Semiotics of Silence and Suffering in South Korean Fiction

Abstract

This paper examines the semiotic dimensions of silence and suffering in contemporary South Korean fiction, interpreting them not merely as narrative absences but as culturally encoded signs that articulate trauma, resistance, and identity. Integrating theoretical frameworks from semiotics, trauma studies, and postcolonial discourse, the study explores how silence operates as both a narrative strategy and a socio-political commentary. South Korean literature—shaped by colonial history, authoritarian regimes, rapid modernization, and collective trauma—frequently employs silence as a communicative device that transcends spoken language. Through close reading and interpretative analysis, this paper identifies recurring symbolic structures in selected works, where suffering is mediated through muted voices, fragmented memories, and symbolic imagery. The analysis demonstrates that silence functions as a signifier of repression, resistance, and emotional intensity, while suffering is semiotically constructed through bodily metaphors, spatial confinement, and temporal disjunctions. The study contributes to contemporary literary discourse by proposing a layered interpretative model that situates silence and suffering within broader cultural and historical contexts.