Kill Me, Kiss Me, also known as K2, is a Korean manhwa written by Lee Young-you. It focuses on two loosely-connected plots involving the cousins Jung-Woo Im and Tae-Yeon Im. The first, a plot that fades in significance after the first volume, is the story of Tae-Yong. Tae-Yong Im is a tomboyish girl with a crush on a model. After finding out that the model goes to the all-boys school that her cousin attends, Tae-Yong decides to go undercover and swap roles with her identical cousin for a week in order to get closer to him. Hijinks ensue as the model's best friend develops a crush on "him" and begins to question his own sexuality.
The second, longer story focuses on Jung-Woo and his unlikely associations. Que-Min Ghun is a a new girl in town. Thanks to her physical strength and hot temper, she's known as a thug back in her old town but is trying to overcome that reputation and develop a new one here. After developing a crush on Jung-Woo, she unwittingly draws him into danger thanks to an old rival with a crush. Ghoon-Hahm Che is the leader of a gang known as the Yi Wong. Following the discovery of her affections for Jung-Woo, he begins to stir up trouble and soon enough Jung-Woo is unwittingly drawn into a gang-war between the Yi Wong and the Ghoo Won.
English versions of the manhwa are available through Tokyopop.
This manga provides examples of:
- Alliterative Title: Kill Me, Kiss Me
- Beware the Nice Ones: Do not anger Que-Min. Her reputation as a thug is well-earned considering her temper and exceptional strength.
- Closet Geek: Ghoon-Ham is a tough gang leader... and also a big fan of Pokémon: The Series.
- Cloudcuckoolander: Jung-Woo seems to drift along from scene to scene. He seems to have no concept of what is normal, to the point where he casually breaks into Ghoon-Hahm's house because he has more video games.
- Demoted to Extra: Tae-Yon, Kun and Ga-Woon after volume 1.
- Does Not Know His Own Strength: Que-Min is stronger than she looks and she accidentally kicks her little brother too hard, herself being shocked at her own power.
- Dude Looks Like a Lady: Jung-Woo.
- Emotions vs. Stoicism: Jung-Woo seems to care about almost nothing, and as a result often gets into trouble thanks to his lack of drive.
- Even the Girls Want Her: Tae-Yon is quite popular with the girls at her school, with some expressing a girl-crush on her. Jung-Woo, who replaces her, theorizes it is because she is the closest thing to a boy at this all-girl school.
- Freudian Excuse: It's revealed Jung-Woo is a stoic shut-in because of his abusive mother and losing his beloved pet dog Ghost.
- Gayngster: Yeong Joon and Jin Lee are members of the Yi Wong gang. They're also in a relationship with each other.
- Halfway Plot Switch: The first volume is almost inconsequential to the rest of the series. It focuses on Tae-Yon about her unrequired crush on Kun, and afterwards the story is about Que-Min with Jung-Woo being the one main character from the original book to remain a recurring one.
- I Have Many Names: Bok Chil, aka Chili, aka The Blade, aka Nanashi Kai.
- Huge Guy, Tiny Girl: Lin Lee with any guy she is with, considering how short she is.
- Loving Bully: Ghoon-Hahm actually met Que-Min when they were kids at school, where he was a bully who'd pick up fights with her... however, he had a huge crush on her then and couldn't express his feelings otherwise.
- Man Bites Man: When Ghoon-Hahm is trying to hold Que-Min when they meet, she bites him in the arm as hard as she can. She is shocked that he is barely flinching, and as the gang members make mocking commentaries on her action, she ends up letting go.
- Meaningful Rename: "Chili" Bok Chil (also known as "The Blade") became Nanashi Kai around the time he took over the Black Dragons.
- Misplaced Nationalism: Ghoon-Ham expresses strong dislike towards Japan, and yet he is a huge fan of Pokémon: The Series.
- Mistaken for Gay: Thanks to Tae-Yeon's crush on Kun, Kun and Ga-Woon begin to think this about Jung-Woo.
- Psychopathic Manchild: Kai is definitely a Type C.
- Ship Tease: At the end, between Lin Lee and Jung-Woo.
- Sweet Polly Oliver: Tae-Yeon Im pretends to be her cousin for a week.
- Tiny Tyrannical Girl: Lin Lee. She is very short but likes to act like a beautiful Alpha Bitch.
- Title Drop: Que-Min ends up thinking "Oh Ghoon-Hahm, I don't know whether I want to kill you or kiss you!".
- Tomboy with a Girly Streak: Tae-Yeon is apparently the most tomboyish girl at her school... however, she also loves fashion.
- Twin Switch: Played with in the first volume - although they're cousins, they are identical.
- Underestimating Badassery: Thanks to his girlish looks and apparent frailty, the Ghoo Won casually mock Jung-Woo - only to watch as the trained gangster they sent after him is easily beaten up by the inexperienced teen.
- Unsettling Gender-Reveal: Jung-Woo is able to pass for a girl with minimal effort. Even when he isn't dressed as a girl, many people mistake him for one. In fact, Kai seems to be the only one who isn't fooled by his girlish appearance.
- What Happened to the Mouse?: Kun Kang fades almost from the existence of the books following the end of the first manga.
- Wholesome Crossdresser: Jung-Woo obediently switches place with his cousin - not that it's difficult. All it takes is bribery with an MP3 player and some baseball cards. And everything else she owns. However, he seems pretty happy with the situation and even asks to extend it at the end.
- Yakuza: "Chili" Bok Chil apparently takes control of a Yazuka gang called the Black Dragons prior to his appearance.
- Yaoi Fangirl: Que-Min is part of "The Pretty Boy Fanclub" which is about this.
