By Cho A-la and Lee Hana
Photos = Mika Tuominen

Finnish author Tuomas Kyrö, known for his best-selling novel "Happy Days of the Grump" (2014), has set his upcoming novel in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do Province, one of the host cities for the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

The new book, under the working title "The Grump visits Korea," will be published in Finland this October. As the name suggests, the book's protagonist is none other than the Grump, the 80-year-old curmudgeon created by Kyrö.

The latest story begins with the Grump on a plane on his way from Helsinki to Seoul. He's visiting his granddaughter, who's studying abroad at a university in Seoul. On the plane, the Grump meets officials from the PyeongChang Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Organizing Committee. As it turns out, the Grump knows a great deal about winter sports and the officials, impressed by his knowledge, invite the Grump to take a look at the Olympic stadiums and other facilities in Pyeongchang.

During his visit, the Grump visits Seoul, as well as Pyeongchang and Gangneung in Gangwon-do Province. He meets famous Korean athletes, and learns the taste of kimchi and soju. Finally, the Grump decides to write a letter to North Korea's Kim Jong-un out of concern for his granddaughter, who will remain in Korea to continue her studies. This letter plays an instrumental role in bringing peace to the Korean Peninsula.

Kyrö visited Seoul and Pyeongchang this past August to gather details for the upcoming novel. Asked about the trip, the author said that he found many similarities between Korea and Finland. "The Finns excel at winter sports, and closely follow the Winter Olympics. This is why I decided to have the two countries 'meet' in the realm of sports," said Kyrö, explaining the inspiration behind his latest novel.



- Why did you decide to choose Korea as the first destination for your novel?

It was because of the upcoming PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics. Last year, while working on another novel about sports, I learned that Korea was hosting the next Winter Olympics. When I was a boy I practiced taekwondo. I also remembered watching the Seoul 1988 Summer Olympics on TV. I had always had an interest in Korea, and knew that one day I would write a novel that takes place in Korea.

- What do you think of Pyeongchang's stadiums and other facilities?

I got the chance to visit the Gangneung Ice Arena and talked to people who told me all about the high hopes surrounding the speed skating and figure skating events. It was a very special experience. The facilities in Pyeongchang were ready and of the highest quality.

In sports, the venues are almost the same wherever you go. It doesn't matter if it's in Lahti, Innsbruck or Pyeongchang. What makes that place unique is the environment that surrounds it. The Korean locations were exotic to my Nordic eyes. I saw beautiful hills, trees and the sea.

-What do you hope your readers will learn from "The Grump Visits Korea"?

Korea and Finland are two countries with many similarities. Both countries developed rapidly to achieve technological greatness.

The Grump represents the voice of the older generation, people who feel that change has been too fast. What the present generation must remember is that all of our abundant resources are there thanks to our parents and our grandparents.

-When will the novel be published?

In Finland, the book will be published within the next two months. In Korea, the translated version will be published right before the start of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics.

- What's your favorite winter sport?

I follow all kinds of sports. Now that I've heard and read about Korea's success in speed skating and figure skating, I'll be watching those events closely. Once this novel gets published, I hope that the book will get me and my team to the PyeongChang Games.

-Do you have a message for our Korea.net readers?

Winter sports are worth seeing live, so I recommend going to Pyeongchang to attend the Winter Olympic Games. Come to Finland, too. Remember to bring a few bottles of soju with you. Everything is a lot easier with Finns after a couple of glasses!

ala0919@korea.kr