This is so well-written—immersive, precise, and full of life. The pacing is spot on, and the way small observations build into something larger feels effortless. There’s a natural rhythm to the sentences that makes it easy to read while still carrying real weight. I love how the voice is both sharp and warm. I'm curious, did you write this in English or Korean originally? If translated did you translate it yourself?
I did write the original version in Korean, but the version you've read is more like a rewrite of it in English than direct translation. And I should give much credit to the editor, Lou Bahet, for her fantastic work!
How unusual for a writer to give credit to the editor! Ha! Interesting about the Korean and English. I admire someone so much who can work in two languages. Your writing is quite different from mine and I see a few things I can learn! I hope you plan to put things on substack regularly? Truly enjoyed it.
I really liked the irony of the buttoned-down professor dying while playing a child's game. Despite the Korean pragmatism, the soul yearns to emerge and play...
So sad that the old gentleman died, especially after finding a way into the marshmallow world of acceptance...the mother acting as a national soccer coach was fantastic...and cheeks swelled like those of an ever-discounted rabbit was wonderful...
Does a nice job capturing the impressions of an immigrant, how different American culture is from Korean. All the summary with just the two barbecue scenes makes this look more like the plan for a novel than a short story.
I really enjoyed this. It could easily have been a parade of absurdities (by which point the main one would have been lame), or veered off into bathos in a number of places, but the balance of humor and sensitivity was pretty impeccable.
Also, the mom — good Lord, lol; my mom is definitely not like that, but reading this piece made me half-expect one of those extremely energetic ladies to materialize in my home right in front of me!
I absolutely loved this! I felt involved and immersed every second, I don’t know how you did it, but it was incredible. I’m so glad I found this story. Thank you!
Really liked this, and the paragraph about Jeff and the son was hilarious. Jeff was what the professor imagined for his daughter.
I did wonder why the mother wouldn’t have reconciled with her son, especially if he’d become successful in the film industry. I feel like there could’ve been a chance for a reunion.
Hello Hyun, my perspective - an outcome of my profound prism through which saw when lived and worked in 5 continents - met and lived a variety of cultures, traditions, customs and practices - loved every step of the way - those interactions enriched me immensely. What I believe and look at life as Test and Lesson.
When you see life as “just another test” or “just another lesson,” you are acknowledging that challenges and comforts alike are part of the curriculum. At times, closeness suffocates; at others, distance isolates. Both are teachers. They stretch the soul in different directions so that you don’t stay confined to one comfort zone. And that is life in it's finest firm.
I have subscribed to your work to continue to enrich my being. If you wish to join me at this juncture - I am here: salmizindagi.subsrack.com - feel free to subscribe its free.
This is so well-written—immersive, precise, and full of life. The pacing is spot on, and the way small observations build into something larger feels effortless. There’s a natural rhythm to the sentences that makes it easy to read while still carrying real weight. I love how the voice is both sharp and warm. I'm curious, did you write this in English or Korean originally? If translated did you translate it yourself?
I did write the original version in Korean, but the version you've read is more like a rewrite of it in English than direct translation. And I should give much credit to the editor, Lou Bahet, for her fantastic work!
How unusual for a writer to give credit to the editor! Ha! Interesting about the Korean and English. I admire someone so much who can work in two languages. Your writing is quite different from mine and I see a few things I can learn! I hope you plan to put things on substack regularly? Truly enjoyed it.
I actually keep two newsletters, one where I translate medieval Chinese poems and the other where I post my own stuff. Please feel free to cheak out.
Oh cool! I see there is one by Li Bai! I will give it a try!
Very very good stuff Hyun Woo. The Chekov Gun of the marshmallows is particularly striking.
Love the story! The Asian immigrant experience living in Pacific Northwest is very relatable!
I really liked the irony of the buttoned-down professor dying while playing a child's game. Despite the Korean pragmatism, the soul yearns to emerge and play...
The seoul?!
So sad that the old gentleman died, especially after finding a way into the marshmallow world of acceptance...the mother acting as a national soccer coach was fantastic...and cheeks swelled like those of an ever-discounted rabbit was wonderful...
Does a nice job capturing the impressions of an immigrant, how different American culture is from Korean. All the summary with just the two barbecue scenes makes this look more like the plan for a novel than a short story.
I really enjoyed this. It could easily have been a parade of absurdities (by which point the main one would have been lame), or veered off into bathos in a number of places, but the balance of humor and sensitivity was pretty impeccable.
Also, the mom — good Lord, lol; my mom is definitely not like that, but reading this piece made me half-expect one of those extremely energetic ladies to materialize in my home right in front of me!
Bravo Hyun Woo! Liked this one very much -- will try to circle round with more thoughts in due course.
Very nice story and writing. I like sweet and sour.
I absolutely loved this! I felt involved and immersed every second, I don’t know how you did it, but it was incredible. I’m so glad I found this story. Thank you!
Really liked this, and the paragraph about Jeff and the son was hilarious. Jeff was what the professor imagined for his daughter.
I did wonder why the mother wouldn’t have reconciled with her son, especially if he’d become successful in the film industry. I feel like there could’ve been a chance for a reunion.
Checking the comments to see if the whole story is summary
The story starts here: Professor Park stepped onto Jeff’s lawn with a six-pack of beer in hand.
Hello Hyun, my perspective - an outcome of my profound prism through which saw when lived and worked in 5 continents - met and lived a variety of cultures, traditions, customs and practices - loved every step of the way - those interactions enriched me immensely. What I believe and look at life as Test and Lesson.
When you see life as “just another test” or “just another lesson,” you are acknowledging that challenges and comforts alike are part of the curriculum. At times, closeness suffocates; at others, distance isolates. Both are teachers. They stretch the soul in different directions so that you don’t stay confined to one comfort zone. And that is life in it's finest firm.
I have subscribed to your work to continue to enrich my being. If you wish to join me at this juncture - I am here: salmizindagi.subsrack.com - feel free to subscribe its free.
Thanks