Acclaimed Korean author Bora Chung has ventured into new literary territory with her latest work "Midnight Timetable," a collection of interconnected ghost stories that marks a departure from her previous science fiction offerings. The book, translated into English by Anton Hur and published by Algonquin Books, presents a haunting exploration of supernatural phenomena while addressing deep-rooted social issues through the lens of horror.

The narrative structure centers around stories shared by a senior employee, referred to as "sunbae," at a mysterious organization called the Institute, which serves as a hotbed for paranormal activity. The sunbae, who is visually impaired, serves as both narrator and guide for the newest Institute employee, sharing chilling tales with a conversational tone that draws readers into an intimate storytelling experience. This unique perspective challenges traditional notions of perception, as the storyteller relies on senses beyond sight to convey the supernatural encounters.

Chung opens the collection with a reflection on the liminal hours between 1 and 3 a.m., writing: "I read somewhere that no matter how many hours one sleeps in a day, a normal person has to be asleep at some point between 1 and 3 a.m. They do say the time between 1 and 3 a.m. are when ghost sightings are the most common. Maybe a lack of sleep during those hours makes people see things." These midnight hours serve as the temporal backdrop for the supernatural events that unfold throughout the collection.

The ghost stories themselves feature disturbing imagery and supernatural manifestations that serve as metaphors for real-world horrors. Readers encounter haunted handkerchiefs, animal corpses bearing surgical wounds, sheep that roam while carrying the spiritual weight of abuse and murder, and a green-eyed cat nailed to death that becomes possessed by the spirit of a woman who died unjustly. These supernatural elements create an atmosphere of dread while pointing to deeper societal problems.

While the collection features traditional horror elements including killings, disappearing stairwells, and visits from the undead, Chung uses these supernatural occurrences to illuminate more profound sources of terror rooted in contemporary society. The author weaves social commentary throughout the ghostly narratives, addressing issues such as misogyny, extreme evangelical ideologies, and the dehumanizing effects of capitalism. Though these themes have become common in modern literature, Chung presents them with renewed urgency and power.

The sunbae character offers philosophical insight into the nature of perception and reality, stating: "What we can see and hear and touch in this world is very limited. And so perhaps it's true we don't know much about the world at all. We like to say there's nothing new under the sun, but we don't have the slightest inkling of how many things there are, indeed, under the sun." This perspective underscores the collection's exploration of hidden truths and unseen realities.

Chung transforms the supernatural elements into social omens, using them to reveal the fragile nature of reality and the consequences of human actions. As each short story unfolds and the injustices within them become apparent, they collectively form the structure of a novel that exposes life's horrors with prophetic intensity. The author suggests that omens, regardless of how they manifest, serve as temporal markers that help distinguish between past and present while hinting at future possibilities.

The title "Midnight Timetable" draws inspiration from Chung's real-world observations. During a book talk held on November 15 on the rooftop of dbBOOKS warehouse to celebrate the English release, the author explained that the title comes from the schedule for night buses displayed above ticket windows at the station in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, where she resides. This mundane object serves as a metaphor for organizing liminal space for liminal beings, those who exist between worlds.

When asked about her personal beliefs regarding the supernatural during the book talk's question period, Chung revealed that while she believes in ghosts, she has never encountered one and hopes not to experience such a meeting. This admission adds an intriguing layer to her work, suggesting that her ghost stories emerge from imagination and social observation rather than personal paranormal experiences.

For readers who find themselves too frightened to stay awake during the strange hours when supernatural beings are said to roam, "Midnight Timetable" offers a safe window into an unseen world. The collection serves as both a gateway to mystery and horror while providing clear insight into the very real world readers inhabit daily. The book successfully bridges the gap between supernatural fiction and social commentary, making it accessible to those seeking both entertainment and enlightenment.

"Midnight Timetable" is currently available for purchase through dbbooks.com, continuing Chung's tradition of bringing Korean literature to international audiences through skilled translation and compelling storytelling.