“What if the name disappears?
“What if there is no one left who calls my name?”

"The Shadow that Steals Names" is a coming-of-age fantasy novel about a boy who once denied himself, who learns the courage to overcome his wounds and fears and protect his own existence and that of others.

Ji-hoon has had many scars since childhood.


Every time the name was called, laughter from my friends followed, and the more I remembered it, the more I was mocked.
So Ji-hoon wished that no one would call him and that he would be erased from this world.
But one day, his only friend, Junseo, completely disappears from everyone's memories, and only Jihoon remembers Junseo, and he feels afraid that he too will be forgotten.
Ji-hoon faces off against an unidentified entity to retrieve his missing friend. Will he be able to remember and save his friend until the end?

“Junseo? Who is that?”
Jihoon was speechless for a moment.
“No, we were sitting together until yesterday.
“A big kid who is good at math.”
But Minsu smiled with a playful expression and shook his head.
“There’s no one like that in our class? Did you dream about that?”
Laughter erupted around them.
Jihoon felt his face flush.
But it was no joke.
It was definitely there.
clearly…….
--- p.17~18

“Ji-hoon, why are you so desperate to hold onto Jun-seo? Honestly, aren’t you scared?”
Instead of answering, Jihoon closed his eyes.
And after a while, he said in a low voice.
"scared.
But if I saw that child, my only friend, disappear, if no one remembered him, and if even I forgot him, I think that would be crueler than death.
A name is the weight of that person.
“I don’t want to lose that weight.”
--- p.64~65

Ji-hoon spoke sincerely for the first time.
“Thank you for calling my name.
“I was afraid that no one would call me… … but hearing it again like this makes me believe that I am alive.”
Nayoung smiled, but her eyes were hard.
“Me too.
If no one remembers my name, I'll feel like I've disappeared too.
So let's hold on to each other.
out."
--- p.102

Jihoon was shaken.
Memories of middle school came to mind, the days when no one called my name.
The moment when I thought I would rather disappear, that I didn't even want to leave my name behind, lingered in my ears again.
But he raised his head, clutching his student ID.
"no.
There was a time when I wanted to erase myself, but not anymore.
I will stay.
And I will call out the names that have disappeared until the end.”
--- p.119

“Then you have to endure endless suffering.
Memories will leave scars, and names will be mocked again.
You choose.
“Is it a comfortable oblivion? Or a heavy memory?”
Jihoon whispered quietly but clearly.
“Yes, I will remember the pain too.
Because wounds are also a part of me.
“Because it’s proof that I’m alive.”

--- p.146