I am so far only 10 chapters into this story, but have been really enjoying myself so far! I like unusual novels, and this one is unusual in that it depicts a Korean (of course) who traveled through time to the Wild West. The author seems to have done their research - I didn't double-check their dates or anything, but I enjoy that they're working historical figures, events, and places into the story, and they seem to be doing it well. In other words, it's a cowboy western done by... more>> someone who seems to have read up about it pretty well.

Historical Wild West, Gold Rush, cowboy novels like this can be pretty romanticized. However, possibly thanks to the author being Korean, they don't seem to have much in the way of rose-tinted glasses and are quite frank about the racism, poverty, and struggle around s*avery happening around that era. I actually appreciate that the translator uses the slurs as they are, I feel like it would be contrary to the feel of the novel to censor them or try to turn them into something more appropriate, but be warned that they do, haha.

That's about all I have to say based on just 10 chapters, I'll come back and update the review once the story gets further along. But it's very enjoyable, and I would recommend it for anyone looking for a purely action/adventure story that isn't the usual.

Translation has been excellent so far, especially for an edited MTL. I enjoy reading the translator's notes! They obviously do a lot of research to match up the historical places and names, which I appreciate. <<less

Hi there, I'm the translator/editor from Impatient MTL! I've been reading this for a long time now through MTL, and I thought that it was a shame that this novel isn't paid attention to by almost anyone on NU.

I love this novel primarily because it's a unique twist on the classic Western theme as well as transmigration with modern knowledge trope. I like how the MC is not too OP because he doesn't have a system or a lot of cheats aside from some skills and knowledge he acquired through... more>> hard work in his first life. Not to mention, although he has a lot of talent and skills to offer, he constantly faces difficulties associated with his status as an Asian and a former nobi (Joseon s*ave/serf). The author doesn't treat this kind of barrier as insignificant, unlike some other novels where the MC gets transmigrated back in time.

I wrote in more detail on my blog's table of contents page for this novel about some things that American readers in particular may not like. For example, the author uses real historical figures as characters, so I hope that American history buffs don't take that too seriously. But I think Southern readers who venerate Confederate historical figures as heroes may find this novel offensive, the same way that Chinese or Japanese readers would find Black Corporation: Joseon offensive. This is because the author takes the standpoint of the Union and abolitionists (those who stood against s*avery). Also, the author doesn't hesitate to cover (what some may consider as relatively taboo) topics of Southern antebellum s*avery as well as racism and bigotry against blacks, ethnic and religious minorities in America. This isn't a serious academic essay exposing the problems in American society or the roots of racism in the US, but the author manages to do a very good job of making some social commentary from an objective standpoint.

Even if there is some social commentary stuff going on, the main point that made me read almost 600 chapters of this is because it's way too much fun to think about a Korean version of Wyatt Earp (suddenly there's taekwondo appearing in the Wild West! Lmao) or even how a former Korean special forces member could influence Billy the Kid and various legendary American historical figures of the mid-19th century.

As for why I posted chapter 0.1 to 0.7, it's because the author's Munpia listing for this novel has several postings outside/before the main novel which are not extras but can be considered like a physical novel's front matter. If you're reading this novel and are confused about some historical information or forgot who a certain character was, you can check out some of these 0+ chapters because the author intended them mainly as reference material (containing maps, pictures of weapons, and even a few fan art). If you don't care about those things, just skip to chapter 1~~

I hope everyone who reads this can enjoy it as much as I do! <<less