[Novel] Take One Cool Step

Seo Yoo-mi (33) woke up to be a rising star in the literary world in Korea. She catapulted into the stardom last year after being awarded a prize for outstanding writers by Moonhak Soochup and a prize for distinguished novels by Changbi Publishing at the same time.

“Take One Cool Step,” her prize-winning novel, has been released by Changbi Publishing. It is about the story of a man and a woman at the same age as the author. The two protagonists are described not as those seeking to build their careers but as those who have hard time in forsaking one for the other.

A Dong-A reporter met Seo on Thursday to talk with her about what it is like to live “as a thirty something” based on her novel.

For a woman who is turning 33, breaking up with a boyfriend also means 33 kinds of hesitation and apprehension.

At the novel “Take One Cool Step," Yeon-su’s boyfriend, whom she met three years ago or so, was supposed to propose to her on Christmas when she is still 32, at the latest. But she declares separation. Despite her age, she dumps her boyfriend. Does it make sense?

“When you are in your 20s, if things go wrong with your boyfriend, you can give family or school problems as an excuse to separate with him. But in your 30s, those excuses don’t make sense. When you are over 30, you can do whatever you want, but sometimes that makes you uncomfortable. It is the last time that you are able to wander between realities and dreams… Eventually, Yeon-su decides to realize her dream once and for all. Yeon-su wants to be a film critic and prepares for it.”

Yeon-su once believed that if people become 30, they will lead secure lives. But life seems to be not as easy as she thought. Yeon-jae got married early to a wealthy man, gave birth to two children and now owns an apartment. Seon-yeong also married a diligent man after working for a big company. As they expected in their 20s, their lives seem to be comfortable. Do they feel happy?

“Yeon-jae feels she lacks something and, to fill the void, she starts reading poetry that she hasn’t read before. She becomes confused but she cannot leave her family. Seon-yeong also makes an “exemplary” choice but it’s after leading a loose life. Both make worldly choices but that is what one can expect from people in their 30s. People in their 30s will be regretful for having achieved nothing. It’s when they learn to adjust themselves to the realities of life.”

People at the age of 33 are like those standing in the storm with high waves and strong winds. In this hard time, Dong-nam, Yeon-su’s boyfriend, seeks to be employed again after losing his job, but fails. He fails to earn love as well as a job. As a black sheep in his family, he has nothing to be proud of. Is he really a grown-up?

“He represents thirty somethings who failed. Inside Dong-nam, there is a twenty-something guy. He sometimes acts childish. I always wanted to describe someone like Dong-nam. The tragic thirty somethings who are not able to even kill themselves.”

When Seo was on the brink of abandoning her dream, she realized her dream at the age of 32. “I know there is a tough road ahead, like in a desert” said Seo and added, “I need weapons to cross the desert. I will change my physical constitution to endure thirst and never to be tired.” She meant to write good works and to develop tolerance to ride out the pain that accompanies creative writing. This is a sense of reality that people at her age would have.

kimjy@donga.com