[Current & Culture]The Kind and Clear Perspective of Eunseol’s Day

An Elementary Student with Visual Impairment, Eunseol
Reflects on Herself and Her Surroundings Through Writing
A Lesson for Those of Us Who Only Open Our Eyes Wide for Our Own Gain

I run a small publishing company. Once or twice a year, when I come across writing that I really want to publish as a book, I turn it into one. This year, I encountered three such pieces, and next month, the third book will be released. It is a piece written by Park Eunseol, an elementary school student living in Busan. She was born with a visual impairment and wrote her work with the help of a tool called Hansone.

When I first read her writing, I was curious about what special qualities it might have. However, from the very first page, she wrote the following: "My day is ordinary." Indeed, her writing records the ordinary daily life that one might expect from someone her age.

But at a certain point, I decided to publish this writing as a book for the following reason: "While writing this book, I reflected on myself once again. Who am I, and am I not heading down the wrong path in my life? (Omitted) While writing and reviewing this piece, I was very disappointed in myself. I even thought of myself as 'a fool.' But after making all the revisions, I answered myself, 'Yes, I am a fool. But in the end, I made the corrections.' Only then did I smile. Sometimes, disappointment and self-reproach are necessary. Even so, I care for myself. I and myself wrote this piece together. We never part, no matter where we go." - from Eunseol’s Day (2023, Jeongmiso Publishing)

While reading her writing, I naturally recalled The Diary of Anne Frank, which I read in my childhood. While hiding in the ghetto controlled by the German army, Anne imagined the world beyond the one that blinded her eyes. Perhaps Anne was the only one who kept her eyes open during a time when everyone had to live with their eyes closed. She reflected on herself and observed the people and circumstances around her. She continuously recorded her thoughts and believed in the goodness of people until the end, enduring hardships to face the world.

What kind of world does Eunseol see? She seems to spend ordinary days like her peers, but she constantly reflects on herself and her surroundings. Her gaze warmly reaches not only herself but everyone around her. We usually look far away, searching for what benefits we can gain or what injustices we can find to satisfy our sense of justice. In doing so, we often fail to know what we truly look like and only open our eyes wide when necessary.

However, Eunseol grows by reflecting on herself and her surroundings. She strives to become a better person and wishes to spend happy days with her grateful family, friends, and teachers. While reading her writing, I felt a persistent shame, asking myself who truly lives with open eyes. To whom and with what kind of gaze am I living?

What we need is a kind and clear gaze. We must first look back at ourselves and observe our surroundings. Looking at distant benefits or injustices comes afterward. Eunseol said that through writing, she came to understand who she is and grew to cherish the people around her even more.

Where will her next gaze be directed? Wherever and whenever it may be, I believe the life direction of a person who has grown in this way will clearly illuminate us.

Kim Minseop, Social and Cultural Critic

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.