Discrepancy #26

Discrepancy #26

Interestingly, the excerpt from TWSA is different.

Yes. I know is probably a translation thing. But I treat translation differences as what was intended.

[ORV Novel, Chapter 5; ORV Webtoon, Episode 4]

You have to squint to see what the words in the Webtoon say, but the final paragraph is different. Here’s it typed out for your convenience:

Novel: He didn't feel any guilt. Everything was fleeting. He looked at the people with merciless eyes. After a while, his fingertips moved, and fire rose. Then it all started.

Webtoon: It will all be over in a moment. He skimmed through the people’s faces. Soon […] flame sparked from the […]

The novel’s version feels a bit more poetic with a writing style that I think matches Joonghyuk better. It’s important that they’re emphasizing his guiltless demeanor.

He feels no guilt. His eyes are merciless. This is important. Why? My favorite thing: first impressions.

Joonghyuk has been a mysterious figure this entire time. He still has yet to be named. He’s only been referred to as ‘He’ and there’s only been a silhouette of him in the Webtoon so far.

Joonghyuk’s lack of empathy is a big part of how the novel wants to portray him. It’s setting him up for the bridge scene.

At most, the Webtoon says he has no remorse. Which like. Okay. Let’s look at word choice.

[Merriam-Webster Dictionary website, definition of remorse and guilt]

Guilt is a much heavier word than remorse is. Sure, remorse is the feeling of guilt so the Webtoon is getting across the same message. But ‘guilt’ is heavier.

Guilt is an acknowledgment of a crime. Guilt has a heavier connotation and works much better. The novel is saying that he has no acknowledgment for the crimes he is committing—the lives he is taking.

Word choice is important and it’s why I treat most translation errors the way I do. It’s more fun to look at it like this rather than acknowledge that it’s two different translations.