Translated by: ShawnSuh Edited by: SootyOwl The camera focused on Myung Joos face looking somewhat fl.u.s.tered . Trace of a Bird! Duh, Seo Kw.a.n.g said as he grabbed a handful of chips . Unlike his light-hearted remark, the actor was contemplating the answer quite seriously . Its somewhat of an obvious question, but Im still curious . Id be hard-pressed, too . As the actors thoughts lasted longer than antic.i.p.ated, and the hosts took turns to chime in . Then, Myung Joo picked a book with a smile . You know, I gotta go with this one, Trace of a Bird . Ah . Playing it safe, are we? Was that too predictable? Like Seo Kw.a.n.g had predicted, Myung Joo had picked Trace of a Bird . A bird in a white background . Then, the screen transitioned into an informative sequence about the book, which was edited to look like a movie preview . The beginning of a genius author . Debut t.i.tle . Film adaptation . What was your reason for choosing that particular book? Does it have anything to do with you being in the movie? the host asked . As far as the latter half of your question, I cant say that it didnt affect my decision . Honestly, I had read the book before I auditioned for the role . Really? Yes . I was already a fan of Yun Woo by then . My job involves expressing various things like emotions or situations, so as soon as I read the book, I thought: If only I can be this expressive . Then, Pyung Jin, the book critic spoke up . I think thats proof that Yun Woo had successfully formed his own voice and style right off the bat with his debut t.i.tle . Theres no hesitation in the way the author describes a persons emotional state, and he limites his use of modifiers to an appropriate level . The balance of the book as a whole, as well as that of between the scenes, is superb . Back then, I wasnt sure if it was the authors actual talent or if it was just a carefully calculated result, but the answer became obvious when I read Sound of Wailing . Everyone listened to the critic intently as they agreed with him . Then, the poet asked the actor in a mischievously, You met Yun Woo in person, right? At that, Seo Kw.a.n.g poked at Juhos sides, but Juho ignored him and kept his eyes fixed on the TV . Myung Joo was smiling while scratching his cheek . Yes . Once . Then, a series of desperate voices sounded simultaneously, demanding the actor share more . Please! Tell us more! Im dying to hear this! The viewers will love it! Our shows been doing so well lately . Help us keep up the pace, Myung Joo! Then, Myung Joo opened his mouth as if giving into their pressure and said, I was told to keep it to myself . Everyone on set jeered at the actors less than satisfying answer, and Seo Kwan, too, joined in with them for some reason . Oh, cmon! Like director, like actor . Well, dont you think this is over! Well get back to ya, Myung Joo . With that, the hosts moved on to talking about another book that had received the most number of votes, and the poet took the turn to speak . For me, its Language of G.o.d, he said as he placed his hands on a series of books bundled into a single stack, and like previously, the screen transitioned into a similar sequence that looked like a movie preview . The rise of Yun Woos rival, Won Yi Young . Readers respond to the truth . I was seriously impressed by Yun Woos imagination . Oh, wait! Is it Won Yi Young? I think I was in a daze for a good while when I found out that Yun Woo and Won Yi Young were the same person . I mean, people were going back and forth constantly over that matter! I doubted my own eyes because I was on Yun Woos side . I was on Won Yi Youngs . Then, the poet went on to explain the world in Language of G.o.d, from the characters to the regions, and others various fictional beings, including the languages . As for these languages, you can find detailed explanations in the offshoot volume of the book, called Language of G.o.d: Language . I gotta say, as soon as I read it, I felt all my doubts melt away, and it dawned on me that Yun Woo really created all those languages on his own . If you look here, theres a mention of the author drawing inspiration from the development of various languages across the world . There have been people who actually started speaking those languages, right? I believe that some of the more avid readers speak up to three of those languages . Not to mention, there are people researching them as we speak . This world is sure full of incredible people, like the person who created those languages and those who speak them . Honestly, I was still just as lost, even after reading the offshoot volume . Im struggling with Korean, as is . At that, Seo Kw.a.n.g agreed enthusiastically, and Juho munched on his chips . Now, what about you, Mr . Lee? Lastly, the turn went to the critic, and he rose from his seat to walk over to the books . Then, without hesitation, he picked up a book in each of his hands . Without a doubt . Belongings Sound of Wailing . Despite the hosts pressure to pick one, Pyung Jin insisted on choosing two . Now, I dont have to mention that one of these books won the Dong Kyung Literary Award . Of course . You were one of the judges, right? You spoke with pa.s.sion that day . Then, the screen showed an excerpt of a previous episode, where the critic spoke about the book while wearing an orange tie . By the time the screen returned to the current episode, there was only Belongings in the critics hands . The writing Translated By: Yun Woo became visible . OK . So, Sound of Wailing seems to be the most popular book of the day . Mr . Lee, would you mind explaining the book in your hands to us? At the hosts remark, Juho knew what had happened immediately . His answer must have been too long . I bet they had to cut out his answer, Seo Kw.a.n.g murmured, and Pyung Jin began to talk about Belongings . This book was actually written by Kelley Coin, but as you know, it also happens to be Yun Woos first translation . I knew youd pick that book, Mr . Lee, the poet interjected, and Pyung Jin cleared his throat quietly and said, What do you think are some of the most important things in a translation? The host directed the turn to Myung Joo, and after thinking for a brief moment, he answered, Uh… Id figure that you have to speak the language youre translating from? Thats right . You have to be fluent in the language youre translating from, as well as the language youre translating to . I mean, thats what makes it a translation, right? Turning a book written in one language into another . The more the translator is fluent in both languages, the better the quality of the translation . The actor listened intently at the critics explanation . There are several types of translations, and as you know, its also a necessary component in film and business . Of course, every field goes by different standards, but in the field of literature, the most important thing is keeping the uniqueness intact . Uniqueness? the actor asked, and other cast members were nodding as if they were already familiar with what they were hearing . Novels are very different from a business doc.u.ment, where you have the freedom to let your subordinate take over and fill it out for you . Its not a standardized system where a person takes over when another resigns . When an author dies, we cant expect any more books from them, Pyung Jin said calmly . And it is a translators job to translate such books . Then, Juho realized that Seo Kw.a.n.g was oddly quiet . He was sitting in silence, without moving a muscle . Only his eyes were fixed on the TV screen . So, naturally, a translator would feel motivated to translate the authors original work as is . At that, Myung Joo nodded, and the hosts didnt go out of their way to cheer up the cast members as the air sank into silence . They simply carried on with their jobs: to host the show . So, what does that mean for Yun Woos translation? Why do you think I was so insistent on choosing this book? There are two things that are missing in this book . Two things? Like what? Mistranslations and Yun Woo . Pyung Jins tie moved slightly as he spoke . Theres not one bit of mistranslation in this book . It might be that I missed it, but I wouldve recognized a bad translation if I saw it . Its very clean, and considering that its Yun Woos first translation, he did an incredible job . The cast members and the audiences alike exclaimed quietly as they listened to Pyung Jin intently . Also, Yun Woo . Theres no trace of him anywhere . The entire time, I was under the impression that I was reading a book written by Kelley Coin . Ive read the original, and its not easy to replicate that sort of reading experience . This is a translated version, I might add, so itd be natural if something felt like it might have been changed, and thats why translators try to minimize those changes as much as possible . But, in Yun Woos case, theres not one bit where it feels like its been changed . Its very odd how identical it feels to reading the original . Then, the camera showed Myung Joos face, which looked deeply impressed . Id recommend this book to anyone whos getting their hands on Kelley Coin for the first time . They will get the full Kelley Coin experience . With that, Pyung Jin finished his segment and locked eyes with Myung Joo . Speaking of which, did you hear anything about the meeting between Kelley Coin and Yun Woo? At the unexpected question, Myung Joo chuckled as if he was caught off guard, and the rest of the cast members joined in . You too, Mr . Lee? But really, tell us! Were dying to know what kind of things Kelley Coin would have talked about with Yun Woo! This is Kelley Coin were talking about here, and we discussed his books in the past too . You guys know about this, right? The host asked the audience . Thats why people were making such a big deal out of it, saying things like Kelley Coins at it again! or What business does an eighteen year old have in translating? Although, I gotta admit that I was secretly rooting for Yun Woo as a fan . So, if theres anything you know about the meeting between Kelley Coin and Yun Woo, tell us! At everyones urges, Myung Joo sighed quietly and answered in a sad voice, Id love to know as well . He was sincere, and it had the power to soften their hearts . The rest of the cast members quietly let him off the hook and then went on to leave a video message for Yun Woo, like previously . Yun Woo, wed love to have you! While Juho brought a chip up to his mouth, he looked in Seo Kw.a.n.gs direction . His friend was deeply moved, and his eyes sparkled with inspiration . Im gonna translate your books . No matter what, he declared all of a sudden . All right . Juho rooted internally for his determined friend . Whether or not he would be able to accomplish his goal was not important . What mattered was that he was making the effort . Then, Juho turned his eyes back to the screen, where his books were resting on the desk . At that, he resolved himself that he would write as long as he could with a determination similar to his friends sitting next to him . Oh, yeah! We need to start thinking about essay contests, huh? Yep, Juho answered Seo Kw.a.n.g . Mr . Moon had posted quite a few of flyers about various contests on the chalkboard . Have you decided which contest you wanna be in? Not yet . Im still deciding . You? Im gonna try the same compet.i.tion as last year . Then, Juho contemplated, What to do? I wouldnt mind being part of the same compet.i.tion as last year . Then, he remembered a person . Sung Pil . Although they had never agreed on being at the same contest, they had competed at the same contest . Maybe itll happen again, Juho thought as he decided to give him a call . Language of G.o.d is almost done, huh, Seo Kw.a.n.g said, looking ahead at the TV screen . Whens the last volume coming out? Im dying to know . Oh! Do you have the ma.n.u.script? Yes, I do . Gasp! Then, Seo Kw.a.n.g clasped his chest all of a sudden . You mean… you have the ma.n.u.script?! Yep . Its just the finale though . I had an idea about how to end the series, so I ended up writing it before the sixth volume . Its in my room, actually . At that, Seo Kw.a.n.g bounced on the couch anxiously with excitement . It was obvious that he was tempted, and Juho munched on his chips . Do you want me to bring it? Ugh! Dont you test me! I can just show you, you know . No . Thatd be cheating . It wouldnt be fair to other readers . Whats the big deal? My editors read it too . Thats different! Seo Kw.a.n.g shouted emphatically . OK, then . Wait, wait . What do you want from me? Juho thought as he observed Seo Kw.a.n.g quietly, who was struggling to fight off the sweet temptation of the devil himself . Then, sending Sung Pil a text about the essay contest, he redirected his attention to the TV . That night, Juho heard the news from Nam Kyung that Belongings started selling at an increasing rate after the show aired .