HUMAN TRAUMA AND CROSS-BORDER WAR MEMORIES: A VIETNAMESE - KOREAN INTERCULTURAL DIALOGUE THROUGH THE IMAGES OF KIEN (BAO NINH'S THE SORROW OF WAR) AND KON-SUK (BANG HYUN SUK'S LOBSTER EATING TIME)

Abstract

This article approaches the image of the traumatized individual in post-war literature by comparing Kien in Bao Ninh's “The Sorrow of War” and Kon-Suk in Bang Hyun Suk's “Time to Eat Lobster” from an intercultural perspective. Through manifestations such as fragmented memories, shattered ideals, and identity crises, the study shows that war trauma is not only a personal experience but also a collective memory structure that continues to influence post-war life. Comparing the two characters highlights similarities in their traumatic experiences and the process of demystifying war, while also pointing out differences in historical context and memory construction mechanisms. From this, the article affirms the Vietnam War as a cross-border memory and emphasizes the role of literature in constructing intercultural dialogue, opening up possibilities for reflection and moving towards reconciliation.