In this blog post, I will share all my thoughts about these two stories, which I hold so dear. It might be a long post, or a short one, so it's up to you if you're curious. However, I have one simply request (I hope you'll listen to me at least now): if you do read it, I hope you can also share your thoughts.

So, starting with the story which helped me gain more recognition on this site, 'To Daddy, With Love'. Truth to be told, the main idea of it is based on real events. The unexpected pregnancy, I mean. I have this friend, my best friend, who sometimes seems like a reflection of me and vice versa. She was what most people would call a 'mistake'. And one time, when she felt so sad and lonely, she called me while crying, saying how she is nothing but an error, and other similar things I won't reveal here. The two of us share many things, even private thoughts. Back in winter, she was in a similar state, and I remembered our old conversation, which ended up serving as my inspiration for the said story.

Using Jongin, on the other hand was a moment's thought. He's nowhere near the top of my favorites' list, but somehow, he seemed to match the concept. And also because in him, I found another man, who's caused so much hurt and pain to my family. So yes, in a way, Jongin at the beginning resembles that man. Unexpected pregnancy is a very sensitive topic, but I'd like to think that I handled it well. 'To Daddy, With Love' is a story I hold very dear, and not because it added a few subscribers to my list. I'm not such a petty person.

Honestly, I unconsciously found myself in Taehee's actions, speech and thinking. However, do not say that she's based on me, because she isn't. She is nowhere near Haeun, in that topic. Anyway, Park Taehee might be one of the strongest and most vulnerable characters I ever built, alongside Lena from 'Twelve Men in a Year', and even Haeun, from 'Mind Sync'. Sure, call it silly or me overestimating my writing and the so-called 'talent', but I am proud of my characters and the storyline. Still, the one I will always cherish is someone else. Not Taehee, not Jongin, not even Chanyeol. Who, then? Park Jongmin. Unexpected, right? He's only appeared in a few scenes, and I dare to say that he's my favorite character? Well, guess what: yes. As shallow as you might call me, I love Jongmin's personality. Think about it. He had been there thorough the story, inside Taehee's womb. He's saved his mother three times, and he also personified the strength Taehee needed, to keep on living after Jongin's disappearance and well, reappearance. He's also the lovechild of two brilliant minds. Have you carefully read his letter? I'd lie to myself that you did. In that case, you might realize that no person - adult or teen - would be strong enough to say such words. But a little boy, barely ten years old, he comes out saying such things. He might have inherited his mother his stubborness and venomous tongue, who knows? In Jongmin, there lie all the things other people, who were in a similar position, could never say. That's why I find him so inspiring, despite him being my own creation.

Jongin, on the other hand, well, I despise that type of man. And getting to the core of it, regardless of his inenr turmoil and personal tragedy, it doesn't change the fact that he's a filthy liar, an irresponsible adult, a coward. He ushers Haeun away, but he still suffers. He causes harm to Taehee, caressing her one second, only to slap her the following. He's indecisive, a shell incapable of loving. Despite falling for Taehee and Jongmin, he still allows Yi Fan to mold him after the Chinese man's personal - and hidden - wishes, without trying harder to break free. Only when Taehee finds him, only then does he realize the gravity of his actions. All in all, Kim Jongin remained a coward, to the very end.

Still, I hope you enjoyed this story as much as I enjoyed coming up with the events. It took me a while to make it known, though it wouldn't be possible without your help. Getting it advertised and then featured. Wow, what a bumpy ride! But you have all of my grattitude, all of you who followed Jongin, Taehee, and the other characters' story.

 

Now, getting to 'Mind Sync'. I must confess, I felt no satisfaction with Sehun and Haeun's small appearances, so I decided to write a spin-off way before my readers mentioned it. So, here it is, still on-going, and probably more tragic than the previous one.

Those who read 'To Daddy, With Love' might already know a few things, such as about Sehun's true nature, Haeun's upcoming suffering and the affairs. Oh, my! Trust me, if I manage to write down everything I have in mind, this story will blow your minds! Partly because my style of writing has changed in the meanwhile, though the cause is still unknown, and now I have tendencies towards darkness, pain and emotional wreck. Mhm, all of these will be included in 'Mind Sync'.

I don't want to reveal much about this story, aside from the fact that I am so damn excited to write down everything I have in mind, so I won't spoil anything anymore. Just a suggestion: most of the questions from 'To Daddy, With Love' will find their answers in 'Mind Sync'. For example, Yi Fan's true self, and the reason why he lied about Jongin. That's what everyone's most curious about, if I'm not mistaken? Well, it will be revealed, but only those who follow the spin-off will hear the answers.

On a side-note, you don't know how easy it is to manipulate the readers. As an author, I mean. Think about it. In 'To Daddy, With Love', Haeun was the top hated character. But here, due to revealing a few heart-wrenching thoughts, everyone sympathizes with her. One moment, everyone accused her for cheating on Sehun, while the other, she got pitied for being beaten. I wonder how will the readers react in the following chapters of 'Mind Sync'? Will they side with Haeun, or with Sehun? Because, let me warn you, in this story, there is no such thing as the good guy, or the bad guy. Everyone's rotten, diseased, sick and selfish. So think twice, before taking someone's side. It might save you from a future heartache.

And there is also a reason why I shortened JongHee's appearances. Everyone kept on talking about them. Why would you do that? Sure, it's my fault for bringing them in, but they are only bystanders, the main characters are Sehun and Haeun. And yet, everyone kept on talking about Taehee and Jongin. It made me a bit annoyed, because the readers were missing the point. So, from now on, they won't make appearances, unless absolutely necessary. I wish my readers would focus on the story, you know?

 

Now, in both of my stories, I deal with the less than pretty sides of life. Thus the slice of life tag. Unwanted pregnancy, forced marriage, affairs, homouality, murder, self-mutilation are only few of the main themes. With the change of my mind came the changes of my writing style. I've been told it's darker, though I don't really know.

Anyway, while browsing through the comments, I came across a very interetsing one. Aside from the few words and the repeats in the comments, I noticed that some people do read between the lines. And you know what? That made me happier than ever. Long comments feel like the cherry on top to me, but this one made me grin, almost like the Grinch. Why? Because this person caught on the whole purpose of these two stories. This person wrote something how, Jongin's the middle of it all. Everyone is tied to him. Think about it. Taehee, Hyera, Yi Fan, Haeun, and also Sehun. Even in 'Mind Sync', he's the apple of discord. They all have their reasons to consider him important, if not essential. That coward, whom everyone depends on. Isn't it amazing? In the end, it all comes back to Jongin.

Though, let's not focus solemnly on that. Though I was quite surprised by this comment. I never thought anyone would realize this. Because, after all, such ties cannot be easily severed. 

 

This is it for now. I might write some more, maybe a whole synopsis on the characters of 'To Daddy, With Love', since 'Mind Sync' is still in progress. That, if anyone's still curious about that story.

Until then, take care.