Someone is hiding in our house!
Kongi's house is a mess again today.
There are piles of dishes in the sink, laundry hanging out on the veranda, and Kong's toys rolling around in the living room.
That's not all.
Yesterday was curry, today is curry, and maybe tomorrow too! I've been eating all the curry I made over the weekend for days now.
Kongi's mom and dad had a war of nerves today as well because of the housework that was piling up.
But one day, somehow, the familiar scenery of this house began to change little by little.
The dishes that were piled high in the sink are gone, the laundry that was strewn across the veranda is now clean and hanging on the clothesline, and finally, a wonderful breakfast table is set.
Who on earth is doing such a brave thing?
Kongi's family of three, unable to contain their curiosity, gather in the living room and decide to stand guard.
It was when Kongi started to nod off, Mom started to nod off, and Dad started to nod off.
Kong hears the door creaking open in his room.
The family of three woke up with a start and peeked into the living room through the crack in the door… … .
What on earth was the identity of this strange night guest?

A slow but surprising change brought about by a secret guest!
As the coronavirus pandemic drags on, I think the people who are having the hardest time are probably housewives.
As the time children spend at home increases, the time spent on childcare and housework also increases.
The circumstances of author Shin Min-jae, who wrote and illustrated this book, are not much different.
With the kids taking remote classes and my husband working from home, my workload has multiplied.
It was around the time when Dalpyeong came to see the writer that he let out a silent scream, “Someone help me!”

The starting point of "Welcome, Dalpyeong" was a childlike wish that "I wish I had a daughter-in-law, too."
But comfort or vicarious satisfaction for mothers is not the destination.
A warm meal, neat clothes, a comfortable bed, a clean bathroom… Perhaps author Shin Min-jae wanted to tell the story that the everyday things that the whole family takes for granted are not, in fact, things that are taken for granted.

Mr. Dalpyeong is a very clever housekeeper, but he can't magically get everything done.
Kong, who was waiting for dinner, was so slow that his father couldn't stand it anymore and had to roll up his sleeves and go out himself.
I can't even imagine how much time and effort Mr. Dalpyeong must have put into preparing steaming meals every morning and evening, sweeping and cleaning the entire house until it was sparkling clean, and washing the laundry until it smelled fresh and sunny.
And there are many Dalpyeongs around us.
Writer Shin Min-jae is also one of the Dalpyeongs.
When they give up the comfort they had built on Dalpyeong's one-sided sacrifice and service, an unexpected joy comes to all three members of Kongi's family.
Dad realizes he has a talent for cooking and takes on the responsibility of preparing meals for the family.
They even dabble in confectionery and baking.
Mom finds fun in organizing.
And then I still have time left, so I start knitting again.
Kongi became a master at matching socks.

Not every family that comes across this book can change like Kongi's right away.
But at least it could be an opportunity to reflect on where the comfort they enjoy comes from.
Furthermore, it would be wonderful if we could convey our gratitude and respect to the countless Dalpyeongs who are right next to us.


Author's Note
As the whole family spends more time at home, the amount of work to do has also increased significantly.
If we all share it together before the nagging bomb explodes, it will go down quickly.
Can't we all share the housework a little bit?