Author: Hong Sung-hwa
Translated by: Hong Sung-hwa
Publisher: Good Move Press, 1999
Original title: 입단연가, 1992
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How far would you go to be first?
“BEFORE WE BEGIN…
Let me tell you a story. An old story, a really old story.
Do you know how to play Go?
You do? First kyu, a player of the first rank? Really? Have you ever competed in a professional qualifying tournament? No? Then you are not, I repeat NOT first kyu!
I know, I know. Nowadays all kinds of bad players call themselves first kyu. This story is, however, not about those fake first kyus. It’s a story of the real first kyus.
There is a guy who runs a smoke shop near Niagara Falls. His name is Shin. On rainy days he keeps staring at the falls and mumbles something like this: “I’m sure they must all be playing for bangneki stakes happily somewhere…”
Can you even guess what he is talking about? If not, just hold on and listen to what I’m going to tell you. Only about a handful of people know this story. So listen up.”
Thus begins a compelling, insightful, and haunting tale of love, sacrifice, the search for excellence, and Go- the world’s oldest game.