So y'know how there are all these school life manga, but they're all set in high school? Well, Cheese in the Trap is set in college, and it's miraculously not boring at all. Sul is a hard-working girl with a normal social life and good grades. She is terrified of the nice, popular upperclassman, Jung, after her disconcerting experiences around him a year ago. Now, however, he is inexplicably nice to Sul, and she has no idea how to take it.
Plot: 4/5. Soon Ki's characters are pleasantly and intriguingly realistic. Sul has good intuition and common sense, navigating social situations and avoiding the cliches and traps that usual clumsy and naive protagonists often run straight into. The diverse cast of characters prove that avoiding conflict entirely is impossible, and Sul's character develops as she gains experience both from friends and from enemies. Jung is a constant enigma throughout the series. He is well-known and well-liked by the students in his major, considered perpetually kind and mature; at many points, the readers and even Sul herself question whether her suspicions are well-placed or simply paranoia. The plot follows Sul as she navigates through her college life; struggling with scholarships, group projects, upset friends, family finances, self-absorbed classmates, and, of course, staying as far away from Jung as possible.
Storytelling: 5/5. Cheese in the Trap is largely morally ambiguous, focusing more on characters individuality than on right and wrong. Both the positive and negative effects of all actions are shown, allowing for more natural character interactions and development. Sul, for example, lives a upright life of working hard and being nice to others, but ends up miserable many times because of it. After sharp downfalls and brusque advice, her character takes a slightly more ruthless turn, and she begins standing up for herself regardless of the consequences. The characters give an impression of being more like "people" than like "actors", and control the plot much more so than the plot controls them. The mystery in Cheese in the Trap is also well-written, allowing for a very interactive reading experience. Clues are dropped at a steady pace, and those with keen eyes are able to gain early insights into the developing plot.
Art: 4/5. Soon Ki makes good use of various designs to benefit her storytelling; bright colors against a white background let the readers know that the story is taking place in present time, while desaturated colors or grayscale against a black background indicate a flashback. The expressions are also an excellent part of Cheese in the Trap. Rather than reuse the same expressions over and over, Soon Ki gives her characters unique reactions to unique situations. Since the main focus of Cheese in the Trap is the characters, such fluid expressions helps to bring out their full potential.
Soon Ki's storytelling is what brings life to what would normally be, on the surface, just another slice of life story. The characters turn into people you know, both good and bad. Due to its realism, it even acts partly as a how-to for keeping good friends, getting rid of idiots and enemies, and living an honest yet assertive life. The mystery aspect is engaging as well, providing good mental exercise and leaving you eager to learn more about the characters and what happened in their pasts. This is far from a boring story, and curiosity will make you turn to the next chapter over and over. It really is just too good to pass up.
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