Written by Han Jung Young

As its title, ‘Metamorphosis in Seoul’, this book was originally written by the writer, Han Jung Young inspired by the famous literature work of ‘Metamorphosis’ by Franz Kafka. The main character, Ban Hee, in ‘Metamorphosis in Seoul’ turned into a rabbit in a day just like the main character, Gregor Samsa, of ‘Metamorphosis’ by Kafka, who turned into a bug all of sudden one day.

Both of these two characters who turned into a bug or a rabbit have in common, which is they are useless in their society. Gregor Samsa could not earn money after being a bug, and Ban Hee could not take a test after being a rabbit. If Ban Hee can’t take a test, or if she cannot be the best student in class, she is not useful to her parents any more. Her mother wants Ban Hee to be excellent and be the most brilliant student in class because her sister is in short of intelligent ability. Her father also prepares for the next election as a current city council member, so her academic grade is more important than anything for his reputation. Ban Hee as a rabbit is useless and they don’t even hesitate to throw her away.

If ‘Metamorphosis’ by Frantz Kafka makes readers think of what makes our life is better than the life of a bug, and also makes us consider the issue of human existence and solitude, ‘Metamorphosis in Seoul’ by Han Jung Young uses a high school student character turned into a rabbit to send such a heavy message to the youth, their parents, and our society who only evaluate humans based on usefulness and functions and especially think that the academic grades and college levels are the entire function of humans.