Henry Lee dreams of making history at Emotion World, the dream company of the Leaf people. Instead, he is dragged into the eccentric “Maximum Efficiency Project (MEP)” of the demoted but legendary Deputy Director Martin Kim. The idea sounds absurd: to gather more emotional energy with handcrafted items than with mass-produced goods. Together they visit the Fallen Leaves Senior Center in Gyeongju, where retired first-generation artisans live. Kim’s charm and passion win supply contracts and even spark a community festival. Soon after, Henry is stunned to discover that the handcrafted goods collect astonishing amounts of emotional energy. Could this ridiculous project actually succeed? Sample Episode: Sensory Spice [Randomly enhances one sense to a superhuman level while dulling another. Duration: 16 hours.] Min (33), the town’s most fastidious dockworker, unknowingly eats the spice and finds his senses scrambled, losing track of his beloved dog during a walk. Having never once failed at “dog-walking,” Min faces his first crisis. What follows is a cozy mystery of a perfectionist searching for his cotton-candy-like pup, Coco.

Packed with bizarre and enchanting goods that make readers whisper, “I wish I could try that just once,” this is a modern fairy tale for adults. The story alternates between Henry and Kim’s quest to make the Fantasy Emporium a success and the unique human episodes surrounding each magical item. Combining a central long-form narrative with six distinct voices, the book invites multiple adaptations: seasonal drama series, animation, stage musicals, and a wide range of character and merchandise business opportunities.