Rain Shower
"Rain Shower", also "Shower" or "Sonagi" (소나기), is a Korean short story written by Korean writer Hwang Sun-won in 1952. A sonagi is a brief but heavy rain shower that starts suddenly, usually on a hot afternoon. In Hwang’s story, the rain shower symbolizes the short but heart-rending love between the boy and the girl.
“Rain Shower,” like many of Hwang’s other stories, was written while he lived as a refugee with his family during the Korean War.
Although many of Hwang’s short stories are notable, “Rain Shower” is cited as his timeless Korean classic and continues to be one of the most-read short stories in Korean literature. Koreans of all ages are acquainted with this story, but its addition to the school curriculum has made it particularly popular among schoolchildren. It is famous for its poignant depiction of the Korean countryside and of innocent adolescent love. The picturesque scenes from this story stir nostalgia for many people.
The scene from "Rain Shower" where the boy and the girl avoid the rain shower together has become a favorite in many Korean romantic films. There is a 1979 Korean film based on the short story (also called Sonagi). Two notable films that heavily reference the story include the 2001 Korean romantic comedy My Sassy Girl, the 2003 Korean melodrama The Classic, and 2004 Korean Dramas Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation Tropical Nights in December Episode 1 parodies. "Rain Shower" was also adapted into an animation in August 2017.
Similar Artists