Every four years, amazing athletes come together from all over the world to compete for Olympic medals for their countries. The Winter Games include everything from the beauty of ice skating to the sheer danger of skeleton races. Host cities have to pull off everything from building the facilities for each competition to coming up with a representative mascot for the Games.
PyeongChang hosted the 2018 Winter Games, showing the world what South Korea has to offer. These books and movies pull you into this Olympic venue—and South Korean culture—without having to fly to the peninsula.
Cultural Guides
Graphic Novels - 641.59519 Ha
A fun and visual introduction to Korean cooking. This graphic novel includes 64 recipes and information on often used Korean ingredients. Cooking steps are fully illustrated in comic form along with personal anecdotes and cultural insights.
Adult Nonfiction - 641.5951 Hol
Series: Anthony Bourdain book
Graham Holliday spent some time in South Korea in the mid-1990s and traveled back there to taste the foods he remembered from then only to find that those traditional flavors are changing with the influx of Western dishes and fusions. Throughout the book he still seeks out the traditional flavors he remembers and is able to describe his finds in such rich detail that you will get a hint of gochujang spiciness in your mouth as you read.
Adult Nonfiction - 915.19 Tud
This guide covers all the cultural aspects of South Korea with great photographs and articles. It includes everything from Buddhism and Confucianism to pop culture and Taekwondo. Mini-guides to author's favorite neighborhoods in Seoul as well as chapters on cultural norms and practices that are uniquely Korean add to this great look into South Korea.
Available from eLibrary resources
A practical introduction to Korean methods of skincare and makeup by two influential beauty bloggers, Kerry Thompson and Coco Park. Includes everything from multi-step Korean skincare routines to Seoul-inspired makeup looks. Find out how to get flawless looking skin using Asian skin-care philosophies, for all skin types and ethnicities.
Fiction
Young Adult Fiction - Y Oh
A dystopian science fiction novel that takes place in the Neo State of Korea in 2199. The story takes on difficult themes but includes a lot of warmth and humor. "Equal parts K-drama (Korean drama) and sci-fi blockbuster, Oh blends futuristic tech, authentic Korean culture, and romance in this complex, utterly engrossing, and wholly fresh story that is sure to entice a wide array of readers." --Booklist Reviews
Available from eLibrary resources
The narrator begins to tell a story about the attempted robbery of his house, but soon begins freely associating real and imagined events that travel to far-off places like France and Nepal and cover topics from the philosophical to historically obscure. The themes are disparate, but come together to tell the story of the writing process. Jung is one of South Korea's more award-winning and eccentric authors.
Adult Fiction - Han
Winner of the 2016 Man Booker International Prize, The Vegetarian, tells the story of Yeong-hye, an ordinary and submissive wife, that turns vegetarian after a nightmare in defiance of her husband's expectations. The book was originally written in Korean as three novellas. It is a disturbing tale about family dysfunction. Want to know more? Read this excellent review from Dory.
Movies
Adult Audiovisual - Tra
A zombie-virus breaks out in South Korea and a couple of train passengers struggle to survive the ride from Seoul to Busan. It is directed by Yeon Sang-ho in Korean with English subtitles. According to Variety it is expected to get an English remake. Watch it now to get the full Korean experience.
Available from Kanopy
In 1636 during the second Manchu invasion of Korea, Nam-Yi vows to save his sister and her groom and defeat the Manchurians with his single bow when they kidnap them on their wedding day. -- Baker & Taylor This was the highest grossing film in Korea in 2011. Truly immersive experience in Korean.
Music
Adult Asian - 789.29519 Shi
SHINee provides a modern twist on the R&B style of this K-pop band on this studio album. It is the last album from the band before one of their members, Jonghyun, committed suicide. The album has a retro late 1980s-90s feel.
Adult Audiovisual - 789.295 Bts
BTS started out as a hip-hop inspired K-pop band but has moved beyond their original sound with the Wings album. Their lead single, Blood Sweat & Tears, is a much more symphonic piece overall.