In 1970s Heilongjiang, in Longquantun by the banks of the Mudan River, a Korean-Chinese boy begins his childhood amid ice and snow. Born into a family of supply-and-marketing cooperative workers, he immerses himself in Korean folk songs and the warmth of village life, starting at the age of four with the tune “Arirang.” But at six, an unexpected turn sends him to the town’s Chinese-language kindergarten. The unfamiliar language cuts through his world like a knife, kindling a vague longing to find a way forward. From playing in the snow to struggling in the classroom, he follows the tracks of two languages across this cold land, searching for a voice of his own.
This autobiographical novel explores language, culture, and growing up. Set against the distinctive backdrop of a Korean-Chinese village in Northeast China, it vividly portrays a boy’s transformation from being called a “Korean bastard” to finding his place in the Chinese-speaking world. The frozen Mudan River bears witness to his laughter and tears, while his parents’ quiet support and his wild childhood memories intertwine in vivid scenes. As time passes, he gradually forgets the full melody of “Arirang,” yet finds new roots in the strong, crisp sounds of Chinese. A greater journey still awaits him: from Northeast China to South Korea, from forgetting Korean to taking it up again.
Arirang in the Snow is not only the story of one person’s growth, but also a portrait of countless families navigating cultural exchange in that era. With warmth and resilience, it tells a story of identity, belonging, and moving forward.
