lonely but not unhappy
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CUSTOMS & IMPORT DUTY
PRODUCT DETAILS
Issued on February 10, 2021
Number of pages, weight, size 248 pages | 286g | 120*188*13mm
In this vast world, every individual carries a tale of their own. It's a universal truth, every one of us has endured pain. The intensity, however, differs from one to the next.
An 18-year-old girl, brimming with dreams, made the harrowing decision to defect to North Korea after receiving news about her mother. This is a testament to the resilience that one can harbor in the face of adversity.
The records kept by a North Korean defector over the past 10 years serve as a tangible testament to their journey. A journey that has been difficult and has brought forth a sense of loneliness but has not been deprived of happiness.
Loneliness, a companion that was constant, but it did not usher in unhappiness. It was a loneliness that was comforting in its way because it was filled with memories of loved ones who were always remembered, never forgotten.
Despite the uncertainty of reunification, there's a dream I hold close to my heart. A dream to return to my hometown, to savor the comfort of the local cuisine, to reconnect with childhood friends. Time may age us to the point of unrecognition, and there's a possibility that I may never step foot in my hometown again in this lifetime. However, I refuse to let go of this thin thread of hope.
Living without hope would be a miserable and sorrowful existence. So, I carry on, nourishing the hope of one day reuniting with my family.
The hope we harbor and the dreams we dream are what propel us forward, making us the architects of our Dream Factory. We strive, persevere, and continue to hope because without it, what would we be?
This essay is dedicated to all those who harbor dreams and continue to foster hope, no matter how grim the circumstances.
It serves as a reminder that although our pain may differ in depth, we are all unified in the shared experience of longing, dreaming, and hoping.
Sowon Lee
SHIPPING & RETURNS
Shipping and Delivery Information
Empress Korea is an authorized retailer and an officially registered company in Korea.
- All parcels shipped by Empress Korea originate from Korea and are subject to international shipping guidelines. However, Print-on-Demand (POD) products are shipped from the United States.
- Delivery times for Empress Korea products typically range from 2 to 5 business days, excluding 3 to 5 processing days when using FedEx or UPS. However, delivery times may vary depending on country-specific conditions.
- Post office economy shipping usually takes 8 to 16 business days. For Empress Korea products, production begins after ordering, and shipping to the United States typically takes a week, while delivery to other regions may take 15 to 30 days.
- Please note that delivery times may be affected by factors outside of our control, such as customs delays or local transportation issues.
- Once the package has been shipped, we are not responsible for any delays caused by the shipping company.
- We recommend contacting the shipping company directly for inquiries related to your package's delivery status.
- Some countries or regions may not be eligible for shipping specific items. When you add an item to your cart, the website will automatically notify you if the item can be shipped to your location.
- We cannot deliver to P.O. Box, APO, FPO, or DPO addresses.
- Empress Korea is not responsible for unclaimed parcels. If a parcel is returned to us because it was unclaimed, refused, or due to customs issues, we do not issue a refund or reship the item.
- Failed deliveries due to incorrect addresses, customs clearance issues, or local postal service mishandling will not be eligible for refunds.
- Customers are responsible for any customs duties or import taxes incurred. We recommend checking with your local customs office for details. Empress Korea does not provide refunds if customs refuses to clear your order.
- In case of disputes, Empress Korea’s decision shall be final and conclusive.
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