When he comes back from school and runs into the bathroom to pour water on himself, he smells of soap.

Even when I sit completely still in front of the desk, I can distinguish his approach, even his facial expressions or feelings, well in advance. 

그가 학교에서 돌아와 욕실로 뛰어가서 

물을 뒤집어쓰고 나오는 때이면 비누 냄새가 난다.

나는 책상 앞에 돌아앉아서 옴짝도 하지 않고 있더라도

그가 가까이 오는 것을,

그의 표정이나 기분까지라도,

넉넉히 미리 알아차릴 수 있다.

Interview by literary critic Jeon So-yeong

Zelkova tree is known to be very hard and have a beautiful sheen and a long lifespan. The zelkova tree in this story is not just any tree, but a young tree, which represents a new generation and a new era. Sook-hee and Hyun-kyu try to live in this new world while steadfastly resisting all sort of outside pressures trying to destroy their happiness and freedom. Their unwavering determination is symbolized by the young zelkova tree. 

When he stopped two or three meters in front of me, I felt as if my body would run toward him all by itself. But I actually did quite the opposite. I held onto the trunk of a young zelkova tree. My life wasn’t over. I could keep on loving him.

“Promise me that you’ll come home. Tomorrow or the day after, or as soon as possible.” 

He forced a small smile. Then, he turned around and ran down the hill. The wind was blowing against him. I was laughing as I put my arms around the young zelkova tree.

그가 이삼미터의 거리까지 와서 멈추었을 때

나는 내 몸이 저절로 그 편으로 내달은 것 같은 착각을 느꼈다.

사실은 그와 반대로 젊은 느티나무 둥치를 붙든 것이었다.

내 삶은 끝나버린 것이 아니었다.

나는 그를 더 사랑하여도 되는 것이었다.

“이제는 집에 돌아오겠다고 약속해 주겠지.

 내일이건 모레건 되도록 속히....“ 

그는 억지로처럼 조금 미소하였다.

그리고 빙글 몸을 돌려 산비탈을 달려 내려갔다.

바람이 마주 불었다.

나는 젊은 느티나무를 안고 웃고 있었다. 

---

Kang Shin-jae (1924 ~ 2001, Born in Seoul)

: 1949 Debuted with “Face” on literary magazine Literature

1959 Won the Korean Writers’ Association Award with short story “The Cliff”

1960 Published “Young Zelkova Tree” in literary magazine Sasanggye