“잊혀진 전쟁”과 세계화를 넘어: 폴 윤의『원스 더 쇼어』에 나타난 역사와 소통

Abstract

The publication of Paul Yoon’s first book, Once the Shore, heralded the arrival of a remarkable new voice in the Korean American literature scene. This essay examines the unique manner in which this collection of short stories “re-presents” the traumatic modern history of Korea. On an imaginary Korean island where Once the Shore is set, the memory of the violent Korean past－Japanese imperialism, World War II, American military occupation, the Korean War, etc.－is all but lost. In the story “Once the Shore,” this historical amnesia, along with American imperialism and global tourism, alienate the traumatized main characters from each other. Despite their complete difference, however, they manage to show kindness to each other, which leads to significant moments of ethical communication. This unconventional form of communication disrupts the conventional boundaries created by nationality and ethnicity, while prompting a re-evaluation and re-interpretation of the past and present. Thus exploring the impact of foreign—mostly American—power on an isolated yet global space, Yoon sets the trauma of Korean history in the international context, and seeks to resolve it through transnational connections between different individuals. Even though a complete and transparent understanding of each other is rendered impossible, the acts of kindness to the human Other begin the process of remembering and healing.