What the heck is Molka? It’s a South Korean term for hidden camera. Voyeurs would hide cameras in places such as public bathrooms, bedrooms, and hotel rooms. Pictures were shared of women using the bathroom, women getting dressed, and couples having sex online. Couples unknowingly had their sexual acts live-streamed! The problem was so bad the city government of Seoul in 2018 announced it would assign 8,000 employees to inspect the city’s bathrooms to look for and remove hidden cameras!
This horrible real-life situation becomes the horror story “Molka” by Monika Kim. The unfamiliar setting of Seoul added to the creepiness factor. The main character Dayhe is Korean and has to deal with voyueristic perverts, a rich playboy who exploits her, a dead sister who becomes a ghost, toxic masculinity, and mean parents.
She has to deal with a backwards culture where women are treated as second-class citizens. Women were told they were being hysterical while men were taken seriously. Police reports by women were often filed away and ignored. Even though Dayhe went to a top university, her human resources file assumes she is not a good long-term employee because she will get married and have kids. Did I say backwards culture? Also sounds like the U.S.
The real horror continues with the disparity of how the women are treated compared to the men. Police would often say nobody was actually harmed and let guys go. However, one woman from a victims support group received 10 months in jail for posting a nude pic of her ex-boyfriend in retaliation for him posting videos of her.
This book scared the shit out of me. A lot of issues and good scenes are in this book! I don’t want to give up too much, but I have to share a couple.
One of the features of culture that worship male superiority is their obsession with penises. “He was on the verge of dying, of being emasculated, and all he could think about was how small his dick looked.”
One of my literary tourist highlights was fulfilled when reading about the hidden luxury stores in Gangnam. Yes! The same place of the worldwide hit Gangnam Style.
Just like the song mocked the pretentious and materialistic culture of that area, the book does not disappoint. I received more detail in the book by observing the rich playboy character and how he treated people.
“Molka” is an excellent scary summer read for adults! If you enjoy horror, you will love this! As a bonus, you’ll be exposed to some Korean culture, language, and geography. With your phone’s help, you can easily look up words while dreading if your phone is spying on you. Also you might be creeped out about hidden bathroom cameras while reading on the toilet.
I also recommend Monika Kim’s “The Eyes Are The Best Part,” which was one of my favorite horror books of 2024. Usually second efforts aren’t as good as first ones, but Monika exceeded my expectations! This is already my favorite horror book of 2026.
