★From the award-winning author of Almond comes ten searing short stories that dissect the anatomy of modern cruelty—where money rules, no one is purely innocent, and the system becomes our alibi.

A powerful message for everyone navigating a heartless era.

From luxury boutiques and social media to office cubicles and cities navigating the aftermaths of a disaster—these ten stories capture the diverse landscapes of our time and portray the multifaceted faces of modern individuals worn down by class structures designed by capitalism. In a world where money dictates relationships, choices, and even the scale of one's dreams, the characters teeter precariously between survival and dignity.

These stories unfold in a reality where people end up pushing others away or causing pain despite having no intention to harm, and where no one is neither fully innocent nor a true villain. The title reflects an era where it has become a pervasive way of life for individuals to shift their responsibilities onto the system.

A page-turner that leaves readers with difficult, lingering questions

Your Fingertips introduces art instructor Hyowon and his wealthy student Juyoung, and follows how their relationship collapses under the cold logic of contracts and consumerism.

Shining Under the Sun features a protagonist working at a luxury hotel pool, desperate to forget their memories of poverty and failure. However, the more they mimic the lives of the guests, the more humiliation they face due to class differences.

Mosaic introduces a character who posts highly-edited pictures on social media to escape their miserable reality, only to realize that it is a hollow illusion made of clumsily stitched fragments.

The Mask is set during the pandemic, following a rookie reporter who doesn't hesitate to generate fake news.

The Child depicts the struggles of a personal shopper as she becomes overwhelmed by the value of high-end items.

From the Anonymous Demon King and The Haunted House highlight how a world characterized by impending collapse wounds individuals.

Meanwhile, some stories provide a glimpse at the emotions that emerge only after the chaos has passed.

The Piano follows a squabble between Hyesim, who is trying to sell her piano, and her student Junyong, and in the process sheds light on the emotions that cannot be converted into cash.

The View presents a protagonist looking down upon a city sinking after a torrential downpour, capturing the chilling sense of liberation after a catastrophe.

Between the Clicks captures the revival of humanity by focusing on the ripple effects of a tiny crack in routine office life.

Sohn Won-pyung
Sohn Won-pyung began her literary career in 2016 when she won the Changbi Young Adult Literature Award.

She is the author of the short story collection Others' Houses, the novels Almond, Counterattacks at Thirty, Prism, and Tube, as well as the children's book series The Majestic Fox Tail. She also wrote and directed the film Intruder.

Her accolades include the Jeju 4·3 Peace Literary Prize, the Japan Booksellers' Award, and the Cine21 Film Criticism Award.