Saturday, October 12, 2024

Kuwentong Bangtan: Han Kang and Bangtan Sonyeondan

At the Intersection of Art, Literature, Music and the On-Going Quest for Peace is BTS and Han Kang

Human Acts by Han Kang is a haunting novel that explores the brutal aftermath of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising in South Korea. Through interconnected narratives, the book delves into the trauma, grief, and resistance of those who experienced and survived the violent suppression of the pro-democracy movement. 




Han Kang's powerful writing exposes the personal and collective scars left behind, reflecting on the cost of fighting for freedom and human dignity. 




BTS' "Ma City" connects to Human Acts through its celebration of hometown pride and history, particularly for members like J-Hope, who hails from Gwangju. The song’s energetic homage to the members’ roots contrasts with the somber history of Gwangju, yet both works emphasize the deep ties between people and their origins. While Ma City focuses on pride and identity, Human Acts highlights the sacrifices made for freedom, reminding us that the history of a place is intertwined with both its joy and its pain. 




Congratulations, Han Kang for winning the 2024 Nobel Prize for Literature! 

Thank you, BTS for creating songs to remind us all that “we are what we were”! HOPE IS COMING!

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