“Then what happened to the rabbit that lost the race?”

One of the most common questions asked by children after reading the picture book “Super Turtle” is, “So what happened to the rabbit?”
There is a cute protest that if there is a backstory for the turtle that won the race, shouldn't there also be a backstory for the rabbit that lost the race?
Author Yoo Seol-hwa's new work, "Super Rabbit," is a picture book that answers that question.
In "Super Turtles," the rabbit Jappala, who challenged the turtle Kkumul, appears as the main character.

Jaepal, who had experienced an unexpected defeat, could not readily accept the result of the match.
They grab the onlookers and make excuses, and even throw a tantrum by saying, "This match is invalid."
But no one listens to those words.
Because the attention of the onlookers is completely focused on the new star, Kkumulee.
Jaepal wishes all this was a dream, but it can't be.
I dreamed of becoming a giant rabbit and wreaking havoc on the world that remembered my failures. When I woke up, the streetscape had changed.
Instead of 'Super Rabbit', signs are being hung that say 'Super Turtle', and turtle shells are being sold instead of rabbit t-shirts.


Jaepal tries hard to pretend that he's okay, but... ... he's not okay.
Whenever I hear the word 'running', my ears perk up, wondering if someone is making fun of me.
Jaeppal, who was growing tired of caring about what other people said and stared at, finally decided to stop running.
Soon after, after 'gritty' training, he is reborn as a rabbit that never runs no matter what happens.
But… is it okay if the rabbit doesn’t jump?

“Don’t ignore your own heart while being conscious of other people’s gaze.”

Yoo Seol-hwa is a writer who asks questions.
Beginning with "Super Turtle," I've been asking myself and my readers questions like, "What does it mean to live authentically?", "What is family?", "What is happiness?", and "Why do others judge the value of my existence?"
But in this book, it provides answers rather than questions.
In fact, the question, "What happens to the rabbit that loses the race?" was asked by writers before children.
When the author first conceived of "Super Turtle," he intended to present the story of a turtle that won a race and a rabbit that lost side by side.
However, it is said that the rabbit's actions, which were the first to experience failure in what he was most confident in, were difficult to picture in his mind.
The writer was blinded by the stereotype that rabbits are already at the top of their field.


But when he met the children, the blindfold fell off.
That's because there were so many little rabbits around me who only wanted to do what they were good at, didn't want to do what they were bad at, only wanted to be praised, and yet couldn't avoid failure.
As he listened to the story of these young rabbits, the sleeping Japalla in the author's heart woke up and began to move.
It also made me remember that the author himself was once a young rabbit.

Super Rabbit is like a mirror that reflects how we deal with mistakes and failures.
Denying, getting angry, giving up, being sensitive, and eventually even avoiding… … .
Still, I think it's because of the author's warm gaze and sense of humor that I watch and cheer for him until the end.
Not only is the skill of delicately and wittily depicting Jaepal's emotional changes, eliciting both empathy and laughter, but the consideration of hiding elements in every corner that children will discover and enjoy first is also admirable.
For example, the original story “The Tortoise and the Hare,” which was drawn from the perspective of the slow-witted in “Super Turtle,” is drawn from the perspective of the slow-witted in “Super Rabbit.”
The new story of the raccoon, who has been active as a 'true fan' of Jaeppalra in many of the author's works, is also included (this raccoon is said to be children's favorite character in the author's books).

But perhaps the true value of this book lies in the author's soft, slow voice heard from beyond the pages.
It's okay to make mistakes.
It's okay to fail.
Don't make the mistake of ignoring your own heart while being conscious of other people's gaze.
Just keep doing what you love.' I hope that this answer, which the author, who was once a rabbit and once a turtle, found while slowly walking his own path, will also reach the hearts of readers.

Author's Note

Everyone makes mistakes and fails in life.
At times like that, if someone just pats you on the shoulder and says, “It’s okay,” you can quickly shake it off and get up.
I wanted to say the same thing to the rabbit who lost the race with the turtle.
It's nothing serious, so you can get up and run again.
This book was made possible thanks to the many children who read "The Super Turtle" and asked, "So what happened to the rabbit?"
I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude.