🇰🇷 Korean Fiction Book Club 📖 Starting 기억술사 1 on April 7! 📚

[bibliothecary]

Must catch up with the current read…

I don’t feel strongly either way when it comes to the nominations. It’s difficult to know what to do as we’re currently such a small cohort…

If previous nominations are carried over, and there are more nominations added, perhaps the voting limit should also increase? If we all get one vote but the list of nominations keeps growing, it’ll become more likely that there will be a several-way tie with each user voting for a different title.

[bungakushoujo]

@bibliothecary

I don’t feel strongly either way when it comes to the nominations. It’s difficult to know what to do as we’re currently such a small cohort…

I feel pretty much the same tbh, but I’ll leave the poll open for a while anyways and then we can make a call. New nominations may be cool to keep things fresh when we are so small.

@bibliothecary

Must catch up with the current read…

The last chapters have been quite fast to be honest! I thought about asking if you needed a pause, but that may conversely put pressure on you to catch up by a certain date?! Whenever you catch up, I’ll be there in the thread.

[brandon]

I fell off the wagon with Korean reading unfortunately, just am in maintenance / tv series watching mode currently

TBH with the holidays and all the Natively stuff i’m doing, I’m not sure how likely I am to participate in the next one. I need to get going on this one!

It’s up to you all what you want to do. I will be trying to recruit more Korean folks…

[HopeWaterfall]

I’ll see if I join depending on the level of the book. I tried with 소리를 보는 소년, so if it’s at that level or higher I probably won’t join.

I’ll try to encourage more people in the Korean discord groups I’m in to join natively though.

[HopeWaterfall]

Now that I’m reading 소리를 보는 소년, I’d say that something at that same level I could probably read as well. It all depends on the grammar difficulty though.

The other nominations from the previous round all seem slightly harder than 소리를 보는 소년, so I’d prefer we start with new nominations this round. That way we can have more variety in level.

I’d also rather start this new round after we all finish 소리를 보는 소년, although I really don’t know how long that’s gonna take.

[bungakushoujo]

@HopeWaterfall

I’d also rather start this new round after we all finish 소리를 보는 소년, although I really don’t know how long that’s gonna take.

Sure, I’m here and ready to read something at any point when we get a few people and book ideas together

[bizoo]

Ohh keen to try and do next book club as well

[bibliothecary]

Book: 시간 고양이 | L20??
Genre: ecological sci-fi fantasy
Length: 244 pages, 4 volumes
Is there an ebook available?: yes (and audiobook!)

Summary - Korean

인수공통전염바이러스로 동물이 멸종한 미래의 지구,
살아 있는 마지막 고양이 은실의 울음소리가 들려오고
서림과 호세의 녹색 액션이 시작된다!
신개념 생태 SF 판타지 동화 『시간 고양이 : 동물이 사라진 세계』 출간

코로나19로 바이러스에 대한 공포가 전 세계를 뒤덮고 있다. 환경오염과 기후변화로 언제 어떤 변수가 출몰해 인류의 생존과 지구 생태에 변화를 줄지 누구도 장담할 수 없는 시대다. 코로나19가 인류에게 미증유의 공포를 불러일으킨 이유 중 하나는 바로 코로나19바이러스가 ‘인수 공통 전염성’을 가지고 있다는 것이었다. 우리나라에서도 코로나19 확진 판정을 받은 반려동물이 총 89마리로 확인됨에 따라(농림축산식품부) 동물 백신 개발의 필요성이 제기되기도 했다. 코로나19 바이러스는 동물과 사람 모두에게 감염될 수 있지만 현재까지 동물-사람 간 전파 사례는 없다.

만약 지구에서 인간을 제외한 모든 포유류가 사라진다면 어떻게 될까? 『시간 고양이 : 동물이 사라진 세계』는 인수 공통 전염 바이러스로 인해 폐허가 된 지구를 배경으로 한 판타지 동화다. 빈민가 소녀 서림이 세상 마지막 고양이 은실을 발견하면서 벌어지는 모험을 그린 이 동화는 ‘생명’과 ‘공존’이라는 가치를 어린이들에게 감동적으로 전달하는 동시에, 영화를 보듯 긴박감 넘치는 스토리 전개로 짜릿한 재미를 선사해 줄 것이다.

Summary - English

A future Earth where animals have been wiped out by a pandemic virus,
the cry of Eunsil, the last cat alive, is heard.
Seorim and Jose’s green action begins!
A new ecological sci-fi fantasy story, Time Cat: The World Where Animals Disappeared, is published.

A new ecological sci-fi fantasy story about a world where animals have disappeared. With environmental pollution and climate change, no one can be sure when and what variables will emerge to change the survival of humanity and the ecology of the planet. One of the reasons why COVID-19 has caused unprecedented fear in humanity is that the COVID-19 virus is ‘zoonotic’. In Korea, a total of 89 pets have been confirmed to be infected with COVID-19 (Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs), raising the need to develop an animal vaccine. The COVID-19 virus can infect both animals and humans, but there have been no cases of animal-to-human transmission to date.

What would happen if all mammals except humans disappeared from the planet? "Time Cat: A World Without Animals is a fantasy story set in a world devastated by a human-to-human transmission virus. The story of Seorim, a slum girl, who discovers Eunsil, the last cat in the world, will touch children’s hearts and teach them the values of life and coexistence, while providing them with a thrilling storyline with a cinematic sense of urgency.

(DeepL)

Content warnings if known

Based on the blurb: pandemic, ecological disaster, species extinction. However, it is a children’s book, so I doubt it gets too bleak.

Why are you nominating this book: It sounds like an interesting read which explores important issues facing humanity, and since it’s a children’s book the language should be relatively simple (this is aimed at a slightly lower age group than 소리를 보는 소년 | L25, so I expect it’s a bit easier).

Previews are available on Yes24 and Ridibooks, and an audio sample is available on Storytel.

Haven’t finished the previous book yet, but may as well get the ball rolling for this round.

Bonus: official MV!

Co. To - 내일에서 만나요 | 시간 고양이 OST 【Official Music Video】

[eefara]

@bibliothecary

Bonus: official MV!

That is the cutest diving helmet I’ve ever seen.

[HopeWaterfall]

@bibliothecary

In Korea, a total of 89 pets have been confirmed to be infected with COVID-19 (Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs), raising the need to develop an animal vaccine. The COVID-19 virus can infect both animals and humans, but there have been no cases of animal-to-human transmission to date.

I just had a conference talking about this topic this morning! Gorillas, for example, have almost become extinct in nature because of Ebola. This book explores a really interesting scenario!

I’d also love to learn more biology related vocab in Korean. I’m still a long way off from being able to read research papers in Korean, but this can only help!

[bibliothecary]

@HopeWaterfall

I’d also love to learn more biology related vocab in Korean.

It might be worth having a look around for children’s science textbooks and websites if it’s something you’re interested in.

긴긴밤 | L30?? is another children’s book on my TBR which is tangentially related, about the last surviving rhino on earth and its friendship with a penguin, which won a children’s literature award (the book, not the penguin ).

[HopeWaterfall]

@bibliothecary

It might be worth having a look around for children’s science textbooks and websites if it’s something you’re interested in.

I’ll probably do that soon, but I think I still need to improve a bit before that’s actually doable. I plan on reading 유미의 세포들 | L24?? first, since it being a webtoon should make it easier to follow. I tried to read it a while ago, but then I was also struggling with reading anything at all, and obviously the completely new to me biology vocab didn’t help.
From the naver series description: 유미는 지금 무슨 생각을 하고 있을까?
그녀의 머릿속에서 바쁘게 움직이는 세포들 이야기!

[bizoo]

*

Book: 서울 사는 외계인들 | L22??
Genre: Young Adult
Length: 256 pages
Is there an ebook available?: yes

Summary - Korean

이 소설은 빼곡한 아파트와 거대한 건물이 둘러싼 작은 주택을 배경으로 펼쳐진다. 마당에는 무화과나무 한 그루가 풍성한 잎을 드리운 이 집에 중학교를 자퇴하고 외톨이로 살아온 열여덟 살 ‘윤사우’가 이사 온다. 여고생 딸을 둔 안주인 ‘찔레꽃 씨’는 나이를 짐작하기 어려울 만큼 젊어 보이는 데다 기품이 있고 신비로운 느낌을 주지만, 사실 그녀는 글을 알지 못한다. 이 둘이 마음을 열고 다가서면서 치유의 기적이 시작되는데….
사우는 어린 시절 학교 교사에게 성추행을 당하고도 주변으로부터 보호나 위로를 받지 못한다. 스스로를 지구에 버려진 ‘외계인’이라 생각하는 사우는 집 창문에 종이를 덕지덕지 붙이고 세상과 단절한다. 성폭력 피해자인 주인공은 기존 청소년소설에서는 보기 드문 캐릭터다. 작가는 사회적 문제를 소설 속으로 끌어들이고 상처 받은 인물을 자신만의 방법으로 보듬는다. 동시에 지금도 유사한 아픔에 시달리는 많은 십대에게 위로를 전하고자 한다.
이 작품에서는 돈과 욕망에 찌든 사람들의 민낯이 그대로 드러난다. 어린 윤사우를 향해 추악한 욕망을 드러낸 교사, 사우의 고통을 떠벌린 어른과 놀리는 아이들, 찔레꽃 씨의 집을 차지하려고 회유와 폭력을 일삼은 일당들…. 사우와 찔레꽃 씨는 세상에서 상처받고 사람 때문에 다친, 각자의 사연을 가지고 살아간다. 그러나 역설적이게도 상처가 있었기에 이 두 사람은 서로의 슬픔과 아픔을 들여다보고 소통하는 일의 소중함을 깨닫는다.

Summary - English

This novel plays out against the backdrop of a small home surrounded by apartments and huge buildings. It’s to this little house with a fig tree in the yard, that 18 year old Yoon Sa-woo moves after dropping out of school and lives alone.

Mrs Wildrose looks deceivingly young but she has a high school aged daughter. Despite the air of mystery and elegance she excudes the truth is that she is illiterate.

As these two become close and open themselves up to one another, they start to heal from their traumas.

Sa-woo experienced sexual harassment from a teacher at school and wasn’t protected or comforted by those around him. Considering himself an alien who has been abandoned on earth, he papers over the windows of his home and cuts himself off from the world. Having suffered sexual violence he’s a rare character in youth literature.

The author uses the novel to explore social issues and the way those that are hurt can be taken care of in their own way. And at the same time conveys a sense of comfort to the many teens who are troubled by similar pain.

In this novel those that are driven by money and greed are laid bare. The teacher that displayed ugly desire towards young Yoon Sa-woo, the adults that gossiped about and kids that teased him about his suffering, and the group that tried to occupy Mrs Wildrose’s house through cajoling and violence. Sa-woo and Mrs Wildrose, as hurt people in the world, each live their own stories. Through their hurt the two come to realise the value in understanding one another’s pain and sadness.

Content warnings if known

Sexual violence

Why are you nominating this book: While the subject matter might seem heavy this is a YA book so I don’t think it’ll be too dark and based on the reviews it seems it’ll have a positive/comforting message. It piqued my interest for tackling an unfamiliar topic within YA, and based on the Migaku stats the vocab is overall pretty high frequency so I think we could get a lot out of it as learners.

[bungakushoujo]

Really happy to see nominations coming in! Just taking a casual mood poll here, how long should we leave nominations open? I know @HopeWaterfall wanted to work through 소리를 보는 소년 first so I don’t want to get too ahead of things here since this club is quite small. Maybe until end of month, then a week long vote, and the start mid-March…?

[bibliothecary]

Sounds good!

I’m technically on week 5 of Week 10 of 소리를 보는 소년 👁👂 Korean Fiction Book Club 🇰🇷, so there’s a chance I can finish just in time to start the next book if I get my act together.

[eefara]

@bungakushoujo

Maybe until end of month, then a week long vote, and the start mid-March…?

Just a small bump from me that, at least according to the initial vibe-check, nominations are still open for the club, and voting for the next book will begin soon!

[bungakushoujo]

@eefara

Just a small bump from me that, at least according to the initial vibe-check, nominations are still open for the club, and voting for the next book will begin soon!

Thank you for bumping this!

@bibliothecary @HopeWaterfall @bizoo - are we all still feeling like we would want to vote and start relatively soonish?

[bibliothecary]

I’m fine with that!

[bizoo]

Yeah I’m good to start whenever

[HopeWaterfall]

I’m okay with that as well