Let’s discuss Won Pyung Sohn’s novel Almond. I wrote probably too many discussion questions for our Beanie Book Club, but feel free to start conversations with other insights, too.
I wrote ten discussion prompts last month–just to start things! 😃
1. Do you like novels with unreliable narrators? Do you think Seon Yunjae counts as an unreliable narrator?
2. Yunjae’s grandmother calls him “adorable little monster.” Did you grow up with negative/teasing nicknames? Is that a norm in your culture/subculture? How do you feel about it?
3. As a total outsider to Korean culture, I’ve been fascinated by the idea of nunchi, loosely translated as emotional intelligence. How does the importance of nunchi affect Yunjae in this novel?
4. Which k-dramas have you seen where the main character lacks nunchi? What were some of the narrative pretexts for this? Which of these dramas did you like?
5. Which characters in world literature or popular culture have trouble understanding other people’s emotions? Any favorites?
6. Many k-dramas seem to make an argument about what is good parenting. What does this book have to say about parenting?
7. Throughout the novel, Yunjae expresses his love of books. Why are books important to him? Did you have similar experiences to his with books and reading?
8. This book has some violent scenes. How did Yunjae’s lack of fear affect how you perceived the violence?
9. What does this book have to say about mending relationships and becoming a better person?
10. Can people show love when they don’t understand how another person feels? Is that what Yunjae is doing here? What’s your experience? Have you ever tried to “fake it until you make it” with an action that’s supposed to be motivated by a feeling? Did it work for you?
Ha! I love it that you like the questions! Do you also like main characters that can’t understand their own or other people’s emotions? I always liked Spock from Star Trek.
1.
Yes Yunjae does at times feel like an unreliable narrator. Yunjae constantly being told he can’t feel/ will never be able to feel emotions, similar to Gon being written off as nothing but a delinquent and not worth understanding, it felt like these two boys were given a label and were confined only to that label. Yunjae is a little different in that he does have a diagnosis and medical condition but even so, as stated in the beginning of the book “the ability of the amygdalae to process fear and anxiety can be increased through training”. There’s the scene where Yunjae’s mother and granny dies, Yunjae does try to intervene but his granny shuts the door stopping him, protecting him. He was pounding at the door and yet this horrific moment was rewritten by people who weren’t even there and Yunjae seems to accept those version of events.
2.
Yes, I was a chubby child and my mum’s nickname for me was laddu. Laddu is a round, ball-like South Asian sweet. It was interesting to read Yunjae’s thoughts on being called an “adorable little monster” since his thoughts mirrored by own. However, I was able to sense affection when my mum called me the nickname as opposed to when my distant relatives did. I couldn’t identify if they said it with affection or if they were just being mean, to this day I still don’t know.
Ah, you hit something I hadn’t thought about! I was only thinking about how Yunjae is really good at observing his surroundings. I didn’t think about how being told he’s not feeling emotions contributes to him not being able to identify what he’s feeling.
It’s adorable that your negative nickname was so cute! You were a little sweetie! My mom sometimes called me “schmegege” which apparently has a different negative meaning than I thought? (My mom said it meant “raggamuffin” but it really means know it all, which is unfortunately on the nose.) But not very frequently because she wasn’t feeling that affectionate all the time. I never found it confusing but I heard from other people that it’s confusing for children.
3.
Huh interesting I haven’t come across the term nunchi before and reading up on it, I think I’d be pretty bad at it honestly. While I might be able to read the emotions of people who are close to me, I find it difficult to read strangers. Obviously Yunjae would have difficulty, but what I find rather interesting with neurodivergent characters is questioning the “norms” of behaviour and society. I remember a scene where Yunjae realises there can be more than one response to a situation, he questions his mother about this and she responds with only one “correct” answer. There’s also contradictions such as when someone says one thing but means something completely different and how complex human communication can be even to a “normal” person.
4.
In terms of a kdrama character that lacks nunchi, I can only think of the male lead in FLOWER OF EVIL. It’s been a while since I’ve watched it so my memory is kind of fuzzy, but there were scenes where he practices smiling in the mirror and finds communication kind of alien. We’re initially meant to believe that he is a serial killer but it’s later revealed he’s not, so after reading ALMOND he might have the same condition as Yunjae, Alexithymia.
I bet his mom gave him only one correct answer because it would be difficult for a young child to remember all the possible responses. My friend’s autistic kid (who is now getting married, time flies!) used to ask me to test him on facial expressions. I remember pushing him on the swings in their backyard and making faces for him to identify.
“…what I find rather interesting with neurodivergent characters is questioning the “norms” of behaviour and society.” Yes! I really like the way you put that. Also your example of Flower of Evil. I’m not sure which show I was thinking of when I wrote that question, but I feel like a lot of characters in K-dramas have this to a greater or lesser extent. Certainly it takes them ages to realize that they are friends with someone or have a crush on them or are being hit on or are being scammed.
6.
I think the author did a good job with having sympathetic parents even if they may not always be considered a “good” parent. I think this is the case especially with Gon’s father Professor Yun. His neglect and shame prevented him from understanding and communicating with Gon. And while I can see his perspective on why he didn’t want Gon to meet his mother, this was a crucial mistake. While Professor Yun may have wanted to absolve any further guilt his wife might have felt, Gon never got the closure to finally meet his mother and in preventing their reunion it sends a message to Gon that he’s not good enough. However, I am glad Professor Yun did learn from his mistakes and is doing his best to be a father to Gon by the end of the novel
7.
I enjoyed scene of Yunjae expressing his fascination of reading books, especially as he so aptly describes that books leave room for the reader to fill in the blanks as opposed to more visual mediums such as film. Personally, I’m not a voracious reader compared to my sister, I may not have this strong passion for reading but I do enjoy it 😊
Professor Yun is a horrible person! I keep thinking about how he prevented his son from seeing his dying mother. It was like his wife was a real person to him but his son was not.
8.
I actually found Yunjae’s lack of fear to be more frightening, particularly the scene where he witnesses a boy being beaten up (to death). I wasn’t sure how the scene was going to unfold and the whole time I was reading it I had this eerie feeling for Yunjae’s safety as well as for the boy that was being violently beaten up
9.
While ALMOND deals with rather tough topics, I feel it’s actually quite positive in its conclusion. That even if it’s hard we can mend broken relationships and we can become better people. Yes it takes hard work, being able to apologise meaningfully and put in the work to reconcile but it is doable. The unexpected friendship between Yunjae and Gon I really think is the central message of the novel.
10.
I do feel Yunjae can love, maybe his love isn’t what we typically conceive what love should look like, but it is love regardless. Visiting his mother at hospital everyday and feeling the empty presence of his family no longer being there.
My friends have been branching out and being more social and making new friends. I’m very anxious with meeting new people in real life and I know I should make more of an effort to be more social. I guess I should use the fake it till you make it method, perhaps a goal for the new year 😅
I felt like, if I accepted the terms of the book, whatever scary thing had already happened. It was in the character’s past. Yet it made everything so much more upsetting! It was obviously a trauma for the character, yet he couldn’t tell the story in terms of feelings.
I found Yunjae a very loving and humane person. Even the moments when he has to tell Gon, “Stop, I can’t give you what you want.” I think a lot of people would like to say that to their tormentors. He says and does kind things without being fully aware of how other people are taking it.
Fake it til you make it works sometimes. It’s scary though! I feel like I have great nunchi in some situations, like maybe, 45% of the time! Sometimes I really do not at all. When I’m on I’m really on, but sometimes I am really not! I prefer if there is a thing I’m supposed to say or do. Sometimes people think manners are phony, but it’s actually great to have something to say and do in a tricky situation.
This was a quote from the book that meant a lot to me: “Books took me to places I could never go otherwise. They shared the confessions of people I’d never met and lives I’d never witnessed. The emotions I could never feel, and the events I hadn’t experienced could all be found in those volumes.” One of the aspects of the book I found most touching was Yunjae’s frustration with his inability to understand emotion in print.
Quotes that resonated with me and made question my emotions vs actions and my moral convictions:
“A tragedy that’s too distant cannot be ‘your’ tragedy”(p. 240)
“People shut their eyes to a distant tragedy saying there’s nothing they could do, yet they didn’t stand up for one happening nearby either because they’re too terrified. Most people could feel but didn’t act. They said they sympathised, but easily forgot. The way I see it, that was not real. I don’t want to live like that.” (p. 240-241)
“There is no such person who can’t be saved. There are only people who give up on trying to save others” (p. 121)
This was a quote by a fictional character P. J. Nolan.
I think about this quote a lot especially considering in my state election the LNP party won with a campaign on harsher punishment and “adult time” for minors which is bonkers in my opinion, also add to the fact that minors themselves aren’t allowed to vote.
I believe minors can be saved however for adults who do heinous crimes, if I’m honest with myself, in some cases I don’t they can be saved.
Anyway thanks for hosting the book club @toomuchtv I’ll be back with answers to some of the discussion prompts
Adult punishments for minors is a big thing in the US. The idea is, if the crime is bad enough, you’re an adult. I really don’t understand that. How is the nature of the crime supposed to determine whether the person had the understanding or self-control to make a mature decision to commit it?
Thank you for hosting the DB Bookclub discussion on Almond. I appreciate the thought that went into the questions and I think the responses showed that those who read the book had lots to think about.
I am sorry it was not a book I could read as I feel I missed out on this discussion.
Yeah, only two of us read the book! I thought it was great. I had recently learned that adolescents experience literal physical growth in their amygdala region of the brain. (Apparently it’s really a physical growth, not just additional development!) Since the book starts with the idea that the protagonist has a small amygdala, that was interesting for me. Also I’m relieved that I’m not the only person who grew up with affectionately-meant negative nicknames being a normal thing.
I read The Vegetarian. I was hoping to read her other books this year. I regret not getting them already! There will be competition in library requests, I predict.
1. Do you like novels with unreliable narrators? Do you think Seon Yunjae counts as an unreliable narrator?
2. Yunjae’s grandmother calls him “adorable little monster.” Did you grow up with negative/teasing nicknames? Is that a norm in your culture/subculture? How do you feel about it?
3. As a total outsider to Korean culture, I’ve been fascinated by the idea of nunchi, loosely translated as emotional intelligence. (We have to use two four-syllable words of Latin origin to translate!) How does the importance of nunchi affect Yunjae in this novel?
4. Which k-dramas have you seen where the main character lacks nunchi? What were some of the narrative pretexts for this? Which of these dramas did you like?
5. Which characters in world literature or popular culture have trouble understanding other people’s emotions? Any favorites?
6. Many k-dramas seem to make an argument about what is good parenting. What does this book have to say about parenting?
7. Throughout the novel, Yunjae expresses his love of books. Why are books important to him? Did you have similar experiences to his with books and reading?
8. This book has some violent scenes. How did Yunjae’s lack of fear affect how you perceived the violence?
9. What does this book have to say about mending relationships and becoming a better person?
10. Can people show love when they don’t understand how another person feels? Is that what Yunjae is doing here? What’s your experience? Have you ever tried to “fake it until you make it” with an action that’s supposed to be motivated by a feeling? Did it work for you? @indyfan@mellowarmadillo@attiton@elinor@ahjummaaa@wonhwa@jls943@cayong03@babylilo@ruhi0101@petrolia@acacia@dramaforever@zindigo@linarrick@ndlessjoie@sonai@kdramajoy@minniegupta1
Thanks so much for posting the reminder and these questions for the discussion. It has come around fast. I love the mix of the questions. Looking forward to an interesting discussion.
I hope you have fun hosting and get lot’s of engagement on the fan wall. I will be travelling and will be off the site most of the time so will catch up with you on my return. Because it’s a book that covers some heavy topics it may impact on the level of engagement as the usual contributors may have chosen not to read it. I was not able to read/listen to it past a brief intro as it was not my kind of listen but I am keen to see how others found it through their answers to your questions. Hwaiting💪🏾
My theory: main leads in Cinderella at 2AM were cast to be cute in promos together, not because of chemistry in the actual drama. Youtube video featuring adorable goofy Himbo-serious Noona antics:
This weekend I read The Old Woman With the Knife by Gu Byeong-mo. Like Un-su Kim’s The Plotters, it was a gory thriller with some tear-jerking scenes. You should read it.
Just popping in to check you are still feeling ok about hosting the bookclub discussion on Almond on your fan wall on 10th November. If you are still ok to do this please can you do a post in the next few days before 10th October which will act as a reminder and include the questions you want to explore, as this gives those reading a chance to prepare for the discussion and any beanies who missed the previous promos time to read the book and request being added to the tag list. If you have changed your mind/no longer have capacity, we know life can be unpredictable, and you no longer wish to be involved that’s fine please can you let me know by that deadline so I can find another host.
This movie might not get reviewed here as it’s not a drama exactly. It reminded me of Phillip K. Dick’s novel Ubik but less sinister, more heart-warming. Gong Yoo speaks three languages here!
Ooh I just saw that the movie has been added to Netflix Canada! If my memory serves me correctly, this is the drama wherein during the promo period, Suzy and Park Bo Gum had to keep dispelling dating rumours 😅
I do not understand the whole dating rumor thing. Maybe sometimes actors actually are dating? I guess that must happen occasionally. It just seems like it makes it super awkward to get any part where the character has a romantic storyline. Anyway they were good in this. Everyone was good, honestly.
It personally doesn’t matter to me if an actor/actress I watch and/or like is dating or married. I watch their work because I enjoy it ☺️ Their personal life is theirs to be and I typically don’t pull away from an artist I really like unless they do something especially horrendous. On the contrary, I actually get really happy for celebs who date and get married— celebs are humans, too, and likewise, deserve all the happiness and the SAME happiness as someone not in showbiz 🥰🥰🥰
I think it happens more often than occasionally, because after all, a lot of people end up meeting and dating people at their job. Throw in a long shoot, spending lots of time together, and a focus on romantic chemistry, and it’s easy to imagine how things can transition from fake to real.
That said, dating rumors–whether based in fact or fiction–have proven to be effective in promoting a show, and can create a lot of buzz and interest in a project. So I see why they come up nearly all the time for most any pairing.
This exhibit was amazing, and I think this news video captures a lot of what was interesting about it. One cool idea: explicit linkages between dramas specifically and Confucian social ideals.
Did you go on the free day today? I was going to go but missed the bus, and somehow ended up going back to bed on this holiday, lol. I am going to make it happen this summer for sure. I’ve been wanting to go for some time.
Also, do you live in Boston?! I live in Winthrop.
I did go on the free day! We got in line pretty early and didn’t have to wait very long. There were a lot of families with children, and there were special activities: a martial arts demonstration that we caught the end of, and a kimchi making workshop that we didn’t stay to watch.
I saw this at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London last year and it’s fabulous! It looks like they’ve added or changed some things to reflect the Korean-American experience. I’m so tempted to go to Boston and see it again.
Hi
This is a quick check in before I do the fan wall post about the DB book club autumn read Almond by are you still interesting in hosting? It will take place 10th November 2024.
Thank you so much for confirming. You are right it is hard to know what the future holds but having a name means when I flag the book and date everyone knows who will host and you will have time to think of questions to help us focus while reading and preparing for the discussion.
No worries. I keep notes to remind me of important things like this🥰
There are some questions online and I found a summary guide where only the front page was free it sounds like its going to be quite a read with violence and discrimination re neurodiversity being highlighted as themes that could be upsetting. I will flag this in the post so anyone likely to be offended/upset can make an informed decision whether to read it/join the discussion.
I’m really enjoying Knight Flower, starring Honey Lee, Lee Jong Won, Honey Lee’s dimple, and a bunch of other faves. Also I figured out that Lee Young-ji raps the outro theme, appropriately.
Knight Flower is so good! It’s so good I want to save both episode to enjoy at once, because I hate the wait between them each week, but I can’t because beanies are gonna be all over the fanwall fizzing with joy at the latest antics and I can’t stay away.
I totally think after all those years of drama watching I can do without subs and see the raw versions like in the ole’ days … 😂 but subs are actually better and I end up watching twice. Last time that happened to me was for Crazy Love. 😁
too_much_tv
November 9, 2024 at 9:57 PM
Let’s discuss Won Pyung Sohn’s novel Almond. I wrote probably too many discussion questions for our Beanie Book Club, but feel free to start conversations with other insights, too.
too_much_tv
November 9, 2024 at 9:58 PM
I’m tagging everyone who asked here: @indyfan @mellowarmadillo @attiton @elinor @ahjummaaa @wonhwa @unaspirated @cayong03 @babylilo @ruhi0101 @petrolia @acacia @dramaforever @zindigo @linarrick @ndlessjoie @sonai @kdramajoy @minniegupta1 @lucky
too_much_tv
November 9, 2024 at 10:02 PM
I wrote ten discussion prompts last month–just to start things! 😃
1. Do you like novels with unreliable narrators? Do you think Seon Yunjae counts as an unreliable narrator?
2. Yunjae’s grandmother calls him “adorable little monster.” Did you grow up with negative/teasing nicknames? Is that a norm in your culture/subculture? How do you feel about it?
3. As a total outsider to Korean culture, I’ve been fascinated by the idea of nunchi, loosely translated as emotional intelligence. How does the importance of nunchi affect Yunjae in this novel?
4. Which k-dramas have you seen where the main character lacks nunchi? What were some of the narrative pretexts for this? Which of these dramas did you like?
5. Which characters in world literature or popular culture have trouble understanding other people’s emotions? Any favorites?
6. Many k-dramas seem to make an argument about what is good parenting. What does this book have to say about parenting?
7. Throughout the novel, Yunjae expresses his love of books. Why are books important to him? Did you have similar experiences to his with books and reading?
8. This book has some violent scenes. How did Yunjae’s lack of fear affect how you perceived the violence?
9. What does this book have to say about mending relationships and becoming a better person?
10. Can people show love when they don’t understand how another person feels? Is that what Yunjae is doing here? What’s your experience? Have you ever tried to “fake it until you make it” with an action that’s supposed to be motivated by a feeling? Did it work for you?
Ahjummaaa
November 10, 2024 at 10:37 AM
Wow these are great questions~~~!!! Love~~~!!!
too_much_tv
November 10, 2024 at 11:27 AM
Ha! I love it that you like the questions! Do you also like main characters that can’t understand their own or other people’s emotions? I always liked Spock from Star Trek.
Linarrick
November 12, 2024 at 3:01 AM
1.
Yes Yunjae does at times feel like an unreliable narrator. Yunjae constantly being told he can’t feel/ will never be able to feel emotions, similar to Gon being written off as nothing but a delinquent and not worth understanding, it felt like these two boys were given a label and were confined only to that label. Yunjae is a little different in that he does have a diagnosis and medical condition but even so, as stated in the beginning of the book “the ability of the amygdalae to process fear and anxiety can be increased through training”. There’s the scene where Yunjae’s mother and granny dies, Yunjae does try to intervene but his granny shuts the door stopping him, protecting him. He was pounding at the door and yet this horrific moment was rewritten by people who weren’t even there and Yunjae seems to accept those version of events.
2.
Yes, I was a chubby child and my mum’s nickname for me was laddu. Laddu is a round, ball-like South Asian sweet. It was interesting to read Yunjae’s thoughts on being called an “adorable little monster” since his thoughts mirrored by own. However, I was able to sense affection when my mum called me the nickname as opposed to when my distant relatives did. I couldn’t identify if they said it with affection or if they were just being mean, to this day I still don’t know.
too_much_tv
November 12, 2024 at 5:59 AM
Ah, you hit something I hadn’t thought about! I was only thinking about how Yunjae is really good at observing his surroundings. I didn’t think about how being told he’s not feeling emotions contributes to him not being able to identify what he’s feeling.
It’s adorable that your negative nickname was so cute! You were a little sweetie! My mom sometimes called me “schmegege” which apparently has a different negative meaning than I thought? (My mom said it meant “raggamuffin” but it really means know it all, which is unfortunately on the nose.) But not very frequently because she wasn’t feeling that affectionate all the time. I never found it confusing but I heard from other people that it’s confusing for children.
Linarrick
November 12, 2024 at 3:02 AM
3.
Huh interesting I haven’t come across the term nunchi before and reading up on it, I think I’d be pretty bad at it honestly. While I might be able to read the emotions of people who are close to me, I find it difficult to read strangers. Obviously Yunjae would have difficulty, but what I find rather interesting with neurodivergent characters is questioning the “norms” of behaviour and society. I remember a scene where Yunjae realises there can be more than one response to a situation, he questions his mother about this and she responds with only one “correct” answer. There’s also contradictions such as when someone says one thing but means something completely different and how complex human communication can be even to a “normal” person.
4.
In terms of a kdrama character that lacks nunchi, I can only think of the male lead in FLOWER OF EVIL. It’s been a while since I’ve watched it so my memory is kind of fuzzy, but there were scenes where he practices smiling in the mirror and finds communication kind of alien. We’re initially meant to believe that he is a serial killer but it’s later revealed he’s not, so after reading ALMOND he might have the same condition as Yunjae, Alexithymia.
too_much_tv
November 12, 2024 at 6:08 AM
I bet his mom gave him only one correct answer because it would be difficult for a young child to remember all the possible responses. My friend’s autistic kid (who is now getting married, time flies!) used to ask me to test him on facial expressions. I remember pushing him on the swings in their backyard and making faces for him to identify.
“…what I find rather interesting with neurodivergent characters is questioning the “norms” of behaviour and society.” Yes! I really like the way you put that. Also your example of Flower of Evil. I’m not sure which show I was thinking of when I wrote that question, but I feel like a lot of characters in K-dramas have this to a greater or lesser extent. Certainly it takes them ages to realize that they are friends with someone or have a crush on them or are being hit on or are being scammed.
Linarrick
November 12, 2024 at 3:04 AM
6.
I think the author did a good job with having sympathetic parents even if they may not always be considered a “good” parent. I think this is the case especially with Gon’s father Professor Yun. His neglect and shame prevented him from understanding and communicating with Gon. And while I can see his perspective on why he didn’t want Gon to meet his mother, this was a crucial mistake. While Professor Yun may have wanted to absolve any further guilt his wife might have felt, Gon never got the closure to finally meet his mother and in preventing their reunion it sends a message to Gon that he’s not good enough. However, I am glad Professor Yun did learn from his mistakes and is doing his best to be a father to Gon by the end of the novel
7.
I enjoyed scene of Yunjae expressing his fascination of reading books, especially as he so aptly describes that books leave room for the reader to fill in the blanks as opposed to more visual mediums such as film. Personally, I’m not a voracious reader compared to my sister, I may not have this strong passion for reading but I do enjoy it 😊
too_much_tv
November 12, 2024 at 6:17 AM
Professor Yun is a horrible person! I keep thinking about how he prevented his son from seeing his dying mother. It was like his wife was a real person to him but his son was not.
Linarrick
November 12, 2024 at 3:06 AM
8.
I actually found Yunjae’s lack of fear to be more frightening, particularly the scene where he witnesses a boy being beaten up (to death). I wasn’t sure how the scene was going to unfold and the whole time I was reading it I had this eerie feeling for Yunjae’s safety as well as for the boy that was being violently beaten up
9.
While ALMOND deals with rather tough topics, I feel it’s actually quite positive in its conclusion. That even if it’s hard we can mend broken relationships and we can become better people. Yes it takes hard work, being able to apologise meaningfully and put in the work to reconcile but it is doable. The unexpected friendship between Yunjae and Gon I really think is the central message of the novel.
10.
I do feel Yunjae can love, maybe his love isn’t what we typically conceive what love should look like, but it is love regardless. Visiting his mother at hospital everyday and feeling the empty presence of his family no longer being there.
My friends have been branching out and being more social and making new friends. I’m very anxious with meeting new people in real life and I know I should make more of an effort to be more social. I guess I should use the fake it till you make it method, perhaps a goal for the new year 😅
too_much_tv
November 12, 2024 at 6:37 AM
I felt like, if I accepted the terms of the book, whatever scary thing had already happened. It was in the character’s past. Yet it made everything so much more upsetting! It was obviously a trauma for the character, yet he couldn’t tell the story in terms of feelings.
I found Yunjae a very loving and humane person. Even the moments when he has to tell Gon, “Stop, I can’t give you what you want.” I think a lot of people would like to say that to their tormentors. He says and does kind things without being fully aware of how other people are taking it.
Fake it til you make it works sometimes. It’s scary though! I feel like I have great nunchi in some situations, like maybe, 45% of the time! Sometimes I really do not at all. When I’m on I’m really on, but sometimes I am really not! I prefer if there is a thing I’m supposed to say or do. Sometimes people think manners are phony, but it’s actually great to have something to say and do in a tricky situation.
too_much_tv
November 10, 2024 at 6:48 PM
This was a quote from the book that meant a lot to me: “Books took me to places I could never go otherwise. They shared the confessions of people I’d never met and lives I’d never witnessed. The emotions I could never feel, and the events I hadn’t experienced could all be found in those volumes.” One of the aspects of the book I found most touching was Yunjae’s frustration with his inability to understand emotion in print.
Linarrick
November 11, 2024 at 6:47 AM
Quotes that resonated with me and made question my emotions vs actions and my moral convictions:
“A tragedy that’s too distant cannot be ‘your’ tragedy”(p. 240)
“People shut their eyes to a distant tragedy saying there’s nothing they could do, yet they didn’t stand up for one happening nearby either because they’re too terrified. Most people could feel but didn’t act. They said they sympathised, but easily forgot. The way I see it, that was not real. I don’t want to live like that.” (p. 240-241)
“There is no such person who can’t be saved. There are only people who give up on trying to save others” (p. 121)
This was a quote by a fictional character P. J. Nolan.
I think about this quote a lot especially considering in my state election the LNP party won with a campaign on harsher punishment and “adult time” for minors which is bonkers in my opinion, also add to the fact that minors themselves aren’t allowed to vote.
I believe minors can be saved however for adults who do heinous crimes, if I’m honest with myself, in some cases I don’t they can be saved.
Anyway thanks for hosting the book club @toomuchtv I’ll be back with answers to some of the discussion prompts
too_much_tv
November 11, 2024 at 8:09 AM
Adult punishments for minors is a big thing in the US. The idea is, if the crime is bad enough, you’re an adult. I really don’t understand that. How is the nature of the crime supposed to determine whether the person had the understanding or self-control to make a mature decision to commit it?
Linarrick
November 12, 2024 at 2:59 AM
Yes exactly, perfectly said!
Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
November 16, 2024 at 10:07 AM
Thanks so much for the time you took to share your thoughts on this interesting book.
Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
November 16, 2024 at 10:05 AM
Thank you for hosting the DB Bookclub discussion on Almond. I appreciate the thought that went into the questions and I think the responses showed that those who read the book had lots to think about.
I am sorry it was not a book I could read as I feel I missed out on this discussion.
too_much_tv
November 16, 2024 at 4:40 PM
Yeah, only two of us read the book! I thought it was great. I had recently learned that adolescents experience literal physical growth in their amygdala region of the brain. (Apparently it’s really a physical growth, not just additional development!) Since the book starts with the idea that the protagonist has a small amygdala, that was interesting for me. Also I’m relieved that I’m not the only person who grew up with affectionately-meant negative nicknames being a normal thing.
too_much_tv
November 7, 2024 at 1:39 PM
Don’t forget! Our next Beanie bookclub discussion will be Almond by Won Pyung-Sohn this Sunday, 11/10/24.
too_much_tv
November 7, 2024 at 1:40 PM
I’m tagging everyone who has expressed interest in the bookclub, but I will also remind people in the two big weekend discussion threads.
@indyfan @mellowarmadillo @attiton @elinor @ahjummaaa @wonhwa @jls943 @cayong03 @babylilo @ruhi0101 @petrolia @acacia @dramaforever @zindigo @linarrick @ndlessjoie @sonai @kdramajoy @minniegupta1
🌸 Seeker 🌸
November 7, 2024 at 11:36 PM
^^ @unaspirated has changed their tag name 🥰
too_much_tv
November 8, 2024 at 7:27 AM
Thank you for tagging them! The book is really good and I hope at least some people read it.
🌸 Seeker 🌸
November 8, 2024 at 7:47 AM
I hope you guys have a good discussion. The novel seems to deal with a difficult topic rather sensitively.
Minnie🫘👩🏻🚀Pioneer and Teacher 👩🏻🏫🌱🏹
November 8, 2024 at 12:04 PM
I’ll have to sit this one out 🙁
too_much_tv
November 9, 2024 at 3:50 PM
Oh no! OK. I was looking forward to your comments, but of course every book is not for every reader.
too_much_tv
October 11, 2024 at 8:38 AM
Han Kang won the Nobel Prize for Literature! https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/oct/11/stocks-of-han-kangs-books-sell-out-after-nobel-prize-win
too_much_tv
October 11, 2024 at 8:39 AM
Comment was deleted
too_much_tv
October 11, 2024 at 8:46 AM
I read The Vegetarian. I was hoping to read her other books this year. I regret not getting them already! There will be competition in library requests, I predict.
too_much_tv
October 2, 2024 at 10:55 AM
Laughs in “I could have looked this up.”
too_much_tv
September 29, 2024 at 7:39 AM
The next DB book club discussion will be Almond by Won Pyung-Sohn on 11/10/24. More in comments!
too_much_tv
September 29, 2024 at 7:42 AM
Apparently even after four years of the translation being in print, Almond is still so popular that there was a long wait at my public library. I bought the book after waiting a couple of months, and of course it came in immediately after that. (But I returned it in case any of you live here and were waiting to take it out!)
@indyfan @mellowarmadillo @attiton @elinor @ahjummaaa @wonhwa @jls943 @cayong03 @babylilo @ruhi0101 @petrolia @acacia @dramaforever @zindigo @linarrick @ndlessjoie @sonai @kdramajoy @minniegupta1
too_much_tv
September 29, 2024 at 8:34 AM
Here are some discussion questions:
1. Do you like novels with unreliable narrators? Do you think Seon Yunjae counts as an unreliable narrator?
2. Yunjae’s grandmother calls him “adorable little monster.” Did you grow up with negative/teasing nicknames? Is that a norm in your culture/subculture? How do you feel about it?
3. As a total outsider to Korean culture, I’ve been fascinated by the idea of nunchi, loosely translated as emotional intelligence. (We have to use two four-syllable words of Latin origin to translate!) How does the importance of nunchi affect Yunjae in this novel?
4. Which k-dramas have you seen where the main character lacks nunchi? What were some of the narrative pretexts for this? Which of these dramas did you like?
5. Which characters in world literature or popular culture have trouble understanding other people’s emotions? Any favorites?
6. Many k-dramas seem to make an argument about what is good parenting. What does this book have to say about parenting?
7. Throughout the novel, Yunjae expresses his love of books. Why are books important to him? Did you have similar experiences to his with books and reading?
8. This book has some violent scenes. How did Yunjae’s lack of fear affect how you perceived the violence?
9. What does this book have to say about mending relationships and becoming a better person?
10. Can people show love when they don’t understand how another person feels? Is that what Yunjae is doing here? What’s your experience? Have you ever tried to “fake it until you make it” with an action that’s supposed to be motivated by a feeling? Did it work for you? @indyfan @mellowarmadillo @attiton @elinor @ahjummaaa @wonhwa @jls943 @cayong03 @babylilo @ruhi0101 @petrolia @acacia @dramaforever @zindigo @linarrick @ndlessjoie @sonai @kdramajoy @minniegupta1
Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
September 29, 2024 at 9:39 AM
Thanks so much for posting the reminder and these questions for the discussion. It has come around fast. I love the mix of the questions. Looking forward to an interesting discussion.
Elinor, Team Glasses team co-captain
September 29, 2024 at 9:58 AM
I suggest that people not read the questions below if they haven’t yet read the book.
too_much_tv
September 29, 2024 at 1:31 PM
Oh, did I spoil too much? I tried not to put anything that wasn’t on the summary on the book cover.
Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
October 31, 2024 at 10:00 PM
I hope you have fun hosting and get lot’s of engagement on the fan wall. I will be travelling and will be off the site most of the time so will catch up with you on my return. Because it’s a book that covers some heavy topics it may impact on the level of engagement as the usual contributors may have chosen not to read it. I was not able to read/listen to it past a brief intro as it was not my kind of listen but I am keen to see how others found it through their answers to your questions. Hwaiting💪🏾
too_much_tv
October 31, 2024 at 11:01 PM
Thanks! I thought it was a good book. I am not sure how the discussion will go either!
too_much_tv
September 20, 2024 at 8:17 AM
My theory: main leads in Cinderella at 2AM were cast to be cute in promos together, not because of chemistry in the actual drama. Youtube video featuring adorable goofy Himbo-serious Noona antics:
too_much_tv
August 25, 2024 at 7:21 PM
This weekend I read The Old Woman With the Knife by Gu Byeong-mo. Like Un-su Kim’s The Plotters, it was a gory thriller with some tear-jerking scenes. You should read it.
Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
September 29, 2024 at 5:04 AM
Just popping in to check you are still feeling ok about hosting the bookclub discussion on Almond on your fan wall on 10th November. If you are still ok to do this please can you do a post in the next few days before 10th October which will act as a reminder and include the questions you want to explore, as this gives those reading a chance to prepare for the discussion and any beanies who missed the previous promos time to read the book and request being added to the tag list. If you have changed your mind/no longer have capacity, we know life can be unpredictable, and you no longer wish to be involved that’s fine please can you let me know by that deadline so I can find another host.
too_much_tv
September 29, 2024 at 6:48 AM
Yes! I was just thinking about this.
too_much_tv
July 30, 2024 at 3:28 PM
This movie might not get reviewed here as it’s not a drama exactly. It reminded me of Phillip K. Dick’s novel Ubik but less sinister, more heart-warming. Gong Yoo speaks three languages here!
Nessa (Bebe) 🌹
July 30, 2024 at 3:34 PM
Ooh I just saw that the movie has been added to Netflix Canada! If my memory serves me correctly, this is the drama wherein during the promo period, Suzy and Park Bo Gum had to keep dispelling dating rumours 😅
too_much_tv
July 30, 2024 at 6:14 PM
I do not understand the whole dating rumor thing. Maybe sometimes actors actually are dating? I guess that must happen occasionally. It just seems like it makes it super awkward to get any part where the character has a romantic storyline. Anyway they were good in this. Everyone was good, honestly.
Nessa (Bebe) 🌹
July 30, 2024 at 6:38 PM
It personally doesn’t matter to me if an actor/actress I watch and/or like is dating or married. I watch their work because I enjoy it ☺️ Their personal life is theirs to be and I typically don’t pull away from an artist I really like unless they do something especially horrendous. On the contrary, I actually get really happy for celebs who date and get married— celebs are humans, too, and likewise, deserve all the happiness and the SAME happiness as someone not in showbiz 🥰🥰🥰
LaurenSophie
July 31, 2024 at 6:35 AM
I think it happens more often than occasionally, because after all, a lot of people end up meeting and dating people at their job. Throw in a long shoot, spending lots of time together, and a focus on romantic chemistry, and it’s easy to imagine how things can transition from fake to real.
That said, dating rumors–whether based in fact or fiction–have proven to be effective in promoting a show, and can create a lot of buzz and interest in a project. So I see why they come up nearly all the time for most any pairing.
too_much_tv
May 27, 2024 at 11:56 AM
This exhibit was amazing, and I think this news video captures a lot of what was interesting about it. One cool idea: explicit linkages between dramas specifically and Confucian social ideals.
abalyn
May 27, 2024 at 12:23 PM
Did you go on the free day today? I was going to go but missed the bus, and somehow ended up going back to bed on this holiday, lol. I am going to make it happen this summer for sure. I’ve been wanting to go for some time.
Also, do you live in Boston?! I live in Winthrop.
too_much_tv
May 27, 2024 at 12:32 PM
I did go on the free day! We got in line pretty early and didn’t have to wait very long. There were a lot of families with children, and there were special activities: a martial arts demonstration that we caught the end of, and a kimchi making workshop that we didn’t stay to watch.
abalyn
May 27, 2024 at 12:36 PM
Sounds fun. I’m looking forward to seeing it.
Elinor, Team Glasses team co-captain
May 27, 2024 at 12:57 PM
I saw this at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London last year and it’s fabulous! It looks like they’ve added or changed some things to reflect the Korean-American experience. I’m so tempted to go to Boston and see it again.
too_much_tv
May 27, 2024 at 1:44 PM
There were a few pieces by local Korean-American artists, including Timothy Hyunsoo Lee. They had this piece: https://www.artsy.net/artwork/timothy-hyunsoo-lee-lotto-sweet-child-of-mine
bbstl 🧹
May 27, 2024 at 12:37 PM
Wow, this looks great! Now I want to see it.
Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
July 21, 2024 at 9:19 AM
Hi
This is a quick check in before I do the fan wall post about the DB book club autumn read Almond by are you still interesting in hosting? It will take place 10th November 2024.
Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
July 21, 2024 at 9:40 AM
Sorry I missed out the author’s name Wonpyung Sohn
too_much_tv
July 21, 2024 at 2:45 PM
It’s a long way away but I think I can commit! Happy to do it.
Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
July 21, 2024 at 5:15 PM
Thank you so much for confirming. You are right it is hard to know what the future holds but having a name means when I flag the book and date everyone knows who will host and you will have time to think of questions to help us focus while reading and preparing for the discussion.
too_much_tv
July 21, 2024 at 6:36 PM
I enjoy thinking up questions! Thanks for keeping this going and remembering that I said I’d be up for hosting.
Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
July 21, 2024 at 11:06 PM
No worries. I keep notes to remind me of important things like this🥰
There are some questions online and I found a summary guide where only the front page was free it sounds like its going to be quite a read with violence and discrimination re neurodiversity being highlighted as themes that could be upsetting. I will flag this in the post so anyone likely to be offended/upset can make an informed decision whether to read it/join the discussion.
too_much_tv
April 12, 2024 at 7:46 AM
As soon as I saw this scene, I thought, “Who is the beanie who hates high heels?” @dncingemma are you watching this show? I wasn’t, but now I am!
🌸 Seeker 🌸
April 12, 2024 at 8:56 AM
Apparently these Roger Vivier did actually get sold out after the episode aired. 😊
bbstl 🧹
April 12, 2024 at 10:33 AM
omg, the way they frame him as all Prince Charming holding the shoes and then his fake smile 🤣😂🤣😂 thanks for highlighting this again !
too_much_tv
March 2, 2024 at 4:25 PM
This is a graphic novel by a Korean-American artist, not a k-drama. Yet I think a lot of people on Dramabeans would enjoy it!
too_much_tv
February 2, 2024 at 10:07 AM
I’m really enjoying Knight Flower, starring Honey Lee, Lee Jong Won, Honey Lee’s dimple, and a bunch of other faves. Also I figured out that Lee Young-ji raps the outro theme, appropriately.
🌸 Seeker 🌸
February 2, 2024 at 10:09 AM
Lee Hanee’s dimples legit feel like a surprise on her face and make her even cuter!! 😍
Blue (@mayhemf)
February 2, 2024 at 11:40 AM
How is our boy going to resist her now! Going to get harder. Must protect Joseon tables 😂😂
Flix_Crusin
February 2, 2024 at 10:41 AM
It’s a delight! I binged 4 episodes in a day haha
Elinor, Team Glasses team co-captain
February 2, 2024 at 1:38 PM
Knight Flower is so good! It’s so good I want to save both episode to enjoy at once, because I hate the wait between them each week, but I can’t because beanies are gonna be all over the fanwall fizzing with joy at the latest antics and I can’t stay away.
🌸 Seeker 🌸
February 2, 2024 at 6:45 PM
Oh! The Beans with their “no chill”, always popping out with spoilers on the Fanwalls. 😜🥳
indyfan
February 2, 2024 at 6:57 PM
There’s a bit of a lag with Knight Flower, at least for me cos subs take a while to load on Viki. Still waiting!
🌸 Seeker 🌸
February 2, 2024 at 8:33 PM
I totally think after all those years of drama watching I can do without subs and see the raw versions like in the ole’ days … 😂 but subs are actually better and I end up watching twice. Last time that happened to me was for Crazy Love. 😁
kiara
February 3, 2024 at 8:39 AM
It’s my weekly dose of K- drama happiness. I can’t wait. LOL