The Reason I Wrote the Book
Preparations for the Song of the Sword premiere were in full swing. Invited ordinary citizens and journalists alike... With a whopping 30 billion won production budget hyped up as a grand historical drama, they were pouring in the investments big time. If this flopped, there'd be no turning back. If it tanked, KBA probably wouldn't touch a historical drama for years. That's how massive the investment was.
The actors in the drama were suffering tremendously too. They were dragged to this premiere after barely sleeping for hours. And even after the premiere ended, it wasn't over—they had to head back to filming. This era had a lot of Spartan-style shoots. It was a time when actors' and staff's labor rights were pretty low.
But a suspicious rumor was circulating among the actors. They didn't just jump into any drama. They reviewed the script and all that before choosing. Of course, lesser-known actors would dive in without a second thought if casted—that alone was a huge opportunity for them. But actors of a certain caliber picked their dramas carefully. It made sense. Filming a low-quality drama could tank their popularity and waste precious time.
For actors who could choose their projects, time was money. Spending it on a flop was a bad call—it was like throwing away slots for other dramas or commercials.
"But Su-yeon, did you hear the rumor that the scriptwriter for this drama is a kid?"
"A kid? Isn't the scriptwriter Kim Min-gyu?"
"Yeah, Kim Min-gyu is writing it, but he said from the midpoint on, he's referencing Song of the Sword."
"So it's not a kid, then?"
"No, that's not it. The person who wrote Song of the Sword is a first-grade elementary student!"
"A first-grader...? "
Su-yeon only knew the scriptwriter was the renowned Kim Min-gyu, who'd successfully penned various dramas. That's why she'd joined this one. But a kid? She'd never heard this rumor before.
"How could a first-grader write a novel like this? I have a nephew in first grade, and they're basically wild animals!"
Su-yeon knew from seeing her own first-grade nephew. They were just clueless beasts. Not to demean them, but kids that age had no intellect to speak of—pure instinct. Sure, they had a bit more self-control than babies. When visiting her brother's house, he'd sweep toys off shelves and pull all sorts of pranks—that was first-grade age. It took until upper elementary for any real rationality to kick in.
So Su-yeon couldn't believe a first-grader wrote a novel. A gorilla writing one seemed more plausible.
But the moment that shattered her common sense arrived. A little kid actually showed up at the Song of the Sword premiere!
And not just any kid—she was adorably dressed in the cutest outfit. Her face was so precious and pretty that Su-yeon fought the urge to jump up and pinch her cheeks. If this weren't a formal event, Su-yeon might've already done it. She absolutely loved kids.
"Hello."
The kid seemed to be with her parents. But they looked too young to be parents. Younger than Su-yeon herself, even. Mid-20s, maybe? So Su-yeon figured the woman was just a big sister, from a family with a late baby.
It seemed reasonable—the age gap didn't scream "mom" at all. But overhearing their chat revealed they really were her parents. How early must they have had her...? No way they broke the speed limit and had her in high school, right?
Su-yeon stared blankly at the kid. She was politely greeting each actor and staff member in turn. So composed already at that age...
Soon, she approached Su-yeon, bowing her head politely.
"Hello. I'm Lee Sora, the author of Song of the Sword."
"Uh... uh... hello."
Su-yeon fumbled into semi-formal speech. Normally she'd go casual with a kid, but this was a drama premiere—she remembered that much.
After greetings, the girl stood beside Kim Min-gyu. She really was the scriptwriter...!
Su-yeon got why they'd invited a little girl to the premiere. Nothing screamed buzz like this. Turning a novel by a first-grade elementary student into a drama...! Probably a world first.
-----------------------------------------------
"Haa..."
I sat down in my seat. Luckily, I had my own spot, so no standing the whole time. The stares from everyone were nerve-wracking, but what could I do? A tiny kid showing up at a drama premiere was bound to draw eyes.
Mom, though, seemed different. Her eyes were all girly and sparkly as she looked around. Probably because she was seeing actors and drama folks up close. Even in Seoul, spotting celebrities in daily life was rare. Sure, if you angled for it, but living normally without seeking them out? Like winning the lottery. Their paths rarely crossed with regular folks'. This era favored studio and station-bound variety shows over outdoor ones.
"Sora, you okay?"
Thankfully, I knew one person: Kim Min-gyu. I nodded at the words from the grandfatherly Kim Min-gyu.
"Yes. I'm fine."
"If it gets tough, you can tell Grandpa anytime."
Grandpa, huh... Yeah, with a 40-year age gap, it fit. Calling him anything else would be criminal.
The premiere kicked off. Q&A with actors and journalists followed. I watched with interest. First time ever at a drama premiere. Unless you're a huge fan, showing up is weird. Maybe that's why it was so fun.
But I forgot journalists are a breed that asks questions for clicks and gossip. They'd do anything for views. And I, the sole kid in the room, was prime bait.
"I'd like to ask about Sora, who participated as the drama's scriptwriter."
And sure enough, a journalist aimed at me.
"What made you write a book about Admiral Yi Sun-sin?"
People nearby eyed me curiously. Kim Min-gyu beside me looked a bit flustered, probably thinking my age meant I'd flub the answer.
I took the mic and spoke.
"There are many reasons I wrote this book, but the main one is a sense of responsibility."
"Admiral Yi Sun-sin was a public servant before he was a war hero, a family man before a strategist. Amid superiors' suspicions and political schemes, he never abandoned his duty—that's the image I drew from in writing. And that Yi Sun-sin poses a question to us living today."
"Am I giving my all in my own role?"
"I see Yi Sun-sin as perfect, but I didn't want to portray him as flawless. Given his position, he must have felt lonely, angry, and sometimes despairing."
"Following his records and deeds, what struck me more than his great achievements was his attitude. When the nation shook, he strove to stand firm; when people turned away, he gazed at the sea. That sense of responsibility is the theme I wanted to convey through this book."
"So I wrote it."
As my words ended, the curious stares shifted. Now they looked at me like I was someone impressive.
I'd gone too far, I thought. But spilled water can't be gathered.