Yum yum
Author's Note

Yum yum, the sound I want to hear over and over again
I want to give you all the delicious things in the world

Chaewon, who has been the class president since the 4th grade of elementary school and the 2nd grade of middle school, meets Seowoo, a child who often forgets homework and supplies, making her nervous all the time.
One day, Chae-won realizes that Seo-woo's eyes are a pretty hazel color, and from then on, she starts to watch Seo-woo continuously. She also learns that Seo-woo sleeps face down during class, that he likes fish cake and kimchi, and that he makes a 'yum yum' sound when he eats.

While Lee Seo-woo was eating ice cream, I watched him without missing a single moment and listened intently to the sounds of him eating.
When I was eating, strangely enough, I heard a yum yum sound.
It was like a character from a cartoon.
I'm glad I'm the only one who knows about this beauty.
I suddenly thought.
(Pages 31-32)

Chaewon's appearance of taking care of Seo-woo, observing her, and waiting for her, and Chaewon's thoughts of wanting Seo-woo to "eat more delicious food, more often" (page 52) are familiar to teenagers who have watched someone carefully at least once.

The excitement that bloomed in a midsummer convenience store
How can I convey my honest feelings?

Chaewon, who keeps wanting to hear Seowoo's voice saying "Yum yum," makes up various excuses to pack lunches for herself and share them with Seowoo during summer vacation.
From tteokbokki, which Seo-woo likes the most, to apples and bananas, and sometimes even beef or soy sauce marinated crab.
Seo-woo feels so happy when he empties his lunch box.
As they spend time together under the convenience store parasol, Chaewon also gets to know the many sides of Seowoo, whom she had always thought was timid and in need of care.

But as the small lies that started out of a desire to eat something delicious together pile up little by little, Chae-won belatedly realizes that they could have hurt Seo-woo.
How can I tell Seo-woo the truth without hurting her feelings?

A desire to share good things
The purest love story

Chae-won, who always wanted to give good things to Seo-woo, on the contrary, when she receives something from Seo-woo, she worries and realizes, “Can I really accept everything that is so precious?” (page 78).
It takes courage to receive, and Seo-woo has also been giving for herself.
"Yum Yum" examines the desire to give something to the other person, while also not missing the desire to receive something from the other person.
The fact that we need to be considerate of others not only when giving but also when receiving is reminded through these two children who have the courage to express their sincere feelings to each other.

I wanted to portray pure love, without any sympathy or pity.
A desire to share good things together.
A beautiful emotion that is concise.
(From the author's note)

Concluding a lovely story that touches one's heart as one reads, Baek On-yu shares his thoughts, saying, "I wanted to portray pure love."
As we watch Chaewon and Seowoo spend their summer vacation eating tteokbokki, readers will also find themselves smiling as they quietly think of someone they would like to share something delicious with.

Series Introduction

The first path to encountering a novel
A welcome reading for those who have grown distant from books, a first encounter with a novel.

'First Encounter with a Novel' is a thin and beautiful paperback book decorated with a new sensibility.
A literary masterpiece, this short story is richly illustrated.
With engaging stories, short volumes of less than 100 pages, and captivating illustrations, it allows even those who lack time or are unfamiliar with reading to easily access excellent contemporary works.
For adolescent readers who have stopped reading at fairy tales, it will serve as a stepping stone to novels.
To pump water from a deep well, you must pour a bucket of water from above.
The "First Encounter with a Novel" series will serve as a welcome aid to those who have become increasingly distant from literature, helping them reconnect with books and inject fresh vitality into our reading culture.


Author's Note

I wanted to portray pure love, without any sympathy or pity.
A desire to share good things together.
A beautiful emotion that is concise.

Chaewon and Seowoo's summer must have been a bearable season.