Summary
"During sleepless nights, I enter the closet.
The closet is my own hiding place."
The protagonist starts unpacking after moving into a new place. While doing so, they come across items left behind by their former lover and become lost in thoughts... In the midst of solitude, they pause their organizing and begin writing a letter to their ex.
"I bought a new closet while moving. That reminded me of something..."
They open up about memories connected to the closet, sharing their inner feelings with their ex-lover.
"When I was young, I used to fall asleep in the closet often. I even gave it a name, Coco."
And so, an unbelievable story begins, narrated by the protagonist.
The child is afraid of falling asleep and suffers from insomnia every night. Whenever that happens, they enter the closet, which acts as a safe haven, and drift off to sleep. One day, as if by magic, the closet comes to life and speaks to the child. The child embarks on exciting adventures in the fantasy realm of 'Kuru' through the closet...
Through the adventures in 'Kuru,' the child's suppressed emotions gradually unfold. However, amidst the joy, they stumble upon a surprising fact. They learn that their father, who is bedridden due to illness, is lacking in 'time.' In an effort to help their father, the child sets out on an adventure to retrieve 'time' in the land of Kuru...!
Book review by Atnoon
How wonderful it would be if life were always like a fantasy world, so fantastical and dreamlike. However, reality isn't always like that, and that's why we sometimes find ourselves yearning to escape to an unrealistic world. At times cowardly, at times clumsily, and at times courageously... as we live from moment to moment, we might just come across the people and times we've missed, much like we longed for. While waiting for a day that may never come, we face the night where we confront the farewells we've hidden deep in our hearts, in our own sanctuary. The grown-up child waves a quiet goodbye.
"Good night, Coco."
To effectively convey the structure that transcends the present and the past, different coloring materials and techniques were utilized. In depicting the past, where adventures unfold in the fantasy world, colored pencils were used to add texture and vibrant colors to bring life to the scenes. For the present, a mixture of pencils and pastels was employed to mute textures and grayscale was used to portray the inner turmoil of the characters. A recurring theme of yellow "light" was woven through the central subjects and backgrounds of the scenes, adding flow. This gently and warmly visualizes the idea that childhood memories console the sadness of the present.
Introduction an author
Author. Mijin Jung
I am working as a scenario writer and a picture book author. Memories of playing and imagining various things while hiding in the closet as a child became the foundation of "Good Night, Coco." I dedicate this story to my father, who taught me the joy of writing. Dad, may you soar high in a pain-free world. My written works include "Mr. Who", "Clipped Fingernails".
Illustrator. Soyoung Park
I am studying visual design at a picturesque mountain school with flowing water, and currently, I am working on illustrations.
"Good Night, Coco" aimed to convey a warm sentiment through serene illustrations. I always exhibit my artwork at http://bonsoirlune.com.
My illustrated books include "Watermelon Swimming Pool," "Grandma's Summer Vacation," and "Mary."
BOOK TRAILER