Jeong You-jeong, widely regarded as Korea's queen of crime fiction and one of the country's bestselling authors of psychological suspense, is set to visit New York next week to celebrate the English-language debut of her latest novel, "Perfect Happiness." The psychological thriller, expertly translated by Sean Lin Halbert, will hit bookstores across the United States on Tuesday, marking another milestone in Jeong's growing international presence.
The novel delves deep into the disturbing psychology of family dysfunction, exploring the sinister darkness that can hide beneath the surface of what appears to be a perfect household. At the heart of this chilling narrative is Yuna, a deeply narcissistic mother whose obsessive and relentless pursuit of personal happiness transforms into a dangerous weapon wielded against her closest family members. Her victims include her devoted husband, her emotionally distant sister, and most tragically, her innocent 6-year-old daughter, Jiyoo.
The toxic family dynamic that Jeong creates is both compelling and disturbing, as every member of Yuna's household lives in constant fear of disrupting her fragile emotional state. Family members walk on eggshells, desperately trying to maintain Yuna's happiness at all costs. Even during periods when she isn't actively blaming others or resorting to physical violence, the ever-present threat of her unpredictable mood swings creates an atmosphere of terror that prevents genuine family bonding, physical affection, or even basic communication. This emotional manipulation is so effective that family members remain isolated from one another, never talking long enough to realize that Yuna is systematically playing them against each other.
The psychological thriller takes a dramatic turn when young Jiyoo begins experiencing feverish memories involving loons, memories that seem to hint at a deeply troubling crime from the past. These disturbing recollections serve as the catalyst that finally motivates Yuna's estranged sister and guilt-ridden husband to take action. Working together, they begin the painstaking process of reconstructing Yuna's movements, investigating the series of unexplained tragedies that have marked her past, and unraveling the complex web of lies she has been weaving for years.
Jeong You-jeong has established herself as a powerhouse in the crime fiction genre through an impressive series of bestselling novels that have captivated readers both in Korea and internationally. Her previous works include the critically acclaimed "Seven Years of Darkness" and "The Good Son," both of which have been successfully translated into English and made available to Western audiences. The success of her work extends beyond literature, as "Seven Years of Darkness" was adapted into a major film production in 2018, further cementing her reputation as a master storyteller.
To commemorate the release of "Perfect Happiness," Jeong has planned two special appearances in New York City that will give American readers the opportunity to meet the acclaimed author in person. On Wednesday, she will appear at the prestigious Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library, followed by a visit to The Twisted Spine on Thursday. The Twisted Spine is a specialized New York bookstore that focuses exclusively on horror and dark fiction, making it the perfect venue for discussing Jeong's psychological thriller with fans of the genre.
