** First, on the cover, Dongdong is holding a transparent candy instead of a pink one. This reflects the original intent of the author. The last transparent candy that Dongdong ate held the most significant meaning in the story. This transparent candy, which is “quiet no matter how much you suck on it,” is a mundane candy without magical effects. However, even without magic, Dongdong can express his true feelings. Therefore, Dongdong decides to “speak first.” It reflects his true voice and will. When looking at myself with a clear and transparent heart, I can fully understand the surrounding world, which is why this candy must be transparent. Thus, the transparent candy is the 'core' and 'foundation' of Candy.
** When you open the hidden front cover beneath the cover, it transitions to a scene where Dongdong and Guseul are standing in a sunlit living room, with a close-up of Dongdong's face fading out of focus. It feels like looking at a warm photograph. This composition creates movement and vitality reminiscent of a movie scene within the limited space of the paper, enhancing the reader's immersion.
** The scenes and paratexts from the original book's endpapers and front cover—where the empty lot Dongdong played in alone transforms into a lot shared with friends, the fallen leaves and Guseul on the ground, and the first line, “I play alone”—have been seamlessly integrated into the main text. This change delicately and actively showcases Dongdong's inner growth and transformation, enriching the narrative of Candy. The endpapers in shades of green, symbolizing growth and new beginnings, and the blank spaces used in the front cover beautifully conclude the story, leaving a deep resonance and rhythm of the tale for the readers.
** Various beings that convey Dongdong's psychological state and feelings are delicately expressed through frame changes. In the early part, the square frame symbolizing Dongdong's separation from the world gradually transforms and expands as he learns about the hearts of others. The appeal of the old sofa, the conversation with his pet dog Guseul, and Dongdong running outside following the sound of fallen leaves transform into a circular frame reminiscent of candy, visually expressing his recovery of inner self and a lighter heart. This visual change allows readers to understand and empathize more deeply with the protagonist's growth and transformation.
** Inside the cover, the author includes a storyboard written and illustrated by themselves, allowing readers a glimpse into the process of the work's creation. Additionally, the author's signature and Dongdong's image embossed in gold on the cover flaps add to its collectible charm.
** Furthermore, the handwritten notes capturing the voices of the sofa, Guseul, dad, grandma, and fallen leaves are a meaningful collaboration involving the author's family and acquaintances.
# The Universe of Candy Unfolding in Story Bowl
"What we need to make life sweeter is storytelling." _ Baek Heena
Baek Heena's characters and scene settings are meticulous and delicate. Dongdong, who struggles with communication, is clumsy in expressing his feelings and cannot accept the emotions of others. To visualize this, the author made the eyes, nose, and mouth small and covered the ears with a bowl-shaped hairstyle. (After eating the candy, as his ears open, Dongdong begins to converse with the world, revealing the previously hidden ears in the process.) Dongdong's dad symbolizes an adult who struggles with communication through the light reflected in his glasses. (In Dongdong's confession, his dad's eyes, faintly visible beyond the lenses, reveal his true feelings.) Additionally, a friend appearing beside Dongdong is wearing a sweater belonging to Hongbi, the protagonist of "Cloud Bread." He is a kind version of Hongbi and an old friend who exists only in the author's heart. Familiar scenes from the author's real life also stand out. The text of the dad's nagging was inspired by things the author's son often heard from his dad. The tedious phrases could be filled in an instant. Moreover, the scene of hugging dad was sketched after the author’s son actually hugged his dad.
The scene where Dongdong approaches the trees bathed in autumn sunlight was the most important and carefully crafted scene for the author. To capture Dongdong growing in the sunlight, he photographed the falling leaves backlit to capture a fantastical yet warm light. Dongdong listens to the sounds from outside and steps out of the house. It is the moment he takes a step toward the world. As if welcoming him, the fallen leaves in the autumn sunlight greet him. "The falling leaves signify parting, but the fallen leaves will become fertilizer for new sprouts in the next spring, meaning a new beginning. Thus, the farewell of fallen leaves is both a 'farewell of parting' and a 'farewell of meeting.'" As the author says, Dongdong's autumn is not sad. Like the various colors of leaves, the child still holds many dreams and possibilities...
# Round Things: Candy and the Universe
Candy, marbles, and Dongdong's round face... "Candy" is filled with round things. As Dongdong says, playing with marbles is fun. The way the round marbles collide and push each other reveals various aspects of our human relationships. The sweet candy that slowly melts and disappears in the mouth reminds us how precious the brief yet sweet moments of life are. The round shape has no beginning or end, perfectly harmonious without bias. Thus, the spherical shape is cosmic and essential. Like planets and stars in the universe, 'Candy' and 'marbles' resemble a small universe that children can touch and feel directly. Just as planets move along their orbits influenced by gravity, we too influence each other while living with our unique narratives. We are indeed beings moving within the truths of the universe.
A small candy rests in Dongdong's hand. When he rolls the candy in his mouth, the sound can be heard. 'Sound' possesses the power to awaken our hearts and souls beyond the realm of hearing. The magical candy transforms into an invisible, intangible sound (auditory) through taste. The substance of candy undergoes a magical transformation into the immaterial of sound.
Dongdong listens to their sounds. His sincerity awakens the inner voice, helping him understand others and realize he is one being connected to the universe. "Candy" inspires dreams of a harmonious life. It encourages rediscovery of the meaning in the small things of everyday life and reminds us that we are all connected within one vast universe. Listen with a sincere heart. Your endlessly unfolding universe will open up.
# "Do you want to play with me?"
We know each other quite well. Meeting "Candy" after seven years feels the same. Unchanged, it stays in my heart, empathizing with and comforting me. Baek Heena's comfort is never direct. She simply places something in that space from a suitable distance. It doesn't matter who left the magical candy. It was Dongdong who went to buy new marbles to find his own and others' hearts, and it was also Dongdong who discovered the magical candy buried under a pile of dusty items.
"Do you want to play with me?" Dongdong speaks again. He encourages that the world is still beautiful and that truth shines. Listen and respond to his quiet invitation. This is how Baek Heena offers comfort. The author does not wish for her story to be obscured by numerous awards and glamorous titles. The simple sincerity of the author wishing for the story to be conveyed as a story is the true meaning of this re-release.
In the new spring, I hope "Candy" continues to reside in the hearts of readers.
And may the story of "Candy" become 'your candy' that tells the hearts of mine and someone else's!