IQ148 // namjoon ✔️

__APRIL__

April ; 2017

"I'm not sure yet..." JungMi murmurs into her phone that she's holding against her ear, "The judging period has been ongoing for months apparently, but I just heard the news today too."

"Really?!" Her mother ardently shrieks from the other end of the line, "What did they say?"

"The judges are still reviewing other books and tallying the scores, but the short list of nominees for the award are going to be announced later today."

"Oh! My daughter! Among the best in the country! One of the best authors in the country!" Her mother exclaims. From JungMi's end, it sounds as if her mother is declaring it to the entire world.
Or at least to her father who is probably in the same room but not directly on the phone call.

JungMi whines and covers the mic of her phone to try and muffle her mother's cries, "Stop mom! That's so embarrassing..." She's not used to receiving such praise from her mother...

But she's going to have to get used to it, because her mother won't stop talking about JungMi's book to everyone she meets.

When JungMi was in high school, her parents didn't give her writing the same amount of hype as they are now. Her parents and brother never matched her excitement for her achievements. Now it's different. She used to win many literary competitions in high school, but the Yi Sang Literary Award is a whole different league of competitors.

It is one of South Korea's most prestigious literary awards, named after Yi Sang, an innovative writer in modern Korean literature. Even her parents and brother know about it. To win it, to even be nominated, means serious publicity for her book across South Korea. It also means gaining acclaim and respect in the writing field.

And JungMi's book is being considered as a nominee for the award.

"There's so many other books that came out from such well-known writers, mine would probably just get lost in the pile." JungMi denounces before her mother can get her hopes up. Her chances of being nominated are minute. Her chances of winning are infinitesimal.

"Aish, what nonsense are you spewing..." her mother scolds her for being so pessimistic, "Don't you have any hopes or expectations for your book?"

JungMi is completely dumbfounded; her mouth opens and closes like a fish out of water, searching for air the same way she is searching for the right words. Growing up, JungMi had always wanted to hear this question from her parents. But now that she's hearing it, it's harder to give an answer now than it would have been back then.

JungMi runs a hand through her hair, untangling any knots, "I'm not sure... Whatever happens, happens."

As they run out of things to talk about, JungMi wishes her parents a goodnight before hanging up and setting her phone down on her wooden table.

Feeling too anxious to be comfortable on the couch, JungMi sits on the floor at the end of the wooden table in the middle of her living room. She shifts the pillow she's sitting on before leaning back against the edge of the couch cushion. She throws her head back and exhales a prolonged sigh.

"Was that your mom?" JungMi lifts her head as her literary agent and friend, Ms. Min, comes over from the kitchen with a box of fried chicken and two cans of beer: a perfect late night combo.

"Mmm..." JungMi confirms as she helps Ms.Min clear the table and spread out the dishes. Once they settle down in the living room, JungMi on the floor and Ms.Min across from her on the couch, they both crack open the cans of beer and 'clink' them together over the table.

"How has she been? Is she healthy?" Ms. Min asks as she sips her beer; she has only met JungMi's mother occasionally when she would come over to JungMi's apartment for work related issues and JungMi's mother would already be inside rummaging through the kitchen.