스물넷의 사한은 도스너 달 천문대의 직원으로 채용돼 천문대에 가던 중 우주에서 조난당한다. 약 11개월의 표류 후 구조된 사한을 맞이한 건 11년이 지난 후의 지구. 2008년에 떠난 지구에 2019년에 도착한다, 배냇웃음이 선명하던 열네 살 꼬마와 스물다섯 동갑이 된 채로.
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“희건아.” 녀석의 팔을 감싸 툭툭 두드렸다. 뭐가 뭔지는 모르겠지만 상황을 정리하긴 해야 할 것이다. 일단 내가 연장자니까. “형이 너한테 차가운 것 같아서 속상했으면 미안한데, 옛날에도 말했지만 내 친구들이랑 네가 같냐? 너랑 내가 나이 차가 몇인데.” “이제는 아니잖아.” “아니어도, 인마…. 난 니가 기저귀 차고 걸음마 떼는 것도 봤던 사람이야.” “어쩌라고. 넌 그런 시절 없었냐?”
I read Publang's digital English release of Sahan.
It follows a young man, Sahan (24), who is traveling to the Moon to work there at an observatory when there is an accident and he's left stranded in an escape pod. When he's rescued, one year has passed for him, but eleven years have passed on Earth, so he is 35 years old, but also only 25 years old. He then reencounters his childhood neighbor, Heegeon, who was 14 when he left and is now the same age as him, 25.
I really liked the Sahan. I cried a few times while reading because of his emotional distress upon returning and trying to adjust to life on Earth again. I found his introspection about life really moving even though it made me feel a bit depressed. It reminded me Dazai's writing in The Setting Sun about how some feel about living. Regarding the romance, I wasn't a big fan of his relationship with Heegeon for most of the story because Heegeon reacted to everything so immaturely despite being the same age. I understand he had his own issues to work through with the shock of losing the hyung he admired so much and then the shock of his return after he was presumed dead, but I felt like while Sahan had a well written character arc with a lot of growth, Heegeon seemed like he didn't really have any development. I did like the ending a lot though with the two side stories following their relationship post main story.
This is definitely worth a read, but there is triggering content around suicide if that bothers you.
.... wow! I went into this blind, I didn't know what to expect but I did NOT expect this novel to hit much deeper topics. Though Yoon Sahan, and the general vibe was VERY nihilistic, it does take a turn for the better, not in a sense of the ending is super hopeful and everyone is happy but that sometimes you know, life is just worth living. I feel like this novel carries a very simple message, especially for those who have depression. It's not your classic "he can fix me, " approach usually romance novels would take, but rather (In my opinion) acknowledging it and working with it (if you can say that [trying not to spoil]) rather than trying to "act" like you're getting rid of it.
They mention Space dust syndrome which is basically equivalent to Tiny Blue Dot mentality (believing everything we do doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things) and we get some pretty interesting interpretations to why Space Refugee's would take their own life. For a short story, its has its own fair share of cute, sad and impressive moments. Honestly, I wasn't really expecting much but I'd even say I recommend giving this a read! If I mean, you are in the headspace to. It's not anything horribly depressing, but some might find its contents to be pandering to nihilistic ideas (though that isn't the point of the story).
I didn't really talk much about the main characters but they are also cute too. Its mostly Heegeon as Sahan is mostly trying to run away / too busy convincing himself that he's making some sort of mistake, but the love Heegeon has for Sahan is really heartwarming. At times it can be a little painful to see him so desperate to hold on to Sahan, but they end up being okay in the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I was reading at first cause i was curious and couldn't wait for the manhwa to upload more chapters, but then i felt my heart being ripped out of my chest every time this two guys were together, TF??? DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I CRIED TO THIS??? AND THAT LAST CHAPTER WAS THE MY LITERAL END BRO, YOU CANNOT LIVE ME JUST LIKE THAT, I FELT LIKE HEEGEON WHEN SAHAN WENT TO THE SPACE GOSH 😭😭
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.