Secret Rendezvous (novel)

Secret Rendezvous is a South Korean novel written by Hwang Bo-reum, published in 2023. The novel explores themes of loneliness, connection, and the search for meaning in modern urban life, particularly through the lens of unconventional relationships. The story revolves around two characters who connect through their shared experiences of isolation and alienation. One is a young woman working a dead-end job, feeling disconnected from her peers and struggling with a lack of purpose. The other is an older man, facing his own set of existential anxieties and grappling with a sense of being out of sync with the world.

The novel gained significant attention for its poignant portrayal of contemporary societal issues in South Korea, including the pressures of career expectations, social isolation facilitated by digital technology, and the challenges of finding genuine intimacy in a fast-paced environment. It has been praised for its empathetic character development and its ability to capture the emotional nuances of its protagonists' experiences. While classified as fiction, the novel resonates with many readers due to its exploration of real-world anxieties and relatable struggles. The title, Secret Rendezvous, alludes to the discreet and somewhat unexpected nature of the relationship that develops between the main characters.