Actor Park Jung-min's publishing company Muze's 'First Summer, Wanju' has even made singer and actress IU (Lee Ji-eun) hum a tune.
Today (30th), 'First Summer, Wanju' (author Kim Geum-hee) officially meets readers in bookstores nationwide. This is Muze's new work, with Park Jung-min transforming into the publisher's representative.
In particular, 'First Summer, Wanju' is the first work of the 'Listening Novel Project' planned by Muze. It was first produced as an audiobook for visually impaired readers. Typically, general books are published in printed form and then audio versions follow. However, 'First Summer, Wanju' boldly flipped this practice by releasing the audiobook first and publishing the printed book afterward. The personal experience of Park Jung-min, the representative of Muze, whose father lost his sight when Muze's first book 'Saving Life' was published, led to the 'Listening Novel Project.'
'First Summer, Wanju' depicts the story of the protagonist Son Yeol-mae (Go Min-si), a SUNGWOO, who is deceived by a close person and forms unexpected connections with characters in Wanju village while trying to receive money. Author Kim Geum-hee delicately portrays the feelings of the characters with her unique warm perspective.
The reactions from critics and the art world regarding the work have also been enthusiastic. Literary critic Shin Hyung-cheol noted, "True to its title, this novel deals with summer, but it feels like we have experienced all four seasons. Four seasons, that is, another name for the many facets of life," emphasizing the novel's insights and emotional depth.
IU shared, "In every single leaf and in the cheerful line of dialogue by the late Shin Hae-chul that flows from the radio, there is an inevitable sadness, but strangely, I find myself smiling with 'heung-heung'," conveying her honest and deep impressions as a reader. This reflects her strong performance in the recent Netflix original series 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' (written by Lim Sang-chun, directed by Kim Won-seok), where she portrayed the literary girlhood of the main character Oh Ae-soon.
'First Summer, Wanju' was written with the audiobook in mind, featuring a mix of dialogue and prose that blurs the boundaries between sound, text, and print. Additionally, the music of musicians Cloud and Yoonmachi, along with well-placed sound effects, enhances the vibrancy of the audiobook. Most importantly, actors Go Min-si, Kim Do-hun, Yum Jung-ah, Kim Ui-sung, and comedian Choi Yang-rak lent their voices to enrich its quality and meaning.
Actor Park Jung-min is currently busy as the representative of Muze after completing the shoot for director Ryoo Seung-wan's new film 'Humint'. He is making efforts to promote 'First Summer, Wanju' as a 'Listening Novel.' He stated that "the 'Listening Novel' project of Muze will continue in the future."
[Photo] OSEN DB, provided by Muze.
[OSEN]