Written by Kim Won Young, Kim So Young, Bo Ra Lee-Kil and Choi Tae Gyu


There are four writers who strongly express themselves toward the society. Mr. Kim, Won Young has been talking about the dignity of humans who are disabled or sexual minorities. Ms. Kim, So Young has tried to teach people that children deserve equal rights and individuality as adults. Ms. Bo Ra Lee-Kil has translated the languages and senses of minorities as CODA. Mr. Choi, Tae Gyoo is a veterinarian who studies animal welfare to help animals have better environment. This time, all these four writers share their ‘ordinary life’ that they have nurtured so far with their own messages toward the society.
It all started with the suggestion from a radio station. They all receive new words every two weeks and have to create the stories in their ordinary life. Then, they record those stories for listeners as a project. 16 words, which represent things or experiences in daily life, such as coffee, palm, toy, hospital, whisper, shaky movements, laziness, coldness and so on, are given to writers. After radio broadcasting, they all organize their recordings into the pieces of a completed story. This book classifies 16 short stories under the four different themes. When these free voice recordings turn into the organized texts, their characters, attractiveness, roles, and views are vividly revealed. Readers will have fun while figuring out what these four different writers see or feel at home, hospital, grocery stores, or in the street and what they feel curious or uncomfortable in their life.
New words were given to four writers who raised their own unique and clear voices in each field every two weeks. The four people, who received the words representing ordinary things and experiences, wrote about the various moments in their life, valuable friends who had been there for them, and how they felt and experienced with different body, heart, and senses in the world. While reading their stories about coffee, socks, and morning, readers will naturally think of their own coffee, socks, and morning as well. The writers all gently suggest you share your own stories.
The 16 words in this book are not directly decided by writers. They were also given, so the writers sometimes welcomed or were puzzled to think of their stories. Mr. Kim, Won Young said, “These words are not chosen by me, so I could pay attention to tiny but valuable experiences hidden in my ordinary life. If I had to choose words, I might have chosen a ‘wheelchair’, or an ‘elevator’, which I frequently use.” Just like that, the meaning that writers are given unexpected materials from others makes readers much more fun and exciting. The writers cannot guess or prepare, or even refuse these words just because they have never thought about or never liked before. It is such a good condition to make them pop out honest and private memories and experiences.
With words which created cracks in ordinary life, the writers sometimes suddenly remembered childhood memories, or confessed ashamed feelings and regretful events. They interpreted their past experiences by applying their current judgement and thoughts they had learned and trained. While doing so, they happen to discover unexpected materials to talk about from common items, and then, they began deeply reflecting on themselves. They realized that these simple things had long been for them at some important moments in their life, Plus, those things they used to take advantage of were the ones which supported them. The writers settled themselves down by coming up with unexpected memories and emotions, and by discovering and realizing lessons.
Anyone who reads this book will have similar experiences. Whenever they meet new words, they will come up with unexpected stories. They may be comforted after realizing they have had a good life by observing themselves more in detail. There are 16 words here. Like four writers, let’s begin to write my own stories with these words. We wonder what you will realize with your coffee, socks, or morning.

_ Youyousha (Japan)