🇰🇷 10 books to read about korea | short stories, lgbtq+ experience, korean history, translated work
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- Опубліковано 29 вер 2024
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If youre reading this right as its been posted - im asleep lol! Currently in Oxford and hopefully having good dreams, but I cant wait to wake up and talk books with you all 🤍 thank you always!
mentioned:
my book channel: @caricanread
3:38 when i came to korea
7:11 historical fiction/short stories
- pachinko
- human acts
--- films about korean history: • Korean Films Based on ...
- beasts of a little land
- black flower
- age of doubt
17:39 bingsu break
18:43 contemporary society
- if i had your face
- love in the big city
- kim jiyoung 1982
- concerning my daughter
- flowers of fire
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🇰🇷 10 books to read about korea | short stories, lgbtq+ experience, korean history, translated work
This is really cool! My favorite thing about teaching World History is learning more myself. I don't have much time to teach Korean history at my current job, but I find it fascinating!
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Thanks for the interesting video.
On your recommendation, I read the book "If I had your face" I really liked the book, it was interesting to read about another Korea, not the one we see in the media.
omg watching Super Junior’s science show is one of my core memories from my teenage years💀
Truly 😂😭😂😭
Now I know u r old af
We actually got into KPOP world around the same time (ok, now our age revealed)! So related when you mentioned Super Junior's science show LOL! Back to the book, I read Human Act, Pachinko, and If I had you face from your recommendation and I really love them. I'm going to the bookstore today and will for sure following you with the other books. *fingercross* that the bookstores got those books in stock.
Great video, Cari! I really enjoyed your recommended book list, and appreciate the reviews of each. ❤
Loved the book ideas and I like the mixture of historical and modern.💐🇬🇧
Interesting!!!!
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cari upon learning you have listened to kpop since 2006 i have. very important question...do you like snsd and what is your favorite snsd song
It was a devastating book for me - but my college Professor had us read "Voices of the Korean Comfort Women" by Chungmoo Choi and Hyunah Yang. It is a oral retelling of such a tragic and horrific time in Korean history - and please understand this talks about really triggering events. But it was something that sticks with me even 10 yrs later.
I finished Pachinko a few days ago, it was SO good and I learned so much about korean-japanese relations. Koh Hansu can choke tho, hated him 😂
thank you so much for the video!!! it was so interesting that i strongly feel i might dive deeper into korean culture although i didn’t plan it hehe
the only frustrating moment was a recommendation to check wikipedia.. it’s widely known as the most unverified and unfiltered source, never ever use it please!!
Another really interesting book about Korean culture is one I picked up on a recent trip to Daejeon (대전) - 'Crying in H-Mart' by singer Michelle Zauner. Its an autobiography about her experience growing up under an American Father and Korean mother. Highly recommended!
That had me crying in a cafe hahah such a good memoir 😭
I'm going to finally add Human Acts to my tbr. Not only has Namjoon recommended it, but J-hope, who is from Gwangju alludes to the Uprising in their song "Ma City" with "Everyone, press 062-518" where 062 is a regional telephone code of Gwangju and 518 refers to the May 18 Uprising*.
*For anyone interested doolsetbangtan has great lyrics explanations to bts' songs.👐
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Oh my goodness, thank you for this!! This is exactly what I needed to help understand more about Korean history (specifically the first half ❤). My TBR has grown and it’s a marvellous thing. 😊 Thank you again ❤
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in relation to Human Acts, another perspective on the Gwangju Uprising is "There a Petal Silently Falls" by Choe Yun (최윤 작가의 ) that i really liked. also, Hye-young Pyun is really good at taking very niche moments in Korean modern history (like, specific crimes or news events) and turning them into thrillers! 10/10 would recommend!
Oh my goodness thank you for this rec!!
Thank you for recommending "There a Petal Silently Falls". I am half way through it and I cannot put it down. I read "Human Acts" when I found RM's reading list and have fallen down the rabbit hole of Korean Authors. What an amazing ride!!
Pachinko is my favourite book of the year so far. I got so attached to Sunja and just wanted her to be happy. I sobbed at the end.
Love this! Can’t wait to dig into this list. I recently read ‘The last story of Mina Lee’ by Nancy Jooyoun Kim, I would describe it as beautiful, heartbreaking, and bittersweet. It dives into the Korean American experience, as immigrant and first gen and the struggle to understand and live within a different culture. I highly recommend it
Immediately added to my TBR!
Hi :) Thank you so much for all the recs, my goodread list is getting full Ahah. Two books I recommend on the subjects are :
- " Stone house on Jeju Island : improvising life under a healing moon ", it's a non-fiction, very comforting, and I learned a lot about Jeju; and also
- " The island of sea women " by Lisa See, a fiction setting in Jeju too (well yeah, I kinda fell in love with Jeju :') ), we follow the story of 2 women from the 30's to now, some parts were hard to read, but I learned so much ! :)
Thank you for this! I’ve read half of these, and another is already on my tbr. I’ll definitely have to take a look at the rest! Several of the ones I read were very good, but I think Human Acts especially is permanently imprinted into my brain now (in both good and also devastating ways). 💜
I would give anything to read that again for the first time 😭
Very timely as I need to do some digging into Korean history and culture so having a short list to start from is really helpful.
What bookstore you recommend in seoul to buy books? Im coming to korea this sept, would like to have a book souvenir hehehe😅 or books that u recommended. 😊
Kyobo books would have all of these and more!!
Thank you! I need/want to learn more about my Korean background and life in Korea, in general. My biological father was from Korea, but he died 6 months before I was born, and since his family basically disowned him for marrying a white American, I don't know any of my Korean relatives. Anyway, I would recommend the book "The Girl with Seven Names" by Hyeonseo Lee. It is about her escape from North Korea. It blew me away when I realized I am older than she is, just based on her description of life in North Korea.
If I had your face was so spot on about a LOT a of things. It was a bit triggering 😅
SO detailed 🥲
What an excellent idea for a video! I'm taking notes! (Though I already know Pachinko is an awesome suggestion 🙂)
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These are great recommendations. I read all except two. Beasts of a Little Land was one of my favourite books of last year, and the author Kim JuHea is an all-round great person - a vegan and founder of Peaceful Dumpling 💚 I echo the recommendation for June Hur historial YA mysteries and I'd also recommend Violets by Shin KyungSook and The Old Woman with the Knife.
I’d also add Suki Kim’s “Without You There Is No Us” book to that list. She’s a Korean-American author and investigative journalist. The book is about her time living in North Korea as an English teacher to some of Pyongyang’s elite children at a STEM university. It’s honestly a heartbreaking book, but I loved how she discusses her own experiences and these kids with so much empathy and also discusses briefly her own experience immigrating to the USA and her own family being affected by the Korean War. It helped me understand Korea a lot more honestly.
I don't need any more books on my TBR but here I am adding all of them 😂
same here
OMG that super junior science show was the first variety show I've watched religiously in 2008-ish?? I waited for weeks for the English subtitles because it took soo long before to get any kpop video with english subs ready. I mean, fans today are so lucky!
Right?! 😂😭😂😭😂😭
Thanks for letting me order a bunch of books ;)
Because of your book channel I’ve already read Pachinko, Human Acts and right now I’m reading Kim Jiyoung Born 1982 and loved all of them 💓🌸
If I had your face, it is one that I keep thinking about, and when I was in Korea this July 2023 one that I kept thinking about and re-read on my trip.
Yes! It really sticks in your mind 🥺
Reminding me to pick up Han Kang's newest. Love these videos 😊
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10:17 Far Right of Korea denies the Kwang - Ju Uprising ; I have no idea about that .
OMG! You said Boys Over Flowers and threw me back years 😂😂😂😂
Looking forward to some Iceland content. I hope you're having a fantastic time!
Just left about 24 hours ago and hope to have it up in about 2 weeks!!
I totally agree with not learning much about Korea growing up. It makes me so sad, because as an adult I have grown to really appreciate the culture (and the food!) so much. Learning more about Korea the past few years has really opened me up to learning more about so many other countries as well.
I LOVE everything about this! I have read many, but still got some good recs!!
This is such an interesting topic for a video. Wonderful recommendations, have added some to my library loan wishlist 💛
Great list. June Hur's YA books are also a great read to learn more about Korean history
Noted! Thank you 🤍✨
Great choices! I have read some of these books and they are SO good!! Have you ever read “Sweet Bean Paste”? I highly recommend it! Thank you Cari for your amazing content as always!! 🧡
Hi Cari! Thank you for this, I took notes 🙂 definitely going to order Black Flower by Kim Young-ha, very interesting. Korean books are not available in large numbers in the Netherlands. I see more Japanese books, translated (English or Dutch). So your recommendations are great! Thank you and love your vlogs ❤ see you soon in good health 🙌
Just a wonderfully profitable video! Thank you! ❤
my perfect birthday gift today: cari’s reading lifestyle vlog, I truly enjoyed it! ❤
Happy happy birthday!!!
Ah how wonderful! I've read/own about half of these so I'm confident I'll enjoy the other half as well, what great recommendations ❤
Thank you!
(I also just finished Our Happy Time by Gong Jiyoung and it was so good but oof)
I feel like that describes so much of translated korean lit - “good time but oof” 😂😂😂
That initial reaction to Concerning My Daughter is too relatable, I recently finished it and I think I made the exact same sounds when you pulled out your copy haha Agree it is very much worth reading but man the feelings I had reading it....
Definitely not a feel-good kind of book haha
Black Flower sounds super interesting!
Thanks for the wonderful recommendations. I immediately stocked up on some reading material. I sucked in "If had your face" from Frances Cha. It really got me... Currently reading "Vertraute Welt". It's a critique of the throwaway society by Hwan Sok-Yeong. Unfortunately, I haven't found the English title. I also read from him "Dämmerstunde" and loved it. At the moment, I'm all into books from Korean and Japanese authors. Your video came at just the right time. Thank you for that 🙏
i read flowers of fire from ur reccomendation and i loved it, i can't wait to dig in to the rest of these recs
So glad you liked it!!
This is really nice, Cari! i loved all the recommendations. I've never had much interest in Korean culture, but your channel, your videos.. they have given me a high urge to know more about korean culture and hostory, and eventually go someday to Korea. 😊 btw, added all the books to my tbr (the only one I have read is Pachinko - didn’t love it much because of the jumps in time, but it was a interesting read to learn more).
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You make me want to delve into another culture through reading (fictionally 😄). I’m a foreigner newly living in France and there’s lots of Paris/France reference books to check out. My first book bought here was “I, Mona Lisa”.
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I loved this!
These all look so good! I’m not sure if these quite fit the vibe but there is also White Chrysanthemum by Mary Lynn Bracht (Korean-American author) that covers comfort women, and In Order to Live by Yeonmi Park (North Korean defector) about her escape to South Korea. They are both good for putting South Korea’s relationship with its neighboring countries into perspective
Oh thank you! I actually was Yeonmi’s buddy for a cooking class when i was studying abroad because we partnered with north korean high school students for certain activities 😂
@@caricakes omg that’s such a coincidence 😂
@@caricakeswow! How incredible to meet someone who will live in history!
Thank you so much for this Cari! ❤I've been struggling with getting back to reading (honestly don't know why - maybe too much work or I just have lost this habit...), but recently I felt inspired again and read one book in few days, it was so amazing! Definitely going to try some of your recs. Sending hugs and love!🧡
Oo this is v well organized and thoughtfully compiled! 👏🏻👍🏻💯 ive been waffling about making a similar vid and what to include for a while and this is a great great great list of recs. I need to check out concerning my daughter!! A good one showing the korean american/recent us immigrant pov is skinship-yoon choi
Ohhh i will look into reading that asap!! Thank you 🥹
Hi Cari! Thanks so much for this video, I am always on the lookout for books by Korean authors and to learn more about this country. I've read Pachinko, Love in the big city and Kim Jiyoung born in 1982, and I loved them all! But my favorites are two other titles, the Vegetarian, by Han Kang, and Please look after mom, by Kyung-sook Shin. Only read them once, but I'm still haunted by imagery from them and by their stories. Flowers of fire is on my TBR for the next couple of months, I'm so curious to read about the feminist movement in SK. Thanks again for your recs and happy reading! ^^
Looking for videos, and by accident left my mouse cursor on your video when I got up from my chair and your video started playing. I was just listening as I was busy sorting out stuff. I said nice book review but suddenly you spoke about Mexico and the 1000 Korean that were sold into slavery. I don't know a lot about the history of Mexico but I heard a few stories of Chinese people in Mexico that arrived a long time ago to help in the rail construction. They were not treated well and left but then they returned after that. You can still find a lot of Chinese in some northern Mexican cities. I also know that there is a Korean community that I arrived decades ago but they settled in the state of Yucatan and other states in the peninsula of Yucatan. Are they the same Koreans? Or did they manage to leave Mexico? History is fascinating, there are things that governments hide on purpose all over the world. For instance, the French invasion of Mexico is not taught or discussed in any book in France at public schools. You really have to be a historian to know where to look for that info.
Are soap operas ever a "good" representation of its country of origin? ^_~ I love that you contextualize your first time being in Korea as pre-BTS debut.
Def a diff korea 😂😂😂
Pachinko I’ve 👂 the audiobook only the first 2 chapters
It Would make a good series
I am Asian , welcome to travel in Asian countries , Tokyo Japan , Seoul Korea , Shanghai China , Hong Kong , Taipei Taiwan , Manila Philippines , Bangkok Thailand , Kuala Lumpur Malaysia , Singapore , Jakarta Indonesia
Haven't watched it yet but thank you so much already for this list Cari! Will definitely take notes :)
Thanks for watching!
I really liked The Island of Sea Women. It was very sad though, but I liked the different perspective of women with more societal power.
I would add Shoko’s smile by Choi Eunyoung to the list, a collection of short stories. There are two stories that stood out for me, about the aftermath of the Sewol ferry sinking.
Omg you mentioning eatyourkimchi brings back so many memories. I haven’t watched any content from them for years, though. I feel like an ancient kpop stan. 😅
when i was in high school i read every falling star by Sungju Lee which is about north korea, but it’s phenomenal
Not me having already almost 200 books in my wishlist and then adding these as well :D I have read Pachinko twice (firstly in my native language, Romanian, then in English) and I have loved it even more the second time
💕Thank you. I enjoyed your video. I couldn't finish Flowers of Fire. I felt too sad. It seemed like not enough women were on the same page to make the movement work. And people are so shocked that Korean mgrs own the employees as if they were puppets after work hours. Seems so shameful the way they are treated. Men in the US actually supported women. Not all of course but for fairness in the work world many did. Fathers and brothers and boyfriends were supportive. I hope people will come together to make real change in Korea. The South Korean govt. Is sorely lacking in assistance to single mothers and their children. A shameful state for leaders! There are 2 books you mentioned I want to read. Excellent reviews.😊
so glad to see 'Love in the Big City', one of my faves!
The 2 the best K dramas I ever watched, was move to heaven and extraordinary attorney Woo
Jack Edwards (Jack in the Books) also recommends Love in the Big City! I think he said the author was his friend (if I remember correctly) so maybe he is the same age as you!
“so yes i did touch korean soil before bts debuted” the way i had JUST done the math when you mentioned the years you spent abroad and i was like WOAH
Oh, Cari, thank you so much for this video! I’ve been trying to find a list of good Korean literature and here you are, saved me and my time!😅
I knew you’d mention Human Acts and I think that book kinda traumatised me because as sson as you started talking about it, tears started to form. Some of the different POV’s just straight up ripped my heart out of my chest with the descriptions and the overall events each individual experiences.
But, nevertheless, I would highly recommend the book because it sheds light on terrible events that, could be considered, happend quite recently and it really opened my eyes of how much more I want to know about contemporary and historical Korea.
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Really appreciate that you made this video!
This is just an amazing selection, just adding some of them in to my TBR
Just read "Human Acts" and it hits so hard, but it's so good. It also made me want to read everything else Han Kang has written.
I was in Korea 52 years ago, it wasn't anything as your portraying it today. it was totally different talk to some of the old timers
I hope every country is different after 52 years lol but yes korea changed rapid - which is why learning about it is so important!
@@caricakes I was referring to how nice the people were, I was stationed at Kawju AFB outside of Kawju City in a small farming village the big city people were not as kind and out going
Hi Cari, have you been able to learn the language over the time you've spent in Korea?
Loved this style of video cari! ❤have to check out your book channel
Thank you so much for these reccomendations! I added all of them to my TBR list 💖
I read Pachinko last month and it left a big impression on me. I haven't watched the tv show adaptation but it's definitely on my list. A book I want to recommend is The girl with seven names by Hyeonseo Lee, the story of a North-Korean defector. I read it years ago but I remember her story very vividly.
loved this video very much! added all books that i didn't have on my wishlist already 😇 thank you, Cari! 💙
Didn't realise until you said that this is not your book channel😅
This is so useful and interesting thank you! I wish someone did something like this for Taiwan as well 🇹🇼
Thank you so much for including so many queer books on your list! I can’t wait to check them out!
it would be cool to do a similar video about Japanese books!
Thank you ❤
Thank YOU!
thankyou a lot. It´s very enlighting🙂
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Your bingsu looks so delicious and huge😂❤
you're so pretty
Thank you so much for this Cari.
I really want to visit korea someday with my friends 🤍 i even send them your instagram posts ranting about how much i love you and wanna do all the fun things you do 😂🌸
Omg😂😂😂😂 thank you!!!
I thought this was gonna be the Iceland vlog 😫
Hope you're having a blast abroad!
Definitely cant edit a video like that in 24 hours lol 😂😂 i literally just left
❤❤❤😊 very nice
As painful as it was, I really enjoyed Concerning my daughter. Another book I really enjoyed was "The Summer' which follows a young lesbian couple living in the countryside as they go through all the changes that happen when you become an adult.
Hi, by any chance, could you share the name of the author of " The summer " ? I looked for the book but cannot seem to find it
Sure! It's by Choi Eun-young. It's more of a short story tbh, but it's still a great read.@@axellegodart9762
Loved that video. :)
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Do schools not teach about the Korean war (North, South, US and Japan involvement)?? I l live in a European country and even though we had no part in that war, we still talk about this in school
Not in as much detail as we talk about wwi/wwii etc!
@@caricakes that's true for European countries too. WW1 and 2 are a much bigger part.
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