Hunger

Hunger is a hauntingly poetic Korean novella originally titled The Proof of Ku,that fiercely blurs the boundaries between love, loss, and the human appetite for connection. The story begins at its most brutal moment: Dam discovers her lover Gu has been murdered on the street, and inexplicably cradles his corpse to her chest. Time seems to pause as she brings him home, ritually cleans him, and then begins to consume his body;fulfilling a pact so they may remain eternally together .

Through alternating, at times interwoven perspectives between Dam and Gu, the novella retraces their lives: from childhood and teenage years to adulthood, exploring their deep bond, economic hardships, and the forces that drew them together . Though graphic, the cannibalism is symbolic,an intense allegory for grief, love, and the desire to internalise another person when facing mortality .

At just over 200 pages, Hunger combines psychological horror, philosophical depth, and dark romance. Critics call it a “morbidly beautiful” exploration of obsessive love, one that is both disturbing and strangely tender .