By Zephyria 
In this work, Si Eun-cheol and Yoon Eun-ah, Cheon Tae-rim’s secretary, make brief appearances, and Cheon Tae-rim’s ‘childcare leave’ is mentioned. Kang Hae-ah’s paintings also appear.
In the exhibition of the main story of , thanks to the ‘Yeondu Children’s Foundation’ donated by Kang Hae-ah, the main character of is doing well in school.
Later, in the published work , Kang Hae-ah’s family, ‘Hanseong Group,’ was briefly mentioned. I imagined, ‘What would Cheon Tae-rim and Kang Hae-ah be like in the Guideverse worldview?’ but I buried it because I thought the setting was too out there, and only slightly mentioned Hanseong. I only briefly showed the main character and the main love interest of , who were necessary figures in the necessary sections.
Conversely, while working on , I had the convenience store part-timer ‘Kim Min-soo’ who appeared in the previous work hired as a developer. At this time, the experience of the previous work is mentioned in one line.
There are many other connections between the works. However, you don’t have to see other works to understand the story of one work. It’s okay to watch it without knowing anything. If you know, you might glare and say, ‘Isn’t that the guy from back then?’
There are so many interesting works on the market, how can you remember the names of the supporting characters in my work that comes out a year later? So, calling in the main/supporting characters is only for my enjoyment. Nevertheless, there are people who recognize ‘Ok-hye-ssi’ and say ‘Oh!’ I’m really grateful for that. That you don’t forget and remember ‘that guy from back then.’
Q. I heard that you are preparing a new side story to conclude the work. How did you feel during the writing process and after completion?
A. While working on the new side story… I felt so heavy-hearted thinking, ‘This is the end!’ I felt like I had to write something amazing, satisfying to everyone, and without any regrets. As someone who sells stories, I hoped that all readers wouldn’t feel like they ‘wasted their money’ after reading this story! …That kind of thinking is really toxic. The more I obsess, the heavier my heart becomes. My hands get stiff too.
So, on the contrary, I needed to hypnotize myself by saying, ‘I can write something more later, I’ll write more stories about Cheon Tae-rim, Kang Hae-ah, Cheon Woo-joo, and Cheon Do-jin.’ Even if it’s less perfect now, I can put a period on it later.
The biggest thing I cared about while preparing the side story was ‘love.’ I wanted readers to feel, ‘Cheon Tae-rim really loves Kang Hae-ah, and Kang Hae-ah really loves Cheon Tae-rim.’ I wanted to let readers know that even after they closed this book, the two men would remain here, loving each other and living happily.
Q. Hearing you say that makes me even more excited about what kind of story will be included. I hope the day will come soon when we can see the new side story full of love on Ridibooks.
Come to think of it, has point-of-view changes, so is there a reason why you use first-person and omniscient viewpoints respectively?
A. If you are a reader who has read this author’s note, which is just the author chatting aimlessly, to this point, I assume you have read all of , and I will spoil it.
I used the first-person point of view when I couldn’t show the ‘worldview’ outside the characters, and when I needed the perspective of a character who was being deceived by this ‘worldview.’ That’s the content from Volume 1 to Volume 4 of the main story.
I used the omniscient author’s point of view when the ‘worldview’ outside the characters was reality, and when all the facts of the world were exactly as the characters knew them. That’s the case with the side story ‘Cheat Sheet.’
Towards the end of Volume 4, there is a scene where Cheon Tae-rim is heading home following the car navigation. In this scene, I deliberately didn’t use a subject. So that it wouldn’t be known which ‘Cheon Tae-rim’ he was, so that the Cheon Tae-rims of the two worlds would seem to overlap. At the end, I let you know that the Cheon Tae-rim you’ve been seeing from Volume 1 to Volume 4 has returned home with the sentence, ‘A world too kind to me.’
Q. So, which ‘Cheon Tae-rim’ or ‘Kang Hae-ah’ was the main character?
A. I think that only one ‘Cheon Tae-rim’ and ‘Kang Hae-ah’ appear in . From beginning to end, the ‘Cheon Tae-rim’ you see on the page you’re currently on is fundamentally the same person as the ‘Cheon Tae-rim’ on any other page of any other volume. The same goes for Kang Hae-ah. It’s just that they made different choices when faced with crossroads.
Q. It’s enjoyable to learn more deeply about the story of through the answers you’re giving. You must be preparing for your next new work, are there any genres or keywords you want to try?
A. I really like a lot of genres. There are just as many genres I want to try. I personally have two cover designs prepared. One of them is the horror (occult) genre.
Q. Horror occult, just hearing the keywords makes the surrounding temperature drop coolly by about -2 degrees! I’m looking forward to Kim Ah-so’s new work, which will be full of fresh and unique charms.
Before moving on to the next chapter, do you have any special stories or greetings you would like to share with the readers of ?
A. Thanks to you, I even got to write this author’s note. It’s strictly a work sales page, and a bookstore, but I never dreamed that I would be showing such… humble chatter in such a precious place. I still have doubts about whether readers will want this. On the other hand, I believe that some readers will find this monologue quite good.
Cheon Tae-rim, Kang Hae-ah. Thank you for loving them so much. I hope will be remembered by readers as just a fun work. If you enjoyed my story on a tough morning, a hard commute, or when you were tired from other things, I think I’ve done my part.
I’m always grateful. This feeling is always sincere.
Character QnA
Cheon Tae-rim and Kang Hae-ah, ‘What if they were like this?’
Q. I think the two of them are still living happily together without change. If they go on a movie date together, what work would they choose?
A. If they were to choose from recent works, they would have seen . Because it’s a famous French movie. Also, because it’s said that a smart and handsome dog appears. Kang Hae-ah, who is very empathetic in plays, would regret choosing this movie a little, but Cheon Tae-rim would have watched it with interest. After the movie ends, he would think ‘like a chirping bird’ while watching Hae-ah express his thoughts on the ending with an enthusiastic face, and would evaluate the day as ‘a pretty good date.’
Q. Would the two of them have fallen in love even if they weren’t tied together by a political marriage? If so, where and how would they have met?
A. Even if he wasn’t involved with Cheon Tae-rim, Kang Hae-ah would have been set up with another business/political Alpha found by his family. Since Kang Hae-ah has a personality that easily complies with what Father orders, he would have agreed to marry him/her, and would have first met Cheon Tae-rim at a business/political gathering while engaged to someone. Cheon Tae-rim would have fallen in love at first sight with Kang Hae-ah’s face and body, expression and atmosphere, but as soon as he approached to talk to him, he would have discovered the wedding ring on his ring finger.
By chance, from the first impression, the two feel attracted to each other. However, Kang Hae-ah doesn’t have the courage to break off the engagement, and Cheon Tae-rim isn’t immoral enough to commit adultery, so it wouldn’t have led to any action.
Afterwards, Kang Hae-ah’s married life inevitably faces difficulties. If he doesn’t awaken as an Omega and remains a Beta, he will be criticized and suffer and get divorced, and even if he awakens as an Omega, he won’t be able to imprint on his spouse, so the destination will be divorce.
From the perspective of Kang Hae-ah’s Father, Chairman Kang Jun-il, he has used up his usefulness, and Kang Hae-ah, who has writer’s block as a writer, starts a quiet life alone. Around that time, Cheon Tae-rim would contact him. Asking if he would give him the opportunity to treat him to a warm meal on a cold day.
Q. What if Cheon Tae-rim and Kang Hae-ah were a younger man-older woman couple instead of an older man-younger woman couple?
A. Younger Cheon Tae-rim… would have felt that older Kang Hae-ah was a little more sexy at first impression. The young desire to ‘have him’ would have bloomed more actively.
On the other hand, older Kang Hae-ah would have wanted to do everything for Cheon Tae-rim, who is younger than him. This point is the same as the original Kang Hae-ah, but in a more uninhibited way. From the second meeting, he takes him to a department store and says, ‘I heard you’re going to do business, so you need this much,’ and arbitrarily orders suits, watches, and shoes of ridiculous value. At this time, he has already ordered a car to give as a gift to younger Cheon Tae-rim.
Kang Hae-ah’s favorite saying is “Hyung will do it for you.”, “Hyung has a lot of money.”, “Hyung will buy you everything.”
Young Cheon Tae-rim makes a proposal that burns like a flame just three weeks after meeting Kang Hae-ah. He certainly had the desire to have Hae-ah Hyung(!) as soon as possible, but on the other hand, he was worried that ‘Ah, Hae-ah Hyung can’t do without me, if I let Hyung go, he’ll be exploited by other guys for the rest of his life.’
But the answer that came back was,
“No.”
It’s the moment when Cheon Tae-rim’s arrogant world collapses for the first time. His heart is torn apart. Why is Hyung, who has been supporting me materially and mentally by spending money lavishly, refusing to marry me? Is it because I only have a vision and haven’t established myself yet? Could it be that he just thinks of me as a handsome keychain and just wants to keep me by his side? …Caught up in such foolish delusions, when he asks why, Kang Hae-ah answers like this.
“Tae-rim. You’re too handsome, kind, and cute. You can date a much cooler boyfriend than me. Everyone else will see us that way too.”
Who cares about what others think! Cheon Tae-rim immediately retorts. His beloved Hyung, Kang Hae-ah, with sadness in his angel-like pretty eyes, answers in a sullen voice like this.
“After a few years, you’ll realize the reality too, and you’ll naturally start thinking of me that way. I’m scared of that. I want you to like me forever.”
In the end, Cheon Tae-rim’s heart burns even more with the reason for refusal, ‘I can’t marry you because I like you.’ Afterwards, they continue their exciting meetings, but throughout that year, Cheon Tae-rim confesses to Kang Hae-ah and gets rejected again, confesses and gets rejected again. After not just three attempts but four attempts, a titanium lovebird couple is born without even a needle to squeeze in.
Q. If Cheon Tae-rim and Kang Hae-ah’s family environments were reversed, what kind of adults would they have grown up to be?
A. (Kang) Tae-rim has monopolized his Father’s attention and love since childhood. Since he was born a Dominant Alpha, it’s a very sad story, but Mother would still be alive without giving up on life. Kang Il-hae, who was yellow from the time his head was still soft, would have grown up being beaten by (Kang) Tae-rim’s fists, unlike when the docile Kang Hae-ah was his younger brother. If he seemed like he was going to go astray, he would be straightened out by being beaten, and if he seemed like he was going to cause an accident again, he would be scolded until tears streamed down his face and he would come to his senses…. He would have received the education that Father had given up on from (Kang) Tae-rim. In a very harsh way.
Such (Kang) Tae-rim, as a very natural successor to Hanseong Group, would have been ready to swallow everything from his Father at the young age of twenty-eight with a heavy position.
On the other hand, (Cheon) Hae-ah, born in the Cheon family, would have spent a happy childhood in a complete family with love. He never worries his parents, his report card is always perfect, he eats well and laughs well, saying that the food Mother makes is all delicious, and he is so innocent that it would have been worrying. If Mother sends him to kindergarten in a chick-colored sweater and white pants in the morning, he would return with his pants clean even after spending the whole day. Unlike Cheon Tae-rim, he would have so much affection for his Father that laughter would have blossomed on Cheon Hee-jung’s way to and from work as a prosecutor.
If it were this kind of (Cheon) Hae-ah, he would have gone to university in Korea even if his parents encouraged him to study abroad, saying they could send him. He would say that he likes to travel abroad with everyone, and he wants to go to school near Mom and Dad. He would have majored in conceptual art rather than abstract art. He would have learned as much as he wanted, looked into the world he wanted to see to his heart’s content, and would have become an aesthetic critic in the future.
Afterwards, he would agree to a political marriage with (Kang) Tae-rim according to Hanseong’s scheme. After all, Kang Il-hae’s sinister scheme is unlikely to happen in the first place…. Even if it does happen, (Kang) Tae-rim wouldn’t just be deceived.
Even if their surnames and families are different, the two men will eventually fall in love with each other. This fact will not change no matter what worldview they enter.
Q. As expected, the two of them are destined to fall in love no matter when or in what form they meet.
Then I want to imagine a new happening. If they are trapped in a mountain cabin with other tourists on a snowy day and a murder occurs, what roles would each of them play to overcome the ordeal? Will they be able to survive to the end?
A. Kang Hae-ah is a person who has more compassion than fear, so he wants to find a clean blanket and cover the corpse so that even the dignity of the murdered person is not violated.
On the other hand, Cheon Tae-rim, whose top priority is Hae-ah’s safety and whose second priority is solving the case… would call the police first, right? Since the authorities can’t reach them right away because they are stranded, he puts the people inside the mountain cabin in one place and prohibits them from talking or discussing with each other. If necessary, he will use harsh words or violence without hesitation. Because the other person might be a murderer.
And he makes Kang Hae-ah, who came to find a blanket, turn his back for a moment, takes out his cell phone, and leaves the corpse and blood stains as photographic evidence. After collecting all the other evidence, he covers the corpse with a blanket instead of Kang Hae-ah.
Afterwards, he collects everyone’s resident registration cards, cell phones, and things that could be used as weapons and puts them in one place. He makes everyone know who each other is, but before friendships can form, he calls them in one by one and interrogates them. The contents will all be recorded to be used as objective evidence.
While Cheon Tae-rim is doing that, Kang Hae-ah… would break off a piece of the chocolate bar in his pocket (a snack that Cheon Tae-rim gave him to eat when he was having a hard time while hiking) and give it to the frightened tourists, saying. “My Tae-rim-ssi isn’t a scary person.”
The possibility of another murder occurring inside the mountain cabin seems very low. Even if Cheon Tae-rim finds out who the culprit is, he will hide his expression so as not to provoke him/her, and even if he is read… who would recklessly attack a Dominant Alpha the size of a door?
Cheon Tae-rim puts Kang Hae-ah in the safest place, that is, behind his back. He will make everyone else lie down as far apart as possible without freezing to death. He will treat anyone who moves as a criminal, so don’t move and just lie down, I will manage and distribute the food and water. He will set such a very dictatorial and safe rule. And he will keep Kang Hae-ah by his side all night with a pocket knife in his right hand.
By the time the mountain rescue team and the police arrive the next day, everyone will be tired and asleep, and Cheon Tae-rim will finally catch the culprit like a rat. All the police have to do is receive the evidence they have collected in advance and handcuff the culprit.
Q. Recently, a precious child was born between the two of them, if there is a special travel destination where they would like to go with Woo-joo, who has grown up to be ten years old, where would it be?
A. They would head to Florence, the first honeymoon destination for the two. They would stay in the same suite at the same hotel, take the same train, and go to see the same beach. There is no feverish anxiety, only excitement and memories are full.
Q. To go on a family trip to the place where they had their honeymoon, it will be a really warm and sweet journey. The unchanging appearance of the two is vividly drawn in front of my eyes.
It’s already time to ask the last question. Thank you to the author for giving us valuable and fruitful answers so far, and I hope that many readers who have read the author’s note will enjoy accompanying us to the last page of even more.
Finally, please tell us briefly what Cheon Tae-rim and Kang Hae-ah will be doing thirty years from now!
A. I am certain that their mornings will be no different today, even if their age, rank, honor, and assets have changed. From their first encounter to any day thereafter, this story is about love, and the emotions that make up these two men are solely love.
Thank you for listening to this long story.