[MISSION] “Unseen Sacrifices of a Mother: A Journey into Korean Family and Womanhood through Book - Please Look After Mom”
2024-09-06If I were to recommend just one book that encapsulates the heart of Korean culture, family dynamics, and the often invisible struggles of women, it would be Please Look After Mom by Shin Kyung Sook, which also received Man Asian Literary Price in 2011. This novel resonates with me deeply, not only because of its emotional depth but also because of the insight it provides into the lives of women, particularly mothers, who frequently feel undervalued in their families and unappreciated for their sacrifices. It offers a window into the life of a mother that feels both intimately personal and universally relatable, making it a meaningful read for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of Korean values.
Writer: Shin Kyung Sook with his book Please Look After Mom [Pic Credit : Google & Sumaiya Chauhan]
Synopsis:
Please Look After Mom is the story of Park So Nyo, a mother who goes missing in the crowd of Seoul Station Subway while she is coming with her husband. As her children and husband search for her, each family member reflects on their memories of her, realizing how little they truly knew about the woman who dedicated her entire life to caring for them. There also comes a scene where no one had a recent photograph of their mother. Through multiple perspectives, the novel weaves together themes of family, sacrifice, and the guilt of taking loved ones for granted.
Why This Book is Meaningful to Me:
As someone passionate about Korean culture and literature, Please Look After Mom struck a chord with me. The novel doesn’t just tell the story of one woman, it reflects on the lives of countless women in Korea and around the world who quietly endure the weight of family expectations and receive nothing in return. It made me think of every mother, particularly the sacrifices made by her like Park So Nyo for the well-being of their family who often put their desires aside for us.
One of the most powerful aspects of the novel is how it highlights the invisibility of women’s labor within the home. Park So Nyo’s life is shaped by her role as a wife and mother, and much of her identity is subsumed by these roles. Her children, who have moved on with their own lives, realise only too late the extent of her sacrifices. This mirrors a universal truth about how often we take for granted the people who hold us together, only appreciating them when they are no longer around.
This book reflects on how society often expects women, particularly mothers, to sacrifice their identities in service of others. This theme speaks to broader feminist issues about the limitations placed on women by traditional gender roles, a topic that is important to me both personally and academically.
Novel: Please Look After Mom, [Pic Credit : Sumaiya Chauhan]
How It Connects to My Experiences:
My fascination with Korean culture and literature has been a journey of learning about the societal expectations that shape the lives of Korean women. In many ways, Park So Nyo’s story is not just her own, but the story of countless women who are expected to quietly shoulder the burdens of family life. Reading this novel made me think of the parallels between the experiences of women in Korea and those in our own culture. The commonalities of motherhood, sacrifice, and identity transcend geographical boundaries, making this novel all the more poignant.
This novel also connects to my academic interests. It explores themes of memory and identity, questioning how well we know the people closest to us. As someone who is drawn to literature that delves into emotional and psychological depths, Please Look After Mom is a prime example of how fiction can illuminate the most intimate aspects of human relationships.
Inspiration for Others;
Please Look After Mom is a perfect entry point, for anyone looking to gain a profound exploration of Korean society where family plays a vital role in values, the pressures on women to fulfil traditional roles within their house, and the emotional complexities that come with these expectations. The novel also provides a powerful commentary on the Confucian values that underpin many aspects of Korean family life, such as filial piety and respect for elders.
Beyond its cultural significance, Please Look After Mom has the potential to inspire readers to think about our relationship with our family and the unspoken sacrifices that often go unnoticed. It invites reflection on how we connect with mothers and sometimes fail to fully appreciate the efforts of the people who are most important to us.
Book with Chapter: Another Women, [Pic Credit: Sumaiya Chauhan]
Conclusion
The reason for recommending Please Look After Mom is to share a piece of literature that not only provides insight into Korean culture and values, but also offers a universal message about the importance of family, and identity, and recognizing the often unseen work of mothers. It is a book that moved me deeply and continues to inspire me in my personal and academic journey. Whether you are new to Korean literature or a seasoned reader, this novel will leave you with a greater understanding of Korea, its values, and the shared human experiences that bind us all together.
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