Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
After graduating from the university in Seoul, having studied English literature, I adventured myself to Europe, where I have been living a good majority of my life until now. I went to a fashion school in Paris and started working as a makeup artist and a stylist in Paris. Then I moved to Munich, and to Vienna, where I met Axel, where the inspiration for my book was born.
My journey constantly kept me going from Europe, back to Korea, then to Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong. Then I moved back to France, here in Antibes, in beautiful Côte d’Azur since 2019. I published my first book in September 2022, and its sequel is on the way sometime this year.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My first book “Dammi Mille Baci “ means Give me a thousand Kisses.
It was inspired from a true story that happened to me when I lived in Vienna a long time ago. It is a story that I had buried deep inside of me. Had it not been for the pandemic and the death of my father thrown at me in the middle of it, I would not have written the story. When my father passed away, and I couldn’t even attend his funeral, I suffered a period of depression, and it opened a scar, an old wound that I could never get over, even after all these years. And that was it.
I started writing about my encounter with a mysterious young artist I had met in Vienna and how it had positively changed and influenced my life.
What is art? How does one become an artist? Those are among the questions I asked in my story. I found it strangely therapeutic to write this story, and I want to share it with you. It will be my greatest pleasure to see people read my book and share my ideologies. Although it is based on true events, I got liberal with a few details and let my imagination carry me away. I made it my mission to make the story compelling. After all, I can’t have my readers bored for the sake of realism, can I?
Since this happened in the culturally rich and diverse Austrian capital, you will uniquely discover Vienna through my eyes and memories. The story also reflects the multi-cultural aspects of Europe, with its different languages. I hope the translations to the languages I used aren’t too limited, but I’m sure you’ll find it quite easy to understand. You may even end up practising a new foreign language! Thank you all so much.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Sometimes I have a sudden idea or an inspiration that appears to me like a flare. I drop whatever I am doing and put them downstairs on a note, even if it’s in the middle room the night.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Ken Follett, The evening and the morning, Pillars of the earth
What are you working on now?
Ultra mortem in aeternum (Beyond death is in eternity in Latin): the sequel of Dammi Mille Baci
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
It is hard to tell… there’s no one answer to that…
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I’m an indie author myself. I’m not sure if I’m qualified to answer that.
Haha…
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Keep dreaming. Dreams can come true for only those who dream.
What are you reading now?
Horse
What’s next for you as a writer?
Keep writing…. and do the things that matter.
What is your favorite book of all time?
The evening and the morning
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