‘9’ is published in the novel collection (The Night We Don’t Have) published in July by Wi Su-jeong, winner of the 2022 Kim Yu-jeong Writer’s Award. This is a work that vividly depicts the process of a housewife’s ordinary life transforming as she enters the unfamiliar world of gambling.
The novel’s title, 9, refers to the final victory in the gambling game Baccarat and can be said to symbolize the human desire to overcome limits. Although the background of the novel is not specified, the setting that there is a ‘Korean only casino’ in a luxury hotel near the resort where the main character is heading brings to mind Kangwon Land. This is especially true when referring to the pawn shop signs lined up and the setting that if you go uphill after passing the resort entrance, you will find an overwhelmingly large hotel and a gorgeous garden.
The main character of the novel is Hye-shin. She is an ordinary housewife with her husband Dong-jae and daughter Min-ah. While visiting a winter resort with her family and friends, she encounters a casino for the first time and begins to fall in love with the thrill and fascination of gambling.
Gambling, which initially started out as a simple curiosity, gradually encroached on her life, and the downfall caused by gambling causes discord in the family. Hye-shin forms a bond with So-ra, whom she met at a casino, through gambling.
Although Sora is known as a graduate student, he is actually deeply addicted to gambling and has a great influence on Hye-shin. Through her relationship with Sora, Hye-shin gets an opportunity to reflect on her addiction, but she still cannot escape gambling and experiences conflict as her life falls apart. In the end, her husband Dong-jae gives her one last chance and hints at divorce, but Hye-shin still cannot regain control over herself.
The novel closely explores the nature and limits of human desire through the act of gambling. Hye-shin’s story in the work symbolically shows the psychology of modern people who want to temporarily forget the pain of reality in the thrill of gambling.
The novel does not portray gambling as mere entertainment or an act of seeking wealth. Gambling reveals humans’ instinctive fascination with uncertainty and uncontrollability, and through this, it functions as a mirror that reflects the repressed desires of modern society.
Hye-shin experiences the thrill and freedom of escape from everyday life through gambling, but this soon leads to her downfall. The work also shows that gambling spaces have the dual characteristic of severing existing social relationships and forming new solidarity at the same time.
The relationship between Hye-shin and So-ra takes on the form of a destructive solidarity, leading us to explore how gambling changes the nature of human relationships.
The psychological description is also excellent. The tension, thrill, and emotions of victory and defeat that Hye-shin feels in front of the gambling table are vividly conveyed to the reader, making her downfall feel as if it were her own. The author convincingly reveals the psychological mechanism of addiction through the process of Hye-shin falling into gambling and gradually losing her sense of self.
Additionally, the story of human desire and downfall seen through gambling goes beyond the narrative of one individual and reflects the problems facing modern society.
It is easy to dismiss gambling addiction as simply an individual problem, but the work suggests that it is a result of structural oppression and relationship-oriented psychology in modern society.
However, it remains disappointing that the novel focuses on the individual’s internal conflict rather than the structural causes of addiction.
The novel goes beyond simply warning of the dangers of gambling addiction and makes us consider the repressed desires and uncontrolled impulses of modern people, as well as the relationships and lives that collapse as a result.
The ending of the novel leaves readers with a lingering feeling, leaving open both the possibility of Hye-shin recovering her life and the possibility of falling into deeper destruction.
This work ultimately asks the question, “Can humans control their desires?” through the subject matter of gambling, making us reflect on the life and nature of modern people.
Hye-shin’s story becomes a mirror that reflects the fear and fascination with uncertainty that we all have, and the ego that wavers within it.
How does the setting of the novel, particularly the juxtaposition of luxury and despair, contribute to the exploration of gambling addiction’s allure and consequences?
## The Allure and Aftermath: Exploring Gambling Addiction in Wi Su-jeong’s “9”
Wi Su-jeong’s novel “9,” a haunting exploration of gambling addiction, offers a raw and intimate portrayal of a housewife’s descent into despair. The title itself, “9,” alludes to the pinnacle of victory in the card game Baccarat, serving as both a symbol of the intoxicating lure of risk and the protagonist Hye-shin’s relentless pursuit of escape.
The novel opens with Hye-shin, an ordinary woman content with her husband Dong-jae and daughter Min-ah, embarking on a family trip to a winter resort. It is here, amidst the luxury and allure of a nearby casino, that she encounters gambling for the first time. Intrigued by the thrill and fascination of the game, Hye-shin succumbs to its insidious grip, gradually allowing it to consume her life.
The setting itself, heavily suggestive of Kangwon Land, reinforces the novel’s realism. The imagery of pawn shop signs lining the streets, juxtaposed against the extravagance of a opulent hotel and its sprawling gardens, paints a vivid picture of the duality of gambling as both a potential escape and a downward spiral.
As Hye-shin’s gambling habit escalates, it triggers a devastating ripple effect on her family life. Discord fills the once harmonious household, highlighting the destructive power of addiction. She forges an unexpected bond with So-ra, a fellow gambler, finding solace in their shared vice. Yet, So-ra, despite appearing to be a graduate student, harbors her own crippling addiction, further ensnaring Hye-shin in a vicious cycle of dependence.
Wi Su-jeong masterfully weaves a narrative that delves into the psychological complexities of gambling addiction. Hye-shin’s journey serves as a cautionary tale, exposing the vulnerability of individuals seeking temporary respite from the burdens of reality. Though she experiences fleeting moments of escape and euphoria through gambling, these are ultimately overshadowed by its devastating consequences.
The novel transcends the simplistic portrayal of gambling as mere entertainment or a pursuit of wealth. Instead, it reveals the deeper human fascination with uncertainty and the allure of relinquishing control. Through Hye-shin’s experiences, Wi Su-jeong unveils gambling as a potent mirror reflecting repressed desires and anxieties within modern society.
Furthermore, “9” examines the paradoxical nature of gambling spaces. While they can isolate individuals from their existing support systems, they also foster new, albeit destructive, forms of solidarity. The bond between Hye-shin and So-ra highlights this complex dynamic, revealing how addiction can create a twisted sense of community.
As the novel draws to a close, Hye-shin faces the harsh reality of her choices. Despite being granted a final opportunity by her husband, she remains unable to break free from the clutches of addiction. The ending leaves the reader with a sense of profound sadness and a lingering question about the true cost of chasing elusive dreams.
“9” is a powerful and thought-provoking read that sheds light on the multifaceted nature of gambling addiction. Wi Su-jeong’s insightful prose allows readers to delve into the psychological turmoil of individuals caught in its snare, leaving a lasting imprint long after the final page is turned.
