13 Comments

What a premise, Hyun Woo! And major credit to you for doing such a reversal at the last minute. That takes guts. I also appreciate the story showing how even simple things can become so hard for or elderly loved ones; even someone who might seem “pathetic” can actually be heroic and triumphant. An important lesson.

Expand full comment
author

Like before, I fancy your ability to asess the message! I personally feel that I grew a bit as a writer, thanks to this felix culpa I made. I've considered myself a slow writer, but it seems I could write faster than I expected after all.

Expand full comment

You weren't kidding when you said your gf think we might see your obsession. This is the most time I have ever read ‘shit’ in my life and not the cursing kind.

This was one hell of a good laugh, glad it ended well.

But I love it when the mundane things are made to become more than they are. I laughed so hard I almost woke those who still need to sleep.

Thank you for sharing such a piece.

Expand full comment
author

Glad you liked it! "Shitface" was a cursing kind, but yeah it was also literal🥲

Expand full comment
Apr 24·edited Apr 24Liked by Hyun Woo Kim

Clever one.

Expand full comment

*Wow.* Major points to you, first of all, for pulling that off in four hours. And again you give it such an emotional punch. It's not something that I can forget easily.

Maybe it can be hard for the young to identify with the old, but this is deeply relatable in soul-stretching ways. You're an excellent writer.

Expand full comment
author

I guess we are all scared of becoming vulnerable. Thank you!

Expand full comment

Wow, Jonah is a very precious character. He feels very real. This piece is amazing in that it really creates an opportunity for empathy at a deeper level.

Expand full comment
author

What a praise! Thank you. I wanted Jonah to be relatable even to those who have no idea what it is like to be an old man. Maybe that includes me too.

Expand full comment

Well I for one think you did a great job of coming up with that in such a short time frame. Well done.

Expand full comment
author

Thanks! My procrastination and perfectionism had no chance to meddle in this time, which is good

Expand full comment
Apr 20Liked by Hyun Woo Kim

OH MAN--this is a lesson for me as well to make sure I spell out the criteria clearly. I didn't anticipate the possibility of a bottle episode WITHOUT desiring to leave, so I took that little hint for granted. Even so--I've read the story and it's been officially received. You did a lot in short order, and you should be proud of having pulled this together! It was intense and relatable, and I think more than a few of us share these fears whether we admit it to ourselves or not. More detailed comments to come in the official feedback! Great job!

Expand full comment
author

No, I think you made it clear enough. Come to think of it, the story I had written before was about not wanting to leave. It's sometimes funny to see how my brain works.

Expand full comment