1st Session

(Small Talk)

1. Please introduce yourself to members.

2. How was your exam?

3. What was the difficult exam(or class) to study?

Han Kang’s Nobel Prize opens new horizons for Korean literature

Han Kang's Nobel Prize win Thursday brought the recognition Koreans have long sought: For decades Koreans have been fixated on the question of when Korea would win a Nobel Prize in literature.

As novelist Kim Young-ha noted in his message of congratulations, the question of whether the Korean language, once threatened with extinction during the Japanese colonial era, could find its rightful place in world literature has haunted the collective consciousness of Koreans since liberation.

The weekend has been a festive one for the country as Han expressed her hope that her win would bring joy to readers of Korean literature and Koreans celebrated being able to read works by a Nobel laureate in the original language, Hangeul.

As the Swedish Academy's Nobel Committee noted, the core themes in Han's oeuvre confront "historical traumas” and expose “the fragility of human life” through “intense poetic prose." Literary critics highlight that universal themes combined with Korean historical traumas like the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising (1980) and the Jeju April 3 Uprising and Massacre (1948-1949) have captured the attention of the literary community overseas. “Korean literature from earlier eras often focused on representing and engaging with the vast historical currents of war, colonization and division, as well as the subsequent industrialization and democratization," said Yoo Sung-ho, a professor of Korean literature at Hanyang University.

"What sets Han’s works apart is that, while they confront history and its traumas, they do so not through realistic presentation, but by delving into introspection," according to Yoo.

"I am very happy that the new perspectives, methods, language and style of the writer, who began her career during the transition of Korean literature to a more open and democratic phase, after overcoming the chaotic times of the '70s and '80s, are receiving recognition," said Kwon Young-min, a professor emeritus of Korean literature at Seoul National University.

"She is still a young writer in her 50s, someone who has much to offer and an infinite potential for future works. Han is a tremendous treasure in Korean literature," he said.

Discussion

-What kinds of books do you like?

-Why doesn’t everybody enjoy reading?

-If you wrote a book, what would you write about?

2nd Session

(Small Talk)

1. Introduce yourself.

2. Are you a ‘house and home’ person?

3. Would you rather live in a house or an apartment?

4. While at home, what is your typical routine? During the week and on the weekends, what types of things do you do?

Less Is More: What Is 'Underconsumption Core'?

"Less is more," they say.And a new social media trend is supporting this idea by encouraging people to stop buying new things, and use what they already have.

"Underconsumption core" content shows people using items and wearing clothes they've had for a long time, instead of buying new things often promoted by influencers.

In the last decade or so, social media has become the home of influencer marketing, where popular content creators use their platforms to promote products to their followers. This might be anything from showing clothes they've recently bought to opening ― or "unboxing" ― new products and reviewing them.

According to Statista, 28% of TikTok users bought products influenced by celebrity content in 2022. But some people are growing tired of being told what to buy.

Diana Wiebe, a TikTok creator and self-named "de-influencer," went viral in 2023 when she posted a video of herself reacting to an influencer shopping at Target, an American discount retail chain. In the video, Wiebe can be seen calling almost every item she sees "garbage," adding, "You don't need that. "Many TikTok users supported her message in the comments. Talking to Atlanta-basedScripps News, Wiebe explained that the new trend is "a direct rejection of overconsumption."

Another TikTok creator, Sabrina Pare, is sharing the same message to her 250,000 followers through videos showing her using items she's had for years, as well as reusing old materials and wearing secondhand clothes.

The content shows followers how underconsumption saves money and is better for the environment. A 2017 report estimated that 83 million metric tons of shoes and clothing was thrown away in 2015, and that could increase to 134 million metric tons by 2030.

While Wiebe toldScripps Newsthat companies making new products may have the biggest impact on the environment, she added, "If we consume less, they're not going to produce as much, and hopefully there will be less waste as well."

Discussion

-What are your thoughts on underconsumption core? Are you minimalisam or maximalism?

-Have you ever bought something that an influencer recommended? What was it?

-Do you make a lot of impulse purchases?

-When was the last time you bought something and regretted it immediately?

-What are some of your most prized possessions?