Book Review: Jamong Salgu Club
- Seoyeon Kim
- Apr 6
- 2 min read
Apr 4, 2026
Seoyeon Kim
Not strongly recommended. While the book attempts to explore serious themes such as youth, pain, and the desire to live, it sometimes feels like it treats the topic of suicide too lightly or too casually. Although it is readable and emotionally engaging at moments, I personally found it difficult to fully recommend.
Jamong Salgu Club is not a simple coming-of-age story. It deals with heavy issues such as depression, abuse, isolation, and the fragile mental state of adolescents. The novel follows a group of four teenagers, Soha, Taesu, Yumin, Bohyeon, who each carry deep emotional wounds and gather in a mysterious space called the “Jamong Salgu Club.”
The story begins when the protagonist encounters a strange “ticket” that leads her to this secret club. This club becomes a place where individuals who feel like they are on the edge of life come together. They form bonds, share their pain, and try to find reasons to keep living, even if only for one more day.
As the plot unfolds, each character’s background is revealed through separate chapters. Some suffer from family abuse, others from pressure, loneliness, or identity struggles. The club members spend time together in places like music rooms, rooftops, and hidden spaces, creating moments of temporary escape from reality.
However, the story gradually becomes darker. One of the central turning points is when Taesu, who initially appears strong and stable, ultimately chooses death. This event deeply affects the remaining members and exposes how fragile their sense of hope really is.
The ending is especially controversial. The protagonist, pushed to the edge by continuous violence and suffering, makes an extreme decision in order to survive. Rather than offering a clear resolution, the novel leaves readers with an unsettling question about whether survival itself can justify certain actions.
The main theme of the novel revolves around the idea that “wanting to die” may actually be a desperate expression of “wanting to live.” The characters are not truly seeking death, but rather an escape from unbearable circumstances.
While this message is meaningful, the way it is portrayed can feel ambiguous. At times, the repeated references to suicide and self-harm come across as normalized or even casual, which may be uncomfortable or problematic for some readers.
In terms of writing style, the prose is emotional and accessible. The author creates a dreamlike atmosphere that blends reality with surreal elements, making the story feel both intimate and distant at the same time. The symbolism—such as the grapefruit and apricot imagery—effectively represents the mixture of bitterness and sweetness in life.
However, despite its emotional depth, the novel may not resonate positively with everyone. The handling of such sensitive topics requires careful balance, and in this case, it may feel insufficient or overly stylized rather than responsibly explored.
Overall, Jamong Salgu Club is a book that tries to portray the struggles of youth and the thin line between life and death. It contains powerful moments and meaningful ideas, but also raises concerns about how it presents suicide and emotional suffering. For that reason, although it may be worth reading out of curiosity, it is not a book I would actively recommend.
