How does the title "This Burns My Heart" describe the ways Soo-Ja and Yul deal with their pain? What else does the title capture in the novel?

In the U.S. we'd say "breaks" my heart. Any idea why the Korean culture uses the word "burns," instead?

We learn the meaning of the title on page 145 when Yul says, "Chamara, Soo-Ja. Chamara." He is telling her not only to stand the pain but also giving her the comfort and power to do so. This expression is his way of saying, "I know, I feel it, too."

When you can't be with the person that truly makes you "whole", your being has a longing, achy feeling like "burning". That is how Soo-ja feels. It is mixed with wishful thinking, regret, want, and grief. The title is perfect.

I think a love that lingers throughout your life is like a burn that leaves a permanent scar. You can try and cover it up but it will never be totally successful.

Is a love like Soo-ja's and Yul's over-romanticized? Would it really have been so idyllic after the shine of being newlyweds wore off? Our culture puts "soul mate" love on a pedestal, yet our divorce rate is 50% or so - and that's without arranged marriage. Second marriages fare even worse in our society.

The way Park writes of the love between them sounds like the typical star-crossed lovers. But would it really have been that exceptional?

Whether their love would have continued to be idyllic is questionable. Husbands and wives have to grow together through the years. Children and shared experiences usually bond a couple. It can happen but is not a given even when there is great chemistry and shared values when young

Soo-Ja and Min most definitely had no chemistry after they married. Before, yes. I didn't see it coming that he'd turn out to be such a jerk after they were married. Marriage is so seldom idyllic.

Unfortunately, many young girls think marriage is a way out of situations at home. After marriage they realize that they may be in a far worse situation. This would make their heart ache or burn.

I'm sure all of us could name a couple whose marriage seems so wonderful from the outside. How often is that a public personae, though? Soo-Ja seems to want to hide her misery and when Yul begins approaching her she's able to separate what her heart wants from what her moral upbringing tells her she needs to do, that is, be faithful to her husband. She's a very strong woman, which impresses me partly because she grew up in a wealthy family and was beautiful, also. Both these things cause many people to feel entitled to have what they want. But not so in Soo-Ja's case.

I see the title as partially evoking the pain caused by having to live one life while yearning for another. Perhaps that's the true source of the "burn."