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This week's episode is about the collection of short stories, Shoko's Smile by Eunyoung Choi (her name may show on your book cover in the Korean name format as Choi Eunyoung).
Many of the stories follow the life of a character who has lived through a big event.
In this episode, I provide some historical context for some of the stories, some of which I never knew the details of before.
The BTS song "Spring Day" is thought to be about the Sewol Ferry Disaster
LINKS!
My Family’s Shrouded History Is Also a National One for Korea by Alexander Chee - Personal essay by writer Alexander Chee whose grandfather lived under Japan-occupied Korean and still dreamed in Japanese, many years later
How Japan Took Control of Korea - History.com
The Ideology of Kokugo: Nationalizing Language in Modern Japan - book By Yeounsuk Lee
Contradictions in Korean Colonial Education [pdf] - Leighanne Yuh, International Journal of Korean History
Survivor of Korean troops’ civilian killings in Vietnam files suit against Korean government - by Ock Hyun-ju [Korean Herald]
The Forgotten History of South Korean Massacres in Vietnam - by Hoang Do [ the Diplomat]
Vietnam war survivors push Seoul to compensate for Korean troop atrocities - by Park Chan-kyong [SCMP]
State ordered to compensate Inhyeokdang victims - By Park Sung-woo, Lee Min-yong [Korea Joongang Daily]
8 men, executed as spies, are found innocent - [Hankyoreh]
Namsan - then and now - Richard Pennington [The Korea Times]
Former KCIA “room of death” at Namsan opens to public - Nam Eun-joo [Hankyoreh]
7 Years After Sewol Ferry Disaster, Bereaved Families Still Urge Government to Reveal the Truth - by Mitch Shin (The Diplomat)
In the Absence - short documentary film about the Sewol Ferry Disaster (PBS)
In the Absence - short documentary film about the Sewol Ferry Disaster (YouTube)
Irregular teachers suffer from discrimination, even in death - By Yoon Min-sik [Korean Herald]
On Teacher’s Day, father received carnations instead of his daughter - By Kim Gi-seong and Lee Jung-ae [Hankyoreh]
What Does It Mean to be a Social Outcast in South Korea? - Interview with author Choi Eunyoung done with her translator, Sun Ryu, by Jae-Yeon Yoo [Electric Lit] - may contain spoilers
The PEN Ten: An Interview with Choi Eunyoung, Translated by Sung Ryu - By: Viviane Eng [The PEN Ten] - May contain spoilers, click on the part that says “Choi’s Q&A in English” to access the English version)