#irlkdj

Kim Dokja’s inner monologue struggles to deal with the fact that he is only a mere reader: that he doesn’t have the strength of the protagonist or the creativity of the writer.

But on the other hand, Han Sooyoung views herself as a powerless and useless writer—as someone who regrets (at times) the words and the life of the protagonist she has detailed.

And then we see in the new yoohan centered side story that Yoo Joongdok too views himself as a “useless” character—“speaking as the writer dictated, and interpreted as the reader wanted.”

To me, these internal thoughts highlight a very normal aspect of human nature and self-doubt. It is easy to see our own downfalls and limitations in comparison to others; comparing ourselves to those around us is how we relate to the world.

I find that yoohankim as a dynamic feeling “useless” in their own individual roles as reader, writer, and protagonist—yet silently praising the aspects and abilities of the other two in their trio—not only highlights how we are our own most hostile and degrading engine of doubt; but also how in the story of orv these functions (reader, writer, and protagonist) can truly be considered as ‘useless’ on their own. As s&s have stated, these three cannot inherently exist fully without the other: the story cannot be brought to life without these three.

They need each other to exist. In the absence of one, the ‘uselessness’ of another is only heightened and glaringly obvious. The setbacks are more difficult to bare. Yoo Joonghyuk needs his reader to remind him of his importance. Han Sooyoung needs her reader to reminder her of her impact. And Kim Dokja needs his protagonist and writer to help affirm his existence in the world. Just like how humans, every day, remind one another of their importance, impact, and existence through stories and relationships.