Danica Davidson
August 30, 2024 
Father, I Don’t Want This Marriage is a sparkly and beautiful Korean webcomic that’s adapted from a novel translated as Daddy, I Don’t Want to Marry. It opens with tragedy — Juvelian is accused of poisoning the princess, and even her own father doesn’t believe she’s innocent. She’s taken off to the Chamber of Shadows, where her father gives her a dagger. He doesn’t explain what it’s for, but she uses it to stab herself. And so ends the life of Juvelian.
Or maybe not. You see, that whole plot took place in a novel. Now a Korean woman (killed, naturally, by in a car accident) who read the novel realizes that she’s been reincarnated as Juvelian. And she wants to change her fate. She does this by becoming a better person, canceling her romantic relationship (though this causes its own problems) and studying to become independent from her aloof and seemingly unfeeling noble father. At this point the father is the more interesting character than Juvelian, and there are hints toward his heroic past. The strain in their relationship is a major part of the story, as Juvelian feels unloved, but sometimes her father indicates otherwise when he’s away from her. Her father has also been taking care of a boy — now a man — named Max, who appears to be a new romantic interest for Juvelian.
Father, I Don’t Want This Marriage is in full, beautiful color. Even the details of Juvelian’s irises are done in precise, mood-giving shades, and all of the artwork stands out for its finesse and atmosphere. The first book is the first fourteen chapters of the webtoon, and it moves at a relaxed, gradual pace, though it hints at things like war and coups. This gives the impression that Juvelian, though she might not be aware of it, is in the middle of something big going on in her empire. Things could get really intriguing with the father and Max, depending on where things go. Father, I Don’t Want This Marriage is one of the first titles out of Inklore, a new imprint at Penguin Random House that also publishes manga.
Original Story: Hong Heesu
Adaptation: Yuri
Art: Roal
Publisher: Inklore
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Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling Manga Art for Beginners with artist Melanie Westin, plus its sequel, Manga Art for Everyone, and the first-of-its-kind manga chalk book Chalk Art Manga, both illustrated by professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.
