- Overview
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Jenga blows the whistle on corruption scandals and irregularities such as close ties between companies and news outlets, sexual harassment based on the culture of hospitality and hierarchy, and the social system that covers up any problem that may occur. Such cases are scattered throughout society like mines hidden deep under the surface.
- Book Intro
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"The novel is set in the fictional city of Gojin. A lot of money circulates in this medium-sized city. Located in Gojin, Naeil Electric Wire is a well-established subsidiary of Mirae Electric Wire, a leading conglomerate in South Korea. The company has the power and capital to control even journalists, and pays the most competitive wages in the industry. However, in reality, things are not all that bright. Male employees are openly favored over their female counterparts, and the executives hold onto the ridiculous belief that those born and bred in Gojin are more likely to be loyal to the company. However, even the empire of injustice begins to crack little by little.
At Naeil Electric Wire, Yoon Hyeon-jong has his eyes on the position of Head of the Management Division. His path to a promotion hits a rocky patch when it is revealed that his junior staff Lee Hyeong-gyu has sexually harassed one of the new recruits. Another candidate for the job, Kim Ho-yeol is quick to capitalize on this opportunity. When his subordinate Seo Hee-cheol gets embroiled in a lawsuit over a misplaced order, Kim urges him to pay compensation out of his own pocket. Offended by the injustice of Kim’s order, Seo posts an anonymous complaint on the company’s online bulletin board. Embarrassed, Kim pays compensation with his own money, and then goes after Seo by telling Lee Hyeong-gyu in the Management Division to do a background check on him. Having been suspended from work for sexually harassing a new employee, Lee agrees to do as he is told so he can get back to the office. The desire to get to a high position, coupled with the foolish belief that they must trample over others to survive, opens another door to hell within that ugly reality.
In this lively theater of the absurd, the author places vivid and realistic characters on top of the carefully stacked pile of ""Jenga."" The novel questions how we can gain strength to build solidarity and maintain our daily lives within a gigantic organization in Korea. Further, it reveals that irrationalities in one company reflect the whole of Korean society, and thus points to ""irrationalities within irrationalities."" "
- About the Author
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Jeong Jinyoung
Born in 1981 in Daejeon, Jeong Jinyoung studied law at Hanyang University, and worked as a journalist for eleven years—in editorial, social, cultural and industrial departments. Jeong’s novel The Journey to Dohwachon won The Chosun Ilbo Fantasy Literature Award. His novel Silence Warning won the 2nd Baekhoimje Literary Award and was adapted into the TV show Hush. Jeong currently serves as a member of the selection committee for the Korean Popular Music Award. He co-authored 100 Great Korean Pop Music Albums and released his own album Old Sundries.