the Bitter Bloom of Lemon Tree

A family tragedy is dug and returned to fore. Income ivestigates his own DNA."The Bitter Bloom of the Lemon Tree" by Bootsieb Bonz explores a decades-old murder unearthed by the removal of a lemon tree at a kindergarten in Gimhae. The story begins with the discovery of human remains, leading Inspector Income into a complex investigation that intertwines with his personal history and family secrets. The victim, Ara, was involved in a forbidden love with her cousin, Sung-cheol, in post-Korean War Gimhae. The narrative delves into themes of hidden truths, the weight of the past, and the slow, arduous path to justice, revealing how deep-seated family dynamics and a pervasive sense of control contributed to the tragedy. The lemon tree, a witness to the initial love and subsequent tragedy, becomes a symbol of the buried truth finally coming to light.