- Overview
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The story of defector Loh Kiwan and the writer "I," who traces his tracks, is unfolded beautifully and touchingly against the backdrop of vivid scenery of Brussels, Belgium.
- Book Intro
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The novel is told by the narrator, "I," not by Loh Kiwan. "I" is a writer of a broadcast program sponsored by real-time ARS, which documents the stories of the disadvantaged. "I" establish a deep human relationship with high school student "Yoon-joo," one of the cast members of this program. To boost support for Yoon-joo, who is struggling to live after losing her parents, living in the semi-basement flat with big lump on her cheek, 'I' postpone the airing date of Yoon-joo's story until the Chuseok holiday. However, her decision was wrong. The lump turns into a malignant tumor because the date of surgery was delayed. Because of her sympathy, Yoon-joo's hope has now fallen into the deepest despair, and with a great guilt, 'I' turn her back on both Yoon-joo and PD "J," with whom she has started developing a relationship. No longer able to face reality, "I" travel to Belgium after reading the story of North Korean defector Loh Kiwan in a news magazine. There, "I" find a diary wherein Loh, who has now left Belgium, has recorded his tracks over the past three years. "I" traces his steps, one by one, searching for meaning in that life lost by writing about Loh Kiwan, or perhaps trying to find out what it really means to write. Consequently, this novel is an elaborate record of Loh Kiwan's "March of Suffering," as well as the process of "I," who agonize over her life as a writer. "I" running away from reality after causing great despair to others, Loh Kiwan at the crossroads of survival without any protection, and Yoon-ju's endless suffering at such a young age... Through the sad stories that people of different ages, occupations and environments have in common, the writer shows how difficult and dangerous it is to live humanly in this world.
- About the Author
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Jo Haejin
Cho Haejin (F) was born in 1976 in Seoul. She joined the literary world in 2004 by receiving the New Writer Award by Moonyejoongang. Short story collections written by Cho include City of Angels, See You on Thursday, and Escort of Light, and full-length novels include To the Wonderful Dream, I Met Loh Kiwan, A Forest Nobody Has Seen and Passing Through the Summer. She has won the Shin Dong-yup Literary Award, Lee Hyo-seok Literary Award, Kim Yong-ik Novel Award, Baek Shin-ae Literary Award, and Equality Literary Award.
- Selection
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School Library Journal, 2012, Recommended by Book Recommendation Committee