Behind The Book With Jimin Han
Almost 3 years ago, I did my very first Q&A with Jimin Han, the author of The Apology which you can read by clicking on this link here https://booknotions.com/qa-with-jimin-han/ . Now Jimin is back and ready to discuss her second novel Dreamt I Found You. Dreamt I Found You will be released on April 28th wherever you get your books! Reading this book is like an early birthday gift considering my birthday is the day after!
Q: Welcome back to Book Notions Jimin! I can’t believe it’s been almost 3 years since we did a Q&A together! Would you please give a brief description of Dreamt I Found You?
A: Happy birthday on April 29th! Thank you for all your support for The Apology and now DIFY. I’d describe the new novel as a reimagining of a classic Korean folktale of a love story much like Romeo & Juliet—reimagined because it takes place in the United States rather than Korea and in the present time versus ancient times. And it’s new because remember how the nurse and the friar helped Romeo & Juliet ? Dreamt I Found You is written from the perspective of a cousin who plays that role. Also, the ending is a lot different from the tragic Shakespearean play.
Q: Dreamt I Found You is a contemporary retelling of Chunhyang and Mongryong which is Korea’s parallel story to Romeo & Juliet. Did you find it challenging to reimagine a classic love story for a modern audience?
A: Yes, not only a present-day audience who’s not familiar with the Tale of Chunhyang but also here in the United States as opposed to South Korea. It was a good challenge to have though because the main character, Dahee, and her cousin, Channing, have grown up straddling both cultures and so they don’t know the Korean story either. They watch K-dramas all the time and ask their grandfather about Korean culture. I hope people will relate to them and cheer on Channing’s love story with Minjae, her Romeo.
Q: Since we did our Q&A almost 3 years ago, did it take you this amount of time to write this novel?
A: I was working on a book similar to DIFY back when The Apology came out, but it had a different main character, still based in the Rhode Island/Massachusetts area though. Deciding on the Tale of Chunhyang really took the book in a better direction.
Q: Which scenes did you enjoy creating for the story? It’s hard for me to choose! I love the bond between Dahee & Channing that while they’re cousins their relationship is more of a sister bond and their bond with Harabeoji/Grandfather is similar to the bond I have with Poppy/my grandfather!
A: I’m so glad you have such a special relationship with your grandfather! My editor loved the Harabeoji character a lot, and I had a lot of fun writing him. My favorite scenes are when Harabeoji is telling a story, either in the prologue or when he tells the boys that Channing is babysitting about the story of the two brothers who find gold in the river. It’s not only because Harabeoji knows so much but that he knows who he’s talking to. You never feel he’s talking at you.
Q: What are some reminders and lessons you hope readers come away with after reading such a beautiful tale? I feel it’s a reminder that real love is worth fighting for and waiting for.
A: I believe that too! It is worth fighting for. I guess for me I also want people to remember that there’s strength in numbers. We know what’s fair and just and we know our bonds as cousins, friends, neighbors are tougher than anyone coming in to divide us.
Q: If we were to get a sequel to Dreamt I Found You, what would Dahee, Channing, Minjae & Paul be doing right now?
A: Oh, how fun! I hope they’ll be eating a great meal together in East End at the beach or meeting up in different parts of the world. They’d want to use their knowledge of technology to help people. Stop all this AI and cruel surveillance systems. On their time off, if the world were a safer place, they’d go to visit Paul’s cousins in Italy or his brother in Seattle, go to Seoul where Channing and Minjae might be spending time with Minjae’s mother, or go on an adventure completely new, maybe Australia or New Zealand.
Q: Who would be your dream cast if or I should say when Hollywood gets the rights to Dreamt I Found You?
A: Haha! I wish! That would be so wonderful. Ashley Park for Channing? Arden Cho for Ames and Yerin Ha for Dahee? I’m sure she could do an American accent. For the men, that’s tougher one. I was picturing the Korean actor Song Joong-ki when I was writing that character. But Alex Landi is slightly younger so either one would be great. And then Justin H. Min for Paul? We’d have to get Steven Yeun for Kent possibly? Would he ever play such a villain?
Q: What are other classic Korean love stories that should be retold in your opinion, and do you plan on writing them? 😉
A: There are so many. There’s a Cinderella one called Kongjwi and Patjwi, for example. Lots of magic in that one. Not the one I’m working on right now. I hope someone writes it though. My new book is still in development. I can’t wait to share with you when I’m allowed. Fingers crossed! Thank you so much!
