Bora Chung’s latest novel is an intriguing collection of ghost stories that harken back to the tradition of tales told in the dead of night to curious listeners. Set in an isolated research lab, the stories revolve around a junior security staff member who takes the night watch along with a senior employee. As they patrol the lab, the senior staff member regales the narrator with spine-chilling accounts of previous security and janitorial staff’s encounters with supernatural beings and objects that call the lab home.
The lab, it turns out, is no ordinary research facility. It houses a range of supernatural creatures and objects with a penchant for causing mischief and mayhem. The stories shared by the senior employee are filled with eerie experiences and the consequences of foolish interactions with these entities. These tales serve as a warning to those who dare to meddle with the otherworldly inhabitants of the lab.
One of the stories tells of Sook, a cleaning lady who encountered a mysterious man in a suit within the lab. He warned her not to enter a specific part of the building, and she wisely heeded his advice. When Sook followed his instructions, she found herself inexplicably transported to the garage where she needed to be. In contrast, another employee named Chan ignored the suited man’s warning and ventured into the garage on his motorcycle. He soon found himself lost in an infinite highway tunnel, where he encountered a series of bizarre events, including sinister phone calls and a voice asking if he wanted a coffin. Ultimately, Chan narrowly escaped, but the experience was deeply unsettling.
The narrator questions whether any of these employees quit their jobs at the lab after these terrifying encounters. The senior employee reveals that Sook quit to live happily with her children in another city, while Chan left to live with his partner, Gak. The narrator finds comfort in these happy endings, unaware that not all the stories told within the lab conclude on such positive notes.
The ghost stories in “Midnight Timetable” are both terrifying and vindicating. In these tales, villains face the consequences of their actions, while heroes who embrace self-reflection and change are saved. For example, Chan’s salvation comes when he confronts his childhood trauma and accepts his own queerness, realizing his desire to live and love Gak. On the other hand, an old man obsessed with his late mother’s silken handkerchief remains trapped by his greed and desire, unable to shake the ghosts that haunt him.
As the book progresses, it becomes evident that the lab serves as a haven for the supernatural objects and creatures featured in the stories. It cares for and protects these entities, allowing them to heal and eventually move on, gradually fading from view.
Bora Chung’s skillful use of language creates suspense and thrills in unconventional ways. The ghosts and supernatural beings in the stories rarely resort to violence but remain terrifying due to the slow pacing and eerie movements that keep readers’ imaginations engaged. The repeated phrases and descriptions scattered throughout the book enhance readers’ attachment to the ghostly creatures and objects in the lab. These elements also reinforce the book’s message of giving justice to ghosts who have been created through trauma and abuse at human hands.
In the afterword, Bora Chung explains her desire to offer ghosts the justice they deserve, and it’s clear that she has achieved this goal in the book. “Midnight Timetable” is a delightful and chilling read with captivating stories, endearing characters, and just enough unanswered questions to maintain an air of mystery. It balances scares with satisfying endings, making it a universal and culturally rich experience. The glimpses of Korean history and tradition embedded in the stories provide an extra layer of intrigue for English-speaking readers, offering them a unique opportunity to explore Korean culture through the lens of ghostly tales.