In the novel "Modern Family" by author Cheon Myeong Kwan, readers cannot help but be moved by the image of a mother over 70 years old. Alone with her three adult children, who return home burdened with shame from divorce, bankruptcy, prison, and failure, her humble home is never peaceful. Yet, she quietly accepts it all without complaint, consistently cooking warm breakfasts and filling dinners with grilled meat until her children are full.
Although the book is short and the story unfolds over just one year—from when the children return to when they leave again—it evokes laughter, tears, sorrow, and happiness. With a vivid, life-like writing style, Cheon Myeong Kwan's novel deeply touches readers' hearts with its graceful prose and profound message. It reminds us that when fragmented lives and individual pains gather under one roof, in a mother’s unconditional love, they find the meaning of life, what they call "family" and kinship.
With an interesting contrast, "Modern Family" highlights a simple yet uplifting message: "No matter how stormy it is outside, a mother's heart is the safest haven in life."
- Title: Modern Family
- Author: Cheon Myeong Kwan
- Publishers: Literature publishing house
- Year of publication: 2015