Children on the Line
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Description
Book Introduction
Selected for the 2022 Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture Publication Support Project
Everyone wanders and searches for their way.
Family breakdown, unwanted pregnancy, bystander to school violence, bad choices…
Meet ordinary kids who are precariously standing on the line.
Author Nam Ye-eun, who debuted when her short story "Dancing with Robots" was selected as an excellent entry for the 4th Han Nak-won Science Fiction Award, has captured the realities and concerns that teenagers are facing today with her flowing writing style in her first short story collection, "Children on the Line."
The book contains four stories: “Bad Love,” “Corset,” “Children on the Line,” and “Subway Line 1.” Among them, “Corset” won the 12th Changbi Children’s Literature Award for New Writers in the Young Adult Novel Category, and “Children on the Line” won the 8th Children’s Literature Award.
The short story collection “Children on the Line” was also selected as a work for the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture’s publication support project.
"Bad Love" makes you think again about the name "family" that we always took for granted because it was close by; "Corset" mixes various emotions such as sexual issues that any teenager would worry about at least once and the choices and responsibilities that come with them; "Children on the Line" breaks out of the shell and moves forward, promising not to ignore the problems of "myself" and those around me any longer; "Subway Line 1" leaves a heavy resonance that the past can remain a different memory for others than one intended; these are stories of today's youth who often get frustrated and swept away by difficult situations, but do not give in to reality and want to make their own choices and realize things.
In this way, 『Children on the Line』 contains the stories of ‘ordinary children’ who are frustrated and troubled by their surroundings, such as school violence, bullying, conflicts with family, problems with the opposite sex, and stress about career paths.
This is a well-made coming-of-age novel that warmly encourages the author that even though it may be painful and agonizing at the moment, another path will open up once you overcome the growing pains of the mind.
Everyone wanders and searches for their way.
Family breakdown, unwanted pregnancy, bystander to school violence, bad choices…
Meet ordinary kids who are precariously standing on the line.
Author Nam Ye-eun, who debuted when her short story "Dancing with Robots" was selected as an excellent entry for the 4th Han Nak-won Science Fiction Award, has captured the realities and concerns that teenagers are facing today with her flowing writing style in her first short story collection, "Children on the Line."
The book contains four stories: “Bad Love,” “Corset,” “Children on the Line,” and “Subway Line 1.” Among them, “Corset” won the 12th Changbi Children’s Literature Award for New Writers in the Young Adult Novel Category, and “Children on the Line” won the 8th Children’s Literature Award.
The short story collection “Children on the Line” was also selected as a work for the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture’s publication support project.
"Bad Love" makes you think again about the name "family" that we always took for granted because it was close by; "Corset" mixes various emotions such as sexual issues that any teenager would worry about at least once and the choices and responsibilities that come with them; "Children on the Line" breaks out of the shell and moves forward, promising not to ignore the problems of "myself" and those around me any longer; "Subway Line 1" leaves a heavy resonance that the past can remain a different memory for others than one intended; these are stories of today's youth who often get frustrated and swept away by difficult situations, but do not give in to reality and want to make their own choices and realize things.
In this way, 『Children on the Line』 contains the stories of ‘ordinary children’ who are frustrated and troubled by their surroundings, such as school violence, bullying, conflicts with family, problems with the opposite sex, and stress about career paths.
This is a well-made coming-of-age novel that warmly encourages the author that even though it may be painful and agonizing at the moment, another path will open up once you overcome the growing pains of the mind.
- You can preview some of the book's contents.
Preview
index
bad love
corset
Children on the Line
Subway Line 1
corset
Children on the Line
Subway Line 1
Into the book
I turned on the boiler, washed my face, and made my bed.
My dad asked absentmindedly as he plugged in the cord to the electric blanket.
“How are your mom and brother?”
Dad used a towel he was holding to wipe away the dust from the electric blanket.
That was the first thing he said to me today.
My father, who is as blunt as ever, with his tightly shut mouth and unsmiling eyes.
“Well, I’m fine.
But every time I see Mrs. Jeonghee, her freckles seem to get bigger.”
I was so upset that I found fault with him for no reason.
“Really? Did Jeong-hee have freckles?”
It's serious.
It is time to call together the leaders of all sects and hold an emergency meeting.
Why did it have to be Mrs. Jeong-hee, leaving her mother struggling in a foreign land?
It was extremely, quite, terribly unpleasant.
My hair stood on end with the anger that was boiling over me.
My dad, who had no idea what was going on, went into the kitchen with the grocery bag I had brought.
I craned my neck to look in the direction where my father had disappeared, and almost fell sideways.
My heart started pounding again.
Have you seen 'that' that your mom sent by now?
--- pp.33-34 From "Bad Love"
The traditional market was deserted, perhaps because of the heat.
Walking alone under the blazing sun, I felt like a mackerel.
Me and my baby, burning hot on a bare stone brazier.
(syncopation)
What if, really what if, you don't give up the baby?
It may sound stupid, but imagination is free.
Then will I be miserable, without money, ability, or future?
It's so hot I could die, but there's no place to hide from the sun.
My head feels dizzy from the blood and moisture being sucked out.
Let's organize our thoughts one at a time.
You won't be able to hide your belly after the holidays.
I guess I have to leave the house.
Then you'll need a bag too.
I walked into a small bag shop.
The bag shop owner asked how many months it was.
Okay, drink some water first and then sit down and take your time.
Worme? No, why are you crying, baby mama?
Why are you crying, baby mama?
The landlady gave me a discount of five thousand won on the price of the bag.
--- pp.79-80 From "Corset"
“You know? I didn’t do it.”
I stated that I did not harass Youngsoo.
There was no school violence anywhere.
Ultimately, my statement helped Kiho, and Kiho ran away and transferred schools.
Dad was able to continue working, but everyone was whispering.
Mainly about me, Seo In-woo, the suspected perpetrator, and Oh Young-soo, the suspected victim.
My parents also scolded me.
The taxi company and all that crap told me that it was all just excuses.
I have to tell the truth.
You have to take responsibility.
We raised our children wrong.
We have a responsibility too.
“Seo In-woo, that kid is the worst.
“He said he never bullied me.”
Thousands of accusations were poured out on me.
I was getting smaller and smaller.
Youngsu's parents came to see me and glared at me through gritted teeth.
I know you're lying.
Why did you do that? You were Youngsoo's friend.
How could you do that!
Reporters came to my house and stopped me as I was going out, asking me questions.
Oh Young-soo hasn't regained consciousness yet. How are you feeling now? How are you feeling?
If it was so heartbreaking, why didn't anyone help Youngsoo? Why are they doing this to me now? I suddenly felt angry.
--- pp.105-106 From "Children on the Line"
“Welcome! What, are you looking for something?”
Now there was no way to back out.
At that moment, Minji met my eyes and stopped her hand, saying, “Oh.”
Then he looked closely at me, who had frozen.
The brown burn scar trembled slightly and then recognized me.
I stood blankly in front of Minji with an awkward smile and a frown.
“Huh? Your, Sanghee’s kid? Seo Sanghee!”
“Oh, okay…….
hi……?"
“Mom, it’s been so long! You haven’t changed at all.
“I’m so happy to see you!”
Minji smiled brightly at me.
Suddenly, my eyes were dazzled.
Have I ever seen such a radiant smile in recent years?
Contrary to expectations, Minji was still light, an angel, and cherry blossoms.
But no, this can't be happening.
Maybe Minji secretly has something that I don't.
As soon as I thought about that, all my motivation, which was already modest, was completely exhausted.
I was dumbfounded and took a step back.
At that moment, Minji wiped her bloody hands on her apron and grabbed my hand.
I twisted that hand away without realizing it.
Awkward timing, awkward atmosphere.
The fact that I came to Minji and shook her hand away, everything was ambiguous.
My dad asked absentmindedly as he plugged in the cord to the electric blanket.
“How are your mom and brother?”
Dad used a towel he was holding to wipe away the dust from the electric blanket.
That was the first thing he said to me today.
My father, who is as blunt as ever, with his tightly shut mouth and unsmiling eyes.
“Well, I’m fine.
But every time I see Mrs. Jeonghee, her freckles seem to get bigger.”
I was so upset that I found fault with him for no reason.
“Really? Did Jeong-hee have freckles?”
It's serious.
It is time to call together the leaders of all sects and hold an emergency meeting.
Why did it have to be Mrs. Jeong-hee, leaving her mother struggling in a foreign land?
It was extremely, quite, terribly unpleasant.
My hair stood on end with the anger that was boiling over me.
My dad, who had no idea what was going on, went into the kitchen with the grocery bag I had brought.
I craned my neck to look in the direction where my father had disappeared, and almost fell sideways.
My heart started pounding again.
Have you seen 'that' that your mom sent by now?
--- pp.33-34 From "Bad Love"
The traditional market was deserted, perhaps because of the heat.
Walking alone under the blazing sun, I felt like a mackerel.
Me and my baby, burning hot on a bare stone brazier.
(syncopation)
What if, really what if, you don't give up the baby?
It may sound stupid, but imagination is free.
Then will I be miserable, without money, ability, or future?
It's so hot I could die, but there's no place to hide from the sun.
My head feels dizzy from the blood and moisture being sucked out.
Let's organize our thoughts one at a time.
You won't be able to hide your belly after the holidays.
I guess I have to leave the house.
Then you'll need a bag too.
I walked into a small bag shop.
The bag shop owner asked how many months it was.
Okay, drink some water first and then sit down and take your time.
Worme? No, why are you crying, baby mama?
Why are you crying, baby mama?
The landlady gave me a discount of five thousand won on the price of the bag.
--- pp.79-80 From "Corset"
“You know? I didn’t do it.”
I stated that I did not harass Youngsoo.
There was no school violence anywhere.
Ultimately, my statement helped Kiho, and Kiho ran away and transferred schools.
Dad was able to continue working, but everyone was whispering.
Mainly about me, Seo In-woo, the suspected perpetrator, and Oh Young-soo, the suspected victim.
My parents also scolded me.
The taxi company and all that crap told me that it was all just excuses.
I have to tell the truth.
You have to take responsibility.
We raised our children wrong.
We have a responsibility too.
“Seo In-woo, that kid is the worst.
“He said he never bullied me.”
Thousands of accusations were poured out on me.
I was getting smaller and smaller.
Youngsu's parents came to see me and glared at me through gritted teeth.
I know you're lying.
Why did you do that? You were Youngsoo's friend.
How could you do that!
Reporters came to my house and stopped me as I was going out, asking me questions.
Oh Young-soo hasn't regained consciousness yet. How are you feeling now? How are you feeling?
If it was so heartbreaking, why didn't anyone help Youngsoo? Why are they doing this to me now? I suddenly felt angry.
--- pp.105-106 From "Children on the Line"
“Welcome! What, are you looking for something?”
Now there was no way to back out.
At that moment, Minji met my eyes and stopped her hand, saying, “Oh.”
Then he looked closely at me, who had frozen.
The brown burn scar trembled slightly and then recognized me.
I stood blankly in front of Minji with an awkward smile and a frown.
“Huh? Your, Sanghee’s kid? Seo Sanghee!”
“Oh, okay…….
hi……?"
“Mom, it’s been so long! You haven’t changed at all.
“I’m so happy to see you!”
Minji smiled brightly at me.
Suddenly, my eyes were dazzled.
Have I ever seen such a radiant smile in recent years?
Contrary to expectations, Minji was still light, an angel, and cherry blossoms.
But no, this can't be happening.
Maybe Minji secretly has something that I don't.
As soon as I thought about that, all my motivation, which was already modest, was completely exhausted.
I was dumbfounded and took a step back.
At that moment, Minji wiped her bloody hands on her apron and grabbed my hand.
I twisted that hand away without realizing it.
Awkward timing, awkward atmosphere.
The fact that I came to Minji and shook her hand away, everything was ambiguous.
--- pp.159-160 From “Subway Line 1”
Publisher's Review
"Children on the Line" contains the stories of "ordinary children" who are frustrated and troubled by their surroundings, such as school violence, bullying, conflicts with family, problems with the opposite sex, and stress about career paths.
This is a well-made coming-of-age novel that warmly encourages the author that even though it may be painful and agonizing at the moment, another path will open up once you overcome the growing pains of the mind.
“Meet ordinary children who are precariously standing on the line.”
Four stories that are all the more relatable because they are so realistic.
"Are Mom and Dad really getting a divorce? My anxiety kept surging, trying to escape." (p. 31)
If the mother and father you have trusted until now decide to disband the family, what choices will the remaining children have?
The first short story, “Bad Love,” features Rowoon, a boy born in the DMZ, a civilian-controlled area.
The whole family lived in the 'Village of Freedom', which is not even on the map, and now lives separately with their mother, leaving their father behind to support Rowoon and his brother's studies.
In "Bad Love," various forms of love are introduced.
Rowoon, who is heartbroken after being dumped by Seolyeon, who lives next door; Seolyeon, who says she hates him because he reminds her of her own mother and wants to break up with him; the father, who remains silent even when his child asks if he is going to divorce his mother; and even Mrs. Jeonghee, who prepares dinner with a face covered in red lipstick.
In this tangled web of relationships, the protagonist Rowoon decides that he will never love anyone again and monologues, "In the end, love was bad for me" (p. 42), but Rowoon gradually comes to respect and understand that choice after hearing his mother say, "I will live as myself" (p. 42).
“Bad Love” tells us that rather than worrying about what choice is best for us, our own feelings are more important now.
Just like Rowoon, who is happy because 'at this moment, love is about to begin again' (page 52) as if nothing had happened, it is said that the role of teenagers is to be true to their own emotions and take good care of themselves.
“If I cut off my stomach and trim it, will everything be okay?
“At least I think I can be more confident than I am now.” (p. 54)
The second short story, "Corset," deals with teenage pregnancy.
Whenever there is a vacation, Yeonsu always goes to the grilled fish restaurant to help her mother.
'If my mom was happy, I was happy, and if my mom was sad, I was sad' (page 57) One day, Yeon-su started hiding a huge secret in her corset, and the situation began to flow with an uneasy tension.
In the review of the 12th Changbi Children's and Youth Novel Division New Writer's Award, "Corset" was praised as "excellent for its warm perspective on a subject matter that could easily become clichéd, rather than being treated in a wasteful way," and "the optimism and affection that firmly support the work are exactly what we need now."
Yeon-su, who was a 'good daughter' who did not want to burden her sick mother, but in reality, she seemed to have become a 'bad daughter' who was busy hiding her wandering, and after endless worries, she finally made a decision of her own.
If a teenager is sometimes in denial about the reality they are in and cannot stand being themselves, wouldn't you sympathize with that decision and support it?
As my mother said, ‘There is nothing in the world that is unnecessary’ (page 95).
“I won’t go beyond that line.
So that I can breathe.
“If I go outside, I die.” (p. 112)
The title piece, “Children on the Line,” tells the story of seventeen-year-old In-woo, who locks himself in a small room as both a witness and perpetrator of school violence, and six-year-old Jeong-un, who, due to poverty, is forced to live in a cold hallway with his ankles tied with rope.
If you just look at the setting, it seems like a scary and gloomy thriller, but the author describes it as an extremely realistic story and portrays the psychology of the two children very delicately.
The guilt and self-disillusionment felt by the protagonist, In-woo, goes beyond the simple question of 'violence is bad' and makes us think deeply about adults and society that do not properly look after children and adolescents.
By overcoming their own limitations and ultimately saving one another, "Children on the Line" calmly delivers the dazzling message that "despite everything, there is hope."
“I chose silence because I knew best what it was like to not have a father.” (p. 149)
The final short story, “Subway Line 1,” is a story about different memories.
The Minji that Sanghee remembers is a really pretty girl.
A girl from a wealthy family, wearing a pink dress, shiny enamel shoes, and carrying a red school bag.
So, the scene where Minji becomes a housewife at a young age and appears in a TV documentary program with a strong appearance must be very unfamiliar to Sanghee.
Minji, who was like a cherry blossom fluttering in the wind (page 143), lives with her husband, who works part-time as a deliveryman and helps her in-laws who run a fish shop.
Sang-hee, who feels sorry that he made a 'wrong choice' and has already started a family, decides to go find Min-ji, and there he encounters an unexpected twist.
Can the past remain as the same memory for both of us?
Through “Subway Line 1,” the author meticulously captures the changing circumstances from the past to the present from each person’s perspective, delivering a weighty message that what may be a vague memory to “me” can be a vivid pain to someone else.
This is a well-made coming-of-age novel that warmly encourages the author that even though it may be painful and agonizing at the moment, another path will open up once you overcome the growing pains of the mind.
“Meet ordinary children who are precariously standing on the line.”
Four stories that are all the more relatable because they are so realistic.
"Are Mom and Dad really getting a divorce? My anxiety kept surging, trying to escape." (p. 31)
If the mother and father you have trusted until now decide to disband the family, what choices will the remaining children have?
The first short story, “Bad Love,” features Rowoon, a boy born in the DMZ, a civilian-controlled area.
The whole family lived in the 'Village of Freedom', which is not even on the map, and now lives separately with their mother, leaving their father behind to support Rowoon and his brother's studies.
In "Bad Love," various forms of love are introduced.
Rowoon, who is heartbroken after being dumped by Seolyeon, who lives next door; Seolyeon, who says she hates him because he reminds her of her own mother and wants to break up with him; the father, who remains silent even when his child asks if he is going to divorce his mother; and even Mrs. Jeonghee, who prepares dinner with a face covered in red lipstick.
In this tangled web of relationships, the protagonist Rowoon decides that he will never love anyone again and monologues, "In the end, love was bad for me" (p. 42), but Rowoon gradually comes to respect and understand that choice after hearing his mother say, "I will live as myself" (p. 42).
“Bad Love” tells us that rather than worrying about what choice is best for us, our own feelings are more important now.
Just like Rowoon, who is happy because 'at this moment, love is about to begin again' (page 52) as if nothing had happened, it is said that the role of teenagers is to be true to their own emotions and take good care of themselves.
“If I cut off my stomach and trim it, will everything be okay?
“At least I think I can be more confident than I am now.” (p. 54)
The second short story, "Corset," deals with teenage pregnancy.
Whenever there is a vacation, Yeonsu always goes to the grilled fish restaurant to help her mother.
'If my mom was happy, I was happy, and if my mom was sad, I was sad' (page 57) One day, Yeon-su started hiding a huge secret in her corset, and the situation began to flow with an uneasy tension.
In the review of the 12th Changbi Children's and Youth Novel Division New Writer's Award, "Corset" was praised as "excellent for its warm perspective on a subject matter that could easily become clichéd, rather than being treated in a wasteful way," and "the optimism and affection that firmly support the work are exactly what we need now."
Yeon-su, who was a 'good daughter' who did not want to burden her sick mother, but in reality, she seemed to have become a 'bad daughter' who was busy hiding her wandering, and after endless worries, she finally made a decision of her own.
If a teenager is sometimes in denial about the reality they are in and cannot stand being themselves, wouldn't you sympathize with that decision and support it?
As my mother said, ‘There is nothing in the world that is unnecessary’ (page 95).
“I won’t go beyond that line.
So that I can breathe.
“If I go outside, I die.” (p. 112)
The title piece, “Children on the Line,” tells the story of seventeen-year-old In-woo, who locks himself in a small room as both a witness and perpetrator of school violence, and six-year-old Jeong-un, who, due to poverty, is forced to live in a cold hallway with his ankles tied with rope.
If you just look at the setting, it seems like a scary and gloomy thriller, but the author describes it as an extremely realistic story and portrays the psychology of the two children very delicately.
The guilt and self-disillusionment felt by the protagonist, In-woo, goes beyond the simple question of 'violence is bad' and makes us think deeply about adults and society that do not properly look after children and adolescents.
By overcoming their own limitations and ultimately saving one another, "Children on the Line" calmly delivers the dazzling message that "despite everything, there is hope."
“I chose silence because I knew best what it was like to not have a father.” (p. 149)
The final short story, “Subway Line 1,” is a story about different memories.
The Minji that Sanghee remembers is a really pretty girl.
A girl from a wealthy family, wearing a pink dress, shiny enamel shoes, and carrying a red school bag.
So, the scene where Minji becomes a housewife at a young age and appears in a TV documentary program with a strong appearance must be very unfamiliar to Sanghee.
Minji, who was like a cherry blossom fluttering in the wind (page 143), lives with her husband, who works part-time as a deliveryman and helps her in-laws who run a fish shop.
Sang-hee, who feels sorry that he made a 'wrong choice' and has already started a family, decides to go find Min-ji, and there he encounters an unexpected twist.
Can the past remain as the same memory for both of us?
Through “Subway Line 1,” the author meticulously captures the changing circumstances from the past to the present from each person’s perspective, delivering a weighty message that what may be a vague memory to “me” can be a vivid pain to someone else.
GOODS SPECIFICS
- Date of issue: April 5, 2024
- Page count, weight, size: 172 pages | 272g | 138*205*11mm
- ISBN13: 9791192411958
- ISBN10: 1192411951
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