Review for J. Soori's SEMANTIC ERROR, novel, VOL 1

 

SEMANTIC ERROR (novel)
BL

 

 

 

AUTHOR:
J. Soori

RELEASE DATE:
January 20, 2026

PUBLISHER:
Yen Press / Ize Press

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
9798400903168

RATING:
4.5

 

 

Sangwoo Choo is a computer science major at Hanguk University. When his groupmates fail to help with a group presentation, he purposely deletes their name off the project. Sangwoo is unperturbed about the consequences of his actions. He needs to find a replacement graphic designer to replace the one who bailed on him. Unfortunately, Sangwoo finds out the designer he wants is one of the groupmates he wronged. The senior is intent on harassing him as payback and destroying his orderly, routine-oriented world.

Jaeyoung Jang is a charismatic and talented design major – who intends to study abroad in America once he graduates. His plans get dashed when a certain underclassman deletes Jaeyoung’s name off a necessary project. When he tries to confront the student, the young man refuses to answer his texts and messages. An opportunity arrives for Jaeyoung when Sangwoo tries to hire him to work on his video game. He decides to mess with Sangwoo. However, things start to change between the two men.

Sangwoo reminds me so much of Sheldon Cooper from the television show, BIG BANG THEORY. They have the same demeanors, need for routines (and behavior when that gets disrupted), and their interactions with others. I can understand why many of his fellow classmates and professors did not get along with him. His personality is one many would have trouble with.

Jaeyoung is fun! And he is Sangwoo’s complete (aka polar) opposite. People gravitate towards his carefree, friendly personality. However, he tends to be on the lazy side and procrastinate. That, in no way, affects his artistic talent. I love his interactions with Sangwoo. Yes, at the beginning, he disrupts the younger man’s orderly life. Yet, Jaeyoung starts to pick up things that people either overlook or have no interest in bothering to notice.

I have heard of the manhwa for some time. It is a highly recommended read in the BL fandom. I just never got around to reading it (because I could not find it in paperback format. My preference). I watched (and enjoyed) the live action. So, when I saw the novel form offered in Netgalley, I decided to give it a try. And man, how it ended made me want the next volume immediately.

I only had one problem. It has nothing to do with the story, plot or characters. Mainly it is the file sent to me from Netgalley. It would have been nice if the format was either epub or pdf, so I could have read it on my Kindle Fire. Instead, I received an LCPL file, which required me to download a specific program to access it. I had to read it on my computer – which was uncomfortable at times. I would have finished the novel way sooner if I could have read it on my Kindle.