What's Hot in Hangul Now

June 6, 2017 5:04 PM

Korean Book Gift Filter, Part II: What Korean books (meaning books written in Hangul) should I get for my parents?

Almost ten years ago, I asked this question. I am now on a business trip and find myself near Koryo Books, which has tons of stuff in Korean, so I'm thinking of picking up a few books for my parents, who are still like this:

They're not super picky. They both enjoy popular fiction. My dad leans slightly toward books about history and religion, and my mom toward biographies and stories of personal struggle.

I'll add that they both like golf, and my dad likes baduk.

Again, my functional literacy prevents me from being able to pick anything, though if I know a title, I can find it. Please tell me what's good!

posted by ignignokt to Media & Arts (4 answers total)

Best answer: Wow! I actually remember answering that question - I cannot believe it was nearly ten years ago.

So I'll answer again! I'll recommend these three books. (Caveat: I only have read one of them):

유시민 - 나의 한국현대사 (Rhyu Si-min - My Korean History)
This is a non-fiction book by a former politician & author who has been well-known for being on a debate-oriented television program during the recent impeachment (think Charlie Rose + Jon Stewart, but three people discussing with each other, funny but serious and accurate). It's a personal understanding of recent Korean history - so deliberately inaccurate, flawed, subjective, personal, intimate. I haven't read this, but it's popular and acclaimed lately.

한강 - 소년이 온다 (Han Kang - The Boy Comes / Human Acts)
한강 - 채식주의자 (Han Kang -
Vegetarian)

These two are novels from a Korean author Han Kang; she recently won the 2016 Man Booker prize for the translation of the Vegetarian, so she's very much celebrated and read in Korea these days. (Also bonus points for a female author!) These both have corresponding translations into English, called Human Acts and The Vegetarian, so as a bonus, you could read along with your parents in English.

The Vegetarian can be pretty disturbing, but in a literary kind of way, so you may want to read a bit of the synopsis if your parents may want something more light. The Vegetarian was really dark/wonderful/affecting, personally (I haven't read Human Acts), and would totally highly recommend to anyone.

Hope that helps!
posted by suedehead at 6:30 PM on June 6, 2017 [3 favorites]

Response by poster: OK, those look fantastic! The Boy Comes looks a little safer, so I'll shoot for that over The Vegetarian, but all of these seem totally in the pocket!
posted by ignignokt at 6:49 PM on June 6, 2017

Response by poster: I got them! They look great. Thanks!
posted by ignignokt at 2:36 PM on June 7, 2017 [1 favorite]

Sorry, no book recommendations as of late my Korean reading has tended towards translations of Japanese novels, but I have to say I am totally a fan of 유시민 and I'm going to look for the book recommended above.

He is currently a regular on the latest variety show from Na Young-seok, 알아두면 쓸데없는 신비한 잡학사전 ('The Dictionary of Useless Knowledge'), which is some middle-aged dudes talking while they go sightseeing and eating delicious local food, and it's great! The regulars are all experts on something, and the conversations they have are great because of their depth and breadth of knowledge on various topics. OnDemandKorea carries it in the U.S. and your parents should watch this, if they are not already doing so.
posted by needled at 2:29 PM on June 9, 2017 [2 favorites]