Welcome, book lovers and South of Seoul community! This month, our book club dives into “Nuclear Family” by Joseph Han. It’s a novel that explores the life of a Korean American family caught in the throes of personal and political turmoil. Han’s unique narrative style blends realism with a touch of the surreal, making “Nuclear Family” a must-read for those who appreciate depth and innovation in storytelling. About the South of Seoul Book Club If you are familiar with the series, skip ahead to learn more about “Almond: A Novel.” Commitment to Accessibility South of Seoul volunteers take book accessibility into consideration when recommending titles. We consider: Commitment to Diverse Lived Experiences South of Seoul volunteers seek to put lived experiences at the forefront of their recommendations. When considering authors we look for such things as: Reading about Korean culture from a variety of perspectives may provide readers with a greater understanding of the country and culture. Commitment to Supporting Mental Health South of Seoul also includes book recommendations that support the lives and mental health of our community. This means that books may tackle the issues of relationships and more. Book Recommendation By Lanae Rivers-Woods May’s recommendation is brought to you by South of Seoul founder, Lanae Rivers-Woods. Rivers-Woods founded South of Seoul in 2015 and has lived in South Korea since 2011. She launched the South of Seoul Book Club in 2022 when volunteers suggested creating a reading list for those who just moved to Korea. About The Author of “Nuclear Family” Joseph Han is a novelist and educator. He was born and raised in Hawaii. His work often explores themes of identity and displacement. Han’s debut novel, “Nuclear Family,” received critical acclaim for its innovative narrative style. He holds a Ph.D. in English from the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa. Currently, Han teaches writing at the University of Portland. His stories challenge readers to think deeply about cultural and personal intersections. My Experience Reading “Nuclear Family” “Nuclear Family” was recommended by one of our long-time volunteers at South of Seoul, LeaDan. LeaDan is from Hawai’i and lived in South Korea for many years. I’m hesitant to read books about places where I have lived or have a community. My closeness to the topic makes it hard to relax into the story. Basically, an author’s lack of knowledge about the location or culture puts me off. However, since LeaDan has a respectful relationship with Hawai’i and Korea, I trusted her and made reading “Nuclear Family” a priority. For me, “the book “Nuclear Family” feels deeply, and authentically rooted in both Hawai’i and Korea. As mentioned in past book reviews, I don’t research an author’s history until I have read at least one of their books. However, while reading I could tell Joseph Han lived in Hawai’i and had a close relationship with Korea. His attention to detail created a foundation for a story filled with magical realism that still feels grounded. Additionally, the female characters felt well-rounded and I wasn’t always thinking, “A man wrote her.” Sometimes female characters are like cartoons, but his characters feel like actual people no matter their gender. It’s been a while since I read this book, and I find it sticks with me. A few times a week, the characters find their way into my reality. For me, that’s what a good book is. It’s a book that becomes part of my memories and my framework for considering reality around me. It’s hard for me to put into words what the book will mean to others. It’s a story that feels both surreal and strangely truth. More Commentary And Reviews On “Nuclear Family” The above review contains my thoughts and opinions. However, make sure to read other reviews to have a more rounded perspective toward the book. We all come to each story with our own social/cultural lens. Therefore, others may have perceived this book in a different manner and may help you decide if this is the book for you. They Lived the American Dream, Until the Ghost Turned Up (The New York Times) Review: A Korean Hawaiian American dream (with Guy Fieri) goes pear-shaped in an inventive debut Online Purchasing Link You can purchase “Nuclear Family” a novel by Joseph Han in English on Amazon. Book Club Lists We have two full years of book recommendations. Book Reviews Read more of our most recent reviews! Lanae Rivers-Woods, MAITLanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master’s of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert. Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities. Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea. Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea. When she isn’t in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains. www.southofseoul.net

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Ready to join our South of Seoul Volunteers with the picks for our book club for 2024? Let’s delve further into immigrant life from many perspectives, learn more about the Korean experience, and fall in love with Korean literature. About the South of Seoul Virtual Book Club Looking for book recommendations and a literature-loving community? Welcome to the South of Seoul book club. Our South of Seoul volunteers research, read, and recommend books for each month of the year. Such reading picks may explore topics like 1) South Korean history or culture, 2) the complexity of cross-cultural life, 4) the exploration of life within the diaspora experience, and 5) the dynamic world of South Korean literature. Conceptualize the South of Seoul Book Club list as a curated path for deeper insight into a culture and our lives here in South Korea. A way to dig into worlds you might not fully understand so you can feel more like a part of the world around you. Reasons to Participate in the South of Seoul Book Club Participating in the South of Seoul book club community may provide a variety of loose and variable personal and social benefits. For example, the benefits South of Seoul volunteers experience by sharing our reading lists in 2022 included: If you find these reasons valuable to your life, then dig into the following reading list with gusto. 2024 South of Seoul Reading List Each month a volunteer will post their experiences reading the following books and how such books may or may not have impacted their lives. We would also love to hear your experiences and thoughts about the titles from our book club for 2024 list. January: Black Flower February: Can’t I Go Instead March: Greek Lessons April: Almond: A Novel May: Nuclear Family June: Tastes Like War July: The Surrendered August: The Owl Cries September: Love in the Big City October: The Disaster Tourist November: Flowers of Fire December: Violets Read Books from 2023 List If you missed the book club list from our South of Seoul Book Club for 2023, feel free to check them out and share your thoughts with us on what you are reading. South of Seoul Book Club South of Seoul volunteers take their book recommendations and book list reading seriously. In order to create a solid reading we use the following commitments as a rubric for our choices. Commitment to Accessibility South of Seoul volunteers take book accessibility into consideration when recommending titles. We consider: Commitment to Diverse Lived Experiences South of Seoul volunteers seek to put lived experiences at the forefront of their recommendation choices. When considering authors we look for such things as: Reading about Korean culture from a variety of perspectives may provide readers with a greater understanding of the country and culture. Commitment to Supporting Mental Health South of Seoul also includes book recommendations that support the lives and mental health of our community. This means that books may tackle the issues related to living between cultures. This may include topics such as culture shock, language, relationships, and more. Leave Us Your Recommendations Did you enjoy the books from our book club for 2024 list? Do you have a book to recommend for our future Book Club Reading List? Feel free to message us your commendations or leave them in the com South of SeoulFounded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences. www.southofseoul.net

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Ready to start reading with South of Seoul volunteers for our Book Club for 2023! Let’s dig deeper into Korean literature and culture and explore more about the Korean experience together. About the South of Seoul Virtual Book Club Looking for book recommendations and a literature-loving community? Welcome to the South of Seoul book club. Our South of Seoul volunteers research, read, and recommend books for each month of the year. Such reading picks may explore topics like 1) South Korean history or culture, 2) the complexity of cross-cultural life, 4) the exploration of life within the diaspora experience, and 5) the dynamic world of South Korean literature. Conceptualize the South of Seoul Book Club list as a curated path for deeper insight into a culture and our lives here in South Korea. A way to dig into worlds you might not fully understand so you can feel more like a part of the world around you. Reasons to Participate in the South of Seoul Book Club Participating in the South of Seoul book club community may provide a variety of loose and variable personal and social benefits. For example, the benefits South of Seoul volunteers experience by sharing our reading lists in 2022 included: If you find these reasons valuable to your life, then dig into the following reading list with gusto. 2023 South of Seoul Reading List Each month a volunteer will post their experiences reading the following books and how such books may or may not have impacted their lives. We would also love to hear your experiences and thoughts about the titles. January: I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki  February: The Island of Sea Women: A Novel March: When We Fell Apart: A Novel April: Korean Folk Tales: Imps, Ghosts, and Fairies (Tut Books) May: The Hole by Hye-young Pyun June: The Magical Language of Others: A Memoir July: Jeju Island Tour with Poetry: I’m here to find love. August: Liar, Dreamer, Thief September: The Picture Bride: A Novel October: Cursed Bunny: Stories November: American Seoul: A Memoir December: Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982: A Novel South of Seoul Book Club South of Seoul volunteers take their book recommendations and book list reading seriously. In order to create a solid reading we use the following commitments as a rubric for our choices. Commitment to Accessibility South of Seoul volunteers take book accessibility into consideration when recommending titles. We consider: Commitment to Diverse Lived Experiences South of Seoul volunteers seek to put lived experiences at the forefront of their recommendation choices. When considering authors we look for such things as: Reading about Korean culture from a variety of perspectives may provide readers with a greater understanding of the country and culture. Commitment to Supporting Mental Health South of Seoul also includes book recommendations that support the lives and mental health of our community. This means that books may tackle the issues related to living between cultures. This may include topics such as culture shock, language, relationships, and more. Leave Us Your Recommendations Do you have a book to recommend for our future Book Club Reading List? Feel free to message us your commendations or leave them in the comments. South of SeoulFounded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences. www.southofseoul.net

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Join South of Seoul Volunteers in reading books! Let’s fall in love with Korean literature, discover more about the Korean experience, and dig deeper into immigrant life from different angles. About the South of Seoul Virtual Book Club Looking for book recommendations and a literature-loving community? Welcome to the South of Seoul book club. Our South of Seoul volunteers research, read, and recommend books for each month of the year. Such reading picks may explore topics like 1) South Korean history or culture, 2) the complexity of cross-cultural life, 4) the exploration of life within the diaspora experience, and 5) the dynamic world of South Korean literature. Conceptualize the South of Seoul Book Club list as a curated path for deeper insight into a culture and our lives here in South Korea. A way to dig into worlds you might not fully understand so you can feel more like a part of the world around you. Reasons to Participate in the South of Seoul Book Club Participating in the South of Seoul book club community may provide a variety of loose and variable personal and social benefits. For example, the benefits South of Seoul volunteers experience by sharing our reading lists in 2022 included: If you find these reasons valuable to your life, then dig into the following reading list with gusto. South of Seoul Book Club List 2024 South of Seoul Book Club List 2023 Each month a volunteer will post their experiences reading the following books and how such books may or may not have impacted their lives. We would also love to hear your experiences and thoughts about the titles. Leverage the South of Seoul Book Club in Your Life If you want to use the South of Seoul Book Club in dynamic ways, try one of the following activities: Pyeongtaek Silent Book Club If you live in Pyeongtaek, South Korea you may even want to attend the Silent Book Club. In this unique group, you all get together to quietly read together. No need to talk if you don’t want to and each person reads a book of their choice. You can find their events listed on the South of Seoul Pyeongtaek Events Calendar. Book Walks Download your monthly read as an audiobook on your preferred platform and then go for a walk. Listening to a book about Korean life while exploring neighborhoods in your community can bring the book and the world around you to life. Don’t just sit at home and read, use the Book Club Picks to bring you out into the community. Combining your book club walk with photography can also makes the experience next level. While walking and listening to the story, find what you connect with in the world around you and take a photo. Let yourself be free to see all the textures and colors. In fact, you may discover that combining stories, art, and exercise creates a healing space for your mind and body to become safe and present in your community. Each walk weaves you into the world and makes it a home. South of Seoul Book Club South of Seoul volunteers take their book recommendations and book list reading seriously. In order to create a solid reading we use the following commitments as a rubric for our choices. Commitment to Accessibility South of Seoul volunteers take book accessibility into consideration when recommending titles. We consider: Commitment to Diverse Lived Experiences South of Seoul volunteers seek to put lived experiences at the forefront of their recommendation choices. When considering authors we look for such things as: Reading about Korean culture from a variety of perspectives may provide readers with a greater understanding of the country and culture. Commitment to Supporting Mental Health South of Seoul also includes book recommendations that support the lives and mental health of our community. This means that books may tackle the issues related to living between cultures. This may include topics such as culture shock, language, relationships, and more. Leave Us Your Recommendations Do you have a book to recommend for our Book Club Reading List? Feel free to message us your commendations or leave them in the comments. South of SeoulFounded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences. www.southofseoul.net

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The South of Seoul Volunteer January Book Club 2023 recommendation is I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki: A Memoir by Baek Sehee. Check out this deeply personal memoir of conversations between the author and her therapist. About the South of Seoul Virtual Book Club Looking for book recommendations? Welcome to the South of Seoul book club. We recommend a book every month. Such recommended books explore topics like 1) South Korean history or culture, 2) the complexity of cross-cultural life, or 4) the exploration of life within the diaspora experience. Commitment to Accessibility South of Seoul volunteers take book accessibility into consideration when recommending titles. We consider: Commitment to Diverse Lived Experiences South of Seoul volunteers seek to put lived experiences at the forefront of their recommendation choices. When considering authors we look for such things as: Reading about Korean culture from a variety of perspectives may provide readers with a greater understanding of the country and culture. Commitment to Supporting Mental Health South of Seoul also includes book recommendations that support the lives and mental health of our community. This means that books may tackle the issues related to living between cultures. This may include topics such as culture shock, language, relationships, and more. Book Recommendation by KimchiRednecks December’s book club recommendation is brought to you by our content partner, Melissa Whittington from KimchiRednecks. I have experienced bouts of depression since I was in my teens and adding the struggles of Multiple Sclerosis on top of that means I am no stranger to this topic. Whether you have experienced mild depression or deep depression, this book is a great respite in that she is simply sharing her reflections and experiences which make you feel less alone in your own struggles. About “I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki: A Memoir” “I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki: A Memoir” by Baek Sehee is an open and honest look into the author’s experiences dealing with depression and seeking professional help. The author has transcribed her sessions with her therapist and intersperses some additional essays with humor and self-reflection as she works to resolve her harmful behaviors. Although she has a successful career at a publishing house, Baek Sehee seeks out a therapist to help her delve into her issues. She isn’t quite sure how to categorize her feelings as just depression or hopelessness at first. Though she tries to connect with others, she often has trouble forming deep relationships and sometimes feels very judgmental of others. “I wonder about others like me, who seem totally fine on the outside but are rotting on the inside, where the rot is this vague state of being not-fine and not-devastated at the same time.” I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki, Baek Sehee I really enjoy how she explores her issues, questions and concerns and works to find ways to remove those harmful behaviors of self-abuse. The author is open about her struggles and frustrations which is refreshing since mental health issues often still feel very stigmatized. If you have ever felt depressed or alone or frustrated with yourself, you may find more hope and understanding reading this memoir. Though I am not millennial or Korean, there are some universal struggles and frustrations that connected me to the author and her feelings. This translation was just released in November of this year. I was intrigued by the title because the dark humor was relatable and it was a good read. More Commentary and Reviews For more on “I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki: A Memoir,” read the Japan Times review ‘I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki’: Compelling confessions of an exhausted millennial. Online Purchasing Link You can purchase “I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki: A Memoir” on Amazon. Find More Book Club Recommendations Did you like this recommendation? Be sure to explore our other volunteer-recommended books. What Books Do You Recommend? Feel free to share your own book recommendations on our Facebook page or in the blog post comments at the end of this post. KimchiRednecksAbout Melissa Edwards-Whittington & Chuck Whittington (KimchiRednecks) Chuck and Melissa—also known as the KimchiRednecks—have been living in Korea since 2017 and documenting their life abroad since launching their YouTube channel in 2018. Originally created to share their adventures with friends and family back in the U.S., KimchiRednecks has since grown into a vibrant and dynamic platform that reflects their love for Korean culture, food, travel, and everyday life. From foodie explorations and recipe experiments to gaming, tech, and car projects (especially the BRZ), their content offers a fun and honest window into expat life. Chuck Whittington is a graduate of Francis Marion University with a degree in Information Systems Management. With over two decades of experience in IT, Chuck combines his technical expertise with a long-standing fascination with Korea—having visited many times before moving permanently. He’s the tech-savvy side of KimchiRednecks and brings a love for innovation, gaming, and cars to the channel. Melissa Edwards-Whittington holds a degree in Bible with a minor in Elementary Education from Mid-Atlantic Christian University. She has worn many hats over the years—working in customer service, marketing, and now also serving as a volunteer Co-Editor and Social Media Marketing Manager for United on the RoK Magazine. Her writing and digital work focus on building community and supporting military-connected and expatriate populations in Korea. Melissa also volunteers with South of Seoul, where she helps manage online social media groups, supports local language exchanges, and creates original content to assist newcomers and long-term residents alike. Together, Chuck and Melissa share their lives with their three beloved Shih Tzu daughters—Minion, Sookie (forever in their hearts), and Mayhem—who are frequently featured in their videos and social media posts. Whether they’re sipping coffee at a neighborhood café, exploring hidden corners of Korea, or experimenting with homemade whiskey and brandy on their second channel, Shining with KimchiRednecks, Chuck and Melissa are passionate about sharing the real and ever-evolving journey of life abroad. One of their greatest joys is cooking, and they frequently document their culinary adventures—especially their experiences learning to prepare Korean dishes and other global cuisines—on their YouTube channel, inviting others to celebrate food, culture, and connection alongside them. Follow Chuck, Melissa & the KimchiRednecks Adventures: YouTube: @kimchirednecks YouTube: @shiningwithkimchirednecks Instagram: @kimchirednecks Facebook: KimchiRednecks United on the RoK Magazine: www.unitedontherokmag.com

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The South of Seoul Volunteer November Book Club 2022 recommendation is “The Birth of Korean Cool: How One Nation Is Conquering the World Through Pop Culture” by Euny Hong. Explore the rise of Korean pop culture and a global phenomenon. About the South of Seoul Virtual Book Club Looking for book recommendations? Welcome to the South of Seoul book club. We recommend a book every month. Such recommended books explore topics like 1) South Korean history or culture, 2) the complexity of cross-cultural life, or 4) the exploration of life within the diaspora experience. Commitment to Accessibility South of Seoul volunteers take book accessibility into consideration when recommending titles. We consider: Commitment to Diverse Lived Experiences South of Seoul volunteers seek to put lived experiences at the forefront of their recommendation choices. When considering authors we look for such things as: Reading about Korean culture from a variety of perspectives may provide readers with a greater understanding of the country and culture. Commitment to Supporting Mental Health South of Seoul also includes book recommendations that support the lives and mental health of our community. This means that books may tackle the issues related to living between cultures. This may include topics such as culture shock, language, relationships, and more. Book Recommendation by Molly Hayden November’s book club recommendation is brought to you by Cultural Liaison and journalist Molly Hayden. About “The Birth of Korean Cool“ Euny Hong’s “The Birth of Korean Cool: How One Nation is Conquering the World Through Pop Culture” offers an insight into Korean innovation through its creation of curated pop culture.  The author uses her experiences growing up in both South Korea and the U.S. to dive into Korean culture. Euny Hong does this using American terms and blending two very different schools of thought. Hong’s background as a journalist guides her writing. The book contains data-driven insights woven into these personal stories, making them easily digestible and understandable for English readers.  Published in 2014, the book’s timeframe focuses on the popularity of Psy’s “Gangnam Style.” The book is currently devoid of any BTS references. Even still, it’s a poignant and historical look into South Korea’s past and how the country capitalized on its future.  More Commentary and Reviews For more on “The Birth of Korean Cool: How One Nation Is Conquering the World Through Pop Culture” read the New York Times review Seoul Survivors. Online Purchasing Link You can also purchase “The Birth of Korean Cool: How One Nation Is Conquering the World Through Pop Culture” on Amazon. Find More Book Club Recommendations Did you like this recommendation? Be sure to explore our other volunteer-recommended books. What Books Do You Recommend? Feel free to share your own book recommendations on our Facebook page or in the blog post comments at the end of this post. Molly HaydenJournalist Molly Hayden has worked in the journalism field in Germany and the United States. In 2021 she relocated to South Korea. As a volunteer Cultural Liason and Content Creator, Ms. Hayden reports on a variety of life & style topics with a focus on families living in rural South Korea.

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