Drumbeat (Bi-lingual, Vol 71 – Taboo and Desire)

Author: Song Yong
Translated by: Sohn Suk-joo
Publisher: Asia Publishers, 2014
Original title: 북소리
Link to online store *

After saying goodbye to my old landlady, I wandered aimlessly around the streets of Nongol. I dropped by the Swan Coffee Shop for a cup of coffee and bought a few cigarettes from the women by the road. When dusk fell, I climbed up the hillside crowded with shanties. I couldn’t hear the sound of the drum, even as I neared the summit. Up there, it was lonely and quiet like a tomb. Had the shaman died while I was away? Hadn’t I said she would keep beating the drum until she passed away?

Not available on Kindle it seems. The best bet currently is Seoul Selection, as the Amazon US price is a bit steep.

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