Here are the Q&A answers!
Hello! I'm the author :)
Without further ado, let me answer your question right away!
※ Please note that honorifics have been used regardless of whether they are used in the sentence or not for the sake of consistency and convenience in writing responses. ※
Questions from ARMY Borahae30
Q1. What prompted you to write this article?
A. (You're talking about forget-me-nots, right?) Forget-me-nots are a material I've always wanted to use, and I finally got the chance to use them :)
Q2. How do you find materials?
A. Just when I have a trivial experience in my daily life, in a dream, or while reading a book, something suddenly pops into my head and I think, "Huh? This is cool!" I write it down in a notepad and use it!
Q3. Why did you start Fanple?
A. At first, I downloaded it to vote, but then I was bored and came across a fanfic and thought, 'Ah, here I can write my own story that only existed in my imagination!' and that's how I started😊
Q4. Where do you get your materials?
(I'll skip this since you asked the same question twice!)
Q5. What is your favorite BTS song?
A. I like them all! I really like the members' mixtapes and their own songs, but these days I find myself listening to "Abyss" and "Blue Side" a lot.
Q6. Do you have a favorite author?
A. Yes, I do! I like writer Able🤭
Q7. I love that writer, but do you love me too?
A. Of course😉❤
Q8. Favorite book quote
A. Actually, there were a lot, but I can't remember any of them right now... So I looked for a book I read a long time ago and picked it up. It's a book I read a long time ago, but I still vaguely remember it. I found a passage!
Even if there were countless people who upheld their conscience, if you sigh and say, "What's the use?" and that nothing will change in the end, I will shake my head. The world has only come this far, but it is thanks to them that we have come this far. Even if pitch-black darkness descends, someone, like them, will strike the match of their conscience. As long as our history continues, the voices of those who stand against injustice will never cease.
-From "People Who Kept Their Conscience," by Kim Hyung-min
Q9. How do you come up with a title?
A. I tend to create titles by thinking of words or phrases that encompass the entire story, or perhaps a space that serves as the backdrop for the story. For example, for the current series, "Forget-me-not," I wanted to convey the meaning of "Don't forget me," so I researched the flower language. While I haven't started a full-fledged series yet, I named it "Devil Island" to emphasize Alcatraz, the spatial backdrop for the story.
Q10. What are your future hopes?
A. I really like the saying, "Dreams are verbs, not nouns." So, my dream is to be of help to others and live happily, without envying others! I can't say for sure, but my career aspiration is to pursue a career in education. :)
Questions from Darwin Jeong
Q1. What made you install Fanple?
A. As I answered in the previous question, I initially installed it for voting!
Q2. Why did you become a writer?
A. I've always liked to imagine things on my own, and I had a vague idea that I wanted to try writing someday. Then I came across fanflies and somehow I became a writer.🤭
Q3. Why did you start using Forget-Me-Not?
A. Forget-Me-Not was a historical piece I personally always wanted to write, and I got the chance to write it.
Q4. Favorite, second favorite, third favorite
A. Actually, I don't really have a distinction between favorite, second favorite, and third favorite, but if I had to choose, my favorite would be Kim Taehyung :)
Q5. Do you have any other idols you like?
A. Not yet.
Q6. Favorite song
A. There are so many that it's hard to choose,,, but if I had to pick just 5, I like BTS's 'Outro: Wings' and 'Pied Piper', and I also like Charlie Puth's 'Left Right Left'. Among my self-composed songs that are not official tracks but uploaded to Circle, I like 'Abyss' and 'Seoul'!
Q7. Song you've been into recently
A. Recently, BTS's 'Look Here' and 'Blue Side'!
Q8. Is there a topic you'd like to try someday?
A. Uh... Actually, I have a project in the works! Some of you may know this from the forum, but I'd like to try writing a large-scale fantasy genre piece featuring magic and supernatural powers. :) There are more topics I'd like to write about, but... I'm still at a stage where I'm lacking, so if I get the chance, I'll let you know!
Q9. Do you have a favorite author?
A. Yes! I really like author Able❤
Q10. Like or dislike Mincho
A. Wow. It's absolutely fantastic 😁 Mincho is the best. Mincho ice cream is definitely in my top 3 picks!
Q11. A book that left an impression on you
A. Hmm... I remember enjoying George Orwell's Animal Farm and 1984 :) I was also impressed by The Walk Away from Omelas in The Wind's Twelve Directions, and The Kite Runner was also fun. I also like mystery novels, so I enjoyed the Sherlock Holmes and Arsene Lupin series. (In the same vein, I also read Conan avidly at one point...) Of the books I've read in print, these are the ones I can think of right now, and I've been reading a lot of web novels lately😁
Q12. Favorite subject
A. I like Korean. Math isn't bad these days either😙 I like almost all the arts and physical education subjects except for physical education.
Q13. Favorite color
A. Purple and sky blue! But now I like pastel colors too :)
Q14. Favorite flower
A. ... I haven't really thought about it, but since I'm writing a piece called Forget-me-not, I'll call it Forget-me-not😎
Q15. Favorite movie
A. I think I was really impressed by [The Giver]. Actually, I like a lot of movies, but if I just mention a few, I also enjoyed [Along with the Gods], [The Witness], and [Elegant Lies]. :) Oh, actually, I like animated movies, so I like Disney movies. This might be a little TMI, but I enjoy most movie genres except for horror!
Q16. Favorite fruit
A. Strawberries! I like blueberries too! Now that I say it, it's all berries 😁
Questions from. I am a miscellaneous person.
Q1. Do you have any plans to share the materials?
A. It's not that I don't have any! However, I don't have as much material as you might think, and even if I did, it's not something I'd give away, so I'm not sure if I can share it with others. 😅
Q2. How did you come up with the title [Forget-Me-Not: Please Don't Forget Me]?
A. There was a time when I was really learning about the meaning of flowers for personal reasons, and I remember that the Forget-Me-Not flower's meaning was "Don't forget me." After I planned the work "Forget-Me-Not," I struggled a lot with the title. Although most of my works are fiction, I wanted to convey the message that many people have worked hard for our country and that we should not forget. That's why I titled it [Forget-Me-Not: Don't Forget Me].
In fact, there is a story in line with the title in Yoon-ki's line in episode #001.
"Seokjin hyung, and Namjoon. I... I mean, if my mission, no, my existence, is remembered as a fragment of history, no. Even if I'm not remembered, if it helps us get what's ours back even a little, if it ultimately gets what's ours back, then I'm fine with anything. I can do anything. Fight hard. No matter what, I will definitely make this mission a success."
Of course, Yun-gi in "Forget-Me-Not," or rather, most members of the Independence Youth Association, were people who would have volunteered to contribute to independence even if they weren't necessarily remembered in history. Still, I wanted to convey the message, "Let's not forget the efforts of the countless people who fought for our country," through countless works of fiction. :)
Q3. Do you use Instagram?
A. Almost never. I have an account, but I rarely upload anything :)
Q4. Do you know writer Able?
A. Of course. The real Special Investigation Unit was my first fanfic... It's really the best👍
Q5. Can you tell us about your future aspirations?
A. I personally really like that saying. There's a saying that goes, "Dreams are verbs, not nouns." So, I guess you could say my dream is to become someone who helps others and live happily without envying others. I can't say for sure what my dream is, but I'm hoping to pursue a career in education. :)
Q6. If you could tell me why that dream was
A. I've always wanted to be someone who can help and encourage others in some way throughout my life. It might be the most difficult thing to do, and it might even sound a bit presumptuous, but if I can be of even a little help and support to someone who needs it, I think it's truly rewarding in a life that's either long or short.
Q7. Have you seen the Boyish series?
A. No... I don't know what it is😭
Q8. Have you watched Hospital Playlist?
A. No... I've heard of it, but I haven't seen it because the author lives a life without TV 😅
Questions from. Yuhuragohae
Q1. What do you find difficult while writing "Mulmangcho"?
A. To be honest, I feel like it's not easy every time, every moment. However, I think the most difficult part is that, no matter how much it's fiction, it's fiction based on a moment in history, so I have to work hard to ensure that the history isn't greatly distorted or made to seem too trivial. I start the article by stating that it's fiction, but I try to be careful because it can feel like I'm mistaking incorrect information for fact or belittling history.
Q2. My favorite character in Forget-Me-Not
A. It's hard to pinpoint a specific person because the story hasn't unfolded much yet. But if I had to pick one, I think it would be Yoon-gi, who has been cool about saving innocent people and stepping in on his own two feet.
Q3. Do you plan out the entire story and then serialize it? / Do you write spontaneously and serialize it?
A. I think it's half and half :) I keep the general framework and then add improvisations in between😊
Q4. How do you overcome obstacles when you're stuck writing?
A. When I get stuck while writing, I usually just take a break. Time usually solves the problem, so I take a break and then continue writing. But if I'm still stuck, I often ask myself, "What if I were this character?" over and over again, and I keep writing. Of course, as I write like this, I often find myself needing to make revisions, so I have to revise the story multiple times.
Q5. Beliefs and mindset when writing
A. When I write, I always try to keep three things in mind.
First, even if it's fiction, be careful not to denigrate actual facts or glorify social issues or crime. I think this is an important point regardless of the genre. Even if it's fiction, glorifying social issues or crime is a completely different matter. I also believe in avoiding belittling or ridiculing actual historical facts or events, so I try to be careful when writing. That's why I had a lot of concerns when I first started "Mulmangcho."
Second, romance is merely an element that enhances the beauty of the work, not something that undermines its foundation or overshadows the main story. Of course, this might be a bit different for romance fanfics. However, unless it's a full-fledged romance, I believe romance should only be an element that deepens and beautifies the story, not something that interferes with the overall narrative. Therefore, I try to avoid romantic elements altogether or add them as long as they don't interfere with the main story. For example, in my work, Forget-Me-Not, which focuses on seriousness and incident, will likely proceed without romance unless there's a major turning point. In Devil's Island, it's not yet certain, but it will likely include some. Since the genre itself is set as romance, the main story will be a romance-based one.
Third, the story should be consistent and the format should be meticulous. Especially, check and adhere to spelling rules. Personally, when I read something, if the story is too disjointed or the spelling is poorly maintained, I lose focus and feel unmotivated to continue. Therefore, I always try to familiarize myself with each character's personality and avoid situations that don't match the setting or situation, commonly referred to as "character-bung." I also run spell checkers to ensure spelling. Still, I'm only human, so I might make mistakes occasionally. If so, please let me know in the comments and I'll fix it promptly!
Q6. Which of So0o2's works do you like the most?
A. Actually, I made it, so I love and like them all, regardless of their shortcomings, but if I had to choose one, it would be [Forget Me Not: Don't Forget Me]!
Q7. Personal thoughts on So0o2's post(?)
A. I occasionally revisit my writing. While it's still lacking in many ways and has much room for improvement, I consider it a step toward growth, and I'm reaffirming my commitment to working even harder. I think I'm always thinking about how I'm improving and wanting to show you my improved writing.
Q8. Fanfiction you enjoyed reading or are currently reading on FanPlus
A. Author Able's "Special Investigation Team BTS"! If you go there, you'll probably find my comment there too.😤
Q9. When did you start fanfiction?
A. Actually, I don't remember the exact time... But I think I wrote my first piece in the first half of last year, and I started writing seriously at the end of last year. Oh, that first piece from back then has been deleted, so you can't see it😭 (I had about 7 or 8 pieces at the time, but they've all been deleted and are back in Notepad. If I get the chance, I'll try to start over or make short stories.)
Q10. Big and small habits
A. Hmm... I don't really know. I think it's probably just a habit, since I do it unconsciously a lot. If I really think about it, it's like hoarding things...? So it's a little different from saving, but when I have something, I tend to hoard it.
Q11. Hobbies and things you do when you have free time
A. I read books and sometimes play the piano. When I have time, I write. Recently, I played kalimba for my performance evaluation, and I think it's not bad to do it as a hobby sometimes. If I get the chance, I'd like to try crafts. More than anything, I think the two things I do the most are getting enough sleep and pursuing my hobbies.
Q12. Something you want to do at least once in your life
A. First of all, I want to achieve my dream. It's more of a goal than a wish, I guess...? And from a fan perspective, I'd like to go to a fan signing or workshop.🤭
Q13. Current Goals
A. As a student, my immediate goal seems to be getting into the university I want and achieving my dreams. As a writer, my goal is to write better and become more widely known...? If I were to say, I'd like to be on the Bestseller list, that would be a goal. :)
Q14. A memorable dream (if you have one!)
A. Honestly, I was really surprised by this question! I don't know if you're targeting me, but the beginning of Forget-Me-Not was my dream. 😉 I used to dream a lot, but I haven't been dreaming much lately. (Oh, maybe I just don't remember the dreams I have?) Anyway, I think the dream that led me to start Forget-Me-Not is the most memorable.
To give you a rough idea of what the dream was about, I was fighting for independence, and I was being chased after being caught delivering an important document. I ended up getting caught and getting hit on the head with a gun handle or a club, but I woke up... Oh, and I continued the dream the next day while I was sleeping, but I'll keep that a secret.🤭
Q15. What made you fall in love with your favorite artist?
A. I'm currently an ARMY who likes BTS! Actually, I don't remember the exact date I became a fan because I had a long period of inactivity... I became a fan before I knew it... Yes. Anyway, I think I really became a fan around the time of Bomnal's promotions! Back then, I really liked the song and fell in love with the choreography. Also, it was around the time Hwarang was airing, and I remember Taehyung looking so cute :)
Q16. Most recent song you listened to
A. I'm writing this answer while streaming right now, and the butter is just starting to come out😁🧈
Q17. What are you thinking about now?
A. I'm happy because there were more questions than I expected. Honestly, I was worried that no one would come😂 I'm writing my answers while being amazed by the many great questions everyone has left. Our readers are the best. Oh, and since you're saying "readers," I want to try making up subscriber nicknames someday. I don't know if this is a stream of consciousness or something, but anyway, that's it.
Q18. I love you.
A. I love you more❤
All the questions you left here have been answered!
I think I had fun writing the answers because many of you left great questions :) I wonder if my answers sufficiently answered your questions. If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask!
Well, I'll end the Q&A with a big thank you to everyone who participated. I'd love to greet you in writing next time. Thank you always, and I love you❤
2021.07.03