Archive · 27 Oct 2025
Novel's Critique: South Korean Novel Asks, 'Would You Fire Your Boss?'
Imagine a book where office workers get fed up with their boss and decide to do something about it.
That's the story!
It's about a woman named Jihye who works at a company in South Korea.
She's tired of the boring work and the unfair rules.
With the help of some friends, she starts a plan to take down their bad boss, and even bigger problems too.
They get rid of office bullies and then some, but they learn that changing a whole system is a lot harder than they thought.
The story is a look at what it’s like to work in today's world and whether it's worth fighting back or just trying to survive.
The novel 'Counterattacks at Thirty' depicts office workers challenging corporate culture.
Jihye, an extended intern, works at a company offering soft skill courses.
Guyok, another intern, encourages Jihye and others to rebel against their superiors.
The group's initial success leads to attempts to confront larger figures.
The story critiques overwork and the commercialization of art and culture.
- Who
- A group of office workers led by Jihye and Guyok.
- What
- They attempt to challenge the corporate culture.
- When
- The novel is set in the 21st century.
- Where
- Seoul, South Korea.
- Why
- To fight against the banality of corporate work and overworking culture.
Workers' Perspectives
Corporate Culture
Workplace Dissatisfaction
Workers' Perspectives
Employees experience frustration due to mundane tasks and unfair treatment.
Corporate Culture
Corporate culture accepts overworking as a normal practice.
Individual Resistance vs. Systemic Change
Workers' Perspectives
Individual actions can spark change.
Corporate Culture
Overthrowing a system requires more than individual resistance.
- Novel Title
- Counterattacks at Thirty
- Author
- Won-Pyung Sohn
- Translator
- Sean Lin Halbert
- Setting
- South Korea
- Protagonist
- Jihye