“If you don’t light a fire every morning,
Because the night never ends in this world.”
Presented by Liu Cixin, the first Asian Hugo Award-winning author
A sci-fi fantasy tale containing the secrets of love and the universe.

The protagonists of the global 'Three-Body Syndrome', Hugo, Locus, and Arthur C.
Clark Award-winning author Liu Cixin presents his first children's story.
"The Fire Keeper" is the story of an old man who keeps fire on an island at the easternmost end of the world, and Sasha, a pure young man who comes to find him.
Everyone in this world has their own star.
When the star loses its light, people also become sick.

The mysterious journey of Sasha, who tries to repair her star to save his girlfriend, Ridina, and the fire keeper who reluctantly accepts his request unfolds.
Can Sasha let her beloved Lidina live in the sunshine?

In a written interview with Influential, author Ryu Cixin said the book started with the desire to “create a virtual universe” and “build a world in imagination.”
We invite you, our readers, into a virtual universe created by Ryu Cixin's wondrous imagination.

“Because you know what love is.”
A fairy tale for adults that asks what true love means.

The Fire Keeper is a science fiction fantasy fairy tale and a fable about love.
It contains a philosophical message about sublime love and sacrifice.
The fire keeper, who goes out to sea every day to light a fire in the sun, is depicted as a mythical being who endures self-sacrifice without resting even for a single day.
Sasha, who came to find him, shows her passionate love, swearing that she will pay any price to save her girlfriend.
But at the end of the story, he is faced with a difficult choice.
This is because the love the author speaks of is not just a simple emotion, but a sublime dimension based on sacrifice and devotion.
This short fable poses a serious question: what is precious to you as the sun, and the weight of the sacrifices and responsibilities you must bear to protect it.

“I hope this fairy tale touches your heart and gives you love and courage.
“I hope this will be the power that lights up your own sun.” ― Liu Cixin

The amazing imagination of science fiction master Liu Cixin,
Encounter the sensibilities of Bologna Prize-winning author Kwak Su-jin.

The original Korean version of "The Fire Keeper" was created in collaboration with artist Kwak Su-jin.
Artist Kwak Su-jin, who has been recognized worldwide for her talent and sensibility by winning the Grand Prize at the Bologna Children's Book Fair's Silent Book Contest, the World Illustration Awards, and being nominated for the Yoto Carnegie Medal, has breathed new life into the fairytale-like imagination of the original text by adding her own interpretation and sensibility.
You will encounter the world of "The Fire Keeper," completed with tangible textures, dreamy colors, and warm emotions.

“Perhaps the fire keeper is asking this question:

“What is the fire you want to protect until the end?” ― Kwak Su-jin

A special interview with author Liu Cixin to commemorate the publication of "The Fire Keeper."

Influential: It's an honor to meet author Ryu Cixin.
"The Fire Keeper" is the author's first published children's book.
In fact, a fairy tale appeared in The Three-Body Problem.
What does writing fairy tales mean to you, and how does it differ from writing other novels?

Ryu Cixin: Writing a fairy tale is different from writing a science fiction novel.
Because we don't have to adhere to the basic laws of science, we can imagine more freely.
But even when I write fairy tales, I try to create a world in my imagination.
I wanted to create a world that didn't follow the laws of science, but had its own complete logic.

Influential: You said that your motivation for writing this book was 'to create a virtual universe.'
In fact, The Firekeeper contains a very detailed description of space travel and is full of amazing imagination about the principles of the universe, such as the sun rising like a hot air balloon.
Where did you get this idea?

Ryu Cixin: I read a lot of fantasy novels and tried to imagine a world outside of science.
A world with its own unique rules of operation.
I find such imaginary worlds incredibly fascinating. Having spent a long time in the scientific world of science fiction, I was inspired to explore new perspectives, and this is what inspired me.


Influential: When Sasha decides to stay on the island to keep her promise, the Firekeeper says it's because Sasha "knows love."
It also seems that the fire keeper has been working hard all his life with a loving heart.
What do you think true love is?

Ryu Cixin: True love is a very intense spiritual state.
It's a complex web of many things, and sacrifice, dedication, and responsibility for the object of your love are among them.

Influential: Another interesting aspect of this work is that illustrators from Korea, China, and Japan each drew it with their own unique personalities and imaginations.
I'm curious about your impressions of the illustrations by artist Kwak Su-jin, who was in charge of the Korean version.

Ryu Cixin: I really like the illustrations in the Korean version.
The composition is simple yet beautiful, and the dreamy atmosphere of childhood is vivid and accurate, I think.


Influential: Finally, please give a word to your Korean readers.
Ryu Cixin: Hello, Korean readers.
I hope this fairy tale touches your heart, conveys love and courage, and empowers you to light your own sun.

A word from the author, illustrator, and translator

“This fairy tale started with the desire to create a virtual universe.
Although it is a place completely different from the real universe in terms of structure and operating principles, it is not logically contradictory and basically conforms to the scientific laws of the real universe.
Conceiving such a universe is akin to writing a science fiction novel.
Fairy tale characters unfold their stories in this fictional universe.
They have god-like powers within this fairytale world, but at the same time live the lives of ordinary people.
“Please read their story that unfolds in a virtual universe.”
- Ryu Cixin (author)

“While drawing this story, I thought for a long time about what ‘fire’ is.
As the story progressed, I came to see the fire keeper not only as a protector of fire, but also as someone who protected his own beliefs.
It seemed to project the human will to maintain hope even in the face of loneliness and trials, and the heart to sacrifice for loved ones.
Perhaps the fire keeper is asking:
“What is the fire that you want to keep until the end?”
- Kwak Su-jin (Greenie)

“Just like Yun Tianming in The Three-Body Problem who gave a star to his lover, Sasha polishes the star of her lover.
Yun Tianming went into space for humanity, and Sasha lit the sun for the world.
What guided their choices was the simplest power that arose from the heart toward someone.
Love is the power that protects the world.
“Isn’t this the message that Liu Cixin was trying to convey, hidden in this fairy tale, just like in Yun Tianming’s three fairy tales?”
- Heo Yu-yeong (translator)