Kpop Demon Hunters is a fluffy fun superhero story on Netflix. It's got beautiful colourful visuals, snappy writing, catchy songs and great action scenes telling the story of a three person Korean girl group Huntr/x defeating a horde of demons led by an evil Korean boy band The Saja Boys.
And if that's all it was I wouldn't be talking about it.
If you're looking for a story that engages both the mind and the heart in equal measure than I highly recommend Oxford Soju Club by Jinwoo Park.
Let's get the disclaimers out of the way
Oxford Soju Club by Jinwoo Park is an incredibly satisfying combination of spy intrigue and rumination on the struggle immigrants face with finding identity and meaning while navigating different cultures.
If you do not wish to read further then the TL;DR is:
Summary: This is a collection of short form poetry and prose by one of the many shining lights of Palestinian literature, Refaat Alareer. It feels like both a journal and journalism as it describes the reality of Palestinian life under Israeli occupation and oppression.
My conclusion: This book proves one thing more than anything else. Israel is built on myths that shatter on contact with Palestinian reality. Refaat Alareer's words, demonstrate that reality with stunning clarity and is necessary reading.
This review has been posted on other platforms with code words to avoid suppression. The version here does not.
If you do not wish to read further then the TL;DR is:
Summary: This book argues the root cause of the conflict in Palestine is not that Palestinians were dispossessed, but that they wish to no longer be dispossessed and go back home.
My conclusion: I read it so you don't have to be subjected to the ugly idea professed here that for there to be peace, Palestinian voices need to be smothered. I suggest reading something else by someone like Rashid Khalidi, or Illan Pape instead.
Or here are two upcoming books that I have far more hope for:
If I Must Die, by Palestinian Poet Refaat AlAreer
Genocide Bad by Jewish Author and Activist Sim Kern
To expand slightly I find this book to be of almost no value, read on if you wish to know what those bits of value may be.