One Hundred Shadows

One Hundred Shadows by Hwang Jungeun is a quiet yet haunting novel that blurs the line between reality and the surreal. Set in a rundown electronics market in Seoul, the story follows Eungyo and Mujae, two young repair shop assistants who form a gentle bond as they navigate the struggles of their daily lives. Mysteriously, shadows in the city begin to rise, a strange phenomenon that hints at the presence of unseen forces—perhaps representing the weight of hardship, memory, or even impending loss. With poetic prose and an understated atmosphere, the novel captures themes of poverty, resilience, and human connection in a rapidly changing world.