Being invited to the ’13th Seoul International Writers’ Festival’, Fredrik Backman emphasized the need to find one’s own path as a writer, after achieving global fame with one work published on his blog. Born in 1981 in Stockholm, Sweden, Backman started as a blogger and has since dedicated 8 hours a day to his ‘lonely writing’. Backman’s novel ‘A Man Called Ove’ features a quirky and cantankerous neighbor who eventually reveals his kind-hearted ‘tsundere’ nature, spreading positive influence. The relationship between Ove and immigrant neighbor Parvane is described by the author as a small “heroic narrative of love for the community.” Backman believes that understanding immigrants has made him a better person, and his novels reflect this belief. His other works include ‘My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry’ (2013), ‘Britt-Marie Was Here’ (2014), ‘Beartown’ (2016), ‘Anxious People’ (2021), and ‘Winner’ (2022). Backman’s unique approach of sticking to a slightly different style and embracing individuality resonates with readers around the world. He believes that completed books no longer belong to him, but to the readers. Fredrik Backman can be contacted at [email protected] – Reporter Im In-taek.