“See you again, my delicious lunchbox”
Grandma from Hyehwa-dong shouts 'No Problem' with warm rice!
A true adult has appeared to comfort us, each of us living for ourselves.

Kim Ji-yoon's "Hyehwa-dong Story" from "Yeonnam-dong's Binggul Binggul Laundry"

The world's most delicious meal, filling your hungry heart, begins! This touching human drama centers around the small Hyehwa-dong restaurant "Matna Dosirak," where owner Jeong Geum-nam and a group of people united by their love for food come together and save one another.

"See You Again" is a new novel by Jiyoon Kim, a hot topic at the 2024 London Book Fair.
The previous work, 『Yeonnam-dong Ice Cave Laundry』, became a bestseller immediately after publication and was also produced as a musical of the same name, and was exported to 14 countries around the world, including the world's largest publishing group, Hachette.
The new work also received a lot of attention even before its release.
It was serialized in advance in Crema Club and ranked first in the daily and weekly Korean novel rankings. It also exceeded its pre-production funding goal by 342%, raising high expectations from many readers.
“A story that makes you cry and snot your nose, but also warms your heart!” “If only we all had someone like this, it would be so encouraging,” said an enthusiastic reader. Many people have shown sympathy and support for this heartwarming story that melts frozen hearts in these times when everyone is trying to survive on their own.

Where does the power to heal our wounds and pain lie? Perhaps it lies in a simple meal, in a small but affectionate conversation with someone.
The greatest appeal of this novel lies in the discovery of a mysterious baby basket in front of a store one day.
"See You Again" depicts the process of people of all ages and genders becoming neighbors by sharing a warm meal every day and gradually revealing their unspeakable pain and wounds.
If you're a reader in need of a hearty meal to fill your hungry heart, open the door to a delicious lunchbox filled with laughter, emotion, friendship, and love.

Geumnam took off her pink rubber gloves with lace, placed them on the sink, and walked slowly.
As I walked past the counter and around the display refrigerator, a cold sweat ran down my back for no reason.
It definitely didn't sound like a cat meowing.
But there's no way the baby would be here.
Geumnam chuckled as if he had imagined something ridiculous.
And as I turned the corner, my heart sank.
It was definitely a baby crying, wrapped in a white swaddle with a small moon and stars on it.

--- p.17 From "Chapter 1, Hello, Jeong-i"

“Okay, nine nine eight eight one three four! Ta-da!”
As Geumnam shouted out a slogan in a loud voice, the baby in the carrier smiled brightly.
“Yes, nine nine eight eight one three four!”
Mrs. Tteok followed Geumnam's lead and clinked yogurt.
It was a 'sad and funny' toast for the elderly, saying that they would live vigorously until they were 99, get sick for three days, and go to heaven on the fourth day.
“Well then, have a nice day.”
The baby laughed whenever Geumnam said something.
He smiled brightly and made a squeaking sound.
How could you leave such a smiling baby behind?
Your mom too, what on earth happened…?

--- p.34 From "Chapter 1, Hello, Jeong-i"

The two shared a delicious lunchbox every Wednesday at Marronnier Park and Naksan Park.
Sometimes the tree was there and sometimes it wasn't.
Heung-min, who can't eat spicy food, was gradually getting used to the tingling pain on his tongue thanks to Hae-young.
They also showed each other the note from Geumnam that came out when they finished eating and took it to heart together.
So, Haeyoung, who will be forty in a few days, and Heungmin, who is fifteen, became friends.
The two talked about the trivial things that happened that day, and the main topic was that Heung-min had a crush on Ye-jeong and wanted to be her partner, but also didn't want to be.
However, the two recently became partners, and since then, Heung-min said that he only stares at the blackboard all day at school and doesn't even go to the bathroom because he's afraid his heart will jump out.
Just in case it smells.
Heh heh.

--- pp.126-127 From "Chapter 2, Hello, Heungmin"

“Ah, I feel like I can live a little now.”
As soon as I put in the hot and spicy food, my stomach, which had been feeling nauseous, seemed to calm down a little.
After facing the word failure for several years, all the carefulness I had taken in walking, eating, and drinking felt meaningless.
If you feel better, then come visit me.
My pretty angel.
Haeyoung swallowed her tears and ate all her food.
I needed the note Geumnam left behind.
A word from that person who is always full of laughter.

〈You don't know how much your hands hurt when you cook spicy food.
If red pepper powder touches your skin, it will still be bitter for hours.
Today, I will take care of everything that hurts.
You who eat are just happy.
Have a nice day, Tongue!
Tears finally fell from her big eyes.
I missed my father.
My father, who used his clumsy hands to pack my college entrance exam lunchbox in place of my mother who passed away early.
Why does it sound like I'm nasally when I call with a voice like this?
Did you cry?
What did you hear at the hospital?
I wanted to hear my father's voice asking questions in circles, but I held back.
Instead, I drank shikhye with ice cubes floating on it.
It was the food that best showcased Geumnam's cooking skills.
A sweet, cool, refreshing taste that no one dares to imitate.
I swallowed it because of the taste.
This sadness.
--- p.128 From "Chapter 2, Hello, Heungmin"

“Then eat the remaining spoonful.”
He scooped up a large spoonful of rice and put it in Eunseok's mouth.
Today, as always, there was a shiny, folded silver note under the rice.
Jeong-i carefully unfolded the foil.
A white piece of paper with Geumnam's handwriting on it was visible.

"They say what's most precious is invisible to the eyes, right? That's why that young prince said that.
Then let's look at the same thing today.
The most precious thing is invisible to the eye.
okay?>
It was Jeong-i's voice, but for some reason it felt like Grandma Geum-nam was right next to her.
It was a tone of voice that supported the voice, and it was a warm and comforting feeling.
Right above Geum Nam-sik.
--- p.196 From "Chapter 3: Hello, Mr. Egg"

Geumnam seemed a little nervous about picking out a tarot card for the first time in his life, and picked out the cards on the left, middle, and last.
Mr. Kim took a deep breath and flipped over.
A card unfolds showing a lion crouching as if its neck had been broken, an emperor sitting on a splendid chair holding scales, and a full hourglass falling on the beach.
Seeing Mr. Kim frowning, Geumnam felt unnecessarily nervous.
"now….
Time is up.
“It’s time to write.”
“What are you talking about? Time is up?”
“That’s the card.
There is no sand in the hourglass… not even a single grain of sand.
“Why did you draw this card…?”
Mr. Kim rolled his eyes and spoke cautiously.
--- pp.230-231 From "Chapter 4, Hello, Moon Jeong-ah"

A taxi stopped in front of Geumnam.
Geumnam, who had gotten into the car, spoke to the driver.
“Let’s go to Apgujeong Department Store!”
“Department store? Why there?”
Moon-Jeong asked, but Geum-Nam kept her mouth shut and said nothing.
It was unfair.
I couldn't give in like this.
Nursing home? Huh! I snorted.
This seems to be Geum Nam-sik's fight against illness.
As if in awe, I strained my eyes and opened them wide! I looked out the window at the hospital, which was moving away, grumbling.
No, I glared at him.
The taxi arrived in front of the department store.
I went straight up the escalator.
Instead of standing still on the moving escalator, I went up while making a sound of footsteps.
I soon went to a store that sells travel carriers.
“Give me the biggest carrier here!”
Moon Jeong, who followed behind, smiled at Geum Nam's back.
I was scared and afraid, so I stood there holding my trembling legs while my mom spoke so cheerfully, and my nose stung.

--- pp.317-318 From "Chapter 5: See You Again"

When I look back and think about why I chose to run a restaurant business among the many businesses I've run, I think I was hungry many days in my past.
Every day I starve and feel hungry… .
So the spatula in my kitchen is unusually large and my lunch box is always overflowing.
I believe in the saying that mother's hands are healing hands and food is medicine.
I believe that the food that passes through my hands can make you laugh, cry, and rise again.
I believe that is love.
Haven't you been thinking about that again these past few days? Life blooms and then fades.
I know I lost, but I have no idea when it started.
In fact, perhaps it was blooming all along? To put it splendidly.
Don't forget.
That you are always blooming.

--- pp.322-323 From "Chapter 5: See You Again"