CVHS grad pens fantasy novel about “reforging a new normal”

In her new debut novel, “And the River Drags Her Down,” CVHS alumna Jihyun Yun, who graduated in 2009, explores the complex themes of grief, sisterhood, and friendship. Yun never saw herself as a writer; she dabbled in different hobbies, but didn’t have a clear direction or passion, describing herself as a “listless” person. That all changed when she discovered her love for poetry. Suddenly, Yun found herself consumed by writing, eager to finish daily tasks and write until the early morning hours. 

The story begins with Soojin Han. Soojin’s older sister is found mysteriously drowned in the river that flows through Jade Acre, their town. As she grieves the loss of her sister and mother, Soojin defies every rule and uses her inherited magic to bring her sister, Mirae, back from the dead, despite only being allowed to resuscitate small animals. 

As happy as the sisters were at first, Mirae was driven by the desire to live her own life instead of hiding in the shadows from the public, secretly out for revenge. Suddenly, Soojin is forced to reconsider if this is really the sister she once grew up with. 

Yun began writing the novel during the Covid-19 lockdown, initially drafted it thinking it would be part of a poetry collection. Fueled by her own personal grief, the feeling of uncertainty inspired her to explore what it truly means to bargain with loss.  

“I soon realized that I wanted characters to live out my inquiries more fully than the contained space of a poem would allow. Like that, almost accidentally, the bones of the novel were formed,” said Yun. 

The story is loosely based on a Joseon Dynasty-era ghost story called Janghwa Hongryeon Jeon, in which two sisters are drowned by their wicked stepmother and return as ghosts for revenge. Once the grudge was resolved, the sisters were reborn and lived happily in their next life. 

Beyond the story itself, Yun hopes readers take away a new way of thinking about healing. 

“Things I hope readers take away are permission to release themselves from the burden of perfect healing,” Yun said. “I hope that those who read ‘River’ come away with the bracing affirmation that sometimes there is no return, and that is not a failure. Instead, rather than return, perhaps what we have to think of is reforging a new normal.” 

Her advice to young writers is simple, read widely, especially poetry and works in translation, to understand different storytelling forms and encourage empathy.