Switch - Korean Manhwa Review

Switch is a Korean action manhwa by DC Kim and Jiddung available on Tapas (105 chapters).

Tapas Review: After years of being bullied, Choi Baekho snaps one day and finds himself standing over his pummeled tormentors with bloody fists and gaps in his memory. Now, as Shinheung High’s “crazy dog,” he’s gnashing his teeth at all those who rely on the strength of numbers. But when his efforts to beat 11th grade’s top gun Do Changsoo get him mixed up with the mob, Baekho must join forces with his own rival. Can this unlikely ally help Baekho control his “switch” and become every bully’s worst nightmare?

I’ve read so many bully-based manhwa, I’ve found that only a precious few actually work, specifically the plot, and Switch works…to a point.

Main character Choi Baekho is perpetually terrorized, until one day he sees red, and his bullies are lying on the school washroom floor. As time goes on, Choi Baekho fights anyone that comes at him, to eventually take on the eleventh grad’s top dog Do Changsoo, who gets him tangled with the mob. Do Changsoo has minions, a small group of guys that become Choi’s friends. He also befriends the girl who dates Do Chongsoo. And here’s where the story becomes psychologically twisted, and I started to question Do Changsoo’s exact motive. I’ll be honest, I’m not a Do Changsoo fan; I didn’t trust him from the beginning. He gives off disingenuous vibes, and unfortunately by the end, my intuition was warranted.

Aside from reader complaints: starting in the main character’s POV, then shifting to others and back again, Choi’s deficient development, his lacklustre intelligence (probably due to brain damage), and the absence of adult participation, and other supposed plot failures, on the whole, this isn’t a bad story.

Typically, with bully-based manhwas, any credible adult involvement is limited or non-existent. POV is neither here nor there. Many stories jump between POVs. However, if executed correctly, the omniscient narrative can help deepen the reader’s understanding and attachment to certain characters. It’s called emotional manipulation. As for Choi’s growth, well… I think he did change but for the worse. He becomes so confused and downtrodden that he gives up, accepting punishment that isn’t necessarily deserved.

Any story should be a fulfilling read from beginning to the end. And, I’m not saying that an ending should always be predictable, or all chocolate and roses, but in the very least it should be satisfactory even if it’s bittersweet. However, in the case of Switch, I felt robbed, miffed and even disheartened. I cared about Choi Baeko. And after everything he went through—the trust he placed in Do Changsoo… Then Do Changsoo pulls the “I’m a jealous insecure manipulative bastard” card, knowing full well that thanks to his actions, Choi Baeko will incessantly suffer...

Anyway, that’s where I’ll leave this review, without dropping anymore, perhaps obvious, spoilers.

3 Stars for the chapter build-ups, the almost nonstop action, wonderful art, and the initial plot.

D.G. Pearse