Stories Alive! Human Acts
Stories Alive! Human Acts
Democracy at all costs
Zemii Tours is honored to present the fifth in many Stories Alive! Tours. The fifth tour is based off of the novel Human Acts by Han Kang. Published in 2017. This novel based on real world events takes you to the rising of youth against the former military dictator, Chun Doo-Hwan, in Gwangju, South Korea in the week of May 18-27, 1980. This award-winning and controversial novel portrays the universal struggle for justice and political unrest.
The Story
As described on Amazon:
This is a story seeped in South Korean history but rooted in the stronghold of humanity. In Human Acts, Kang recounts a violent uprising in Gwangju, South Korea in 1980 and begins unapologetically with the bodies – the bodies piled unclaimed and rotting of the students that were murdered. Dong-ho, a young teenager looks for his friend amidst the rubble, clinging to the proximity of his friend’s last breath. Refusing to go home, Dong-ho is murdered. From there, Kang’s epic novel blooms outward, telling the stories of friends, family, prisoners, editors that are haunted, ruined and ravaged by the atrocities of that day. Kang is uncompromisingly raw in her portrayal of the violence, censorship and political corruption that pervades the lives of these South Koreans. She unfurls how trauma extends across generations, how forgetting is impossible and how human touch can still incite hope: “it felt as they were rethreading the sinews of that world heart, patching up the fissures from which blood had flowed, making it beat again.” Human Acts is a triumph of sustained force and poetry.
--Al Woodworth, The Amazon Book Review
In the midst of a violent student uprising in South Korea, a young boy named Dong-ho is shockingly killed.
The story of this tragic episode unfolds in a sequence of interconnected chapters as the victims and the bereaved encounter suppression, denial, and the echoing agony of the massacre. From Dong-ho’s best friend who meets his own fateful end; to an editor struggling against censorship; to a prisoner and a factory worker, each suffering from traumatic memories; and to Dong-ho's own grief-stricken mother; and through their collective heartbreak and acts of hope is the tale of a brutalized people in search of a voice.
An award-winning, controversial bestseller, Human Acts is a timeless, pointillist portrait of an historic event with reverberations still being felt today, by turns tracing the harsh reality of oppression and the resounding, extraordinary poetry of humanity.
The Author
Han Kang was born in Gwangju in 1970. Her family moved to Seoul shortly before the uprising in Gwangju took place. Her connection and family history in Gwangju made it possible for her to be able to conduct intimate interviews with those who were there during the uprising, allowing them to give voice to their experience. In this video interview, she goes into great depth of her experience during the interview process and why this book was so important for her to write.
Her literary career spans poetry and other novels focusing on Korea. She has won many literary awards in her career, including the Seoul Shinmun Spring Literary Contes, the 25th Korean Novel Award, Today’s Young Artist Award by Culture Ministry Korea, YiSang Literary Award, Dongri Literary Award, Manhae literary prize (for Human Acts), Hwang Sun-won literary award, Kim Yujung Literary Prize, Man Booker International Prize, Malaparte Prize in Italy (for Human Acts), San Clemete Prize in Spain, and she served as the fifth writer for the Future Library project in Norway.
Why a Tour?
Korean history is very rich and complex. In order to fully grasp all that their culture has been through, it is best to see it first hand. At the moment, many countries around the world are becoming more aware of this small country through the popularity of KPop and KDramas (I’m not going to lie, I’m a huge fan myself). Yet, if you step foot in its current capital city of Seoul, you get simultaneous glimpses of kingdoms long gone, reminders of communism in North Korea, and simultaneous reinforcement of the great progress they have made as a nation since their own military dictatorship. They have endured Japanese occupation and Chinese invasion as well. They are a resilient people, and one of the kindest cultures I’ve had a the pleasure to experience first hand. I honestly felt like we were adopted by many people in our time spent in Seoul. It has left a remarkable memory that I will never forget. I’m not going to lie, I watch KDramas to transport myself back on a regular basis.
This tour will take you through the history of the nation within the boundaries of the city of Seoul. You will have a better understanding of all that they have endured and also experience the grandeur of where they are today. Equality is still a regular fight that they continue to pursue, so there is no perfect ending. However, the degree to which this country continues to overcome massive obstacle over massive obstacle and still remain a loving culture never ceases to amaze me. Resilience is in their blood. You have to experience it for yourself.
The Tour
Discover the history of democracy in South Korea as you explore the city of Seoul through the eyes of Human Acts. Stay in a 5-Star hotel in the center of the city where you will be taken on an exploration of strength, courage, and rebirth. Enjoy Korean gastronomy, culture, spas, and unique tours of the region.
The tour is centered around Seoul. Due to the theme of resilience, we are going to expect a little effort on this tour that isn’t quite on par with the other tours. You begin your journey with a hike at Bukhansan National Park. This is the perfect way to offset your jet lag and get the blood moving again. This will be followed by a spa experience in the afternoon and an evening river cruise to settle into the beauty of the city. Other places explored on this tour include Yeouido Hangang Park where you will experience an evening picnic and live entertainment, Gyeongbokgung Palace, National Folk Museum of Korea, Bukchon Hanok Village, Jogyesa Temple (you will be there at the launch of the Lantern Parade for Buddha’s Birthday as well), Insadong, Kyung-In Museum of Fine Art, Cheonggyecheon Stream, Baek In-je's House, Kwangjang Market, DMZ, Changgyeonggung Palace, Nami Island, Petite France, The Garden of Morning Calm, Aquafield Sauna and Spa and Dragonhill Spa, Gangnam, Bongeunsa Temple, Seolleung & Jeongneung Royal Tomb, Gangnam Underground Shopping area, the Lantern Parade, and finally ending at Paradise City. Throughout your stay, you will be at the Westin Josun Seoul.
