Discover the Best Books to Uncover the Layers of Time in the City
Transport yourself to ancient Korea with the mesmerizing book, “Samguk Yusa: Legends and History of the Three Kingdoms of Ancient Korea,” compiled by the Buddhist monk Ilyon during the Goryeo dynasty in the 13th century. Delve into its collection of strange and supernatural tales, featuring kings hatched from eggs and a magical flute that lulls storms to sleep. Another gripping read is “Tales of the Strange by a Korean Confucian Monk: Kumo Sinhwa,” written by Kim Sisup during the early Joseon dynasty, which began in the late 14th century. This collection narrates the enthralling encounters of male protagonists with graceful and candid ghostly women, resulting in a lifetime of solitude and grief.
Take a step forward in time with “The Story of Hong Gildong,” another masterpiece from the Joseon dynasty. Recently translated into English by Minsoo Kang, this tale follows the journey of Gildong, born into a noble family but unable to claim his birthright due to his mother’s humble status. Faced with discrimination, Gildong becomes a thief and channels his actions towards redistributing wealth to the poor. Although traditionally attributed to Heo Gyun, a progressive thinker executed for treason in the 17th century, the true authorship of this book remains a subject of academic debate.
For a more modern glimpse into Seoul’s past, immerse yourself in Park Wan-suh’s memoir, “Who Ate Up All the Shinga?” Translated by Yu Young-nan and Stephen J. Epstein, this memoir covers the period from the 1930s to the 1950s. Beginning with nostalgic anecdotes from Park’s childhood in Kaesong (now in North Korea), the narrative swiftly shifts to the chaos of Seoul during the Korean War. While most citizens flee the city, Park’s family makes the brave choice to stay and care for her ailing brother. The memoir concludes with a powerful resolution as Park gazes upon the eerily quiet streets, determined to document her ordeals in writing.
Essential Reads Before Exploring Seoul
To truly grasp the essence of Seoul, explore the poems of contemporary Seoul-based poets. Open collections such as “I’m OK, I’m Pig!” and “Autobiography of Death,” by Kim Hyesoon (translated by Don Mee Choi), “Request Line at Noon,” by Lee Jangwook (translated by Sun Kim and Tsering Wangmo), “Fifteen Seconds Without Sorrow,” by Shim Bo-seon (translated by Chung Eun-Gwi and Brother Anthony of Taizé), “Cheer Up Femme Fatale,” by Kim Yi-deum (translated by Ji Yoon Lee, Don Mee Choi, and Johannes Göransson), and “Beautiful and Useless,” by Kim Min Jeong (translated by Soeun Seo and Jake Levine). These poems offer a collective sense of the city’s atmosphere.
Additionally, explore short story collections to experience the diverse aspects of life in Seoul. Discover “Flowers of Mold,” by Ha Seong-nan (translated by Janet Hong), “Cursed Bunny,” by Bora Chung (translated by Anton Hur), “Love in the Big City,” by Sang Young Park (translated by Anton Hur), and “Shoko’s Smile,” by Choi Eunyoung (translated by Sung Ryu). These stories provide vivid snapshots of life in Seoul. Don’t miss out on novels like “Concerning My Daughter,” by Kim Hye-jin (translated by Jamie Chang), “My Brilliant Life,” by Ae-ran Kim (translated by Chi-Young Kim), and “Your Republic Is Calling You,” by Kim Young-ha (translated by Chi-Young Kim) for a deeper immersion into the spirit of Seoul.
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