Part 1
What’s New in the Forgetting Arc in Another World Series
Following “An Engineer’s Adapting Arc in Another World,” I’m launching a new series called “An Engineer’s Forgetting Arc in Another World.” For this project, I’m switching up a few things in both structure and tone.
1. Changing From Brunch Magazine to Brunch Book (link to Brunch)
I switched the format from a Brunch Magazine to a Brunch Book. With the Brunch Book format, I can actually see reader information — like age range, gender, and keywords they’re interested in.
Still, instead of sticking to a formal “periodical publication,” I’ll post freely, more like a Brunch magazine format.
2. Writing Casually Instead of Using Polite Speech
Instead of polite Korean endings like “-yo” or “-da,” I’ll write casually using endings like “-hae” or “-eo.”
In “Adapting Arc,” I used formal speech because the goal was to introduce Swedish culture to Korea respectfully. But “Forgetting Arc” is going to be personal stories and the thoughts that come with them, so casual feels right.
3. Writing Freely Without Trying to Persuade
Connected to the point above — since these are my personal thoughts, I’m going to write however I want.
No more polishing sentences to persuade readers like in “Adapting Arc.”
People don’t change because you write nicely anyway. Everyone just does whatever they want.
If you would like to see the original post in korean click here
Starting the “An Engineer’s Forgetting Arc in Another World.” Part 2
Realizing I Was Being Rude
The Original Purpose Behind “Adapting Arc”
In Part 1, I barely mentioned that the intention behind “Adapting Arc” was to spark inspiration for new ways Korea could improve by referencing the Swedish model.
But looking back at the Dominic from three years ago — the one who moved with that goal — I can’t help thinking:
“Dude, what the xxxx, haha. You had no idea how rude you were while talking all that crap, lol.”
The Turning Point: My Parents’ House Move
My parents were planning to sell their place and buy a new one before retiring.
So I emphasized all the key points of buying a home — everything I learned while working on “Buying an Apartment in Stockholm” — and explained it all for hours with my personal experiences included.
And then… the next week? They ignored every crucial thing I told them not to overlook and instead cherry-picked the side comments they wanted to hear.
The moment I heard their decision, I got so angry I hung up immediately, vented to my wife, and even wrote out six reasons why I disagreed before finally calming down.
People Always Do What They Want
It’s natural — people follow their own choices.
I ignored my parents’ “go study” lectures in high school and played Civilization V and StarCraft nonstop. I messed up the college entrance exam, went to a school that matched my score, and my parents, upset at the time, said something that suddenly came back to me:
“It’s your life. You live it.”
I lived however I wanted and somehow ended up here, and I’m satisfied.
My parents will do the same — live how they want, make their own choices.
Their old line — “It’s your life, not mine” — is exactly right.
The Moment I Realized My Mistake
While sulking over all this, I remembered a line from a book I was reading, The Technology of the Mind:
“The problem is your mindset that doesn’t respect your family members.”
And yeah… I hadn’t respected my parents’ choices.
To put it bluntly: I was just rude.
If you would like to see the original post in korean click here
Starting the “An Engineer’s Forgetting Arc in Another World.” Part 3
Learning to Respect Others’ Choices
Questioning My Mindset — Again
Realizing I hadn’t respected others’ choices made me rethink my writing. And right away, I saw the same issue.
Why I Left Korea in the First Place
I left Korea because Korean society didn’t fit me.
If it had, I would’ve stayed and lived happily.
Because of that experience, I assumed others who struggled like me also didn’t fit Korean society. I thought Korean society needed to change for people who couldn’t choose immigration.
And that’s how I ended up writing all that loud nonsense about wanting to “inspire” people, xx.
Good Intentions Can Still Be Arrogant
My intentions were good — wanting positive change — but I didn’t realize I was living out the saying:
“The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”
Just like I didn’t respect my parents’ choices, I wasn’t respecting Korean society’s choices either.
Whether Korean society is right or wrong isn’t even the point — it’s rude for someone who left that society to lecture the people still living there.
I’ll Keep Writing — But for a Different Reason
Even so, I’m not going to stop writing about Korea.
Because I simply want to write about it, haha.
But instead of writing with a grand inspirational purpose, I’ll write to explain why things in Sweden feel surprising to me.
Like how a bottle of soju costs 15,000 won at Systembolaget — which only makes sense when you mention it’s 2,000 won in Korea.
Respecting My Choices and Others’ Choices
While I respect my own choice to write “Forgetting Arc,” I also want to respect the choices of individuals, societies, and countries.
I wrote around fifty rude pieces under “Adapting Arc,” so who knows where this new series — written by the same clueless guy — will end up.
If you would like to see the original post in korean click here
