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K-LIT REVIEW 'The Rainfall Market' explores Korea's 'healing fiction,' but not for everyone

A special invitation arrives. An unhappy, dejected character gains access to a magical, parallel world. Mischievous little "dokkaebi" inhabit this world. The dokkaebi — a goblin-like character from Korean mythology — have the power to show visions of personal futures. A human visitor can choose any future from among these visions. Such is the premise of You Yeong-gwang's "The Rainfall Market." It is a Korean fantasy-fiction novel recently published and translated into English by Slin Jung. It is the latest entrant in Korea’s so-called “healing fiction” genre. The target audience, however, is international. The premise is familiar: a protagonist—in this case, a disheartened Korean teenage girl in the 2020s — drifts through life, yearning for change. By some magical mechanism, she enters a parallel — or hitherto unseen — reality. The character sees alternate life timelines. Glamorous-seeming paths turn out not to lead to true happiness. Life lessons are learned. There isn’t much of a traditional, plot-driven story here. For some readers, however, this open-ended appro

Dec 3, 2024By Peter Juhl
[K-LIT REVIEW] 'The Rainfall Market' explores Korea's 'healing fiction,' but not for everyone

B-boying magician to astound audiences in Euljiro

When you think of magic, what comes to mind? Tricks, cards, hats… b-boying? Yes, you read that right. Magic and breaking come together in an unforgettable fusion, brought to life by Korean Filipino performer Jiwan Kim. On Dec. 7, Jiwan will showcase his one-of-a-kind talents in two electrifying shows guaranteed to leave audiences in awe with his latest show, titled "Imagine Vol. 2." He's one of the many talented individuals performing at Eulji Space in downtown Seoul this weekend, alongside singer-songwriter Lilia, adoptee singer-songwriter Ben Cozy who performs under the moniker 1.5 Iterations and gayageum player Kim So-yeon. The event will also feature the return of Seoul Culture Club's Earthlings Art Market. Born in Korea and raised in the Philippines, Jiwan’s love for magic began when he was just 10 years old. For him, magic was more than a hobby — it was a doorway to wonder and a challenge to the ordinary. “Magic has the power to spark awe and shift how we see the world,” he told The Korea Times. What started as a childhood fascination transformed into a professional pass

Dec 2, 2024By Antonia Giordano
B-boying magician to astound audiences in Euljiro

RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK West Sunset: A culinary masterpiece hidden in Suwon's shadows

SUWON, Gyeonggi Province — The sun was setting as I entered the aptly named West Sunset restaurant, a cozy little spot tucked away in a nondescript building. Upon entering, I was greeted by the proud — yet busy — owner, who takes on the roles of maître d’, waiter and chef. The air was filled with the delicious smells of a fusion of French and Italian cuisine. With seating for only a dozen lucky patrons, the proprietor was able to give each guest the full attention they deserved. While slowly taking in the exquisite-looking dishes, it was immediately apparent that the owner was indeed an artist: his plates were the canvas, while the food was an expression of his passion and imagination. And his attention to detail was meticulous. In a world where inflation and the rising cost of goods affect everyone, it is rare to see such value in the pricing of his food, with no dishes over 15,000 won. Consequently, our party of four decided to order almost the entire menu. We started with the appetizer — lemon jelly & jolene tomato (12,000 won), a cold dish consisting of tomato, lemon je

Nov 27, 2024By Eddie Tam
[RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK] West Sunset: A culinary masterpiece hidden in Suwon's shadows

Documentary connects adoptees' issues with Korean societal issues

Around the time of the release of the "Frontline" documentary on Korea's international adoption, another documentary was being released offline, at the Busan International Film Festival. "K-Number" was released on the weekend of Oct. 5. Unlike other movies that boasted star power, this movie gained recognition for its narrative and style, even winning BIFF's inaugural Documentary Audience Award this year. "K-Number" is also set to be released in Seoul in conjunction with the Seoul Independent Film Festival, from Saturday to Dec. 4. While "Frontline" provided a deeply investigative, historical account of the adoption industry, "K-Number" offers something more personal — a heartfelt and human-centered perspective. The film not only weaves in historical context and documentation but also invites us into the emotional journeys of adoptees as they search for answers about their origins. It introduces us to the organizations and individuals who stand by them, offering support with translation, navigation and the countless puzzles adoptees face in uncovering their past. At the heart of the s

Nov 26, 2024By Antonia Giordano
Documentary connects adoptees' issues with Korean societal issues
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