Jujube Fragrance (2)

Author: [Korean] Kim Hee-jeong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-10-01
Features: After the publication of The Scent of Chrysanthemums, it sparked a whirlwind of response in Korea, becoming a hot topic and quickly sweeping across Asia. The book also held the top spot on Korean bestseller lists for a long time and set a record of selling 2 million copies. It was named the champion of the literature category on the Korean bestseller lists in 2000 and 2001. In July 2002, upon its release in mainland China, it immediately climbed to the top of the national literature book bestseller list and formed a romantic but loyal love belief and fashion among young people in China.
The Scent of Chrysanthemums 2 continues the lingering romance of The Scent of Chrysanthemums and tells the story that follows. It still shows the power of great love—why once love enters the heart, it never disappears! This book is a sequel to The Scent of Chrysanthemums, telling the story of Chengyu's life and emotional turmoil after Mei Shu's death. The unique scent of chrysanthemums on Mei Shu's head has quietly vanished into the night sky, never to return, but it still lingers in Chengyu's heart, long-lasting and inescapable. Although two sincere loves are placed before Chengyu, the love in his heart remains with the heavens-bound Mei Shu. Chengyu ultimately chooses solitude, preferring to be like a solitary tree, deeply rooted in the love of Mei Shu. Jing Lan's silent care for love, Ying En's wholehearted devotion, and Chengyu's unwillingness to hurt the two yet unable to let go of Mei Shu's deep love run throughout the story. The emotional struggles of the three add a layer of complexity to the romantic plot. Mei Shu was taken by cancer, leaving behind her newborn daughter Shumei and the deeply loving Chengyu. Chengyu transferred all his love for Mei Shu to his daughter Shumei, but his life was destined to have more love, destined to have two lovely women weep and break their hearts for him. Jing Lan, Ying En, and Chengyu—these three mortal beings float and struggle in love and sorrow, yet they can never shake the lingering scent of chrysanthemums that clings to their hearts.
The ultra-popular Korean author Kim Hee-jeong once again writes a love tragedy in The Scent of Chrysanthemums 2. Before her death, Mei Shu entrusted her daughter Shumei to her close friend Jing Lan and asked her to take good care of Chengyu. Jing Lan deeply loved Chengyu and, in the five years after Mei Shu's death, meticulously cared for both Chengyu and Shumei, like another mother to Shumei, giving her all her love to both. However, Chengyu's heart was always occupied by Mei Shu. His love for Mei Shu was like a tree deeply rooted in his soul, unshakable by anyone. Since the age of fifteen, Ying En had deeply loved Chengyu and, after their marriage, moved to the Philippines. After the marriage, Ying En was happy—she had a loving husband, intelligent and lovely children, and her in-laws were a renowned Korean (overseas Korean conglomerate). But her love for Chengyu never ceased. If the tragedy had not occurred, Ying En would have forever buried this love and longing in her heart. Yet fate always tears happiness apart so easily. Ying En's family was brutally murdered, and even her two young children were not spared. Faced with this sudden calamity, Ying En almost gave up her life, but her love for life and the world gave her hope again. She returned, to Korea, to Chengyu's side.
Facing two pure and sincere loves, Chengyu still clings to the lingering scent of chrysanthemums in his heart. Jing Lan's silent care for love, Ying En's wholehearted devotion, and Chengyu's kindness in not wanting to hurt the two make their love even more painful. In the end of this love-hate entanglement, what choice will Chengyu make?
Author Kim Hee-jeong declares: The tragedy ends here. The Scent of Chrysanthemums 2 has a bit less of the cruel sorrow of The Scent of Chrysanthemums, but it retains its fashion and romance. Moving music, picturesque scenery, and extreme emotions form the unique elements of Kim Hee-jeong's new-new romanticism. A reader left a comment online saying the book is pure and moving, so beautiful it makes one cry. Kim Hee-jeong has given us just such clean sorrow and happiness, touching the purest corner of everyone's heart, calling out for the brightest emotions and the most beautiful thoughts in humanity.