No one turned up to a writer’s book signing, leaving her embarrassed; however, a shop worker shared a video of her sitting alone, sparking a viral success story.
On December 8, author Agnes Hyun-In Lee, 23, hosted an event in Corona, California, to promote her children’s book, Who Took My Stuff. A TikTok user later posted footage of Lee sitting alone that has garnered 10 million views and more than 996,000 likes.
“I literally hate this shift. We have an author today. It’s her first book and nobody has gone up to her. I have to watch this for 5 hours. My heart is breaking,” the poster wrote in the video’s text overlay.
After the video went viral, the author sold out of books. Newsweek has contacted the poster for comment via TikTok.
Lee told Newsweek, “When nobody showed up, I was very, very embarrassed.”
She continued: “None of my friends and family showed up because they were at church, and I couldn’t even go on my phone because I was at 10 percent. I had to use it sparingly. So it was just me and my thoughts for hours, thinking, Why am I doing this? This is so embarrassing. I even dressed up for this. The employees are probably making fun of me. I’m done.
“It was so bad that that night I was going to quit. I was talking to Jesus Christ, telling him: ‘I see no success. I’m quitting.’ But the next day Jesus really told me, ‘Wait, give it another chance!’ as that video blew up.”
Lee’s followers surged from 22 to 32,000 in three days, significantly boosting her overall views.
“Most importantly, this video brought SO many encouraging people to me, reigniting my passion to keep writing and creating! I am now currently working on my new book and merchandise that I set aside because I didn’t see any success until now,” she added.
Agnes Hyun-In Lee. The author’s first book has become a viral success.
Agnes Hyun-In Lee/Agnes Hyun-In Lee
Social media viewers were quick to share their support, with one user commenting on the viral video, “Agnes Lee, the internet supports you, and now to find this book, or can we get in touch with her for an autographed one?”
“This was me exactly seven years ago. I became a #1 NYTimes best seller this year and book signings look very different now. Stick with it! Your people are waiting to find you,” another added.
“I saw a lonely author last time and I literally asked them about their book and his eyes lit up! I bought his book and he signed it. I still need to read it, but I’m sure even if it’s not my style I will forever appreciate the look in his eyes while he told me his story,” a user said.
Lee said Who Took My Stuff tells the story of a paper bag girl with a consistent daily routine whose belongings suddenly go missing. The mystery is resolved when she discovers that her baby sibling, eager to emulate her, is behind it. Lee said the book seeks to teach children that when siblings behave in ways that seem irritating, such as taking their things, it often stems from love and admiration.
She added that the book was written at a preschool reading level, featuring one to two short sentences per page, but its deeper message could resonate with readers of all ages. Lee compared it to The Giving Tree, which she found dull as a child but heartwarming when rereading it as an adult.
She said her book was intended to help children understand sibling dynamics while allowing adults to reminisce about their own relationships with siblings.
Lee also dedicated the book to her sisters, emphasizing that it was her way of expressing unwavering love and support for them.
She said: “I was SUPER embarrassed when I saw that video! I told my friends and family the event went well, so when they tagged me and sent me the video, I was APPALLED they knew the truth LOL. But over time, as I saw strangers giving me hope and encouragement, I soon embraced that video and thanked Jesus.”
Source : Newsweek