241120 r/bangtan Books with Luv: November Book Discussion - ‘Human Acts’ by Han Kang

[u/Next_Grapefruit_3206]

Hello book club of r/bangtan!

As Han Kang was honored with the Nobel Prize in Literature this year, (and since some of our tannies had also read her books), we thought it was fitting to pick one of her best works for this month. And our readers chose Human Acts which is a story that begins with a violent episode during the Gwangju Uprising and connects the perspectives of different folks living in the aftermath of it. It was not an easy read and listening to Happy proved to be a great source of comfort through this month. Thanks for always coming through for us, Jin! And now, on to sharing our thoughts on this book…

We’ll be running wild with this discussion

Below is a discussion guide. Some book-specific questions and other sharing suggestions! You can scroll down this thread or use these links to go directly to these questions!

• Considering BTS and Han Kang draw a lot of parallels with society and trauma in their art, how do you think BTS used their art and music to help transform experiences of collective trauma into messages of hope and resilience? How has ARMY been a space for healing?

• What does Human Acts suggest about the power of empathy in the face of collective suffering? How do the characters' choices reflect their moral responsibility to others, and how does this resonate with contemporary global events?

• The novel reflects on censorship, silence, and the struggle to speak the truth. How do the characters navigate these challenges, and how does the structure of the book contribute to the theme of finding one’s voice?

• The author tells the story of the Gwangju Uprising through different perspectives and timelines in order to show its lasting impact through generations. What were your thoughts on this unique style of writing and how our minds and bodies develop a relationship to trauma as memory fades?

B-Side Questions/Discussion Suggestions

• Fan Chant: Hype/overall reviews
• Ments: favorite quotes
• ARMY Time: playlist/recommendations of songs you associate with the book/chapters/characters
• Do The Wave: sentiments, feels, realizations based on the book
• Encore/Post Club-read Depression Prevention: something the book club can do afterwards (on your own leisure time) to help feel less sad after reading.

Human Acts by Han Kang

In the midst of a violent student uprising in South Korea, a young boy named Dong-ho is shockingly killed. The story of this tragic episode unfolds in a sequence of interconnected chapters as the victims and the bereaved encounter suppression, denial, and the echoing agony of the massacre. From Dong-ho’s best friend who meets his own fateful end; to an editor struggling against censorship; to a prisoner and a factory worker, each suffering from traumatic memories; and to Dong-ho's own grief-stricken mother; and through their collective heartbreak and acts of hope is the tale of a brutalized people in search of a voice.

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It don’t matter the time, it don’t matter the place - I will be there

Have you come across any books you think would be perfect for any of the BTS members? Or maybe the book just makes you think of any of them. Tell us if there are any books you’d like to add to our TBR list. 👉Click here for your recs! 👈

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the book or the thread, feel free to tag me like so u/Next_Grapefruit_3206 or any of the mods or BWL Volunteers.

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[u/Next_Grapefruit_3206]

The novel reflects on censorship, silence, and the struggle to speak the truth.

How do the characters navigate these challenges, and how does the structure of the book contribute to the theme of finding one’s voice?

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Reply to this comment to answer this question!

[u/sciencespecialist → u/Next_Grapefruit_3206]

I read this as soon as Kang won the Nobel prize (and as soon as Tae said he had read it in the military, tbh.) The structure was perfect for telling about a horrific time in South Korea's history and for describing personal and collective trauma. As for the structure, I can't imagine this being communicated in any other way. I.hope it helps people who still bear the trauma, and I guess that is the whole of the country, in addition to the people who were directly impacted. The novel really made me think about what I would do in the face of oppression, aggression and the erosion of human rights - be silent, take risks, struggle to deliver my thoughts and feelings, and to whom and where, and in what context? This is not just a thought exercise in these troubling times.