We Do Not Part

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Which portions of this novel provoked a strong emotional response? What was it that you found compelling or disturbing? Point to specific scenes or passages that most resonated with you.

2. Did Inseon’s or Kyungha’s experiences of grief and loss resonate with your own experiences? Why or why not?

3. Have you ever uncovered difficult family history or long-buried family secrets? What was that experience like, and how does it compare to Inseon’s?

4. What kind of society does this novel depict? Consider both the larger society and the personal interactions that the characters have throughout the novel. How do Korea’s political history and religious traditions compare with your own?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. How does this novel speak to Korea’s current political crises? What broader argument might Han Kang be making about the place of history in contemporary politics?

2. How does the setting of Jeju Island impact the narrative? Why did the author choose to set this novel on Jeju? How might it have been different if it had taken place somewhere else?

3. How do this novel’s depictions of mass killings and political atrocities speak to other conflict zones around the world?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. How does the book’s use of dreams and ambiguity help the author to investigate themes related to cultural trauma, memory, grief, and loss?

2. Discuss Kyungha and Inseon’s friendship. How does their relationship impact them as characters? Consider each character’s development in your discussion. How are they alike? How are they different? How does this impact their relationship?

3. How are Jeju and G—— related, and what impact does each character’s history with each place have on their relationship?

4. Are there key themes other than grief and loss, the impact of hidden cultural trauma, and the importance of connection that you identified? What are they, and how does the author explore them?

5. Discuss this author’s use of symbolism. How do the various symbols for death help the author explore the impact of mass killings on the Korean cultural unconscious?