A world with no exit that was dredged up from the mire of life

In this short story collection by Jo Mihyeong, a world where cruel market logic dominates society and inhumane systems support the cities is depicted through the painful symptoms of insomnia, itching, and migraines, which torment the characters and various aspects of their lives.

“Xingpuchun, 4:00 AM,” the title story of the collection, is the very symbolic embodiment of the book’s theme. After having failed in business, “I” makes a living by tanning rawhide in Tongling, China. However, “I” turns into a slave of debt who is harassed by a loan shark called Boss Jang. His wife is dragged to and assaulted by the loan shark and ends up dying, but “I” cannot accept this tragedy as reality. Although he made the decisions in order to buy medicine for his wife and to afford to return to his hometown, “I” finds himself in an even worse predicament.