Emotion for the masses

Korean author Gong Ji-young’s “Our Happy Time” has been translated into English by U.K. publisher Short Books. / Courtesy of Short Books

'Our Happy Time' is heart-wrenching, if predictable, journey

Gong Ji-young

By Kim Young-jin

“Our Happy Time,” a bestselling book by celebrated and controversial author Gong Ji-young, has been smoothly translated into English by U.K. publisher Short Books. It’s a highly anticipated release, viewed as the next Korean book to potentially cross over into the international market, following Shin Kyung-sook’s “Please Look After Mom.”

It’s easy to see why: the story, which involves a bright but mentally unstable woman who forging a friendship with a convicted murderer, strikes on universal themes of forgiveness and redemption. Taking place in the 1990s, it references Korea’s difficult history while hinting at its ultramodern future.

The translation successfully renders the story nicely into English for the international audience. But while it meditates on capital punishment and the thin line between good and evil — and is undoubtedly a tear-jerker — the plot moves forward predictably and stops at revealing the traumas of its star-crossed characters.

For readers who aren’t familiar with the Korean book or 2006 film adaptation, the new translation is a chance to get to know Gong, who’s now as well-known for being an influential figure in Korea’s “new wave” movement as she is for her left-leaning tweets.

The book vacillates between two perspectives. The narrator is Yujeong— a beautiful woman from a privileged background, recovering from her third suicide attempt. After coming back from studying in Europe, she seems unhinged, lashing out at her mother and undermining her romantic relationships. Something is eating at her, but she can’t, or won’t, say what.

She rejects therapy, but accepts an offer from her aunt, a nun, to help her on her charitable visits to death row inmates. On the trips, she meets Yunsu, who has been convicted of rape and murder.

Yunsu’s past is explored in the letter that he sends from prison, in which he reveals his painful childhood. After being abandoned by his abusive parents, he attempts to care for his blind brother. This takes him through orphanages, the street and eventually into a life of crime.

His story becomes clearer during Yujeong’s visits to the prison each Thursday. The two decide to open an honest dialogue, and as they slowly unwind their tales it becomes apparent that in both cases, there is more to the story than court or hospital records can tell.

Gong weaves the two narratives and handles their stories with compassion. As the stories are relayed the root causes of the characters’ behaviors become apparent. We see the characters get a better perspective on their troubles and use it to change their lives. However, the meet-every-Thursday structure has the familiar ring of “Tuesdays with Morrie” and the “up-against-the-clock” motif is predictable.

The translation by Sora Kim-Russell is smooth and makes “Our Happy Time” an entertaining and, at times, affecting read. It takes readers on an emotional journey and probes difficult topics, albeit in a straightforward and familiar manner.