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๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท South Korea /Culture & Society

A blue ghost and making friends with excitement

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • A children's book titled "Hello Ghost" features a friendly blue ghost and a child.
  • The book uses minimal colors against a blue background to depict the child's emotions when facing fear.
  • It suggests that confronting fear can lead to joy and encourages readers to embrace the story.

As summer approaches, the theme of horror gains traction, with ghosts being a common element in scary stories. However, the children's book "Hello Ghost" by Lee Sun-mi offers a different take, presenting a friendly blue ghost. The book's cover and interior are dominated by shades of blue, creating a visual representation of the child's emotions as they encounter the ghost.

The narrative places the 'ghost' and 'me' in a two-dimensional space, using varying tones of blue to subtly illustrate the child's feelings when confronting fear. The question "Hee hee hee, I'm a ghost!" prompts readers to consider who is who, suggesting a playful inversion of fear.

"Hello Ghost" is highlighted as a book where courage and charming illustrations meet. It invites readers to place it on their bookshelf and welcome the summer season with its unique approach to a traditionally frightening subject. The book is recommended for its ability to transform fear into a source of enjoyment.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.