2nd TCF Author Q&A (Quick Summary)
🎉Alberu and LSH's official birthdays are finally revealed!
Four years ago, on May 11, 2022, a crowdfunding event was held for the official Korean hardcover books of the novel.
Volumes 1-5, covering Part 1 Chapters 1-200, could be obtained together with official merchandise such as posters, postcards, etc.
The event was a massive success, raising 788,666,000 KRW (~$533,000).
Last month, on June 29, 2026, a new event was held in continuation of the previously released Korean hardcover books. But this time, this was a Korean fan project, that collaborated with the official Korean publisher, instead of a crowdfunding event.
This project would release Volumes 6-10, including official merchandise and a rerelease of Volumes 1-5 hardcover books. And one of the bonuses of this project was the 2nd Author Q&A.
The 1st Author Q&A was released on August 21, 2023 as a bonus for RIDI's official publishing of the Korean e-book version of Volumes 1-5.
Link here for my quick summary of the 1st Author Q&A - https://www.tumblr.com/teriri-sayes/726261670222184448/tcf-author-qa-quick-summary
Q: How characters are named?
A: By literal meaning and interpretation (CH, Raon, On, and Hong).
By nuance or pronunciation (Mary, Lock, and Toonka).
Now, as long as it doesn't overlap with existing ones.
Q: Why the name "Cale Henituse"?
A: Just popped out of my head and liked it so much that I wrote the prologue that day.
I agonized most on "Alberu Crossman" though.
Q: Birthdays of characters?
A: I planned to write it in the side stories after the end of Part 2.
Alberu - March 20
LSH - July 29
Death anniversaries of LSH and CJS would probably be written in a side story… someday.
Q: Update on the character profile?
A: Probably after Part 2, but in the style of brief incident or case files.
Q: How did TCF came to be?
A: I just wanted to write with this kind of protagonist.
Q: Setting changes before or after serialization?
A: Toonka was supposed to be a passing extra.
Q: Do characters moving on their own lead to setting changes?
A: Most of the time, the characters feel like they move on their own, so the chapters keep getting longer. But no setting changes.
Q: Any funny IRL experience that inspired a scene?
A: None, but me making sure I eat my meals gets reflected in my writing.
Q: Merchandise you like if there are no restrictions?
A: I don't know much about merchandise, but I was deeply moved by the golden plaque merchandise. Someday, I might create a wiki page for the major characters.
Q: How will you use the golden plaque if you're the MC?
A: Never use it. Simply keep it as insurance for peace of mind.
Q: Writing routine or jinxes?
A: Strict routine - Start at 9am and end before 6pm. In a comfy space, but never in cafes or outside.
Q: Personal taste and thoughts?
A: I like band music and reading. Not fond of YouTube. I like eating, but I'm picky. I like watching escape rooms and mystery deduction shows while eating.
Q: Ever thought "I feel just like this character!" in real life?
A: No. But I did think "Would this character say it like this?"
Q: Similarities between you and Cale?
A: None. But I prefer to be quiet and out of the spotlight… which is similar to Cale?
Q: Thoughts on creating "Cale" and "KRS"?
A: Cale - What if this kind of MC actually existed? A human-like MC? Thus, KRS was born.
Q: Why does Cale grow his hair long?
A: Cale just lets it grow out because he finds it a hassle to cut. He leaves it all to Ron.
Q: CJS and LSH's hairstyles?
A: CJS - 185 cm tall with a large build. Naturally wavy hair.
LSH - 180 cm tall with a slender build but lean muscle. Long hair before his team leader days. Short hair when he became team leader. His team members copied his hairstyle.
Q: Cale's favorite food or snacks?
A: Likes apple pie. Prefers home-cooked meals.
Q: Food Beacrox enjoys making?
A: Who he is making the food for matters. Enjoys making food for family but doesn't realize it.
Q: Do Alberu or Rosalyn oversleep?
A: Never. But they pull all-nighters.
Q: Daily lives of LSH, CJS, and KRS?
A: It will be in side stories.
Trivia - During a business trip in a ruined city, KRS scavenged books from collapsed libraries, LSH picked up movie DVDs, and CJS gathered what those two might like.
Q: Any side stories after the end of Part 2?
A: Yes.
Q: What makes you the happiest?
A: I seek tranquility than fleeting happiness. But I feel happy when I write a scene I like and it gets published.
Q: Memorable reader comment?
A: I feel emotional reading all the reader comments.
You can read the full Q&A here:
Please take note that the Author Q&A is in image format, so you have to use Google Lens in order to translate the Korean text.
Source: tumblbug.com (crowdfunding event), openstory.me (fan collab project)
