Novelist Running Through Time - Chapter 198



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The Novelist Who Leapt Through Time Episode 198

Koo Hak-jun, the godfather of Korean literature, a man who receives offers to run every election season, and a man whose biography of great people was published during his lifetime, bowed his head sullenly.

Gu Hak-jun is sipping a glass of soju forlornly.

Gu Yu-bin, who was crying as she watched the sad face, crossed her father’s arms and shouted.

“You might not win the Booker Prize! “Why are you killing my dad?”

“When did I lose my temper… ?”

“Once you win the Hugo Award, it feels like the whole world is beneath your feet!”

“… !”

In the face of Gu Yu-bin’s terrible slander, the writer regretted the fact that he had just tried to give a positive evaluation of Gu Yu-bin’s character.

In the meantime, regardless of the facts, Park Chang-woon, who was happy just watching young people bickering from the side, cheerfully caught the wind.

“Hey, even Gu Hak-jun of the world is now a waste of time. “It’s a waste.”

“Oh, no, that’s-”

“I got eaten by Munin, not someone else? “You should just retire.”

Fortunately, Moonin, who was throwing his hands in the air in panic, quickly regained his composure.

This is because the situation of being dragged into the conversations of people around me and being used as a ‘toy’ was something I was very familiar with.

(You shouldn’t ask why)

As it was a familiar situation, the writer knew several ways to avoid this situation.

First, call Man Yuna.

Second, call Yuna Guy.

Third, summon Gu Yuna.

However, since the ultimate weapon, Gu Yuna, was not available, the writer chose the next best option, silence.

This silence is not the resignation of a passive outsider.

This is the final declaration to the so-called insiders who believe that they can make fun of ‘Asa’ to their heart’s content.

It is a fierce protest that shouts that we will no longer live as your toys!

Then, the ‘fun’ was no longer enough and vicious figures like Koo Yu-bin and Park Chang-un became discouraged and withdrew.

However, since these people had a disease where thorns would grow on their tongues when conversation stopped while drinking, the conversation continued to flow naturally.

Park Chang-woon said.

“But what happened to that Booker Prize?”

“Oh, that… ”

Koo Hak-jun, who was secretly concerned about his winning performance as he had surprisingly not received a major literary prize for decades since the Goncourt Prize he won when he was young, smiled sadly.

“Just, well… “I haven’t heard from you.”

Gu Yu-bin, who glanced at his sullen expression and realized that his father’s ‘frustration level’ was similar to when he lost 100 million won with Dogecoin in the past, shot a sharp look at the writer.

The writer, who could not overcome the ‘pressure’, belatedly resolved the situation.

“that… You will be fine. maybe… ”

But Park Chang-woon taps his knee and asks.

“ah! yes! “Since you’ve been shortlisted for the Booker Prize, you probably know how to make an announcement, right?”

“yes? Ah, that’s right.”

“Then how will the shortlist be announced?”

“The announcement will be made on the Internet website, and the winners will probably be contacted in advance.”

“Has Grammo Hakjun already become Nagari? “What do you think?”

The writer was taken aback by the unexpected question, but before he knew it, everyone at the table was paying attention to the boy’s mouth.

One way or another, the boy’s analysis had credibility that was not appropriate for his age.

So, in order to meet their expectations, the writer also brought out the most reliable information.

It is a record of the ‘past’.

In the past in the memory of a writer, Gu Hak-jun has already… …

“The shortlist is a bit… Wouldn’t it be difficult… ”

In this way, the writer threw out cold facts.

Here, if you answer, ‘Professor Koo Hak-jun can easily receive an award!’, it is not a surprise.

If I had known that would happen, I would have been able to have a better school life.

However, the members present all sighed at the prospect of such a writer.

“ah… .”

“AC, it’s hot, it’s hot.”

Even though a writer lacks social skills, is inconsiderate, and is a mean kid who makes phone calls early in the morning, his literary insight can never be ignored.

In particular, Park Chang-woon has already tried his hand at guessing the winner of the literary prize ‘as if he knew the future’.

Since they already knew of the mysterious insight of writers such as Park Chang-un and Gu Yu-bin, they accepted the writers’ words as if they were the opinions of the Booker Prize judging committee.

And Gu Hak-jun’s sullen level also went up a notch.

But sometimes miraculous moments come in life.

At that time, Park Chang-woon and Gu Yu-bin were comforting Gu Hak-jun while cursing the tactless writer.

Gu Hak-jun’s cell phone, which was placed on the table at the pork belly restaurant, rang.

He was the editor in charge of Gu Hak-jun.

“Yes, hello, PD. I’m having a company dinner right now… yes?”

Over the phone, the editor announced victory.

Author! I just received an email! I’m on the shortlist!

At that moment, Park Chang-woon and Gu Yu-bin jumped up and cheered, almost screaming.

It was almost impossible to talk on the phone because of his daughter and an old friend who were hugging him in an instant, so Gu Hak-jun muttered in a troubled voice for a moment, just a moment, but had a bright smile on his face.

Then suddenly,

Gu Hak-jun was curious about the young genius’s reaction.

So, the expression on the writer’s face when I glanced at him was literally ‘astonishment’ itself.

The calm and composed boy had his eyes wide open and his mouth wide open.

I also saw the chopsticks I was holding open and the meat fall to the floor.

This guy can’t be… … .

‘Was I really sure that I wouldn’t get it 100%? ?’

Gu Hak-jun was slightly hurt.

EP 12–Marionette

Contrary to the expectations of writers who assumed that there was a 100% probability that Koo Hak-jun would miss out on the Booker Prize long list, this year’s Booker Prize went in a different direction.

Koo Hak-jun’s book, ‘Silver Moon’, was on the short list.

And, the coming May 23rd.

The winner!

of the International Booker Prize…

is ‘Silver moon’ by Gu Hak Jun.

Koo Hak-jun was crowned the king of May.

This was the first literary award of international stature that Koo Hak-Jun had received in decades, and at the same time, it was the moment when he achieved the achievement of winning the second trophy among the world’s three major literary awards.

And for the people watching, it was the moment of the nth festival of the season that came again.

Hell Joseon Hell Joseon Even if you are walking down the street, when the moment comes when the Taegeukgi is waving, it is the habit of Koreans to gather under that flag.

Koo Hak-jun’s win of the Booker International Prize was the main story of all news, and internet news such as this also spread.

And since a new ending was added to the already existing Koo Hak-jun great man exhibition, the revised edition was expanded, so it would not be an exaggeration to say that it was truly a national campaign to encourage ‘Mom, I want to become Koo Hak-jun when I grow up.’

And the writer who was watching all these changes…

‘what?’

I was embarrassed.

* * *

I was a useless time traveler who didn’t know what stocks would rise, what the lottery numbers were, or anything like that, but I still knew who won which literary prize.

And in Memories of the Past, Koo Hak-jun was clearly eliminated without even entering the shortlist.

At that time, the Korean literary world was making a fuss across the country and then suddenly became a laughing stock, so there is a 0% chance that this memory is wrong.

But the future has changed.

I’m not surprised by the change itself. It was already surprising enough when Eisaku Shidehara, who should have won the Booker International Prize, was eliminated.

The reason I’m wondering now is ‘why’ it changed.

Likewise, I wasn’t embarrassed because I couldn’t figure out the reason.

On the contrary, I was embarrassed because I had some guesses.

Unlike the past in my memories, there was only one ‘variable’ thrown into this world.

It’s me.

A writer who should have remained unknown emerged as a star writer, and Eisaku Shidehara was eliminated from the Booker International Prize.

So, this time too, the international status of Korean literature has risen because the writer has become so popular…

Shouldn’t Sang-il Jeong-il and Koo Hak-jun’s novel have been selected for the Booker International Prize if they had been eliminated? ?

-I often think of this.

And it makes my hands and feet tingle, so I immediately put it out of my head.

No matter how much of a time traveler I am, I think this is too much of an imagination.

‘I was so successful’ that the future changed?

Isn’t this an idea that almost any narcissist would do?

I was wary of whether I had developed an overly large ego without realizing it, and I refrained from doing so again and again.

Let’s keep this in mind.

I am a piece of shit.

The Hugo Award ended with the Baekhak Literary Award, and he is an unknown author whose sales have been poor and gone to hell.

Now, he has succeeded by attracting attention with his young and fresh appearance…

As I said this to myself, I made up my mind to continue to be proud like Kim Byeol.

“huh? “Is that correct?”

My mindset was shattered by a single fact from Yangwook Lim.

“That’s right?”

“Ugh, it’s true that ‘Silver Moon’ won the Booker Prize thanks to you?”

“No, why is it because of me?”

Lim Yang-wook, who had become quite arrogant since becoming the director of a large company, no, in fact, was arrogant from the beginning, had his executive office chair reclined almost 180 degrees and was playing an otaku mobile game. When I asked my question, he pulled up his chair, got up, and put down his phone.

And he scratched his smooth scalp and spoke calmly.

“hey. “The Booker Prize is an English-American award, right?”

“Yes.”

“The candidates for that are recommended by American and British publishers. “The judges are also from that branch.”

“ah.”

“People in the publishing industry over there got a kick out of K-literature last year, so will the status of Korean literature be the same as before? Or would it have gone up further?”

Lim Yang-wook shrugged his shoulders casually, as if he was stating the obvious.

“Well, the status of Korean literature is a bit unfamiliar, so even if I change my words, at least the awareness of Korean literature among people in the publishing industry over there would have increased significantly. Because the sales volume of Korean literature sold in English-speaking countries has changed. So, isn’t it true that you have made a great contribution to the promotion of Korean literature, and that you have influenced the judging process for the Booker Prize?”

“… … hmm.”

I calmly thought about Yangwook Lim’s analysis.

And I was convinced.

“okay… ”

“Do you understand now?”

“yes. understand.”

The conclusion was clear.

“I am saying that I have become the savior of Korean literature.”

“uh?”

“ha… I never thought the burden on my shoulders would be this heavy… ”

“Hey, wait, wait… ”

“It’s a heavy responsibility. “I will take a break today to take care of my condition.”

That’s how I escaped from Yangwook Lim’s office and became free.

Say goodbye to CF filming, interviews, event mobilization, and the bathroom rakuraku.

After all, working 8 hours a day is so hard!

* * *

Of course, I didn’t really become a crazy person who wholeheartedly worshiped the claims that I was the savior of Korean literature.

Those were just words he said casually to escape from being a slave to Lim Yang-wook.

But it’s not that this incident didn’t mean anything to me…

The issue raised this time was about ‘influence’.

I basically regarded the wealth and fame I enjoyed as ‘unclean things.’

From a religious perspective, it was seen as an illusion that could disappear at any time, and from a social perspective, it was thought that it was literally obtained through ‘misconduct’.

For example, something like the ‘Children’s Literature Award’.

– oh my god! It’s a genius piece of work ‘for an elementary school student’!

– How can this novel be so outstanding ‘for an elementary school student’?

– Oh God! It’s perfect ‘for an elementary school student’!

Sometimes, I still have nightmares about me participating in the Children’s Literature Awards, receiving countless compliments, and suffering while not having met Lim Yang-wook…

However, when I actually submit my novel, I still sometimes feel the same subtle pain I felt at the Children’s Literature Awards.

That’s because the type of admiration I receive the most is ‘genius boy.’

However, I am not a boy, but a young man who even formally studied literature under Gu Hak-jun.

So, there is something in my heart that makes me uncomfortable to fully enjoy social fame.

At least I don’t have to worry about money, so I can ease my conscience through donations and enjoy a leisurely life…

Still, there are many difficulties that arise before I can truly consider myself a ‘great novelist.’

Of course, I am not just being humble. My evaluation of my own literature is a little more complicated.

There are many disadvantages, but there are also many advantages. And the biggest advantage is that it was recognized by Gu Yu-na, Gu Hak-jun, and Lim Yang-wook.

However, considering that I received that ‘recognition’ from the past in my memory, I wonder if my perspective on literature is still stuck in the past…

anyway.

The realization that this incident brought me was that, regardless of my complicated mind, my current influence is not small, and that it brings about change in many places.

And that wasn’t solved by simply being humble and separating myself from the world.

It wasn’t long after that that I realized that fact.

* * *

After escaping from Yangwook Lim’s grasp, I returned to my cozy studio and enjoyed writing for 12 hours straight to my heart’s content.

Isn’t writing work? It’s obvious. Writing is not work, a hobby, or a job, it is ‘life’.

Just like breathing even when it is difficult and painful, writing is something you have to do. Isn’t that ‘common sense’?

The simulation in my mind, Gu Yuna, nodded and gave a thumbs up, so I smiled in satisfaction and continued writing.

It was then.

Ding dong-

A ringtone comes from the front door.

Before asking ‘Who are you?’ I wisely checked the visitor through the peephole in the front door.

Fortunately, they were not a suspicious group like heretic preachers, miscellaneous merchants, and Lim Yang-wook.

However, Min Hyo-chan and Min Hyo-min were standing there hesitantly, looking suspicious.

I opened the door with a puzzled mind.

“… … “What brought you here?”

“Oh, hello! Inseop!”

Min Hyo-chan smiled awkwardly and greeted me. Min Hyo-chan, who had lost half of her pink hair dye and had a bizarre head, had returned to her shiny pink hair for the first time in a while.

And Min Hyo-min, who was next to her, also did not have the simple appearance that I was used to seeing at school.

Gorgeous and sophisticated makeup, face of someone in their early 20s.

“ah… ! hi!”

This is ‘Benivis’ cutest youngest member’ Min Hyo-min mode.

“Come in first. It’s a bit hard to leave it outside… :”

I guessed that these siblings had some unusual business.

And that guess soon turned out to be true.

* * *

“Are you not interested in idol activities?”

“Get out.”