THE TAILOR SHOP AT THE INTERSECTION

A legacy of craftsmanship is created in this Korean import.

In this tale set in historical Korea, anthropomorphic dogs are portrayed wearing dopo robes. A self-taught tailor named Deokgu opens his shop at the “intersection downtown,” advertising custom-tailored Western-style suits. Thanks to the tailor’s attention to detail, his first customer goes away satisfied. “I’m so glad I became a tailor,” says Deokgu. The suit causes a stir and prompts more orders. Even after the ravages of war, the Tailor Shop at the Intersection is rebuilt and passed on to Deokgu’s son Samdol. The quality of his work secures the shop’s popularity even with new competition, and Samdol notes, “It was worth becoming a tailor.” When Samdol’s son Dushik takes over the shop, he faces a new challenge: mass-produced goods. The white backdrop is now layered with skyscrapers textured with dark hues and dotted with cars and dogs rushing about. Though others encourage Dushik to adopt new technology, he refuses, instead relying on the same care and precision as his father and grandfather—a choice that ensures delighted customers and makes Dushik content, too: “I’m so happy I became a tailor.” This understated, evenly paced tale will leave readers with much food for thought. Muted artwork has touches of whimsy, such as the dogs in their often comically oversize suits, though the canine tailors’ passion comes through clearly, too.

A quiet yet compelling tale of art enduring.