Semantic Error Vol. 1 | BL Manhwa Review

Semantic Error Vol. 2 releases today! So, I thought it’d be the perfect time to post my review of the first volume. This one was super popular, so I was excited to finally read it. I think it lived up to the hype, though I have to admit—I’m enjoying them more as enemies.

Title: Semantic Error, Vol. 1

Author/Artist: Angry & J. Soori

Genre: Romance, BL

Ages: OT (Older Teen)

Publisher: IZE Press (YEN Press)

Volumes: 1/? (ongoing)

Print Release: Nov 19, 2024

Preorder: Amazon | Bookshop.org

A BUG IN THE SYSTEM. Reason, routine, and rules. These are the tenets that computer science major Sangwoo Choo lives by, so when the rest of his teammates fail to contribute to their group’s presentation, he cuts their names from the project―including that of a complete no-show, whose plans to graduate and study abroad have gone down the drain as a result. Not that that’s any of Sangwoo’s business…until he realizes that Jaeyoung Jang, the talented design major he was hoping to hire for his video game, is: one, that very same classmate, and two, hell-bent on returning the favor and being the biggest thorn in his side! Will Sangwoo be able to debug this semantic error before it upends his entire life?

Art: 10/10 – The whole aesthetic and theme are perfection.

Story: 10/10 – A true college-set, enemies-to-lovers story.

Sangwoo is portrayed as neurodivergent, possibly with high functioning autism, though I’m not sure if it has been officially confirmed. He has a strict routing, intense dislike of change, and lack of social skills. Whether it’s a good or accurate representation is up for debate, but it is a common interpretation.

Jaeyoung is basically the complete opposite of Sangwoo—he’s a popular, outgoing drama/graphic design student. They do have one thing in common: a hot temper.

Overall, I found Jaeyoung super annoying. Everything is his fault, but since Sangwoo isn’t understanding of his situation at all, Jaeyoung decides to take out his frustrations on Sangwoo. & the way Jaeyoung bothered Sangwoo was ultra petty—constantly interrupting his schedule just to mess with him. It felt mean, like at that point, actual bullying might have been less mean.

Honestly I didn’t really like either of the characters, they are not cute and sweet but I did eat this story up. If anything it’s well put together but I am worried the about upcoming romance as I found them quite entertaining as enemies. They are very clearly obsessed with each other.

Volume 1 has basically zero romance and focuses more on the enemies aspect, which was actually pretty refreshing. It’s nice to read a story that truly delivers on the enemies-to-lovers plotline.

I might be adding this to my want a physical copy list…if I can figure out how to make more space for my books. I love a good, consistent theme, and this one has is almost as pretty as The Dangerous Convenience Store with its computer-inspired aesthetic throughout.