This is one of those series which surprised me. I have often been disappointed by how shallow and unattractive most manhwa are, and how, when compared to mangaka, most manhwaga seem to be definitely lacking in ability. I only read DWYW out of boredom, not expecting anything much...and was quite amazed when I finished all 7 books in two days- a rare thing for me.
Of course, like any school life + drama story, the characters are cliched, and the situations they wind up in are hardly new; but the author seems to know how to make you feel for the people and their predicaments, trivial though they may be. The relationships are quite lovely; and more often than not, made me strangely nostalgic about my own school-going days.
I also loved the lack of melodrama or overt tragedy in the story. Any sadness is dealt with in a most realistic and believable manner; invoking sympathy and not exasperation.
The way Jinwon and Hosoo eventually drifted apart and began walking their separate paths, and how the very thing that built the foundation for their friendship became the reason for their parting of ways, was strangely touching; though it made me tear up as I thought of the universal truth; 'no friendship, no matter how beautiful, will last forever'.
All the characters, while inevitably falling into common manhwa stereotypes, have such strong, defined personalities, that you can't bring yourself to dislike any of them.
While it may not appear so from the cover, the art is actually very nice in a sweet, simple sort of way. It works really well at conveying emotion- which is what is important in a story of this nature.
As mentioned in the summary, DWYW is not shounen-ai ; there is little or nothing to hint that the feelings between the boys are anything but the strange, platonic love that binds best friends. Even if you hate BL, it should not hinder you from reading this manhwa.