[Translated]Healing through Literature: A Moment of Psychological Relief with Korean Healing Literature
2025-09-04
Many people assume that reading must be a strenuous and exhausting activity to be beneficial, which often drives them away from it. However, reading can become our primary pathway to comfort and calm amid the noise of the modern world. It is not necessary to start with complex works or purely academic books; some simpler literary forms are also worth exploring.
Given the stresses of modern life in Korea, a new literary genre has emerged since the 1990s, gaining widespread popularity in recent years: Korean Healing Literature. Its roots can be traced back to Buddhist writings and traditional Korean philosophy, which encourage contemplation and appreciation of life’s simple moments. Healing literature encompasses both fiction and non-fiction works that share a common goal: reminding the reader of the beauty inherent in life despite its complexities.
Although I was initially skeptical of this genre, thinking it was just a subset of self-help literature, Korean literature always manages to bring new depth and authenticity to any genre. In this article, I will share eight recommended books that serve as a respite from worries and a gateway to reflection on our lives.
First, No One Writes Back by Jang Oh-jin (2009). Although this novel predates the Korean healing literature trend, it fits the genre better than many newer works. The story follows an unnamed young man traveling across Korea with his blind dog, Wajo, carrying only simple items: a music player and a book. He assigns a number instead of a name to every person he meets and collects their addresses to send letters recounting daily life events after parting ways. Even without receiving replies, he realizes the value lies in writing the letters themselves. The act of writing serves as self-purification, a means of expressing emotions through words, helping him mature and overcome loneliness and pain.
I recently read this novel, fortunately through a Korean Literature Reading Club, where I shared my impressions with fellow enthusiasts worldwide. The author’s style can be summed up in one word: warm. I felt a sense of psychological comfort throughout the reading, a genuine pause amid the mental clutter. The pacing is neither fast nor slow but matches the rhythm of the protagonist’s journey, allowing readers to immerse themselves in his story and self-exploration.
Two Photos of the Korean Literature Reading Club interface on the Fable App. (Photos courtesy of Fable App, Korean Literature Reading Club)
For those who enjoy exploring multiple characters and their lives intensively, typical of modern Korean healing novels, I recommend three novels: The Second Chance Convenience Store by Kim Ho Yeon, Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum, and The Dallergut Dream Department Store by Lee Mi Ye. These novels offer rich journeys through realistic emotional experiences.
The Second Chance Convenience Store follows a homeless, amnesiac man helped by a kind old lady who gives him a job at her store. Through assisting the customers and staff, he gradually regains his memory and discovers his past. The novel realistically portrays the harshness of modern life and labor market pressures while emphasizing the importance of supporting one another.
Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop tells the story of a woman in her thirties, exhausted by work and life, who opens a small library. The novel presents diverse characters, a student searching for meaning, a failed writer, and a lonely housewife, and is warmer and more poetic than The Second Chance Convenience Store, providing insight into the world of libraries and literature.
Dallergut Dream Department Store offers a touch of magical realism, following Penny, who seeks employment at a mysterious dream store that opens to visitors during sleep. While fantastical, the characters’ desires and fears are grounded in reality. The novel emphasizes the importance of dreams as a means of self-expression and inner relief.
Two other novels remind us of humanity’s connection with nature and the significance of simple surroundings: Healing Season of Pottery by Yeon Somin and A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park.
A Single Shard (2001) by Korean-American author Linda Sue Park is set in 12th-century Korea, following an orphan boy living under a bridge who loves observing the renowned potter Min. When he accidentally breaks a pottery piece, he must work for Min to repay it, embarking on a journey of self-discovery. Although it lacks traditional healing literature traits, it evokes the same inner peace and fulfillment through a story of human passion and perseverance.
Healing Season of Pottery follows a mentally exhausted and seemingly successful TV presenter. After a breakdown, she retreats to a pottery workshop in a small village, learning the craft from a strict yet enigmatic artisan. The story depicts her stages of psychological healing through pottery, blending authentic techniques with narrative fiction.
Korean healing literature is not limited to novels; it also includes light self-help or human development books. Two notable examples are: I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki by Baek Se-hee, and I’m Not Lazy, I’m on Battery-Saving Mode by Dancing Snail.
I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki is a memoir of the author’s therapy sessions and recovery from depression, emphasizing the importance of finding happiness in small things, like a favorite food or song, as a source of resilience.
I’m Not Lazy, I’m on Battery-Saving Mode blends short texts and illustrations to depict the author’s journey with mental exhaustion. Readers can recognize themselves in the book’s pages and, by the end, experience a sense of self-acceptance similar to that of the author.
No matter how busy or overwhelming life gets, it is essential to remember the value of ordinary moments, be gentle with ourselves, and try again. These novels and books serve as helpful guides on our healing journeys.
Keywords:
Korean healing literature, self-development, Healing Season of Pottery, Korea Net, No One Writes Back, The Dallergut Dream Department Store, Republic of Korea
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