Korean Literature

 You know how sometimes we are under conditions that will not allow us to explore our own emotions, whether that makes us thankful to be under such circumstances or simply will leave us agitated for not be able to tend them immediately? And at the end, they were left untended, forgotten and we thought that we had got rid of them by simply putting them away. 

Reading Korean literature books, I always feel like I was being forced to actually sit with those old emotions (in a good way) by processing the thoughts and feelings I had during the reading process or the afterthought I had after I finished them. 

Simply put, they always feel heavy on my mind. The stories itself doesn’t necessarily fall into the heavy type, neither felt heavy. They were just weaved so perfectly, intricately that they reminded me of the gentle, unjudging, touch on my shoulder I received when I was at the brink of breaking. 

The touch that made me feel that I am now allowed to break, that it made me feel like it was safe now to come crashing down, that it’s okay to shatter if that's what's going to make me feel better.

 I couldn’t help but to cling to them, thinking it felt somewhat worthwhile to be brood over. And usually they stay longer on my mind, for days, sometimes weeks or simply longer than that, to the point it feels like they never actually leave me.  

Then I started to think, if their capabilities of writing so well had something to do with their background, I mean, if their history and culture actually did contribute a huge sum to it. I know each of the stories is only an individual work but they possess a similar quality. Maybe because their past had shaped their culture and culture shaped them in the most intricate ways. Their writings simply show how deeply they are rooted to their belief.

.

Their writing is so impactful on the mind. Poignant, heavy with emotions and rich with feelings, but never seem to leave out the most important parts; facts, which usually cover on their history. 

.

This is exactly what I felt when I read The Kinship of Secrets. The storytelling is so vivid that I could picture the scenes and feel every emotion between the lines. I never thought I would like the book this much and feel deeply about it. The story felt immersive that I found myself crying thrice over the story. I have to admit I actually like this one slightly better than Pachinko.

.

Choi eunyoung is my new favourite Korean author. After reading her note, at the end of the book; Shoko’s Smile, how I could feel thankfulness bubbled inside of me, for her perseverance to keep writing despite all the hardships she faced in past. For being sensitive as she claimed, (being sensitive at heart is rather a gift isn’t it?) I’m able to read a brilliant piece of hers, which seems simplistic on the surface but sharp enough to leave such an impact when being dissected. It makes me think over what capabilities I need to own to be able to evoke an array of emotions in someone, within only short pages? I’m still in awe. 

I wonder how much I am (or if I) actually missing out for only I am able to read the translation one.