When you step into this particular laundromat, they promise to remove all kinds of stains -- yes, even those that linger in the mind.

Jieun, an enigmatic yet warm woman, greets visitors and offers them tea from a porcelain teapot. The space, with its hanok-inspired interior, has the quiet charm of a countryside cafe. Moonlight streams through the windows, casting a glow that seems to slow the passing of time, like a breezy summer afternoon.

Jieun hands each visitor a simple T-shirt. If a long-buried pain has hardened over your heart or if there are creases in your past you wish to smooth out, all you have to do is put on the shirt. But be warned, she says, once you take it off, the memories tied to those wounds will vanish.

This is the magical premise of "Marigold Mind Laundry," the bestselling debut novel by Yun Jung-eun, which was recently released in English in the US, the UK, and more than 20 other countries.

The novel follows Jieun and visitors to her mysterious laundromat, each carrying emotional burdens they must decide whether to keep or erase.

First published in Korea in 2023, the book became a runaway bestseller, selling over 300,000 copies in its first year. The book’s success led to a high-profile deal with Penguin Random House.

“As the title suggests, this book is about the mind,” Yun said in a recent interview with The Korea Herald. “It’s a story of people carrying emotional wounds who come to Marigold, where they laugh, cry and love. At the laundromat, they confront their pain and, in the end, learn to embrace it.”

“At its core, it’s a story of growth,” she continued. “Each character experiences a journey of healing, with Jieun at the center, guiding them toward acceptance.”

Grounded magical tale of healing

"Marigold Mind Laundry" unfolds like a fairy tale set in a remote village named Marigold, where Ji-eun wields extraordinary magic.

After a spin in the washing machine, the stains dissolve into flower petals, drifting into the air as freshly laundered clothes flutter on the line in the breeze.

Five wounded souls come to the laundromat: a frustrated young filmmaker, a social media influencer in a downward spiral, a mother betrayed by her husband, a woman jilted by her lover and a talented photographer who hides in the safety of a mundane job.

Beneath the novel’s dreamlike premise lie deeply human struggles and raw, soul-stirring emotions -- ones that stem from Yun’s own experiences.

“For nearly a decade, I carried this idea of a place that could cleanse emotional wounds," Yun said. “For 10 years, I wrestled with whether I should erase my own scars -- or if I should learn to live with them.”

She revealed that, until now, she hadn't been able to open up about her divorce, which she had previously described only as a “difficult relationship.”

“You know, there are days when it feels like you’re about to fall off a cliff. I was sitting in my car, lost in thought, wondering how I should go on. The season was changing from winter to spring and the sunset was brilliant," she said, recalling the moment that led to the novel’s first scene.

"Hours passed, and I realized I hadn’t eaten all day. I stepped into a small diner, but I had no appetite, just pushing food around on my plate. The owner, an older woman, told me, ‘Even if you aren't in the mood to eat, push it down. Or you'll snap in two!’

The moment stayed with Yun, and she returned to her car to write the first few scenes of the book.

For Yun, the novel is not just about magical realism but about the quiet magic of everyday life -- the way people wake up, eat, laugh, cry and keep going despite everything.

Finding her own voice

Yun described her 30s as a difficult time when things didn’t turn out as she had imagined.

“It wasn’t the 30s I had expected. There was a sense of disappointment, a disconnect with myself, but my dreams were burning so bright that I couldn’t give up," said Yun.

"Then, as I turned 40, 'Marigold' arrived like a gift, magically, like its symbolism -- happiness that will finally come."

In over a decade, Yun has written more than 20 books, including self-help guides and essays. While a few were successful, others weren't. Yet she believes that time was invaluable.

"I’m grateful for those years. If I hadn’t written essays for that long, I might not have discovered my voice, or style."

When writing essays, Yun focused on making them engaging and readable. So, when it came to writing fiction, she put a lot of effort into ensuring it was easy to read.

Many reviews reflected that readers were able to finish the book easily, that it flowed smoothly.

After the sequel, "Marigold Mind Photo Studio," released in Korea in 2024, Yun is working on a third novel, set for release in the first half of 2025.

"I want to continue writing stories about people living their lives -- laughing, crying, loving and being loved. I want to capture the everyday lives of people because, in the end, our daily lives are the most magical thing of all."

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In this series, The Korea Herald introduces Korean literature through translated works, offering interviews with authors or translators as well as reviews, inviting readers to explore the vibrant literary landscape of Korea. -- Ed.

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"Marigold Mind Laundry"

written by Yun Jung-eun, translated by Shanna Tan

Doubleday, October 2024 (UK)

The Dial Press, October 2024 (US)