'Chungam High School Senior' Cha In-pyo's Candid Statement "Responsibility as an Adult"

"Passing Through Times of Confusion, Hoping to Leave Behind a Just Democratic Nation"

"I hope that after passing through times of pain and confusion, we can leave a just and fair democratic nation to future generations."

Actor and writer Cha In-pyo expressed his conviction regarding the chaotic social atmosphere following the emergency martial law situation, saying he wants to leave a fair democratic country to future generations.

Actor and writer Cha In-pyo. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 9th, Cha In-pyo wrote on his Instagram, "Right after the news spread that I gave a special lecture based on my novel at Oxford University last summer, I was contacted by a teacher from a middle school in Namwon."

He added, "The teacher said they were about to retire soon and wanted to gift the students a special lecture by the author before leaving the school. I felt the teacher’s sincere desire to give something to the students until the very last moment, so I promised the author lecture. And today, I visited the school and met the students."

He continued, "My wife accompanied me, so we conducted the author lecture and even a precious counseling session in front of all 13 students and the teachers," explaining, "Although it might have been boring, I kept the sparkling eyes of the children who focused and their book reports in my heart, and I brought the question sheets written by all the students as a keepsake."

He emphasized, "Literature seems to connect people regardless of age or region," and added, "Looking into the children’s eyes, I once again felt a sense of responsibility as an adult."

Actor and writer Cha In-pyo is giving a lecture at a middle school. Photo by Cha In-pyo Instagram capture.

He seemed mindful of the unstable political situation after the emergency martial law, saying, "I hope Korea becomes a country where righteous leaders and mature citizens come together. We will rise again. Like the sprouts of spring."

Meanwhile, Cha In-pyo was selected as the first invited author for the ‘1st Oxford Korean Literature Festival’ held in June and gave a lecture. Cha has published three full-length novels: Today’s Forecast (2011), If We Ever Look at the Same Star (2021), and Mermaid Hunting (2022).

His first full-length novel, Goodbye Hill, published in 2009, was reissued under the new title If We Ever Look at the Same Star. This work deals with the issue of Japanese military comfort women in a serious and warm tone.