The mafia threatens Ewon into working for a loan shark, where he's forced to run dangerous errands for no pay. The culprit who doomed Ewon to this life is none other than Jiho, Ewon's jealous ex who still burns at Ewon's infidelity. Their gang leader Mookyul, with movie-star good looks and the bizarre, drunken habit of biting people on the neck, takes a keen interest in his attractive new errand boy. Will Ewon be able to survive the violent underworld (not to mention the constant sexual harassment) he must endure as an underling of Mookyul? This funny, hip title by Hajin Yoo will thrill and amuse fans with plenty of intense shonen-ai action.
TOTALLY CAPTIVATED VOLUME: 1
- SANDRA SCHOLES for Active Anime
Downtrodden Ewon Jung philosophises his life while working for a
suspicious office at the Saehan Credit Union rumoured to be where the
local mafia operate daily. Ewon sees those around him and keeps his
mind on his job while the ones above him order him around most of the
time to clean up and make cups of coffee.
Bringing them what they need, Ewon finds he is required at the office
anyway and those around him actually like the way he makes an iced
coffee, and other culinary activities, but these are not the only
errands he has to do, thanks to Jiho Shin, his former boyfriend
forcing him to work for a loan shark - Ewon has much more dangerous
errands to run these days.
Later after Jiho and Mookyul have arrived in the office, Ewon reflects
on his life as it was before when he and Jiho were a couple and very
much in love, yet Jiho was always the jealous type, shouting at him
for looking at other boys when Jiho felt he should be his only source
of affection. Offended at Ewon looking at other men, Jiho calls off
the relationship only to have endless calls and texts on his mobile.
When Jiho finally got back in touch with his former lover, he is
warned by Mookyul, Jiho's new lover that if he ever sees him again, it
will be the last time as he thinks he is stalking his lover.
But when Jiho helps him out by mentioning that Ewon can be tried out
as a general assistant at his office making use of him, he asks Ewon
if he will do it for him as he has been his lover before and thinks he
can manipulate him.
Thinking he should have just left Jiho alone and not thought about it
he actually agrees to be a mafia underling responsible for anything
and everything.
One day Ewon is advised by Mookyul to collect the cash and pay his
dues for the mafia family. If not – he will have to leave town.
A distraught Ewon is forced to wonder whether Jiho had him do this as
a form of harsh punishment for their failed relationship, or is there
love in the air for the young male after all?
Readers will love the thoughts that go on inside this boy's head as he
tries to rationalise what he does and thinks, and completely changes
his mind afterwards, thus getting him into much more trouble than he
thought was possible.
He wishes so much that he had apologised after the fight, and made
right things between them as he realises he did love him very much
during their short time together.
The story takes an interesting turn when Ewon goes on his errands for
cash back from the borrowers of the Saehan Credit Union, and finds
regular people much poorer than himself who are trying to make ends
meet.
Ewon in this goes through a dramatic change of personality after those
he tries to get money from make fun of him and think they can keep
telling him they cannot pay in time.
The artwork is sensual, the boys beautifully drawn, and their curves
emphasised in this first volume of a stunning work by Hajin Yoo.
The boys slanted and large eyes let the reader see how lovely they
really are - even Jiho who does look a little uke in this manga will
drive the pulse through the roof.
IN SUMMARY: Heart-racing romance, beautifully crafted and certainly
not to be missed.
It is a perfect Christmas present for any shonen-ai enthusiast.
Totally Captivated is a great, great manhwa! I picked up this book at my bookstore just to pass time, actually expecting for it to be very boring and typical. I based this off of the cover art of volume 1.
After reading only a few pages into the first chapter, I was absolutely amazed. Hajin Yoo has made a series that is actually realistic in it's unrealistic plot. My favorite line was something alike, "I wondered if I could have mind-blowing sex with a stranger who I didn't love. I could."
It was very shocking to see a series that seemed very typical and romance-based have something like casual cheating, and of course, let's not forget Mookyul's relationship with Chairman Lee.
Chairman Lee and Mookyul are just about, my favorite part of this series. It was very, very bold for Hajin Yoo to make such a young, strapping man be with such an old man, that could be considered his adoptive father.
This title is funny and hip, yes, but it isn't for those who are used to fluffy, committed relationships where both persons involved are madly in love with eachother and would never consider cheating.
Totally Captivated is a wonderful series that bring a realistic light to a unrealistic, typical storyline. This is not fluffy, even if it does have a fair about of chibi-humor. This is not all about romance, even though Mookyul and Ewon are very much in love.
Totally Captivated evolves into so much more than than the romantic comedy it's summed up to be.
The artbook will not be sold in Korea until the Summer time or maybe later. So far there has been three djs released and you can't get them unless you are either from Korea or someone is willing to contact the artist and arrange an international order. Sadly you are too late for that since the pool purchase ended on Feb. 3rd.
I also know that the artist doesn't print many books since that is the nature of djs. They are like limited collectors items! The second book is definitely out of print in Korea and even I couldn't get a copy >_< Good Luck or just keep kicking and screaming up Netcomics doors to get them to do something about licensing the djs into english.
Netcomics doesn't have any good titles anymore and they aren't printing any books. As you can see the last time they did was 11/09. I don't have hopes for this company.
Artbooks and Doujinshi for Totally Captivated?? I WANT THEM TOO!!!
Timberwolf
02/27/10 10:39
I am sooooo out of the loop ....computer issues....mine has bit the dust....on a realatives just to check this site.....trying to save up for a new computer. ugh
Whats this about artbooks and doujinshi not for us in US to buy??? I want to buy them!!! To buy they will so be before a new computer....:)
We have two pretty dysfunctional main characters with serious childhood tragedies. But despite the dangers of the "gagsta" sort of life, and the issues they bring to the love table, this works out beautifully and actually had me weepy at parts. The sex isn't graphic (which I like), but the guys are hot and interesting. The secondary players could have used more "air time", but they're also part of the satisfying boys love whole. Five stars.
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