Star Project Chiro vol. 3 by Baek Hye-Kyoung review

Star Project Chiro vol. 3

Author/Artist: Baek Hye-Kyoung

Publisher: UDON Entertainment

Rating: Teen - 13 and above

Genre: Shojo, Comedy

Grade: B+

*** Review originally appeared at The Journal of the Lincoln Heights Literary Society at http://liheliso.com/buzz/. Check it out! ***

We've reached book number three in this adorable manhwa series by Baek Hye-Kyoung. Here's a quick recap. Eun-Yo Song is a gorgeous teenager who accidentally burned down pop star Nan Lee's house. In order to pay the damages she severs ties with friends and family and is sent into the middle of nowhere. Here she is transformed into male pop star, Chiro. Feel free to check out my reviews of Star Project Chiro vol. 1 or Star Project Chiro vol. 2.

Eun-Yo Song has finally accepted her fate as male pop star Chiro. Now that she's immersed in her "role," Nan Lee plans to send her to back Seoul to train with Dr. Go, one of the best vocal coaches in Korea. Not only is the trip to Seoul for vocal training, but it's also to see how well Eun-Yo can convince all those around her that she is a guy. Dr. Go is a bit eccentric. Okay, he's a lot eccentric. He insists on sleeping in the basement. He's a slob and he's given girl names to all of his blankets. Despite all that, he is extremely talented at his job. He also seems to have a thing for Chiro.

Chan-Kyung Woo on the other hand (Chan-Kyung is Eun-Yo's ex-boyfriend) is having a very difficult time in dealing with his break up. In order to feel like he can move on is to take his graduation exam and leave Seoul. If you remember he's an aspiring actor. There is an open call for a new reality tv game show that takes place in the Amazon. A requirement for the competition, however, is that you must be eighteen. Chan-Kyung lies about his age and enters the contest. There is a humorous scene where he gets separated from his group and stumbles across some natives. When the producers find out that Chan-Kyung is not of the proper age he's promply canned but he's offered his own reality show that focuses the different tribes and peoples in the Amazon. It turns out to be a huge hit, and Nan will do anything to keep this a secret from Eun-Yo.

Seoul is soon draped in Nan and Chiro fever. Nan plans to make his comeback and Chiro's debut at a hugely popular award show. When the time arrives Nan decides that he's not going to do the duet with Eun-Yo. The number initially involved Nan pulling another pop star, Ami, on stage. Eun-Yo isn't going to be snubbed that easily and actually sits on Ami's lap so it's Chiro who's pulled up on stage. The performance is a huge success, but things are going to get hairy. Chan-Kyung won an award for "Best Reality TV Show" and Eun-Yo caught a small glimpse of him. She wants to run over to him, but Nan stops her and Chan-Kyung disappears. Since she doesn't know about Chan-Kyung's tv show she just assumes it's a look-alike. Now that Chiro has made his debut how will Eun-Yo deal with all the fame, crazy Nan fangirls, and possibly running into Chan-Kyung?

So far, so good, is what I would have to say about Star Project Chiro vol. 3. Nan is starting to show some interesting aspects of his personality, but I still think he's a jerk and I don' t want him to be the romantic lead in this story. There is a cliff hanger ending and I now have to wait until next month to get my grubby paws on the next installment. I'm finding myself being drawn into the story and becoming emotionally attached to these characters. There were a couple times where I caught myself holding back tears whenever Chan-Kyung was struggling with his feelings and emotions surrounding Eun-Yo. How pathetic am I! Anyway... UDON's presentation is fantastic and I hope they keep up the good work. I do recommend this series to anyone who wants a cute and funny story that will keep you wondering what is going to come next.

***Review Copy purchased through Amazon.com***
***Reposted with permission from The Journal of the Lincoln Heights Literary Society***