100 Days in Europe

Edit

What would you like to edit?

SynopsisBackgroundAlternative TitlesPictureChapters/VolumesPublishing DatesRelationsTypeExternal Links  

I first read 100 Days in Europe when I was at a major crossroad in my life. I was intent on going to film school, yet as the months past I found myself in April no longer wanting to major in film. I had to quickly get a list of schools sorted, and figure out what I wanted to do with my life within a period of two months. On a Friday night in May, when my toes tingled and my head was wearied from the self-induced stress, I came across 100 Days in Europe by chance.

Chance -- the fantastical ... probability is exactly what 100 Days in Europe is all about. It’s an intoxicatingly endearing series of vignettes of Europe’s mystical. The tantalizing skies and ferocious peaks juxtaposed by the cooling lakes and soothing cityscapes: it’s all here.

There’s not much of a story to tell, because the simplicity heightens the visual weight in the narrative. The story tenderly grips the reader's hand and teeters them along, and before they know it there are no more pages to turn. The bright atmosphere of yellows and greens is halted for beige reality.

Hayden and Gia aren’t exactly the most riveting characters. There’s no particular focus on a quest or obstacle that leads to a more idealized representation of them, but more of impending doom that things will go back to how they once were. Their dynamics, shortcomings, and development bleed into the background as to be the focal point of a pastel picture book. They nearly solely serve as a device to connect one page to the next and enhance the atmosphere at hand by providing a broad, easily identifiable narrative.

There are cliche characterizations, unneeded love triangles, and overly repetitive thematic trappings. It’s not always the most nuanced, and the dialogue can be quite obvious. But I don’t exactly care. Don’t go into this expecting to get a European romance like Before Sunrise, with impeccable dialogue and thorough themes, but expect a wistful, luminescent journey of two people.

The use of colors is immaculately placed and provides contrasts and highlights to accurately portray each and every backdrop. This is probably the most impressive part of Jihyo Kim’s art, as it consistently comes across as abstract yet oddly fitting. The blues and yellows of a Venice night sky, the oranges and greens of a Rome morning, and the turquoise and golds of a Barcelona afternoon -- all just fit.

Most of all, 100 Days in Europe is a soothing muse of two characters dealing with their own problems, problems that are remedied by the companionship of the other and their backdrop. I can’t recommend it enough.

Omg this was such a wonderful romantic story I've ever read in 2020. Hayden and Gia from since they first met in Prague, REALLY DESERVED each other. It goes to show that none of us should be basing on an individuals look first, but how they are shown as a person themselves. I liked how Jihyo Kim put in wee facts on the locations they visited, it keeps the reading experience feel more like the readers are tourists themselves in these areas (even if we were all in lockdown then).

As well regarding food shown in this manhwa, I really was fascinated to understand that there's ... deserts out there called "Caramel Eiffel Tower" and "Cannoli". Seriously this friggin manhwa is making me hungry dude and I already had dinner an hour ago haha.

Also besides the main characters being likeable, I thought the only person that I liked on the trip was Sunni. She's potentially best girl but I really wish she was thought of more in terms of background on why she was travelling . I know she said she's getting away from somebody but it wasn't really clear for me as to shes referring to?

Another thing I hated about this manhwa, stereotypical Hayden obsessed b*ches. I can't tell you how much I hated Jane as well as the others who think they can forcefully make Hayden fall in love with any of them and try to put off Gia just because she's a plain Jane (pun intended but a better Jane).

HOWEVER this manhwa really captured my heart this year. It was just so sweet and honestly felt I was on cloud 9. I normally don't write long ass reviews like this but 100 days in Europe deserves its huge credit so much from me.

I am thrilled we got a satisfying ending. Honestly when you're down, this will pick you right back up. You won't regret reading it! 9/10

I really wanted to like this one but couldn't ignore things that didn't sit well with me. So let me start off with things I liked- The art and at times the writing when the main character talks about the places she's visiting or her interests. I think the author has great potential to write good stuff but this Manhwa really feels like a good writer was forced to do a Wattpadesque manhwa.
Okay so the main issue with this manhwa is that the women characters are so shallow. All of their character traits are revolved around fawning over the male main character and honestly it ... grossed me out at times because the way a few characters act towards the male main character is borderline harassment which is portrayed as not that big of a deal. Me giving this a 6/10 is being generous.