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Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum; translated by Shanna Tan

Themes: 

Overlap of global themes and the Korean society - Burnout, work, divorce, family, relationships, drive and motivation.

Unique to Korean society - (Not)  fitting into society’s expectations and taboo topics  e.g. being in a ‘laid back’ job post-graduation, divorce 

Synopsis: 

This story follows Lee Yeongju’s courageous journey in rediscovering herself after a divorce.  She decides to open a neighbourhood bookstore, ‘The Hyundam-Dong Bookshop’,  which becomes a sanctuary for its employees and residents.

We meet Minjun, unable to  find a ‘corporate’ job, unlike most Korean graduates, he becomes a barista for the bookshop. Jimi, the coffee roaster, needs to stop tolerating her husband’s bad behaviours. Jingsuh, a crocheter,  has had others taking credit for her work. Having not been given a permanent position (despite years of service), she recently stands up for herself by quitting her job. Mincheol is a teenager who appears unmotivated, and Hyun Seongwoo, an author who runs seminars at the bookstore. Each character is trying to navigate life’s different challenges. Lastly, Yeongju may find herself in love again. 

Commentary:

This story follows Yeongju and the residents of Hyunam-Dong. Yeongju  decides to open a bookstore after a divorce. 

This book gives an insight into the societal norms and expectations of South Korean society. For instance, these themes are explored - the South Korean workplace culture,  having a ‘stable’ corporate/civil servant job after graduation,  studying hard, pleasing parents and how divorce is frowned upon in the society. 

The workplace culture is portrayed as quite harsh per Jingsuh’s experience. She is not a permanent staff member despite years of service and worse, her manager authorised a permanent staff to take credit for Jingsuh’s work. However, we also see the other side of the workplace culture in Yeongju, where Minjun’s presence as the barista helps her stay motivated to keep the bookstore running. She shows accountability as an employer to her employee. I also really like how hard Yeongju works to come up with interesting events for the bookstore such as the social media posts, the writing seminars and a bookclub. It is a bonus when Jingsuh decides to donate her crochet creations for the bookstore giveaway. 

In the book, Minjun, Mincheol and even Yeongju’s stories speak about pleasing one’s parents. Minju’s  parents want him to get a ‘stable’, civil service or corporate job, Micheol’s mum wants him to study hard and Yeongju’s mum is angry at her for getting a divorce. These characters rise above the societal expectations, and instead of pleasing their parents, they find themselves and do what is right for themselves.

The  book also depicts getting a ‘stable job’ post graduation as a  societal expectation. I don’t necessarily think that this is just unique to Korean society, but perhaps it is something that is common worldwide. 

I especially like Minjun’s story, where he realises that part of growing up is making your own decisions and having your own path. Despite getting hounded by his worrying mum  with his choice of becoming a barista, he does not back down. He realises that the Korean analogy about “buttoning up one’s shirt” is not entirely realistic. It speaks about how one may just go on about life, following the path set by society, but fails to consider other external circumstances which may impact the outcome of what one has been working towards. So, when Minjun realises that what he has been working towards is perhaps not achievable then, or that “his shirt has no buttons”, he changes his shirt. In other words, he decides to focus on what will work and is achievable for him.

Additionally,  the chapter ‘How we view work’, where Minjun is outspoken, serves as a reflection for us to rethink work, the rat-race and consider what truly matters in life. This particular chapter reminds me of some social media posts that I have seen where some share  about their ‘9-5 and 5-9’ life. They may appear to illustrate ‘productivity’, but in my opinion, if that lifestyle is the norm for them,  it will eventually lead to burnout. 

As for Jimi, her story speaks about being courageous. She has been putting up with her husband’s unacceptable behaviours for some time and no longer has reasons to make up excuses for it. She gives a lot of thought in deciding to leave a marriage that has not been working out for some time.  Whilst divorce  happens around the world, depending on where you are, it may be frowned upon. 

Finally, the story explores the possibility of finding new love, where Yeongju and Mr Seminar (Hyun Seongwoo) find a connection with each other. 

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Book Commentary: What you are looking for is in the library by Michiko Aoyama; translated by Alison Watts

What you are looking for is in the library by Michiko Aoyama; translated by Alison Watts

Themes:

Overlap of global themes and the Japanese society - Work-life balance, burnout, balancing motherhood and career, retirement, friendships at work, (re)-direction, employment and identity/purpose.

Unique to Japanese society - working long hours.

Synopsis:

This book contains five different stories portraying people of different ages and life stages, who seem lost, burnt out or seeking new meaning. They each are searching  for answers to whatever is missing in their lives. The common person in the story is the community librarian, Sayuri Komachi, who recommends books which provide insight to finding the missing key that they need. 

Commentary:

This book follows five individuals at different life stages and of varying ages. In search of something that seems to be missing in their lives, they each visit the community library. There, they meet Sayuri Komachi, a librarian who recommends them titles that eventually help them find the missing key they need.

It seems to me that there is a lot of discussion about employment as a sense of direction/purpose and how it appears to be intertwined to one’s identity, but, should it really be that way? 

For me, there are two stories that really stand out. The first is Natsumi, a mum who has had a successful career pre-pregnancy. She exemplifies the model employee - hardworking, committed and loyal.  She returns to work earlier for her long due promotion only to find out that the position she has worked so hard towards (and is so sure would be hers) is now someone else’s. She feels guilty for not being completely ‘present’ as a mum because she is also trying to remain successful in her career. She eventually finds a new purpose from the book that has been recommended, and with her connections, she manages to find a new role that brings her fulfilment and joy.  For me, this story is excellent because it is topical. It discusses balancing both motherhood and career, which is something many can probably relate to. Moreover, it may not be easy to return to work after maternity leave and, depending on where you are, employment law and protection for women with regards to maternity may vary.

The second story that is outstanding to me is about Masao, a salaryman who is recently retired. Masao has been so involved in work that he misses out on his daughter's childhood. He also soon realises that his ‘friendships’ at work do not extend beyond the workplace. 

The story provides an insight into the perspectives and experiences of someone who has spent the bulk of their lives working  and then finds themselves newly retired. Like Masao, many who have been heavily involved with employment and tie their employment (status) and to their place in society. Needless to say, they probably struggle to find their place in society and new meaning when they retire. 

Overall, these two stories tell me that the time lost can never be retrieved and that the connection with people, especially family members and children should be a focal point in one’s life. Once these moments pass, we cannot get it back. 

I highly recommend this book, because not only is it an easy read, it also makes you cogitate about what is important in life, beyond employment. 

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Book Commentary: Before we forget kindness by Toshikazu Kawaguchi; translated by Geoffrey Trousselot

Themes:

Global themes

Grief, love, relationships, abuse, regret, LGBTQ+, jealousy, innocence, strength, pride and anger.

Unique to Japanese society

Brave front (stiff upper lip); reservedness, expectations for a child to obey parents’ wishes.

Synopsis:

The fifth book from the ‘Before the coffee gets cold’ series follows four individuals who travel in time with hopes of ironing out unresolved issues from the past. This particular instalment explores the bonds of kinship in families (father and daughter; child and parents; deceased husband and newly-widowed wife with a newborn) and best friends. A truly heartwarming read, be prepared to shed a tear or two.

Commentary:

All four stories are brilliant. However, I particularly like ‘The Father’ and ‘Valentine’.

‘The Father’ examines the relationship between a father (Mochizuki) and a daughter (Yoko). Mochizuki opposes Yoko’s decision to marry Tetsuya, to which she completely defies. She elopes with Tetsuya and cuts off Mochizuki from her life. Tetsuya proves to be abusive towards Yoko. Yoko gives birth to Mitsuru and raises Mitsuru pretty much on her own. Even though she is no longer in contact with Mochizuku, Yoko is  still in contact with her mother, Kayoko, who gets to see her grandchild grow up.

This story speaks to me about how protective parents can be, especially fathers of their daughters. As much as parents do think that they know the best for their children, and in fact, most times, they may do. However, the approach to opposing their (grown-up) children’s choices has to be kind and respectful. There is no point fighting fire with fire. Perhaps sometimes, parents are trying to protect their children so much, they become so overprotective, and the delivery is not kind, but it is also important to let children learn from their own choices and mistakes.  Page 124 of the book states, ‘ What did I know about Yoko’s life? She has her own tastes, her own experiences. I shouldn’t have tried to guide her all the time. At some point, she would have to make big life choices without me. … In wishing for Yoko’s happiness, perhaps I’ve inadvertently narrowed her choices.’ This whole paragraph reminds me of Kahlil Gibran’s poem, ‘On Children’ from The Prophet. 

While reading the book, I had wished for Kayoko to step in and assist in fixing her daughter and husband’s relationship. I was glad that Mochizuki eventually travelled to the future and Yoko to the past to see her dad.

‘Valentine’ delves into the friendship between two best friends, Tsumugi and Ayame. Ayame is the epitome of beauty that every boy falls for in school. Tsumugi, on the other hand, is described as not the typical beauty but is beautiful in her own way. Over time, Tsumugi gets jealous of Ayame. This jealousy is somewhat suppressed and controlled in high school. Even though Ayame is accepted to the best university in Japan, she chooses to go to the same university as Tsumugi. Here, Tsumugi slowly drifts away from Ayame and eventually cuts off contact with her. 

Years later, a school reunion sets off her curiosity about Ayame prompting her to visit the cafe. I will leave you to read this, without any spoilers. 

In short, the main nugget of wisdom this book reminds me would be of my own parents' wise words - ‘In life, there are two things that we can never get back once they are gone - time and people.’

To me, as with the previous titles, this particular title has stories in them that I shall remember and think about. There is something poignant about the series, where relationships and human emotions are discussed in such an eloquent manner. I highly recommend the book, and the series.

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Book Commentary: Marigold Mind Laundry by Jungeun Yun; translated by Shanna Tan

Themes:

Overlap of themes across the world and the Korean society

Bullying, abuse, (childhood) trauma, social media, infidelity.

Other global themes

Life and emotions, mindset and perception, navigating through life’s challenges.

Unique to Korean society

Pressure to do well in life (yardstick being what is set by society or wanting to be on par with other family members).

Synopsis:

Set in the beautiful village of Marigold, Jieun has the magical ability to help others confront their trauma, or remove ‘stains in their heart’. The process involves a visit to Jieun’s laundromat, popping a special T-shirt over, focusing on the difficult memories that will eventually stain the T-shirt and then putting it through the wash would free the person of their painful past. Jieun appears as though she is the saviour who helps others get through difficulties. However, she herself is trying to grapple with her own challenges.

Commentary:

The story follows five individuals who seek Jieun’s help. Whilst she has the ability to help others through their pain, Jieun herself is trying to cope with her own struggles.

For me, the two stories that really struck out are - Eunbyul, a social media influencer and Yeonghui, a man who was bullied as a teenager.

Eunbyul is a social media influencer. Her life seems like a bed of roses, but she grew up with little and difficult family circumstances. Her rise to stardom comes at the expense of her studies, though she is now able to provide for her family. She may have fame and wealth, but deep down, she is lonely. It seems that no matter how much she gives, it is never enough for her family who keeps demanding more from her. Afraid of losing them, she would work herself to her bones to fulfil their demands. She finds herself battling lawsuits after (unknowingly) promoting a product with harmful ingredients.

From reading Eunbyul’s story, I get the impression that being a ‘celebrity influencer’ or ‘social media influencer’ seems like a lot of work, perhaps even more than actors. There are so many layers that have to be thought through such as - sponsorship deals, posts, photos, videos, reels, likes, Insta-lives, adverts. The list goes on. I can see why she is physically and mentally exhausted. More than that, the concept of privacy is non-existent especially when all aspects of Eunbyul’s life are out for the world to see. She has many followers, and receives attention from people online, and yet, she is lonely. Perhaps the attention is not really attention, but surveillance. To me, this particular story is worthy to delve into deeper, especially with the recent global proliferation of social media the world has seen. This,coupled with the introduction of IT literacy to the younger generation, including children is something to be mulled over.

Some of the quotes that I really liked from Eunbyul’s story are as follows:

‘You smile when you are with people who smile, and cry when you are with people who cry.’

‘That most people choose to bottle up their feelings, not knowing that the wounds would fester in their hearts, that they would suffer. So many went about their lives unaware that if only the biggest pains in them were soothed, then life would be so much better.’

‘Apologise if it’s your fault, and when someone makes a mistake, accept their apology and be understanding. If you can’t forgive them, then just accept that whatever’s happened is already in the past. Life can’t be easy all the time. We lose our way, go through rough patches, stumble and fail. But we dust ourselves off and get up.’

‘Learn to live for yourself, not for anyone else.’

‘Also, no relationship is worth protecting to the extent that you lose yourself. Even if they’re family or the love of your life.’

These quotes revolve around boundaries, being true to oneself, speaking up and being kind to all including oneself.

Yeonghui comes from a good family of overachievers. However, he has a very troubled past. Once a victim of severe bullying in school, he chooses to move to a different town (Marigold), to start afresh and ends up working as a delivery driver. The trauma from the bullying still haunts him.

Yeonghui’s story captures how bullying can really stain someone’s life for a long time. It is hard not to feel upset reading Yeonghui’s story. Some readers may know that violence and bullying is rampant like an infectious disease in South Korea today. The Netflix hit series, ‘The Glory’ gives an insight into the degree of bullying in South Korea. It also depicts a scene based on true events that had happened in 2006. A recent article by Dr Scott Harrison (2023) states that bullying and violence in South Korea schools have become so serious that there are talks to create a national institution to support the victims' recovery. Additionally, it was reported in the article that verbal violence accounted for 42% of all school violence and 13.3% for physical bullying in 2022. As a means of deterrent, college applications from 2024 will include a student’s history of bullying or school violence.

The thing about bullying that is not mentioned in the book is that it does not just exist at school. It is also something that can happen beyond schooling life (e.g. at the workplace).

To put a close to Yeonghui’s story, these are some quotes I had underlined:

‘Indeed, seeing something from the outside was completely different from experiencing it himself.’

‘Wouldn’t it be nice if we could forecast the weather in our lives, too?’

‘If only it were possible to know ahead of time that once we’ve battled through the bout of bad weather, we can look forward to enjoying the perfect skies for a while.’

‘Be it criticisms or even insults, I don’t have to accept them. The same way we reject a parcel or return it, I can say no to humiliation and bullying - whether it’s how people make me feel, what they say to me, or what they used to do to me. If I don’t take it, then it isn’t mine. So, what I’m saying is, if someone dislikes or even hates you, don’t embrace those feelings and pain. Give them back. By doing so, the pain won’t become yours. It’ll rebound back to the person. Don’t clog your heart with negativity. Reject abuse. You have the right to do so.’

No matter what life throws at you, these quotes speak about perception, hope, empowerment, and strength.

Finally, Jieun works through her own challenges by allowing herself to feel a sense of belonging with others in her community. They are not her blood relatives, but still a family to her. She understands that it is okay to be kind to herself.

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Book Commentary - 'The Trunk' by Kim Ryeo-Ryeong

I made it a point to finish this on the 16 November 2024, well in time before its premiere on Netflix. I finally, managed to put together Tumblr and Instagram today, and I hope you enjoy the commentary below.

Themes:

Global themes

LGBTQ+, sex, sexuality, gender identity, consumerism, difficulty in finding a job post graduation and the discrimination faced for not fitting within the bounds set by society.

Unique to Korean society

The Ageing population, youngsters opting to remain unmarried, filial piety, pressures from family/society, power dynamics in relationships (family, friends or spouse), hierarchy and class.

Synopsis:

Noh Inji ends up working as a contract spouse for New Marriage (NM) upon graduation. In her role, she has had several husbands, but a previous husband (music composer) strangely asked for her again. The problem arises when an awry blind-date keeps on pestering her, like an overt stalker. As much as Inji appears elegant on the outside, she is actually still trying to find herself.

Commentary:

The Trunk follows the story of Noh Inji, a 30 year-old who has been a ‘field wife’ for New Marriage (NM) for some time . It recounts some of her experiences with different husbands, her frustrations with a referred “introduction” to Om Tae-seong (who establishes stalker-ish behaviours), shocking discoveries about NM, and her relationships with others, including Granny (her neighbour), her friend Shi-Jeong, her colleagues and her mother.

Granny is a sexually frustrated elderly woman who is being strung along by a younger man. Other than purchasing whatever he tries to sell to her, she has even gone to the extreme of undergoing plastic surgery perhaps to appeal to him.

Shi-jeong, Inji’s old friend, is responsible for introducing Inji to Om Tae-seong, a peculiar man who cannot take a ‘no’ for an answer, which of course, is problematic. There are also flashbacks about Inji’s friendship with Shi-jeong and Hye-yeong from school and other revelations in the friendship that Inji is not expecting.

The book briefly touches upon the plight of her naive colleague, Yoo, who has found herself in an unfavourable situation from the marriage she is in. She reminds me of someone who is idealistic and unselfish, to her detriment. Despite her parents being non-present, she feels obligated to the concept of ‘filial piety’. For instance, when Yoo’s father requests for money, she proceeds to give him her earnings, only for him to disappear after. The story explores how along the way, Inji is trying to find herself and own her sexuality. I get the impression that she may be bisexual, but perhaps hasn’t admitted it to herself. This book definitely has a feel of feminism towards it.

Additionally, the society that is portrayed in this story appears to bear certain similarities with current societies. Society, in general, has certain standards of what is deemed to be a norm. This book largely talks about issues within society that fall outside of those boundaries. The first, of course, is the unconventional concept of marriage that NM provides for a clientele that wants the benefits of marriage, but without investing their heart into it. Secondly, similar to Granny who appears to be in a relationship with a much younger man, Inji was previously married to a much older husband.

Other themes that are illustrated in the story’s society which are relatable across the world would be LGBTQ+, sex, sexuality, gender identity, consumerism, difficulty in finding a job post graduation and the discrimination faced when you fall outside of that parameter established by society.

The themes that are depicted in the book, which are unique to Korean society were - ageing population, youngsters opting to remain unmarried, filial piety, pressures from family/society, power dynamics in relationships (family, friends or spouse), hierarchy and class.

The book certainly piqued my curiosity regarding hiring a spouse so I Googled ‘rent a spouse in South Korea’. The results came up with ‘rent an Oppa’/’hire a friend’. I was somewhat not surprised given that this had taken off in Japan, South Korea’s close neighbour by proximity.

In hindsight, writing this review, I realise now that the plot may be slightly difficult to follow, perhaps because there are so many themes that are confronted within this book. However, I would still recommend the book. Linguistically, the book was written in an eloquently blunt manner and I felt Inji’s frustrations throughout the read. I loved it. It was so honest, refreshing, and an interesting read.