch your attention then the art is likely to change that. Their chemistry and flirty banter was highlighted by Angy’s beautiful art. They’re able to capture a sweet tenderness in Sunwoo and Jaeyoung’s eyes. Their expressions show a slight hesitation but overall an eagerness to get swept up by one another.
If you’re like me and you were initially devastated to find out that Semantic Error wasn’t available in print yet, I have some good news. Ize Press announced in late March that they are licensing the series and will release volume one in print starting in November 2024. If you also plan on attending New York Comic Con 2024, you also get the chance to meet Angy, the artist for Semantic Error at Ize Press’s booth.
I normally enjoy a slow burn romance so Semantic Error was easy to get through and I was completely entertained by the pettiness in the beginning of the series, but the character development is what made this love story so special. The once rigid and headstrong Sungwoo allowed himself to be vulnerable and he was rewarded with a great romance. If you’re ready for your next binge reading session, Manta also has the complete series online.
