“How long do souls linger by the side of their bodies?
Do they really flutter away like some kind of bird? Is that what trembles the edges of the candle flame?”
― Human Acts by Han Kang
Reading ‘Human Acts’ (소년이 온다) by Han Kang (한강) has profoundly changed my perspective, offering deep consolation to those lost in the fight for their rights. This Korean historical fiction is a literary masterpiece, depicting an uprising in South Korea. In May 1980, students in Gwangju protested against military dictator Chun Doo-hwan. In response, the regime declared a state of emergency, deployed the army, and soldiers killed hundreds of young people.
The streets of Gwangju became the site of intense and tragic violence, with soldiers firing on unarmed civilians, resulting in hundreds of deaths and numerous injuries. In ‘Human Acts’, Han Kang captures this period not only as a historical event but as a profound human tragedy, focusing on the personal stories and suffering of those who lived through the uprising. Through this lens, Han Kang offers readers a powerful reminder of the cost of political repression and the enduring quest for justice.
In the book, our main character Dong-ho — a middle-schooler — volunteers to catalog the dead bodies in a temporary mortuary, hoping to help grieving families find their lost loved ones. Han Kang's raw, vivid writing, paired with the second-person perspective, immerses you deeply in the story. By addressing the protagonist as “you,” she makes you feel Dong-ho’s experiences viscerally. This makes the story even more heart-wrenching, especially when Dong-ho’s mother becomes, in a sense, your own mother.
The deceased children in the story are given voices, expressing their thoughts and emotions. Learning about their premature deaths — their dreams, hopes, and struggles cruelly taken away — prompted deep reflection on my own nation’s history. In Hungary, this narrative feels all too familiar. Student-led uprisings against dictatorial regimes, whether successful or not, often result in massacres, death, and shattered hopes.
‘Human Acts’ serves as a reminder that it’s not cultural differences, distance, or opposing ideologies that lead to such atrocities. Instead, it’s the circumstances that allow such horrors to unfold. Every country has likely experienced the massacre of its own people. Although this book is set in Gwangju, a city thousands of kilometers away from me, the story it tells resonates universally. Before reading ‘Human Acts’, I couldn’t fully understand the depth of grief these families endured, nor had I grasped the reality of how the spirits of those killed were forever silenced, their lives and futures taken away so suddenly.
Just a month from now, on October 23rd, we will mark the anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. The themes in ‘Human Acts’ will undoubtedly surface in my thoughts as I remember the fallen souls, not only of Hungary but also of Korea. Both stories of uprising, sacrifice, and the devastating loss of young lives remind us of the fragility of freedom and the weight of history that connects us all, regardless of distance or culture.
What strikes me most about ‘Human Acts’ is how it transcends its specific historical moment, connecting readers to a broader, universal human experience. Across the world, stories of resistance, whether in Korea, Hungary, or elsewhere, reflect a shared struggle for freedom and dignity. Han Kang’s narrative not only brings to light the pain and suffering of the Gwangju uprising but also serves as a reminder of the power of collective memory. In remembering these tragedies, we honor the resilience of those who fought for a better future, and through this act of remembrance, we find hope amidst the darkness.
'Human Acts' compelling narrative and vivid portrayals will stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page.
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