[Book Sip] Overdrawing Pencil with Pen, Erasing Cleanly... 12-Month Heartfelt Comic Essay

Editor's NoteSome sentences encapsulate the entire content of a book, while others instantly reach the reader's heart, creating a connection with the book. We excerpt and introduce such meaningful sentences from books.

This is the first comic essay by the illustrator Danchum, who has held solo exhibitions at famous accessory shops such as ‘Object’ and ‘One More Bag,’ and is loved for works based on drawings at bookstores and various pop-up events. Through narrators representing the author, it sincerely conveys the thoughts held in the heart. Preferring drawing on paper over digital drawing, the foundation of all manuscripts was drawn with pencil and pen. After sketching the draft with pencil on paper, the outlines were traced with pen, and the protruding pencil lines were cleanly erased with an eraser to complete the work. The 24 comics, each containing two stories per month from January to December, are arranged in the order of spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

Walking through the dark mind, dodging the escaping voices of the heart, I was eventually caught. My heart is quite tangled. Where should I start to unravel these thoughts? The more I hurried to untangle them, the more tangled they became, so I decided to let go of this heart that even I don’t fully understand. I tried not to fight hard against it. But if I think about it a little differently, now that I have confirmed the tangled heart, all that remains is to unravel it. Like the story of the rabbit and the turtle. I become the rabbit, leisurely taking a nap, and the turtle, diligently unraveling. For an ordinary day to move forward again. - From "Praying Hands Folded"

I keep hoping and wishing to remain a kind person. But kindness is not an inexhaustible fountain that keeps pouring out. The more I use it, the more the bottom shows. When my kindness began to show its limits, I gradually feared that I might no longer be a kind person. I was disappointed in myself for not being as kind as before and hated myself for forcing a smile in uncomfortable situations. Then, the fact that I ultimately left no kindness for myself made me faint. That was the reason my heart felt empty. There was no kindness left for myself. - From "Whose Kindness Is It For?"

These past few days, I felt a bit faded. After hiding it tightly, I hesitated and asked myself, "Am I happy now?" This question makes me doubt the moment, and the doubt sprouts sadness. When it seemed like it would just disappear, I kept things that comfort me nearby, like the smell of well-cooked onions. I muster strength to finish today. I have yet to find a way to stop doubt from sprouting. Still, now I hope I won’t be too harsh on my fallen self. I hope I’ll gently tell myself to rest well. You know what makes you comfortable. - From "What I Already Know"

After a long time, we met, had dinner, and took a walk, sharing stories we hadn’t talked about for a long time. You said you admire everything I do to find reasons to live. Watching you try to see everything lovingly makes me want to live as beautifully as you do. I pray that you overcome the hurdles ahead in your own way. I want to grow old together without losing your loveliness. Let’s move forward together like that. - From "Don’t Lose Your Loveliness"

In the short sentences exchanged with a friend, I noticed you were having busy and tough days. What should I say? Would even a simple "How are you?" feel heavy? Even if it’s a greeting without an answer, I want to say it. Friend, have you eaten today? No matter how hard and busy you are, don’t skip meals. Step outside for a moment, feel the sunlight, and look up at the sky full of clouds drifting with the wind. The maple leaves touched by light shine redder, and the yellow ginkgo leaves are golden. Autumn is already well underway. When you walk, fallen leaves on the ground catch your feet. You know, you were sad thinking autumn was passing without you noticing, but this autumn can be enjoyed just by stepping on fallen leaves. Sparkling and gorgeous maple leaves are autumn, but stepping on fallen leaves and looking at a cloudless sky is also autumn, I want to tell you. My autumn is not lonely because you are here. I hope your autumn is not cold. I love you. - From "We Are Each Other’s Strength"

I guess I’m just that kind of person. Someone with a little bit of melancholy. I thought I finally wore clothes that fit well, but is there a part of me that wants to turn away? I just come to my own conclusion. I am like the weather. Today, the sky is cloudy and snowing, so I became a person who disappears softly like breath. Sometimes I become a person shining like a beautiful sunset. Sometimes a person flowing freely like the wind. I just change clothes like that. Nothing more, nothing less. - From "A Person Like the Weather"

Sometimes, you suddenly think, "Will this moment be remembered for a long, long time?" At times like that, I feel a little sad. The clear gestures will disappear over time, leaving only the scent behind. I can’t forcibly hold on to what disappears, but when love blows and reddens my cheeks, I welcome that feeling once again. I will murmur that I am happy at this moment, keep it well so I won’t forget, and be able to take it out and look at it again. - From "Love That Makes Cheeks Red"

This Month’s Heart | Written by Danchum | Semicolon | 212 pages | 16,500 KRW