Migrant Women's Lives Bloom in 'Strawberry Theory' Novel

Kim Sum's latest novel, 'Strawberry Theory,' offers a poignant exploration of the lives of migrant women working in South Korea's strawberry fields. Narrated as an extended letter from Shapae, a migrant worker from Myanmar, to Bopa, a fellow Cambodian worker on the same farm, the novel delves into the complex realities of migration, labor exploitation, and the intersection of class, gender, and language barriers.

The opening line, "I came as one person," starkly contrasts with the harsh realities faced by the workers. Their existence is defined by inadequate housing in vinyl greenhouses, precarious employment conditions that could lead to 'illegal immigrant' status at any moment, and exposure to various forms of violence. In this environment, the strawberry itself, valued for its marketability, takes precedence over the human beings who cultivate it. The hands that pick strawberries become conduits for remittances to home countries, are lent out for other farm work, or are exposed to dangerous conditions alongside livestock and machinery.

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I came as one person.

The novel introduces the concept of 'moremdaum,' a term coined by the protagonist, meaning "beauty born from not knowing." This concept emerges as the workers, stripped of their own languages and cultural contexts, find a new way to understand their world and connect with each other. Despite facing a system where their Korean language skills are deemed irrelevant or even undesirable by employers, Shapae and her colleagues persist in communication. Bopa, for instance, diligently writes in a diary each night, a practice Shapae observes as she writes her letter.

'Strawberry Theory' illustrates how the protagonist's journey of self-narration, beginning with her experiences as a Myanmar woman, extends to encompass the shared struggles of fellow migrant women workers and ultimately reaches Korean readers. This narrative arc demonstrates a powerful act of solidarity and understanding, transforming the isolation and exploitation faced by these women into a shared experience of 'moremdaum' and a testament to their resilience.

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All of us girls picking strawberries, Wan Na, Tu La, the Vietnamese girls, the Filipino girls, we were all born from moremdaum.