Why I am a novelist

Why I am a novelist
The power of story
Twenty years old, ended as soon as it began
The story of my grandfather who raised me
Around the time of debut
My Experience My Literature
For children who want to become writers

Was time a god?

Was time a god?
The most beautiful thing in the world
Who am I
thirst for books
cute grandma
Incredible photos, incredible memories
Three-year-old habit
The storehouse of my memories
The cat is laughing

The force that sustains the world

Transparent and honest
The force that sustains the world
Gender equality in the home
Wisdom in sharing holidays

Is rural life peaceful?

Thank you for your kind efforts
Sky scary thoughts
Is rural life peaceful?
Spring magpie flower, dog testicle flower
Will I be able to see it in my lifetime?
What is my motherland to me?
Energy received from nature lasts a long time.

Ongdal spring deep in the mountains

Ongdal spring deep in the mountains
Plain and free
No shade at all
Now enjoy a sweet sleep
Pride in literature
Every time I see a proud tree
Great comfort
A writer standing in the midst of turbulent times
Neither too much nor too little
Within the natural order
To my beloved grandson

When publishing a book
Author's chronology

“There are so many writings that haven’t been published in books…”
A manuscript collected by the author himself, a voice like a will

It was about a year after author Park Wan-seo passed away.
Just as I was feeling a great sense of regret at not being able to see any more collections of prose after the one I published during my lifetime, 『The Road Not Taken Is More Beautiful』, I discovered manuscripts that had not been published in any book.
The eldest daughter, Ho Won-suk, found a bundle of manuscripts that the author had kept in his laptop and desk drawer.
It contains the last writing he wrote while alive, and has the resonance of a will.


"Pretty Things in the World" is a book that compiles 38 of these manuscripts, written after 2000.
He unraveled the daily episodes of his life of nearly eighty years with his unique sensitivity and insight.
It is summarized as an autobiographical confession that reveals the history of becoming a writer (Part 1, “Why Am I a Novelist”), enlightenment in everyday life (Part 2, “Was Time God?”), a message to this era and society (Part 3, “The Force that Supports the World”), stories about home, nature, and the motherland (Part 4, “Is Country Life Peaceful?”), and writings for people I miss (Part 5, “A Spring Deep in the Mountains”).
These are writings written in various formats and settings, such as conversations with readers, lectures, answers to elementary school students' questionnaires, letters, and dedications.


At the end, there is a piece written by Ho Won-suk in memory of her mother, author Park Wan-seo, which tells the story of why she published this book.
He said that when he realized that despite having published so many books, there were still many unpublished works, he felt a pang of sadness in his heart, as if he could hear his mother's sigh rather than joy and happiness.
I hope that mothers' voices will be heard through this book.

"Stories raised me, time healed me."
Precious lives, moments, and relationships that have passed

As the title “Pretty Things in the World” symbolizes, the artist captures the power of new life, precious beings, and moments that give hope even in desperate situations.
The author lost her husband and son in succession in 1988.
It tells of memories of incomparable sorrow and pain, sometimes calmly, sometimes poignantly.
Whatever the expression, the pain touches our hearts as we read it.
However, the author says that even the pain that felt like death was healed by the power of new life.


He also says, “If there is one valuable experience I have realized while living to this age, it is that there is no misfortune or disaster that time cannot solve,” and “If so, isn’t time another name for God?” (p. 80, from “Was Time God?”). While enduring the pain of death, he tasted the joy of new life and found comfort in the people he cherished, and realized the power of time.
If we can glimpse his destiny and pride as a writer in the words, “It was the story of my grandfather that raised me,” we can see that it was time and the power of precious beings that healed him.

“If I can take the memories of love with me, I won’t even fear death.”
A time to reflect on Park Wan-seo, the human being and the author.

As the author said, “Imagination is love,” the theme that runs through this book could be said to be ‘love.’
This is because the hatred and desire for revenge, the hardships and rewards of writing, and the sorrow of bereavement that were engraved in me during the turbulent modern history, were ultimately overcome and covered by the love I shared with others.
Park Wan-seo, the eternal adult and mother writer.
He does not speak of any enlightenment or teaching that transcends reality.
As I have done throughout my life, I show a cross-section of life that I felt and thought about with a sensitivity that has not aged.
In the voice of human Park Wan-seo and author Park Wan-seo alone.