The Hole by Hye-young Pyun is a compelling and eerie book about Oghi, a man who escapes a car accident that kills his wife and the devastating psychological fallout that follows. The book delves deeply into the themes of personal responsibility, loss, and the complexities of the human mind. The plot of this Korean drama … Read more
The Accusation is a collection of stories by Bandi, a pen name for a North Korean author who risked his life to print these stories that criticize and expose the true nature of the regime in his country. This book is a courageous and harrowing portrayal of life in North Korea, and a testament to … Read more
Poetic and reflective, Han Kang’s The White Book examines the ways in which words can alter our perceptions of the world and the ways in which we deal with grief and memory. This novel is a beautiful and haunting meditation on the experience of loss and the various paths we take to heal ourselves and … Read more
One Hundred Shadows by Hwang Jungeun is a captivating book that combines magical realism and social criticism to create a spooky and unforgettable reading experience. The story is set in a modern Korean city and tracks two young friends as they fight against gentrification and keep their way of life. The novel centers around the … Read more
Han Kang’s Human Acts is a haunting and potent book that delves into the repercussions of a brutal massacre in South Korea in 1980. Both a scathing indictment of human brutality and a stirring celebration of the triumph of hope and perseverance, this book is a triumph. The novel is organized as a collection of … Read more
Sun-mi Hwang’s The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly is an endearing tale about a determined hen named Sprout who longs for a life beyond the constraints of her coop. Sprout discovers the transformative power of friendship and the value of perseverance through adversity along her path. Sprout, the novel’s protagonist, is a hard-working and … Read more
Pachinko, written by Min Jin Lee, is a stunning novel that takes readers on a voyage through the generations of a Korean family. Sunja, a young Korean lady in the early 20th century, meets Isak, a wealthy Japanese businessman, in a small fishing village. After Sunja learns that she is carrying Isak’s child, he proposes … Read more
Please Look After Mom is a strong and heartbreaking novel by Kyung-Sook Shin about parenting, loss, and family. The tale follows a family as they try to locate their missing mother in the crowded subways of Seoul. As they look for their mother, the members of the family reflect on their individual encounters with her … Read more
The Vegetarian, Han Kang’s novel, is a fascinating and introspective look at the human condition. Yeong-hye, the protagonist of the tale, is an apparently typical and submissive wife who, for no apparent reason, decides to become a vegetarian. Because of this choice, a series of events unfolds that puts her in direct contact with her … Read more