A crash course on the Korean media essentials

As an International Studies major, my entire college education is learning about the multitudes of global cultures and how they intertwine with each other in a continuous ebb and flow. Sharing my own South Korean culture and seeing how it fits in to the puzzle of the world has been a constant undercurrent both in my life and at my time here at Hopkins, and so I wanted to share some of my favorite pieces of Korean media with all you dear readers of this edition of The News-Letter Magazine. 

1. (Book) Human Acts, by Han Kang

There are many times when I wish I was completely fluent in my mother language, and reading this book was definitely one of those times. Han Kang’s novel was originally written in Korean and translated into English by Deborah Smith (who also translated Han’s The Vegetarian). The 240-page (a two-day read) Human Acts follows six different perspectives during and after the 1980 Gwangju student uprisings in response to a coup d’etat that established a national military dictatorship. Government retaliation against protests opposing the new power led to hundreds of deaths, a majority of which were innocent civilians and university students. Han constructs several beautifully heartbreaking narratives by using the simplest diction and sentences — it’s almost poetic. 

Every now and then, I would come across a sentence or two that I knew would make more sense in Korean due to cultural nuances that are bound to be lost in translation. In a way, this had me reflect on my relationship with my parents, especially my mother’s side of the family. My mom was the one who recommended the book to me in the first place, and being able to connect with her through literature that we read in the languages we knew was something I held close to my heart. Learning that her parents grew up not too far from where the story took place brought me even closer to the story and made the characters all the more real. 

This book has a way of painting the most detailed and clear pictures of its events in your mind, whether you like it or not. From graphic burial scenes and mass graves, to delicate memories of innocence and first love, Han’s ability to effortlessly visualize the most dynamic scenes brings out a myriad of emotions within the reader. Grief, anger, joy compassion, love — she coaxes these out simultaneously and so unsuspectingly that it’d be odd to not shed a tear (or a hundred). 

2. (Webtoon/Graphic Novel) Your Letter, by Hyeon A Cho 

If I could experience reading any webtoon for the first time again, it would be this one. This 10-chapter webtoon centers around Sori Lee, a young and caring schoolgirl that comes across a not-so-ordinary scavenger hunt that takes her through her past. Each episode revolves around a letter — a new step in the scavenger hunt — addressed to her from an anonymous writer. 

The simple yet comforting artstyle that reminded me of old cartoons really stood out to me, and the ability of the artist to convey emotions through her use of color, light and composition all on a vertical and digital space had me pausing on each panel just to appreciate the work. The dialogue between Sori and Eugene, who helps her navigate the scavenger hunt, was plain and direct — exactly what you'd expect of young classmates and new friends. Sori’s unwavering kindness and blind trust in people contrast with Eugene’s occasional sarcasm, but their friendship dynamic is what moves the story along and brings the characters to life. 

I won’t spoil the ending for you, but it’s one of the most heartwarming endings I’ve ever read. From joy to melancholy and everything in between, this webtoon is the epitome of beautiful storytelling without using too many words.

3. (Song) “Autumn Leaves” by BTS 

As a Korean girl who was in her middle school years during the takeoff of BTS’ and K-pop’s westernization, I feel I’m somewhat obligated to mention a song that is one of, if not the, best in BTS’ discography. 

I am by no means a music expert, but something about the combinations of sounds in this song checks all the right boxes. The Korean language is very vowel-heavy and “round” compared to English, which makes ballads and belt-y songs a little too heavy-sounding for me to listen to. However, this song has just the right balance of both quieter and louder parts that make it so satisfying to hear. I will admit that the vibe of the song is just a tiny bit dated, but for a song that came out almost ten years ago, I’d say it’s still holding up pretty well (and maybe it’s also the nostalgia that brings me back to this song every now and then). I’m also a sucker for any and all love songs across all genres, and this song screams “yearning” with a capital Y. 

So yes, in fact, I did have a K-pop phase (and maybe I sometimes will indulge in an occasional newer K-bop, though I will always be biased for the third-generation groups). But I do not regret it one bit — really, who doesn’t love a good boy band? 

4. (TV Show) Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo, directed by Oh Hyeon-jong

In my eyes, this show is the blueprint for the K-drama romcom genre. In this coming-of-age, slice-of-life TV show, Kim Bok-joo’s friendships and life as a college athlete feel so realistic and heartwarming that you can’t help burning right through the episodes. Being a college athlete myself, this one has a special place in my heart.

Watching the lives of college students at a Korean university was also something super entertaining, and although the accuracy of some details is probably debatable, imagining what it would be like to grow up in another country is never not fun. The characters in the show aren’t perfect (as us all) which makes them all the more relatable. Plus, directors of K-dramas rarely fail to find the perfect “main male lead,” and truthfully, it doesn’t hurt that heartthrob Nam Joo-hyeok played the part. 

Sometimes all you need is a little lighthearted show to put on, and Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo goes perfectly with some snacks and a self-care routine. It's a show you don't need to be too concentrated on, but it's also just as fun to watch paying attention to all the small character details.

To conclude...

Although this collection of pieces reflect my current choices of Korean media, they are exactly that — my personal preferences. There are undoubtedly so many more beautiful, captivating and life-changing movies, television shows, literature, art pieces, photographs, poetry and musicians with Korean roots that are just waiting to catch your attention. The language barrier is a portal to another dimension of artistry — in film director Bong Joon-ho’s words: “Once you get over the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.” 

Being a daughter of immigrant parents, my Korean culture is something I hold near to my heart — a lifeline to another place that my family calls home. Cultural traditions, fables, and my family history are the parts of my identity that I am proudest of, and I feel that these different forms of media have captured the essence of the Korean spirit in ways that the wider world can take time to appreciate. 

Ayden Min is a sophomore from Los Angeles, Calif. majoring in International Studies. She is a Copy Editor for The News-Letter.