VOL.81/2025.04

The Flower of Korea, “Mugunghwa,” Blooms

2025.03.10

There’s a special flower in Korea: mugunghwa (hibiscus, rose of sharon). The mugunghwa, which won the most votes in the “Which flower/plant reminds you of Korea?” survey by K-Book Trends, is not just a plant, but an important symbol of Korea’s history and spirit. The mugunghwa is a flower that means “blooming eternally.” It symbolizes the perseverance and strong spirit of Koreans as it constantly blooms new flowers from summer to fall every year. Koreans have long used it to express their national identity and pride. Most recently, it has gained more attention worldwide when the popular Netflix series “The Squid Game” featured a game called “Mugunghwa kkochi pieotseupnida (무궁화꽃이 피었습니다, meaning ‘mugunghwa flowers have bloomed,’ specifically referring to the game, ‘Red light, green light’).” The scene made a strong impression with an innocent girl’s voice and an unsettling twist.
In this issue, we will dive deeper into the culture and identity of Korea through the novel The Rose of Sharon Blooms Again (무궁화꽃이 피었습니다)(ETA Books) by Kim Jin-Myung, which has mugunghwa in its title. The novel combines historical facts with fictional scenarios to create an intense and immersive experience for readers, and is also a multi-million-seller, read by over 6 million readers over the 30 years of its publication. The Rose of Sharon Blooms Again explores the political, diplomatic, and historical conflicts centered around Korea’s development of nuclear weapons. In particular, the novel addresses deep considerations of Korea’s right to sovereignty and how to protect the country internationally. The theme of nuclear development in the novel is not just a military option, but a message that Korea must overcome the pain of its past and become a truly independent nation.

For Koreans, mugunghwa is more than just a flower - it symbolizes the country’s history, spirit, and future. And, through works like The Rose of Sharon Blooms Again, we can gain a deeper understanding of Korean culture and identity. If you ever visit Korea, look for mugunghwa along the road - it may be a small flower, but it carries so much story and meaning.