About the Book: This poignant novella by Yi Mun-yol explores identity, ambition, art, and survival through the life of a young poet searching for meaning and recognition. After his family is condemned as traitors, a boy is forced into exile and must navigate a world shaped by loss, social status, and personal dreams. As he pursues a life as a poet, he struggles between restoring his family’s honour and finding his own path. A deeply reflective work of Korean literature, this powerful story examines selfhood, resilience, and the human desire for belonging. Part of the Brief Encounters collection.