Novelist Running Through Time - Chapter 63

TL: KSD

Art is a merciless field.

Effort does not bring achievement.

A place where a genius catches up with the results of ten years of effort by an average person in just one day.

Yet, it’s a place where dozens of average people conspire together to frame a genius as a dullard.

The survival of the fittest, the strong thrive, and the weak perish.

This is truly the literary world!

In such a ruthless arena, Seo Woon-pil, an old master who has reigned for decades.

Although his literary talents may be considered a step behind those of an absolute master like Gu Hak-jun…

He could confidently claim to have the knack for knowing where to stretch his legs and where not to.

“Attacking Japan! I will pretend I didn’t hear that.”

Seo Woon-pil let Lim Yang-wook’s words pass by as if washing his ears.

The publishing industry across the sea in Japan is so vast that it’s incomparable to Korea’s literary scene.

Entering such a place alone is like throwing an egg against a rock!

However, Seo Woon-pil had a premonition that he could not stop the freak named Lim Yang-wook.

Though he was expelled, Lim Yang-wook was once a man who dominated the world from the center of Baekhak.

Such a person would not be ignorant of the solemn natural laws of the martial world.

Blood must be repaid with blood…

“Don’t worry.”

“You…!”

“This is not a fight to win.”

The freak, with a simple smile concealing a gleaming blade, quietly sipped his tea.

As Seo Woon-pil swallowed dryly under the silent killing intent.

At that moment, a former strategist of Baekhak revealed a cunning scheme.

“This is a fight to show.”

EP 5 – A Love Story

It was a war without justification from the start.

The outrageous act of a major Japanese publisher cutting off publishing routes simply because a great Japanese author, Eisaku Sidehara, and Moon In were both nominated as first-round candidates for the Booker International Prize.

It was an act of complete disregard for business etiquette, but there was no choice. The logic of power takes precedence over such etiquette.

Of course, it’s not that there were absolutely no reasons.

There could be plenty of excuses to attach.

For example, the judgment that “Red Hunter” might cause a problem upon import due to its excessive provocation of anti-Japanese sentiment, or that a sudden issue in the distribution line led to an indefinite postponement of imports…

However, at the point where both sides knew these were mere excuses, hastily concocted justifications were meaningless. In the end, it was an unjustified swordfight.

But a businessman lives and dies by performance. Thus, giving up the enormous Japanese market was out of the question.

That’s the common sense in this industry.

“Our side has prepared to give up on the Japanese market entirely.”

Lim Yang-wook shattered that common sense first.

Unexpectedly, the decision to ‘attack Japan’ was based on logical reasoning.

“It was a trouble that occurred without any fault on our side… We concluded that there’s nothing to gain by bowing down.”

Lim Yang-wook’s judgment was as follows.

It’s unclear which part of the decision-making process on the Japanese publisher’s side went wrong, but it’s clear that the issue arose not because of money but because of pride.

There’s no business-like solution to this trouble, and even if we bowed down and begged, it’s uncertain whether publishing in Japan would become possible again.

Given the circumstances, the damage must be minimized, and the crisis turned into an opportunity.

Thus, the plan to ‘attack Japan’ was devised.

“Hmm…”

Seo Woon-pil thought he was dealing with a madman bent on revenge, but it turned out he was maintaining a surprisingly cool rationality.

Seo Woon-pil adjusted his posture and listened carefully to Lim Yang-wook’s proposal.

The most critical part of Lim Yang-wook’s strategy was the ‘timing’.

“The timing is coincidentally opportune.”

Ordinarily, an individual from the Korean publishing industry attacking the Japanese publishing market would gain nothing. It’s like a dove headbutting a dinosaur, only hurting itself.

But now, the Booker International Prize selection is underway.

Until not so long ago, “A Love Story” had garnered nationwide attention, and even now, although the fervor has cooled, related issues are still ongoing. Isn’t it currently the number one bestseller in the country?

Now, while interest has not completely vanished, if we publicly condemn the Japanese publishing industry by appealing to the unjust situation that the author is in…

It could elicit nationwide sympathy for the “unfortunate genius boy being unfairly harassed by Japan.”

And that is an asset more valuable than money.

After a moment of contemplation, Seo Woon-pil nodded.

“…That’s a sound calculation.”

Both Seo Woon-pil and Lim Yang-wook were too sullied by the world to believe in the idea that ‘good writing sells well.’

Of course, good writing can sell books. But not all readers are literary critics. The writing just needs to reach a certain level.

Creating a ‘bestseller’ is something beyond just skill.

It could be the author’s good looks or attractive physique, a personal history that draws tears, a poignant history tied to the book, literary awards received through connections, a book written right before the author’s suicide, or a major promotion pushed by bookstores.

To put it bluntly, Author Moon’s writing is genius. However, compared to great authors like Park Chang-woon and Seo Woon-pil (although it’s somewhat shocking to make such a comparison at this point), it cannot be said to overshadow them.

Because what a novel encapsulates is the life and philosophy of its author, not something that can be quantitatively measured in mathematical terms.

Yet, Author Moon is outselling Park Chang-woon and Seo Woon-pil in terms of book sales volume.

Not because Author Moon writes better, but because as a teenager who grew up in a harsh environment, he made a spectacular debut in the media, gaining popularity akin to that of a celebrity with his unique character. The nomination for the Booker International Prize is just the icing on the cake.

Similarly, the reason Seo Woon-pil is recognized as one of the leading figures in the Korean literary world and leads the country’s top literary magazine is not because he overwhelms all contemporary novelists with his writing.

It’s because he wrote with his life on the line during the military regime era, had personal friendships with high-ranking politicians from both sides at the time, and played a significant role in the history of modern Korean politics.

The ‘political assets’ that elevate the value of art.

Someone obsessed with art like Gu Hak-jun might deny its existence with bloodshot eyes, but at least on this issue, Lim Yang-wook and Seo Woon-pil were in agreement.

“Author Seo Woon-pil~nim. No, CEO Seo Woon-pil~nim. Our Author Moon is no longer just an author, but a ‘star’ who can attract public interest to the Korean publishing industry. It took Japan 100 years to make its citizens read books, right? If we properly nurture Author Moon, we can reduce it to 10 years.”

“……”

“I see potential in that child. Please lend your strength.”

Lim Yang-wook’s lengthy persuasion finally surged in a wave of momentum towards Seo Woon-pil at the last moment.

The moment their eyes met, Lim Yang-wook intuitively knew that Seo Woon-pil would soon nod.

A conversation is a process of understanding each other, and the two had already understood each other.

Knowing they were of the same kind, the answer was obvious without needing to be heard.

Seo Woon-pil seemed to think the same, as instead of giving an obvious answer, he chuckled and asked,

“The backlash won’t be light… Maybe all of Baekhak Publishing’s books could be banned in Japan. Are you prepared for that?”

“I’m not from Baekhak Publishing.”

“Ah! Right, right. Heh, then only Sang-guk, that friend, will end up in a pitiful situation.”

“Haha…”

Seo Woon-pil, subtly hinting that he had noticed Lim Yang-wook using him to put Baekhak Publishing’s CEO Kim Sang-guk in a tight spot, left a message saying, ‘I’ll let this slide this time, but remember you owe me,’ and stood up from his seat.

Thus, the alliance was formed.

And if there was something the two didn’t mention until the very end, it was…

Firstly, Seo Woon-pil, who had been branded as a villain for stealing Author Moon’s literary award, could use this opportunity to wash away some of that disgrace.

Secondly, the second round of the Booker International Prize considers reader opinions, and the moment Eisaku Sidehara gets entangled in a scandal, his chances of winning decrease.

“…….”

At the Japanese restaurant Seo Woon-pil had left, Lim Yang-wook remained alone, tilting his glass.

“Keuh.”

For the first time since the Japanese publishing deal fell through, Lim Yang-wook laughed with genuine pleasure.

Revenge is indeed sweet.

* * *

<Exclusive: The Japanese publishing industry’s crackdown against Author Moon… ‘What’s the big deal with the Booker Prize?’>

<No sooner had he become a Booker Prize nominee than the Japanese publishing path was blocked, the culprit being Eisaku Sidehara?>

<Seo Woon-pil’s determined statement… “Something only children would do”>

Chaos erupted once again.

Rumor had it that right after “A Love Story” entered the Booker International Prize longlist, the Japanese publishing contract was cancelled, and public opinion was inflamed with claims that it was all a cunning strategy by Japan, fearing Korea’s growth.

Just when things seemed to quiet down, my novel was back in the 9 o’clock news, and the attention poured onto me grew even more fervent.

“Since ancient times, the Japanese have been deceitful, not keeping their faith…”

Seeing Teacher Park Chang-woon, dressed in a modernized hanbok, wandering the school with bloodshot eyes muttering to himself was enough to take one’s breath away. I have no idea why he carries a bamboo flute around.

The rush of reporters on my way to school started again, and having made it to school with difficulty, the excessive attention (not because it was bothersome, but truly) made it impossible for me not to refuse going to school.

I’m beginning to genuinely understand how soccer players feel before a Korea-Japan match…

I’m not a child. I know about the nature of the public. Right now, messages of support are pouring in, but what if I lose?

From what I’ve seen, that’s a very likely possibility.

“Maybe I’ll be offered up as a sacrifice alive in front of the Admiral Yi Sun-sin statue at Gwanghwamun Plaza?”

“Don’t say things like that!”

Fortunately, I wasn’t the only one in this situation.

Baek Seol, the translator of “A Love Story,” was also shivering next to me, biting her nails.

The Booker International Prize is a literary award given by the British literary circle to foreign works.

Thus, the translator’s contributions are also deeply highlighted alongside the author’s.

Effectively, the author and translator receive the award as a team of two.

Therefore, Baek Seol had also suddenly become a Booker International Prize nominee, and due to her nature, she was shivering, worrying more about the risk of losing than the return if she won.

And I was poking at Baek Seol’s anxieties.

“Now that it’s become a Korea-Japan match, the reaction to losing won’t be ordinary. They might even tell you to swim from the UK to Korea, or maybe, like Shim Chong, you’ll end up being thrown into the sea with the offering rice…” (TL: Shim Chong from novel The Tale of Sim Chong)

“Stop it, please, Author~nim!”

“Just kidding. At most, you’ll suffer from SNS terror, stalkers, and reporters sticking to you…”

“…Is it fun to tease adults?”

“I’m sorry!”

Baek Seol straightened up like a flip phone the moment she became serious.

It’s partly not my will. She and I are in a perfect hierarchical relationship.

Just as a frog cowers in front of a snake, an ‘artist’ instinctively bows in front of a ‘capitalist.’

She looked at me with an expression that seemed to accept her fate, smiling.

“Really… Aren’t you nervous, Author~nim?”

“I am nervous, but not anxious. I think just being nominated is already enough…”

“Don’t be negative!”

Baek Seol poked me in the side.

“You could still lose!”

“If we win, we win; if we lose, we lose. And honestly, I see a low chance of winning. I’d rather prepare for my next work, but what’s with this damn Booker Prize…”

“Stop, stop, stop, stop!”

Baek Seol, shivering with the fear of losing the Booker Prize but paradoxically wanting it more than anyone, covered her ears and fled beyond the airport gate.

Of course, I also want to win the Booker Prize. In fact, just being nominated already feels like a dream.

But how can I indulge in sweet dreams when I already know who this year’s Booker International Prize winner will be?

It’s certain. I may not know which stocks will rise this year, but I can recite the winner of the Booker Prize by heart.

Eisaku Sidehara.

He was the owner of this year’s Booker International Prize.

So, although the Booker Prize ceremony has already ended for me internally, the show must go on, which is quite a peculiar situation, isn’t it?

Apart from already knowing the outcome of a highly anticipated game, living with a different set of emotions amidst the complex flow of time, as I always feel, is both ironic and slightly lonely.

It wouldn’t be good to dwell too deeply on this feeling.

Shaking my head in denial, I followed Baek Seol to the plane.

Under the azure sky, the airplane, ready to powerfully take off from the runway, was visible.

The destination is London, England.

The purpose of the visit was the Booker International Prize longlist nominees’ reading event.

*****

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