Author’s note

A bunch of random things about the Half Lives universe.

Contextual wordplay for English speakers

The hangul for “Peacock” (공작) can also be translated as “Duke.”

The informal word that men call an older woman who they’re related to or are close with (누나 noona) is a homophone of Uná, an ancient Irish goddess and namesake of Kit’s cottage.

Intentional Reality Warping

For the sake of the plot, I have taken some liberties with reality.

Dursey Island

Virtually no one lives on Dursey Island year-round these days. Sadly, there is not a pub. If there’s a síbín speakeasy, no one’s telling.

Kit is far too disorganised to live anywhere in rural Ireland, much less on an island that can only be reached via a cable car with a limited schedule. She is, however, reckless enough to move out there without thinking it through. Mrs. Murphy probably wouldn’t let Kit starve. (Calliope wouldn’t miss any meals.)

Heavy goods deliveries to Dursey Island are by boat and only happen a few times a year. It’s unlikely that Kit’s treadmill would travel in the cable car, even though it folds flat and weighs only 40 kg (much less than the limit of 6 people or a cow). Then again, if anyone could talk the operator into allowing it, Kit could.

Josun Palace Hotel

The Josun Palace does not have an on-site day spa with massage, beauty treatment, hair styling, or makeup services. It does have an amazing swimming pool and sauna.

Myeongdong Cathedral

I haven’t been able to confirm whether or not the banns of marriage could be read as part of the parish announcements. As near as I can tell, it’s not currently common practice.

Without much evidence, I chose the 11:00 AM Sunday service for the great and the good to see and be seen.

Meteorological phenomena

It rained all day in Seoul on 5 May 2024. I created a break in the weather to facilitate the hood flip.

It was perfectly clear in Seoul on 8 May 2024. I summoned that rogue shower to enable a proper romantic umbrella deployment.

Mineral oil and fashion photography

Because she trained under Bin Na at the Met, Mimi would know that mineral oil is not the best way to simulate water. It does work for “wet” skin and “pools” but refined vegetable oil is more flexible (and easier to clean up afterwards!). She’d also know that “water droplets” would require glycerine thinned with water sprayed on the oiled surface.

YSL at the SAM

Yves Saint Laurent: The Perfection of Style was at the Seattle Art Museum from 11 Oct 2016 through 8 Jan 2017.

Banshees of Inisherin

Venice in Seoul was 16-26 Feb 2022. Banshees premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2021 and could theoretically have been screened but wasn’t.

Sumi Jo

Sumi Jo sang with the KBS Symphony Orchestra 28-29 March 2024.

Cherry blossoms

The first cherry blossoms in Seoul were reported on 1 April 2024.

Songs before their time

These songs appeared in the story’s timeline before their real-world release date. They were perfect for the plot and I couldn’t resist.

“Lose My Breath” by Stray Kids feat. Charlie Puth was released on 10 May 2024.

“ABCD” by NAYEON was released on 14 June 2024.

“Heaven” by NAYEON and SAM KIM was released on 14 June 2024.

“Never Let Go” by Jung Kook was released on 14 June 2024.

“Runnin’ (feat. I.M)” by Moon Sujin was released on 14 June 2024.

“Impossible” by RIIZE was released on 17 June 2024.

“Out of Time” by Seo In Guk was released on 19 June 2024.

“Hyper Midnight” by NIve was released on 28 July 2024.

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Calliope, Colm, and Óengus

Both Calliope and Colm live with me in Southwest Ireland. Their guest appearances feature their true names, faces, and personalities. (The sole exception is the demand for fresh fish cooked in butter: that comes from Harvey, our imperious tuxedo neighbour. Her people are well trained.) C&C are extremely helpful – in all possible interpretations of that phrase, sarcastic and straightforward – in keeping me balanced between the worlds in my head with the (real) world they live in.

Sadly for Colm, Óengus is completely fictional.

^ top

Fragrance

Kit is obsessed with scent. She refers to fragrances by their name; this table includes the house that created them.

Title	Chap	Name	House
Dire Strait	02	Tonka Imperiale	Guerlain
Dire Strait	05	Black Orchid	Tom Ford
Dire Strait	07	Asja	Fendi
Dire Strait	12	Angels’ Share	By Kilian
Dire Strait	12	In Love with Everything	Imaginary Authors
Dire Strait	12	La Religieuse	Serge Lutens
Dire Strait	12	Oajan	Parfums de Marly
Next Level	14	Wood Sage & Sea Salt	Jo Malone
Next Level	22	Or du Serail	Naomi Goodsir
Next Level	29	Coco	Chanel
Half Lives	55	Pure Poison	Dior
Half Lives	55	Sundazed	Byredo
Half Lives	55	Mojave Ghost	Byredo
Half Lives	55	Slow Dance	Byredo
Half Lives	55	Pulp	Byredo
Half Lives	57	Baraonda	Nasomatto
Half Lives	59	Aventus	Creed
Half Lives	59	Spicebomb	Viktor & Rolf
Half Lives	70	Coco	Chanel
Half Lives	70	10019 Wonders	Ex Nihilo
Half Lives	70	Bleu de Chanel	Chanel