The number one manhwa on Manta Under the Oak Tree by Kim Soo-ji is an excellent starting point for your manhwa journey especially if you enjoy deep, character-driven stories and like to test your patience. This compelling narrative delves into the traumatic past of its protagonist, exploring her path to freedom and independence. The story masterfully portrays the complexities of trauma and healing, while the interactions between the leads offer a refreshing take on character dynamics. With its slow-paced yet impactful character development, Under the Oak Tree is a profound exploration of personal growth. If you appreciate emotionally rich stories, give it a read.
Under the Oak Tree is manhwa (Korean webtoon) published on Manta, an online platform the print edition (collects episodes 1-24) was published by Inklore. The webtoon is an adaptation of a novel of the same title. Inklore describes the plot:
Most fairytales end with a wedding and a happily-ever-after—but this is no fairytale. The first volume of the official webcomic based on the hit webnovel by Suji Kim.
When stuttering Lady Maximilian is forced to marry Sir Riftan, a lowborn knight caught in one of her father’s schemes, her stumbling communication and his gruff manner sour their relationship before it can begin. Riftan leaves for war the morning after their disastrous wedding night, and it’s three years before Maxi sees him again.
Now, the husband she barely knows is a war hero. And when he comes home to claim her, Maxi will need to master her own bewildering desire—and Riftan’s—before she can hope to become the true mistress of their enormous castle estate. That task will demand courage from Maxi, even as she struggles to find her own voice.
Manhwa Review: Under the Oak Tree – Full Story Review
Under the Oak Tree was actually the first manhwa I ever read. This story led to me reading over 500 manhwas by now – a pretty insane number. Now, onto the review: this story is a test of patience for me as a reader. I’m surprised by how patient I’ve become, considering I often find myself screaming. Despite that, the story draws me in so deeply that I can imagine myself being part of it.
The narrative revolves around trauma and a character’s journey through a traumatic life, striving for freedom and independence. The protagonist’s efforts to find herself amidst her trauma and her interactions with the male lead are compelling. Their differing perspectives sometimes make the story challenging, with some seeing their dynamics as red flags. However, viewing it from the lens of someone escaping a lifelong hardship reveals a different picture—it’s like being a newborn, figuring out life, and seeking support.
What I genuinely appreciate about this story is how it demands patience and growth from the reader. If this wasn’t my first manhwa, my patience might not have held, and I might have dropped it. Compared to other stories I’ve read, it has a slow pace of character development. If you’re into that, it’s a rewarding journey. I haven’t experienced trauma of this magnitude, but it’s enlightening to learn about such experiences through a fictional lens. The story might be fictional, but it reflects possible real-life scenarios where someone might be grappling with deep-seated trauma.
I have not read the original novel, but I read a few prequel chapters from Riftan’s perspective novel (because of TikTok), and it was interesting to see a different perspective that we usually don’t see. Honestly, I hope they make a manhwa for his story because it provides additional context before the main storyline.
The story has an arranged marriage, a cold husband versus a timid and gentle wife, not an uncommon trope but I found the characters to be quite diverse in many ways. For example, it has that classic arranged marriage trope without the strong, wise female leads often found in other stories. Instead, it features real characters with actual flaws and chemistry.
A story doesn’t need relatable plots or characters to be enjoyable and successful, but it adds more value if it does. You might want to read other manhwas if you prefer strong, wise, and flawless protagonists. Real characters undergo phases of mistakes and development. Even the most perfect characters have flaws and backstories that shape their present selves.
Why You Should Read It
Under the Oak Tree is a very slow-burn story. Maximilian starts out as weak and has strong PTSD, leading to psychological and physical abuse as trigger warnings for potential readers. She heals gradually, makes friends, and grows at her own pace. You might struggle with this if you prefer strong and confident female leads. However, it’s totally worth it as she eventually overcomes her traumas. The male lead is a sweet, soft boy for his woman who can also be very scary and lethal—my favorite type of character. You won’t regret reading it, so please give it a try.
Under the Oak Tree – Is the Print Edition Worth It?
I had the privilege of receiving the physical copy of Under the Oak Tree Vol. 1 before it was officially released to the public. This experience is quite different from my last review of an Inklore title, Father, I Don’t Want This Marriage Vol. 1 review.
First, let’s talk about the cover. It’s absolutely beautiful, and I love looking at it. The physical copy is an original design by the illustrator P. I think it’s great that they got the story’s illustrator to do a new design for the print version! The design for this physical edition is gorgeous. Honestly, I plan to give this book a special spot on my shelf to show it off—it’s just that pretty! There is no Korean physical print to compare covers on the printing side.
Now, let’s talk about the feel of the book. This isn’t your typical print that’s easy to read by hand or simple to open. Be aware of that. I didn’t expect the book to be so large; if I had to compare its size, I’d say it’s similar to a composition notebook. Plus, it’s a hardcover, not a paperback. Imagine a beautiful, hardcover composition book that feels somewhat heavy, like a history textbook, to give you an idea of its feel and appearance. On Amazon, it says it’s 7.27 x 1.14 x 9.3 inches and 2.31 pounds, but if you’re not into numbers and good at imaging, that’s how I would describe it.
I knew the book would be large, but I didn’t look too deeply into it because I wanted to be surprised when it arrived. As for the inside, it feels like standard print for any manhwa, which is fine with me. However, one thing to note is that you’ll need to be gentle when reading because the pages feel quite light, especially compared to the sturdy cover. This contrast can make it a bit tricky when you first open the book. The color printing is excellent, and it feels like you’re reading the actual manhwa, not some cheap print that ruins the design. Also, there are no page numbers or chapter dividers for each episode, in case anyone is curious or concerned about that.
Overall, I think this book is a lovely addition to any collection. There’s also some extra content that you won’t find online, which is a nice bonus. While it’s a beautiful book, it may be difficult for some to handle because it’s not as easy to open and read as typical books, usually designed to fit comfortably in hand. This one requires a bit more effort to keep the pages open without flipping back, so it’s quite different from Father, I Don’t Want This Marriage, which was easier to read but had a less impressive cover, in my opinion.
For the price of $30, I think it’s reasonable. It’s a hardcover, and hardcover books are generally more expensive. I don’t see this as a cheap purchase, so $30 feels fair, especially if you want aesthetically pleasing and readable, even if the size and weight might require some adjustment while reading.
Volume one, printed by Inklore, contains episodes 1 to 24. You also read Under the Oak Tree on Manta. The story has 95 episodes, and between seasons 2 and 3, there are 18 mini stories. Currently, the story is on hiatus, and season 4 will be released on September 3rd, the same as this physical copy released for the public to purchase.
UNDER THE OAK TREE by Suji Kim, Illustrated by Illustrated by P, Adapted by namu, copyright © 2024
Anime Corner received a copy of Under the Oak Tree Vol. 1 in exchange for a review.
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