My understanding of autumn in Korea is of idyllic beauty: tucking oneself in warm clothes with a steaming mug of beverage and reading books, or romantic walks on pathways that add a wondrous sunset splash of colour. The First Snowfall hits SeoulNovember 18, 2013.Ansan Mountain, Seodaemun-gu, SeoulMinistry of Culture, Sports and TourismKorean Culture and Information (HAN-첫 눈 온 날 스케치안산, 서대문구, 서울문화체육관광부해외문화홍보원코리아넷전한 When everyone talks of autumn with the lens of beauty and poetry, what must they feel who have trudged through those desolate roads during the same agonizing autumn. I recently watched the k-drama ‘ Jirisan‘ and understand to an extent how treacherous a mountain can be, especially during snowfall. It is an admirable but difficult read as we traverse through the pages of struggles the soldiers faced during the Chosin reservoir mission- both physical and psychological. However, it weaves the story of our protagonist by going back & forth between different locations in the past & the present. This book is in English with a first-person perspective making it usually look autobiographical narrative. James Brady is a celebrity columnist who has also written several books with the backdrop of the Korean War, in which he had served as a US Marine Corps Officer. The book is a 250+ pages war novel by American author James Brady published in the year 2000. In this book, we can visualize the travails of the army as they face two mighty opponents: the Chinese Army on one side and the bitter climate of autumn in the Taebaek mountain range area on the other. He is ordered to return from civilian life to active duty: to provide his services at the Chosin reservoir battle as part of the US Marines. On one such project, I decided to pick up James Brady’s novel: ‘ The Marines of Autumn‘ which describes the story of a US citizen who is a Chinese language specialist. It has been my dream to travel to South Korea, but at present, I make do with learning more about their culture, their people, and their history.

There are so many movies, dramas, books, and webtoons that have shown the beauty of Korean autumn. September in South Korea is an homage to the Autumn season.

“No season appeals to the eyes as much as autumn no season touches the souls as powerfully as autumn and no season invites us to the world of mournful thoughts as intensely as autumn!” Mehmet Murat ildan

The Marines of Autumn by James Brady