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

[HopeWaterfall]

Book: 죽이고 싶은 아이 | L26
Genre: Crime, Suspense, Interview
Length: 200
Is there an ebook available?: yes ( and an audiobook)

Summary - Korean

『세계를 건너 너에게 갈게』 작가 이꽃님 신작
“팩트는 중요하지 않아. 사람들이 믿는 게 더 중요하지.”
조각난 진실과 부서진 믿음에 관한 이야기

십 대들의 외롭고 불안한 내면을 따뜻하게 어루만져 주는 작품으로 주목받아 온 이꽃님 작가가 결말을 예측할 수 없는, 놀랍도록 흡인력 있는 작품으로 돌아왔다. 『죽이고 싶은 아이』는 한 여고생의 죽음이라는, 결코 평범하지 않은 이야기를 통해 독자들에게 진실과 믿음에 관한 이야기를 건넨다.

소설의 주인공인 주연과 서은은 둘도 없는 단짝 친구다. 두 사람이 크게 싸운 어느 날, 학교 건물 뒤 공터에서 서은이 시체로 발견되고 가장 유력한 용의자로 주연이 체포된다. 그런데 어찌 된 일인지 주연은 그날의 일이 도무지 기억나지 않는다. 주연은 정말 서은을 죽였을까? 이야기는 주연과 서은에 대해 증언하는 열일곱 명의 인터뷰와 주연의 주변 인물들의 이야기가 교차되는 독특한 방식으로 전개된다. 인터뷰이에 따라 주연과 서은이 어떤 아이였는지, 둘의 관계는 어땠는지가 시시각각 변모해 간다. 반전에 반전을 거듭하며 독자를 혼란에 빠뜨리는 예측 불가능한 전개는 독자들에게 끝까지 책을 손에서 놓지 못하게 하는 엄청난 몰입감을 선사한다.

『죽이고 싶은 아이』는 보이는 대로만 보고 듣고 싶은 말만 듣고 믿고 싶은 것만 믿는 사람들로 가득한 세상이 얼마나 야만적인지를 독자들의 눈앞에 생생하게 펼쳐 보인다. 이꽃님 작가의 전작들이 십 대들에게 건네는 다정한 위로였다면, 『죽이고 싶은 아이』는 십 대들의 곁에 선 작가가 진실이 멋대로 편집되고 소비되는 세상에 던지는 서늘한 경고라고 할 수 있다.

Summary - English

New book from the author of “I will cross the world to you”
“Facts don’t matter, what people believe matters more.”
A story about fragmented truth and shattered faith

Chul Chul-nim, who has been recognized for her warm and heartwarming stories of teenage angst, returns with a surprisingly absorbing novel with an unpredictable ending. "The Child I Want to Kill tells the story of a high school girl’s death, a story that is anything but ordinary, and tells readers a story about truth and faith.

The novel’s protagonists, Joo-yeon and Seo-eun, are best friends. One day, after a big fight, Seo-eun is found dead in a vacant lot behind the school building, and Joo-yeon is arrested as the prime suspect. But for some reason, Joo-yeon can’t remember anything about that day. Did Joo-yeon really kill Seo-eun? The story unfolds in a unique way, with seventeen interviews of people who testify against Joo-yeon and Seo-eun, intercut with the stories of the people around Joo-yeon. Each interview changes the picture of who Joo-yeon and Seo-eun were as children and what their relationship was like. The unpredictable development of the story, with twists and turns that confuse the reader, creates a tremendous sense of immersion that will not let the reader put the book down until the end.

"The Child I Want to Kill vividly reveals the savagery of a world filled with people who see only what they see, hear only what they hear, and believe only what they believe. Whereas her previous books were a tender comfort to teenagers, The Kid I Want to Kill is a chilling warning from an author who has stood beside teenagers in a world where truth is edited and consumed at will.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Content warnings if known

character death, murder investigation

Why are you nominating this book: The topic is a little bit heavy, but it’s also very interesting, and quite deep. I expected that such a topic would have complex vocab, but at least, from what I could read from the preview, it’s a lot easier than 소리를 보는 소년 | L27.
It’s one of the YA books written by famous author 이꽃님, which just makes me want to read it even more. You can check out @lingophile 's review to get a better idea of what the book is like.

[bungakushoujo]

It’s time to vote! Since we have a few book options but not so many members, I would say we all have one vote each for now (subject to change as the club grows)?

Which book would you like to read next as a club?

• 시간 고양이
• 서울 사는 외계인들
• 죽이고 싶은 아이

When should we start?

• Let’s start immediately! (March 11)
• Let’s start soonish (March 18)
• Let’s start later in the month (March 25)
• Other (leave a comment)

[eefara]

A 3-way tie so far. Can’t believe the Korean club’s going to be reading three books at once this time.

[bibliothecary]

The difficulty of being a tiny book club.

[eefara]

You simply need to have a battle royal for who will be the Korean Monarch. Then their votes count for 2.

[bungakushoujo]

Paging @HopeWaterfall to break the tie.

[bibliothecary]

Oh! We have a in leader in the polls…

[bungakushoujo]

@bibliothecary

Oh! We have a in leader in the polls…

Indeed! I am going to leave this poll open until Tuesday just in case it attracts anyone else, but it’s looking like we will end up with 죽이고 싶은 아이!

[bungakushoujo]

I’m going to call it! Looks like we have a winner! I’ll get a thread set up soon

[bungakushoujo]

Hello all!

We are approaching the end of the current club, so I just wanted to check in. Do we want to start gathering suggestions for the next round? Or do people want a break? Happy to hear from you all!

[bizoo]

i might have a rec for next round in mind already

[HopeWaterfall]

I’m all for another round of nominations and voting! I’m almost halfway through 죽이고 싶은 아이, a little late since I got the book late as well, but I’m hoping to be able to catch up soon. I’ll see if I end up joining depending on the level of the book chosen however, as usual.

[bungakushoujo]

Ok, I have set up a simple poll to check to see what we want to do.

• Let’s take a one month break before collecting nominations! I want to finish the previous book!
• Let’s collect nominations and proceed with getting the next round set up!

[bizoo]

i just finished 죽이고 싶은 아이 so ready to start sthing new but also easy going if ppl want to take a break

[bungakushoujo]

The poll has been up for a few days so I am just going to call it and say we can start accepting nominations!

[HopeWaterfall]

Book: Book: 아무것도 안 하는 녀석들 | L22??
Genre: general fiction, coming of age
Length: 152 pages
Is there an ebook available?: yes and audiobook too

Summary - Korean

어른들의 잘못으로 갑자기 들이닥친 불행 앞에서도

꿋꿋하게 자신과 행복을 찾아가는

현성이와 장우의 찡하고 유쾌한 성장기!

마해송문학상, 문학동네어린이문학상, 창비청소년문학상을 동시에 거머쥐며 문학계에 ‘김려령 신드롬’을 일으킨 작가 김려령의 3년 만의 신작 장편동화가 문학과지성사에서 출간되었다. 걸출한 등단과 함께 동화, 청소년 소설, 소설을 연이어 발표하며 어린이, 청소년 독자는 물론 성인 독자들의 열렬한 지지와 사랑을 받고 있는 김려령은 이번 작품 『아무것도 안 하는 녀석들』에서 아이들 앞에 놓인 불행을 정면으로 응시한다. 자신의 의지와 상관없이 일어난 불행 속에서도 행복을 길어 올리는 십 대들의 모습을 건강하고 유쾌하게 그리며 어른들 때문에 아파하는 아이들에게 진심 어린 위로와 응원을 보내고 있다.

Summary - English

Even in the face of sudden misfortune through no fault of their own.

to find yourself and your happiness

Hyun Sung-wa and Jang Woo’s poignant and hilarious coming-of-age story!

The first full-length novel in three years by author Kim Ri-ryung, who has won the Mahaesong Literary Award, the Literary Neighborhood Children’s Literature Award, and the Changbi Youth Literature Award, and who has created the ‘Kim Ri-ryung Syndrome’ in the literary world, has been published by Literature and Jisungsa. In her latest work, The Boys Who Do Nothing, Kim stares head-on at the misfortune that lies in front of children, teenagers, and adults alike, as she releases one fairy tale, juvenile fiction, and novel after another. In this book, she draws a healthy and cheerful portrait of teenagers who are able to extend their happiness even in the midst of unfortunate circumstances, and sends heartfelt comfort and support to children who are hurting because of adults.

(Translator: DeepL)

Content warnings if known

No content warnings I’m aware of

Why are you nominating this book: I’ve just read the beginning of it a while back, and I really enjoy the author’s writing style. At least in the first chapter, the descriptions are really nice, which I love.
Now, as for the difficulty level, unfortunately it hasn’t been graded. However, from what I could tell, I think the grammar should be a bit easier than 죽이고 싶은 아이. As for vocab, there’s a fair amount of new vocab to me in that first chapter, but then again it as it’s the setup it’s quite description heavy, and I’m not as used to reading that.

(Also, feel free to look at the Google Play sample, to give yourself a better idea of what this book is like.)

[bizoo]

Book: 오백 년째 열다섯 | L22??
Genre: Modern fantasy
Length: 220 pages (there is also a second book in the series)
Is there an ebook available?: yes (+ audiobook on naver audioclip/밀리의서재/윌라)

Summary - Korean

“돌이켜 보면 같은 삶은 없었다. 새로운 인연을 만나면 새로운 삶이 시작되었다!” 우리 신화와 옛이야기에서 탄생한 매력적인 K 판타지 위즈덤하우스의 청소년 문학 시리즈 ‘텍스트 T’의 첫 권으로 김혜정 작가의 신작 장편소설 『오백 년째 열다섯』이 출간되었다. 단군 신화와 우리 옛이야기에서 탄생한 야호족과 호랑족의 참신한 세계관, 두 족속이 최초 구슬을 두고 벌이는 구슬 전쟁이라는 흥미진진한 스토리, 그리고 오백 년을 열다섯으로 살아온 여자아이라는 독보적인 캐릭터가 더해져 전 세대가 읽을 수 있는 몰입감 넘치는 한국형 판타지가 탄생했다. 또한 ‘오늘의 만화상’ 『연의 편지』로 사랑받았던 조현아 작가가 일러스트로 참여해 여우에서 인간이 된 야호족과 범에서 인간이 된 호랑족의 세계를 매력적으로 보여 준다.

Summary - English

“Looking back, my life was never the same. With each new connection, a new life began!” A charming K-fantasy born from our myths and old stories As the first volume of Wisdom House’s young adult literature series, Text T, Kim Hye-jung’s new novel, Fifteen in the Five Hundredth Year, has been published. The novel world of the Yaho and Tiger tribes, created from the Dangun mythology and Korean folklore, the exciting story of the marble war between the two tribes for the first marble, and the unique character of a girl who has lived for five hundred years and fifteen, create an immersive Korean fantasy that can be read by all generations. The book is illustrated by Cho Hyun-ah, who was beloved for her Manga of the Day award-winning “Letters from Yon,” and offers a fascinating look at the world of the fox-turned-human Yaho people and the panther-turned-human Tiger people.

Content warnings if known

none known

Why are you nominating this book: The folklore aspect drew me in. Overall it seems like it would be a fun fantasy story without anything too heavy. Based on my migaku stats and skimming through it seems quite approachable. Maybe a level 26? Chapters look short at 10-20 pages long on my ereader which is always a bonus.

[ddochii]

Book: 테스터
Genre: SF / dystopia / YA
Length: 272
Is there an ebook available?: yes

Summary - Korean

독자의 상상력을 자극하고 확장시켜 줄 허블 청소년 시리즈의 첫 책은 30만 명의 독자들이 사랑한 베스트셀러 『페인트』를 쓴 이희영 작가의 장편소설 『테스터』이다. ‘누가 이토록 연약한 소년을 숲속에 홀로 방치해 두었을까’ 하는 미스테리한 질문 하나로 이야기를 끝까지 밀어붙이는 이 작품은 장대하고도 아름다운 디스토피아 SF이다. 그와 동시에 이 소설은 세상과 유리된 채 불가항력에 이끌려 살아가는 먼지 같은 존재들을 위한 곡진한 진혼곡이기도 하다.

오래 전에 멸종된 오방새를 복원하는 과정에서 인류에게 치명적인 바이러스가 함께 복원된다. 바이러스에 감염된 사람은 모두 죽었는데, 유일하게 살아남은 한 어린아이가 있다. 백색 소년 마오가 바로 그 주인공이다. 햇빛 알레르기가 있어 평생 숲속 집에 갇혀 메이드 로봇과 함께 산 이 외로운 소년에게 어느 날 한 사람이 찾아온다. 바로 RB 바이러스의 또 다른 생존자인 하라. 정체를 알 수 없는 이 소년을 둘러싼 미스테리한 질문들을 파헤친 끝에 마오가 가닿은 반전은 두 소년의 위치를 송두리째 뒤흔든다. 두 소년이 드러내는 슬프고 충격적인 진실은 독자들이 작품에 온통 마음을 빼앗기도록 한다. 하루아침에 천국에서 지옥으로 떨어진 소년들에게 과연 어떤 진실이 기다리고 있을까.

Summary - English

The first book in the Hubble Young Adult series that will stimulate and expand readers’ imaginations is the epic novel The Tester by Hee-Young Lee, the bestselling author of 300,000 readers’ favorite book, Paint. This is an epic and beautiful dystopian science fiction novel that is driven by a single mysterious question: Who would leave such a fragile boy alone in the woods? At the same time, the novel is a tender love song for the dust beings who live in a world at odds with itself, driven by an uncontrollable force.

In the process of restoring a long-extinct bird, a virus that is deadly to humankind is also restored. All those infected with the virus are dead, but one child is the only survivor. Mao, the white boy, is the main character. He’s allergic to sunlight and has spent his entire life trapped in a house in the woods, living with a maid robot, until one day, he receives a visit. After digging into the mysterious questions surrounding this mysterious boy, Mao’s revelation shakes up both of their positions in the world. The sad and shocking truths that the two boys reveal will keep the reader completely engrossed in the story. What truth awaits the boys who went from heaven to hell in one day?

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Content warnings if known

Not sure of any.

Why are you nominating this book: I enjoyed reading Paint and this is from the same author. It seems to have some aspects similar to Jurassic Park, or COVID 19 theories as a virus is released into the world when humans try to profit off of an extinct bird. Also the chapters are named with hanja which intrigues me loll.
I’m not so sure about the level but I would guess upper 20s from reading the first couple pages? Let’s say ~28?

[bungakushoujo]

Great nominations so far! I’ll go ahead and leave the thread open for more nominations until Sunday and then set up a poll to vote.

[bungakushoujo]

Final call for nominations!