Under the Oak Tree: Novel Ending, Manhwa Status & Readers Guide

If you’ve stumbled onto an Under the Oak Tree thread on Reddit, you’ve probably seen the same panicked question: Is this series actually finished, or is the author just taking a long nap? The confusion is understandable — the series exists in two forms, each on its own timeline. The original Korean web novel reached its finale in 2022, while the English manhwa adaptation is still working through seasonal breaks. Here’s what’s confirmed and what’s still up in the air.

Author: Suji Kim ·
Original Platform: Ridibooks (South Korea) ·
Novel Status: Completed (5 volumes + side stories) ·
Manhwa Status: Season 1 completed; Season 2 on hiatus (as of late 2024) ·
English Publisher (Print): Inklore (Vol. 1 out November 2024)

Three key data points reveal the series’ true shape: the novel is done, the manhwa is paused, and the print edition proves the publisher sees long-term value.

The implication: the novel is a finished product while the manhwa remains a work in progress.

Is Under the Oak Tree Discontinued?

The short answer: no. The web novel is complete; the manhwa is on a seasonal break. The rumor likely stems from confusion between the two formats.

The difference between a series ending and a season ending

• Web novel: Completely finished in Korea, including side stories (Novel Updates, community aggregator).
• Manhwa: Season 1 concluded at episode 114 on Manta. Season 2 is on hiatus — not cancelled (Comics Beat, industry trade publication).
• English translation: Manta’s official translation of the novel finished in 2024; the manhwa translation continues to be published.

Official statements from Manta Comics and the author

Manta Comics has not issued a cancellation statement. In fact, the platform celebrated the novel finale with a press release, calling it a “milestone” and confirming the manhwa continuation (Comics Beat, industry trade publication). Author Suji Kim hasn’t publicly commented on the hiatus, but the novel’s epilogue and side stories are on record as complete.

The implication: the discontinuation rumor is a false alarm. The series is very much alive, just in different stages of publication.

Is Under the Oak Tree a Completed Series?

It depends which version you’re reading. The original Korean web novel is a finished narrative arc; the manhwa is a work in progress.

Completion status of the web novel vs. the manhwa

• Novel: Two parts, fully released. Part 1: 193 chapters + 44 extras. Part 2: 210 chapters + 8 extras (Novel Updates, community aggregator). Goodreads confirms 459 total chapters (Goodreads, reader database).
• Manhwa: Ongoing. Season 1 ended in 2023; season 2 has no announced start date (Comics Beat, industry trade publication).

English translation status

Manta Comics released the novel’s final volume in English on April 11, 2024 (Comics Beat). The manhwa English translation is up to date with the Korean release. A print edition by Inklore (an imprint of Penguin Random House) launched Vol. 1 in September 2024 (Comics Beat).

Why this matters: New readers can safely start the novel knowing they’ll get a full story. Manhwa readers will need patience — or can jump to the novel for immediate closure.

Why Is Riftan So Obsessed with Maxi?

One of the most searched plot questions is also one of the most emotionally loaded. Riftan’s intensity isn’t random — it’s drawn from trauma.

Riftan’s traumatic childhood and Maxi’s kindness

• Riftan grew up impoverished and abused. Maxi was the first person to show him genuine kindness, which created an obsessive attachment (Fandom wiki, community-curated lore).
• The oak tree in the title marks the spot where they first met and where Riftan made a promise to her — a symbolic anchor for his devotion.

The significance of the oak tree

The oak tree is both a literal location and a metaphor: Riftan sees Maxi as the steady, protective presence he never had. The tree becomes the only place he feels safe enough to express vulnerability (WebNovel description).

Their relationship development

Author Suji Kim explores trauma bonding: two survivors learning to trust through small, painful steps. It’s not a healthy obsession — it’s a narrative device that forces both characters to confront their wounds.

The trade-off: Riftan’s obsession drives the plot’s emotional engine, but it also creates the central conflict. Readers who suspend modern relationship standards will find a cathartic arc of healing.

Is Under the Oak Tree a Happy Ending?

Spoiler: yes — but the journey is messy.

Overview of the novel’s finale

The novel concludes with Riftan and Maxi together, having worked through the worst of their trauma. The epilogue focuses on family and domesticity, confirming a stable future (Goodreads summary).

Themes of healing and domesticity

• The ending prioritizes emotional resolution over plot fireworks.
• Side stories add depth: Maxi gains agency; Riftan learns to communicate.

Reader reactions to the ending

On Goodreads and Novel Updates, reactions split: some find the ending satisfying and earned, while others feel it was rushed and wish for more closure on secondary characters (Goodreads reader reviews).

The pattern: Suji Kim writes a hopeful resolution that acknowledges trauma doesn’t vanish — it just becomes manageable.

Is Under the Oak Tree a Spicy Book?

Yes — the novel contains explicit sexual content and is rated 18+ in South Korea.

Content rating and explicit scenes

• The web novel includes detailed sex scenes, particularly in the later volumes.
• The manhwa adaptation tones down the explicitness, often implying rather than showing (Goodreads, reader database).

Comparison to other series in the genre

On the spicy scale of romance fantasy, Under the Oak Tree is considered moderately steamy — more explicit than Who Made Me a Princess but less than Cry, Even Better If You Beg.

Reader advisories

Manta marks the novel as mature. The print edition from Inklore will likely carry a similar warning. If you’re sensitive to themes of coercion (even if the consent framework is fictional), check trigger warnings before starting.

The implication: the spicy content is integral to the story’s exploration of intimacy after trauma, not just for shock value.

Does Riftan Know Maxi Was Abused?

Yes — and it’s a turning point in the narrative.

Riftan’s awareness of Maxi’s father

Riftan learns about Duke Croyso’s physical and emotional abuse of Maxi. This knowledge fuels his protective rage and explains his often controlling behavior (Fandom wiki, community-curated lore).

The reveal moment in the story

The truth comes out gradually, but a key scene involves Riftan confronting the Duke and realizing the extent of the harm. It’s one of the most emotionally charged moments in the series.

How it affects their relationship

Riftan’s knowledge deepens his commitment but also amplifies his overprotectiveness. The couple must navigate his anger and her desire for independence — a dynamic that defines their arc.

The catch: Riftan’s response is not always healthy. The story uses his flaws to challenge the reader’s own ideas about love and rescue.

Timeline

What this means: the story is complete at its source. Every delay is on the adaptation and translation side, not on the author.

Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear

The pattern: the confirmed facts outnumber the uncertainties, but the remaining unknowns — especially the manhwa 2 premiere date — fuel ongoing reader confusion.

Reader perspectives

“We are thrilled to celebrate the novel finale and confirm that the webcomic adaptation will continue. This is just the beginning for Under the Oak Tree.”

— Manta Comics Official, press release via Comics Beat, trade publication covering digital comics

“The first 10 volumes of the novel were released on January 31, 2024, with the final volume completing the series on April 11, 2024.”

— Comics Beat, trade publication covering digital comics

Summary: What it all adds up to

The novel is finished, the manhwa is paused, and the official English edition is rolling out. For readers asking “Should I start?” the answer is yes — but choose your format carefully. Novel readers get closure now. Manhwa readers get a visually stunning adaptation that will take years to complete. For the publisher Manta and its imprint Inklore, the calculus is clear: invest in both formats, because the fanbase is here to stay. Manta has confirmed the webcomat continuation, so the only real unknown is when Season 2 drops — and that’s a question of patience, not cancellation.

While Under the Oak Tree captivates readers with its romantic fantasy, fans of the genre may also appreciate BL manhwa like Painter of the Night for its equally gripping storytelling.

Frequently asked questions