Written and Illustrated by Han Ji Won

A story about the overlooked yet indispensable life of a cotton swab.


From miners working with grime in deep tunnels, to doctors treating wounds, repair workers fixing broken things, and meticulous cleaners scrubbing every corner — the humble cotton swab plays many roles. It’s not flashy, but it’s always there, doing its job quietly and consistently. Though it's ever-present and often used, its existence remains somewhere between necessary and unnoticed.

One day, a small incident stirs the routine. In a tumble of spilled cotton swabs, one friend goes missing. When they return, they're unrecognizably transformed — longing to break free from being “just a cotton swab” and live a more extraordinary life.

Author Han Ji-won, who explored the complexities of human connection through the character of a "hand" in the previous work, "Dear My Left Hand", now shifts focus inward in "Because I'm a Cotton Swab". Through the familiar and often overlooked item of a cotton swab, the book gently unpacks questions of identity, self-worth, and the desire to be seen as more than ordinary. Where do we place ourselves between the everyday and the exceptional?

The book features a unique artistic style, combining delicately hand-drawn backgrounds with real photographed images of cotton swabs. This creative blend enhances the personality of the cotton swab characters, drawing readers deeper into the story. Han’s signature humor weaves through both words and visuals — sometimes in harmony, sometimes playfully at odds — offering warmth, reflection, and the occasional laugh.