[New in Korean] Kim Hye-jin of ‘Regarding My Daughter’ brings housing subject to the fore

“A Coronary heart Wishing for Blessings”

By Kim Hye-jin

Moonji Publishing

In Kim Hye-jin’s brief story, “Mokhwa Mansion,” protagonists Man-ok and Solar-mi share a fancy relationship of landlord and tenant, discovering themselves in equally precarious conditions.

They appear out for one another, extending neighborly help at first. However when issues get tough, Man-ok calls for that Solar-mi vacate the home as quickly as doable. Solar-mi resists and says she’s going to stay there till the top of the contract. Eight years of friendship start to fade within the face of economic challenges.

“A Coronary heart Wishing for Blessings” weaves collectively eight brief tales delving into the idea of “dwelling” in modern Korean society, marking Kim’s third assortment of brief tales.

The creator delicately portrays tales that would simply unfold in our personal neighborhood, such because the deteriorating neighborhood, redevelopment challenge and other people scouting neighborhoods for investments.

The house as an asset or commodity usually overshadows its position as an area for dwelling. The tales unfold traversing class, area, generations and gender, resulting in conflicts and tensions.

The characters’ experiences trace at many societal points, together with actual property scams, and challenges confronted by unemployed youth and younger adults who’re depending on their mother and father.

Within the creator’s word, Kim displays, “The homes I stayed in at totally different instances in my life comforted, inspired and formed me — and have become part of myself. … This guide will not be a lot about houses however reasonably a story in regards to the feelings surrounding them.”

Her newest novel in translation, “Regarding My Daughter,” (2022) translated by Jamie Chang, was lately tailored into a movie and premiered on the Busan Worldwide Movie Competition in October.