"Homeless Days, Searching for the Benefactor Who Gave Me a Book" Author's Story Gains Attention

Writer So Jaewon Posts on Online Community

"I am looking for the benefactor who showed me kindness when I was homeless 21 years ago."

Writer So Jae-won, the original author of films such as 'Beastie Boys,' 'Wish,' and 'Tunnel,' has attracted attention by posting that he is searching for the benefactor who gave him a book when he was being chased out of a bookstore during his homeless days.

So Jaewon, artist. So Jaewon Instagram

On the 13th, So Jae-won posted on the online community 'Bobae Dream' asking for help in finding his benefactor. He shared, "Over 20 years ago, during my homeless days, I spent three days reading books at a bookstore near Seoul Station," adding, "I had nowhere else to go, and the bookstore, where I could read stories rather than just stay at the station, was my only leisure place."

He recalled, "On the third day, an employee told me, 'We've received complaints about the smell, so please leave.' My face flushed, and I hurriedly left the bookstore." At that moment, another employee called out to him, saying, "Hey." So said, "I stepped back without realizing it," and reflected, "Homeless people were stigmatized as potential criminals."

However, the employee who called him back said, "You were only reading this book," and, "It seemed like you hadn't finished it, so I will give it to you as a gift," handing him the book. So confessed, "Having been born into poverty, I wonder if I had ever received a gift before. Not even on my birthday. Tears welled up suddenly." Upon receiving the book, instead of saying thank you, he promised the employee, "Later, I will give you my own work as a gift."

He continued, "I don't know if that employee believed my promise or thought it was just the lies of a homeless person, but I have endured by constantly recalling the kindness I received from him." He wondered, "Does he know that the homeless young man who read the book he gifted has now become an established writer, known as a writer who represents the vulnerable?"

So addressed the employee who showed him kindness, saying, "Are you doing well? Thanks to you, I became a decent writer. Whenever I feel shaken or face hardships, I recall that time," and added, "I always think about and vow whether I am truly writing a work that I can give to you as a gift." He further stated, "I really want to keep my promise," and "I feel it can't be delayed any longer. Now, I want to meet and confess my gratitude for the time that has passed, which is well over 20 years."

In his post revealing his story, So asked, "If anyone matches this story or knows someone who does, please contact me." According to Hankook Ilbo, the book So received as a gift at that time was Lee Cheong-jun's novel 'Your Paradise.'

Netizens who read the story left comments such as, "I hope the two meet for sure," "This sounds more like a novel than a novel," and "I really want to hear the follow-up after they find each other."