The debut children’s growth fairy tale by an author who has won the SF Novel Grand Prize from the Korean Society for Science and Technology Publishing.
Min I-an, a rising star in the world of science fiction, has made a name for herself with her unique imagination that weaves together technology and humanity, reality and the virtual. In “Our Whole Family Is Being Infinitely Refreshed,” she brilliantly brings the modern theme of “infinite refresh” to life in a way that is easy for children to understand and engaging for them. Going beyond a simple adventure story, the book serves as a guide that helps children think independently, make proactive choices, and find balance in the overwhelming flood of information. At the same time, children will come to appreciate the preciousness of everyday life beyond the smartphone.

This is a story that nurtures the ability to “pause” and take control over the world embedded within the smartphone.
An unintentionally scrolled short video or a smartphone that refuses to be put down even at the dinner table is gradually eroding children’s emotions and concentration, leaving family conversations in silence. Uncontrolled exposure to media can reshape children’s brains and rob families of their warmth. This book is not only for young readers; it also offers parents who worry about their children’s smartphone use an opportunity to confront the reality of “media addiction.” Beyond that, it can serve as an indispensable “pause button” for our families, showing us just how much healing and connection a brief moment of rest can bring to family life.

A media-literacy fairy tale essential in an age of information overload and constant stimulation.
Blending imaginative storytelling that spans time and space with pressing media issues in modern society, this work explores the importance of media literacy from a child’s perspective. Amid a relentless stream of stimulating content, it awakens children’s ability to regulate their media use and pause when necessary, helping them understand why it is crucial to engage with media in a healthy and intentional way.

“‘Tinky, I don’t just want to save our family—I want to save everyone!’”
To save her family, which is on the brink of crisis due to smartphone addiction, Juhee’s adventure with Tinky begins!
In an era where screens stay perpetually lit, videos and notifications swirl in a relentless vortex, and scrolling never stops, families no longer even have time to look each other in the eye as days slip by unnoticed. “Our Whole Family Is Refreshing Forever” holds up a mirror to families in this age, prompting us to reexamine the immense power embedded in “scrolling” and the everyday meaning that is so easily overlooked—delivering both a warm warning and a comforting message.
One day, a mysterious life form named Tinky appears before Juhee. She discovers that her family, whom she had assumed were merely asleep, are actually trapped in an unconscious world flooded with stimulating content. Together with Tinky, Juhee embarks on an adventure that weaves between reality and fantasy. Just like Juhee’s family, who have lost what matters most because their attention has been seized by the addictive images and content on their phones, we too may be swept along by the overwhelming tide of “media addiction,” inadvertently losing what is most precious and losing our way. Through the imaginative adventures of the protagonist Juhee and Tinky, this book invites us—in a delightfully engaging way—to rethink the value of “pausing,” a concept we’ve long forgotten. It doesn’t simply condemn the allure and addictive nature of smartphones; instead, it gently yet profoundly guides both children and adults to resonate with its message and learn how to consciously step away from the relentless flood of digital content.

Min Yian
A contemporary South Korean writer, Min Yian has garnered significant attention for her distinctive creative style that seamlessly blends science fiction, social awareness, and profound humanistic depth. She excels at weaving together technological ethics, pressing social issues, and surreal imagination to craft works that are both intellectually stimulating and narratively captivating.

Her works excel at fostering a dialogue between technology and the humanities, often exploring how technological advancements impact human life, emotions, and family relationships—especially in the context of the digital age—as she reflects on the value of media, addiction, and authentic human connection. Although set against a science-fiction backdrop, her stories frequently emerge from a child’s perspective, transforming complex issues of modern society into coming-of-age tales rich in allegorical meaning and adventurous spirit. Her narratives typically begin in familiar, everyday settings such as the home or school, gradually introducing surreal elements that prompt readers to reexamine overlooked real-world problems with a sense of wonder.

Key Awards:
Grand Prize, SF Novel Competition of the Korea Science and Technology Publishers Association (for “The Place Where You Wake Up Is a Grave”)
Excellent Award & Special Award, East Asia Science SF Story Contest (for “Water Bear People”)

Representative Works:
“Our Whole Family Is Refreshing Forever”
A heartwarming fable about smartphone addiction, media literacy, and family communication, told through the lens of a family adventure.
“Dear Grace Hotel”
A “fairy-tale novel for adults,” this work uses a dreamlike setting to explore themes of memory, loss, and healing.
Award-winning science-fiction short stories:
“Wake Up in a Grave,” “Water Bear People,” and others, showcasing her thoughtful reflections on technological ethics and the future of humanity.

Author’s Note: As a child, I was deeply engrossed in science books. From that early age, I’ve been fascinated by all kinds of unknown entities both on Earth and beyond. I often imagine a world where our planet and the countless beings in the vast universe blend together in gentle harmony, like a beautifully composed symphony.

Illustrations/Comics by Shim Bo-young
An illustrator and picture-book author, I was once a child who loved making a mess out of science experiments. I devoured encyclopedias, kept wildly imaginative experiment journals, and dreamed of becoming a superhero just like Go Dan-ji—and perhaps I still do! My illustrated works include “The Amazing Beard,” “Buzzing Honey Pharmacy,” “Mr. Hot Dumpling,” and “Let’s Be Eaten and See What Happens.” Other illustrated pieces include “Inside the Midnight Pencil Case,” “The Secret of Joy,” “Breathing Station,” and “What Is Love?”

Why can’t I do it? … 7
A celebrity? No, an alien! … 15
Tinky from the planet Supra … 24
Heading to the top floor of the tower … 35
A vow in the name of hope … 48
Shadows are so scary! … 57
Secrets hidden in the cave … 65
The things I’ve truly loved … 74
Infiltration! The world of Diktu … 85
An island like a half-and-half pizza … 94
Is this a dream? Or reality? … 105
Mom and Dad’s true treasure … 114
The cosmic villain Diktu reveals his true form! … 122
Juhee’s dream … 132