Love As A Foreign Language #1 (v. 1) [Paperback]

J. Torres (Author), Eric Kim (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 23, 2004

Joel hates Korea. Why he agreed to teach there is beyond his comprehension. He can't stand the crowded streets, he's sick of all of the cheesy pop culture, and he can't wait to be back in a country where he can get the North American comics he loves on a regular basis. The year of teaching he contracted for is almost over and he'll be free to finally wake up from this nightmare. But when it comes time for Joel to tender his resignation, his life goes from dark dreams to cotton candy kisses and it's all because of Hana, the new secretary at the school. The very sight of this girl sends him flying straight to cloud nine, but won't another year in Korea send him crashing back down into his own personal hell?

Product Details

• Paperback: 72 pages
• Publisher: Oni Press (November 23, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932664068
• ISBN-13: 978-1932664065
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 6 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,221,474 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Slow paced but enjoyable, January 28, 2011

By 

Tarepanda (FL, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Love As A Foreign Language #1 (v. 1) (Paperback)

The drawing style of this graphic novel is an interesting mix of American comic and Asian manga, and the smooth, clean lines are quite pleasing to the eyes. I think there's some influence from City Hunter. Admittedly the story is slow paced, and not a lot goes on, but hey if his life isn't like that, the character won't be feeling so bored. The artist tries to portray Joel's isolation through the wordless panels. Little bits of humor sprinkled around keep the story enjoyable.

I really like the word play in the titles, like Seoul Searching, Soju Want to Teach English in Korea, Hana-lyze This, Just Call My Name and Kalbi There. ANd I do learn a bit about Korean culture too.

4.0 out of 5 stars I loved it!, November 1, 2010

By 

JeebusChrist - See all my reviews

This review is from: Love As A Foreign Language #1 (v. 1) (Paperback)

I recently read this graphic novel and I personally loved it. I gave it 4 out of 5 stars because I do agree, it was on the short side. Besides that it was a great story, very heart-warming and honest. It was a simple read for a cloudy day. If what you're looking for is an epic novel you can purchase The Odyssey by Homer.

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Boring and poorly paced, February 19, 2008

By 

Amy - See all my reviews

This review is from: Love As A Foreign Language #1 (v. 1) (Paperback)

Having been in the same mixed couple situation in Korea myself, I was very eager to read this series thinking due to personal experience I would be able to relate to the main character ad get a few laughs...after 3 books I totally give up, really I should have given up at book one...but because they are so short (only 66 pages per book) I gave it a try. What a waste.

First off, the art and layouts are painfully bland and boring...its just totally dull and uninteresting to look at. You would think having a setting in Seoul it would make for some really interesting backgrounds and elements...but nope. Basic as basic can be. The main character Joel is also boring and totally uninteresting, I think only the writer found him amusing. It feels painfully like an author insertion into his own story...kind of like Mega Tokyo (which also is an awful read)

After reading 3 books *nothing* has happened, I pay my money and read how this boring and stale character swoons over a cute Korean staff member in his English school. Thats it. Nothing else interesting happens.

You would think if he did a comic on something like this he would have had a bit more to put into the whole "Joel hates it in Korea" bit about why its rough being a foreigner in a place like that, but its like the guy never really spent any time in Korea himself. I mean Kimchii is spicy and everyone speaks Korean, those are his main gripes with the country.....yeah.

So yeah, bland art, painfully boring and uninteresting characters, story that goes no place, and has the stink of self-insertion mary-sue....or whatever you call a male mary-sue.