In November 2022, I made a calendar featuring a rabbit who hates carrots.

This calendar was born from a desire to expose a common misconception — that rabbits love carrots. Instead, it follows the episodes of a rabbit who doesn't eat them, but loves to grow them. What drew me to carrots is that they can be harvested twice a year, in spring and autumn. That rhythm felt like a metaphor for how we live: rather than only setting goals at the start of the year, what if we planted new seeds in March and August too, and gave ourselves a second chance to begin?

I wanted to create a 'just for the love of it' project — once each season, four times a year — and donate the proceeds, whatever they turned out to be.

It was a lot of fun. Since it was the end of the year, it was perfect for gifting to everyone I met, and it gave me a good excuse to write lots of letters too. I tried everything I'd ever wanted to do: perforated tear-off lines, an accordion fold, and I even had custom stamps made at the post office. I also held a small calendar exhibition at Bear Cafe in Seochon.

Of the 200 calendars made, 127 were sold. 62 were sold through a Google Form, 11 at Bear Cafe, and 54 slightly imperfect ones were sold at a discount at the Mulgeon-ui-jip flea market. An independent bookstore in Yongin called 'Book Salon Beot' also purchased some as year-end gifts, and I sold some through my website too. The rest I gave away as gifts to people I saw over the holidays — I think there are about twenty left now.

Just before spring arrived, I finally tallied up the winter project. After production costs, the net profit came to a whopping 106,332 won! (Yes, it does feel like a zero is missing — but I've punched it into the calculator three times and it's definitely 100,000 won.) Cool people I admire will sometimes top up small donations to double or triple the amount with their own money…

My humble plan is this: the round 100,000 won goes to Babo-ui Nanoom, known for its transparent and trustworthy donations. And the remaining 6,332 won… I'm going to buy myself an ice cream. 🙃

Thank you so much to everyone who bought a carrot calendar last winter! Because of you, I got to make something silly and joyful, and I made a small, transparent little donation. It's all thanks to you. Thank you.

The April page features a drawing of carrot sprouts. Here's hoping that the ideas you've been quietly planting in your mind will start popping up one by one this spring!

With lots of love,
Tuesday, March 28, 2023