In South Korea, where women are expected to conform to traditional roles, two women, Sunwoo and Hana, dared to challenge societal norms by living together as friends. Their story, chronicled in "Two Women Living Together," is a heartwarming yet poignant exploration of platonic partnership.
The book chronicles the journey of these two women, who met on Twitter and shared similar tastes in music and books. Both had rejected marriage due to South Korea's patriarchal culture, where women are burdened with more household chores than men. As they entered middle age, loneliness began to creep in, and their small studio apartments felt suffocating.
In a bold move, Sunwoo and Hana decided to buy a sunlit house together, free from the expectations of romance and family ties. With four cats as their only companions, they share essays on everything from food to retirement fantasies, revealing a life filled with quiet joys and irritations.
The book is both an amusing and relatable portrayal of friendship, with its own set of quirks and rituals. However, it also touches on the deeper issue of unrecognised partnerships in South Korea's society. The authors' relationship is invisible on official paperwork, leaving them ineligible for tax benefits, welfare support, and even the right to act as "chief mourner" at funerals.
The book raises crucial questions about the future of cohabitation in South Korea, where same-sex marriage is not recognised, and those living with friends or as unmarried partners do not have access to equal rights. The introduction of a bill to secure rights for cohabiting partners and friends offers a glimmer of hope, but it was blocked by the conservative government.
Despite some frustrations, such as filler essays about their pets, "Two Women Living Together" is a generous and witty portrait of friendship. It highlights the growing number of people turning to friends as their primary source of stability, companionship, and care in a world where family-centred care is becoming increasingly unaffordable.
As interest in platonic partnerships grows worldwide, stories like Sunwoo and Hana's matter. They demonstrate that being a family is not limited by traditional roles or romantic relationships, but can be defined by the choices we make about who we want to live with, whom we trust, and how we support each other.
The book chronicles the journey of these two women, who met on Twitter and shared similar tastes in music and books. Both had rejected marriage due to South Korea's patriarchal culture, where women are burdened with more household chores than men. As they entered middle age, loneliness began to creep in, and their small studio apartments felt suffocating.
In a bold move, Sunwoo and Hana decided to buy a sunlit house together, free from the expectations of romance and family ties. With four cats as their only companions, they share essays on everything from food to retirement fantasies, revealing a life filled with quiet joys and irritations.
The book is both an amusing and relatable portrayal of friendship, with its own set of quirks and rituals. However, it also touches on the deeper issue of unrecognised partnerships in South Korea's society. The authors' relationship is invisible on official paperwork, leaving them ineligible for tax benefits, welfare support, and even the right to act as "chief mourner" at funerals.
The book raises crucial questions about the future of cohabitation in South Korea, where same-sex marriage is not recognised, and those living with friends or as unmarried partners do not have access to equal rights. The introduction of a bill to secure rights for cohabiting partners and friends offers a glimmer of hope, but it was blocked by the conservative government.
Despite some frustrations, such as filler essays about their pets, "Two Women Living Together" is a generous and witty portrait of friendship. It highlights the growing number of people turning to friends as their primary source of stability, companionship, and care in a world where family-centred care is becoming increasingly unaffordable.
As interest in platonic partnerships grows worldwide, stories like Sunwoo and Hana's matter. They demonstrate that being a family is not limited by traditional roles or romantic relationships, but can be defined by the choices we make about who we want to live with, whom we trust, and how we support each other.
I'm totally loving this story of Sunwoo & Hana! 
They're proof that life is all about finding what works for you & your squad 
It's amazing how they took control of their lives, bought a house together, and created a beautiful home filled with love & laughter 
. I'm so glad they shared their story, it's giving me all the feels 
I wish more people in Korea could be like them, living life on their own terms without fear of judgment 
It's time for change, let's celebrate these amazing women and their friendship 
. I'm hoping the gov't changes its mind soon 
!
It's like they're proving that being single and non-traditional is totally okay, and that we don't need anyone else to complete us. And can we talk about the ridiculousness of not recognizing platonic partnerships in South Korea?! 
The fact that they're still fighting for basic rights like tax benefits and funeral support is just heartbreaking 
But seriously, this book is all about embracing your own path to happiness, no matter what others think. And honestly, I'm so here for it! 
it's crazy that their partnership isn't even recognized by the government, but at least there's hope with this bill being introduced 
. I mean, who needs all that societal pressure when you've got a partner in crime... err, I mean, life 
. But at least now there's hope for change and more people are open to non-traditional relationships 
. Sunwoo and Hana are proof that friendship can be just as meaningful, if not more so, than romance 
– it's like we're getting a glimpse into their quirky little world 
. We need more stories like theirs to show us that there are alternative ways of building relationships and finding community 
It's like they're tryna keep people in the dark, hiding all this info from us.
Only time'll tell, but I got my eyes on it. 
It's like, what even is a "family" anymore? Like, my squad and I just had the best sleepover ever – no significant others required 
. But all in all, "Two Women Living Together" is a beautiful reminder that family isn't just about biology or romance, but about who you choose to love and support 
their story is a reminder that platonic partnerships are just as valid and beautiful as romantic ones 
it's amazing how they've created their own little family with the cats and have found so much joy in their simple life together. The way they share their thoughts on everything from food to retirement plans is just hilarious 
same-sex marriage may not be recognized, but that doesn't mean people can't find love and support in each other. It's so refreshing to see a country where friends are becoming more than just an option, but a way of life 
... but overall, it's a heartwarming reminder that family is not just about blood ties 
.