Recently, I read a transcript from NPR (National public Radio)'s one of radio reviews on "Please Look After Mom", the well-known Korean novel written by Shin Kyung-Sook.
Maureen Corrigan, a professor at Georgetown University, made a cynical, unbearable remark about this novel that made me furious. She thinks that the novel is nosense and has nothing to do with American culture that values individualism than collectivism where one is to feel guilty for not taking care of their parents. She says that the message is "completelalien to our own therapeutic culture."
Okay, I understand that one may feel this way in any Western countries, because it is true that we value collectivism and believe it is duty for children to take care of aging parents in our society. It is also true that by the age of 18, it is natural for western young adults to leave their homes. Although it is changing in Korea, it is still common for us to stay home until we get married and have our own family. So I"m not here to criticize her opinion, because as we learned, we can accept other people's opinion without embracing it. However, what made me furious is her barbarious comments about this novel not worthy enough to be published by Knopf, a well-known publication for literary work.
The worst comment she made is that this novel is a "cheap consolations of kimchee-scented Kleenex fiction." What a phrase to degrade the novel in the first place and humiliate Koreans as well! How dare she talk about novel in such ridiculous way? Just because she is a professor does not mean she can just talk rubbish about a novel that has our tradition and culture rooted in the story. It touched our hearts because the story shows the changing generation of less valueing their duty as sons and daughters and it touched our hearts because that is exactly how we as Koreans mostly feel. Who is she to criticize our culture? It is one thing to not like a novel, but it is a whole different story to talk about it in such unrespectful manner.
May be I am the only one infuriated by this critic. See it for yourself classmates by going to this site.
If you want to see what Korean news writer wrote about this review by Maureen Corrigan, go to this website.
It is true that the way Koreans view mother is very different from how Americans view their mother. But I think the only criticism she has to get is from her saying "kimchee-scented" because she is culturally derogating the novel. But the more famous the novel, the more criticism it gets. So I think the criticism could also be taken positively. But I really think Shin Kyung-Sook is one of the most over-rated novelist in Korea. Her novel is closer to the popular literature. It is very sentimental and appeals to emotions. A lot of Koreans are only interested in popular literature, the best sellers and I think it is tragic that only these novels are introduced to other countries. I'm sure if Maureen Corrigan gets chance to read other Korean novels, she wouldn't be able to say such thing as "Kimchee-scented Kleenex fiction"
ReplyDeleteoh my god... how can she say that?? she should apologize to the public! although it is a creaticism that anyone can make, that's kind of an insult!
ReplyDeleteWell... although we always admit differences and respect one's feeling I think this reaction from her was quite inappropriate. Although it is hard to translate the unique expressions which are in Korean into English, her attitude is quite annoying. This makes me remember of the woman who looked down on Koreans for eating dog meat.
ReplyDeleteYes, she could've expressed the same thing in a different way. Maybe she just wanted to capture reader's attention using sensational expression.
ReplyDelete