Kim Ae-ran: My Mouth Is Watering

We tend to exaggerate more than usual when getting to know a stranger. We make bigger gestures and laugh more loudly. At least, that’s how Kim Ae-ran behaved when she published “Run, Daddy” in 2005.

The 27-year-old female novelist took the literary world by storm with her first collection of short stories, “Run, Daddy.” Recently, Kim published her second collection of short stories; the first time she has published since surprising readers with her “strangely well-written novel” two years ago. She bound a collection of eight short stories that she was requested to write each season, reflecting the unwavering popularity this young writer has enjoyed over the past two years.

She has changed quite a bit. Kim, who used to make funny expressions that go well with her comic book character-like face in front of the camera, was cautious as if she were a heroin of romance comics. Her funky-hair style was also replaced with a sleek bobbed-hair do. However, the biggest change she has made is her writing style. Unlike her debut book, which was filled with highly well-written humorous stories, her new book, “My Mouth is Watering,” is more down to earth. This by no means implies that it is not as good as the first. In fact, her subdued voice makes the tone of the book much softer. Although her line of vision has been lowered, it makes her stories warmer. “As I get to know more about the readers and the novels, I feel more composed and comfortable,” Kim said.

Despite financial difficulties, a mother insists that her child take piano lessons. However, all of a sudden, she is saddled with huge debt and is forced to move. Her short story, “Haughty Life,” is set within a semi-basement flat with a piano that becomes practically useless. “Christmas Special” is about a couple who decides to spend Christmas Eve night at an inn filled with migrant workers because they cannot afford to stay at a more luxurious place. Although the story is set in a shabby place, the writer depicts the inn and the people staying in it with warmth, instead of describing it as a lousy place. “They are just one of us living on the same earth,” Kim says, trying not to evoke excessive compassion.

The title short story of her new collection, “My Mouth is Watering,” revolves around “She” who happens to end up living with a younger man who comes to her place to ask to be allowed to stay one night. She hears at the first night of his stay that his mother abandoned him at a city library after giving him a pack of gum. This is not pleasant news, as she doesn’t want him to extend his stay at her place. She becomes more uncomfortable when he halves his last piece of gum and shares it with her.

“’Since that day, my mouth waters when I have to say goodbye to the ones that I really love.’ / She, who was forced to take the other half of the gum feebly replies, ‘Sure.’ / ‘I mean, it happens when I think of those brutal times when I had to experience the unbearable pain of being separated from those people.’ / ‘Sure.’ He looked at me with an extremely transparent expression. / ‘Now, I feel my mouth watering again.’”

As days go by, he starts to resemble her more and more, including her preferences, clothes, and habits, making her feel more pressured. One day, she decides to kick him out.

Of course, this story is about relationships. He yearns for relationships, but she can not understand him. “If you cannot tolerate the wounds of others, then, at least, acknowledge and accept the fact that they have them,” Kim strongly urges in the story through the subtle description of the characters. The title of her collection is also “My Mouth is Watering.” Although its title is not as sleek as those of other books hitting the stores these days, it bears a great significance since it is also a personal message of the writer to the readers. “When I have to say goodbye to those who read my books, my mouth waters.”

kimjy@donga.com