Shin and Chae-Kyung run away from the palace!
Creative Staff
Story: SoHee Park
Art: SoHee Park
Translation/Adaptation: Jamie S. Rich
What They Say
Her grandfather’s funeral coming on the heels of the new prince’s birth, Chae-Kyung is thrown into turmoil as her loved ones on both sides of the palace wall suffer. While her family grieves, her husband, Crown Prince Shin, is torn between royal duty and telling his wife the truth about the circumstances surrounding her beloved grandfather’s death. He must also plot to keep and strengthen his royal position, as his father, the king, seeks to right a past wrong by depriving Shin of his title. And when his father reveals to Shin the truth of how he came to power, the house of cards upon which the king has built his authority begins to tumble in earnest, for the palace walls have ears…and they all seem to belong to Yul! Despite the announcement of Yul’s own engagement, this erstwhile crown prince and opportunistic keeper of royal secrets will do anything it takes to steal Chae-Kyung away from Shin…even if it means using his own family’s indiscretions to do so!
Goong volume 11 collects Korean volumes 13-14 in omnibus format.
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
Although Yen Press is releasing this as Goong Volume 11, the content’s actually comprised of volumes 13 and 14 of the original manhwa. As such, it’s over an inch thick, includes author’s notes and extras from two manhwa, and delivers double the drama. There’s not much lovey-doveyness between Shin and Chae-Kyung in the first half (Volume 13), which deals predominantly with Shin’s ascension to the throne and a highly charged confession scene involving Yul, his new fiancée, and Chae-Kyung. The two start off as separate issues until a private father-son conversation winds up being not so private after all. It’s a little too convenient how Yul manages to be in the right place at the right time without palace attendants getting in the way, but it serves the purpose of prolonging the Shin/Yul/Chae-Kyung love triangle.
The second half (Volume 14) shows off the manipulative side of Yul. Strangely enough, though the King’s indiscretion is what causes all the trouble, the Queen is the one dealing with it. Meanwhile, Shin and Chae-Kyung are oblivious Yul’s actions, mainly because they’ve gone AWOL. Needing a break from the stresses of court life, they take an impromptu vacation among the common folk. The episode results in a bit of silliness, including a bizarrely named porn video and Chae-Kyung needing to be claimed at the lost and found, but also allows for romantic scenes that will please Shin/ Chae-Kyung fans. Of course, a straightforward happily ever after is impossible in a story with as many twists and tangles as Goong, thus the love triangle that looked as if it might die halfway through the book, reasserts itself by the end of the volume.
In Summary
All’s fair in love and war, and an ill-timed word from the King might have just given Yul the ammunition he needs to get everything he wants. This volume delivers a sizable helping of past family sins and political strife, but in the midst of the intrigue, Chae-Kyung and Shin get some tender (and comical) moments, which leaves you wondering which way her heart will sway once the truth gets out.
Content Grade: B+
Art Grade: B –
Packaging Grade: B +
Text/Translation Grade: B
Age Rating: 13+
Released By: Yen Press
Release Date: May 31st, 2011
MSRP: $18.99
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