In the Direction I Love

배우로, 러너로, 한 사람으로 자신이 좋아하는 것을 따라 뛰어온 권화운의 첫 에세이 《내가 좋아하는 방향으로》가 출간된다. 저자는 수많은 오디션과 서툰 첫 촬영을 지나 배우로 자기 자리를 만들어왔듯, 달리기를 시작한 뒤에도 훈련과 도전을 이어가며 세계 곳곳의 출발선에 섰다. 처음부터 잘했던 것은 아니지만 좋아하는 일이기에 포기하지 않았고, 그렇게 계속해온 시간은 그를 생각지도 못한 곳까지 데려갔다. 잘하는 것보다 계속하는 마음, 남들이 정한 목적지보다 자신이 좋아하는 방향으로 나아가는 힘을 전하는 이야기다.

책에는 배우로 살아온 시간과 달리기를 만나 삶의 방향을 다시 찾아가는 과정이 담겨 있다. 프로필을 들고 기획사를 찾아다니던 신인 시절부터 배달 아르바이트를 하며 다음 작품을 기다리던 공백기, 러닝 입문 6개월 만의 풀코스 마라톤 '서브3' 달성과 보스턴·도쿄·시드니·베를린 마라톤 완주, MBC 예능 〈극한84〉에서의 북극 원정까지. 화려한 결과보다 그곳에 이르기까지 흔들리고 부딪치면서도 멈추지 않았던 시간을 솔직하게 풀어낸다. 멈춰 있는 것 같아 불안하고 어디로 가야 할지 막막하지만, 다시 한번 무언가를 시작해보고 싶은 사람이라면 권화운의 이야기가 한 걸음을 내딛는 용기가 되어줄 것이다.

《In the Direction I Love》, the debut essay collection by Kwon Hwa-woon, tells the story of a man who has followed his passions as an actor, a runner, and an individual. Just as he gradually established himself as an actor through countless auditions and awkward first experiences on set, he continued to train and challenge himself after discovering running, eventually standing at starting lines around the world. He was not naturally skilled at everything from the beginning, but his love for what he did kept him from giving up. Over time, his persistence took him to places he had never imagined. This book shares a powerful message about the importance of continuing rather than simply excelling, and the strength it takes to follow your own passions instead of pursuing destinations chosen by others.

The book chronicles Kwon's journey as an actor and how discovering running helped him rediscover his direction in life. From his early days visiting entertainment agencies with his portfolio in hand and working part-time as a delivery driver while waiting for his next acting opportunity, to completing a full marathon in under three hours just six months after taking up running, finishing the Boston, Tokyo, Sydney, and Berlin Marathons, and embarking on an Arctic expedition for the MBC variety show 〈Extreme 84〉, he candidly shares the struggles, setbacks, and moments of uncertainty that shaped his journey. Rather than focusing on impressive achievements, he reflects on the times he stumbled, questioned himself, and kept moving forward. For anyone who feels anxious about standing still, uncertain about which direction to take, yet longs to begin something new, Kwon Hwa-woon's story offers the courage to take that first step.