This is a Cover Feature essay of KLN Vol. 57. Under the theme “The Distance of Hope: Arriving at Hope via Empathy,” literary critic Park Hye-jin examines the intricate relationship between hope and despair, as well as empathy and sympathy. Through an analysis of the works of Korean literature, such as Yun I-Hyeong’s Winding Bandages, Lim Solah’s “Caring for Fruit Flies,” Choi Eunyoung’s Shoko’s Smile, Someone Who Cannot Hurt Me, and Bright Night, and Park Ji-young’s Lonely Death Workshop, she explores the theme of hope portrayed through narratives of empathy and solidarity, and reflects on the contemporary literary trend of seeking ways for everyone to coexist.