In "Two Women Living Together", South Korean bestseller about platonic partnership, Kim Hana and Hwang Sunwoo's unlikely friendship becomes an intimate window into the complexities of modern life. The two women, both in their 40s, had previously rejected marriage due to the country's patriarchal culture, which pressures women to take on more household chores than men.
Their decision to buy a house together marked a turning point in their lives, shifting from solitary independence to shared companionship. Hana, a minimalist, and Sunwoo, who owns an overwhelming wardrobe, navigate everyday life with humor and bickering. However, beneath the warmth of their friendship lies a radical proposition: that platonic partnerships should be treated as families.
The book chronicles their experiences with healthcare, taxes, and social norms, where they are often overlooked or excluded due to South Korea's lack of recognition for same-sex marriage or cohabiting partners. This is reflected in Sunwoo's hospitalization, where Hana becomes her primary guardian but lacks access to the free flu vaccine offered to employees' families.
While the book offers a candid portrayal of platonic partnerships, it also highlights the need for greater context and social commentary. The authors' lack of recognition by official paperwork, as well as their experiences with neighbors' assumptions about their relationship, underscore the complexities of living outside traditional family structures.
As interest in "platonic partnerships" grows worldwide, stories like Sunwoo and Hana's offer valuable insights into alternative forms of care and companionship. Theirs is a testament to the many ways people are redefining what it means to be part of a family. Despite frustrations with some sections of the book, including the focus on their pets, "Two Women Living Together" remains an essential read for anyone interested in exploring the evolving nature of relationships and care in modern society.
The recent introduction of language allowing census respondents to describe themselves as cohabiting partners is a positive development, but it only highlights the need for further recognition and rights for platonic partnerships. As progressives continue to push for reforms, stories like Sunwoo and Hana's will undoubtedly remain crucial in raising awareness about the importance of inclusive social policies and challenging traditional notions of family and care.
Through its intimate portrayal of two women's friendship, "Two Women Living Together" not only entertains but also challenges readers to rethink their assumptions about what it means to be part of a family. As our understanding of relationships evolves, this book serves as an important reminder that companionship, care, and love can take many forms – and that platonic partnerships deserve recognition and respect.
Their decision to buy a house together marked a turning point in their lives, shifting from solitary independence to shared companionship. Hana, a minimalist, and Sunwoo, who owns an overwhelming wardrobe, navigate everyday life with humor and bickering. However, beneath the warmth of their friendship lies a radical proposition: that platonic partnerships should be treated as families.
The book chronicles their experiences with healthcare, taxes, and social norms, where they are often overlooked or excluded due to South Korea's lack of recognition for same-sex marriage or cohabiting partners. This is reflected in Sunwoo's hospitalization, where Hana becomes her primary guardian but lacks access to the free flu vaccine offered to employees' families.
While the book offers a candid portrayal of platonic partnerships, it also highlights the need for greater context and social commentary. The authors' lack of recognition by official paperwork, as well as their experiences with neighbors' assumptions about their relationship, underscore the complexities of living outside traditional family structures.
As interest in "platonic partnerships" grows worldwide, stories like Sunwoo and Hana's offer valuable insights into alternative forms of care and companionship. Theirs is a testament to the many ways people are redefining what it means to be part of a family. Despite frustrations with some sections of the book, including the focus on their pets, "Two Women Living Together" remains an essential read for anyone interested in exploring the evolving nature of relationships and care in modern society.
The recent introduction of language allowing census respondents to describe themselves as cohabiting partners is a positive development, but it only highlights the need for further recognition and rights for platonic partnerships. As progressives continue to push for reforms, stories like Sunwoo and Hana's will undoubtedly remain crucial in raising awareness about the importance of inclusive social policies and challenging traditional notions of family and care.
Through its intimate portrayal of two women's friendship, "Two Women Living Together" not only entertains but also challenges readers to rethink their assumptions about what it means to be part of a family. As our understanding of relationships evolves, this book serves as an important reminder that companionship, care, and love can take many forms – and that platonic partnerships deserve recognition and respect.
now we're seeing more and more stories like sunwoo and hana's being told, and it's just so refreshing. but at the same time, it's still crazy that they had to deal with all that paperwork nonsense and were basically treated like an afterthought because their relationship wasn't "officially" recognized 
anyway, i'm loving how the book is sparking conversations about what it means to be part of a family - i mean, who says you need a husband/wife to have a partner in life? 
I gotta ask, how do we know Sunwoo wasn't already eligible for the flu vaccine? We don't have any info on her employment status or what's in the fine print of that "free" offer... 
Would've been nice to see some sources cited on this one
I was really interested in the story behind Kim Hana and Hwang Sunwoo's unlikely friendship. It's so inspiring to see two women who have chosen a non-traditional path together and are creating their own family structure on their own terms. I love how they navigate everyday life with humor and bickering, it makes me think that anyone can build strong relationships regardless of their relationship status.
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also, pets getting more page space than the actual issues faced by platonic partners is kinda weird... and what's up with the lack of concrete solutions in the book? feel like it just glosses over how ppl can actually create change...
. but honestly, the more I think about it, the more I realize that this is a global issue that affects people of all orientations and backgrounds 
. it's time we start redefining what family means to us as individuals and communities, rather than just sticking to traditional norms 
. and can you believe they even had to deal with neighbors' assumptions about their relationship? it's wild how much more we need to do to make our society inclusive and accepting 
. anyways, I'm definitely adding this book to my list - it sounds like a really important read for anyone interested in social change 
. Still, their story is an important reminder that families come in all shapes and sizes, and that love and companionship are what truly matter 
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. Like, who wouldn't want to get a flu vaccine with their partner? It's basic care, right? 
But nope, in South Korea, it's still all about hetero pairs & traditional nuclear families. Give me a break! 
and we're still talking about same-sex marriage or cohabiting partners needing "special" recognition? It's time to get with the times, folks! 
The book "Two Women Living Together" might be a great read, but it's also kinda... basic 
. We need more nuanced discussions about what family looks like in the 21st century. 
I'm definitely going to check this book out - maybe we can even start a discussion about alternative forms of care and companionship? 
It's crazy to think about how far we've come just recently when they introduced language for census respondents to describe themselves as cohabiting partners, but still so much work to be done 
These two women are living proof that platonic partnerships can be just as fulfilling and meaningful as traditional family structures. I mean, who needs a partner or spouse when you have someone like Sunwoo with an epic wardrobe 
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. We need more stories like Sunwoo and Hana's out there, shedding light on the many ways people are redefining what it means to be part of a family 
It's like, we're living in a time where people are starting to realize that family isn't just about blood ties 
. Anyway, I think this book is a game-changer and we need more stories like it 
kim hana & hwang sunwoo's story is literally me & my bffs living in a house together, but with more drama & less cleaning 
. we need more stories like this in the world, esp ones that show platonic partnerships as valid & deserving of respect 
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was such a turning point in the book - it really highlighted how hard it can be for ppl to navigate the world without being recognized as part of a "family". its crazy that their neighbors just assumed they were romantic partners 
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